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54 Pentecostal Ministry in a Relativistic Culture MICHAEL J. BEALS Active churches that are alive in the Spirit provide a vibrant, stable refuge for those longing for a firm and enduring foundation. 62 Overcoming unChristian Branding DAVID KINNAMAN The cold war between Christians and outsiders is likely to deepen unless Christians take a serious look at their reflection. 26 16 One Size Church Does Not Fit All GEORGE O. WOOD 70 Telling the Story for 21st-century Listeners We need not concern ourselves with churches GRAHAM JOHNSTON that do things differently if people are becoming How to make ancient history become undeniably 62 fruitful disciples of Jesus. good news. 20 Defending Christianity in a 80 Speaking the Truth in Love: The Role of Secular Culture Apologetics in Pastoral Ministry INTERVIEW WITH GEORGE P. WOOD RAVI ZACHARIAS If the church does not offer a convincing Why has the response to skeptical arguments, who will? Judeo-Christian worldview 90 Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? become the A Comparison of the Person, Teachings, pariah stepchild and Works of the Jesus in the Canonical of worldviews and Noncanonical Gospels while others W.E. NUNNALLY are respected Does evidence support the popular claims that and reverenced? Jesus is merely a good man but not the divine Son of God? 26 Regaining a Christian Worldview in the Church 100 The Bible — Can We Trust It? JAMES EMERY WHITE RICHARD L. DRESSELHAUS Have Christians offered mere feelings and Why we must move past the translation philanthropy rather than hard thinking applied controversy and defend the Bible in an increasingly to the issues of the day? secular society. 40 Following a Unique Christ in a 112 The Secret: Uncovering the Truth Pluralistic Society About an Old Lie PAUL COPAN ROB STARNER How can pastors and Christian leaders encourage What readers of The Secret get is not those entrusted to their care to handle the newly discovered truth, but a repackaged, pluralistic challenges of our day? long-standing lie.

ENRICHMENT (ISSN 1082-1791) is published quarterly (January, April, July, October), ©2008 by The General Council of the Assemblies of God, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfi eld, Missouri 65802. Assemblies of God ministers may reproduce nonbyline material from Enrichment in church publications, giving credit to the journal. Except for brief quotations, signed articles may not be reprinted without permission of the authors. Subscription rates: USA –1 year $24; 2 years $42. Outside USA add $30 per year. Subscriptions: All subscription correspondence, including change of address, should be sent to Enrichment, Customer Services, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfi eld, MO 65802, phone 1-800-641-4310. Periodical postage paid at Springfi eld, Missouri, and at additional mailing offi ces. Printed in the USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Enrichment, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfi eld, MO 65802. enrichment / Fall 2008 1 100 CContentsontentsFall 2008

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Gary R. Allen 140 REAL LIFE PREACHING MANAGING EDITOR Why Our Preaching Doesn’t Matter to Rick Knoth the Church ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN MARTIN Richard Schoonover ASSISTANT EDITOR Kevin Wilson MANAGING YOUR MINISTRY 142 ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONS Organizational Development and COORDINATOR the Church Steve Lopez Part Four: Change Leadership in the Church OFFICE COORDINATOR JOHN MICHAEL DE MARCO Connie Cross GRAPHICS/DESIGN Design Services ORIGINAL WISDOM 6 e sshortshorts 146 PREPARED UNDER THE George Floyd Taylor (1881–1934) DIRECTION OF THE ej News & Trends “Understanding the Spirit’s Work EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERY 14 and Witness” George O. Wood (general superinten- DOUGLAS JACOBSEN dent), C. Dan Betzer, L. John Bueno, 120 ej Online Warren D. Bullock, Douglas E. Clay, Richard L. Dresselhaus, Douglas E. Fulenwider, L. Alton Garrison, J. Don George, Nam Soo Kim, John E. Maracle, Jesse Miranda, Jr., John EDITORIALS DDEEPAARTMENTSRTMENTS M. Palmer, H. Robert Rhoden, Zollie L. Smith, Jr., Clarence St. John 5 MINISTRY MATTERS 150 Sermon Seeds ADVERTISING Proclaiming Truth For information on print or online GARY R. ALLEN Book Reviews advertising, call Steve Lopez at 152 417-862-2781, ext. 4097; go to enrichment journal.ag.org (click on 160 IN CLOSING 154 News & Resources Advertise); or E-mail [email protected]. Proclaiming Truth Today ADVERTISING POLICY RICHARD L. SCHOONOVER 157 Marketplace Enrichment does not endorse any advertiser or product. Claims made With Christ in an advertisement are the sole 158 responsibility of the advertiser. Enrichment reserves the right to CCOLUMNSOLUMNS Advertising Index reject any advertisement that is 159 inconsistent with the journal’s objectives, editorial convictions, and THEOLOGICAL ENRICHMENT Assemblies of God doctrine. 122 Challenges to Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security? Next time in happy, loving E-MAIL: W.E. NUNNALLY marriage [email protected] and family WEB SITE: THE GREATEST CHALLENGES OF PASTORAL CARE relationships www.enrichmentjournal.ag.org 130 Your Marriage and Family are not just Helping People Who Struggle for the people Member of With Addictions who sit in the pew. They also affect the lives of those who stand behind Evangelical LARRY E. HAZELBAKER the pulpit. If your ministry marriage is broken or semi-broken, you Press Association are in great company. Some of the most successful ministers in North America have terrible marriages. Instead of model marriages reflecting Member of MINISTRY AND MEDICAL ETHICS well on Christ, ministry marriages are fighting for survival. Families International 134 Pentecostal Neuroethics: Moral Implications of pictured inside front covers of church directories or displayed as staff in brochures appear happy and healthy. Off of the brochure and back Press Association Meddling with the Mind in the bedroom this is seldom reality. Clergy families are not always as • All Scripture quotations, unless CHRISTINA M.H. POWELL they appear. They are in trouble. otherwise indicated, are taken This issue of Enrichment journal is filled with insightful and from the HOLY BIBLE. NEW INTER- compelling articles and interviews that communicate practical ways Q&A FOR MINISTRY WIVES NATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright© 138 to fireproof your marriage and family relationships. Read stirring I Disagree With My Husband 1973, 1978, 1984 by International articles by Henry Cloud, Don and Jodi Detrick, H.B. London, Gary Oliver, Bible Society. Used by permission GABRIELE RIENAS Dennis Rainey, Dale Wolery, George O. Wood, and others. of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

2 enrichment / Fall 2008

MMinistryinistry MMattersatters / GARY R. ALLEN PProclaimingroclaiming TTruthruth Defi ning Truth Proclaiming Truth The beliefs of our current culture affect how we It is one thing to preach the Word of God to people share the gospel. In the past much of the American who already value biblical truth. Today, however, culture was rooted in Judeo-Christian values. pastors and their congregations meet people These values were the hooks on which people who have little or no knowledge of biblical truth could more easily hang the principles of God’s and values. Their initial exposure to the gospel Word. Today, for the most part, these hooks are is countercultural to their beliefs and lifestyle. gone, and we have few societal moorings with In fact, the gospel is usually offensive to them. which to initially connect a person to our message. Our leverage against their defensive mind and The beliefs that have removed these valuable sinful behavior is the presence and power of hooks include: relativism, compartmentalization, Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God pragmatism, and tolerance. draws people to the truth, convicts them of their Relativism states that no absolutes transcend sin, and reveals Jesus as the Answer to their help- culture and time. Relativists believe truth changes lessness and hopelessness. We are to proclaim over time. Truth is not defined by an infallible the Word, but only the Spirit of God can reveal God, but by a person, culture, and community. it to a hardened heart and defiant mind. Compartmentalization results when everyone decides on his own what is right and wrong. People Living the Truth establish their own set of ethics for each compart- Truth for the follower of Christ is more than an ment of their lives. This facilitates living with intellectual assent; it is a lifestyle. Our passion blatant contradictions between one’s persona for the person and presence of Jesus compels us and one’s private life. to live in the truth. Before people will listen to Pragmatism teaches that truth is whatever works our message, they expect to see: for you. Adherents no longer base truth on the timeless principles of God’s Word, but on what Transparency feels right at the time. We are to live so people can see who we really Tolerance is the one value embraced by a world- are. What they see must be what they get. But view that rejects absolute truth. Everyone’s beliefs, even more than seeing into us, they must also values, lifestyle, and perception of truth claims see through us, and see Christ living in us. are equal. There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal; all truth is relative. Authenticity Christianity stakes a claim to absolute truth “Walking the walk and talking the talk” is — from the inerrancy of Scripture to Jesus being essential to being an effective leader. Even when the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Those outside someone does not initially agree with your the Kingdom, however, view the Great Commis- perception of truth, he will observe whether or sion as intolerant because it implies that another not you live what you proclaim. person’s beliefs are inferior to ours.1 The “men of Issachar … understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles The Cheese Keeps Moving 12:32). God is on your side. He is present to help In the book, Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer you discern your environment, reaffirm your Johnson, one of the mice observes, “Change calling, and empower you with His Holy Spirit. happens. They keep moving the cheese.”2 This This issue of Enrichment presents one of our is the feeling pastors may have when they are most philosophical and intellectual discussions. attempting to get a handle on current culture and With the help of outstanding authors, we hope philosophy. to help you better understand your culture and context and become even more effective in GARY R. ALLEN, D.Min., Understanding Truth proclaiming the truth of God’s Word. is executive editor of Some truth is revealed rather than attained. Sec- Enrichment journal and ular humanism elevates the human mind at the NOTES 1. Rob Cowles, “Understanding the Times.” Vital Ministry Magazine, May/June director of the Ministerial expense of divine revelation. Much of spiritual 1999, 60–62. Enrichment Office, truth is revealed to the inner man when Christ 2. Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese? (New York: G.P. Putnam and Sons, Springfield, Missouri. becomes Savior and Lord. 1998).

enrichment / Fall 2008 5 iStockphoto

TTHEHE CCULTUREULTURE CCHRONICLESHRONICLES

YOOUNGUNG PASSTORTOR Find Your Jethro Moses had Jethro, Paul had Barnabas, and Timothy had Paul. Some young men chafe at the idea of hearing GURU advice from the older generation. They view these people as relics and as out of step with the dynamic ith 49 million fans tuning in to her talk show every week, and organic ministry landscape. Oprah Winfrey has cultivated an enthusiastic audience But every young pastor would benefi t from having

for her latest venture: promoting Eckhart Tolle and his David Bates a relationship with an older minister. This seems to book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. fi t with the Bible’s model of leadership passed down WCalling it “one of the most important books of our time,” Oprah through the generations. used it to kick off a free 10-week online seminar with Tolle, a Moses was wise to heed Jethro’s counsel and alter Canadian spiritual teacher and New Age writer. He advocates the leadership structure in Israel. Paul stuck to global pursuit of a “spiritual awakening” that he believes is the “next Barnabas his fi rst years as a Christian and forged step in human evolution.” bonds with church leaders who had been skeptical Oprah’s partnership with Tolle, along with her promotion of televan- of his conversion. Later, after Paul endured his gelist Marianne Williamson’s Course in Miracles and Rhonda Byrne’s share of ministry failures and victories, he mentored mega best seller The Secret, have only intensifi ed her wide-reaching a young pastor named Timothy. spiritual infl uence. When I began my ministry at Gages Lake Bible Church, God brought a wise, older pastor, who had and some questionable theology. decades of experience leading churches, into my The Shack Bloggers have widely posted a life. He had a gentle wisdom and encouraging spirit YouTube clip of popular pastor that helped me navigate through the unknown A self-published Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, territory of leadership. novel entitled The Seattle, Washington, denouncing Joshua Harris, one of my favorite authors and Shack, by William The Shack. He believes the preachers, says this about his relationship with C.J. P. Young, is stirring book contains idolatry, goddess Mahaney, “It was God’s grace that led me to realize as a young man that I needed a mentor to advise up controversy in evangelical worship, and modalism. and train me in ministry. And it was God’s grace that circles. More than 500,000 copies Not to be deterred, mainstream prepared a godly older man to be that mentor.” have sold in just a year. The publishers and Hollywood fi lm Young pastors need to prayerfully seek a mentor studios are said to be knocking story, which the author calls a who can help shape their understanding of people parable, is about a man who on The Shack’s door. and ministry, and their approach to the Word. I also meets the three persons of the encourage older men to ask the Lord to give them Trinity in a rural shack for a long opportunity to train a young person for ministry — theological conversation. God someone in whom to invest their wisdom gained the Father takes the form of a from a lifetime in the Lord’s service. black woman, the Holy Spirit is Such cross-generational relationships only help an Asian woman, and Jesus is a us serve the body of Christ and ensure continuity Middle-Eastern man. of servant leadership for God’s people in the years Fans call it profound, life to come. Design Pics Design changing, and brilliant. Critics cite its deconstructionist bent DANIEL DARLING is author of Teen People of the Bible: Celebrity Profiles of Real Faith and Tragic Failure. SUSY FLORY Castro Valley, California Visit http://www.danieldarling.com.

6 enrichment / Fall 2008 esshortshorts inisters are in a glass MMINISTRYINISTRY OONN TTHEHE HHOMEFRONTOMEFRONT FFASCINATINGASCINATING FFACTSACTS M bowl. The many eyes AABOUTBOUT TTHEHE BBIBLEIBLE can cause them to feel that others are examining God Bless Our every aspect of their The Creation of an family life, whether their spouse works or stays Mortgaged Home

iStockphoto at home. It seems that many employed parents appease their guilt from not spending time with their Alphabet children by indulging them. Rather than giving presence, they give presents. Today, about two-thirds of American homes have dual breadwinners. To Produce a Bible Many parents, however, are making a conscious commitment to devote their limited at-home hours to their children — teaching, playing, and nurturing. In fact, lfilas, a fourth-century according to a new book, Changing Rhythms of American Family Life, the trend is less Ubishop, was determined housework in lieu of more time with the children. The book reports that today’s men are that northern tribes, known as becoming more involved in sharing housework and parenting than men did generations ago. Goths, would have a Bible in their At http://www.thebostonchannel.com, a 2007 survey of 685 parents revealed that 62 percent claim they spend own language. His main obstacle? more time with their children than their parents spent with them years ago. If these statistics are correct, housework Gothic existed only as a spoken may be suffering but children are not, because working parents — married and single — are spending more time language. Undeterred, he created iStockphoto with their children. a Gothic alphabet of 27 letters BRENDA NIXON, Mt. Vernon, Ohio that he borrowed from Greek and Latin. The task of translating and teaching the Goths to read took him more than 30 years. Eventually Ulfi las completed the entire Old on’t ever talk to me about obedience, not prominence. Barnabas sought out Paul and New Testaments. He excluded attendance numbers again!” I also realized that a and sponsored his ministry. 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, My wife’s exasperation minister’s greatest success may Over time, Barnabas slipped D which, according to tradition, he over my mood swings caused not come through his own into relative obscurity, while feared were too warlike for the by low Sunday morning efforts, but may come through Paul became the greatest fl ammable Goth temperament. attendance forced me to seek the ministry of those whom he missionary-evangelist the Although the Gothic language a more biblical defi nition of empowers. Barnabas stands Christian world has ever disappeared by the seventh ministry success. as a shining example. known. Like Barnabas, century along with Ulfi las’ Bible I discovered that God’s pri- current-day mentors seek to translation, his work is signifi cant ority for a minister is to pursue UUP-WORDSP-WORDS equip others because they because Ulfi las’ translation intimacy with Him. Jesus said, see them as supplementation, provided a key link between the “Seek fi rst the kingdom of not competition. Perhaps ancient and medieval world. God and His righteousness” the greatest potential for (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). SUCCESS increasing ministry success Best-selling Book This confi rms that one of a is to enable the ministry For decades, the Bible has minister’s top priorities is in Ministry of others. consistently been the world’s to know God’s will and With these three prin- best- display His character. True ciples as my new measure selling ministry success rests on of success, I can remain book. this foundation. Then confi dent and at peace. I Between I found that God defi nes no longer have my moods 1815 and success as faithfulness, and controlled by the ups and 2002, for example, an estimated God rewards faithfulness. downs of Sunday morning 6 billion Bibles were printed. All who are consistently attendance. Best-selling versions are the obedient God sees as New International Version and the New King James, both equally successful, JACK AIKEN, Eagle River, Alaska of which sell millions each year. whether they serve Other popular versions are the in obscurity NOTE New Revised Standard Version, or minister on 1. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James King James Version, and the New the world’s Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Living Translation. stage. God Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rewards rights reserved. VICTOR PARACHIN, Tulsa, Oklahoma

enrichment / Fall 2008 7 Photos.com esshortshorts TTHEHE HHIMIM BBEHINDEHIND TTHEHE HHYMNYMN Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You, Here He Is To Worship Hope of a life spent with You. When Tim Hughes was turning 16, he had more on his mind than Before long, he penned a refrain, a personal just getting his driver’s license. This pastor’s kid response that seemed to fl ow. in Birmingham, England, had a Here I am to worship, passion for writing poetry and Here I am to bow down, melodies for expressing worship to Here I am to say that You’re my God. the Lord in his personal devotions. You’re altogether lovely, Gradually his confi dence in his Altogether worthy, composing grew and at 19, he was Altogether wonderful to me. sharing some of his own choruses Here I Am To Worship caught on. Since while leading his dad’s congregation then, Hughes has also written Beautiful in worship. One and Consuming Fire. He has found When Hughes was 21, he was a his own voice in the praise and worship student at Sheffi eld University. While community. Serving as worship leader studying and maintaining his walk with at Holy Trinity in Brompton, near the Lord, he purposefully spent hours in London, Hughes is considered a veteran worship leader, his dorm room in personal devotions. even though he is not yet 30 years old. “As I meditated on Philippians 2 where the apostle Paul “I’ve discovered, as a songwriter, that I’m constantly journal- talks about imitating Christ’s humility, I was struck by all that ing and jotting down thoughts and ideas,” Hughes says. “It Jesus gave up to walk on the earth and to die on a cross. I was might be from a talk or a key phrase that a theme arises. It overwhelmed by the glorious victory He achieved for us and might be from a book, a fi lm, a conversation, or through the fact He has now risen and ascended.” reading the Bible that lyrics and ideas come to mind. I write Thinking over the truths of Christ’s incarnation, Hughes down different thoughts and melodies and then fi nd a way of opened his heart in worship, and wrote: pulling them together.” With that perspective, Hughes is here to worship and write GREG ASIMAKOUPOULOS, Mercer Island, Washington worship songs for the foreseeable future.

P h o t o s . c o m m o c . s o t o h P inistry is about someone each week. Mpeople and touching Express appreciation to lives. Pastors need to invest workers. Be kind to your staff. in people in little ways. Take a few minutes to ask Greet people as they leave about their day and their life. church or meetings. Try to Thank them for giving their recall a special need or connec- best efforts. tion to each person. Comment Invest in your family. Be on how people look or on in the moment with your work they have done. Smile loved ones. Rejoice over and show enthusiasm when accomplishments and pray you greet each person. Con- over needs. On a busy day, nect to current events and take a few minutes to call needs in their lives. Ask if they home and ask how things are have a special prayer request. going. Relax, play, and spend When the few remaining time with them. NNOTESOTES & NNUGGETSUGGETS people begin to leave, take Smile as you answer the time to pray with someone. phone because smiles come Send notes to families or through in your greeting. team members. Write a personal Listen with your heart and note of encouragement to your eyes as people speak.

KAREN H. WHITING, author and speaker esshortshorts WWHATHAT ININ TTHEHE WWORLDORLD Let’s Hear It For UGS Design Pics; Photos.com Design Pics; Hnew law in Illinois A prevents teachers from hugging students. It even keeps classmates from offering an empathetic hug to each other. My reaction? One word: Pathetic. The reason is that hugging is considered an expression of affection and such expressions are too risky in public places. Can you believe it? While hugs can be inappropriate at times, in the language of love they are a necessary expression that conveys friendship. A hug can be the difference between failure and success. A hug can signal just hang on when you can’t stand the stress. CCOMMUNICATIONOMMUNICATION SSTRATEGIESTRATEGIES A hug can warm a grieving heart when sorrow chills the bone. A hug can calm a frightened child or Stories Are More Than Entertainment widows all alone. A hug can mean affection, but mostly The term postmodern symbolizes a void left by the demise of a previous epoch. just conveys However one describes the results of this signifi cant shift, one obvious result compassion, empathy, concern, is a radically different cultural paradigm. For preachers, this means facing and friendship on gray days. a problem — their congregations’ increased biblical illiteracy. The recovery Can you hear me singing (with of storytelling as part of preaching is one way to capture the congregation’s apologies to Nancy Sinatra)? attention because the language of story creates the reality of authentic life. “These arms were made for hugging, But preachers must do more than creatively retell Bible stories. In a world But that’s not what they’ll do, of broken people with their own accounts of pain and suffering, stories often Not if you live in Illinois, become a point of identifi cation that turns hearers inward. To hug at school they’ll sue.” The preacher must remember that personal experience is not self- interpreting. The primary task of the preacher using biblical story is not GREG ASIMAKOUPOULOS, Mercer Island, entertainment, but to offer meaning that has eternal dimensions. Both Washington Old and New Testament stories focus on people in covenant with God. These stories speak powerfully to a postmodern world characterized by

individualism, yet seeking communal values and communal meaning. John iStockphoto Stott says the task of preaching is to provide a bridge of meaning between the biblical story and contemporary experience. Biblical stories can be a powerful vehicle in this diffi cult challenge.

BYRON D. KLAUS, D.Min., president, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri

enrichment / Fall 2008 9 esshortshorts FFROMROM BOOMERSBOOMERS TTOO ZOOMERSZOOMERS LLEADEREADERLLIFEIFE To Tell the Preaching “Without” Truth he secularization of our society has not occurred overnight. Theologians Thave expressed deep concern over this Millennial phenomenon and its impact on biblical churchgoers preaching in various epochs of American history. Confl icts surrounding our independence as a want to nation, struggle with slavery, and growth as an be heard. industrial nation have Preaching all confronted preaching Are boomer has minimal with huge challenges. pastors impact unless In the mid-20th century, theologian H. Richard listening? it becomes Niebuhr commented that embodied in the impact of secular “Actions speak the life of a society on the American louder than words” congregation. pulpit had resulted in is a proverb preaching typifi ed by “a that fi nds great God without wrath that brought men without sin resonance in the into a Kingdom without judgment through the interactions ministration of a Christ without a Cross.” between teenagers struggle. Achieve- Strategies of communication in today’s and adults. Teens are ment of position or secular society need serious attention. However, less concerned with infl uence by virtue regardless of the era we may be living in, what adults know of one’s success means preaching has minimal impact unless it becomes than with how they that the leader’s embodied in the life of a congregation. The care for them. This is, opinion matters most. truth of what is preached is given visibility and in part, because of the It does not require validation by a congregation whose participants helicopter-parenting an intellectual leap to have had their lives transformed by the truth of phenomenon. If, in understand how confl ict the gospel. fact, millennials might arise when you What we preach and how we preach have iStockphoto always been important pieces of communicating (Gen Y) are the most mix these generations the gospel. We live in an era where these coddled generation in (among others) in a crucial dimensions need to again fl esh out the modern history, their church. Until church Star, says, “Getting observation made by Leslie Newbiggin when he worldviews are largely leaders demonstrate young people to said, “How is it possible that the gospel should egocentric. Thus, they how much they care, attend church isn’t be credible, that people should come to believe place high value on they will never be effec- about trying to be the that the power which has the last word in human their ideas and opinions. tive in speaking the coolest church in affairs is represented by a man hanging on a Entrepreneurial truth in love to their town. It’s about listen- cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the success largely shapes millennial parishion- ing to our ideas, letting only hermeneutic (interpreting agent) of the a boomer pastor’s ers. Once again, they us be involved in all gospel, is a congregation of men and women who worldview. A boomer will need to earn the aspects of the church believe it and live by it.”1 pastor believes one must right to speak. Only and simply taking us earn the right to speak. this time it will require seriously as intelligent BYRON D. KLAUS, D.Min., president, Assemblies Ideas and opinions them to listen. human beings.“ of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri compete for primacy Brandon Scott, a mil- NOTE in a quasi-Darwinian, lennial guest columnist NOTE 1. http://www.kansascity.com, 1. As quoted by Charles Van Engen in God’s Missionary survival-of-the-fi ttest for the Kansas City 10/12/07. People: Rethinking the Purpose of the Local Church (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1991). RANDY C. WALLS, D.Min., director of continuing education, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri

10 enrichment / Fall 2008 esshortshorts UUTHTRAXTHTRAX — the Cross. So if you think you’re signing up for a cushy faith and get the nailed-to-a-tree kind of faith, then you cannot help but feel like there was a little bait and switch going on.”2 Are we teaching the whole gospel to our teens, or do we share only the easy parts? Do they understand that faith often requires sacrifi ce or goes against one’s feelings? A teen will make the decision to Cushy become a Christ follower. That is FAITH necessary for intrinsic faith. But

David Bates when hard times come, it is diffi cult to derail a young adult who knows Are we teaching the whole gospel to our teens One anonymous young adult, what he believes and why. Mean- quoted in “Inside the Anger of a while, too many are walking away — or do we share only the easy parts? Generation,” said, “I am not convinced from what they never understood in that one of the spiritual laws — the fi rst place. Dale Matthews, in The Faith come through, then their faith has that God loves you and has a plan NOTES Factor, defines two basic types not paid off. Intrinsics have deep- for your life — was interpreted very 1. Dale A. Matthews and Connie Clark, The of religious orientation — seated authentic intimacy with well by its hearers. That statement, Faith Factor: God, Medicine, and Healing extrinsic and intrinsic.1 Extrinsics are Christ. They pray and read the Bible, by its very nature, conveys an idea (New York: Viking, 1998). those who ask what their religion and the way they live and treat of cushiness, or maybe an unstated 2. Margaret Feinberg, “Inside the Anger of a can do for them, while intrinsics ask others is affected. promise that everything will turn Generation,” North American Mission Board, http://www.hurchplantingvillage what they can do for their God. What does this have to do with out well. In fact, though, Jesus .net/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=iiJ Extrinsics seek protection, eternal teens? According to twentysome- says, ‘Follow me,’ and then heads TKZPEJpH&b=849683&ct=1722593 security, and status. If God does not things, everything. straight for a pile of wood and nails (accessed March 10, 2008).

Content creation is not just about sharing documentaries on current issues to add to the blog. creative output; it also involves participating in Ask writers in your youth group to write devos, conversations fueled by that content. poetry, songs, or testimonies. Post questions of the This is a good reason why it is important to day, or Scripture, or links to helpful Web sites. become a super-communicator youth ministry. An Becoming a super communicator opens online, interactive presence allows you to connect the doors of your youth church, providing informa- Most teens are super communicators. They with the teens who attend each week, but also tion, encouragement, and unlimited possibilities keep in touch with friends and family by using the teens who are on the fringe, struggling with for ministry. cell phones, texting, instant messaging, blogs, and their faith, or those in the community who do not NOTE social online communities. go to church or know God. 1. Amanda Lenhart, “Teens and Social Media,” Pew Internet Is your youth ministry a super communicator? You can create an online presence many different and American Life Project, http://www.pewinternet.org/ Or, do you still send newsletters to old-fashioned ways. On is to create a blog site: a combination blog PPF/r/230/report_display.asp (accessed April 23, 2008). mailboxes? A printed calendar or newsletter isn’t and Web site. Wordpress (http://www.wordpress. personal. It’s archaic, at least to youth. com) is free and user friendly. It is different from According to a report in Pew/Internet, 64 percent other sites because it allows you to create a blog of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engage in at and add additional pages, such as a calendar page, least one type of content creation.1 Teens are link page, or a resources page. posting pictures and music, blogging, interacting You may feel intimidated, but this is a great socially with their 1,765-plus friends in online opportunity to tap into the creative minds of social communities, and posting funny and serious the super communicators in your youth group. videos on YouTube and GodTube. Form a media team to develop fun videos or

T. SUZANNE ELLER is an author and a youth sponsor at First Assembly of God in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Contact her at [email protected]. See real teens sharing real life stories at http://www.daretobelieve.org. iStockphoto

enrichment / Fall 2008 11 esshortshorts PPOLITICSOLITICS AANDND TTHEHE CCHURCHHURCH PPoliticalolitical CCorrectnessorrectness

David Bates A PATRIOT DAY iinn thethe PPulpitulpit PRAYER GATHERING n a survey conducted by H.B. London, On Sept. 11, 2008, our Jr., pastoral ministries vice president nation will pause to for Focus on the Family, pastors remember the terrorist were asked what they thought about attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

political correctness in the pulpit. The DesDe As part of Awakening ign results are as follows: g America, Christians Pi I YES NO cs across the nation are Do you know what you can and cannot do from your pulpit without putting your 501(c)3 commemorating this standing in jeopardy (politically speaking)? 83% 17% signifi cant day in our history by praying for America and the lost people of this country. Do you often make political or issues-related statements from your pulpit? 41% 59% In each of the 3,141 counties in the When you address issues such as abortion, homosexuality, ballot initiatives or “get out the United States, during the noon hour on Sept. vote,” are you ever criticized? 31% 69% 11, Christians will gather at their county Does your church board (deacons, elders, etc.) give you carte blanche to make or address courthouse to pray for their community, political or moral issues without their consensus of opinion? 86% 14% their lost friends and family, and for the spiritual condition of our nation. Do you feel the open pulpit is the place for you to make politically laced comments? 36% 64% Awakening America Alliance is providing If you do make said comments publicly, have you paid a price for the statements you great ways for churches and communities have made? 29% 71% to become involved. Free resources — Would you allow a voter registration table to be set up in your church foyer? 82% 18% promotional material, event schedules, fl iers, general prayer resources, and links to Have you distributed “voter’s guides” within your church body? 79% 21% helpful Web sites — are available at http:// In a public sermon, would you be open to challenging the IRS guidelines related to what www.awakeningamerica.us. Also, the Web you can say or do as a 501(c)3 organization (a type of civil disobedience)? 46% 54% site offers a sign-up area that will connect Do you most often agree with the political issues addressed by Focus on the Family Action? 97% 3% believers to organized activities in their communities. Taken from The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing, Volume 16, Number 18, May 2, 2008. Copyright©2008, Focus on the Family. Used with permission. CORRECTION In the article “From Day One!” in the summer 2008 Enrichment, DISCLAIMER: This Pastor’s Weekly Briefi ng survey was only intended to poll our readership and the corresponding results are simply a representation of those readers who chose to the statement on page 84 should have read: “To support 300,000 respond to it on May 2, 2008. They do not in any way represent an authentic scientifi c or statistically acceptable population/sample of any kind and should not be considered offi cial. national pastors with only $100 per month would require $360 Any reprint of this survey and results must contain this disclaimer. million annually.” Enrichment apologizes for the error.

Should pastors wade into we are told to go into the The pastor must take the the mechanics or politics of world and preach the gospel. lead. Ministers need to rise immigration policy? Probably Now, the world is coming to above nativistic fears. Our not, but they need to set a tone us. Perhaps God is giving the churches must be open to people in their churches. American church opportunity of all cultures and races. We The question is: How will to reach the nations without need to preach reconciliation. the body of Christ respond to changing its zip code. Here contemporary politics the growing numbers of ethnic Anti-immigrant attitudes and the Scriptures collide.

iStockphoto people who are moving to our can run deep. People are tuning God does not favor Americans cities, towns, and suburbs? into talk radio, watching televi- more than He favors people of Will we react with disdain sion, and reading political blogs. other countries. Christians TThreatenedhreatened byby tthehe MMassesasses and anger? Or, will we view They come to church armed with need to refl ect God’s love and Recently, I have heard many Christians grumble about these changes as opportunities statistics, facts, and mangled open their hearts and doors to the changing demographics of their communities. It is clear that to share Christ with the nations? theories that refl ect their distaste immigrants so they can meet anti-immigrant sentiment is growing in the United States. In the Great Commission for other people and cultures. our Savior.

DANIEL DARLING is author of Teen People of the Bible, Celebrity Profiles of Real Faith, and Tragic Failure. Visit http://www.danieldarling.com.

12 enrichment / Fall 2008

Compiled by JOHN W. .EWS4RENDS KENNEDY

he Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, based in Washington, D.C., conducted a landmark survey that provides a demographic breakdown of the 1.4 percent of the Pew Tpopulation that attends Assemblies of God churches. Overall, AG churchgoers are poorer, less educated, more Southern, not as geriatric, more feminine, Tells more likely to be married, and more ethnically diverse than most other Protestant bodies. According to the study — the 2008 U.S. Religious Landscape Survey — 24 percent of Assemblies Who Is of God adult adherents have less than a high school education. This ranks the AG 22nd out of 25 Protestant groups in a tie with Seventh-day Adventists. Only the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) in the and Church of God in Christ have a higher ratio who did not graduate from high school. The AG also tied for the third lowest rank (with COGIC) in members with a college degree: 8 percent (although an Pew additional 4 percent have a post-graduate degree). In the college graduate classifi cation, the AG is ahead of only Church of God (Cleveland) and independent Black Baptist churches. How the The report indicates that 41 percent of AG followers make less than $30,000 a year. Only fi ve of the reporting Protestant faith groups have a higher tally of Assemblies of God low wage earners. Conversely, just 8 percent in the AG are paid $100,000 or stacks up to more annually, tied for second lowest. other Protestant AG attendees are more likely to be married (64 percent) than 21 other Protestant groups, higher than all but Church of the Nazarene and nondenomi- denominations national charismatic and evangelical congregations. The survey says 12 percent of AG adherents currently are divorced or separated. AG laity is less likely to be white (72 percent) than all except African Methodist Episcopal, COGIC, and Seventh-day Adventists. At 19 percent, the AG has more Latino congregants than two-dozen Protestant groups — except for Seventh-day Adventists. The AG is tied for the fourth lowest total of parishioners 65 and older at 12 percent. The AG has 14 percent of adult attendees less than 30 years of age, 41 percent in their 30s and 40s, and 33 percent ages 50 to 64. Although eight denominations have a higher percentage living in the South, the report indicates that 46 percent in the AG are from the region. It says 24 percent live in the West, 19 percent in the Midwest, and only one in 10 in the Northeast.

iStockphoto Pew states that 57 percent of AG attendees are women, seventh highest among the 25 denominations.

Pentecostals two-thirds of African-American bodies are Pen- tecostal or charismatic. The orientation is gaining Gaining Across the most strength among ethnic minorities. “It is not surprising that the Pentecostal com- Religious Landscape munity in America is growing, nor do we expect it Pentecostal and charismatic adherents to stop making headway,” says company founder aren’t just in Assemblies of God, Church George Barna, who supervised the research. of God in Christ, Foursquare Gospel, or other Overall, charismatic and Pentecostal congre- fellowships that emphasize the baptism in the gations have less education and earn less than Holy Spirit and gifts of healing, according to those not embracing their tradition. Operating recent research by The Barna Group. budgets of such churches average around A decade ago, 3 of every 10 Americans called $136,000 a year, $13,000 less than congregations themselves Pentecostal or charismatic, according that eschew speaking in tongues. Likewise, to the fi rm in Ventura, California. Now 36 percent Pentecostal and charismatic pastors receive an claim the designation, including roughly half annual compensation package worth $42,000. of those also considered evangelical, born- This is $5,000 less than other churches give

again, or Protestant. In addition, 36 percent of their pastors. Seven out of 10 non-Pentecostal Rubio Leslie Catholics are Pentecostal or charismatic. senior pastors have graduated from a seminary, While only 16 percent of the nation’s white while just under half in a Pentecostal church Protestant congregations fi t the category, have, Barna reported.

14 enrichment / Fall 2008 likely as seniors to believe that donating time programs and volunteerism. Money Easier To is better than writing a check. An earlier study by the Those who earn more are more likely company found that two-thirds Donate Than Time to favor giving dollars than time. The of those who have volunteered Americans have a looser grasp on their survey shows that 56 percent of in the past year attend religious pocketbook than their pocket watch, those earning $75,000 or more a services at least weekly. according to a new national survey. year believe a fi nancial contribution The poll, conducted by Minneapolis-based is easier, compared with 45 percent Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, shows that 52 of those making less than $25,000. percent of Americans believe it is easier to give Slightly more men (53 percent) give money to charitable causes, compared with 30 money than women (50 percent). percent who would rather donate their time. Women, by a slight margin (31 Another 16 percent found equal satisfaction in percent to 29 percent), prefer giving dollars and time. to give time. The survey indicates that age, income, “There’s an emotional, education, and employment status all affect visceral connection to giving. For instance, 58 percent of people 65 volunteering that just cannot be and older prefer to write a check, compared duplicated by writing a check,” with 44 percent of young adults (ages 18 to 24). says Brad Hewitt, Thrivent Financial Young people are more than three times as senior vice president of charitable

bivocational. This helps them earn a living and gives them another venue to reach people in the community. Rural churches may face many challenges, including a smaller pool of potential lay leaders, an aging population, and a depressed economy. But Pike says changing technology creates new opportunities for growth, such as ethanol production in Iowa or the discovery of oil reserves in Colorado. Rural communities are no longer isolated from some urban problems. Pike says illegal drugs and Internet temptations can be as prevalent in small towns as in inner cities. An advantage small-town churches have is the potential to infl uence a sizable chunk of the population. Pike says most people in a city of 1 million will not know about a megachurch of Don’t Despise the Small-town Church Plant 10,000. But a church of 50 in a town of 500 has 10 percent of the population. ore than 15,000 commun- Small-town still live in rural areas. “Small churches shouldn’t have an inferiority M ities are without an In some areas urban or complex,” Pike told Enrichment. “They can have a Assemblies of God congregation, churches have suburban churches have big impact on the community.” and Steven M. Pike, director of the potential implemented an innovative AG Statistician Sherri L. Doty reports that the Church Multiplication Network, to infl uence a strategy. They have adopted 14 percent of AG churches are in rural areas or believes there are opportunities small-town church plants and villages of fewer than 1,000 people. Another 32 to plant AG churches in many sizable chunk of help pay the pastors’ salaries. percent are located in towns between 1,000 and of them. the population. Few rural church plants 9,999 people. “We must fi nd creative ways to have a full-time pastor because Overall, the Hartford Institute for Religion reach them because of their geographic isolation,” the church cannot afford to pay his salary. Research says 177,000 churches, or 52 percent of says Pike. He notes that one-third of Americans Subsequently, many small-town ministers are the total, are located in rural areas.

enrichment / Fall 2008 15 Photos.com; iStockphoto

We must be more concerned about results than means. One SizeDoes Not Fit All cannotcannot rememberremmember whowhho mademaadde thethhe followingfollllowiingg callcall iitt a ttrtraditional,ada itionall, bbututu vvibrantibra Pentecostal church. statement,statemennt,t bbutut iitt reresonatessonan tes wiwithinithin mme:e: ““TheThe It wwasas eexperiential.xperieential.l TThehe charterc members HolyHl SiiSpirit at work kilik is like a great river,ii cutting hhadd bbeen withiith JJesus. TTheyh were in the Upper a fresh channel, going wherever He wishes. Room on the Day of Pentecost. They received Sometimes that disturbs us, as Christian Spirit baptism. They continued steadfastly in Iflood-control experts. We do not like the way the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking the Holy Spirit moves. We like to dig a channel, of bread, and prayers. Miracles of healing, line it with concrete, and say, ‘Come, O river of protection, and deliverance occurred in their God. We have dug the channel. Flow through it midst; along with persecutions. according to our desires.’ ” It was expanding. How many churches of An examination of Assemblies of God 120 could absorb 3,000 new converts in a churches shows that there are varieties in style, single day? The Jerusalem church did, and its governance, meeting times, facilities, and members did not complain that they no longer communications. We are not lining the channel knew anyone. The 120 took responsibility to with concrete and demanding that the Holy disciple the 3,000. They probably had 120 Spirit flow within any particular form. home groups, with 25 to a group. But they For example, the New Testament shows that did not stop growing at 3,120. Day by day churches differ from one another. I will use believers were added to the church (Acts 2:47); the Jerusalem and Antioch churches as a lens then 5,000 men (Acts 4:4); and from there, the through which we can look at ourselves. church went from addition to multiplication GEORGE O. WOOD, D.Th.P., (Acts 6:7). is general superintendent It was also exclusive. I do not use the word of the General Council The Jerusalem Church Model exclusive in a pejorative context. If they were of the Assemblies of God, The Jerusalem church represents an effective going to effectively reach their culture, they Springfield, Missouri. model for reaching its culture. Today, we would had to respect cultural boundaries. These

16 enrichment / Fall 2008 boundaries included keeping kosher and other Different Leaders traditions of the Law. In fact, when the apostle Acts 11:19,20 gives the two sources of leadership Paul came to Jerusalem on his last visit, he and explains how the gospel came to Antioch. sponsored four men who had taken a Nazarite First, Jerusalem Jews scattered because of vow. These vows concluded with animal persecution and came to the Jews of Antioch. sacrifice (Acts 21:17–26). That event shows that Second, some of those who were scattered from 25 years after the Cross and the Resurrection, Jerusalem were not Jerusalemites, but were the Jerusalem church still went to the temple from Cyprus and Cyrene. These individuals and participated in all the rituals. began to speak to the Greeks, telling them the The Jerusalem church saw itself as a fulfill- gospel. When many people believed and turned ment and continuation of Judaism. Repentance, to the Lord, the Jerusalem church finally sent faith in Christ, and water baptism were only Barnabas to them. new requirements added to the former require- Choosing the right person to send was a ments for relationship with God. Peter’s critical and important decision. (Whom you experience at Cornelius’ home placed the first put on committees is vital.) “When he arrived wedge in the culturally exclusive theology of and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he the Jerusalem church. was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (Acts 11:23, The Antioch Church Model italics mine). The Antioch church shared the same essentials Barnabas realized that he needed help, so iStockphoto of faith as the Jerusalem church. They were not he “went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when less Spirit-led and Spirit-filled. They, too, were he found him, he brought him to Antioch. The church needs experiential and expanding, but their approach For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with to allow the to culture differed. the church and taught great numbers of people. Antioch was a much different urban environ- The disciples were called Christians first at spiritual glue to bind ment from Jerusalem. It was the world’s third Antioch” (Acts 11:25–28, italics mine). people together, largest city behind Rome and Alexandria, with Luke gives the reason Barnabas sought out an estimated population of 500,000. In this Saul in the two verbs used for ministry: encour- so what we have cosmopolitan city, Jew met Gentile, Greek and aged and taught. Barnabas probably had an in Christ is greater barbarian rubbed shoulders, and the west of exhortative, encouraging kind of preaching than any differences Mediterranean culture met the east of Syrian ministry. But he knew that a more substantive Desert culture. It was a city of sports; chariot race approach to the faith was needed to lay a that may divide us. teams and partisans competed for the super foundation under the newfound faith of the bowl of their day. Antioch believers. Thus, Luke uses the word It was also a city of immorality mingled with taught only after Saul’s arrival. Barnabas’ example pagan religion. Legend had it that at the Groves shows us that we need to look for others of Daphne Apollo fell in love with Daphne, who can join us in ministry and complement pursued her, and she turned into a laurel tree. our deficiencies. The great temple to Apollo built on the site had Luke lists other leaders in Acts 13:1: “Simeon 1,000 priestess/prostitutes who reenacted the called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who pursuit of Apollo in the gardens and villas of had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch).” Daphne with worshipers. Barnabas was the bridge leader between Antioch was not much different from popular Jerusalem and Antioch, but he was not in primary American culture — pagan, multicultural, sports leadership in Jerusalem, while the four other crazy, and obsessed with sex. Antioch leaders had no role in the Jerusalem Antioch was also part of the world that God church. One leader, Paul, was a headache to a so loved. In this different setting, the Antioch large segment of the Jerusalem church. In church took on characteristics different from short, the Antioch leaders would not have the Jerusalem church. been well-received as leaders in the Jerusalem

enrichment / Fall 2008 17 One Size Does Not Fit All (continued from page 17)

church because of their cultural views on the Hotly criticized by the old Maoists, Xiaoping’s inclusion of Gentiles. famous response was, “I don’t care if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.” Different Language The apostle Paul took the same approach Jerusalem spoke Hebrew; Antioch spoke Greek. concerning how we communicate the gospel to Jerusalem kept kosher; Antioch ate cheeseburgers various cultures: “I have become all things to with bacon. all men so that by all possible means I might What is a language in our culture? Consider save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). the following languages: In the Assemblies of God, we must be more We must be careful • Music. concerned about results than means. Are people • Dress. being saved, being baptized in the Spirit, living not to adopt • Service times. in the Spirit, and becoming fruitful disciples prideful attitudes • Church architecture. of Jesus? If so, then we do not need to concern in the way we • Form of worship. ourselves with pastors and churches that may • Forms of church governance. do things differently from a past generation. do church. If there • Tradition. is any boasting, The modality of bringing Jesus to the culture Different Attitude shifts with the culture while the eternal message The Antioch church never assumed the suspicious let it be in the Lord. of the gospel does not change. attitude that the Jerusalem church had toward

DesignPics the conversion of the Gentiles. We would understand if the Antioch church had said, “What have we to do with Jerusalem? They never sent us missionaries. The first disciples to Antioch came because of persecution, not intention. Furthermore, they only spoke to fellow Jews, not to us. Diaspora Jews from Cyrus and Cyrene told us the good news of Jesus. So, we do not owe Jerusalem anything.” But, that was not their spirit. They did not begrudge the Jerusalem church for not having directly sent missionaries or assistance. Instead, they determined they would send missionaries to the unreached world, and financial assistance back to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:30). They also welcomed prophets (anointed preachers) from the Jerusalem church, including Agabus. They did not insist that the Jerusalem church do things their way. What a model for the Assemblies of God. The Acts 2:42 applied to the Antioch church just problems we experience regarding changes of as it did to the Jerusalem church, and it needs style in local churches occur when Jerusalem to apply to us. The key is retaining apostolic tries to become Antioch, or Antioch tries to doctrine and experience, and being flexible on become Jerusalem. Here is how to wreck a church. the rest. Make major changes that: (1) are abrupt; When Mao Zedong was leader of China, (2) are without congregational education or he imprisoned Deng Xiaoping as a capitalist involvement; (3) are without love; and (4) are roader. After Zedong died, Xiaoping became without respect for the spiritual characteristics China’s leader and instituted capitalist reforms of the church. that have fueled China’s resurgence today. The Antioch church did not adopt a conde-

18 enrichment / Fall 2008 scending or superior attitude toward the Jerusalem church, nor did it break fellowship with Jerusalem. Instead, love ruled the day. When the saints in Jerusalem needed help, the church in Antioch shared with a generous heart. Our culture today tends to be fragmented and broken into isolated units. The church needs to allow the spiritual glue to bind people together, so what we have in Christ is greater than any differences that may divide us. Conclusion We must be careful not to adopt prideful attitudes in the way we do church. If there is any boast- ing, let it be in the Lord. We need to avoid an attitude that says, “My way of doing church iStockphoto is better than yours.” We need to make room for diversity of calling in our Assemblies of God family. It takes flexibility to accommodate change. It The Lord would not be pleased with the bal- is the nature of Spirit-filled people to seize the God loves variety. kanization of the Assemblies of God. The moment and move into uncharted waters, confi- term balkanization comes from an area of the That is why dent that where the Spirit guides, He provides. world — Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Change is difficult. A passenger in a taxi tapped He made us all Macedonia, and Kosovo — where ethnicity and the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. culture collide. Balkanization means to break up different. But when The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, into smaller and often hostile units. we gather to do nearly hit a bus, drove over the curb, and stopped This term must not apply to the church. My just inches from a large plate glass window. the Lord’s work, prayer is, “Lord, bind us together with cords that For a few moments everything was silent in cannot be broken.” we can accomplish the cab, then the driver said, “Please, don’t ever The Latin phrase on our American currency do that again. You scared the daylights out of me.” much more if is E Pluribus Unum, meaning out of many one. The passenger, who was also frightened, As the Assemblies of God, we will not do well we join our hearts apologized. He said, “I did not realize that a tap if we are pluribus — each going his own way. and hands. on the shoulder would frighten you so much.” Nor will we do well if we are unum. God loves The driver replied, “I’m sorry; it’s not your variety. That is why He made us all different. fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. For the But when we gather to do the Lord’s work, last 25 years I drove a hearse.” we can accomplish much more if we join our Some people are threatened by change. We hearts and hands. need to feel threatened if the change leads us At times, people criticized Billy Graham for away from our anchor in Scripture. But we need being inclusive of other believers. He replied not fear change when we follow the example with this poem: of the apostle Paul who used all means that he “He drew a circle that shut me out, might win some. Rebel, heretic, a thing to flout; The challenge before us is to respect our But, love and I had the wit to win. diversity in unity. We will have unity when We drew a circle that took him in.” we follow steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, May we be charitable enough with the grace fellowship, the breaking of bread, prayers, and God has given us to draw circles that take people have genuine care and hospitality toward one in rather than walls that shut people out. another (Acts 2:42).

enrichment / Fall 2008 19 Defending Christianity in a Secular Culture

With Ravi Zacharias

ttacks on Christianity and the church are rampant in facing culture and the church and how pastors and their today’s society. Unbelievers once revered the church congregations can respond to these attacks. Aand its teachings, but today they scorn them. Films such as The Da Vinci Code and organizations such as The Jesus What is destroying the moral and spiritual foundation Seminar attack the credibility of Jesus and the Bible. But how do of today’s society? Christians answer these attacks on Christianity? Zacharias: I believe a convergence of many factors has taken Few are as familiar with these attacks as is Ravi Zacharias, place. Much of education in the 1960s came unhinged from president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. any moral absolutes and ethical values, to wit the book, For 36 years, Zacharias has traveled the globe engaging Excellence Without a Soul, by Harry R. Lewis. We have seen atheists, defending Christianity on secular campuses, this happening the last 40 years. There have been many and proclaiming the truth through his writings and daily and voices alerting us to this. But more than just a philosophy weekly radio broadcasts. took over; a mood took over. Zacharias talked with Enrichment journal’s Associate Editor First, secularization generally held that religious ideas, Richard L. Schoonover and discussed the issues institutions, and interpretations have lost their social

20 enrichment / Fall 2008 signifi cance. People liked the idea of a secular society and A shift is taking place in today’s society toward a secular government. But in terms of moral values and Christianity and the church. Explain. ethics, they never checked into the internal assumptions Zacharias: The shift that is taking place is very calculated. of secularization that made it wide open to almost any Eastern religions are protected in today’s society because view on any subject. Beginning in the 1960s, the moods of to critique Eastern religions is seen as culturally insensitive secularization ultimately led to society’s loss of shame. and prejudicial. But the Christian faith, which is the target Next is pluralization, which sounds like a practical and of Western culture (but people have forgotten that it came worthy idea; and in many ways, it is. In pluralism you have a from the East), is now the dartboard. Society can attack competing number of worldviews that are available, and no any aspect of Christianity. worldview is dominant. But smuggled in with pluralization In the recent presidential primary race, it was fascinating was the absolutization of relativism. The only thing we to notice how pundits described Mike Huckabee as a former could be sure of was that all moral choices were relative and Baptist minister. The Judeo-Christian worldview is the there was no point of reference to right and wrong. This target of the Western media. The media is the single greatest resulted in the death of reason. destroyer of the notion of absolutes and of the Judeo- Last is privatization, which is an accommodation to the Christian worldview, the only worldview that could justify the religiously minded. If secularization and pluralization were existence of a nation like America. They wish to stigmatize going to hold sway, what does society do with the large the Christian in a way that they do not need to say anything number of people who are spiritually minded? else. When I am overseas, I see these attacks in articles in the Being spiritually minded Western newspapers was okay as long as people and in the journalism kept their spiritual beliefs on television. private and did not bring The Christian faith, which is the target I just returned from them into the public arena. of Western culture, is now the Thailand and Singapore. The irony of this was the Every mall I walked fact secularization — which dartboard. Society can attack any through in those had its assumptions on countries was playing absolutes and anything of aspect of Christianity. Christmas carols. One the metaphysical nature — of the world’s tallest was allowed into the public Christmas trees was in place. In fact, its very trust was to bring it into the public Central World Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand. Christmas place. But anyone who believed in a spiritual Essence, trees and Christmas decorations fi lled the streets of an Ultimate Reality, and the fact there were transcendent Singapore and carols were playing there. In America, absolutes that needed to be adhered to was told to keep Christians wonder whether they can even do this those beliefs private. That ultimately paved the way for the anymore without someone questioning whether they loss of meaning. ought to acknowledge Christmas in the marketplace. These three moods — secularization, pluralization, What has happened? The Judeo-Christian worldview has and privatization — brought about loss of shame, loss of become the pariah stepchild of worldviews and is being reason, and loss of meaning. How was this authoritatively attacked while other worldviews are respected, reverenced, and pontifi cated in the social strain? This is when philosophy recognized as part of history and the culture of other nations. stepped in, the moralizers against morality came in, and political correctness came in. These gave society some What is the basis of this calculated attack? parameters that allowed it to expel the moralizing from Zacharias: I am not sure I can pinpoint it, but I think the outside the secular realm. symptoms of cultural decay were clear from the 1960s As a result, everything became pragmatic. Philosophers onward — changes in beliefs regarding sexuality, and the and naturalists stepped in. In this new century, we have right of a child to live in its mother’s womb. Those in the lost all defi nitions of what it means to be human, and forefront of popularized Christianity took on these issues. what sexuality, life, and the home are all about. We These Christians were then attacked because society are on the high seas, battling the storms of confl icting viewed them as inhibitors to progress and the freedom worldviews without a compass. of other worldviews.

enrichment / Fall 2008 21 The media does not realize how lines to prove the inhibiting some Eastern religions existence of God. would be if they held sway in our Suddenly, society. For some reason, they think naturalists entered Christians are fair game, and they can the fray and attack the Christian worldview. said, “Why does Another reason for this attack is everything have the confl icts that came on the moral to have a cause? landscape. Those who questioned Because everything this moral degeneracy were seen as has to have a cause, coming from the Judeo-Christian and itself would be worldview, and they had to be silenced. the cause, therefore, Allah, Samuel Harris, and Daniel it is self-defeating.” Dennett were saying that inhibitions This is a complete and prejudicial views on sexuality misstatement of have come to us from the Christian the argument. worldview. Therefore, the Christian No one has said worldview is the enemy to be taken out. everything needs to have a cause. There is a proliferation of books and What we said was movies, such as The Da Vinci Code that everything that and organizations such as comes into being The Jesus Seminar, that are needs a cause, and attacking the biblical and historical nothing physical facts of Christ’s life, death, and is uncaused. If you can make a Jesus who is resurrection? Why? Everything has Zacharias: I do not think this is an explanation just like us and immoral, then accidental, and I do not think this is outside itself. the end. Some of these will come and That is how the that argument is buried, too. die natural deaths. They carry a limited argument should shelf life because people have tried go. But somehow, these tricks before. David Hume, and others in the 1700s, moral impetus within humanity. When philosophy and naturalism challenged the causality argument People could not act as if there were attacked the Christian faith and theistic until people grew tired of hearing it. no moral oughtness. But reason worldviews in general, they started with Then, we have the teleological alone does not lead you there by the an attack against the classical arguments argument that argues not simply atheist’s own admission. John Mackie of the existence of God. The cosmological from design, but to design. Any time and especially Kai Nielsen, a well- argument — which argues from causality you see intelligibility, a specifi ed known atheist from Canada, said, — states that everything that comes into complexity, or an intelligent effect, “You cannot really rationally argue being could not have caused itself, and you assume it had an intelligence and for compelling moral oughtness in had to have something else to cause it. a cause behind it. Then naturalists society. Maybe pragmatically, but But there cannot be an infi nite regress proposed a random, subatomic rationally you cannot.” of these causes. Ultimately, you must world, and argued against purposeful So, the moral argument was a thorn stop at one uncaused being. Since design. Thus, the design argument no in their side. How could they do away nothing physical in this world seems to longer works. with it? If you can make a Jesus who be uncaused, the only way to have an Naturalists, however, were not able is just like us and immoral, then that uncaused being is for that being to be to take on the moral argument. No argument is buried, too. spiritual. The cosmological argument matter how much they argued against Naturalists took on the cosmological went in the convergence of other it, there was always that sense of a argument. I do not think they did

22 enrichment / Fall 2008 damage to it, but they think they and its deductions, and those wished some aspects of his own belief did. They also think they damaged starting points exclude. For example, system could be permanently erased the teleological argument. They, Hinduism has two non-negotiable because so much of it was nonsense. however, could not escape the moral beliefs: karma and reincarnation. No Even Gandhian sages will tell you argument. So, books — The Da Vinci Hindu will trade these away. that. Much of what is in one of the Code, The Gospel of Judas, and The In Buddhism, there is the denial early sacred Hindu writings, Veda, Gospel of Philip — came into vogue. of the essential notion of the self. is irrational and unacceptable. We These Gnostic writings were supposed Buddhists believe that the self as we would consider some of the behaviors to show that Jesus had some private understand it does not exist, and our and practices of Muhammad in his moral issues. If they could sustain this ceasing to desire will be the cause of own personal life reprehensible if perception, they could do away with the end of all suffering. If we deny someone practiced them within the moral argument. these premises, we devein Buddhism. our culture today. Then compare It is amusing that they never went Naturalism teaches that anything the whole idea of God in His self- to the Quran or the Gita to look for supernatural or metaphysical is existence and in the very notion of moral fl aws in the key personalities outside the realm of evidence and moral rightness. represented there. They would have purely an opinion, not a matter of The denial of desire is the found enough ground to show what fact. Islam believes that Muhammad foundation of Buddhism, which the moral problems were. Instead, they is the last and fi nal prophet, and the is the only way that leads to the attacked the Christ of the Scriptures, Quran is the perfect revelation. If we lack of suffering. Yet, the principal who is so pure, so pristine, and so deny those two premises, we have reason people give the Dalai Lama demonstrative of everything that is denied Islam. prominence is for the freedom of pure and good. The Da Vinci Code In the Christian faith, we believe Tibet. I am for that. I agree that he taught that maybe Jesus had a secret Jesus is the consummate experience of needs to acquire political freedom, life with Mary Magdalene. Some recent God in the person of His Son, and is but why does he even desire political writings and recent fi ndings have the Savior and Redeemer of the world. freedom if he is the quintessential claimed more. If Mary Magdalene were We cannot deny these premises and representation of the ultimate everywhere these books claimed she continue to be Christians. Buddha? At times, there may be was, she must have been superhuman. The question is not whether these surface, polarized views neither Otherwise, how could she be found in are mutually exclusive. The question of which are absolutes nor can be so many places at the same time? is which one of these will we deny coalesced in some way. But when as being reasonable and consistent? there is a systemic contradiction, the Why is the deity of Christ Which one of these will we be able system destructs. under attack? to sustain by argument and by Another example is karma. If every Zacharias: If people can devein the evidence? We can have pluralism life is a rebirth, and every birth is a gospel concerning the deity of Christ, in cuisine, clothing styles, accents, rebirth, and every birth is a rebirth of then they have taken the gospel away and other things. But if pluralism previous karmic practices, what was from us. If they can attack Christ and means ideational relativism and being paid for in one’s fi rst birth? make Him look like whom they want the destruction of the law of You cannot have an infi nite series of Him to look like, then they are taking noncontradiction, it is absolutely rebirths or you would not be in this away the ultimate authority. unlivable and unthinkable. birth. Starting from now, go backwards. This is what led to the conversion of Why is religious pluralism not It seems some of these diff erent one of my closest Hindu friends. He philosophically possible? views lack the same degree of said it simply did not make sense. He Zacharias: Religious pluralism is a logical consistency found in had to have a fi rst birth. What was he belief system that sounds good, but Christianity. paying for in his fi rst birth? He said, “If does disservice to all religions. All Zacharias: Right. In fact, even some I go to the bank, every bank manager religions are exclusive. Even naturalism, of the great sages of these other will tell me what my indebtedness is, which poses as irreligion, is exclusive. worldviews agree. Mahatma Gandhi, what I owe. What sort of system is this Every religion has its starting points in one of his writings, stated that he where I have no clue about what I owe

enrichment / Fall 2008 23 and how many births it will take for universities as lambs led to the One of the biggest failings of people me to pay it back?” slaughter. We have fought symptoms, such as Christopher Hitchens and like the issues of the Second World Sam Harris is the fact they are not A secular mindset has invaded the War. We were shooting at rubber biblical scholars, even though they church. What is the result of this for dummies while the real attack was have taken on the Scriptures in some the church? taking place elsewhere. areas. For example, Sam Harris attacks Zacharias: A secular mindset is the Virgin Birth as having no basis in manifested in some forms — not all How can pastors better prepare the Old Testament because Isaiah uses forms — of the emergent church. This themselves and their people the word alma. This shows how little is a dangerous phenomenon, and to respond to the attacks on he knows about the Hebrew text and some of its protagonists undervalue Christianity and the critical issues what the word possibilities are. Rather its end results. When you think that facing Christians today? than admitting his lack of knowledge, every generation tends to move Zacharias: One of the most diffi cult he took it on. away from the previous one, some positions to hold in the Western world Pastors need to say, “I am not a forms of the emergent church today today is that of a pastor. My heart neuroscientist. I do not understand all are fl irting with the extinction of goes out to them. I do not know how the implications of genetic engineering, the gospel, at the heart of which is the they keep up. The competition for the but I know Christians who do. Here are cross of Jesus Christ. attention of their people is immense: their books.” Pastors need to bring in Two things have happened in The attack on the visual, the constant these speakers and their material, and the secular mindset. First, secular- distraction of many voices, the interact with the experts. minded people do not take the church challenges of those with huge budgets This is why our ministry began in seriously because the church is not to keep people in their pews over 1985. People hardly knew the word answering their questions. Second, those who do not have recourse to apologetics. We had to explain it. Today, those within the church are timid and huge budgets, the incremental growth our staff is about 125 globally, based unable to sustain the supernatural of knowledge, the incredible vitriolic in nine countries. We cannot keep up side of their beliefs in a highly nature of these attacks, the youth in with the invitations. We have to turn naturalistic world. their challenges and struggles with down more than 90 percent of them. What remains, then, in this kind of their fi nances, and other experiences. Our goal is to expand more for the sake religious belief system is a spirituality It is diffi cult to keep up with these of the gospel and to come alongside that does not need to defend itself challenges that are unparalleled and the church. This is what we want to do. because it is purely a private thing that unprecedented in history. I hope more ministries will spring up does not moralize or pontifi cate for My sympathy for pastors is intense. that will assist churches and strengthen anyone else. It becomes a feel-good, When I visit churches, I feel for them. I our young people and our leadership. be-quiet, and get-a-better-state-of- pray for them. As itinerants, ministry is mind-at-the-end-of-the-day religion. a little easier because we can become What do you say to a pastor who Moral absolutes? One revelation from specialists in what we do. Pastors are says, “Apologetics is just philosophy, God who has moral boundaries for us? still expected to be generalists. and we do not need that. All we No, that becomes untenable. So the How does a pastor cope with these need is the Bible”? church, when it did not respond to the attitudes regarding Christianity and Zacharias: I desperately wish it were secular mindset and did not prepare the church? Pastors need to do their that simple. When pastors believe and its own people, became secularized. best to study and understand the teach, “all we need is the Bible,” they In the end, it became spirituality issues before them and their people. equip their young people with the without truth, and experience without They need to work within their very line that gets them mocked in the objective reference. comfort zones of response and not be universities and makes them unable The average church member today afraid to admit when they are outside and even terrifi ed to relate to their is unprepared and ill-equipped to of their reach. They have access to friends. If pastors want their young face the attacks that are coming at us books, CDs, debates, seminars, and people to do the work of evangelism full-force. We are leaving our young tapes in which specialists ably deal — to reach their friends — that line men and women who are attending with apologetic material. will not get them anywhere. Even the

24 enrichment / Fall 2008 geography, not just a book give his name and say that he was a of spiritual assertions. Muslim. So I introduced myself, “I am The fact is the Ravi Zacharias. I am a Christian.” resurrection from the On the last day, I sat down with dead was the ultimate him with a Bible in Hindi, and we proof that in history talked. Before that hour was over, — and in empirically he bowed his head and received verifi able means — the Christ. He had numerous questions Word of God was made on how God could have a Son. certain. Otherwise, the People had told him that the Bible experience on the Mount was corrupted. He was honest. He of Transfi guration would needed to know why the Bible is have been good enough. authoritative and can be trusted. He But the apostle Peter says gave his life to Jesus Christ. What in 2 Peter 1:19: “We have a wonderful way to end a 3-week the Word of the prophets journey, with my chauffeur — a made more certain … as man in his twenties — who bowed to a light shining in a dark his head, wiped away his tears, and place.” He testifi ed to the prayed to receive Jesus Christ. authority and person of Christ, and the resurrected Please share a fi nal thought Religious pluralism is a person of Christ. with our readers. belief system that sounds To believe, “All we need Zacharias: I commend you for is the Bible and nothing doing an issue on truth. Readers good, but does disservice more,” is what the monks need to know that we cannot believed in medieval place Christianity beside scorching to all religions. times, and they resorted to naturalism. Naturalists are not holding monasteries. We all know back. Their antithetical guns are the end of that story. This blazing. For the sake of the truth, for Bible that Christ gave us is sustained argument may be good enough for the sake of the gospel, and for our by the miracle of the Resurrection. those who are convinced the Bible is calling in this time in history, it is The Resurrection gave the Early authority. The Bible, however, is not imperative that we love the Lord our Church the argument that Christ is authoritative in culture or in a world God with all our hearts and all our risen: We saw, we witnessed, we felt, of counter-perspectives. To say that it minds and equip our people to do and we touched. The apostle Paul is authoritative in these situations is to so. This fi erce and vast battle does not defended this gospel. He went to deny both how the Bible defends itself need to intimidate us. Not everybody Athens and planted a church there. In and how our young people need to can argue at a level to reach a Bertrand Ephesus he defended the faith in the defend the Bible’s suffi ciency. Russell, but God does put people school of Tyrannus. We also need to It is sad that some people think into our paths who are at our level. become all things to all people. a person who asks, “Why the Let’s thank God that the church has If a pastor says, “All we need is the Bible?” is being dishonest. This is a people at different levels who can Bible,” what does he say to a man who legitimate question. take on everyone. We need to know says, “All I need is the Quran”? It is a Last week, I was in India. I met with that the gospel is simple enough to solipsistic method of arguing. the president of India, and then I had reach a little child and sophisticated The pastor is saying, “All I need is my meetings with some key men and enough to reach the fi nest minds, such own point of reference and nothing women who hold the highest places as those of Augustine and Paul and more than that.” Even the gospel was in society. They are India’s tycoons. others throughout history. verifi ed by external references. The My driver was a Muslim man. Every To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at Bible is a book of history, a book of time he introduced himself, he would http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal.

enrichment / Fall 2008 25 26 enrichment / Fall 2008 By James Emery White

ear the end of their lives, John Adams, the second president of the United States, wrote to Thomas NJefferson, the third president of the United States: “My friend, you and I have lived in serious times.”1 He was right. Yet, I would argue that those times were no less serious than ours. One of the more intriguing observations about church history surfaced in an essay written just after the Second World War. Historian Christopher Dawson suggested that there have been six identifi able ages in relation to the Church. Each lasted three or four centuries, and each

enrichment / Fall 2008 27 followed a similar course. He system, the media, and the upper take hold of our culture, something contended that each of these ages echelons of the legal system. These different from the modern world began and ended in crisis. The heart are the epicenters of culture and the created by the Enlightenment. But this of each crisis was an intense attack by means by which culture creates and is not so much the end of modernity, new enemies — within and without disseminates values and ideas. These as it is exhaustion.4 Whether art or the church. These attacks, in turn, epicenters are fi ercely infl uential and politics, literature or music — it all demanded new spiritual determination control the institutions that provide seems tired. and drive by the Church.2 Without this the offi cial defi nitions of reality. The currents of postmodernism determination and drive, the Church The Supreme Court — not God- seem to refl ect the morning after a would have lost the day. given revelation — is shaping and hangover. We seem to be trying to Dawson accounted for six such ages guiding our sense of right and wrong. sort out the night before so we can get at the time of his writing. I believe The educational system — not the a handle on the day at hand. In the we are now standing at the beginning family — is shaping values and midst of this hangover, at least three of another. This is why a Christian socializing our children. The media — primary reactions are taking place. mind — informed by a biblical not the church — is forging our sense worldview — is more critical than of identity and community. A changing view of reality ever. Here is why. While this is a serious time, it is Our view of reality is changing. There also a momentous time, a time of is a growing conviction that what we The Second Fall opportunity, largely because the think we know is vague and separate There has been a second fall. In the world is feeling the sickness of this from ultimate truth. We cannot really fi rst fall, God expelled Adam and disease. We have a crisis of values. see the world as it is because no one Eve from the Garden of Eden. In the We need values, but do not have is truly objective. You cannot stand second fall, we returned the favor. In them, and are divorced from any outside your own context — including today’s world, most leaders of science, means of fi nding them. There is experiences, biases, and historical- commerce, education, and politics, no a lack of vision. There is nothing cultural current — and be free to make longer operate with any reference to a calling us upward to be more than unconditioned observations. transcendent truth — much less God. we are beyond ourselves. We have This is more than saying, “That’s This is a new and profound break empty souls, and everything we have your opinion.” It is the idea that with the history of Western thought built apart from God has proven everything is opinion. As Walter Truett and culture. Even in times and places inadequate for human experience. Anderson entitled one of his books, that might have been called pagan, We are experiencing a world that is Reality Isn’t What It Used To Be.5 true secularism in today’s sense was operating apart from God, but cannot. unknown. Whether it was the God of It is breaking down. This is the world’s A changing view of truth Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or the gods great crisis. We are not plagued by What has happened to truth? Some of Greece and Rome, people assumed the fi rst part of Nietzsche’s famous believe there is no such thing as there was a world beyond the one claim — that God is dead — but truth. This is the second change in which they lived, and they lived increasingly by his second, lesser- postmodernism is bringing. Since accordingly. It would have been alien known assertion — that we have killed everything is simply perspective, to anyone’s thinking to begin and end Him. Out of this crisis comes the true postmodern philosopher Richard with themselves alone in terms of truth challenge of the modern world that Rorty argued that the goal is to talk and morality. The second fall changed Nietzsche also articulated: “How shall about things but not arrive at any all of that. We now live in a deeply we, the murderer of all murderers, conclusions.6 Today, there is skepticism fallen world. comfort ourselves?3 toward any story that claims to be the Even if one wanted to prove that story. If the bias of the Enlightenment this is not the case, it is universally The Postmodern World was that we could know everything, recognized that an entrenched At the heart of the postmodern the disposition of postmodernism is secularized subculture is the primary condition is a growing sense that that we cannot know anything. If we infl uence in the American educational something new is beginning to do, it is not transcendent truth.

28 enrichment / Fall 2008 We live in a day of both peril and promise because this new openness to the spiritual is indiscriminate.

The search for the spiritual spiritual questions, and they are extraterrestrial, an angel, or a spiritualist Where does this leave the soul? Empty, beginning to see that many of their will serve as well as a minister. but at least sensing it. This is the third deepest needs are spiritual in nature. change that people feel in our day. Author Douglas Coupland expresses Reaching Out Pitirim Sorokin, founder of Harvard it well: “Here’s my secret: I tell it to As church leaders, what do we need to University’s department of sociology, you with an openness of heart that I be doing? In my book, Serious Times, I noted that civilization tends to swing doubt I shall ever achieve again, so discuss the importance of four things: in one of two directions: toward the I pray that you are in a quiet room • Deepening our minds — forging material or toward the spiritual. One as you hear these words. My secret is a biblical worldview wielded by a is rational or scientifi c; the other is that I need God — that I am sick and Christian mind. theological and spiritual. can no longer make it alone. I need • Developing our souls — being The medieval world was a spiritual God to help me give, because I no so formed in Christ that we have world. From the Enlightenment longer seem to be capable of giving; something to offer to the world forward, we have lived in a rational, to help me be kind, as I no longer that it does not already have. scientifi c world. The postmodern shift seem capable of kindness; to help • Answering our vocational calls — is toward the spiritual. It seems people me love, as I seem beyond being following God in the adventures of are rediscovering the validity of faith. able to love.”7 faith, and taking our place in the This is why books narrating spiritual We live in a day of both peril and great redemptive drama. journeys are best sellers, spiritual promise because this new openness to • Aligning with the church — whose themes run throughout contemporary the spiritual is indiscriminate. It can be enterprise is the great revolution music, and fi lms and television Wicca or Kabbalah, Mormon or Islam, set in motion through Christ for increasingly explore religious ideas and many are increasingly sensing all of reclaiming the world. and settings. People are interested the above. Today, people are more open Of the four, we may be least likely to in spiritual things. They are asking to spiritual matters than ever, yet an take our own minds to task.

enrichment / Fall 2008 29 A Christian Mind retain the prophetic voice because U.S. Christianity is being secularized. When Jesus summarized the people tend to be imitative by nature Rather more subtly, Christianity is command from Deuteronomy 6:5, — to adapt and conform to their either degenerating into a pathetic He said we were to love God with surroundings. Only two forces shape version of itself or, more signifi cantly, all of our heart, all of our soul, and people: the world, and the will of God. Christianity is actively being colonized all of our strength. He then added, If ministers are to avoid becoming and displaced by a quite different “And with all of our mind” (Luke absorbed in the surrounding culture, religious faith.” 10:27). Jesus wanted there to be no they must take a stand through the Smith and his colleagues call this doubt that when contemplating renewing of their minds. new faith Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. the comprehensive nature of life As a man “thinks in his heart, so is This belief system holds that God commitment to God, we should not he” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV).10 Harry demands little more of people than to forget our intellect. Blamires states: “There is no longer be nice, and the central goal of life is to But we must not reduce His a Christian mind.” A Christian ethic, be happy and feel good about oneself. command to intellectualism. It goes a Christian practice, a Christian This system teaches that people do not particularly need God in daily life If ministers are to avoid becoming except to resolve the various problems that come their way (a “Divine Butler” absorbed in the surrounding culture, or “Cosmic Therapist”). Regardless they must take a stand through the of religious convictions, beliefs, or commitments, good people go to renewing of their minds. heaven when they die. When Mark Noll wrote about the deeper than that. The biblical vision spirituality? Yes. But not a Christian scandal of the evangelical mind, his concerning the role of the mind is at mind. Mark Noll has noted that the lament was largely that Christians were the heart of the renewal of character scandal of the evangelical mind not using their minds. Smith’s research and culture. In the Book of Romans, is that there is not much of an reveals a more frightening scenario Paul said: “Do not conform any longer evangelical mind. — the loss of the basic content of to the pattern of this world, but be The National Study of Youth and Christian thought and belief. Yet, transformed by the renewing of your Religion, a research project directed thinking in light of God’s existence mind” (Romans 12:2). The Greek by Christian Smith, professor in and His self-revelation is what it verbs are in the present imperative, the Department of Sociology at the means to have a Christian mind. challenging us continually to go on by University of Notre Dame and Lisa Flannery O’Connor refers to herself refusing to conform to the patterns Pearce, assistant professor of Sociology as a Christian realist. This refl ects of the world, and by letting ourselves at the University of North Carolina at her conviction that she lives in the be renewed by the transforming of Chapel Hill, catalogued the demise presence of certain theological truths: our mind. The Phillips’ translation of a Christian worldview among the doctrine of Creation, the Fall, and reads: “Don’t let the world around you Christians. While most U.S. teenagers Redemption. These are not matters squeeze you into its own mould.”8 identifi ed themselves as Christian, the of subjective belief for her; they are Even better is Eugene Peterson’s The “language, and therefore experience, part of reality, as solid as the laws Message: “Don’t become so well- of Trinity, holiness, sin, grace, of physics. adjusted to your culture that you fi t justifi cation, sanctifi cation, church, This is at the heart of the leadership into it without even thinking.”9 Eucharist, and heaven and hell appear, challenge. We must consider the big Christian leaders must not become among most Christian teenagers in the issues of our day in light of our faith. so adjusted to their culture that they United States … to be supplanted by This is important because we often fi t into it without thinking, embrace the language of happiness, niceness, succumb to compartmentalization it without discernment, mirror it and an earned heavenly reward.” instead of having an integrated without conscience, and enable it Principal investigator Christian worldview that addresses the entirety without challenge. Pastors must Smith writes, “It is not so much that of life. A compartmentalized mind

30 enrichment / Fall 2008 The Greatest Danger Facing the Church

believe that, more than anything else, the church is else can offer an objectively true, reasonable, ethical, and imperiled by its own failure to teach, to believe, and to truly liberating worldview to our religiously confused and Ilive out the great truths of the Christian faith in a way ethically corrupted culture? Who else but Jesus Christ, the that pleases God. This is true not only of theologically Lord of the universe (Colossians 1:15–20), can call people to liberal congregations — which essentially abandoned repentance, forgive their sins through His sacrifi ce on the the Bible long ago — but also of too many evangelical Cross, justify them before God, and empower them for true churches and institutions. When “truth stumbles in the spirituality, faithful obedience, and world-changing service? public square” (Isaiah 59:14, NRSV),1 when the church We must recover the truth of the gospel. And we must succumbs to the larger culture’s trivializing of life’s obey it — come what may. The gospel is only good news greatest questions, then the gospel and all the truths when the bad news of sin against a holy God is rightly of the Bible go unheeded. People lose their way and taught. As C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity: “It is after call good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). As Jeremiah you have realized that there is a Moral Law and a Power lamented, “Truth has perished; it has vanished from their behind that law, and that you have broken the law and put lips” (Jeremiah 7:28). yourself wrong with that Power — it is after this and not The cultural indicators are clear. Religious involvement is a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk.” If the high, but spiritual discernment is low. Knowledge of God is church speaks with a muted voice concerning sin, it cannot scarce. Occultism and gratuitous violence fascinate millions speak in the name of Christ, the only Savior from sin (John and are common fare on television, in popular music, 3:16; 14:6). Christians cannot accept relativism — in ethics movies, video games, and even children’s books. Immorality or in religion (Exodus 20:1–17). is evident and taken for granted at every level. Forest Salvation comes only through the grace of a loving and rangers ignite massive forest fi res. Huge corporations just God revealed in Scripture and through the perfect life, ignore ethics for the sake of selfi sh profi t. Serial killers atoning death, and death-defeating resurrection of His terrorize us. Teenagers go on homicidal sprees in our divine Son. This gift is received by faith alone in Jesus alone schools — and commit suicide in record numbers. (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5). There is no other gospel (Galatians Although America is threatened by deadly terrorism, 1:6–9). And this gospel summons followers of Jesus to be it refuses to get deadly serious about God, the soul, and disciples (not spiritual consumers), to submit to His lordship matters of eternity. Many just want life to return to normal over all of life (Matthew 28:18), and to be transformed when normal — designer religion, materialism, crass through the renewing of their minds and the offering of their sensuality, and relentless entertainment — is precisely bodies as a living sacrifi ce in God’s service (Romans 12:1,2). what God wants us to repent of (1 John 2:15–17). Even The greatest danger facing the church today is the after September 11, 2001 — and even among supposed loss of the truth and power of the gospel. There is no Christians — moral and religious relativism stills runs greater loss. rampant. (Teenagers have been the hardest hit.) Our pluralistic society has deceived many Christians into DOUGLAS GROOTHUIS is professor of philosophy at believing that all religions lead to God. But Scripture points Denver Seminary, where he heads the Philosophy to the contrary (Exodus 20:1–3; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5,6). of Religion Masters program. He is the author of 10 Many Christians take up yoga, ignorant of the fact it is a Hindu books. He can be contacted at Douglas.Groothuis@ spiritual practice. Biblical illiteracy is staggering — even when denverseminary.edu. Used by permission of the author. more Bibles and study tools are available than ever before. Given the erosion of biblical truth, the church is in ENDNOTE peril of losing its saltiness and snuffi ng its light (Matthew 1. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version/Division of Christian Education of the National Council of 5:13–16). But who else can explain, defend, proclaim, and Churches of Christ in the United States of America — Nashville: Thomas Nelson apply the gospel of Christ if not Christ’s own followers? Who Publishers, c.1989. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

enrichment / Fall 2008 31 separates life into distinct categories — Many Christians never integrate these Because of the value of each person, job, family, a quiet time, the business areas with thoughtful refl ection from a Martin Luther King, Jr., could write section of the newspaper, and AOL — Christian worldview. these words from a Birmingham jail: all without integration. As a result, our Worldview is a key word. The term “There are two types of law: just and thinking in one area never informs our suggests more than a set of ideas unjust. … A just law is a man-made thinking in another. by which one judges other ideas.11 code that squares with the moral A person who thinks this way can be Instead, one’s worldview provides law or the law of God. An unjust a Christian, but not refl ect on science a way to engage the vast range of law is a code that is out of harmony or technology in light of his faith. Or human thought and creation from with the moral law. … Any law that even worse, never considers refl ecting a Christian perspective. As Jonathan uplifts human personality is just. Any on science and technology law that degrades human in light of his faith. As a A pastor’s teaching and preaching personality is unjust. All result, he seldom considers segregation statutes are issues related to bioethics in must demonstrate a biblical world- unjust because segregation light of what the Scriptures distorts the soul and say regarding the nature of view wielded by a Christian mind. damages the personality.”13 humanity or the doctrine King’s argument was based of creation. Instead, he lets CNN tell Edwards contended, the basic goal of on the worth God gives each person him what a particular technological any intellect is to work toward “the regardless of what other people might breakthrough will mean for the quality consistency and agreement of our say. King laid claim to a law above of his life, marvels at this progress, and ideas with the ideas of God.”12 man’s law. No other worldview could then privately ponders whether he will For example, consider the question: have given King the basis for such be able to afford the procedure. Where did we come from? We have a claim. When people compartmentalize, a limited number of answers at our A pastor’s teaching and preaching the world of technology becomes disposal: We came about by chance must demonstrate a biblical worldview distinct from the world of faith. It (the naturalist’s contention); we do wielded by a Christian mind. He is the same with the worlds of fi lm, not really exist (the Hindu response); must help people think about today’s literature, economics, and politics. or God spoke us into existence. For questions from a Christian perspective, Christians, the and how their faith applies to these ©2008 Ron Wheeler answers to: Where questions. Discipleship of the mind did we come is as important as any other kind of from? and Who discipleship. I wrote A Mind for God are we? provide so pastors and leaders could have a a foundation for primer to use for discipleship in their thinking that no churches. Pastors must become active other answers can readers, learners, and thinkers to help provide. Because people develop a Christian worldview. God created Much of this worldview begins with people, each basic literacy. person has value, meaning, and Christian literacy purpose. Someone In the late 1980s, E.D. Hirsch burst above and outside onto the cultural scene with his of our existence idea of cultural literacy. He detailed stands over it as the importance of having a core of “I say: ‘who’s with me on this? Who’s willing to put on the full authority. This background knowledge for functional armor of God and go into spiritual battle with me?’ ” concept changes literacy and effective national your leadership. communication.14 Hirsch ignited a

32 enrichment / Fall 2008

Before a pastor can contend with culture, he must fi rst ground himself in a sound and vibrant Christian theology. national debate concerning the nature that would be written” (John 21:25). easy to imagine that the issues of our of education and the meaning of Beyond the Gospels, it is important day did not exist before our day, but literacy. People asked questions about that our core of knowledge includes: this is a mistake. Many people have what was needed to form the content Why God gave us the Scriptures, the wrestled with these issues before. It is of such knowledge, and whether Ten Commandments, Jesus’ Sermon well worth our time to explore these education can be reduced to such on the Mount, the seven letters to wrestlings, or else we will cut ourselves things. Nevertheless, the central thesis the churches, the wisdom of the off from the wisdom and insight that remained: There are certain things we Proverbs, the great theological treatise have gone before us. need to know. of Romans, the evangelistic thrust of What events in Christian history A body of knowledge lends itself to John’s Gospel, and everything else — and their signifi cance — do we cultural literacy — and even further, within the Canon. need to know? Historian Mark Noll to Christian literacy.15 This is why The starting point of our education suggests the following: The Fall of professors teach certain things, and — or commitment to learning — is Jerusalem (70); the Council of Nicaea then proclaim, “You will need to know biblical literacy. This is arguably where (325); the Council of Chalcedon this for the test.” Within education the church has done its best, where (451); Benedict’s Rule (530); the there is an inherent understanding we must recognize the spiritual gift of coronation of Charlemagne (800); that certain facts need to be known, teaching, and where Christians have the great schism between the Eastern certain books need to be read, certain most devoted themselves as students. and Western Church (1054); the Diet lives need to be studied, certain events Nevertheless, we are always one of Worms (1521); the English Act of need to be remembered, and certain generation from biblical illiteracy. Supremacy (1534); the founding of ideas need to be understood. So, what the Jesuits (1540); the Conversion are these things? Historical literacy of the Wesleys (1738); the French Beyond biblical learning, we need Revolution (1789); and the Edinburgh Biblical literacy to know certain signifi cant events in Missionary Conference (1910).16 The Early Church felt the need to Christian history. identify what people needed to know History is the story of God’s activities Theological literacy from the earliest days. Luke, along in, and dealings with, the world. To Beyond biblical and historical literacy with Matthew, Mark, and John, felt ignore history is to be condemned to is theological literacy. The Bible it was critical to record the central repeat it. More specifi cally, to ignore gives us God’s revelation, history teachings and life events of Jesus. history is to ignore the world in which shows how some of the better minds Furthermore, John acknowledged: we live, the people who have shaped have wrestled with it, and theology “Jesus did many other things as well. If it, and the events that have brought us assembles and applies these areas every one of them were written down, to where we are. to the great questions of life and the I suppose that even the whole world History is walking back through spiritual formation of believers. would not have room for the books time, listening to its better minds. It is Theology has traditionally organized

34 enrichment / Fall 2008

Loving God With Our Minds

fter I returned from a sabbatical, I shared with the is simply: Part of passionately loving God is a desire to pastors in the Rocky Mountain District that I had use our mind to study, to stretch ourselves intellectually, Aread several books during my time away. I called to begin and fi nish endeavors that may require some attention to one book I found especially stimulating. It level of academic rigor, to exert ourselves in the study of challenged Christians, especially Pentecostals, to not be God’s Word and other disciplines that can help us lead afraid of using their intellect. In a letter to our pastors more effectively. I stated, “This is a dangerous book that may challenge You have heard the adage, “I’d rather be a fool on fi re than some in leadership and also laity who have unknowingly a scholar on ice.” No one wants to be dry in his walk with adopted the philosophy that ‘the dumber I am, the more God. But Pentecostals have for too long bought into the lie the Holy Spirit can use me.’ ” that if you pursue academics, if you desire to study diligently, Someone questioned my statement. The person asked you will lose your passion for the things of God. if I was implying that God only used educated people. Am I saying that God prefers those with a college He then told of a godly man he education? No. I’ve met college knew who only had an elementary graduates who are idiots, and I’ve met education, but yet God used the people without formal theological man mightily. education who are brilliant — who Of course God can use have exhibited spoudazo. anyone — He will even use an ass I believe the best learning (Numbers 22, KJV) if He needs to. preparation for life, and especially But the point is this: I believe if for church leadership, is a 4-year this brother — who only has an degree at an Assemblies of God elementary education — refuses college or university. Yes, an AG to love God with his mind and college is expensive and their church intellect and refuses to learn, grow, leadership programs are diffi cult and and study, he will miss much of require academic rigor. But I hope what God has for him. I believe that our future church leaders are his eventual effectiveness will be cut short. Tragically, I willing to make sacrifi ces and work hard so they can build a know people who are uneducated and proud of that fact. solid foundation for their ministry. They see this as a special badge. God always resists pride, I applaud Christian liberal arts education. I am convinced whether it is about academic prowess or lack of it. But the that the Assemblies of God can provide the best training point is this: God wants all of us to love Him with all our for church leadership, but also world-class education in heart, soul, and mind. every discipline. Why not? Why should we limit the power Paul exhorted Timothy: “Study to show yourself of the Spirit of God to help us love God with our minds? approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be Yes, without God, our intellect will fail us. And ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy yes, without God, our intellect can lead us astray. We 2:15, KJV). The NIV reads: “Do your best to present yourself desperately need Him in all aspects of our lives. as one approved, a workman who does not need to be I challenge Pentecostal leaders and laity to renew their ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” commitment to love God with their mind and to study to The word translated “study” is spoudazo. It is used show themselves approved unto God. 11 times in the New Testament. It speaks of hard work, diligence, effort, study, exerting oneself, zeal, labor — all in G. ROBERT COOK, JR., D.MIN., is executive vice president the context of handling God’s Word. of the Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education, My challenge to Pentecostal ministers and students Springfield, Missouri.

36 enrichment / Fall 2008 itself into 10 categories: the existence, Christian theology or church history? A Battle of Ideas nature, and attributes of God; revelation One answer is that churches must rise Make no mistake about the nature of (the inspiration and authority of to the educational challenge. our contest and the foundation on Scripture); creation and providence; Churches are increasingly developing which all transforming leadership humanity/human nature; original a community college feel to their has stood — Martin Luther King, and actual sin; the person and work of educational ministries. Mecklenburg Jr., William Wilberforce, Dietrich Christ; human nature, sin, and grace; the Community Church offers an institute Bonhoeffer, or St. Patrick. As John person and work of the Holy Spirit; the that provides new courses each Stott says, “We may talk of conquer- Church; and the end times. quarter: Christian theology, Bible ing the world for Christ. But what It is important to explore and 101, church history, or book studies. sort of conquest do we mean? Not a understand each of these areas of Such learning opportunities are vital victory by force of arms. … This is a theology. For example, we say we and complement the learning from battle of ideas.” believe in the God of the This was Paul’s concern Bible, but what kind of when he wrote to the God is He? A caring God Corinthians, reminding or an indifferent God? We them that: “We do not wage say we believe the Bible, war as the world does. … but in what way? Is it truth We demolish arguments without any error or a and every pretension that somewhat reliable guide sets itself up against the that may not be completely knowledge of God, and we trustworthy? If we hold take captive every thought to to its inspiration, do we make it obedient to Christ” mean inspired in the sense (2 Corinthians 10:3–5). of Bach’s Brandenburg This is the double-edged Concertos, or something threat of our day. Apart from more? We say we believe Apart from a Christian mind, the a Christian mind, the myriad in creation and that God myriad of worldviews contending of worldviews contending made us in His image. What for our attention will either does that mean? Where is for our attention will either take us take us captive, or we will this image located? When captive, or we will fail to make the fail to make the Christian does life begin? What gives voice heard above the din. it value? Christian voice heard above the din. Either way, we must begin to These are theological think or lose the fi ght. questions. Before a pastor can contend weekend and midweek services, and In 1995, Thomas Cahill wrote his with culture, he must fi rst ground from small group experiences. provocatively entitled book, How himself in a sound and vibrant Many seminaries offer branch the Irish Saved Civilization. “Ireland,” Christian theology. This is why campuses and extension centers in contended Cahill, “had one moment theology was called the queen of the key population centers throughout of unblemished glory … as the sciences throughout the medieval era. the United States. Even more are using Roman Empire fell, as all through Christians understood that no other the Internet to offer distance-learning Europe matted, unwashed barbarians fi eld of study, no other topic held programs that include audio lectures, descended on the Roman cities, greater worth. printed study guides, lecture outlines, looting artifacts and burning books, study questions, and a bibliography the Irish, who were just learning to Becoming Literate for further reading. Some Web sites read and write, took up the great labor Talking about learning and getting allow signifi cant interaction between of copying all of Western literature.” an education are two different things. students and between students Missionary-minded Irish monks later Where can a person take a course in and instructors. brought back to the continent what the

enrichment / Fall 2008 37 Irish had preserved on their isolated Never before have the habits JAMES EMERY WHITE, PH.D., island, and refounded European of the mind mattered more. As founding and senior pastor, civilization. That, Cahill concludes, is Winston Churchill stated in his Mecklenburg Community Church, how the Irish saved civilization. address at Harvard University in Charlotte, North Carolina; professor Cahill’s study contains more 1943, “The empires of the future of Theology and Culture at Gordon-Conwell Theo- information than meets the eye. will be empires of the mind.” logical Seminary-Charlotte; founder and president Beyond the loss of Latin literature and Oxford theologian Alister McGrath of Serious Times (http://www.serioustimes.com), a the development of the great national notes that Churchill’s point was ministry that explores the intersection of faith and European literatures that an illiterate that a great transition was taking culture; and author of more than a dozen books, Europe would not have established, place in Western culture with including Serious Times and A Mind for God. Cahill notes that something else would immense implications for all who To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at also have perished in the West: “The live in it. The powers of the new http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. habits of the mind that encourage world would not be nation-states ENDNOTES thought.” Why would this matter? — as with empires past — but 1. In a letter, as cited by David McCullough, John Adams Cahill continues his assessment: ideologies. Ideas, not nations, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001), 285, from Lester “When Islam began its medieval would captivate and conquer in J. Cappon, ed., The Adams-Jefferson Letters (Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press, 1959), 349. 2. Christopher Dawson, “The Six Ages of the Church,” in Christianity and European Culture: Selections from the Work of The starting point for the conquest of the Christopher Dawson, ed. Gerald J. Russello (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 1998), 34–45. world would now be the human mind. 3. Nietzsche’s famed “God is dead” passage can be found in section 125 of The Gay Science in Walter Kaufmann, ed., expansion, it would have the future. The starting point for The Portable Nietzsche (New York: Penguin, 1982), 95,96. encountered scant resistance to the conquest of the world would 4. On this, see David Lyon, Postmodernity, 2d ed. (Min- neapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 9. its plans — just scattered tribes of now be the human mind. Yet, 5. Walter Truett Anderson, Reality Isn’t What It Used To Be: animists, ready for a new identity.” in the Christian realm, there are Theatrical Politics, Ready-to-Wear Religion, Global Myths, Without a robust Christian mind surprisingly few warriors. Primitive Chic and Other Wonders of the Postmodern to engage the onslaught, the West Christians have too often retreated World (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1990). 6. Richard Rorty, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature would have been under the crescent into personal piety and good works. (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1979), 393. instead of the Cross. One BBC commentator stated, that 7. Douglas Coupland, Life After God (New York: Pocket Christians have Books/Simon and Schuster, 1994), 359. 8. Scripture quotations marked Phillips are taken from The ©2008 Ed Koehler too often offered New Testament in Modern English, copyright © 1958, 1959, mere feelings and 1960 J.B. Phillips and 1947, 1952, 1955, 1957 The Macmillian philanthropy. Company, New York. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 9. Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, Speaking 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission specifi cally to the of NavPress Publishing Group. challenge from 10. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the Islam, he added New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. that what we 11. On how worldview has been treated by a variety of needed was more thinkers, see David K. Naugle, Worldview: The History of a hard thinking Concept (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002). 12. Jonathan Edwards, “Notes on the Mind,” in The Works of applied to the Jonathan Edwards: Scientific and Philosophical Writings, issues of the day. ed. Wallace E. Anderson (New Haven, Conn.: Yale That is how University Press, 1980), 341,342. 13. Martin Luther King, Jr., Why We Can’t Wait (Letter from a Birmingham leaders will bring Jail) (New York: Mentor/New American Library, 1963, 1964), 82. about renewal 14. E.D. Hirsch, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs To Know (United Kingdom: Vintage Books, 1988). “Okay, sure, the soft leather pews are nice. But what’s a guy — real renewal — not only for 15. Jo H. Lewis and Gordon A. Palmer, What Every Christian gotta do to get a fresh cup of coffee around here?” Should Know (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor, 1989). us but also for 16. Mark Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History our culture. of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997).

38 enrichment / Fall 2008

40 enrichment / Fall 2008 Following a Unique Christ in a Pluralistic Society

BY PAUL COPAN

How can pastors and other Christian leaders encourage those entrusted to their care to handle pluralistic challenges?

How do believers respond to the attacks from a pluralistic society? What are some of the common errors by those who espouse pluralism? If Christianity is the exclusive source of salvation, how do we respond to the question concerning Hthose who have never heard the gospel? Paul Copan deals with these issues in his article on pluralism. The gospel is no stranger to religiously pluralistic environments.1 The disciples fi rst proclaimed the good news throughout the religiously mixed Mediterranean world with its many gods and temples, Greek

Jared VanBruaene philosophies, and emperor worship. Today’s religious pluralism, however,

enrichment / Fall 2008 41 offers an appealing approach to Describing Religious Pluralism on in utter ignorance” and “prate liberal democratic Western societies by According to some pluralists, the about an elephant not one of them claiming that all religions are equally different religions are simply different has seen.” capable of salvation or liberation, manifestations of the Ultimate John Hick, perhaps the most none being superior to another.2 This Reality or the Transcendent — God, notable religious pluralist today, agrees with educator Allan Bloom’s Brahman, the Tao, Nothingness. Like calls for a Copernican revolution analysis of our culture: “Confl ict is the a three-dimensional hologram, the of religions. Cosmology has shifted evil we most want to avoid.”3 fi lm or picture underneath projects from a Ptolemaic geocentric (earth- Isn’t it arrogant to proclaim Jesus a different image depending on the centered) view of the universe to as God’s unique revelation in the angle and distance from which one a Copernican heliocentric (sun- face of other religions? As feminist observes it. So, one person might view centered) one. Similarly, we must theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether the same underlying Ultimate Reality replace a Christocentric view — the triune God’s revelation in Christ Pluralism is much more suited to our as central with all other religions revolving or orienting themselves individualistic, consumer-oriented, buff et- around it — with a God/Reality- style approach to religion that says, “I’ll take centered view, in which all religions, including Christianity, revolve some of that; no, I don’t like that.” around it. Beginning with philosopher Karl declared, “The idea that Christianity, different from another person. Or Jaspers (1883–1969), thinkers have or even the biblical faiths, have a religions could be compared to gold distinguished between three stages monopoly on religious truth is an or silver (representing the underlying of religious development: First, outrageous and absurd religious Ultimate Reality). These metals can ancient preaxial religions are charac- chauvinism.”4 At the popular level, be (1) solid, shaped, and polished; terized by being tribalistic, mythical, Oprah Winfrey once said on her (2) a molten liquid; or (3) a rough, nature-bound, and primal. show: “There are millions of ways to unrefi ned ore (representing the various Second, axial-age religions be a human being and many paths world religions). arose in two stages: (1) signifi cant to what you call ‘God’; . . . there We are told, “All roads lead to saving or liberating ethical-religious couldn’t possibly be just one way.”5 the top of the mountain.” Another ideas emerged in India (ritual- Now, we can readily agree with the analogy speaks of six blind men to-philosophical—or Vedic- benign, descriptive fact of pluralism from India (think: Buddhist, Hindu, to-Upanishadic—Hinduism, — that many religious beliefs exist. Christian, Muslim, Confucian, and and then Buddhism); China The more dangerous, evangelism- Taoist) who touch an elephant. Each (Confucianism, Taoism); and the West threatening pluralism, however, takes touches a different part of the elephant (Zoroastrianism, prophetic Judaism, on a prescriptive tone: “It is true — and draws a dogmatic conclusion Greek philosophy) around 800 to 200 and therefore you need to believe — about what an elephant is based on B.C. (2) Then, springing from Judaism, that all religions are capable of saving his limited experience (a wall, snake, two offshoot Abrahamic religions — or liberating.” In such a view, the spear, tree, fan, and rope). An observer Christianity and Islam — arose. claim that Jesus is unique is narrow- of their debate thinks their rigid beliefs Third, the more pluralistic postaxial minded and imperialistic — a relic of are comical. (For a fuller explanation religious thinking around 1600 to the colonial age. Pluralism is much of this analogy, see the sidebar “Tolerant 1800 (rooted in a departure from more suited to our individualistic, or Intolerant?” on the facing page.) established religious authority during consumer-oriented, buffet-style Applying this picture to “theologic the Enlightenment) affi rms that there approach to religion that says, “I’ll wars,” poet John Godfrey Saxe (1816– are “different ways of experiencing, take some of that; no, I don’t 87) wrote of religious disputants with conceiving, and living in relation like that.” their exclusivistic claims: they “[r]ail to the ultimate divine Reality that

42 enrichment / Fall 2008 Tolerant or Intolerant? Are All Beliefs Equal and Valid?

In 21st-century Western culture, we live Jesus is the only path to God? People who excludes others. Again, we need in a context of spiritual longing. But often use the parable of the elephant to to think carefully about this because, in this spiritual openness does not always illustrate how arrogant Christians are: Blind reality, whatever position we hold, we translate into people following Christ. scribes are touching different parts of an exclude some views. Even the person who People have a dizzying array of options elephant. One is holding its tail, and saying, believes that all ways — including Idi when it comes to religion. The culture “This is a rope.” Amin, Pol Pot, Stalin, and Osama bin Laden around us believes all religions are Another is holding its front leg, and saying, — lead to God excludes the view that only equally valid. It seems bizarre to people “No, this is not a rope. It is a tree trunk.” some ways lead to God or only one way that someone would claim that only one A third person is holding its trunk, and leads to God. In the same way, the average way is the truth and the only truth. saying, “You are both wrong. It is a snake.” person in the West would probably want In my experience, people usually have The moral of this story is that all religions to exclude some of the extremists, such as three motivations in dismissing the idea are like those men. They were each Hitler or Milosovich. He may believe that that Christ is the only way to God. We touching a different part of ultimate reality. only some ways lead to God, such as the need to be able to deal with each of these. Therefore, Christians are arrogant when fi ve main world religions. This excludes the The fi rst objection is that it is intolerant they claim that only they have the truth. view that all ways lead to God or that only to believe that Christianity is true. It may As we consider this illustration, we one way leads to God. And the Christian help to defi ne tolerance. Tolerance is the discover two main differences between who says, “I follow Jesus because He said willingness to accept or tolerate someone the person telling the story and the people that He is the only way to the Father,” or something, especially opinions or in the story. The fi rst difference is that the excludes the view that all ways or some behaviors that you may not agree with, scribes touching the elephant are blind ways lead to God. Every view excludes or people who are not like you. In other and the narrator can see. some. The issue is not who is excluding words, I only need to tolerate other The second is one of perspective. The people but, again, what is true and real. religions if I disagree with them. If all paths blind scribes are near the elephant, but Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth lead to God, I do not need to be tolerant the narrator is standing back and has the and the life. No one comes to the Father since I agree with all religions and views. full picture. The breathtaking claim the except through me” (John 14:6). There The irony is that religious people on all storyteller makes is that Jesus, Buddha, are many possibilities here. Perhaps He sides suffer in this paradigm. Whenever Krishna, Moses, and Muhammad are was a genuinely good person, but He was anyone attempts to make all religious all blind, but I can see. They had a small deluded; He was sincere, but wrong. He groups say the same things and to suppress perspective, but I see the full picture — all believed He was God and misled people the diversity that exists, he marginalizes ways lead to God. The question is now: because, in reality, He was mentally and paints orthodox believers as intolerant. Who is the arrogant one? imbalanced. Perhaps, He knew He was not In reality, the move to homogenize and It is just as arrogant to claim that God, but still went around telling people relativize is itself intolerant of the real views Buddha, Muhammad, and Jesus were He was the only way to God, in which case of different religions. If I believe that Christ wrong in their exclusive claims, as it is to He was a sinister character. Or, He was who is the only way to God, I can still be tolerant say that Jesus is the only way. The issue, He said He was and is the only way to God. by showing respect to those who disagree then, is not about who is arrogant or not, with me. but what is actually true and real. AMY ORR-EWING lives in London and The second motivation behind The third motivation concerns exclusion. is training director at Ravi Zacharias dismissing Christ as the only way to God How can you exclude all other religions? International Ministries Trust, where is that this claim is perceived as arrogant. Jesus said that He was the way to the she oversees the Trust’s apologet- How could we be so arrogant as to say Father, but I cannot follow Him because ics training program. She is author of Is the Bible that all other religions are wrong and I do not want to be an intolerant person Intolerant?

enrichment // FallFall 20082008 43 transcends all our varied versions of 4:157,158). If Muslims are correct, responding to this Ultimate Reality. Its it,” as Hick affi rms.6 then the Christian faith crumbles reality is different from the experience Hick does not naively insist that “all (1 Corinthians 15:13–19). of It. This resembles what philosopher religions are basically the same.” They All the world’s religions differ Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) asserted: cannot all be true in what they affi rm signifi cantly concerning the nature We cannot have direct access to the because of their massive fundamental of Ultimate Reality (a personal God; noumenal realm (the thing in itself), but only to the phenomenal realm (as While Christians, Jews, and Muslims share it appears to us). Yet this view raises questions about how Kant or Hick an Abrahamic faith, this does not mean could know that this thing-in-itself or they are equal. the Real is unknowable. Another aspect of religious pluralism differences. Buddhism’s Dalai Lama an impersonal, undifferentiated is that all the world’s religions are puts it plainly: “Among spiritual faiths, consciousness; or Nothingness); the equally capable of bringing salvation there are many different philosophies, human condition (sin, ignorance, or or liberation. Salvation is the some just opposite to each other on craving/desire); its solution (salvation, transformation from self-centeredness certain points. Buddhists do not accept enlightenment, or the elimination to Reality-centeredness, and no a creator; Christians base their of desire); or the afterlife (personal particular religion has a monopoly on philosophy on that theory.”7 enjoyment of/separation from God, such a transformation. By defi nition, truth excludes reincarnations or rebirths followed by Religious pluralists often claim that something — error or falsehood. personal extinction). All religions are producing morally upright saints Christians and Buddhists cannot not “basically the same.” Sophisticated is evidence of the realization of both be right on this matter because pluralists will recognize these genuine, liberation in different religions. Major either God exists or He doesn’t. irreconcilable differences. world religions produce moral fruits in Muslims and Christians cannot both For Hick, religious belief is the result their devotees, such as treating others be right about Jesus’ death. Muslims of culturally conditioned attempts how they would want to be treated. reject His death on a cross (Sura to arrive at the Ultimate Reality. The Christians have Jesus or Mother nomadic Muslim Teresa; Hindus, Mahatma Gandhi; and ©2008 Dik LaPine Tuareg or the Krish- Buddhists, the Dalai Lama. No religion na devotee will be has the moral high ground over another. oriented to the Real through the fi lter Responses to Religious Pluralism or baggage of his Christians maintain that the Christian particular religious faith is true and that the sacrifi cial and cultural back- death of Jesus is the basis of genuine ground. Religious salvation. Thus, other religions cannot beliefs are true in deliver genuine salvation. Where the sense that they other religions disagree with Christian are oriented toward revelation, at that point they are in the Ultimate Real- error. This view is particularlistic ity, but false in or exclusivistic, but all religious another, because truth-claims are exclusionary. Before of cultural con- addressing problems with religious ditioning. There pluralism, we need to consider are different ways four things. “Excuse me. Could I borrow $20 to put in the kitty?” of conceiving, First, all truth is God’s truth — experiencing, and whether within the Christian faith

44 enrichment / Fall 2008 or outside it. In Acts 17:22–28, Christians? Why is it permissible to Religious Pluralism’s Problems Paul cited pagan (Stoic) thinkers offend Christians but not Jews and With these preliminaries in mind, who spoke of God as the Creator Muslims? Christians do not know let’s consider religious pluralism’s and Sustainer who is not contained how to pray except in the name of problems. by human temples. We also need Jesus. So a Christian invited to such First, religious pluralism eliminates to pay attention to commonalities events needs to be allowed to pray as the possibility of specifi c, historical and bridges with other religionists a Christian, not as a Deist to some divine revelation. Religious pluralism by affi rming God-originated truth generic deity. In dialogue, he needs seeks to begin from the ground up by when we come across it. Buddhists to graciously speak as a Christian observing what goes on in mosques, or Confucians believe in honoring rather than accept a lowest- churches, synagogues, temples, and parents or in religious freedom; common-denominator approach Sikh gurdwaras. Many pluralists Muslims maintain that an eternally in discussion. believe Jesus was just a God-conscious existent God created the universe. While Christians, Jews, and Muslims person who did not rise from the Christians can work together with share an Abrahamic faith, this dead. His later followers ascribed Muslims and Buddhists in opposing does not mean they are equal. So if divinity to Him, as some of Buddha’s tyranny and oppression throughout discussants approach the religious followers did to Buddha. The pluralist, the world. Because all people are roundtable assuming religions are if correct, ultimately undermines the God’s image-bearers, Christians equally legitimate and true, they are historic Christian faith. Jesus is one can affi rm that the poor or illiterate not doing so as Christians, Muslims, of many legitimate ways of fi nding need to be helped without making or Hindus. salvation or liberation. basic aid or education contingent on Religious dialogue must begin According to orthodox Christianity, receiving the gospel. with the equality of persons, not God begins with particular persons Second, non-Christians who belief. Participants can discuss their and events — Abraham or the believe Christians are narrow- individual views and experiences Incarnation. He does have the minded for believing in Jesus’ openly, and all sides can benefi t universal in mind, seeking to bless uniqueness need to remember from empathetically listening to all the families of the earth (Genesis that Christ spoke of it fi rst. Non- clarify views and to prevent the 12:1–3). Like ripples from a stone Christians who are offended by claims creation of caricatures and stereotypes tossed into a pond, the Christian that Jesus is the only Savior need to (James 1:19). mission to the world fl ows from the know that this claim originated with Fourth, religion, including Incarnation; it offers salvation to Jesus; Christians did not make this idolatrous conceptions of God all through God’s enabling Spirit. up (for example, John 14:6; compare within Christendom, may prevent Pluralism, however, leaves us with a Acts 4:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19). The people from knowing the living property-less, content-less Ultimate critic must ultimately contend with God. As with many religious Reality. How do we need to respond to Jesus’ own authoritative and staggering leaders in Jesus’ day, religiosity may It? Do we need to love It, or pray to It, identity claims. hinder people from salvation and or just live ethically? Can we know It Third, religious dialogue requires encountering God. In India, I have even exists? equal respect, not equality of witnessed Hindu festivals in which Second, religious pluralism is belief. Here is a common interfaith people cut and gouge their bodies. logically just as exclusivistic as the scenario: Christians are invited Rather than being happy as they Christian — or any other faith. The to prayer breakfasts, dialogues, are, many live in bondage to evil pluralistic-sounding Dalai Lama has and panel discussions. They are spirits, oppressed by karma, bound declared that Tibetan Buddhism is told, however, that they cannot by superstition, and paralyzed by “the highest and complete form of pray in Jesus’ name or mention fear of death. One Muslim convert to Buddhism.”8 “Only Buddhists can Jesus’ uniqueness because this Christ declared, “The more I see of the accomplish”9 what is necessary for might offend Jews or Muslims. But world’s religions, the more beautiful liberation. It seems, however, that isn’t that restriction offensive to Jesus appears to me.” religious pluralism is just as

46 enrichment / Fall 2008 non-neutral and exclusivistic regarding the status of religious truth-claims. The religious pluralist believes that his The Apologetics view is true and that the exclusivist — whether Christian, Muslim, Buddhist Study Bible — is wrong in rejecting pluralism. The pluralist believes he has a virtue the Christian or Muslim does not. Pluralism implies that Christians Ted Cabal, General Editor (Holman Bible Publishers, 2,024 pp., hardcover) need to abandon belief in Jesus’ deity, atoning death, and resurrection — beliefs pluralists take to be literally ll too often believers feel Study Bible is its notes and articles false and simply inspiring metaphors battered and helpless to appended to the biblical text at relevant or symbols. Though the Christian faith Aanswer skeptics and critics. points. Notes consist of commentary is a particular exclusivism, religious God, however, has entrusted the written by biblical scholars that relate pluralism is a generic exclusivism: if scholars of the church in our generation specifi cally to apologetic issues raised by the pluralist is correct, then the central with the greatest wealth of biblical, scriptural texts. Also related to specifi c doctrines of the world’s great religions theological, philosophical, historical, biblical texts are over 50 examples of are false. and scientifi c knowledge in history. “Twisted Scripture.” These explanations While pluralists may appeal to The Apologetics Study Bible treat those instances where portions of analogies such as roads that lead to brings together in one resource the the Bible have been misused by various the tops of mountains or blind men work of biblically faithful exegetes, religious movements. touching an elephant, we could ask historians, archaeologists, theologians, The Apologetics Study Bible is a how they know that each religion’s philosophers, and scientists — and all valuable resource for all Christians. It road leads to the top and why those this work is wedded to the Bible. would make a wonderful gift for high who disagree are wrong. How is it The distinctiveness of The Apologetics school graduates. that they have the correct vantage point? Besides, these analogies do not prove a point; they only illustrate it. If Jesus is the only way, we could then the geography objection: “If you over others. 10 We could say the same change the analogy to one that is more had been born in Saudi Arabia, you about morality: just because some appropriate. For example, religions would likely be a Muslim — or if in groups of people grow up holding are like a labyrinth or a maze with India, a Hindu.” Though statistically that cannibalism or terrorism or only one way out. Here Jesus proves true, this reasoning hardly proves the racism are morally justifi able, we are to be an advantageous starting point. pluralist’s point. right to stick to our guns by rejecting Jesus claims to reveal God to us and to The geography of a belief neither their problematic moral perspective. direct our destiny, which is bound up establishes nor neutralizes its truth. Our belief in objective moral values with our response to Him personally. While a Marxist, monarchist, or and human rights isn’t threatened Jesus himself steps into the maze conservative Republican would likely by the fact that others grow up of our miserable human condition have joined the Hitler Youth had he thinking differently. and guides us to salvation and grants grown up in Nazi Germany, we do The same applies to beliefs about us hope. not conclude that all political systems ultimate reality and the human Third, even if religious belief is are equally legitimate (perhaps, say, condition: We rightly reject profoundly largely shaped by geographical and because they move persons from self- incoherent beliefs. We correctly historical circumstances, this fact in centeredness to political-centeredness!). question claims that depend heavily on itself does not guarantee religious Independent reasons exist for phony documents or the character of pluralism’s truth. Pluralists raise preferring certain forms of government a charismatic, womanizing charlatan

enrichment / Fall 2008 47 Following a Unique Christ in a Pluralistic Society

above his cultural conditioning to see things more clearly than the rest of us? Does the religious pluralist think he is just another blind man touching his part of the elephant? No. He takes the view of the onlooker who sees the entire elephant and thinks the blind men are foolish because of their narrow-minded dogmatism. Fourth, a religion’s moral fruitfulness is not necessarily the ultimate test of its legitimacy. How do we explain moral atheists who help their neighbors but reject the transcendent and even strongly oppose traditional religion as delusional and full of false promises? Should pluralists carry on religious dialogue with them — and to what end? What about religions that include ritual human sacrifi ce or racist beliefs? Are these legitimate, culturally conditioned attempts to arrive at Ultimate Reality?12 Ironically, pluralists like John Hick and Paul Knitter affi rm an impersonal Ultimate Reality (which who founds a religion — even if his among the world religions in that it is also affi rmed in many Eastern followers are morally decent people. is rooted in history and thus makes religions), but how can It be the basis If the Christian faith more readily crucial claims historically verifi able of personal virtues such as kindness explains many features of the universe (e.g., Jesus’ death and resurrection). and compassion? A personal God — and of the human condition than In addition, we can turn the tables especially the intrinsically relational various Eastern religions or other on the pluralist: If he had been born triune God — makes better sense of secular alternatives, then its greater in Madagascar or medieval France, he such virtues. plausibility should not be trumped by the geographic objection. Pluralists who reject Jesus’ bodily resurrection Hardly neutral observers of the religious landscape, pluralists who or His remarkable authority claims as reject Jesus’ bodily resurrection or historically reliable are taking a gamble. His remarkable authority claims as historically reliable are taking a probably would not have become a If no observable moral difference gamble. Not only would Jesus’ radical pluralist!11 If all religions are culturally exists between adherents of these uniqueness completely undermine conditioned attempts to get at the different religions, then the common pluralism, but orthodox Christian Ultimate Reality, then pluralism is just pluralistic conclusion — that all the tradition is also buttressed by strong as culturally conditioned as Christian great religions are equally capable of historical support. Indeed, the or Hindu beliefs. saving — isn’t more obvious than the Christian faith is virtually unique How then has the pluralist risen conclusion that it is not the case that

48 enrichment / Fall 2008 all these religions are equally capable of saving. In fact, it is reasonable to conclude that we have no idea whether all religions are or are not equally capable of saving.13 Being an “True For You, agnostic, not a pluralist, is the more reasonable position. But Not For Me” Fifth, the Christian’s motivation to live humbly, gratefully, graciously, and self-sacrifi cially is connected to Jesus’ authority as God’s Son. Paul Copan (Bethany House Publishers, 192 pp., paperback) Such motivation will lose much of its force if, as the pluralist contends, ell, that may be true • brief answers to each argument. Jesus was a mere man. If Jesus is not for you, but it’s not for • readable explanations on each God incarnate, this denies historic “Wme” is the rallying cry subject. Christianity’s claims and seriously of our culture. It’s one of many popular • helpful introductory material to sets undermines our devotion to Christ. sayings put forward with no evidence: of similar anti-Christian slogans. This is a pragmatic consideration, “All religions lead to God.” • study questions for individual or but the Christian faith is bound up “Who are you to judge others?” group use. with historical events such as Jesus’ “Jesus was just another great Copan wrote True for You, But Not for death and resurrection. If these religious leader.” Me to “make a case for the existence never occurred, then Paul urges us “Christians are so intolerant.” of objective truth and morality and to to consider hedonism since a mere Most Christians are left grasping for a defend the claim that Jesus is indeed earthly hope in Christ is delusional response, and the conversation moves the unique and sole Savior of the world.” (1 Corinthians 15:32). on without them. True for You, But Not This book will help pastors and their Sixth, if Jesus is God’s Son, this for Me is a ready-reference handbook church members provide a concise effectively undermines religious for answering our culture’s latest response to society’s slide into relativism pluralism. Despite the points listed objections to Christianity. It features: and religious pluralism. above, pluralism could logically still be true. However, if Jesus is God incarnate, then pluralism is false. Jesus exalted Jesus who shared in the divine post-mortem appearances, vindicated was not just another great religious identity. The Shema (Deuteronomy those authoritative claims — that in teacher. Consider: (a) He was different 6:4) declares that there is one Lord Him the kingdom of God, the new from the founders of other great religions. [Yahweh], but Paul affi rmed that exodus, and the new creation had come. Jesus made unique claims that no the one Lord is Jesus Christ who is If there is salvation outside of Christ, other world religious leader made — Creator of all and the Source of our then Jesus’ redemptive mission as to forgive sins, hear prayers, be the existence (1 Corinthians 8:6). The fi rst Israel’s and humanity’s representative Judge of all, be always present with His Christians even prayed to Him (Acts was ultimately a misguided failure. followers, give rest to one’s soul, have 7:59; 1 Corinthians 16:22). And contrary to Jesus’ Gethsemane authority over angelic/demonic beings, Jesus’ fi rst followers believed impressions, the bitter cup could have and receive worship. By contrast, He shared the divine identity and been removed from Him. Muhammad would have thought attributed the honors, titles, actions, In the end, religious pluralism Jesus’ personal claims blasphemous; and prerogatives of Yahweh to will not let Jesus be Jesus. If it did, it Buddha was a metaphysical agnostic as Jesus. The New Testament writers would undermine itself. was Confucius. affi rmed this without dispute. Such a (b) The earliest Christians — fi ercely conviction, buttressed by Jesus’ The Question of the Unevangelized monotheistic Jews — bore witness to an own resurrection from the dead and If Jesus is the unique Savior, what

enrichment / Fall 2008 49 about those who have never heard Inclusivism (wider hope view) having only natural revelation, while of Him? A simple answer is that our While God’s grace in Christ is the others who no more worthy were good and wise God has the question actual (ontological) basis for every born in a time and place where they of the unevangelized fi gured out and person’s forgiveness, inclusivists insist were able to hear the gospel and will not act unjustly. If Jesus is truly that knowing about Jesus of Naza- be saved. That is the problem inclusiv- God’s incarnate Son, the “question of reth (epistemological) is not neces- ism has been trying to solve in the the heathen” is secondary. We need to sary for salvation. Christ’s death is fi rst place. begin with what is clear and then work ontologically (actually) necessary for out the implications from there. If Jesus salvation, not epistemologically nec- Postmortem evangelism has reliably revealed God to us, we can essary. Those dying as infants and the Some Christians believe the unevangel- even take an agnostic position: “I don’t mentally handicapped have not done ized — even the mentally handicapped know the answer to this challenging anything to incur God’s judgment and those who died as infants — will question of the unevangelized, but I do and thus — many Christians agree — have a postmortem opportunity to know a trustworthy God who has acted will still be saved. And Old Testament personally encounter Jesus, hear the dramatically and remarkably in Christ, saints such as Abraham and David gospel, and either embrace it — and and this true, life-changing message who cast themselves on God’s mercy enjoy God’s presence — or reject it, must be proclaimed. Presumably this were saved by what Christ would one and be removed from God’s presence. God is not caught off guard on such day accomplish even though they did The offer of salvation is not limited matters.” In considering the plight of not know Jesus (Hebrews 10:4, to an earthly existence. While this is the unevangelized, it is appropriate compare 9:13,14). an intriguing possibility, however, to ask: “How do the unevangelized Despite its merits, however, inclusiv- this view is sometimes based on respond to pervasive Spirit-promptings ism has been criticized: (1) It’s over- highly disputed biblical passages (for and the divine clues already available optimism about untold multitudes example, 1 Peter 3:18–22). to them?” God will not judge unjustly who cast themselves on God’s mercy (Genesis 18:25). seems to go against Paul’s negative Accessibilism16 Besides the agnostic and commonly assessment of the human condition I am taking for granted that our known exclusivist or particularist views,14 in Romans 1 through 3. (2) Inclusiv- good, wise God has a universal loving consider the following variants.15 ism does not address the problem intent toward everyone and that He that many people is not willing that any perish but fi nd ©2008 Ed Koehler do not respond to salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; general revelation, compare John 3:16,17); Jesus is the yet respond to the potential Savior for all people, and the preaching of the actual Savior for believers (1 Timothy gospel — which 4:10; 1 John 2:2, compare 2 Peter 2:1). is not surprising The fact God commands all people to since the gospel repent — not simply a selected subset is the power of of them (Acts 17:30) — shows that God for salvation God makes available to everyone His (Romans 1:16). initiating (prevenient) grace. Salvation (3) Inclusivism still is accessible to all people. has its own ques- Also, no person is born at the wrong tion of injustice to place or time. Salvation is accessible deal with. Many through God’s pervasive initiating could complain grace to whoever accepts it. Though “I just realized that all this time I’ve been using the Teen Study Bible. Like, what’s up with that?” that they were born most resist the light of God’s general in the wrong place revelation (Romans 1 through 3), at the wrong time, this graciously given knowledge is

50 enrichment / Fall 2008 adequate for people to turn to God While this view may not be the when it concerns the unevangelized. and be saved — based ultimately resolution to our problem and another They are in good hands with Him. on Christ’s redemptive work (as view on the unevangelized may well with Old Testament saints). God’s be true, its logical possibility suggests Conclusion “righteous judgment” will render to the defensibility of God’s just, merciful How can pastors and other each person according to his deeds character toward everyone. Yet, this Christian leaders encourage — “to those who by perseverance issue ultimately goes beyond making those entrusted to their care to in doing good seek for glory and inferences from scattered biblical verses handle pluralistic challenges? By honor and immortality, eternal life” and themes to the basic matter of exposing those whom they are (Romans 2:5–7, NASB).17 trusting in a good God to do no wrong. guiding to pluralism’s doctrines and Perhaps God, knowing what free Can the covenant-making, salvation- spiritual dangers through sermons, creatures would do in every possible desiring God, whose self-expression — ongoing training, seminars, and world He could create, created a Jesus of Nazareth — died for the sins of reading groups. This is an urgent world in which the maximal number the whole world (1 John 2:2, compare task because those in America of persons would be saved and the 5:19) be trusted with such perplexing who profess to be Christians are minimal number of persons would questions? Can’t we trust God, who loves increasingly becoming less biblically be condemned. Despite the workings all without exception and desires their literate (see “Regaining a Christian and wooings of God’s gracious Spirit, salvation, to do His utmost so no person Worldview in the Church” by James many would freely resist God in any who truly desires salvation is prevented Emery White on page 26). In fact, world in which God placed them — from experiencing it? We should not those who view Christian beliefs as whether or not they heard the gospel. think about the unevangelized apart preference-based rather than truth- Those who are lost in actuality are from God’s character, motives, and based are growing in number. those who would be lost in any world good purposes.18 Many people have a buffet-style in which God placed them. Despite Furthermore, God has ways of spirituality, picking and choosing God’s grace toward them, their freely revealing himself to Cornelius-like what they like rather than what is self-created condition of transworld fi gures (Acts 10) who have not yet truth. This view is called syncretism.20 depravity would prevent them from heard the gospel. In a remarkable As the Barna Group notes, “Our embracing God. affi rmation of Yahweh’s working continuing research among teenagers But why should God refrain from among the nations, Yahweh asks Israel, and adolescents shows that the trend bringing as many as possible into “Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia away from adopting biblical theology His family simply because others, to Me, O sons of Israel?” and “Have I in favor of syncretic, culture-based such as the prodigal’s older brother, refuse to enjoy the festivities? God How can pastors and other Christian leaders is not unjust or unkind if the people He created freely refuse His grace. So encourage those entrusted to their care to why should He be blamed? What if, handle pluralistic challenges? in the end, we learn that no person who, having rejected the light of not brought up Israel from the land theology is advancing at full gallop.”21 revelation that he did have, would of Egypt, and the Philistines from When people buy into religious have believed had he received more? Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?” pluralism, this negatively affects the No unevangelized person is (justly) (Amos 9:7, NASB). Angelic messengers church’s evangelistic task. condemned simply because he would might appear or, as is being reported Furthermore, pastors must remind have freely rejected God’s salvation no with increasing frequency, Muslims (or Christians that their faith is not only matter what possible world he might adherents to other religions) in remote unique because of its emphasis on have been placed in, but because he areas may have visions of Jesus and fi nd God’s initiating grace in the person rejected God’s saving grace in his salvation.19 God is able to do far more of the incarnate Son of God or in actual circumstances. than we can ask or imagine — even the identity claims Jesus made for

enrichment / Fall 2008 51 himself, but also because its many seem to be abandoning development 10. Peter van Inwagen, “Non Est Hick,” God, Knowledge, claims can be verifi ed in history/ of their minds and the objective truth and Mystery (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1995), 213,214. archaeology and science. As we train of the gospel. 11. Alvin Plantinga, “Ad Hick,” Faith and Philosophy 14 (July Christians to communicate their To challenge the Christian’s mind, 1997): 295–302. faith, we must tell them why the we must make our people aware of 12. Roger Trigg, Rationality and Religion (Oxford: Blackwell, 1998), 56,57. 13. Paul Griffiths, Problems of Religious Diversity (Oxford: As we train Christians to communicate their Blackwell, 2001), 149. 14. Exclusivist, inclusivist, and pluralist are three standard faith, we must tell them why the Christian categorizations that are not always helpful and can overlap. Depending on the context, these terms need faith is true — why they need to be Christians further nuancing. For example, a Christian exclusivist should not hold that truth cannot be found outside the rather than Buddhists, Hindus, or Muslims. Christian revelation, and a Christian inclusivist believes that Christ alone is the basis of anyone’s salvation. Har- old Netland, Encountering Religious Pluralism (Downers Christian faith is true — why they resources such as the Apologetics Study Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2001). need to be Christians rather than Bible,22 along with many others.23 These 15. See John Sanders, ed., What About Those Who Have Never Heard? (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1995). See also Buddhists, Hindus, or Muslims. are basic places to start. As pastors, we Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, An Introduction to the Theology of While the Spirit ultimately gives us must address these pressing concerns Religions (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2003). assurance that we belong to God, we — all with a reliance on God’s help. 16. See Part 5 in Paul Copan, True for You, But Not for Me must give our churches the available (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998). On this, I follow the work of William Craig. public reasons for belief in Christ. PAUL COPAN, PH.D., Palm Beach, 17. Scripture quotations taken from the New American Those under our care need to have Florida, is Professor and Pledger Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, the conviction that if certain events, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Foundation. Used by permission (www.Lockman.org). such as the Resurrection, did not Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is 18. William Lane Craig, “Is ‘Craig’s Contentious Suggestion’ take place, then the Christian faith is the author of True for You, But Not for Me, That’s Just Really So Implausible?” Faith and Philosophy 22/3 (July fi nished (1 Corinthians 15:13–19). Your Interpretation and How Do You Know You’re Not 2005): 361. Wrong? He is editor of the Apologetics Study Bible, Pas- 19. Pauline Selby, Persian Springs: Four Iranians See Jesus We are not Christians because our (London: Elam Ministries, 2001). See also David H. faith gives us a sense of joy and sionate Conviction, and The Rationality of Theism. He is Greenlee, From the Straight Path to the Narrow Way: purpose, or because we enjoy good president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Journeys of Faith (Waynesboro, Ga.: Authentic Media, fellowship and potluck dinners. To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at 2005). http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. 20. See my discussion of syncretism in “Challenge No. 6: We are Christians because the People Should Be Free To Pick and Choose What They Christian faith is true. Paul says if the Believe About Jesus,” in Lee Strobel, The Case for the Christian faith is not true, then we are Real Jesus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007). NOTES 21. The Barna Group, “Americans Draw Theological Beliefs preaching a lie and are to be pitied. 1. This article is adapted from a chapter in Paul Copan, From Diverse Points of View,” The Barna Group, http:// In saying this, Paul utterly rejected the Loving Wisdom: Christian Philosophy of Religion (St. www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&B buffet-style spirituality of today. Louis: Chalice Press, 2007). arnaUpdateID=122 (accessed January 16, 2008). 22. Ted Cabal, ed., et al., The Apologetics Study Bible Pastors must train Christians to love 2. A helpful overview on religious pluralism is David Basinger, Religious Diversity: A Philosophical Assessment (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishing, 2007). God with all their minds, to build (Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate, 2002). This book has articles by Chuck Colson, J.P. Moreland, listening and loving relationships 3. Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind (New Norman Geisler, Josh McDowell, and many other able with non-Christians, to ask questions York: Simon and Schuster, 1987), 228. defenders of the Christian faith. 4. In John Hick and Paul F. Knitter, eds., The Myth of 23. The following Web sites are useful. Apologetics and engage ideas, and to defend the Christian Uniqueness (London: SCM Press, 1987), 141. resources can be found at Leadership University, http:// Christian faith with gentleness and 5. This statement was aired on the Oprah show (Harpo www.leaderu.com; Tektonics, http://www.tektonics. respect (1 Peter 3:15). Ironically, we Productions), Thursday, February 15, 2007. org/; from philosophers/apologists such as William 6. John Hick, An Interpretation of Religion (New Haven, Craig, http://www.reasonablefaith.org, http://www. are living in a remarkable time with Conn.: Yale University Press, 1989), 235,236. leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/; Gary Habermas, http:// a wealth of resources with which 7. Dalai Lama, Kindness, Clarity and Insight (New York: www.garyhabermas.com/; J.P. Moreland, http://afterall. we can make a ready defense for the Snow Lion, 1984), 45. net/citizens/moreland/; Paul Copan, http://www. paulcopan.com. I have also written several popular- Christian faith. But we are also living 8. Ibid., 51. 9. In José Ignacio Cabezón, ed., The Bodhgaya Interviews level books that attempt to address practical questions in a time when professing Christians (New York: Snow Lion, 1988), 22. skeptics ask. Access these at my Web site.

52 enrichment / Fall 2008

Pentecostal Ministry in a Relativistic Culture

BY MICHAEL J. BEALS

54 enrichment / Fall 2008 Dave Danielson

build a fi rm foundation for my faith. In particular, and How fi rm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, long before Rick Warren’s important restatement of this Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! truth in The Purpose Driven Life, hymns taught me: It’s not What more can He say than to you He hath said, about me. To you who for refuge to Jesus have fl ed? When truth becomes about me, I become a relativist. If I gather with others of like persuasion and the horizon I surrendered my life to Christ when the creative of truth is our shared convictions, then we are relativists. migration toward contemporary Christian music was How many of us have had someone respond to our just gaining momentum. Because this shift had not fully statements about the truth of Scripture with the phrase, Htranspired, during my early years as a believer I was “That’s true for you.” This is relativism — the belief that infused with the power and richness of the great hymns truth functions locally. For many, the standard of right of the church. Do not get me wrong: I do not want to and wrong, truth and error operates only within the mind go back. I love the diversity, energy, and creativity of of a person or in the agreements of a group. For them, contemporary worship. Still, I received a gift that I wish there is no objective, transcendent system of truth or today’s believers shared more broadly. morality on which they base claims and to which everyone Beyond the clear sense of God’s presence and our is ultimately accountable. expressive responses to His move among us, these hymns Relativism is a particular form of unbelief that is grounded me in the doctrines of the faith. Working pervasive in our culture. It presents formidable challenges together with biblical preaching, these hymns helped to the presentation of the gospel as the unique revelation

enrichment / Fall 2008 55 of God to humanity and as the only refers to the tendency Christians at worst considers these claims to be hope for eternal life. Relativism have to highlight the contradictions primary sources of evil and oppression predisposes people to suspect, if not of non-Christian belief systems to in the world. outright reject, such an exclusive demonstrate the superior coherence of How did we get here? message. But there is more than a Christianity. For example, how many Is relativism a contemporary message at work. of us have sprung this trap on an phenomenon? Is this the intellectual The power of the Holy Spirit unsuspecting relativist: and moral change in direction Justice transcends our limitations to communicate enduring truth and Relativism, by defi nition, cannot be countered penetrates false systems of thought with illumination and conviction. by an approach to Christian witness that is As Pentecostals, I believe God has rooted in rationalist intellectual triumphalism. raised us up “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Relativist: “What bothers me about Robert Bork referred to as Slouching Relativism, by defi nition, cannot Christianity is that it is so judgmental. Toward Gomorrah? Or is relativism a be countered by an approach to I believe there is no single truth or perennial manifestation of human Christian witness that is rooted in set of rules that applies to everyone fallenness that remakes itself in every rationalist intellectual triumphalism. everywhere. Truth and morality are generation? I believe the latter to be Truth is more than objective; it is relative to the culture or group in the case. To understand and meet the incarnate in the person and work of which they operate.” challenges that relativism presents our Lord Jesus Christ. Our primary Christian: “So what you are saying is for this generation’s Christians, it task is to win people to Christ, that there are no absolutes.” is valuable to trace relativism in its not arguments. Relativist: “Yes, that’s right.” various historical expressions. In his book, Distorted Truth: What Christian: “None at all?” Every Christian Needs To Know About Relativist: “None.” Sophistry: Man is the Measure the Battle for the Mind, Richard Christian: “Well, that’s an absolute The Greek philosopher Socrates Mouw warns Christians to avoid the right there.” was called a midwife of ideas. He temptation to seek “cheap rhetorical This approach may win points in approached instruction by engaging victories over unbelief.” By this he a debate, but it does little to win a in a form of dialogue that revealed person’s heart. the subjectivity and weakness of his ©2008 Bill Frauhiger To this end, opponent’s knowledge and logic. Mouw believes it Socrates was convinced that persons is important to committed to reason would discover probe beneath the standards of objective truth — the surface of external to themselves — and by living error to explore out these truths, the good life was the sources and possible. The Sophists were among consequences of Socrates’ most bitter opponents. These these false systems philosophers denied the superiority of of thought. any single, objective standard of truth Churches today or goodness. Rather, they internalized operate in the the reference point within the person. relativist context The Sophist philosopher, Protagoras, of a broader declared, “homo mensura” (man is culture that is at the measure); truth is relative to the best suspicious person making the claim. This legacy “Wow! Great sermon, Pastor Murdock. But that’s not exactly what I had in mind when I asked you of authoritative of the sophists is etched across the to tell the TRUTH!” claims to truth landscape of history and has lost or morality, and none of its potency. Today, people

56 enrichment / Fall 2008 in all walks of life twist or abandon important that we clearly distinguish now known as Ockham’s razor. Stated the truth for the sake of preference, between our respect for all people and in its popular form, “All things being pleasure, or profi t. our acceptance of their belief system equal, the simplest explanation tends as true. A god of one’s own choosing to be the correct one.” Superstition: Mars Hill cannot deliver him from sin or satisfy By the 16th and 17th centuries, a Another powerful form of relativism the deep longings of his heart. growing number of Enlightenment is polytheistic superstition. Paul scholars were seeking to detach encountered this in Athens (Acts Secularism: Ockham’s Razor intellectual progress from the authority 17:16–34). Seeing the city full As civilization in the West emerged of the Church and Scripture. Ockham’s of idols, Paul’s “spirit was being from the medieval period, a growing razor helped them make the cut. The provoked within him.” As he ascended movement — The Enlightenment result was a split between science (the Mars Hill, he observed the number — identifi ed all forms of religion realm of objective facts) and religion and variety of deities the people as superstitious and irrelevant. (the domain of subjective values). worshiped and used this diversity as This period paved the way for the Only statements deemed rationally a springboard for evangelism. Among secularism of the Modern era. valid or empirically verifi able were the available options, Paul declared A critical implement in this push to considered factual and, therefore, there was only one real choice. excise religion from the intellectual true. This fact/value split had broad- The belief that people select who landscape was a theory developed by a reaching implications. In the sphere or what they will worship while medieval Franciscan friar and scholar of civil justice, for example, one could accepting the validity of other options named William of Ockham (c. 1287– factually defi ne stealing as taking is called henotheism. In the renewed 1324). Reacting to the complexity another’s property without permission. interest in spirituality that is part of and abstraction of theological and As such, it was a disapproved behavior today’s postmodernism, henotheism philosophical analysis, Ockham because it was against the common is alive and well. For this reason, it is proposed a method of simplifi cation good. But according to this new way of That’s Just Your Interpretation

e’ve all heard the saying, “That’s particular viewpoint arbitrarily. Often the motivations that people have just your interpretation.” We • Try to discern if people toss out this slogan when they say, “That’s just your Whear it everywhere. Perhaps we’ve because they don’t like your interpretation. interpretation” is that they don’t want to heard it in the midst of a conversation Remind them that there are many truths argue or be a cause of bad feelings. Toler- about moral issues, such as abortion or we have to accept even if we don’t like them. ance is good; and while the motivation homosexual behavior, as they relate to the • If someone doesn’t believe that there is right and good, this is indifference, Bible. Those who try to express their view are any legitimate interpretations, then which is the enemy of true respect and might be told, “That’s just your interpretation playfully say, “That’s just your interpreta- tolerance. Genuine tolerance means that of the Bible.” tion of my interpretation!” He assumes we accept people as people, whatever So, how might a thoughtful person respond? that he has correctly interpreted your their beliefs and lifestyles — Muslims, • Gently ask, “Do you mean that your view and that it differs from his. Hindus, Sikhs, New Agers — people of interpretation should be preferred over • Some interpretations are better than all religions, and none. So people have mine? If so, I’d like to know why you others, and to see this is simply not a the right to disagree with us, but we still have chosen your interpretation over matter of interpretation. respect them. mine. You must have a good reason.” • “There are no facts, only interpretations” • Remind your friend that you are willing is a statement that is presented as a fact. SOURCE: Paul Copan, That’s Just Your Interpretation to give reasons for your position If it is just an interpretation, then there is (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001). Used by permission of and that you are not simply taking a no reason to take it seriously. the author. © Paul Copan, 2001.

enrichment / Fall 2008 57 thinking, stealing could no longer be failed to give an adequate account For Such a Time as This considered wrong against any standard for many things from the origin of One of the core challenges of of transcendent value because many existence to the longings of the human ministry in a relativistic culture is rejected an appeal to religion as a basis spirit. Postmodernism, then, in part, is in the area of biblical authority. The for morality. living among the ruins of modernity. proliferation of online information Many of the social and intellectual serves to foster skepticism toward Suspicion: Marx, Nietzsche, structures are still visible, but they are any voice that claims to be the and Freud decaying remains of promises not kept. final authority. The relentless By the 19th and early 20th centuries, Postmodernism comes with its own attacks on any narrative that would the hope of inevitable progress that form of relativism: solipsism. Solipsism claim ultimate authority can leave people believed could be realized is the belief that the self is “the impressions — even in the minds of through science and technology gave most real thing” (James Sire). Truth, the faithful — that influence their way to isolation and despair. The morality, and the world itself may be responses to church leadership. secularizing forces of modernity had out there, but what matters most is At issue is the authority of God’s tried for some time to have it both how I embrace truth, rules, and the Word to describe reality, define ways — affi rming the existence of world and make them my own. truth, and direct behavior. We must exercise humility in the application The distinctives of Pentecostal ministry are of our hermeneutical paradigms, but our words must represent the uniquely and divinely suited to penetrate the Word — whether we are preaching, resistances of those who reject the possibility counseling, or correcting. The same living Spirit of God who inspired the of absolutes: whether truth or Him who is human authors of Scripture speaks the Truth. His words of affirmation to the heart of any person who hears His Word objective knowledge while denying In postmodernity, people cluster in with an openness to receive. a transcendent Source of truth. The groups around common goals, beliefs, I have seen God work in this way center would not hold, however, and or behaviors, but they also move in many times. For example, a young the erosion of confi dence proceeded and out of multiple communities and couple seated in my offi ce looked in earnest. Among others, Marx, adapt their language and lifestyle as at me with astonishment. They had Nietzsche, and Freud — known as contextually appropriate. This is not received Christ at a recent stadium the masters of suspicion — posited the new in itself, but life among the ruins crusade and had started attending modern belief that design and order in grants unprecedented permission to our church. When they asked me the universe were possible without the reject having a core self and adopt a if I would perform their wedding existence of a Designer. The natural situational identity. As a consequence, ceremony, I gladly agreed and order of the human heart and human the church may remain a signifi cant indicated the need for premarital society was oppressive and chaotic. community with which to affi liate, counseling. During the fi rst session People realized their full humanity but it is by no means exclusive the bride-to-be asked, “Pastor, are only by bringing order to the chaos (or even primary) in its infl uence you seriously suggesting that one of — by violent means if necessary. or claims. us move out of our apartment until People or nations who had the power This sketch of the heritage of after our wedding day? We’ve lived to enforce their will constructed and relativism highlights the context together for 2 years.” imposed justice, along with truth and in which we serve and lead. The I reaffi rmed my seriousness by morality. Relativism had come of age. challenges are signifi cant, but the bringing them to God’s Word. We distinctives of Pentecostal ministry worked through passages that revealed Solipsism: Postmodernity are uniquely and divinely suited to God’s amazing love for them and the As the 20th century proceeded, the penetrate the resistances of those who power and blessing He would release foundations of modernism crumbled reject the possibility of absolutes: into their lives if they yielded to Him (Diogenes Allen). Secularism had whether truth or Him who is the Truth. in this important area. I knew that

58 enrichment / Fall 2008 The Implications of Relativism

In the middle of a war — whether in the A third implication is that tolerance have grabbed more infl uence and power broader culture or around the water is the cardinal virtue. To imply that than the other side. cooler — no one goes on with life as someone is wrong is terribly intolerant, Again, this has been observed from normal. Society’s battles over truth especially when tolerance is popularly but long ago. In another of Plato’s dialogues have far-reaching effects. Given the erroneously defi ned as being open to and called the Gorgias, a man by the name of pervasiveness of relativism in our society, accepting of all ideas. What homosexual Callicles asserts that justice is really only we ought to briefl y consider some of activists call tolerance, for example, is the rule of the powerful over the citizens its implications. unconditional acceptance of their lifestyle of a state.5 Whatever is best of the rulers One implication — at least on the as legitimate and right. This attitude of is naturally just for Callicles. Morality is religious front — is that persuasion open-mindedness actually turns out to be arbitrarily reduced to power. is prohibited. On many university empty-headedness. It lacks discrimination This is the environment into which we campuses, evangelism — the taboo and any criterion for acceptability. In the speak — relativistic, power conscious, word is proselytizing — is viewed as words of Allan Bloom, “Openness used hostile to truth claims, especially those “cramming your religion down someone’s to be the virtue that permitted us to that fl ow from faith. Though relativists throat.” Obviously, trying to persuade or seek the good by using reason. It now claim to own the label of “tolerant,” as we evangelize another implies you have truth means accepting everything and denying critique objective and moral relativism to proclaim — and that you think your reason’s power.”2 we will see how this incoherent, self- listeners may well be wrong. A fi nal implication of relativism perhaps contradictory philosophy is far more This brings us to a second implication: best explains how our arguments over dogmatic and narrow-minded than To be exclusivistic is to be arrogant. Given truth can begin to feel like a war: In the Christianity is.6 It is strangely ironic the number of different religious beliefs absence of the possibility of truth, power rules that, despite allegations that Christians in the world, to claim to know something the day. That is, once truth is whatever we are bigoted and narrow, the Christian’s that others are ignorant of therefore say it is, asserting power over others is a absolutist position is not only true but must be wrongheaded and erroneous. natural next step. The German philosopher consistent and compassionate. Moreover, exclusive claims — especially Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) wrote that about the uniqueness of Christ for the obliteration of God — and therefore all PAUL COPAN, West Palm Beach, salvation — are often confused with objective standards for truth and morality Florida. Reprinted from True for You, Western colonialism and imperialism — — would usher in an age of nihilism, the But Not for Me (Minneapolis: Bethany nothing more than bigotry and narrow- rejection of all objective meaning and House Publishers, 1998), 21,22. Used mindedness, a Western imposition of value.3 All that is left is the will to power, by with permission. ideas upon unknowing or unwilling which only the fi ttest survive. hearers. (To be sure, non-Christians have Stanley Fish at Duke University, well- ENDNOTES in some cases good reason to be critical known for his repudiation of objective 1. Harold Netland, Dissonant Voices (Virginia Beach, Va.: of us. Christians invite hostility when literary or moral standards, has said, Regent College Publishing, 1999), 144. See also Lesslie Newbigin, The Finality of Christ (Atlanta: John Knox, they shout that Christianity is true and “Someone is always going to be restricted 1969), 11,12; and Aldous Huxley, The Perennial Philoso- exclusive — and equally loudly proclaim next, and it is your job to make sure that phy (New York: Harper and Row, 1944), 140,141. that other views contain no truth at all. the someone is not you.”4 Many special 2. Allan Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind (New York: Christians can indeed appreciate much interest groups today, though certainly not Simon and Schuster, 1988), 38. 3. “The Gay Science,” in The Portable Nietzsche, ed. and of what is true within other faiths. Since all, operate on this principle: Because they trans. Walter Kaufman (New York: Viking, 1954), 95. all truth is God’s truth, moral truths, have no objective standards by which they 4. Cited in Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Postmodern Times for instance, can be found outside the operate — no evidence that what they (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1994), 163. 5. For example, Gorgias, 491b. Also, in the Theaetetus, the Bible — just as truths from mathematics, advocate is good or right — they can only Sophist, and the Statesman, Plato takes aim at relativ- history, and science can be. Exactly what exert power to legitimize their views, to let ism, which he despises. The last thing he wants to do is or even whether the Christian should their voices be heard and provoke change. equate perception with knowledge, which would mean that falsehood is impossible. seek to learn from or imitate ethical non- Government or other social structures 6. Alister McGrath, “The Challenge of Pluralism for the Christian religions, however, is another, become weapons of power, wielded by Contemporary Church,” Journal for the Evangelical more complicated, matter.1) the cultural elites and interest groups that Theological Society 35 (September 1992): 363.

enrichment / Fall 2008 59 reason alone would not sway them. stark contrast to the identity of those I did not use my position to try to who have accepted Christ. As long as compel them. By this point in their men and women remain the measure relationship many infl uential voices of truth or goodness, the search for Resource List that affi rmed their lifestyle had fi lled personal meaning and wholeness their lives. I used my voice to make will leave them empty and alone. the case from Scripture and prayed But, when nonbelievers encounter Allen, Diogenes. 1989. Christian Belief that the Spirit would illuminate the the reality of Pentecost at work in in a Postmodern World: The Full truth. He did. At our next meeting they the lives of God’s people, they get a Wealth of Conviction. Louisville: told me they no longer were living glimpse of the generosity of God’s Westminster John Knox Press. together. The wedding ceremony was a grace, and they long to belong. This St. Augustine. 1961. Confessions. celebration of grace. was so in my life. At age 18, I had Translated with an Introduction Another challenge pastors face in no experience with true Christianity, by R.S. Pine-Coffi n. New York: this relativistic culture is the seamless and I was already tired of foraging. Penguin Books. manner in which people adapt to I accepted an invitation to attend Bork, Robert H. 1996. Slouching Toward confl icting systems of reason and an evening service at an Assemblies Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism rules as they function in multiple of God church. There I saw people and American Decline. New York: communities. When I was a young joyfully and unashamedly responding HarperCollins. believer, I heard a sermon that to the move of the Holy Spirit. I was so Mouw, Richard J. 1989. Distorted exhorted me not to live a double life. moved by its genuineness and power Truth: What Every Christian The exhortation from the pulpit now that I knew I had found what my heart Needs To Know About the Battle is not to live multiple lives. desired. I told the youth pastor so, for the Mind. Pasadena: Fuller Outside the church, people have and that night I surrendered my life to Seminary Press. freedom to live multiple lives. One Jesus Christ. More than 30 years later, I Sire, James W. 2004. Naming the result of this freedom is the fact continually thank the Lord for making Elephant: Worldview as a Concept. integrity has come to mean abiding by me His disciple, His son, and His heir. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press. the rules of your group. Warren, Rick. 2002. The Purpose Driven The Spirit of God empowers us to Conclusion Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? prioritize our loyalties and implement The challenges of relativism for faithful Grand Rapids: Zondervan. our values in any context. He partners ministry are not new. The temptation with us to cultivate and demonstrate for people to establish themselves as the fruit of the Spirit at all times the measure of truth and goodness and in all places. Prior to any other began with Adam and Eve and remakes to live out their Pentecostal professional or personal affi liation, itself in every generation. Relativism identity unapologetically and with we are members of the household leaves people restless. This restlessness humble resolve to fulfi ll the Great of the faith (Galatians 6:10), and is a critical ally in the cosmic struggle Commission because the Lord has the Holy Spirit provides assurance for the souls of men and women. St. poured out His Spirit on us for such a of our membership in His family Augustine gave voice to this longing of time as this. (Romans 8:16). all humanity for their Creator when he We are further challenged as we wrote “our heart is restless until it rests MICHAEL J. BEALS, PH.D., senior seek to ground personal identity in You” (Confessions). pastor, Mission Hills Community in an objective standard of human Active churches that are alive in Church, Rancho Santo Margarita, personhood. With the rejection the Spirit provide a vibrant, stable California. He serves as assistant pro- of truth as a guide, people spend refuge for those longing for a fi rm fessor of Philosophical Theology and Christian Ethics years foraging among the ruins and enduring foundation. The power at Vanguard University and adjunct professor of of modernity sampling disparate of Pentecost is a lifeline for people Philosophy and Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary. worldviews and attempting to form who live with the gnawing insecurity an identity with incompatible and of a situational identity. Pastors To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at often incoherent ideals. This is in must encourage their congregations http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal.

60 enrichment / Fall 2008

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62 enrichment / Fall 2008 By David Kinnaman

e had just received the fi nal data and report The research showed that the people in the for the church. We were wrapping up the community expressed a clear set of physical and Wconference call with the church’s leaders. spiritual needs. During the call, however, the church During this hour-long phone call, we discussed the defl ected that ministry opportunity among the research we had conducted on the church’s behalf. economically downscaled. One church leader closed Research is not a panacea, but it can help discover what the door on that discussion by saying: “We already opportunities and challenges await a congregation. have programs for that group. You know, we just feel I had spent several months doing a highly customized like we’re … well, we’re concerned about those people study of people who lived in the area surrounding the being too dependent on our church.” church. This was a prominent megachurch. It held a Excuse me, poor people too dependent? strong infl uence in the community because of its size, During the conference call we also discussed working history, and leaders. with other churches in the area. The research indicated But people in the community had told our an opportunity for the church to partner with other interviewers that the church came across as arrogant. congregations to help serve the area and unite local They believed the church believers. Their response: was out of step with the “We tried that. But our needs of the community. In proclaiming truth to a members just were not The leaders of the church happy about it. Other did not see their church secular society, we need to churches were just too as arrogant. They said the different from ours. I don’t reason for their negative admit that our fl aws often think that will fl y here.” branding was their “strong obscure the Truth we seek What? Partnership with emphasis on teaching the other believers will not fl y? truth.” One of the church’s to represent. Toward the end of the call, leaders quickly added that one of the men clarifi ed the the local newspaper had objective of the research with recently featured several articles that were critical this comment: “We are mostly concerned about how we of the church. can launch another campus on the other side of town For a minute, I almost bought it. Churches are often … using satellite technology or whatever. You know, misunderstood, I thought. Given the spiritual dimension the multisite campus movement. For us, that’s the main of our work, it is easy for people to portray the church thing we were looking for from this research.” incorrectly. The world, one might say, has a vested Frankly, I was stunned by the progression of the interest in getting our message wrong. Jesus even conference call. I sensed the same lack of humility promised that a broken world would criticize our that people in the community had identifi ed. Had the efforts as Christians. community or had the journalists who wrote about the Yet, the story does not end there. church misunderstood the church? Perhaps on some level; but in a real way, the outside observers had hit A Twist a raw nerve. They were more accurate than the church By the end of the conference call, the same group of leaders were willing to admit. advisors and staff proved that the arrogant label might fi t Research is like a mirror. But the church’s spiritual after all. After the conference call, I found myself agreeing guides were not willing to look at the reality of with that assessment. Why is that? their refl ection.

enrichment / Fall 2008 63 An Image Problem? I use this story for a reason. I do As Christians, we need to not intend to disparage this church (which I have intentionally not understand that the negative identifi ed). I describe this episode to point out how often Christians are press we receive is often self-absorbed and unaware of their a result of our own unChristian own image. Christians often lose sight of the reality of how they come across attitude and behaviors. to people. In fact, we are like this more than we realize. Paul uses an apt metaphor After all, if our world is not what recently discovered that most senior when writing to the early Christian it ought to be, maybe we need to be pastors believe that Christians have not community (2 Corinthians 3:2): “You the fi rst to acknowledge that we are exhibited enough love in addressing yourselves are our letter … known and partly responsible. homosexuality. Although Scripture is read by everybody.” This admission goes to the heart of clear that same-sex relationships are When someone reads your life — my most recent research. Christianity immoral, it is a complicated issue, one or your church — what does it say? has an image problem. People on in which Christians have often received When you encounter negative press the outside are quick to point out the negative publicity. — either specifi cally concerning gaps between what we say we believe Furthermore, young non-Christians your church or about Christianity in and how we live. A new generation of also conclude that Christianity is old- general — what does this tell you? Americans is putting more distance fashioned, boring, and unintelligent. How do you respond — defensively, between themselves and the Christian They contend that Christians are or with graciousness and willingness faith. People are expressing more insincere and too focused on making to learn? hostility, doubt, frustration, and converts. They believe the followers of Part of dealing with negative press skepticism toward Christianity. the Prince of Peace are unable to live is to understand where it comes from, This is especially true among young peaceably with others. how people derive their image of you. people. They perceive Christians as In ministering to a skeptical culture, judgmental, hypocritical, and grabbing A COMPELLING we need to fully grasp why people are for political power. skeptical. In proclaiming truth to a Millions of non-Christians (and WITNESS? secular society, we need to admit that many Christians as well) believe Percentages of non-Christians who say our fl aws often obscure the Truth we Christians have made homosexuality (Ages 16–29) seek to represent. worse than other sins. In fact, we II knowknow aa II believebelieve PERCEPTIONS OF ChristianChristian lifestylelifestyle CHRISTIANITY(Ages 16–29) personally.personally. isis different.different. Perception By Outsiders By Churchgoers anti-homosexual 91% 80% judgmental 87% 52% hypocritical 85% 47% old-fashioned 78% 36% too involved in politics 75% 50% out of touch with reality 72% 32% 84% 15% insensitive toward others 70% 28%

64 enrichment / Fall 2008 These may sound like harsh strong language (Galatians 3:3): “Are homosexuality, only to be reminded statements, but they spring from you so foolish? After beginning with later that one of our houseguests extensive research we have conducted the Spirit, are you now trying to attain had struggled with that lifestyle. I with Americans, and especially with your goal by human effort?” am ashamed of these memories — young adults and teens who are not It is easy to blame the big names and others like them — when my Christians. Whether we like it or not, — the unscrupulous televangelists. behavior stole away a sliver of God’s these negative views are fi xed in the But high-profi le leaders do not great fame. minds of young people in our culture. single-handedly create the Christian All have contributed to this image In just a decade, the perception of community’s reputation. Every one problem. All have facilitated an image evangelicals has become eight times less of us — leaders, communicators, and of Christianity defi ned by what it is favorable among young non-Christians bearers of the image of God — are against rather than what it is for. when compared to the image held by partly responsible. Do your thoughts Boomer non-Christians. and actions always refl ect Christ’s love Steps To Take We may not like these realities, but toward others? When was the last time Where do Christians need to go we need to consider what people think. from here? What steps can they take to help deal with negative imagery A Bad Brand? SLIPPING IMAGE in the marketplace? Here are some Negative publicity. A bad brand. How Favorable view of evangelicals practical applications. by non-Christians do church leaders need to deal with First, Christians need to properly these problems? First, they need to distinguish between persecution keep in mind how prevalent this and criticism. American Christians problem is. This is not a new problem. are much too willing to claim People have misunderstood and persecution for mild to moderate ridiculed Christians for centuries. criticism. The consequence? Nevertheless, it is worse than ever Christians are often misguided in in America, especially in the wake what they are trying to achieve. of movies, books, magazines, They try to minimize discomfort. television and Internet news, and They attempt to polish their image. other pop culture sources. These Ironically, they claim not to care what are quick to berate, ridicule, and people think, but end up being slaves criticize Christianity. to their reputations. They miss the Second, as Christians, we need to fact suffering helps them identify with understand that the negative press we Christ. It also gives them opportunity receive is often a result of our own to provide a winsome answer for the unChristian attitudes and behaviors. Builders hope they have in Jesus. You might call it unChristian press — Boomers We do not always need to agree Ages 16–29 image problems of our own making. with our critics to see they are right These perception problems result about many things. Pastors need to from our not living up to what Jesus you made an offhanded, demeaning help Christians understand that when asks of us. It is worse than simply joke about homosexuality or some people criticize them, it presents being fl awed; we are deluded enough other area in which people struggle? them with an opportunity — in fact, to ignore our fl aws. Our spiritual Have you been kind and bighearted a blessing (Matthew 5:10–12) — not intentions cloak the fact we are — without being condescending or a red badge of courage. Persecution pursuing them through unChristian compromising — toward people who should drive us to give more of methods. Our hearts are cracked — believe differently from you? ourselves away, not to batten down even as leaders. We begin to believe I vividly recall verbally hammering the hatches. that our own accomplishments pave two young Mormon missionaries Second, Christians need to pay the way for future success, with or who came to my door. Another time, attention to their cultural setting. without God’s blessing. Paul puts it in I remember making a joke about This is not the fi rst-century church,

enrichment / Fall 2008 65 Isn’t Christianity Judgmental?

“Why do Christians always seem to be person or group. This standard comes from God. saying that other people are somehow The Creator is also the Moral Lawgiver. When a Christian says wrong in their choices? This seems so that he believes God designed sex for expression within marriage, he is not setting himself up as judge and jury and deciding to inhibiting and judgmental.” The irony of this make life diffi cult for unmarried people. He is following the postmodern idea is the claim that someone (the Christian) is wrong Maker’s instructions. for thinking someone else was wrong. But the protagonist is doing This question about sex is a vitally important question for many what he is accusing the Christian of doing — judging someone in their search for God. In fact, sometimes sexual and moral issues by thinking he is wrong. We call this inescapable reality the law of provide the main foundation for a person who does not believe noncontradiction. The protagonist cannot disapprove of a Christian’s in God. Atheist and author, Aldous Huxley, wrote openly about his judgmentalism without making a moral judgment himself. motivation for believing that life had no meaning and that there is So the question is not: Do Christians make moral judgments no God: about the world? Of course they do, but so does everyone else. The “I had motives for not wanting the world to have a meaning; question needs to be: On what basis do we make moral judgments? consequently, I assumed that it had none, and was able without Is this basis adequate or not? any diffi culty to fi nd satisfying reasons for this assumption. … Imagine that the classic issue at stake is: What is wrong with sex For myself as, no doubt, for most of my contemporaries, the before marriage? Can Christians not ask: “What is wrong with anything philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument at all?” Where do you get the moral code by which you live your life? of liberation … liberation from a certain system of morality. We There may be many different responses: “I do what I feel is right.” objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual (My morals are entirely personal and arbitrary.) Or, “Society decides what freedom. … There was one admirably simple method in our is right and wrong.” (Laws are made and as long as I live within them political and erotic revolt: We could deny that the world had any everything is okay.) Or, the response could be anything in between. meaning whatsoever.”1 For Christians, right and wrong are not purely up to the individual This is not to say that ethical objections to becoming a Christian because what you feel is good for you may hurt me. Right and wrong are not sincere or heartfelt. For some, though, the questions of sex are not even entirely up to society. Many societies have made legal and sexuality are utterly crucial. Many people might be genuinely decisions that you or I might take issue with. Issues of right and sceptical about Christ because of the out-of-date ideas about sex wrong for the Christian come from a higher standard than any one that Christians have. How can sex possibly ever be wrong? nor is it the predigital, modernistic self-absorption. Young people are This project changed me as a 1900s. Things are quickly changing rightly rejecting some embarrassing researcher. One of the most personally around us — socially, culturally, elements of our self-righteous challenging insights came when I technologically, and attitudinally. subculture. Are you helping them realized how little I understood what We can feel threatened by many of disavow the cultural Christianity, it means to be a missionary to a these shifts. Nevertheless, we need spiritual consumerism, and easy-bake cracked culture. It is much easier to to understand how the Christian materialism that prevent most rich be offended than to be provoked into tradition has infl uenced this country Americans from penetrating the hole making a difference. I fi nd it much — both for good and for ill. on a needle? more natural to talk about sin than to In a country where 83 percent of Third, Christian leaders need to help assist people affected by sin. the population identify themselves people in their churches understand I would ask you, based on what as Christians, the American their role as missionaries. They are we learned in this research, to help church is dealing with signifi cant agents of healing and restoration to a reorient believers’ thinking about spiritual apathy, arrogance, and broken world, wherever they serve. people outside the church. They are

66 enrichment / Fall 2008 It may surprise some that the biblical view of sex is extremely positive. God thought of sex. He gave us this wonderful expression of love for another. An ministry efforts because without entire book of the Old Testament is devoted to extolling the beauty of sex and it your ability to penetrate people’s showing God’s delight in what He has made pleasurable and good. hearts and minds will wane. From the beginning, the Bible lays a foundation for a Judaeo-Christian approach One of the undercurrents of to sex. Genesis provides the original context for sexual intercourse and shows non-Christians’ perceptions of that God has designed sex for expression within a lifelong marital relationship Christianity is indifference. The faith between one man and one woman. Jesus used these same words in His teaching has no relevance. They are losing on sexuality. their interest and becoming more God expressed the divine image in both male and female. God made resistant to a church’s overtones. In man and woman equally in His image despite their physical, anatomical, fact, traditional church-marketing and procreative differences. As they join together as husband and wife, efforts — from advertising to personal they express their unity and diversity. “For this reason a man will leave his invitations — are less effective than father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one fl esh” ever. But for most people outside the (Genesis 2:24). faith, it is not for a lack of hearing Here we have a blueprint for sexual love. Through the sexual act a man and the gospel. Most of them have heard woman have a new, incredible kind of intimacy. The Bible calls this being “one it before. The message, however, fl esh,” and God designed this one-fl esh relationship to be exclusive and faithful. never sank in; it had neither gravity Both Jesus and Paul emphasized the beauty of monogamous marriage. nor buoyancy, neither humanity nor We can approach the question of how sex outside of marriage could divinity. It did not stick. be wrong by looking at the beauty, intimacy, and preciousness of sex. God This is why creativity becomes designed that sex happen in a safe and committed context of love and so crucial in telling the story of devotion. According to the Maker, this is where sex is at its best. relationship to a living God — not Judgmentalism is not the issue. We all make judgments. The question is through slick designs or hip sermon what are our judgments based on. For the Christian, our moral framework titles — but through honest people comes from God — through His Word. A skeptic will challenge the Bible, but telling the story of Christ’s death this presents an entirely different question. and resurrection in relevant ways. If God has given you a passion for AMY ORR-EWING lives in London and is training director at Ravi Zacharias trying something new, keep pursuing International Ministries Trust, where she oversees the Trust’s apologetics that vision. training program. She is author of Is the Bible Intolerant? We cannot ignore the poor NOTE reputation of our faith. You may 1. Aldous Huxley, Ends and Means (London: Chatto and Windus, 1946), 270–273. already have a sense of this problem. If not, I hope this article spurs your realization of the challenges we face. not opponents. Whether broken, Creating the Future I hope it catalyzes your search for fl awed, arrogant, obnoxious, or Reaching non-Christians does not solutions in your life and ministry. offensive, it does not matter. These have a simple solution. There are some It is easy to live a spiritually lazy people are not enemies of Christianity. important guidelines for re-engaging life, but harder still to catalyze It is not an us-versus-them battle; it is people outside the church and people to spiritual maturation and an us-versus-us crisis. reframing the Christian way of life. transformation. It is a cheap excuse As Christ followers, we affi rm that First, we need to remember that our to complain that the culture mistreats the world is not what it ought to be — goal is not popularity. Christians; it is much more diffi cult and we need to confess our part of the Being well liked does not make a to make sacrifi ces for and serve problem. Are you cultivating fear and Christian more effective. Working that culture. Slowly succumbing loathing among churchgoers? Or are harder, saying the right words, and to pride is a path of minimal you nurturing people who are godly, trying the right combination of things resistance compared to humbly thoughtful, responsible, and responsive do not help us reach more people. measuring our heartbeat every day to the out-of-sync world around them? Instead, nurture creativity in your by God’s standards.

enrichment / Fall 2008 67 God is pleased when we accomplish languages; they will struggle to find As an oncologist must correctly things that increase His fame in our time. common ground. diagnose and treat cancer, churches Jesus highlighted similar goals (Matthew Evangelicals and other must have a team of people who 5:16): “Let your light shine before men, conservative Christians will need to pray, counsel, and guide people that they may see your good deeds and make tough decisions about whether through their frustrations. If praise your Father in heaven.” they are loyal to the evangelical label pastors ignore this baggage at the time people are open to dealing with it, they will have failed these In a country where 83 percent of the people spiritually. Those who do come to churches population identify themselves as will increasingly come from a Christian background, while fewer Christians, the American church is people on the distant side of the dealing with signifi cant spiritual apathy, religious spectrum — non-Christians, atheists, and others — will be open arrogance, and self-absorption. to the Christian thing. Outsiders’ will grow even more skeptical of a pastor’s motives and interest in them. Perceptions Matter — a term that is not in the Bible — Even insiders will question their Maybe you do not know what or to the beliefs and convictions that allegiance to the congregation, fi nding to make of what is happening in undergird it. This term has become new arenas to express their faith, as today’s society. One thing is certain: an emotional and spiritual barrier to their resentment builds toward the unChristian branding will affect millions of outsiders. unChristian faith. your life and ministry. If the current Another probable, if unfortunate, On its current collision course, trajectory is not changed, the size outcome is that some conservative the cold war between Christians and influence of non-Christians in Christians will become even more and outsiders is likely to deepen. American society will likely grow. entrenched, defensive, and strident. Christians will face more hostility Without major changes in direction, They will become more aggressive when dealing with those outside the culture will struggle to see in buttressing Christianity against Christianity, especially in business, Jesus in the efforts and language what they (sometimes correctly, education, and politics, as well as in of Christians. sometimes incorrectly) perceive the arts, media, and entertainment. The negative perceptions about as attacks on the faith. They will It will grow more fashionable — Christianity will only deepen. These become increasingly marginalized, even justifi able — to disparage and views will continue to barricade undermining their efforts to reach dismiss Christians. people from Jesus. Parents in outsider new people with the gospel. The Research is like a mirror. Will the homes will raise their children to gap between non-Christians and church — will pastors — look at the despise or disregard Christians — theologically conservative Christians brutal reality of the refl ection? largely because they have never known will grow, making it harder to any real Christ followers. connect with certain groups in On the other hand, true Christ America’s fragmented mission field. DAVID KINNAMAN is president and followers will find it increasingly Pastoral ministry in the next 10 to strategic leader of The Barna Group, difficult to have open and respectful 20 years will be a great deal different Ltd., in Ventura, California (http:// conversations because people inside from what it was in the past. People www.barna.org). His bestselling and outside the church will dredge will come to pastors with an intense book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really up Christian stereotypes rather than load of previous experiences and Thinks About Christianity … and Why It Matters, engage in heartfelt conversations deep hurts. They do not want a explores this subject further. about real issues. Christians and pastor to scold them; they want help To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at outsiders will speak different and empathy. http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal.

68 enrichment / Fall 2008

By Graham Johnston

70 enrichment / Fall 2008 love the movie, The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, I I grew up in the days before VCRs, DVDs, and cable television. If I wanted to watch this movie as a boy, I had one opportunity each year on the family television at a network’s prescribed time. My children would not suffer this injustice; we own the movie. They can enjoy this story whenever they please. One day, as I was watching The Wizard of Oz with them, I noticed that the opening credits took a long time. When the story fi nally began, I thought, This movie is slow. How long before Dorothy gets to Oz? It has been black and white a long time; bring on the color. I also wondered, Why have I not had these observations before? As I became aware that my children were rapidly losing interest, I realized that I was viewing the movie, not through my own eyes, but through their eyes. Then it dawned on me: This story was written for a different generation. What had worked for me was not working for them.

enrichment / Fall 2008 71 Perhaps you have felt this way me. Postmoderns view any form of days.” No, what they will not stomach when relating God’s Word in the religious belief and conviction with is preaching that is boring. So what 21st century. This is a great message, doubt at best, to out-and-out cynicism. do movies possess that the average but it was written for an entirely When it comes to preaching, we can Sunday message does not? Story. Not different audience than mine. How continue to speak to the insiders, but stories as in illustrations, but story. can we present God’s message for even with the committed ones, business Robert McKee is a leading expert this generation? as usual will not cut it anymore. on fi lm screenwriting. He is famous Some have compared the shift from for his seminars on scriptwriting. I modernity to postmodernity with Preaching Is Telling a Story appreciate his defi nition of story: “The gravity; it is all around us. Whatever When it comes to preaching, one of creative demonstration of truth.” people might say, the reality is that the scariest observations some of us McKee states, “Master storytellers never postmodernism is here. The quicker we accept it, the better off we will be. When it comes to preaching we can continue to Postmodernism creates obstacles that biblical speak to the insiders, but even with the committed communicators will need ones, business as usual will not cut it anymore. to overcome. For many postmoderns, authority is up for grabs. Who has the right to will make is that we are emulating the explain. They do the hard, painfully speak? The postmodern world longs preaching style we grew up listening creative thing — they dramatize. for connection, not truth. How can we to. This style has long become Audiences are rarely interested and present God’s Word without reducing obsolete to most contemporary certainly never convinced when forced it to the place where our message listeners. Here is a test. Have someone to listen to the discussion of ideas.”1 resembles a night at the improv? listen to a recording of the fi rst 3 For me, the creative demonstration In a world devoid of absolutes, minutes of one of your sermons. Then of truth — God’s truth — is usually relativism reigns. What is true and pause it. Does the listener want to hear how I summarize outstanding right for you may have no bearing on more or has he heard enough? Do you preaching. I believe we are living in know what is the the age of story. People are responsive ©2008 Ron Wheeler kiss of death to to messages in story form. So what preaching? When does that look like and how might we listeners say in incorporate our sermons into story? their hearts early in your sermon, Develop tension I know where he is When I was a teenager, the movie, heading, and I have Jaws, kept moviegoers in cinemas and heard it all before. away from beaches in droves. Jaws held I am amused people on the edge of their seats and when people say offered them an occasional chance to that preaching in jump completely out of them. Imagine the 21st century if, before the music commenced, a is dead: “We narrator said, “You are about to witness live among a a huge shark running amok and “In recognition of your three decades of faithful service generation raised terrorizing a coastal town called Amity. to First Assembly of God, the board has decided to on television You will witness people being eaten give you your fi rst afternoon off. And we promise and movies; they alive — a woman, an old fi sherman, not to call you at home.” will not tolerate Quint the shark hunter. But do not preaching these worry. Before the movie is over, Sheriff

72 enrichment / Fall 2008 Brody will blow up the bad shark. Now not recall a question being posed journalist’s book. A journalist receives sit back and enjoy the movie.” Why did at the beginning of Jaws.” But this news of an event and writes down they not include this narration? Simple. question was in the opening scene. As the facts. But when he reports it, the One of the keys to holding a person’s the opening credits are rolling, two journalist examines the facts to fi nd interest is tension. This is why we want partially intoxicated young people the story. to see the story unfold as it happens. scamper off from the others to take a A young woman, age 22, who dies We do not want to know how the swim. What appears to be a tranquil in a plane crash represents the facts. movie ends at the beginning. midnight dip turns into a terrifying That she was pursuing a degree in A lack of tension equals boredom. attack by an unseen creature of the community health to work among Robert Cialdini, a social psychologist deep. This scene raises an over-arching AIDS orphans in Western Kenya at Arizona State University, states, question in the minds of viewers: How becomes the story. Every biblical “Mysteries are powerful because they do we stop this creature so we can be safe passage contains ideas and content. In create a need for closure.”2 Certain again? Once the question has been these ideas and content is a story that kinds of preaching place a premium answered, the story is over. is as relevant to people today as it was on dispensing information and facts. Here is another key component to back then. In the fi rst couple of sentences, the a story: Story is usually launched by a preacher sums up the entire message. question, a crisis, or a dilemma, not Create disequilibrium This approach does bring clarity. The an answer. One over-arching question The reason this is critical to effective speaker, however, has tipped his hand. drives the story to its conclusion. What communication is because of how His listeners know what is coming; the does this have to do with preaching? people listen. The mind can listen tension is gone. As a result, people tune Every biblical passage, be it an epistle in a passive state. For example, my out. Let’s face it, people require more or narrative, possesses a story. wife says, “Do not forget to put out than just facts. Recently, I was assisting a young the garbage.” In this moviegoing (and storytelling) pastor with her handling of Psalm I nod while watching the ballgame generation, when you spill the beans 51, which relates David’s journey on television, “Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.” in the fi rst minute, the average listener and ultimate restoration after his One minute later I cannot even is wondering why the curtain has adultery with Bathsheba. What is the recall her speaking to me. I can repeat not fallen and why people are not over-arching question that this text her words immediately afterward, but streaming to the exits. It is over. The addresses? The answer: What do we they do not stick in my brain. When story is fi nished. We can go home now. do when we blow it big time? The text we listen in a more active mode, Fast-forward to the end of Jaws and time how much longer the movie extends after the shark is defeated. How can we present God’s Word without Answer: About 30 seconds. Why? Because what follows is anticlimactic reducing it to the place where our message — the story is over. The tension has resembles a night at the improv? been resolved. Story creates tension that draws listeners in by creating a need for closure. addresses the steps of acknowledging however, information moves to an our wrong and confessing it, leading entirely different place in our brains. Answer the big question to spiritual restoration. Therefore, the For example, if my wife says, “If this After the shark is dead, all is right question arises out of the text and context garbage is still here when I return, with the world once again. We know in the same way that, “How are we you are sleeping on the couch,” that the storyline is fi nished when going to stop the shark?” arises out of this engages me, and I interact with the movie answers the big question the story of Jaws. what I am hearing. How does that driving the story. I will call this the happen? The answer: by creating over-arching question of the story. Telling the Story disequilibrium. When people experience “Excuse me,” you might say. “I do Preachers can take a page out of the disequilibrium — something that stirs

enrichment / Fall 2008 73 and shakes them — they suddenly the relationship between what you are a question that people are asking: Where become engaged in the process preaching and its application to their is God in all of this? If it does, you because the tension they feel gets their everyday lives becomes apparent. have disequilibrium. Now you have mental cogs turning. With disequilibrium in preaching people engaged not only because One mistake preachers commonly comes some concerns. Don Carson, they have an intellectual curiosity, but make is creating an intellectual in his book, How Long, O Lord? deals also because it is an issue that grips dilemma that is divorced from reality. with the problem of human suffering. them where they live. They feel it in For example, the classic medieval Carson introduces his writing with their gut. And, yes, discomfort and question is: How many angels can a series of tragic events, all of which unease come with it as well. But will dance on the head of a pin? To which, conclude with the question, “Where is people hang on the edge of their seats the classic response is, “Who cares?” God?” One of these vignettes details to hear what this passage might say Sometimes, we frame a message the events surrounding a pastor who is about this matter? Yes. Again, McKee around an issue such as, How did mowing his lawn one day only to have declares regarding movies, “The writer David defeat the Philistines? or What his tranquillity vanish when a large shapes story around a perception of is the proper understanding of the truck accidentally rolls over a 2-year-old what’s worth living for, what’s worth immutability of God? These issues will boy and crushes him. The issue is clear: dying for, what’s foolish to pursue, be met by a collective yawn from all How could God allow this to happen? the meaning of justice, truth — the in earshot. Some pastors immediately object. essential values.”3 The over-arching issue needs to “I cannot begin a sermon with that Second, people will appreciate your connect with the lives of the listeners illustration. There are people in my attempt to bring clarity to a diffi cult and their world. Anything short of congregation who have lost children. issue of life. It is more comforting that spells disinterest. Learning for It hits too close to home, and it would for them when you address diffi cult learning’s sake will only draw in a prove too painful.” This is the point. issues than when you ignore these small percentage of people. Most When you introduce a message from issues. After awhile, your listeners will people begin to actively listen when God’s Word, ask yourself, Is this raising develop confi dence that God’s Word How Could a Holy/Loving God In our 21st-century sophistication, the concerning the idea of hell, several serious one of her eyes for a day. The doctors were idea of hell has become increasingly questions remain that we must address. concerned that her eye may have suffered remote, even humorous. Woody Allen Is it part of the profi le of a loving God to long-term damage. Covered with cuts and quipped, “Eternal nothingness is okay, punish people? How could that be fair? bruises, she went to the hospital. Despite if you’re dressed for it.” How we feel about justice depends on her condition, she was unwilling to report The headlines that followed Pope which side of the law we fi nd ourselves. the man to the police. Benedict’s sermon about hell show the Most people want to live in a society As her friend, my heart cried out for incredulity with which people hold the where administrators operate the legal justice for her and her children. This is Christian doctrine of hell. system justly and fairly. When we are because I love her. Love and justice are The pope said: “Hell really exists and victims of a crime, we long for justice. Our close companions. We see this in the Bible. is eternal, even if nobody talks about loved ones want justice on our behalf if My colleague, Michael Ramsden, says, it much anymore.” The shock that a they care for us. “The problem of evil is the problem of Christian leader actually believed in Love and justice are inseparable. To love.” If love is to exist, we must freely hell prompted breathtaking headlines ignore evil or injustice would not be loving, give and receive it, or else it is not love. in the New York Times: “Pope Proclaims so a loving God must also be a just God. If this freedom is possible, withholding Hell Exists.”1 A friend of mine was recently beaten love is also possible. Selfi shness, violence, After negotiating our way through while her young children looked on. Her and injustice are the result of the abuse the haze of humor and bemusement partner hit her so hard she could not open of love’s freedom. A loving God cannot

74 enrichment / Fall 2008 is able to address the real crises of this In the past, explaining why facts are confront those realities in the strength world and of their lives. important to the listener and what he of God’s Word? I think you know could do with the information came my answer. Create a Gap toward the end of the message. People In their book, Made To Stick, the assumed that the Bible and preaching Allow the message to unfold Heath brothers write about George had take-home value. Today, the After you have determined the over- Loewenstein’s gap theory. Loewenstein speaker needs to create a gap, or risk arching question, built tension maintains that curiosity happens when that the average listener will disengage into your message, and established we feel a gap in our knowledge. The with his message at the start. disequilibrium in your listeners, allow Heath brothers state, “One important Some might also argue that we the message to unfold. In effect, you implication of the gap theory is that do not want to infuse too much of are moving away from a deductive we need to open gaps before we close the real world into our messages. model of preaching (telling the them. Our tendency is to tell people People, however, have grown weary listeners the main idea at the start) the facts. First, though, they must of platitudes and clichés emanating to an inductive model (allowing the realize that they need these facts.”4 from the pulpit. Listeners are weary of message to come to light gradually). In creating a gap, the speaker dribble and endless words that avoid In my perception, 20th-century functions much like a computer the true issues. I ask: Does the Bible pulpits were largely deductive. A pastor program. He creates a folder in the provide real answers in a real world? gave his listeners the main idea of his listener’s mind that provides the If people are asking this question and sermon up front and then the body of message a place to reside. Presenting a the Bible is clearly addressing it, why the message fl eshed out the details of situation or confl ict creates this space should we be intimidated to journey the biblical concept he presented. Let’s so the listener will want to hear what there? Here is another question: Is examine why this model is no longer the speaker is about to say. To present our corporate worship a place where the most effective way to communicate the facts fi rst may be bringing the cart we escape from the harsh realities of God’s Word in the 21st century. before the horse. our world, or is it a place where we Suppose we asked: “Fifty years ago Send People to Hell? ignore these violations of His world or else Wrongdoing must be recognized as moral choices, shows how serious He would not be a loving God. such both by the perpetrator and the it is to abuse this human dignity by Why must God’s judgment involve world around us. This is the function sinning. This applies to one’s own life, retribution and punishment in hell? Is this of punishment. to others, and ultimately, to defying the not outmoded and vindictive? Hell is the ultimate punishment. It is Maker himself. We underscore further Retribution is an important factor the destination of those who refuse to the seriousness of sin in the Christian because, in a real sense, it connects the recognize their own sin for what it is. worldview when we refl ect on the cost punishment with the sin. It means that Their assertion of the self over others Jesus paid to deal with it. punishment is not arbitrary or random, but and God defi es divine justice. Hell is the rational and consequential. ultimate consequence of egotism. AMY ORR-EWING lives in London If one of my boys hits his brother The idea of eternal suffering as and is training director at Ravi over the head and then bites his leg, he a result of temporal sinning seems Zacharias International Ministries knows I will remove him from the room disproportionate if people do not fully Trust, where she oversees the for time out. He endures this separation appreciate the seriousness of sin. But Trust’s apologetics training program. She is for a minute or so because he has a biblical view of sin positions it as author of Is the Bible Intolerant? acted aggressively. Even as a toddler he serious. The worth of people, created as understands that his actions lead we are in the divine image and given NOTE 1. New York Post, March 26th, 2007. to punishment. the capacity and opportunity to make

enrichment / Fall 2008 75 lead you in the right direction.” So, people today believe that because Preaching to a the preacher says so does not make it right; because the Bible says so does not necessarily make it right either. Postmodern World The strength of the deductive model Graham Johnston (Baker Books, 189 pp., paperback) is the clarity it brings when one states something upfront such as, “God loves Cross-cultural communication you and has a wonderful plan for is a phrase that brings to mind your life.” But the problem remains: missionaries, faraway lands, and new What if the average person does not languages. Graham Johnston, in believe this? When a person makes Preaching to a Postmodern World, a statement, the listener must say, challenges preachers to consider their tools for communicating the gospel “Okay, I agree with that,” or “No, that communication of the gospel as cross- effectively while understanding the has not been my experience.” cultural communication. The world has new context found in the pew. If a pastor launches into his message changed as the generation shaped by Detractors posit that Johnston’s with a statement about God, there is postmodern thinking has come of age. approach has so contextualized the a high probability that many of his The challenge of gospel presentation of the message that listeners immediately disengage because communicators today is fi nding God is no longer part of the equation. they are saying no in their hearts. You a meaningful way to balance an Johnston’s aim, however, is to refocus might be thinking, Doesn’t this create adaptation of the homiletical process our attention from the standard tension? Tension is good, right? to the postmodern culture without way of doing things to embrace the The tension I mentioned earlier compromising their commitment opportunities and challenges of comes because people want to to biblical hermeneutics. Johnston presenting the gospel, so a divine resolve an issue. This tension lies believes good communication is a and life-changing encounter takes in suspending judgment to see learned and necessary skill: “Divine place between the biblical and how things may turn out. Once the empowering and good communication postmodern cultures. speaker declares his hand at the start, are not mutually exclusive.” Johnston has made a valuable the tension is gone except for the While his review of postmodernism contribution to homiletics. His book is a annoyance the listener may feel toward is accurate and concise, Johnston’s must-read for ministers. the speaker for wasting his time and intent is not to provide an exhaustive for being perceived as arrogant. treatise on culture. Instead, his aim Reviewed by Mike McCrary, Young Life and On the other hand, if one does not is to give a basic understanding of Family Ministries pastor, Central Assembly begin with a statement, one may begin postmodernism, and then provide of God, Springfi eld, Missouri. with a question. McKee says, “Curiosity is the intellectual need to answer questions and close open patterns. why would a person listen to what the came with inherent authority. We Story plays to this universal desire by pastor had to say in a sermon?” We cannot claim this today. doing the opposite, posing questions could come up with several responses. Postmodernism is largely a crisis of and opening situations.”5 First, if the pastor was speaking from authority. The average person believes Speaking inductively takes an the Bible, that was enough. Second, (whether he can articulate it or not) indirect form that allows the listener the pastoral role came with built-in that he does not know who or what to process what the speaker says authority. People trusted their pastor to trust anymore. As a result, a person and, thus, suspend any judgment. and were inclined to believe what he defaults to: “I will trust myself.” An inductive approach works best said. Third, the church itself carried The singer, Jewel, summed up this when listener receptivity is low. If one weight; it was viewed and accepted as idea in the chorus of her song, “Trust wants to communicate to seekers or a credible moral compass. Preaching your heart, your intuition and it will even believers who have doubts and

76 enrichment / Fall 2008 misgivings, the inductive approach case. The court will not allow the articulate the main idea of his message works best. In the opening question, lawyer to introduce new evidence into in the conclusion using one clear the preacher suggests to the listener, I the case while he is making his closing sentence, then the force of story is lost. respect you enough to allow you to fi gure argument. If he is to present evidence, this out without my having to tell you he needs to put it forward in the body Develop the Plot Content point blank. An inductive approach of his argument. The conclusion is the Last, we need to examine what does not tell the listener what to opportunity to gather all the threads comprises the middle section or the think or believe. Instead, it invites the and begin to make a statement. body of the message. In story, we call listener to explore the subject with the Listeners have had opportunity to this the plot. Every good storyteller must speaker. It declares, “Let’s fi gure this grasp how the speaker came to arrive maintain the balance between two out together.” at this point. If the conclusion fails elements that are in dynamic tension This approach neither compromises to correspond to the over-arching — content and progression. Content is the integrity of God’s Word nor the sensibilities of the contemporary listener. The preacher needs to invite the listener to journey with him as Once the speaker declares his hand at the start, the the over-arching question unfolds the tension is gone except for the annoyance the listener message, allowing the listener to make up his own mind. In short, stories may feel toward the speaker for wasting his time. inform people, not by stating facts, but by taking people on a journey of discovery. Preaching can do the same. question, listeners will be confused the use of information and vivid detail. and annoyed. Let’s go back to Jaws. If the storyteller fails to convey enough End Well The opening scene established the information, people will either not I have detailed how one needs to presence of a threat. The story cannot believe the story or lose interest. begin his sermon by raising an over- end until the people in Amity deal Suppose I begin a story by saying, arching question that will drive the with the threat. The opening makes it “A guy goes into a store to buy message to its conclusion. Another inevitable that people will challenge something.” Vague and uninteresting; it characteristic is that every story and defeat the shark, or they will die lacks detail and content. possesses a beginning, a middle, and trying. The opening scene and the In preaching, good communication an end. Some might say, “Don’t all concluding scene are connected in such requires substance. People want to sermons have these?” Not necessarily. a way that one cannot begin the story see the connection between the story There are ends and there are ends. In until he is clear where to end the story. (where one is leading the listeners) and the same way, every airplane fl ight Thus, the basic element of story the details of the text (what the Bible will end at some point, but there is remains one clear idea that becomes says) so they are convinced that the a difference between a clean landing the story’s destination. If one cannot speaker is not just making it up. and a crash landing. What makes a good ©2008 Joel Kauffman ending to a story? First, the message needs to adequately address the over- arching question. This is where the message needs to come to rest. For me, it is helpful to think of a closing argument in a court

enrichment / Fall 2008 77 Discriminating audiences demand disinterest. We like to put our feet in only limited resources, to secure their content. The mind craves order. Once streams; we are afraid to put our feet safe return. To see this drama played out the speaker establishes tension, listen- in ponds. Good preaching produces before me was so engaging that when the ers will be following the content or streams; dull messages become ponds. capsule safely re-entered the atmosphere, storyline, so it needs to make sense. Regarding tension, how does one I was celebrating as tears came to my The body of the message develops the know if content and progression are eyes. The scriptwriters told the story in plot by revealing details in the biblical well-balanced in one’s message? I often such a way that these astronauts became real people; their lives mattered. The story The payoff comes when the preacher reaches the made the events come alive. The movie transformed a nostalgic bit of news conclusion and listeners are pleased that they into a story that inspired me to act with journeyed with him to discover truth from God that courage and hope. Each week, I take an ancient passage will help them fi nd their place in this world. some thousands of years old, full of wisdom and grace, and form it into passage. These details give vidence that ask, “When Jerry Seinfi eld is creating a story with meaning and relevance for the story is indeed a biblical message. his monologues at home without people today. My challenge is to bring anyone else around, how does he know God’s story to people so ancient history Progression his material is funny? How does he becomes undeniably good news. The second required element to know what will make people laugh?” the plot is progression — fl ow and The answer is intuition. He knows mobility. The listener loses interest if intuitively what is funny and what is GRAHAM JOHNSTON, D.MIN., is the speaker bogs the story down in too not. He has honed his feel for comedy senior pastor of Subiaco Church of much detail. over years of performing before live Christ, Subiaco, Western Australia, and On one hand, people long for audiences. This is where storytelling adjunct lecturer in homiletics at Perth content, but pace is also critical. (and preaching) becomes an art. The Bible College, Karrinyup, Western How many times does a story fall fl at preacher begins to develop a feel for Australia. He is also the author of Preaching to a because what seems so intriguing to the amount of detail that is required, Postmodern World. the speaker means nothing to the yet enables the story to progress at a To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at listener? Preachers can suffer from this pace that will not cause listeners to lose http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. disease while sitting alone at their desks interest. This is why editing makes the pouring over commentaries and Bible movie; the same is true in preaching. NOTES 1. McKee, Robert, Story: Substance, Structure, Style and dictionaries. Preachers need to monitor Trace the plot and keep on course. the Principles of Screenwriting (New York: HarperEnter- the pace of their sermons based on The payoff comes when the preacher tainment, 1997), 113,114. “Storytelling is the creative what the listener needs to know to reaches the conclusion and listeners are demonstration of truth. A story is the living proof of an idea, the conversion of idea to action. A story’s event draw a reasonable conclusion to the pleased that they journeyed with him structure is the means by which you first express, tension that he has raised. to discover truth from God that will then prove your idea … without explanation. Master People tend to watch moving objects. help them fi nd their place in this world. storytellers never explain. They do the hard, painfully creative thing — they dramatize. Audiences are rarely Take a ping-pong ball. It is almost interested, and certainly never convinced, when forced humorous to observe a group of Conclusion to listen to the discussion of ideas. A great story authen- spectators at a table tennis game. Lay Do you recall the movie Apollo 13? I ticates its ideas solely within the dynamics of its events; that same ball on the table and they knew how it ended because I knew that failure to express a view of life through the pure, honest consequences of human choice and action is a creative lose interest. the three Apollo astronauts did not die in defeat no amount of clever language can salvage.” Mobility in communication is space. What made the fi lm gripping was 2. Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Made To Stick: Why Some the key to holding people’s interest. not a surprise ending but the unfolding Ideas Survive and Others Die (New York: Random House, 2007), 81. The difference between a pond and storyline. I had no idea of the effort 3. McKee, Story, 17. a stream is mobility. Streams move; required by NASA control and by the 4. Heath, Made To Stick, 85. ponds stagnate. Streams intrigue; ponds astronauts in the Apollo spacecraft, using 5. McKee, Story.

78 enrichment / Fall 2008

Speaking the Tr in Love:

The Role of Apologetics in Pastoral

80 enrichmentenrichment / Fall 2008 uth BYB Y GEORGE P.P WOOD A few years ago,go Sherry, a to my parishioners about The Da Vinci woman who attendedatt my Code, and I wrote a blog series about it church, handeded me The Da for my church’s Web site. The Da Vinci Code taught me that Vinci Code by Dan Brown apologetics is important. Radical and asked me to read it. skepticism about traditional Even though the book Christianity pervades our culture. If is fi ctional, it was raising the church does not offer a convincing A response to skeptical arguments, no troubling questions about one else will. the history, beliefs, and social practices of traditional Truth and Spiritual Maturity Christianity. Sherry wanted Why does the church need to respond to skeptics? me to help her sort out fact In Ephesians 4:14,15, the apostle from fi ction. Paul draws a connection between I procrastinated reading The Da truth and spiritual maturity: “Then Vinci Code for several months. I did we will no longer be infants, tossed not want to waste my time reading back and forth by the waves, and a mystery novel. But the book was blown here and there by every wind a runaway best seller. Columbia of teaching and by the cunning and Pictures announced plans to make craftiness of men in their deceitful a movie starring Tom Hanks based scheming. Instead, speaking the on the book. Scholars published truth in love, we will in all things The Da Vinci Code taught me that apologetics is important.

books debating its factual assertions. grow up into him who is the Head, Television news magazines produced that is, Christ.” hour-long specials regarding it. And According to Paul, spiritual maturity more parishioners came to me with — defi ned as Christlikeness — is the their troubling questions about it. So I end we pursue. The means by which fi nally read the book. we pursue it is truth telling. Falsehood The Da Vinci Code’s fast-moving plot is an obstacle to our pursuit of kept me interested from start to fi nish. spiritual maturity. So if we want The book, however, also incorporated to be Christlike, we must be able self-proclaimed facts into the storyline to discern the truth and defend it that were obviously false and easily against falsehood. refuted. I could see why people Unfortunately, our culture is Jim Lersch; iStockphoto with little knowledge of ChChristian rife with every wind of teaching. doctrinedoctrine and church historyhistory might Radical skepticism about be impressed, but I was a sseminary-e traditional Christianity is overt, Ministry educatededucated pastor,pastor, and I was nnot. To covert, and multimedia. Consider a helphelp set thethe recorrecordd straigstraight,ht, I preached few examples.

enrichment / Fall 2008 81 Speaking the Truth in Love

Richard Dawkins is a well-known over the years. According to Ehrman, Amber Spyglass. In these books, God evolutionary biologist and militant we cannot know what those (the Authority) and His church (the atheist. He recently published The documents originally said. Magisterium) are evil, oppressive God Delusion. Although atheists Dawkins and Ehrman’s books are forces. Humanity is liberated when, represent a tiny fraction of the nonfi ction best sellers. But fi ction at the end of The Amber Spyglass, God American populace, Dawkins’ book best sellers also attack traditional fi nally dies. is a best seller. It offers a variety of arguments why belief in God Because of its cultural pervasiveness, radical is irrational. Another best-selling author who skepticism also seeps into the church. challenges traditional Christianity is Bart Ehrman. At one time, Ehrman Christianity. Their arguments, The Da Vinci Code incorporates was an evangelical Christian; now however, are covert, rather than overt. attacks on traditional Christianity into he considers himself an agnostic. Philip Pullman, for example, has its storyline. The book’s plot turns on In Misquoting Jesus, he argues that written a best-selling, award-winning the revelation that Jesus Christ married the text of the New Testament is trilogy marketed to children. His Mary Magdalene and fathered a royal unreliable because scribes have Dark Materials consists of The Golden dynasty. This dynasty promotes the altered the New Testament documents Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The gospel of the Sacred Feminine, which,

How Can We Justify the Killing

How could a good God — a God of fall into this category. We need to be of Canaanite kings, and the wars against peace — condone warfare as He does careful, then, how we read the different the northern coalition in Canaan would in the Old Testament? This question accounts of war in the Old Testament. be included in this context. might be in reference to passages It is true, however, that some wars God fought on behalf of many of such as 1 Chronicles 5:21,22: “They are commanded by God, particularly the judges in the Old Testament — as also took one hundred thousand regarding Israel’s taking possession well as faithful kings such as David and people captive, and many others fell of the land God gave them after they Jehoshaphat — in judgment of evil slain, because the battle was God’s.” were rescued from slavery in Egypt. practices. God even used foreign nations But more than simply condoning For many generations, Christians have to fight against Israel’s enemies in ways warfare, God seems to command it. deliberated over how to understand that helped His people. For example, He even gave instructions concerning these passages. the prophet Nahum announced the how to conduct war, and commanded The Old and New Testaments present appearance of the divine warrior the mass killing of the inhabitants of a portrait of God as one who judges who would fight (in this instance, the particular cities. evil. In the Old Testament, one means Babylonians) against Israel’s longtime When a skeptic examines the Old of God’s judgment is war. In the Old oppressor, Assyria. Testament, it is important for him to Testament, war and struggle are in the It is vital to note that Israel was not remember that God did not approve context of a wider cosmic struggle always the one who brought about God’s of everything recorded in the Bible. between good and evil (a struggle that will on the battlefi eld. In fact, the Israelites For example, the Bible records the continues in the New Testament). were often on the receiving end of God’s assassination of a man called Eglon A Christian reading of the Old judgment. At times, they were massacred (Judges 3:17–25). This action is neither Testament interprets the battles and enslaved, but at other times they condemned nor praised; it is simply depicted there in this context of a were militarily victorious. We would be relayed to us. A large proportion of the larger struggle. The battle of Jericho, misunderstanding the Old Testament if acts of violence recorded in the Bible the wars against the southern coalition we said that God was always on Israel’s

82 enrichment / Fall 2008 according to Brown, a male-chauvinist, If belief in God is irrational, refutes skeptical arguments so traditional Christianity works hard as Dawkins argues, why should unbelievers can become believers to suppress. we believe in Him? If the New and believers can mature spiritually. Books are not the only media in Testament is unreliable, as Ehrman Therefore, in our cultural context, which traditional Christianity is argues, why should we trust what it both evangelism and discipleship attacked. Hosts from television and says? Radical skepticism becomes require apologetics. radio shows interviewed Dawkins an obstacle to faith for unbelievers, and Ehrman about their ideas. Major and a temptation for believers to The Pastor as Lead Apologist movie studios released fi lms based abandon the faith. Whose responsibility is apologetics? on both The Da Vinci Code and The In the language of Paul, radical In 1 Peter 3:15, the apostle Peter Golden Compass. Time and Newsweek skepticism is a “stronghold” wrote: “But in your hearts set apart devoted cover stories to the book’s (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). What do Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to controversies. Christians do with strongholds? give an answer to everyone who asks Because of its cultural pervasive- “We demolish arguments and every you to give the reason for the hope ness, radical skepticism also seeps pretension that sets itself up against that you have.” The Greek word for into the church. Christians cannot the knowledge of God, and we take answer is apologian, from which we avoid wrestling with the questions captive every thought to make it get apologetics. Thus, every Christian is culture is asking. obedient to Christ.” Apologetics an apologist. in the Old Testament?

side. Israel’s election as God’s chosen surrender without bloodshed before judgment, Jesus has shown that it is people was not a carte blanche to wage mounting a full-scale siege and destroying now a betrayal of the gospel to take up war against anyone at any time. At certain the city. In this context, God required that arms to defend or promote the interests times God used Israel as an instrument of Israel spare the women and children from of Christ. This discontinuity, however, is His judgment against evil and oppressive death, and their captors were to care for not absolute.1 There is also continuity, nations; at other times He judged them, them (Deuteronomy 20:10–14). Only in especially as we look at the New and they were on the receiving end of war. the case of the depraved inhabitants of Testament’s picture of the Final Judgment Deuteronomy 20 records the rules of Canaan did God require total destruction. and its form of warfare in which spiritual war for God’s people. These rules dictate The reason for the God-sanctioned weapons demolish spiritual strongholds. justice, fairness, and kindness in the war and destruction of the inhabitants of God’s judgment of evil runs throughout use of the sword. God allowed special Canaan was the likely corruption of the the Bible, and war in the Old Testament is hardship conditions as grounds for moral and spiritual standards of Israelite one outworking of this reality. excusing soldiers from military duty. The society: “Otherwise, they will teach you to nation of Israel waived a soldier’s military follow all the detestable things they do AMY ORR-EWING lives in London obligation until he no longer qualifi ed in worshiping their gods, and you will sin and is training director at Ravi for exemption under those conditions against the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy Zacharias International Ministries (Deuteronomy 20:5–7). Israel even sent 20:16–18). This is important because Trust, where she oversees the Trust’s home those who had no such excuse, but God had chosen Israel to bear God’s self- apologetics training program. She is author of Is the were afraid or reluctant to fi ght (verse 8). revelation to the world — the task of Bible Intolerant? Unlike the armies of other nations making God known. who might attack a city without giving it There is some discontinuity between an opportunity to surrender (compare 1 the Old and New Testaments concerning NOTE 1. For further study, see Stanley N. Gundry, ed., Show Them Samuel 11:1–3), God required the armies warfare. While in the Old Testament God No Mercy: 4 Views on God and the Canaanite Genocide of Israel to grant a city opportunity to often used war as an instrument of His (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003).

enrichment / Fall 2008 83

Speaking the Truth in Love

But pastors pull double duty us, “in your hearts set apart Christ as the formula, “It is written.” But in concerning apologetics. We are the Lord.” The Greek word for “set apart” Matthew 5:21–48, He used a different church’s lead apologists, and we is hagiasate, which the King James introductory formula, “You have heard train church members to become Version translates as sanctify. Peter that it was said.” In these verses, He apologists. How do we become told us that only after we sanctify our was citing the Pharisees’ traditional apologists? Three words: prayer, books, hearts are we to “give an answer to commentary on the Law, not the and dialogue. everyone who asks you.” A pastor’s Law itself. He could critique the heart sanctity must precede his head Pharisees’ misinterpretations because Prayer apologetics, and prayer is the key to He was familiar with them. It is not Prayer prepares us spiritually for heart sanctity. So, “let us draw near enough for pastors to read their side apologetics. When I am reading to God with a sincere heart in full of a controversy. We must also read Dawkins, Ehrman, or some other assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). the other side, so we will know how skeptical author, I feel my own faith to give an intelligent response to in God is being challenged. The Books radical skeptics. challenge is not merely intellectual; it Reading widely prepares us Pastors need to read widely in the goes deeper. It is like hearing that your intellectually for apologetics. The Bible literature of Christian apologetics. wife has cheated on you. Your mind is the ultimate source of and fi nal Many well-qualifi ed theologians, processes the information, but your authority for what Christians believe biblical scholars, and church heart feels the pain. I know my wife and how they live. It is God’s Word historians have written excellent is faithful, and God is more faithful in human words (2 Timothy 3:16,17; defenses of traditional Christianity. still. But when someone questions 2 Peter 1:20,21). Because of this, the Pastors need to read those books, and your fundamental relationships, their Bible is the book radical skeptics then share them with others. questions mark your heart, even if you most often attack. Consequently, have a good answer. pastors need to understand what Dialogue Consequently, to meet the the Bible says and how to properly Finally, dialogue prepares us challenges of radical skepticism head- interpret it. rhetorically for apologetics. Pastors are on, our hearts must be in the right If a pastor wants to become a good accustomed to standing in the pulpit place. Notice the order of Peter’s apologist, reading the Bible alone will each Sunday and preaching to (in remarks in 1 Peter 3:15. First, he told not be suffi cient. Consider Jesus. He some cases, at) their congregations. was well-versed Such proclamation is a one-way ©2008 Paul F. Gray in Scripture. In form of communication, from His debate with us to them. Proclamation has a the devil, He legitimate role in pastoral ministry. quoted Scripture But do not forget dialogue — a to refute the two-way form of communication devil’s arguments between us and them. Dialogue is an (Matthew ideal form of communication for 4:1–11; compare answering questions and rebutting Deuteronomy skeptical challenges. 6:13,16; 8:3). But Jesus utilized both forms of Jesus was also communication. The Sermon on well-versed in the Mount (Matthew 5 through 7) the arguments of is a good example of proclamation. His opponents. But Matthew 21:21–32 shows Jesus When Jesus quoted answering His critics’ questions and Scripture in asking them questions in turn. I “Brother, I could overlook your being so ugly, stupid, lazy, Matthew 4:1–11, used both forms of communication and useless, if you would just lose that critical spirit!” He introduced to refute the false claims made by each verse with characters in The Da Vinci Code. I

enrichment / Fall 2008 85 Speaking the Truth in Love

proclaimed an entire sermon about added) is how we overcome falsehood it one Sunday, but I also engaged in and pursue spiritual maturity. Many extensive dialogue about it afterward. churches want to speak the truth to skeptics, but they do not want to love A Skeptic-Friendly Community them. Most unbelievers I know reverse Copan, Paul. 2007. Loving How do pastors train members of their those priorities. They want the church Wisdom: Christian Philosophy congregations to become apologists? to accept them before the church of Religion. St. Louis, Mo.: Two issues must be considered: answers their questions. Chalice Press. environment and curriculum. Let’s look Interestingly, accepting people is a Copan has written a user-friendly, Scripture- at the environment issue fi rst. means to answering their questions. engaging Christian philosophy of religion Several years ago, I ate lunch with I once led a small group of married book — a kind of launching pad for Christian a man named Jack, an unbeliever couples. Most of them were believers, leaders, students, and teachers in philosophy who was respectful of the church. except for one couple. The wife was of religion as they think critically, instruct He had serious questions about the a Christian and the husband was others, engage with non-Christians, and faith. To get answers, he joined a not. His name is Mark. The group live their lives in God’s presence. Loving small group that was reading a book accepted Mark for who he was, and Wisdom refl ects the themes Copan has on apologetics. Unfortunately, when they encouraged him to ask probing found important and fruitful in his own members of the group found out that questions about the faith. As the spiritual and intellectual pilgrimage and in Jack was an unbeliever, they hectored leader of the group, I never told him his interaction with those outside the faith in him about his need for conversion that his questions were out of line. open forums and coffee shops. but never bothered to answer the Instead, knowing that these questions questions that were an obstacle to were potential strongholds in his life, Groothuis, Douglas. 1996. his converting. He never returned to I did my best to answer each one. If I Jesus in an Age of Controversy. the group. did not know the answer, I researched Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and As Jack told me his story, I learned a it that week and shared my discoveries Stock Publishers. valuable lesson: We must accept skeptics at the next meeting. For months, Best-selling books challenge us to rethink before we argue with them. Remember, Mark asked what “you Christians” our ideas about Jesus. The Jesus Seminar according to Ephesians 4:14,15, believed about a variety of topics. But I makes headlines with its systematic attempts “speaking the truth in love” (emphasis remember the meeting when he began to undermine the accuracy of the Gospel to talk about what accounts. New Age teachings about Jesus ©2008 Jonny Hawkins “we Christians” have found their way into many pulpits. believed. By In response to this confusion, Jesus accepting Mark in an Age of Controversy provides a and answering straightforward, easy-to-understand study his questions, the of the questionable foundations and group had helped faulty conclusions of these new views. him come to faith. This important book provides the The questions historical and logical evidence that confi rms Jack asked were biblical teachings about Jesus. It will enable similar to the you to defend your faith against attack, help ones Mark asked. those struggling with questions and doubts, The answers I and encourage you with the overwhelming gave them were weight of evidence that confi rms that Jesus identical. But is the only Savior and Lord. Mark is a believer, and Jack is not. Komoszewski, J. Ed., M. James “We’re leaving the church because we feel you don’t The difference? Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace. incorporate enough mumbo jumbo, touchy-feely, plastic banana, gobbledy gook.” Mark’s small 2006. Reinventing Jesus: What group accepted the Da Vinci Code and Other

86 enrichment / Fall 2008 Novel Speculations Don’t Tell You. Grand McGrath, Alister, and Joanna about a given subject? Can I be tolerant and Rapids: Kregel. Collicutt McGrath. 2007. The still believe in objective truth about religion, From the worldwide sensation The Da Vinci Dawkins Delusion? Atheist ethics, and politics? Code to the national best-seller Misquoting Fundamentalism and the The importance of this topic cannot Jesus, popular culture is being bombarded Denial of the Divine. Downers Grove, Ill.: be overestimated. The deep diversity of with radical skepticism about the InterVarsity Press. American life, and many other societies uniqueness of Jesus and the reliability of Alister McGrath, along with his wife Joanna, across the globe, demands a vigorous the New Testament. Reinventing Jesus cuts are ideal to evaluate Dawkins’ ideas. Once and proper understanding and practice through the rhetoric of extreme doubt to an atheist himself, Alister gained a doctorate of tolerance as a value. Without tolerance, reveal the profound credibility of historic in molecular biophysics before going on pluralism and diversity dissolve into Christianity. Meticulously researched yet to become a leading Christian theologian. nothing more than tyranny and chaos. eminently readable, this book invites a He wonders how two people, who have The fundamental aim of this book is wide audience to take a fi rsthand look refl ected at length on substantially the same to stimulate refl ection and writing on at the primary evidence for Christianity’s world, could possibly have come to such tolerance (both social and personal), origins. Reinventing Jesus shows believers different conclusions about God. particularly from a Christian point of view, that it’s okay to think hard about McGrath subjects Dawkins’ critique of and to affi rm that personal and political Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that faith to rigorous scrutiny. His exhilarating commitments to truth are not averse it’s okay to believe. meticulously argued response deals with to genuine tolerance. Indeed, truth and questions such as: tolerance are inseparable. In their symbiosis, Lindsley, Art. 2004. True Truth: • Is faith intellectual nonsense? tolerance gives to truth the cognitive Defending Absolute Truth in • Are science and religion locked in a freedom it needs to be authentically a Relativistic World. Downers battle to the death? recognized, and truth gives to tolerance Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. • Can the roots of Christianity be the parameters and purpose it needs Conventional wisdom holds that any explained away scientifi cally? to function as it is intended — to serve belief in absolutes, especially of a religious • Is Christianity simply a force for evil? people and communities in their quest for nature, leads inevitably to the oppressive This book will be warmly received by meaning and ultimately the knowledge of absolutism of such movements as the those looking for a reliable assessment of the One in whom alone lies their fulfi llment. Inquisition, the Crusades, and even Nazism. The God Delusion and the many questions As a result, Christian apologists have it raised — including all the relevance of White, James Emery. 2006. A been hard-pressed to make a case for the faith and the quest for meaning. Mind for God. Downers Grove, rational absolutes that are a necessary part Ill.: InterVarsity Press. of belief in Jesus. Stetson, Brad, and Joseph G. The apostle Paul calls us to “take While maintaining the indispensability Conti. 2005. The Truth About captive every thought to make it obedient of absolutes, Lindsley ably demonstrates Tolerance: Pluralism, Diversity, to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). But James that faith in Christ is necessarily opposed and the Culture Wars. Downers Emery White fears that Western Christians to and incompatible with the abuses Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. are failing in this task. Because we have of oppression, arrogance, intolerance, There is a widespread feeling today that not developed good intellectual habits, self-righteousness, closed-mindedness, something is very wrong with the way we our minds instead have been captured by and defensiveness. Surprisingly, Lindsley think about tolerance. We have an intuition our culture. shows that it is relativism that often that in our diverse society tolerance is very A Mind for God is written to help us harbors dangerous, infl exible absolutisms. important to practice, but at the same time break free from this cultural captivity Here is a book that actively challenges we are unable to agree on what it means through the spiritual and intellectual the dismissal of truth, preparing the to be tolerant. Does tolerance require the disciplines of reading, study, and refl ection. way for more effectively proclaiming acceptance of all views on a given subject as This inspirational and practical “rule for the gospel and living Christianly in a equally true? Does it mean that I must not the mind” encourages and enables us to postmodern world. believe too strongly that my views are right develop our minds for God.

enrichment / Fall 2008 87 Speaking the Truth in Love

him, and Jack’s did not. Pastors and in God lacks evidence, contradicts books are available. But Strobel’s their congregations must create an science, and encourages violence. books are especially good because environment that welcomes skeptics and Why do I need to believe in the New he was once a skeptic himself. The provides answers. Testament portrait of Jesus? Brown and evidence convinced him to become Ehrman raise this question in their a believer. Moreover, Strobel’s An Answer-Ready Church books. They doubt the reliability of writing style is dialogical. He What about curriculum? What kinds the history, canon, and text of the structures each chapter around an of questions do churches need to be New Testament. interview with an expert on the issue ready to answer? Unbelievers usually Unfortunately, pastors cannot under consideration. ask two kinds of questions: what answer these questions merely and why. by quoting the Bible. If someone People Matter Most What do Christians believe about challenges the authority or I began this essay with Sherry; so let ______? You can fi ll in the blank truthfulness of the Bible, quoting the me end with her. with almost any topic: God, Jesus, Bible by way of response commits the As I mentioned, I procrastinated reading The Da Vinci Code. On several Proper apologetics does not deal with the occasions, Sherry asked me about it, but I told her I had not yet read it. what question. Instead, apologetics deals After a while, I noticed that Sherry was with the why question. attending church increasingly less. I learned that she had cancer. miracles, suffering, gay marriage, and fallacy of begging the question — that Although Sherry was a believer, evolution. Answering these questions is, assuming what you want to prove. it later became clear to me that The requires knowing what the Bible teaches Instead, we must develop reasons why Da Vinci Code was important to her. about each subject. Pastors need to the Bible’s teaching is true, reliable, Because I did not want to be bothered answer these questions every week in and authoritative. with a mystery novel, I never helped their sermons. Your Sunday School Thankfully, many excellent resources her sort fact from fi ction in the book. classes and small groups need to be answer specifi c skeptical questions. I As far as I know, she died without studying these questions every week too. recommend four books by Lee Strobel hearing good answers to her troubling Proper apologetics does not deal for a crash course on apologetics: questions. Thankfully, she is with Jesus with the what question. It assumes that • The Case for Faith and The Case for a now and has received His answers to both you and the unbeliever know the Creator rebut atheist arguments for all her questions. answer already. Instead, apologetics the irrationality of belief in God. My negligence troubles me to this deals with the why question. Why In the second book, in particular, day. Radical skepticism is a stronghold is Christian belief about ______Strobel uses scientifi c evidence that against faith for both unbelievers and reasonable? Unbelievers — whether points to an Intelligent Designer of believers. If people such as Sherry, Jack, radically skeptical or not — do not the universe. and Mike are important to us, then we merely want to know what Christians • The Case for Christ and The Case must speak the truth to them in love believe, they want to know why they for the Real Jesus rebut skeptical now. Do not lose an opportunity — need to believe the same things. arguments concerning the do not procrastinate — to provide an Apologetics, to use Peter’s words, is historicity of Jesus’ life, ministry, answer for the hope you have in Christ. offering an answer for the hope you and resurrection. In addition, Apologetics matters because the people have (1 Peter 3:15). Strobel argues that the New God loves matter most. In our cultural context, I repeatedly Testament canon includes the see two specifi c why questions. oldest and most historically GEORGE P. WOOD, pastor, Living Why do I need to believe in God? reliable books about Jesus. Finally, Faith Center, Santa Barbara, Dawkins and Pullman raise this he argues that we can have great California. question in their books. They are certainty about what the New symptomatic of a resurgence of Testament authors originally wrote. To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at atheism, which argues that belief Many other excellent apologetics http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal.

88 enrichment / Fall 2008

90 enrichment / Fall 2008 A Comparison of the Person, Teachings, and Works of Jesus in the Canonical and Noncanonical Gospels

BY W.E. NUNNALLY

enrichment / Fall 2008 91 Introduction equipped because this issue is not inspiring teacher,7 or did He perform Many pastors wonder about their going away.4 miraculous works? Is it true that ability to respond to members of their Today, those in spiritual leadership the authors of the biblical Gospels church who have read either The no longer have the luxury of and the Early Church intentionally Da Vinci Code or have seen the movie. remaining uninformed and giving marginalized women and that the These claim that 80 gospels were left smug, dismissive answers. Every day noncanonical writings promoted the out of the New Testament.1 And how our people are being bombarded with equality of women?8 about the college freshman who has challenges to their faith that appear Popular authors, such as Dan Brown Ibeen exposed to the Jesus Seminar and to be supported by facts and expert who wrote The Da Vinci Code, base now believes the Gospel of Thomas opinions. Hiding behind phrases, their claims on the premise that we and the Gospel of Peter are more such as “You have to accept it by now have noncanonical gospels that are more ancient and more historically Every day our people are being bombarded reliable than the canonical Gospels.9 The Gnostic gospels, however, have with challenges to their faith that appear to been available for more than 65 years. be supported by facts and expert opinions. Most were found among the dubious writings of a heretical offshoot of the ancient and more reliable than the faith,” or “God said it, I believe it, and Orthodox Church called Gnosticism. four canonical Gospels?2 Or, a pastor that settles it,” will not retain today’s In addition, most scholars date these is not sure what to say when a board literate, educated, and tech-savvy texts between the late second and member brings a popular magazine generation, nor will it attract the next fi fth century. Unfortunately, none of with an article entitled, “Jesus Christ, generation to Jesus. this has restrained members of the Plain and Simple: A Trinity of New, It is necessary, then, to engage the radical Jesus Seminar from using these Scholarly Books Tries To Strip Away issues of the marketplace at the point texts to reconstruct a very different the Traditional Gospel Accounts of of attack: Does the evidence support Jesus from the one who emerges from the Man From Nazareth”3 to a board the popular claims of The Da Vinci the canonical Gospels. Nor has it meeting? As pastors, we must become Code and the scholarly conclusions of prevented Brown from marketing his the Jesus Seminar, conclusions to a culture that yearns ©2008 Scott Arthur Masear or not? Is Jesus for a more palatable, less challenging divine or is He “a version of the Master. mortal prophet … a This article provides the data to great and powerful answer these important questions so man, but a man we can provide an evidence-based nonetheless. … response rather than rhetoric, and A mere mortal.”5 offer conclusions based on fact Were “those rather than on uninformed personal Gospels that spoke opinions. As we develop our response of Christ’s human to these modern challenges, we traits” intentionally will consider passages from three omitted from the categories of noncanonical literature: New Testament orthodox (biblical), hybrid (primarily in favor of those biblical, but with some elements not “embellished … compatible with biblical teaching), gospels that made and heterodox (usually dominated by “I don’t know what it is about this church, but I never feel 6 like I’ve given enough.” Him godlike”? heretical Gnostic ideas). Consider Was Jesus merely a these questions: Do these extra- good man and an biblical documents describe an

92 enrichment / Fall 2008 The Case for exclusively human Jesus without divine attributes? Do they speak the Real Jesus: of Jesus as a mere mortal and A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks not a miracle-worker? Finally, do on the Identity of Christ they claim to reverse the trend of discrimination against women that the biblical Gospels began Lee Strobel (Zondervan, 309 pp., hardcover) for producing a male-dominated church?10 This is not an exhaustive n one of their songs, Canadian rock (5) the fulfi llment of Old Testament study; however, this representative band, Downhere, asks, “Can anybody prophecy in Jesus’ life and ministry; and section will help facilitate detailed Ishow me the real Jesus?” For two (6) the exclusive truth of the Christian comparison while avoiding the millennia, Christians have turned to the faith. For each issue, Strobel and his vagaries of over-generalization. New Testament to answer this question. experts offer reasonable arguments But in the postmodern era, doubts have for their positions, as well as discuss An Exclusively Human Jesus? been raised about the New Testament’s and rebut opposing arguments. Their One common charge against the canon, text, originality, and truthfulness. conclusion is that the New Testament canonical Gospels is that they Strobel, in The Case for the Real Jesus, portrait of Jesus is the real one. exaggerate the deity of Christ and sets out to overcome these doubts This book is written for a popular downplay His human characteristics. using the format he popularized in The audience, but each chapter concludes Meanwhile, the gospels excluded from Case for Christ. For each doubt raised with suggested readings for people who the New Testament canon tell the true about the New Testament’s portrait of wish to further investigate the issues. story — Jesus was only human. Does Jesus, Strobel answers by interviewing I recommend it as an introductory the evidence support these assertions? an expert. text for people with doubts about Some orthodox, extra-biblical Strobel and his panel of experts Christianity, as well as for Christian texts claim that Jesus did not die a consider six issues: (1) the extent of the small groups, book clubs, and Sunday natural death as a man, “[Jesus said:] New Testament canon; (2) the reliability School classes. ‘Mariam, Mariam, know me: do not of the New Testament text; (3) the touch me … thy God did not die, historicity of Jesus’ resurrection; (4) the Reviewed by George P. Wood, pastor, Living rather he mastered death.’ ”11 The independence of the Gospels’ portrait Faith Center, Santa Barbara, California. Acts of John, a text containing both of Jesus from pagan rites and ideas; orthodox and heterodox elements, preserves this statement by the apostle: “Sometimes when I meant to touch him I encountered a material, solid and that I was pierced, yet I was not the archons.’ ”15 The Gospel of Philip body; but at other times, again, when I wounded; that I was hanged, yet I was claims, “Jesus deceived everyone. For felt him, his substance was immaterial not hanged; that blood fl owed from he did not show himself as he was; and incorporeal, and as if it did not me, yet it did not fl ow.”14 but he showed himself as [they would] exist at all. … And I often wished, as I Other Gnostic documents equally be able to see him. … He [showed walked with him, to see his footprint insist that Jesus did not live or die himself] [to the] angels as an angel in the earth, whether it appeared — as a man. For example, The First and to men as a man.”16 The Gospel for I saw him raising himself from the Apocalypse of James states, “The Lord of Bartholomew reads, “Bartholomew earth — and I never saw it.”12 It also said: ‘James, do not be concerned for said to him: ‘Lord when you went to records Jesus as saying, “Nor am I the me or for this people! I am he who be hanged on the cross, I followed (man) who is on the Cross”13 and “I was in me. At no time did I suffer in you at a distance and saw how you have suffered none of those things any way, nor was I distressed. And this were hanged on the cross and how the which they will say of me. … You hear people did not do any harm to me. angels descended from heaven and that I suffered, yet I suffered not ... Rather it was imposed upon a fi gure of worshiped you. And when darkness

enrichment / Fall 2008 93 came, I looked and saw that you had in the Epistula Apostolorum: “We know the object of his proclamation as vanished from the cross.’ ”17 One this: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ “the Lord and God of all, Jesus Christ Gnostic text states, “[Jesus said:] ‘They [is] God.”19 Another orthodox text whom I preach”31 and is himself thought that I was a mortal man.’ ”18 reads, “There is no other God save described three times as “the apostle From these texts, we can make [Jesus] Christ.”20 In yet another text, of the new God.”32 the following observation. Claims Peter states, “And I approached God The Gospel of Bartholomew notes by popular authors and modern Jesus Christ and said to him. … And that after Jesus “had suffered and scholars that the apocryphal materials my Lord and God Jesus Christ said risen again … his appearance was emphasize the humanity of Jesus unto me.”21 not as it was before, but revealed the have far exceeded the evidence. The Theologically hybrid texts also fullness of his godhead.”33 Describing opposite is true: Orthodox texts, hybrid emphasize the divine aspect of Jesus’ Jesus’ descent into hell, the text reads, texts, and Gnostic texts generally nature. One reads, “But John stretched “Hades answered [Beliar]: ‘It cannot de-emphasize, to the point of exclusion, out his hands … and said to the be that God has come down. Woe the earthly aspects of Jesus’ life Lord, ‘Glory be to thee, my Jesus, is me! Where shall I fl ee before the and death. the only God of truth.’ ”22 In another face of the mighty great God?’ ”34 The maligned canonical Gospels hybrid text, Peter asked, “Would it Elsewhere, the document states that describe Jesus’ life and death in therefore be pleasing to you, our “Bartholomew came to her [the virgin real, human terms. From the New brother, to come in accordance with Mary] … and said: ‘You who are Testament texts, we read that Jesus the commands of our God Jesus?”23 highly favored, tabernacle of the became tired, hungry, thirsty, In the Acts of Peter, Paul proclaimed, Most High.’ ”35 frustrated, and angry, and that He “Jesus the living God will forgive This evidence shows that the New ultimately suffered and died. you.”24 Similarly, Peter prayed, “Most Testament Gospels are not alone in excellent, the only holy one, it is thou proclaiming the deity of Christ. In fact, A Divine Jesus? that hast appeared to us, thou God all categories of extra-biblical texts Today, liberal scholars proclaim that Jesus Christ.”25 (orthodox, hybrid, and heterodox) the canonical Gospels promote a Even fully heterodox (Gnostic) texts go considerably further than the divine Jesus that is theologically and openly declare Jesus’ deity. The Gospel canonical Gospels in the language politically convenient, but historically of Truth declares, “But the name of they use to describe the divinity of inaccurate. Proponents sometimes the Father is the Son.”26 In another Jesus. In comparison, the language of claim that the noncanonical literature Gnostic text, the apostle Thomas the New Testament Gospels appears muted. Therefore, Brown and the Today, liberal scholars proclaim that Jesus Seminar are not only incorrect in claiming that the biblical Gospels the canonical Gospels promote a divine offer false claims of a divine Jesus, whereas the extra-biblical documents Jesus that is theologically and politically tell the true story of a “mere[ly] convenient, but historically inaccurate. mortal” Jesus. But they are also guilty of misrepresenting the message of is more historically reliable because prayed, “Jesus … God of God … who the noncanonical texts. Instead of it rejects the divinity of Jesus for an didst … walk upon the waves like a revealing a Jesus who is only human, exclusively human Jesus. Do the God … God from God Most High27 … they emphasize His deity even more noncanonical documents describe a I praise thee, Lord Jesus … For thou than do the canonical Gospels. Jesus who is not divine? alone art the God of truth, and no In orthodox documents from the post- other.28 … O God Jesus Christ, Son of A Jesus Who Did Not Work Miracles? New Testament period, the clarity of the living God29 … and … O Christ … The tendency of higher critical claims for the deity of Jesus increases glory to thy Godhead.”30 The writer of scholarship has been to disregard exponentially. We fi nd one example The Acts of Thomas further described ancient texts that testify to the

94 enrichment / Fall 2008 miraculous works of Jesus. However, and stretching it made it equal with to heaven, but that of him who was with the rise of the Jesus Seminar and the other.”37 led of them by the hand overpassing the popularization of its conclusions During the fl ight to Egypt, “they the heavens.”42 by The Da Vinci Code, scholars are went to that sycamore tree, which Gnostic works appear to surpass now employing a new element in the today is called Matarea, and the Lord all others in their exaggerated claims argument against the reliability of Jesus made to gush forth in Matarea a of the miraculous. One of the best the canonical Gospels. Scholars now spring, in which the lady Mary washed examples of this is Jesus’ claim in Pistis claim that extra-biblical materials his shirt. And from the sweat of the Sophia that He himself was responsible provide a more accurate description Lord Jesus, which she wrang out there, for Elizabeth’s miraculous conception of Jesus as a teacher of wisdom who balsam appeared in that place.”38 On and Mary’s virginal conception, “[Jesus never worked miracles or performed the same trip, “lions and leopards said:] ‘And when I set out for the world, I … had the form of Gabriel. Scholars now claim that extra-biblical … I looked down at the world. … I found Elizabeth, the mother of John materials provide a more accurate the Baptist … and I sowed into her description of Jesus as a teacher of a power which I had taken from the little Jao, the Good … that he [John] wisdom who never worked miracles or might be able to proclaim before performed exorcisms. me.’ ” Jesus again continued in His speech and said: “I looked down … exorcisms. Again, the question is worshiped him and accompanied and found Mary, who is called ‘my whether the ancient evidence supports them in the desert … showing (them) mother’ … and when she had turned these assertions. the way and lowering their heads (in upwards toward me, I thrust into her Orthodox, extra-biblical texts exhibit worship); they showed their servitude the fi rst power, which I had taken from a certain continuity with the canonical by wagging their tails.”39 Yet another Barbelo, that is, the body which I have Gospels in regard to doctrine. When text states that when He was brought borne on high. And in the place of the reporting the miraculous, however, the before Pilate, “the images of the soul I thrust into her the power which tendency is toward more sensational emperor on the standards bowed and I have taken from the great Sabaoth, or exaggerated claims. Many have did reverence to Jesus.”40 the Good.”43 heard these stories. Consider this one Hybrid texts exhibit the same The Gospel of Bartholomew from the childhood of Jesus: “When tendency to exaggerate the miraculous. records Jesus as saying that during this boy Jesus was 5 years old … He In reporting Jesus’ resurrection, the the Crucifi xion, “when I commanded made soft clay and fashioned from Gospel of Peter states, “There rang him [Michael] to go up, a fl ame issued it 12 sparrows. But Jesus clapped his out a loud voice in heaven, and they from his hand, and after he had rent hands and cried to the sparrows: ‘Off [the guards] saw the heavens opened the veil of the temple, he divided it with you!’ And the sparrows took and two men come down from there into two parts as testimony to the fl ight and went away chirping.”36 in a great brightness and … That children of Israel for my passion.”44 The same text relates a similar story: stone which had been laid against At the Ascension, “the disciples were “His father was a carpenter. … And the entrance to the sepulchre started sitting together on the Mount of he received an order from a rich of itself to roll [away].”41 The same Olives … [and] that power of light man to make a bed for him. But work continues, “And whilst they descended upon Jesus and surrounded when one beam was shorter than [the soldiers guarding the tomb] were him entirely and he shone exceedingly, its corresponding one … the child relating what they had seen, they saw and the light was beyond measure Jesus said to his father Joseph: ‘Put again three men come out from the … and … Jesus rose up or fl ew into down the two pieces of wood.’ … And sepulchre, and two of them sustaining the heights.”45 Jesus stood at the other end and took the other, and a cross following them, From these examples, we see that hold of the shorter piece of wood, and the heads of the two reaching all categories of extra-biblical material

enrichment / Fall 2008 95 (orthodox, hybrid, and heterodox) meet the burden of proof? Peter said to them: ‘Let Mary go out display no tendency to eliminate the Because of the close doctrinal from among us, because women are miraculous element in Jesus’ ministry. affi nities the orthodox texts have not worthy of the Life.’ Jesus said: In fact, just as they deal with the with their biblical counterparts, few ‘Behold, I shall lead her, that I may human and divine elements of Jesus’ ministry, these documents tend The Gospels consistently demonstrate Jesus’ toward exaggeration. We cannot say that the noncanonical texts support willingness to approach and mainstream the assertions of the Jesus Seminar marginalized women. and The Da Vinci Code that the ministry of Jesus did not contain texts offer an example that supports make her male, in order that she also demonstrations of the miraculous. this category. One such text is the may become a living spirit like you The textual evidence they use to orthodox Acts of Andrew,47 in which males. For every woman who makes buttress their argument argues against the apostle Andrew declared, “Adam herself male shall enter the kingdom their position. died in Eve because of the harmony of heaven.’ ”51 In the minds of those in of their relationship.”48 This appears heretical movements, such as Christian Misogyny in the Biblical Gospels? to reference the fi rst couple’s sexual Gnosticism, being born female was A fi nal claim Brown makes in The union. The insinuation is that Adam evidently an impediment to entrance Da Vinci Code is that the biblical did not fall because of disobedience into the kingdom of God. Gospels attempted to suppress the part but because of his sexual relationship The Gospel of Mary is similar, women played in the Early Church. with a woman. For the same reason, “Then arose Mary … and spoke to Brown says when we reference the hybrid texts exhibit few misogynous her brethren: ‘Let us rather praise materials intentionally left out of the tendencies. An exception appears in his greatness, for he hath made us New Testament canon and suppressed a prayer of the apostle John, “When I ready, and made us to be men.’ ”52 by the Christianized Roman Empire, regained my sight [you] didst disclose Evidently the Gospel of the Egyptians we can rectify this inequity.46 Again, we to me the repugnance even of looking contained a similar teaching: must ask: Do these radical assertions closely at a woman.”49 “Cassianus [founder of Docetism] Ironically, now says, ‘When Salome asked when ©2008 Tim Walberg the thoroughly what she had inquired about would heterodox texts be known, the Lord said, “When display the you have trampled on the garment highest degree of of shame and when the two become misogyny. This one and the male with the female (is) is ironic because neither male nor female.” ’ ”53 Another the Jesus Seminar passage from the same work reads, most often invokes “The Savior himself said, ‘I am come the Gnostic texts to undo the works of the female,’ by and the Gnostic the female meaning lust, and by the texts are the only works of birth and decay.”54 category cited in The Gospel of Philip (a work quoted The Da Vinci Code.50 in The Da Vinci Code in an attempt to One favorite demonstrate that the historical Jesus extra-biblical text intended women to govern the church, cited by the Jesus a fact the supposedly misogynous Pastor Rob hasn’t left his comfort zone since seminar is the biblical Gospels suppressed) reads, he was very young. Gospel of Thomas. “When Eve was [i]n A[d]am, there It says, “Simon was no death. But when she separated

96 enrichment / Fall 2008 [from] him, death came into being. of her menses and thus pollutes Mark 15:40,41; compare Matthew Again, if [she] en[ter]s (into him) and those who touch her. … [She] brings 26:56, et al.). They received revelation he takes [her] to himself, death will about wars in which much blood and functioned prophetically no longer exist.”55 In other words, the is shed. … She prophesies errors … (Matthew 21:9; Luke 1:26–38,46–55; Gospel of Philip teaches that women and thus deceives.”60 The purity of 2:36–38), and were equally engaged have no chance of salvation unless prayer can even be adulterated by the in prayer (Acts 1:14), witness, and their femaleness is eradicated and they mere presence of women: “Judas said, public ministry (Acts 1:15; 2:4,17,18). are submerged back into the male — ‘When we pray, how shall we pray?’ They were not only the fi rst to give a teaching much like that found in The Lord said, ‘Pray in the place testimony to the Resurrection and the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of where there is no woman.’ ”61 bring the good news to the men Mary, and the Gospel of the Egyptians. In comparison to biblical texts, the (Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–11; The inferiority of women to men orthodox and hybrid documents have Luke 24:1–11; John 20:1–18), but is also a theme these sources often a somewhat lower view of women, they were also later seen giving express: “Along with the true prophet sex, the physical world, and the instruction to men (Acts 18:26).62 [Adam] there has been created as a human body. However, the tendency companion a female being who is of heterodox documents toward Conclusion as far inferior to him as metousia is misogyny is far greater that that of the This article has addressed the four to ousia, as the moon is to the sun, biblical Gospels and orthodox and most prominent assertions of the as fi re is to light.”56 And “While in hybrid extra-biblical materials. The Jesus Seminar/Da Vinci Code about this world[,] the union consists [of] textual evidence, therefore, does not the New Testament Gospels and their man and wife — representing power support the popular claim that the noncanonical counterparts. After and weakness.”57 New Testament Gospels are a part of surveying the relevant extra-biblical In the following texts, women are a movement to marginalize the role texts, one may legitimately conclude man’s primary source of temptation, defi lement, and deception: “Then the After surveying the relevant extra-biblical Savior … said: ‘Anyone who seeks the truth from her [a female] who is texts, one may legitimately conclude that truly wise will make himself wings they do not support the argument that so as to fl y when he has to fl ee the desire which burns the spirits of men the biblical Gospels obscure the humanity … stinking pleasure … insatiable of Jesus. lust … the bitter bond of desire. … They are constantly being killed, of women and that extra-biblical texts that they do not support the argument as they are drawn to all beasts of elevate the role of women. that the biblical Gospels obscure the uncleanness.’ ”58 “Woe to you who In fact, the opposite is true. The humanity of Jesus. Nor do the extra- love the company of women and Gospels consistently demonstrate biblical texts clearly reveal it. One the adulterated intercourse with Jesus’ willingness to approach and cannot claim that the biblical Gospels them … masters of your body … evil mainstream marginalized women provide exaggerated claims of deity demons.”59 “Female prophecy desires (Matthew 9:20–22; 26:7–13; Mark while the noncanonical documents to be considered male. On account of 5:25–34; 14:3–9; Luke 7:37–50; deny the deity of Jesus. Furthermore, this, she steals the seed of the male, 8:43–48; John 4:7–27; 12:3–8, etc.). one cannot claim, based on textual [and] envelops them with her own Women are mentioned as role models evidence, that the New Testament seed of the fl esh. … She promises to of sacrifi ce and persistence (Mark Gospels inject exaggerated claims give earthly riches. … [She] believes 12:41–44; Luke 7:37–50; 15:8–10, of Jesus’ miracles. Nor do the extra- that she herself will be deifi ed. … et al.). The Gospels juxtapose their biblical texts reveal a Jesus who is She destroys what she has. … She faithfulness to the fearfulness of Jesus’ merely a teacher of wisdom. Finally, stains herself with blood at the time male followers (Matthew 27:55,56; we must also reject their assertion

enrichment / Fall 2008 97 that the biblical Gospels marginalize To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at 16. Gospel of Philip 26a; H-S 12:191. women while the noncanonical texts http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. 17. Gospel of Bartholomew 1:6,7; H-S 1:488. 18. Conversation of the Risen Jesus with the Apostles; H-S elevate the status of women based on NOTES 12:349. the very evidence they use to support 1. Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code (New York: Doubleday, 19. Epistula Apostolorum 3; H-S 1:192. their claims. In fact, not only does 2003), 231. 20. Acts of Paul 2; H-S 2:353. 2. Robert W. Funk, New Gospel Parallels, vol. 1,2 (Sonoma, 21. Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter 16; H-S 2:681,682. the ancient evidence fail to support Calif.: Polebridge Press, 1990), 3,4,25. 22. Acts of John 43; H-S 2:237. these four arguments, but it also 3. Richard Ostling, “Jesus Christ, Plain and Simple: A 23. Letter of Peter to Philip; H-S 12:348. diametrically opposes them. Trinity of New, Scholarly Books Tries To Strip Away the 24. Acts of Peter 47; H-S 2:281. Traditional Gospel Accounts of the Man From Nazareth,” 25. Ibid., 51; H-S 2:285. Those who are seeking truth have Time, 10 January 1994, 38. 26. Gospel of Truth 38:1–24; H-S 1:529,530. nothing to fear from the evidence. It is 4. For example, Jesus Seminar assertions and Da Vinci Code 27. Acts of Thomas 48; H-S 2:469. not only important to engage current popularity were likely what inspired the sensationalistic 28. Ibid., 25; H-S 2:455. issues at the evidential level, but it documentary, The Lost Tomb of Jesus, by Simcha 29. Ibid., 60; H-S 2:476. Jacobovici and James Cameron that was aired in prime 30. Ibid., 80; H-S 2:485,486. is also possible. Also, one does not time by the Discovery Channel in 2007. In this docu- 31. Ibid., 26; H-S 2:456. need to be an expert in apologetics to mentary, producers claimed to present incontrovertible 32. Ibid., 42; H-S 2:466; 69 and 70; H-S 2:480. be able to read the relevant texts and evidence that Jesus was married and had at least one 33. Gospel of Bartholomew 1:3; H-S 1:488. child by Mary Magdalene, the same claim made in The 34. Ibid., 1:19; H-S 1:489. provide evidentially based responses Da Vinci Code. People may access J.H. Charlesworth’s 35. Ibid., 2:4; H-S 1:492. The term tabernacle is used twice to detractors and to the faithful who devastating argument against the conclusions of the more for Mary in 2:8 [H-S 1:492] and 4:4 [H-S 1:495]. have legitimate questions. documentary at http://www.ptsem.edu/NEWS/talpiot- 36. Infancy Story of Thomas 2:1–4; H-S 1:392,393. tombsymposium.php. Charlesworth gives a brief report 37. Ibid., 13:1,2; H-S 1:396. A fi nal practical consideration is that on the results of the international Symposium on “After- 38. Arabic Infancy Gospel 24; H-S 1:409. many works that focus on exaggerated life and Burial Practices in Second Temple Judaism” held 39. Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew 19:1; H-S 1:410. reports of the miraculous, apocalyptic in Jerusalem on January 13–16, 2008. This report based 40. Acts of Pilate 5; H-S 1:452. 2 visions, and revelations do not focus on scientific grounds rejects each piece of evidence and 41. Gospel of Peter 9:35–37; H-S 1 :224. each conclusion presented in the documentary. 42. Ibid., 10:39,40; H-S 12:225. on the person and work of Jesus. 5. Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 233,234,245. John Dominic 43. Pistis Sophia 7 through 8; H-S 1:402,403. In this respect, much of modern Crosson, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography (San Francisco: 44. Gospel of Bartholomew 1:27; H-S 1:491. 2 Christian writing, preaching, and HarperSanFrancisco, 1994), 20,21,50. Also, Funk, The Five 45. Pistis Sophia; H-S 1:253,254; compare H-S 1 :364. Gospels (New York: Macmillan, 1993), 32,33. 46. Compare Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 233,234,238,239,244. teaching exhibits greater similarity to 6. Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 234,244. 47. H-S 2:992–395. extra-biblical documents than to the 7. Funk, The Gospel of Mark (Sonoma, Calif.: Polebridge, 48. Acts of Andrew 7; H-S 2:411. biblical documents it is supposed to 1991), 30–34. John Dominic Crossan, “The Search for 49. Acts of John 113; H-S 2:257. Jesus,” in The Search for Jesus: Modern Scholarship Looks 50. Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 245–247. emulate. Also, many reports of the at the Gospels, ed. Hershel Shanks (Washington, D.C.: 51. Gospel of Thomas 114; H-S 1:522. miraculous heard in Christian circles Biblical Archeology Review, 1994), 110,121–123,132. 52. H-S 1:342; H-S 12:393. today more closely resemble the Also, Crosson, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, 53. Gospel of Egyptians in Clement of Alexandria Stromateis 2 exaggerated reports of the miraculous 17,82,85,95,190. 3.91ff.; H-S 1:168; H-S 1 :211. 8. Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 238,239. Crosson, Jesus: A 54. Ibid., 3.63; H-S 1:166,167. that appear in extra-biblical (including Revolutionary Biography, 174. 55. Gospel of Philip 71; H-S 12:197, compare also Gospel of heretical) documents rather than their 9. Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 234. Funk, New Gospel Paral- Philip 78; H-S 12:198. less spectacular biblical counterparts. lels, 1,3,25. Funk, The Gospel of Mark, 11ff. Funk, The Five 56. Epistle of Peter to James 3:22; H-S 2:117. Gospels, 15,16,18,26. 57. Gospel of Philip 103; H-S 12:201. Consequently, these extra-biblical 10. For the purposes of this study, five main sources were 58. Book of Thomas; H-S 12:242,243. materials provide a helpful point of used: Edgar Hennecke and Wilhelm Schneemelcher, 59. Ibid., H-S 12:246. comparison that is valuable not only New Testament Apocrypha, vol. 1 (H-S 1) and 2 (H-S 2) 60. Epistle of Peter to James 3:23; H-S 2:117,118. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1963 and 1965). The revised 61. Dialogue of the Savior 90 through 91; H-S 12:310. for comparison to our ancient biblical edition of volume 1 (H-S 12) (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster/ 62. For a more complete treatment of the issue of women in documents, but also for the evaluation John Knox), 1991. Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and ministry, compare W.E. Nunnally, “Women in Ministry,” of the content of modern messages Gregor Wurst, The Gospel of Judas (Kasser) (Washington, http://www.centralfaithbuilders.com. Craig Keener, Paul, as well. D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2006). Also, April D. Women and Wives: Marriage and Women’s Ministry in DeConick, The Thirteenth Apostle: What the Gospel of the Letters of Paul (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1992), Judas Really Says (London: Continuum, 2007). 101–121. 11. Coptic Psalm-book II, 192; H-S 1:353,354. W.E. NUNNALLY, PH.D., is professor 12. Acts of John 93; H-S 2:227. of Early Judaism and Christian Origins 13. Ibid., 99; H-S 2:233. at Evangel University, Springfield, 14. Ibid., 101; H-S 2:234. Missouri. 15. H-S 12:322.

98 enrichment / Fall 2008

TTheheBible — Moving Past the Translation Controversy and Defending the Bible in an Ever-increasing Secular Society

BY RICHARD L. DRESSELHAUS

100 enrichment / Fall 2008 Gary Locke Bible — Can We Trust IIt?t?

Several years ago I read two papers about modern Hold your fi re. Don’tDon’t shoot. Give me translations. One was a summary of a doctoral opportunity to explain.explain. Her Here’s the deal. I have dissertation; the other was an article by a professor. good friends whoho are loyalloyal defenders of the They represented the same seminary. Both had carefully King James Version. I also have good friends researched the subject, and both had written with who argue the case for modern translations. scholarly passion. Nevertheless, they represented opposing sides of this controversy. I will give each paper a solid A. And I’m with my friends. Intentionally. Deliberately. This controversy has a long history and will not soon HThoughtfully. Reverently. disappear, if ever.

enrichment / Fall 2008 101 TThehe BBibleible — CanCanan WeWe TrTrust IIt?t?

with complete confi dence. The Bible Concerning the New Testament, they remains essentially the same Word have arranged texts of common origin that “men spoke from God as they and content into families — thus were carried along by the Holy Spirit” facilitating the analysis of alternative (2 Peter 1:21). readings. They have also provided a Following is historical, documentary, textual apparatus that allows even a and manuscript support for this bold casual reader to make a preliminary Through textual criticism … scholars have examined available manuscript readings and with confi dence have established a text so near to the original as to refute this objection. Sharpening the Focus Beyond this controversy is a pressing claim. This evidence demonstrates determination on particular readings need to reaffi rm the complete in observable ways the mystery and of choice. We need to be ever grateful reliability and unquestioning authority marvel of the incredible means and for the efforts of those who have of the Bible — regardless of which methods the Holy Spirit employed to handled the sacred text long before translation we choose. This is especially preserve and give us His Word. our day. true today because in many quarters Allow me to give a practical review the Bible is under sharp attack. Exploring the Boundaries of this subject. In a Sunday morning These questions are familiar: “Since Scripture is the fi nal and only message I enumerated the sins of all you have are copies of copies, authority for all we preach and the fl esh found in Galatians 5:19–21 how can you have any confi dence believe. Not only do we hold that (NIV). That afternoon I received a that the text now in use is anything God inspired all Scripture, but we also call from a listener: “Pastor, why did close to the original writings?” “You claim inerrancy for the autographs. you leave out ‘murderers’ (KJV)?” claim inerrancy and infallibility We must continually declare the He deserved an answer. His question for the original writings; but, since total reliability and unquestionable raised the very issues before us. Let these writings are likely lost forever, authority of Scripture; it is God’s me provide another illustration. Have is it logical to claim reliability and unchanging Word. you ever wondered what happened inspiration for the text now in use?” We owe incalculable gratitude to to the end of the Lord’s Prayer in the “Since there are so many translations all who have gone before us. Their NIV? “For thine is the kingdom, and of Scripture, and no two are in dedicated efforts have preserved the power, and the glory, forever. complete agreement, doesn’t that fact for us a text that is unprecedented Amen” (Matthew 6:13, KJV). discredit the Bible and undermine its among ancient writings concerning its Furthermore, what about the claim to reliability and authenticity?” accuracy and purity of transmission. inferences that we might draw from I present this article as a response You cannot miss God’s hand in this. statements given concerning Mark to such questions and with complete Preserving the biblical text must be 16:9–20 and John 7:53 through assurance that the Bible now in use is a priority of the church. The church’s 8:11 (NIV): “The most reliable early fully trustworthy — both in its entirety fi nest minds must relentlessly pursue manuscripts and other ancient as well as in its parts. the identity of a biblical text that is witnesses do not have. … ” What do Miraculously and yet observably, ever closer to the original writings. we say when our people observe that the Holy Spirit has preserved His For example, scholars have key words from Scripture — blood, Word through each generation so, been diligent in the discovery and fasting, and others (KJV) — have been in our day, we can handle the Bible preservation of biblical manuscripts. omitted? The people to whom we

102 enrichment / Fall 2008 preach need to know what this means. This copy, dated 100 B.C. — within Surveying the Centuries Before jumping to conclusions, let 500 years of the original manuscript Most scholars believe the 27 books me remind you that adding to is as — was nearly 1,000 years older than of the New Testament were written much a transgression as leaving out. any previously discovered manuscript between A.D. 48 and A.D. 100. But how These questions are more complex and and brought us much closer to the did the Early Church reach a consensus demanding than they might seem at day of Isaiah’s original writing. that these 27 books bore the mark of fi rst glance. But the real questions are Before my eyes lay a manuscript so divine inspiration and authority? As not as much about translations as they near to the Isaiah text the church early as A.D. 130, the church had likely are about the underlying Greek text had been using for centuries that accepted all four Gospels and 13 of and its accuracy. any discrepancies were deemed Paul’s epistles as canonical (passing Finally, my focus is primarily on the insignifi cant. (See sidebar Isaiah and the test of authenticity). Marcion, New Testament text because this is the Dead Sea Scrolls.) You cannot miss a doctrinal heretic, published his the center of most of the controversy. God’s sovereign hand in this. truncated (abbreviated) canonical Much that is of signifi cance in dealing This documented evidence points list in A.D. 140. This motivated the with the New Testament text has a to the total reliability of the text of church to pursue with greater diligence corresponding signifi cance in the Old. Scripture that we read today. The its own formulation of the New Let me illustrate. I will not forget discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls Testament canon. looking into the showcase at the has silenced many critics because In A.D. 180, Irenaeus mentioned Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem that they show the accurate transmission the four Gospels in their current contained the Book of Isaiah, a part of the scriptural text down through order. In 325, Eusebius of Caesarea of the Dead Sea Scrolls collection. the centuries. published a nearly complete list

Isaiah and the Qumran vs. Dead Sea Scrolls The Masoretic Text The Isaiah scrolls found at Qumran right). This forcibly demonstrated closed that gap to within 500 the accuracy with which scribes years of the original manuscript. copied sacred texts, and bolstered Of the 166 Hebrew words in Isaiah 53, Interestingly, when scholars compared our confi dence in the Bible’s textual only 17 letters in Dead Sea Scroll 1QIsb the MT of Isaiah to the Isaiah scroll integrity (see Yamauchi, 1972, differ from the Masoretic Text. of Qumran, the correspondence was p. 130). The Dead Sea Scrolls have 10 letters = spelling differences astounding. The texts from Qumran increased our confi dence that 4 letters = stylistic changes proved to be word-for-word identical faithful scribal transcription 3 letters = added word for “light” to our standard Hebrew Bible in substantially has preserved the (verse 11) more than 95 percent of the text. original content of Isaiah. 17 letters = no affect on biblical teaching The 5 percent of variation consisted primarily of obvious slips of the pen REFERENCES Gleason Archer, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody, 1974, p. 25 and spelling alterations (Archer, Yamauchi, Edwin (1972), The Stones and the Scriptures: An Evangelical Perspective (New York: Lippincott). 1974, p. 25). Further, there were no Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible Rev. Chicago: Moody, 1986, p. 382 major doctrinal differences between Copyright © 1995 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Taken from: “The Dead Sea Scrolls and Biblical Integrity” by the accepted and Qumran texts (see Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div. http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/266

enrichment / Fall 2008 103 TThehe BBibleible —CanCanan WeWe TrTrust IIt?t?

of New Testament books. In 367, Some believe that as many as 1,000 Uncial manuscripts were written on Athanasius of Alexandria issued a list people sought to produce editions vellum, a writing material made from that matches ours. (recensions) of the New Testament animal skins. The Vaticanus and the For nearly 1,500 years, faithful prior to the advent of the printing Sinaiticus contain nearly all of the scribes copied these precious writings press in the 15th century. Since all New Testament. from century to century not only in copy work was done by hand, any Minuscules (cursives) — 2,856: Greek, but also in the other languages reliable duplication of an editor’s work From the 10th to the 15th centuries. of their day. By A.D. 200, people could would be virtually impossible. Identifi ed by Arabic numeration read the New Testament in Syriac, Following is a brief description without the “0.” Here also, vellum was Coptic, and Latin; and, in a short — along with the number of copies the writing material. time, in Gothic, Armenian, Georgian, and the date — of the approximately Lectionaries (special readings used Ethiopic, Slavonic, and Arabic as well. 24,000 manuscripts an editor in the worship life of the church) Admittedly, the autographs — the (redactor) might have available to him — 2,403: Identifi ed by an “l” with handwork of the New Testament (using Bruce Metzger’s numbers).1 superscript numbers to indicate writers — have been lost to us, likely Papyri — 99: From A.D. 200 to individual manuscripts. forever. Some have argued that with the fi fth century. Papyri are identifi ed Versions (translations) — this admission the claim for a reliable with a “P” with superscript numbers approximately 2,400 in all of the and fully authoritative text is pointless. to indicate individual manuscripts. languages noted above, identifi ed However, the opposite is true. Through Papyri are writing materials made by abbreviation and superscript textual criticism (the science of working from a reed-like plant that grows along numbering to indicate individual with copies of available manuscripts the banks of the Nile. The Chester manuscripts: Latin = Lat.; Syriac = Syr.; to determine as nearly as possible Beatty papyri contain much of the Ethiopic = Eth., etc. what would have been the original Gospels and Acts, the Pauline epistles Church Fathers: Their quotations reading), scholars have examined and the Relevation. from the New Testament comprise available manuscript readings and Uncials (capitals) — 306: From the the balance of the material used by with confi dence have established a 2nd to the 10th centuries. Identifi ed the editor. They, too, are identifi ed text so near to the original as to refute by alphabetization and Arabic by abbreviation: Ambrose = Am.; this objection. numerations, that is, “B” or “03.” Augustine = Aug.; Eusebius = Eub., etc. Combined with symbols and signs, these identifying designations form the textual apparatus, Manuscript Evidence for Ancient Writings providing the reader with possible alternative readings. Author Written Earliest Time Span Number of One might ask why the Holy Fragment/copy in Years Manuscripts Spirit did not miraculously preserve Caesar 100 to 44 B.C. A.D. 900 1,000 10 the original autographs. What if Plato 427 to 347 B.C. A.D. 900 1,200 7 He had? Imagine the veneration? Thucydides 460 to 400 B.C. A.D. 900 1,300 8 The inordinate preoccupation? The Tacitus A.D. 100 A.D. 1100 1,000 20 idolatry? The message of the words themselves might well have been lost. Suetonius A.D. 75 to 160 A.D.950 800 8 Instead, the Holy Spirit has given us Homer (Iliad) 900 B.C. 400 B.C. 500 643 a voluminous amount of collaborative New Testament A.D. 40 to 100 A.D. 125 25 to 50 24,000 writings. Sincere people can examine these extant (available) texts and Information in this chart can be found in various sources. This chart was adapted from: determine those closest to the Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler, 1976, p. 307; and Evidence That Demands a original. Even so, an exact duplication Verdict, by Josh McDowell, 1979, pp. 42,43. is impossible.

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Let me catch the heartbeat of this follow, Erasmus’ text-type was the basis may use the name Jesus, another the miraculous preservation of these for the Greek New Testament used by name Lord, and yet another the name manuscripts by citing the following: the Reformers: Luther’s Bible, Tyndale’s Christ. A scribe might decide to use the Tacitus wrote the Annals of Imperial Bible, the Geneva Bible, the Bishop full designation, Lord Jesus Christ. The Rome in A.D. 160. There is only one Bible, and the Cloverdale Bible. original author, however, may have copy from the 11th century, a gap Interestingly, Elzevir, one of these used only one name for Jesus. Textual of 9 centuries. There are only nine early editors, included in the preface to critics call this practice confl ation. In some cases, this practice leads to It is folly to place English translations side an expanded and elongated text. This illustrates how complex the by side and argue based on omissions or editor’s task was. additions. Ample evidence shows that in the few passages where there appears copies from the 10th, 11th, and 12th his second edition these words: “The to be a serious challenge in a given centuries of Josephus’ The Jewish Wars, text which is received by all, in which text of Scripture (Mark 16:9–20, written in the fi rst century. That, too, nothing is changed or corrupted”; for example), no Bible doctrine is is a gap of 9 centuries. Homer wrote hence, the phrase Textus Receptus or the threatened or incomplete. The rarity of the Iliad (the bible of the ancient Received text. This is the text-type for these signifi cant challenges to the text of Greeks) in 800 B.C. There are 600 the King James Version. Scripture is further evidence of God’s copies from the 2nd century available Another factor plays into this watchful eye over His Word. today, a 10-century gap. The New unfolding drama. In about A.D. 400, Testament was written between A.D. the Roman Empire split into two parts: Identifying the Streams 48 and A.D. 100. In contrast, we have The West, with its primary academic While other editors fi gure in the a small fragment of papyri from John center in Alexandria, and the East, more modern period (since mid-19th 18 (the dialogue between Jesus and with its primary academic center in century), none had a more profound Pilate on the subject of truth) that Antioch of Syria. In the West, monks impact on New Testament textual scholars agree could be as early as A.D. copied New Testament manuscripts in study than B.F. Westcott and F.J.A. 120, a 20-year gap. The conclusion Latin. In the East, monks copied New Hort, dons (teachers) at the School is clear: Of all ancient writings, Testament manuscripts in Greek. For of Divinity at Cambridge. Their none is so well-attested as the New some, the work was tedious and done work produced both a Greek edition Testament. This is clear evidence of carelessly. Others performed their of the New Testament as well as a God’s providential care for His Word. work as a sacred charge. delineation of methodology that they (See sidebar Manuscript Evidence for I mention this only to show used in their editorial work. To this Ancient Writings, page 104.) the complexity of the matter. No day, many people hold their work in two manuscripts are identical. high esteem. Finding Consolidation The scribes’ eyes and hands were Fundamental to their work was In 1516, nearly 75 years after Johannes sometimes not that sure and the identifi cation of a text-type Gutenberg printed his 42-line Bible predictable. This is why editorial strikingly different from that (in Latin) in Mainz, Germany, work on the text of Scripture is initiated by Erasmus and those who Erasmus of Rotterdam printed the complex and challenging. In some followed in his steps. Westcott and fi rst Greek New Testament (with Latin cases, scribes would puzzle over Hort gave credence to two fourth- translation). Pope Leo X, an enemy different manuscript readings. century uncials: the Sinaiticus and of Martin Luther, commissioned this Rather than choose one of several, the Vaticanus. They believed the text work. This marked a new day in the they would include each of the in these two manuscripts was closer quest to determine and preserve the different readings and combine to the original autographs. Though integrity of the New Testament. them into one reading. briefer, and in some cases more While other editors were quick to Let me illustrate: One manuscript crude, they remained convinced that

106 enrichment / Fall 2008 Resource List this text-type was more reliable and The King James Version authentic than the Erasmus text- If you are an advocate of the type. They also argued that the early King James Version (or one of For those wishing to pursue this subject, I papyri fragments and the testimony its variations), you will probably recommend the following materials. Some of Early Church fathers served base your case on the of them will assume the superiority of the as collaborative evidence to the following considerations. Westcott and Hort theory, while others will superior quality of the text-type in First, can anyone be confi dent of represent a challenge to that theory. these two ancient documents. the reliability and trustworthiness Thus, a second stream of text of these two ancient manuscripts Aland, Kurt, and Barbara Aland. 1989. The emerged. This new stream is usually (Sinaiticus and Vaticanus) so honored Text of the New Testament. Grand referred to as the neutral or Alexandrian by Westcott and Hort, the fathers of Rapids: Eerdmans. text, while the earlier text-type is the modern translation movement? It Burgon, John. 2007. The Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels Vindicated and Scholars have been diligent in the discovery Established. New York: Cosimo Classics. Original edition, London, 1896. and preservation of biblical manuscripts. Epp, Eldon Jay, and Gordon D. Fee. 1993. Studies in the Theory and Method of identifi ed by one of the following seems the NIV translators had these New Testament Textual Criticism. Grand descriptions: Byzantine text, Received two manuscripts in mind when they Rapids: Eerdmans. text, Traditional text, Majority text, referred to “the two most reliable Greenlee, J. Harold. 1995. Introduction to Antiochian text, and Syrian text (Hort). early manuscripts” (Mark 16:9–20), New Testament Textual Criticism, Revised Finally, we get to the essence of the and “the earliest and most reliable Edition. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson. controversy over Bible translations. manuscripts” (John 7:53 through Martin, Alfred. 1972. “A Critical Examination (Again, our focus is primarily on the 8:11). John Burgon, a contemporary of the Westcott-Hort Textual Theory.” In New Testament text.) The key question and sharp critic of Westcott and Which Bible? 3d ed., ed. David Otis Fuller, is not: What translation do I prefer? Hort, challenged the confi dence 144–173. Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids but, On which text-type is my choice of these Cambridge professors placed International Publications. translation based? Again, variations in in these uncials. Burgon cites, in his Metzger, Bruce. 1964. The Text of the translations (assuming an acceptable opinion, numerous contradictions New Testament. New York: Oxford level of expertise) are primarily stylistic between these two manuscripts. He University Press. and a matter of preference. saw convincing evidence of what Wallace, Daniel B. 1994. “The Majority-Text he felt indicated scribal tamperings Theory: History, Methods and Following the Arguments throughout. While modern scholars Critique. “ Journal of Evangelical Since the controversy is irresolvable, at usually dismiss him as reactionary, Theological Society 37: 185–215. least in my opinion, wisdom dictates we do not need to quickly dismiss Much work is to be done in the fi eld of that we need to sharpen our rationale his work. textual criticism (the quest after a Greek for the choices we make concerning Second, since 95 percent of all Testament that resembles as closely our perspective on Bible translations. extant (known) manuscripts are of as possible the autographs [original There are good — although not often the Byzantine text-type (on which writings]). For those who pursue this articulated — reasons to pick one the KJV is based), does that not quest with scholarly excellence, humility, text-type over another. speak volumes as to the witness of and reliance on the Holy Spirit, their work It is folly to place English the church through the centuries? will be greeted with gratitude by the translations side by side and argue Is it reasonable to assume that generations to come who love and honor based on omissions or additions. The the church was without the most the Word of God. real question concerns the integrity of reliable text-type until Constantine the underlying Greek text. I will come Von Tischendorf almost accidentally RICHARD L. DRESSELHAUS, D.MIN., San Diego, back to that later. discovered the Sinaiticus at California

enrichment / Fall 2008 107 Is the Bible Intolerant?

Amy Orr-Ewing (InterVarsity Press, 143 pp., it is not to be trusted.” concerning the Bible: What paperback) Much of Orr-Ewing’s about all the wars in the book deals with the Bible? What about the holy as someone ever questioned you reliability of the biblical books from other religions? about your belief in the Bible and manuscripts. The author Isn’t the Bible out of date Hits reliability? Amy Orr-Ewing had clearly explains why we on sex? that experience, only it wasn’t from her can have full confi dence In the concluding chapter, acquaintances; it was from her theology because of the way Orr-Ewing rightly states, “This professors at Oxford. They weren’t simply today’s Bible has come is where we come to the checking her biblical knowledge; they to us. The sheer number of manuscript heart of the matter: God is a real, personal were challenging her faith. But she stood copies available today compared with being, revealed to us in the person of fi rm in her faith and her belief in the the number of manuscripts from other Christ. Whatever questions or arguments inspiration of Scripture. Orr-Ewing is ancient writings is amazing. That fact alone we may have, in the end it all comes down currently the training director for RZIM has provided scholars with a plethora of to whether this is the case. Is Jesus real? Zacharias Trust. opportunities for manuscript comparisons. Can I know Him? Can He really deliver me Over the years many people have asked Concerning these biblical manuscripts, from my own sin?” Orr-Ewing questions about the Bible. She she answers the question: Has the Bible This book is a valuable resource for believes, “A conviction that the Bible must been changed in transmission? Many teaching believers about the inerrancy be wrong, held by those at the highest people have pointed to the variants in the and reliability of Scripture. It needs to be in level of academic excellence, seems, in available manuscripts as a sign of textual every Christian’s library. turn, to have been embraced at a popular corruption. But Orr-Ewing effectively level by many people who have barely refutes that argument. Reviewed by Richard L. Schoonover, associate editor, glanced at the Bible but who feel sure that The author also deals with other topics Enrichment journal, Springfield, Missouri.

St. Catherine’s Monastery in the mid- Fourth, the Byzantine text-type is etc.), or the neutral, Alexandrian text- 19th century, and that the Vaticanus more complete; it does not exclude type, then consider the following: gathered dust on a library shelf in verses, words, and phrases that First, Erasmus, and those who the Vatican until modern scholars translators sometimes omit in modern immediately followed in his steps, resurrected it to signifi cance? Has the translations. Generally, this text-type is used only a limited number of late church been without the best witness smoother and more easily read. manuscripts (none prior to the 11th until the last 200 years? Finally, is it reasonable to set aside century) for their editorial work. Third, the claim of most modern a text-type that has served the church Scholars hold that Erasmus, lacking scholars that the early Papyri and of every century until the 19th? For Greek manuscripts for a part of the the post-Nicene Fathers all refl ect many, to do so is asking too much. Book of Revelation, translated into the Byzantine text-type is also yours Greek from a Latin manuscript. to challenge. If so, the Byzantine Modern translations Scholars view this as a radical text-type may, indeed, have a history Conversely, if you are an advocate of departure from acceptable editorial that antedates the later date scholars a modern translation (ASV, RSV, NEB, work. Also, much of the manuscript usually assign to it (circa A.D. 400). NIV, UNIV, NASV, NKJ with footnotes, evidence referenced earlier was not

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available to these 16th-century editors. The prophet Amos warned both his Second, some think that the hearers and the church today about Byzantine text-type is refl ective of a famine, not of water and food, but what scholars call confl ation. That is, “a famine of hearing the words of the over the centuries scribes in the East Lord” (Amos 8:11). Unfortunately, the (who copied Greek manuscripts) proliferation of translations has brought were prone to harmonization — a corresponding loss of the familiar ring making the text more readable and of Scripture. This is regrettable. Every understandable. If, for example, spiritual leader needs to standardize the one manuscript spoke of fasting and use of a given translation to gain back another spoke of prayer, the scribe some of what has been tragically lost. would use both fasting and prayer. We dare not lose the familiar ring of For this reason, modern translations Scripture in our ears and in our hearts. that follow a neutral or Alexandrian text-type do not have the words and Conclusion phrases that many scholars believe The controversy, if it leads to to be scribal additions that were not subject with greater accuracy and anything other than serious study and in the original text. This accounts scholarship, but none will care more refl ection, will be counterproductive for many of the deletions found in deeply than I about the integrity, and harmful to the unity of the modern translations. authority, inspiration, and inerrancy church. It will also adversely affect Third, some argue no early papyri of Scripture. While my study has our witness to the inspiration and or a post-Nicene Father (prior to A.D. perhaps been elementary, it has given infallibility of Scripture to those 400) refl ects anything other than a me a deeper appreciation for the outside the church. It is time to accept what is inevitable (the advent of a The modern church must not make the variety of translations), recognize that some questions will remain controversy over translations its greatest unanswered, and then understand concern but must focus on the biblical that hostility and judgmentalism are detrimental to the clear witness of illiteracy that is permeating the church. God’s people. It is time to bury the hatchet. If neutral, Alexandrian text-type. Thus, supernatural ways in which God has you shoot, I trust the shot will fall the weight of history falls on the side preserved for us His eternal Word. harmlessly beyond the scope of those of the text-type on which modern Pastors need to explain to their who could be harmed. translations are based. people how the providential hand His Word will endure both now and Fourth, scholarship in the fi eld of of God is clearly demonstrated by forever. Blessed be His Name. textual criticism over the past 150 the miraculous means with which years has generally supported both the the Holy Spirit directed men in the theory and text-type fi rst popularized preservation of a fully reliable and RICHARD L. DRESSELHAUS, D.MIN., by Westcott and Hort. Greek students authoritative Scripture. The story is is an executive presbyter and former in seminaries across America usually engaging and reassuring. With more senior pastor, First Assembly of God, San Diego, California. use this Greek text and are taught information comes deeper assurance. this theory. A second concern is this: The To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. modern church must not make the Touching the Heart controversy over translations its greatest NOTE 1. See Lee Strobel’s interview with Bruce Metzger in Lee I share these thoughts out of deep concern but must focus on the biblical Strobel, The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, concern. Others might treat this illiteracy that is permeating the church. 1998).

110 enrichment / Fall 2008

By Rob Starner

112 enrichment / Fall 2008 The earth turns on its orbit for You. TThe oceans ebb and fl ow for You. The birds sing for You. The sun rises and it sets for You. The stars come out for You. WouldWould it sursurpriseprise youyou ifif I told youyou we sangsang this in church last Sunday? It would be natural to understand the referent of these attributions of praise to be the One to whom we owe our life, our love, and our devotion. Can I let you in on a secret? I did not copy the opening praise from a worship chorus. I copied it from the fi nal paragraph of Rhonda Byrne’s recent best-selling book: The Secret.1 In her book, the recipient of these adulations is not God — at least not God as we know Him. The recipient of the worship is You. Before we write this off as New Age nonsense that will fi zzle of its own accord, we would do well to consider that: (1) The Secret presents itself innocuously as a self-help tutorial; (2) The Secret enjoys the endorsement of several infl uential people, including Oprah Winfrey and Larry King; (3) The Secret proclaims an alluring message; (4) many businesses are using The Secret in their employee motivational training; and (5) many Christians in our churches lack a grounding in God’s Word that would enable them to easily discern truth from error. In view of the magnitude of exposure The Secret has had, those in our churches who may have attended motivational seminars sponsored by their employers or who have read the book, need to know the dangers of The Secret’s teaching. They also need to know how to respond to their employers and fellow employees who might have questions about this motivational teaching. This calls for an informed, biblical response.

enrichment / Fall 2008 113 The Secret’s Success disciples. Readers want to know: What’s in What is the secret of The Secret’s success? it for me? Why is this secret worth knowing? The rapid and widespread impact of Byrne’s The promotional teasers offer insight: The Secret derives from viral marketing “Without exception, every human being has techniques that utilize pre-existing social the ability to transform any weakness or networks (businesses, Web sites, churches, suffering into strength, power, perfect peace, and celebrities) to publicize the book. health, and abundance. … The Secret explains But these astute advertising venues are with simplicity the law that is governing all only partial answers. The real answer lies lives, and offers the knowledge of how to in a brilliant marketing strategy: choosing create — intentionally and effortlessly — a a compelling title, and appealing to a joyful life. … This is the secret to life.”2 universally perceived need. The news The Secret promises to deliver is The title, The Secret, functions as a ostensibly good news: “life-transforming”; powerful, double-edged sword. It empowers “untapped power”; “how you can have, be, both the author and the reader. Knowing or do anything you want”; “[bringing] joy information that others do not know to every aspect of your life”; “eradicating generates feelings of superiority and power. disease”; “acquiring massive wealth”; and Besides, people have an innate need to “achieving … [the] impossible.”3 These be part of a group, especially an in-the- claims address the universal problem of know group. The rhetorical power of humanity’s deep sense of weakness and this information exchange derives from concomitant desire for autonomy. The the fact each of these cravings capitalizes solution Byrne offers, however, is akin to on the other. Thus, we have a method putting a band-aid on a severed limb. of information exchange in which both Where does God fi t in all of this? Since author and reader are paid for their part of people have a deep sense of weakness and a the transaction. The reader (who knows belief in a Higher Power, the quest to fi nd and the secret) has opportunity to become an understand this Higher Power is sensible, if empowered transmitter of knowledge in a only for pragmatic reasons. The Secret refl ects The Secret bears recognizable affi nities with various overlapping theological perspectives that extend as far back as the Garden of Eden: Word-Faith theology, New Age thought, Christian Science, New Thought, theological liberalism, Eastern Religions, Gnosticism, Hermetic traditions, and what we might best label as serpent theology.

limitless number of future transactions. All one such quest. Although Byrne has marketed this makes an incredibly compelling market this book as the latest and greatest (she refers strategy that has yielded astounding sales. to its theme as “The Secret to life”) of the While provocative titles sell books, only self-help genre,4 this work belongs in the convincing arguments make committed religious category because it clearly promotes

114 enrichment / Fall 2008 a religious ideology. Thus, a careful comparison of the book’s contents with its title and packaging reveals that what its readers see is not what they get. And what readers get is not a newly discovered truth, but a repackaged, long-standing lie.5

The Secret’s Sources Byrne admits indebtedness to numerous sources. Unfortunately, she is often not forthright in her identifi cation and use of specifi c sources.6 Particularly problematic are her unsupported assertions A careful comparison of the book’s contents with that numerous world-renowned its title and packaging reveals that what its readers people from many walks of life have delivered the secret in their see is not what they get. And what readers poetry, music, paintings, and get is not a newly discovered truth, but philosophies.7 Nevertheless, in spite of Byrne’s disingenuous handling a repackaged, long-standing lie. of source material, The Secret bears recognizable affi nities with various humanity’s ability to discover the every person is an object in an infi nite overlapping theological perspectives Divine; appeal to science; emphasize number of universes. that extend as far back as the Garden feeling; and are concerned with Second, although Byrne and of Eden: Word-Faith theology, New human perfectibility. In spite of liberalism put confi dence in humanity’s Age thought, Christian Science, New these parallels, however, Byrne’s ability to discover God/Universe, both Thought, theological liberalism, approach often stretches these shared the map they trust to show the way and Eastern Religions, Gnosticism, notions to the limits of credulity. the vehicle they trust to take them there, Hermetic traditions, and what we First, even though the approaches of differ signifi cantly. Liberalism uses might best label as serpent theology. A liberalism and Byrne are both man- the Bible as its map and scientifi c and brief comparison of the major tenets centered, they do not have identical historical inquiry as its vehicle. Byrne’s of liberalism with the worldview men in the center: For liberalism, approach takes a much more skeptical presented in The Secret reveals mankind stands at the center; for view of the Bible than does liberalism. several lines of defense Christians Byrne, each person stands (alone) For her, the Bible is merely one among can use in combating the infl uence at the center of his universe. An many more or less valuable maps. As of this false teaching.8 unspoken corollary of this paradigm for the vehicle, since you are at once is that people (other than yourself) Alpha and Omega, the starting point Byrne and Liberalism: To Infi nity have signifi cance only in that they and the destination coincide, so you do and Beyond happen to be objects in your universe not need a vehicle. The secret religion Byrne offers over which you are master. A second Third, liberalism and Byrne appeal shares several theological postulates unspoken corollary is that in your to science, but to different ends. with classical liberalism. The neighbor’s universe, you are merely Liberalism appeals to science and parallels between these hetero- an object over which he is master. reason to separate fact from what its gospels9 are striking: both are Both of these corollaries presuppose faulty presuppositions had relegated human-centered; put confi dence in as many universes as people, and that to myth in the Bible. Byrne appeals

enrichment / Fall 2008 115 to science to prove the law of attraction. perfection. You are magnifi cence. You are the Unfortunately, the authorities she cites have master of the universe.”12 spurious credentials, and she bases her case on Sin is not a part of this pseudo-world. a radically decontextualized misinterpretation But we must mention sin because it is an of the principle from quantum theory that “the indispensable constituent of the real world. Sin observer determines the outcome.” In quantum made knowledge of God an inaccessible secret. physics, this expression means that the physical But God refused to hide in secrecy. Instead, He (not psychical) act of observation interferes with poured himself out in revelation. In the Bible, the outcome. With no legitimate justifi cation, God is letting humanity in on the biggest secret Byrne takes the expression to mean your thoughts of all time. determine the outcome and argues that quantum Instead of looking to Adam, we must look physics teaches the law of attraction. to Jesus Christ. The fi rst Adam failed in Fourth, liberalism and Byrne emphasize his charge to point us to God — as did all feeling, but, again, we must make an important of his descendents, both individually and distinction. For liberalism, feeling is not collectively. Only the second Adam — Jesus concerned with sensation, whether we are Christ, the God-man — can lead us to God. happy, sad, or angry. Instead, it involves a The direction of approach is telling. In deep awareness of the nearness of God — I in our quest for God, we discover that He has God, God in me, God in everything.10 Byrne been pursuing us all along. How does He get generously offers both nuances on the religious our attention? He recognizes our weakness smorgasbord she presents in The Secret. and offers us His strength — with one catch: Fifth, religious liberals believe that every day, We must use it His way, never for exalting and in every way, society is becoming better. ourselves, but for serving others. Thus, This expectant, self-confi dent, self-suffi cient knowledge of God comes through relationship worldview reaches into every portal of society. with His Son, Jesus. Believers both objectively Even in the fi eld of psychology, humanity is witness (Scripture) and subjectively experience touted as having the ability to heal its own this relationship (Christ indwelling the disorders. In 1910, French pharmacist and believer). Instead of worshiping ourselves or psychologist Émile Coué founded a method retreating into a pseudo-cosmos in which we of psychotherapy based on autosuggestion. are master of the universe, we need to lose He taught his patients to repeat in mantra-like ourselves. For only in self-denial do we fi nd fashion: “Every day, and in every way, I am true empowerment and satisfaction (Matthew becoming better and better.”11 Those who read 16:24 and parallels). The Secret should note the striking parallels this Byrne, on the other hand, urges us to fi nd self-reliant, psychological pep talk has to the ourselves. The Secret projects health, wealth, therapies Byrne suggests. and happiness as a human entitlement. Readers are encouraged to create feelings of happiness Evaluation by thinking happy thoughts. Beyond Byrne’s In this discussion, I have not said one word expressed desire that everyone know the secret, about sin. That is because Byrne never mentions her overwhelming emphasis is on what the the concept. To understand The Secret, Byrne secret can do for the person who knows it. consistently urges us to look to ourselves. The book enlists numerous testimonials Why is looking inside ourselves an effective claiming this esoteric knowledge is the source strategy for Byrne? She tells us: “You are God of the person’s dramatically improved health, in a physical body. … You are all power. You wealth, or happiness. This message resonates are all wisdom. You are all intelligence. You are with prosperity theology. The parallels are

116 enrichment / Fall 2008 striking and instructive.13 choice, and whatever you choose grants you instant autonomy. Byrne’s understanding of God is to think will become your life The geographical problem is seen nowhere more clearly than experience. Nothing can come into that this is a pseudo-cosmos. It is a in the defi nition she offers in the your experience unless you summon logical impossibility. It demands as summary of chapter one: “The it through persistent thoughts.”15 many universes as people. It requires Great Secret of Life is the law of Many things need to be said about a single person to be a myriad of attraction.” By law of attraction, Byrne these citations. Let me mention two different individuals in everyone means that your thoughts have a or three. First, the capitalization of else’s universe. The moral problem frequency that they send out to the “The Great Secret of Life” hints at is that it obliterates the distinction universe; the thoughts magnetically personhood, but the law of attraction between right and wrong. People attract like thoughts and bring them is life-less; it has power, but zero judge everything from this god’s back to you. The good news is that by volition. It is simply at the disposal perspective. Were everyone to become knowing this Secret, you can begin of the user. It can make not a single Secret disciples, the moral situation in to attract positive circumstances demand regarding its use — whether the real world would be this: Everyone into your life by sending positive for moral or immoral purposes. It does what is “right in his own eyes.” thoughts out into the universe. You name Pastors must present a biblical worldview because it offers it. You claim it. Your thoughts — and only something of far deeper import than pleasure. A biblical your thoughts — are worldview offers meaning and purpose. the limit. Whatever you think about, you can bring bears no judge’s gavel. I can use it for The true God has already addressed about. You are the master of your whatever purpose I deem appropriate. this issue (Judges 17:6; 21:25; Proverbs own destiny. That is good because in this pseudo- 21:2, KJV). People may choose to live The bad news is that you — and you cosmos, I am god. in a pseudo-world, but that will not alone — are completely responsible Someone might counter, “But you alter the fact the only true God will for the bad things that happen in cannot use it to hurt your life. One purveyor of The Secret people because ©2008 Jonny Hawkins addresses this. Here is his conclusion: that would be “You are going to immediately say, immoral.” In ‘I didn’t attract the car accident. … ’ I whose judgment? am here to be a little bit in your face The point is that and to say, ‘Yes, you did attract it.’ This in an impurely is one of the hardest concepts to get, fabricated, person- but once you have accepted it, it is centered universe, life transforming.”14 where other Now watch how he addresses people are merely naysayers: objects in the “You have a choice right now. … universe (also at Do you want to believe … that you the disposal of the have no control over circumstances? master) and the Or, do you want to believe and know person is god, not that your life experience is in your a single action of hands and that only all good can this god (namely “What you said about heaven was interesting. come into your life because that you) can be called I’m gonna see if it checks out with Oprah.” is the way you think? You have a into question. This

enrichment / Fall 2008 117 The themes in The Secret are not merely decorative hood ornaments to a Christian theology; they are the engine that drives the pagan bus.

judge their actions and motivations in the impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which real world. Like Belshazzar of old, they will is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of be “weighed in the balances, and … found God is coming” (Colossians 3:5,6). wanting” (Daniel 5:27, KJV). Paul gives these injunctions in the context of Second, these citations address one’s community. In the real world, we are all part of one notion of powerlessness with the implicit universe. Our actions have moral implications in promise of giving the convert control terms of how they affect our neighbors. The true over life — the desire to be God with no God has defi ned what is moral and immoral, restraints, no conditions, and with absolute and the consequences of each path. autonomy. Sadly, even Christians carry this Finally, this law-of-attraction principle carnal impulse until they receive their full functions in much the same way as the faith sanctifi cation at death or when Christ returns principle of Word-Faith theology. Word-Faith for His church. The apostle Paul urged us to: theology claims this faith principle works for “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs unbelievers as well as believers. The Secret to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, outdoes this in two ways: (1) it extends the power to the thoughts, not merely verbal confession; and (2) it excludes the Christian Resource List God from the equation. Conclusion Forbes, Cheryl. 1983. The Religion of Byrne’s belief that you are the master of the Power. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. universe takes liberalism’s affi rmation of the Garlow, James L. and Rick Marschall. 2007. imminence of God and stretches it to the The Secret Revealed: Exposing the Truth About most extreme view imaginable: God is not the Law of Attraction. New York: Faith Words. are God Almighty. You determine not merely Grenz, Stanley J. 1996. A Primer on your future, but the future. You not only call Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. the shots, you make the call. Nothing is right or Grenz, Stanley J. and Roger E. Olson. wrong until you declare it so. 1992. 20th-Century Theology: God and the On careful reading, the only secret we World in a Transitional Age. Downers Grove: discover is that The Secret is not what it InterVarsity Press. appears to be at fi rst. It is not a self-help Gungor, Ed. 2007. There Is More to the collection of tips for success in life;16 it is, in Secret. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. fact, an altar call. It is an invitation to accept McKim, Donald. 1985. What Christians yourself as Lord and Savior. Believe About the Bible. Nashville: Thomas This new secret sounds remarkably like the Nelson Publishers. old lie presented to Adam and Eve — and Walker, James K. and Bob Waldrep. 2007. an alarming number of their descendents. The Truth Behind the Secret: A Reasoned Thus, we must conclude that the overall Response to the Runaway Bestseller. Oregon: theological system endorsed by The Secret Harvest House Publishers. is fundamentally incompatible withhistoric Christianity. The themes in The Secret are not

118 enrichment / Fall 2008 merely decorative hood ornaments and His delivering power in the buffet- 7. Byrne, The Secret, 4. to a Christian theology; they are the ing storms of life brings awareness 8. For excellent discussions on the influences of some of the more specific sources mentioned in this list, see Garlow and engine that drives the pagan bus. that God did not design this world as Marschall, The Secret Revealed, 215–41. For the similarities The most insidiously pernicious lie my fi nal destination. It brings the con- with Word-Faith, see my article, “Prosperity Theology,” in The tendered by The Secret may well be its fi dent expectation that He has a much Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, naive, amusement-park approach to better place prepared for me — and ed. Stanley Burgess (New York: Routledge, 2006). 9. Paul uses the adjective-noun configuration (heteron life. It operates in a pseudo-world, for all who put their trust in Him. evangelion — another gospel of a different kind) to where people leisurely amble through describe the religion of the Judaizers (Galatians 1:6). No the attractions, eat popcorn, and enjoy sooner are the words out of his mouth than he realizes he ROB STARNER, PH.D., profes- has just used the term evangelion (meaning good news) to the rides. But in the real world what sor of Greek and New Testament, describe this man-centered approach to God. To repair this, happens when the ride a person believes Southwestern Assemblies of God Paul immediately inserts a corrective statement, “which is will give him ultimate pleasure and University, Waxahachie, Texas. not allo” (another [one] of the same kind, verse 7). In this clause, Paul uses the adjective allo (another [one, thing, satisfaction is permanently closed to To comment on this article go to Enrichment journal forum at matter] of the same kind) as a noun substitute to avoid him, leaving him without hope of http://forums.ag.org/enrichmentjournal. using even one more time the term evangelion to describe ever experiencing the satisfaction that the false one (referencing the religion of the Judaizers it alone can bring? If you answered, NOTES without reapplying the term good news. The grammar 1. Rhonda Byrne, The Secret (New York: Atria Books, 2006). and syntax of this sentence suggest that Paul is saying: “He leaves the park,” you are correct. 2. From The Secrethomepage at http://www.thesecret.tv “When we compare the truly good news with the religion Every 16 minutes someone in this (accessed February 27, 2008). offered by the Judaizers, we are not comparing apples country tragically makes the conscious 3. Byrne, The Secret. These promises are found on the front with apples. The former is an instrument of edification and flap and back of the dust jacket. life; the latter an instrument of destruction and death.” 17 decision to leave the park forever. 4. Byrne, The Secret, p. ix. Capitalization in the original is as Paul felt that the religion taught by the Judaizers was so Last year a pastor’s son close to me cited. This expression suggests not merely one among utterly incompatible with the gospel revealed to him by tragically made the conscious decision many secrets to life, but the secret to life. the resurrected and glorified Christ that he could not with 5. For thorough critiques from a sound, biblical perspective, forethought bring himself to describe that system as good to do so. I believe the distorted see James L. Garlow and Rick Marschall, The Secret Revealed: news. To offer a synopsis of the Judaizers is beyond the worldview presented in The Secret Exposing the Truth About the Law of Attraction (New York: scope of this article, but we need to note that it was as is partly responsible. As pastors, we FaithWords, 2007) and James K. Walker and Bob Waldrep, man-centered as the religious views offered in The Secret. must seek to dismantle this faulty The Truth Behind the Secret: A Reasoned Response to the 10. The equation of religion with feeling traces to Friedrich Runaway Bestseller (Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House Publish- Schleiermacher. For a discussion on this, see Stanley J. construct in evangelizing, preaching, ers, 2007). These works document numerous instances of Grenz and Roger E. Olson, 20th Century Theology: God teaching, and counseling. statements taken out of context or fabricated to bolster and the World in a Transitional Age (Downers Grove: Pastors must present a biblical support for particular assertions. Walker and Waldrop do a InterVarsity Press, 1992), 39–62. laudable job of critiquing Byrne’s mishandling of quantum 11. Encyclopedia Britannica Online at http://www.britannica. worldview because it offers something physics. Garlow and Marschall primarily object to the com/eb/article-9026549/Emile-Coue (accessed February of far deeper import than pleasure. “dishonest nature of the book” (p.239). For an approach 27, 2008). I find no particular fault with the words A biblical worldview offers meaning that focuses on the underlying need that The Secret themselves. But it seems clear that the idea behind them addresses (albeit wrongly), see Ed Gungor, There Is More to was I am making myself better and better by repeating this and purpose. It shows us that we the Secret (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007). mantra, not I am becoming better and better because I am can only fi nd true satisfaction and 6. Readers should find it disingenuous that although Byrne surrendering myself to the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. joy in a relationship with God and acknowledges Jerry and Esther Hicks in a list of those 12. Byrne, The Secret, 164,183. wholesome relationships with people. she thanks for their inspirational teachings, she fails to 13. For a fuller treatment of this aspect, see my article, mention that the Hickses have been teaching “the secret” “Prosperity Theology,” in The Encyclopedia of Pentecostal People need a theology that is for more than 20 years and that their material was a and Charismatic Christianity, ed. Stanley Burgess (New not shaken by the tragedies of life. significant part of the original DVD version of The Secret York: Routledge, 2006). This theology can only be found in (for which the Hickses received half a million dollars in 14. Byrne, The Secret, 27,28. Italics original. royalties). Readers need to note that Byrne edited the 15. Ibid., 28. a personal relationship with Jesus Hickses out of the extended version DVD, and apart from a 16. I am not minimizing the value of self-help books. I Christ and the worldview refl ected in single reference in the aforementioned list, the Hickses are am merely suggesting that promoters of The Secret, the Bible. Nothing in The Secret offers entirely absent from the book. Even though the Hickses knowingly or unknowingly, are using the book’s affinities credit Abraham as the source of their teaching, knowing with the self-help genre for substantial marketing gains. this kind of hope. a collection of nonphysical entities through whom they 17. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Facts and God created the cosmos as an arena have channeled this information may help readers Figures National Statistics,” http://www.afsp.org/index. in which I could learn about Him. determine the truth. For more on this, see Walker and cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=050FEA9F- Experiencing God’s comforting presence Waldrep, The Truth Behind the Secret, 27–39. B064-4092-B1135C3A70DE1FDA (accessed March 4, 2008).

enrichment / Fall 2008 119 www.enrichmentjournal.ag.org Check out Enrichment journal’s Web site for these and other great ministry resources.

One of the greatest challenges

Putting on the Photos.com pastors face today is helping their people develop a Christian Glasses of Truth worldview. According to BY KENNETH RICHARD SAMPLES Samples, “A worldview functions in much the same way as a pair of glasses through which a person sees the world. This interpretive lens helps people make sense of life and comprehend the world around them. Worldviews also shape a person’s understanding of his unique place on earth.” But how do you know if your worldview is correct? Samples provides guidelines for evaluating and choosing a worldview that is consistent and coherent.

Overcoming the iStockphoto Preaching the Truth to Secular and Religiously Diverse Audiences LABEL Through Practical Ministry BY SAMUEL M. HUDDLESTON “Christian” and “intolerant” appear as synonyms in today’s media. Huddleston, assistant super- intendent of the Northern California/Nevada District, warns the comparison sometimes fi ts. His ministry among inmates grew out of his own painful past. BY SETH ZIELICKE “The church came to my aid What do you say when you are asked to speak at as a young, a conference attended by Muslims, Buddhists, wayward man Hindus, New Agers, Atheists, Catholics, and — helped Protestants? Do you water down the message

iStockphoto my family and of the Cross? Do you preach a strong salvation me through some of our most diffi cult days,” message and give an altar call? Zielicke shares Huddleston says. “While I was imperfect, what he learned when he was asked to speak at they accepted and loved me.” He calls for such a conference. These three principles will uncompromising adherence to God’s standards help any person who is faced with witnessing through undiluted expressions of God’s love. to those of various religious backgrounds.

120 enrichment / Fall 2008 Life in the Spirit and the Way of the Cross: Following Jesus via Luke-Acts BY MARTIN MITTELSTADT Mittelstadt, associate professor of New Testament at

iStockphoto; Photos.com Evangel University, reacts against a one-dimensional measurement of genuine service to God — equat- ing success or failure in discerning God’s will with blessing or struggle respectively. Mittelstadt surveys six passages in Luke-Acts that evaluate “discipleship that perseveres in the midst of suf- fering and persecution.” He warns against any “Pentecostal tradition … that does not relate to the kind of confl ict, resistance, and opposition that was so much a part of its formative years.” Lostness From God’s Viewpoint BY GEORGE O. WOOD AG General Superintendent Wood shows “lostness” to be a foreign concept to many people in that spiritual condition. Refl ecting on Jesus’ parables in Luke 15, Wood identifi es life forces that can infl uence a person’s separation from God. “Who is concerned about fi nding the lost? God himself!” Wood insists. “The lost are His: the sheep, the coin, the son. Each shows a different aspect of the work of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in salvation.” DesignPics

Six Secrets for Introducing Successful Change in Your Church

iStockphoto BY CHARLES ARN Arn, president of Church Growth, Inc., admits people are naturally resistant to change. Any pastor wanting to transform congregational life should chart a course of careful metamorphosis. Arn believes new ideas should be expressed with six characteristics in focus: as a means to reach an agreed-upon goal, as an addition instead of a replacement, as a short- term commitment initially, as a product of shared ownership, as a remedy against status-quo passivity, and as a message disseminated through recognized avenues of leadership.

enrichment / Fall 2008 121 TTheologicalheological EnrichmentEnrichment / W.E. NUNNALLY DesignPics; Photos.com

DDoesoes thethe BibleBible TeachTeach EEternalternal Security?Security?

Introduction them out of darkness into His marvelous light. In a previous article, I briefly discussed the doctrinal It merely means that they will never totally fall Can believers position of perseverance of the saints, eternal security, away from the state of grace into which they voluntarily forfeit or once saved, always saved.1 Here, however, I have been brought, nor fail to return from their their salvation will address it more completely. backsliding in the end.”3 The doctrine of eternal security teaches that Like limited atonement, Augustine popular- by turning away once a person experiences salvation nothing ized the doctrine of perseverance of the saints in from the lordship of can cause him to lose that status. Millard J. the fi fth century A.D. The Roman Catholic Erickson states: “The Calvinist position is Church eventually adopted his teaching on this Christ? both clear and forthright on this matter: ‘They, subject as offi cial doctrine. It was the commonly whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, accepted position at the time of the Protestant effectually called, and sanctifi ed by His Spirit, Reformation. Leaders of the Reformation, such can neither totally nor fi nally fall away from as John Calvin, also accepted and promoted the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere it along with a number of other pre-Reforma- therein to the end, and be eternally saved’ ” tional Roman Catholic doctrines and practices. (Westminster Confession of Faith 17.1).2 In this way, eternal security has come down Henry C. Thiessen further states: “Concerning into the doctrinal systems of many modern Comment such it affi rms that they shall ‘never totally nor Protestant denominations today. on this article fi nally fall away from the state of grace.’ This is The Arminian/Wesleyan/Holiness tradition, Go to: not equivalent to saying that they shall never and the Assemblies of God that grew out of http://forums.ag.org/ backslide, never fall into sin, and never fail to enrichment journal it, have both historically rejected the belief in show forth the praises of Him Who has called eternal security. The offi cial AG Web site states,

W.E. NUNNALLY, Ph.D., professor of Early Judaism and Christian Origins, Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri

122 enrichment / Fall 2008 “The Assemblies of God has taken a stand appeal to John 6:37, “All that the Father gives against the teaching that God’s sovereign will Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes completely overrides man’s free will to accept to Me I will certainly not cast out.” We cannot and serve Him. In view of this we believe it is say, however, that this text rules out the possibil- possible for a person once saved to turn from ity that one can choose to leave (compare God and be lost again.”4 John 17:12). Even though the Assemblies of God has John 10:27,28 is also used to support PS/ES: taken a strong and unequivocal offi cial position, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, the people we minister to may not understand and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to this doctrine or our position on the issue. People them, and they shall never perish; and no one in our congregations often work with people shall snatch them out of My hand.” To these who believe in eternal security. They need to verses we could add Romans 8:35,39, “Who know how to respond to the beliefs of their shall separate us from the love of Christ?… Photos.com coworkers. Therefore, it is important for pastors Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in to teach the arguments used by proponents of all creation, will be able to separate us from the perseverance of the saints/eternal security, the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” appropriate responses to their assertions, and But the biblical authors are saying that external the biblical basis for our position: Believers can forces are incapable of separating us from God. voluntarily forfeit their salvation by turning Neither rule out the possibility that a person away from the lordship of Christ. can exercise free will and choose to depart. There are, to be sure, varying beliefs concern- It should also be noted that the present tense ing eternal security within Calvinism. For in Greek denotes continuous action. This verse If turning away example, one extreme view argues that God is literally translated, “My sheep continue in will take a believer home because he will not hearing my voice, and I continue to know them, from God were straighten out his life and he has become an and they keep on following me and I keep on not a distinct embarrassment to God. Others who believe in giving them eternal life.” This means that our possibility, eternal security, however, do not believe that not perishing is contingent on our continuing eternal security gives license to sin: “On the to hear and follow Jesus, a theme that echoes Jesus would other hand, however, our understanding of the throughout Scripture. Instead of supporting not have doctrine of perseverance allows no room for PS/ES, this text supports the possibility that a indolence or laxity. It is questionable whether believer can walk away from God by refusing to addressed it anyone who reasons, ‘Now that I am a Christian, continue in obedience to Christ. at such length. I can live as I please,’ has really been converted Using John 15:1–11, these proponents state: and regenerated. Genuine faith issues, instead, “If believers have been made one with Christ in the fruit of the Spirit.”5 and his life fl ows through them (John 15:1–11), nothing can conceivably nullify that connec- Scriptures Used in Support of PS/ES tion.”7 But the entire 15th chapter shows the and Their Proper Interpretation possibility that this connection can be broken. Those who espouse the PS/ES view of salvation The word translated abide throughout chap- often refer to John 5:24 to support their position, ter 15 is meno, meaning “to remain, continue, “He who hears My word and believes Him who stay.” Therefore, Jesus says, “Every branch in sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. … into judgment, but has passed out of death If anyone does not abide [continue, stay] in into life.”6 Proponents believe this verse means me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries once you have passed from death to life, you up; and they gather them, and cast them into eternally have life. The grammatical context of the fi re, and they are burned” (John 15:2,6). this verse, however, makes clear that the word The next section begins with Jesus declaring, “I eternal is not an adverb modifying the verb, have spoken to you, that you may be kept from as if to say one eternally has life. Instead, it is stumbling” (John 16:1). If turning away from part of a compound noun. Therefore, the life God were not a distinct possibility, Jesus would is eternal, not one’s possession of it. Also, the not have addressed it at such length. words hearing and believing are in the present Some adherents of PS/ES point to Paul’s words tense, meaning continuous action. in Philippians 1:6 for support, “I am confi dent Proponents also argue that once a person and of this very thing, that he who began a good God unite, that bond can never be broken. They work in you will perfect it until the day of

enrichment / Fall 2008 123 Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security? (continued from page 123)

Christ Jesus.” In reading verses 1–11, however, [compare Jude 11]; Exodus 32:32,33; Numbers it becomes clear that what Paul was confi dent 3:2–4; 4:15–20; 16:1–33; 22:8,12,19,20,32–35; of was the Philippians’ desire to press on to 24:1,2,13; 31:7,8; 1 Samuel 10:1–7,9–11; 13:8–15; maturity — the believer’s only real security. 16:14; 31; John 6:66 [compare verse 67]; 1 Corin- This is supported by Paul’s later admonition to thians 5:1–13; 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 2 Timothy the Philippians to “work out [their] salvation 1:15; 2:17,18; 4:10; Titus 1:12–16; Hebrews with fear and trembling” (2:12). Furthermore, 12:15–17; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 2:6,15 [compare after noting that even his own eternal destiny Acts 6:5; Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 3.29], 20). was not yet written in stone (3:12,13), and to ensure his own eternal life, Paul was pressing Arguments That Warn Believers of the on to greater maturity and obedience (3:14). Possibility of Apostasy He exhorted the Christians at Philippi to follow Sometimes those in the Arminian camp have his example and avoid following the examples not clearly articulated their doctrinal position. of those whose end is destruction (3:17–19). We have used the phrase lose your salvation, as People sometimes appeal to Hebrews 7:25, though such an act could be accidental, unin- “He is able to save forever those who draw near tentional, and the result of a momentary slipup. to God through him, since he always lives to Detractors have rightly attacked this phrase as make intercession for them.” Advocates an inaccurate refl ection of Scripture. Therefore, understand the word “forever” to refer to those we must refamiliarize ourselves with passages drawing near to God for salvation. The immedi- that support our doctrine, and then articulate ate context, however, and the overarching it in a way that properly refl ects the teaching message of the Book of Hebrews requires the of God’s Word. phrase to refer to Jesus and the length of time Arminian/Wesleyan/Holiness/Pentecostal He, as High Priest, is able to provide atonement teaching maintains that believers retain their that makes salvation possible (compare also free will even after salvation. Scripture teaches verses 3,17,21,24,25; 5:6; 6:20), not to the that those who trust in and obey Jesus are even perceived eternal security of the believer. more free after salvation than before (John 8:36; A favorite text of those who embrace PS/ES is Galatians 5:1,13), not less. Our doctrine can be 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they described by the biblical phrases “fallen from Paul warned were not really of us; for if they had been of us, grace” (Galatians 5:4), “falling away” (Hebrews they would have remained with us; but they 3:12), and “fallen away” (Hebrews 6:6). the Corinthians that went out, in order that it might be shown that J. Rodman Williams states: “But, because of the belief in they all are not of us.” Advocates use this passage fact that the salvation of God operates through to claim that those who cease to follow Christ faith — a faith that is living — the forsaking a defective version never had experienced salvation. There are of that faith can lead to apostasy. By failing to of the good news several things we need to examine in this verse. abide in Christ, to continue in Him and His could endanger First, the text does not explicitly state what word, to persevere in the midst of worldly trial proponents of PS/ES assert it says (that separa- or temptation, to make faith fi rm and strengthen their salvation. tion means their salvation was not real). John it — thereby allowing unbelief to enter — believ- was writing after their defection and noting that ers may fall away from God. Thereby they may their desertion was proof that they no longer tragically forfeit their salvation.”8 (See sidebar, belonged to the community of the redeemed. He Steps Leading to Apostasy, page 125.) was comparing them to those who had resisted The English word apostasy is a transliteration false teaching, continued to embrace the truth, of the New Testament Greek word apostasia. and persisted in abiding in Christ (verse 24). Reference works note that it and its verbal form Second, the contrasting responses of going include these nuances: to take a stand apart out and abiding/remaining recall Jesus’ own from, to commit political defection or treason, teaching in John 15, where He described members to separate from, to be drawn off or away, to of the body of Christ who fail to “abide,” do induce revolt, to withdraw, to depart, to fall not continue to bear fruit, dry up, and are away, to cease from having any interaction eventually cut off. with, to desert, and to put away (as in divorce). Third, both Testaments are replete with exam- None of these phrases suggest a loss of covenant ples of people and groups who were, at one as the result of an accidental or temporary point, clearly in right standing with God but breech of established standards of holiness. later repudiated His lordship (Genesis 4:3–16 Instead, they all imply forethought, intent, and

124 enrichment / Fall 2008 a persistent state of rebellion against the mastery of Jesus over one’s life. (See sidebar, Apostasy, page 126.) Steps Leading to Apostasy Free Will 1. Believers, through unbelief, fail to take the God created man in His own image and likeness truths, exhortations, warnings, promises, and (Genesis 1:26). In part, this means that even teachings of God’s Word with utmost seriousness as God thinks, plans, reasons, and decides, so (Mark 1:15; Luke 8:13; John 5:44,47; 8:46). also does man. Although the Fall partially 2. As the realities of the world become greater effaced the image of God stamped on mankind than the realities of God’s heavenly kingdom, at creation, these other attributes certainly were believers gradually cease to draw near to God not. In addition, God will not invade or violate through Christ (Hebrews 4:16; 7:19,25; 11:6). the free will that He has purposely created 3. Through the deceitfulness of sin, they become within man, whether he accepts Christ or not. increasingly tolerant of sin in their own lives (1 Cor- In the Old Testament, God dealt with the inthians 6:9,10; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 3:13). They Israelites almost exclusively through conditional no longer love righteousness and hate wickedness. covenants. God continually warned them 4. Through hardness of heart (Hebrews 3:8,13) to fulfi ll their covenantal obligations or their and rejecting God’s way (3:10), they ignore relationship with Him would be nullifi ed the repeated voice and rebuke of the Holy Spirit (compare Exodus 32:33; Leviticus 22:3; Numbers (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22). 15:27–31; Deuteronomy 29:18–21; 1 Kings 5. The Holy Spirit is grieved (Ephesians 4:30; cf. 9:6,7; 2 Kings 17:22,23; 24:20; 1 Chronicles Hebrews 3:7,8) and His fire put out (1 Thessalo- 28:9; 2 Chronicles 7:19–22; 15:2; 24:20; Psalm nians 5:19), and His temple violated (1 Corinthians 69:28; Isaiah 1:2–4; 59:2; Jeremiah 2:19; 5:3,6,7; 3:16). He eventually departs from the former 8:5,12; 15:1,6,7; 16:5; Ezekiel 3:20; 18:12,13; believers (Judges 16:20; Psalm 51:11; Romans 8:13; 33:12). Grace was available in the Old Testa- 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; Hebrews 3:14). ment (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 6:25; Jeremiah DONALD STAMPS, Gen. Ed. Life in the Spirit Study 3:12), but as in the New Testament, grace was Bible, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992), 1918. Used never an excuse to continue in sin and never with permission. lessened the demands of the covenant (compare Photos.com John 1:16,17; Romans 6:1,2; 8:7–11; Luke 12:48; compare also Romans 1:31, “faithless” In the Parable of the Sower and the Seed, or “covenant-breakers,” KJV). the seed took root and began to bear fruit, but Jesus said that various circumstances eventually destroyed it The Gospels (Matthew 13:3–23). In Matthew 18:15–17, only those who John the Baptist boldly proclaimed, “Even now Jesus commanded that members of the new cov- endure to the end the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree enant community who persisted in unrepentance that does not bear good fruit is cut down and be put out of the church and treated as out- will be saved thrown into the fi re” (Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9). siders to the covenant. Jesus also warned that (Matthew 10:22; In fact, Jesus began His ministry by reiterating in the last times, false messiahs “will mislead 24:13), and that this same message (Matthew 7:19). many” (Matthew 24:5), and during persecution, Jesus also taught that if we are unwilling to “many will fall away” (Matthew 24:10). Verse if we deny Him forgive, we remove the possibility of our receiving 24 records Jesus’ teaching that false messiahs and before men, God’s forgiveness (Matthew 6:15). In Jesus’ false prophets will “mislead, if possible, even original historical context and in Matthew’s can- the elect.” He will deny us onical context, the new covenant community Advocates of PS/ES think the phrase “if pos- before His Father — comprised of believers — Jesus said that sible” points to a hypothetical situation and (Matthew 10:33). only those who endure to the end will be saved shows it is not possible for anyone to stray from (Matthew 10:22; 24:13), and that if we deny the faith. This argument, however, does not Him before men, He will deny us before His consider the larger context (Matthew 24:5,10) Father (Matthew 10:33). When He said, “Any or other texts (1 Thessalonians 4:1,2) that sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, clearly state that some believers in the last days but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not will depart from the faith for various reasons. be forgiven” (Matthew 12:31), He made no Luke reported that Jesus taught, “No one, after distinction between the saved and the unsaved. putting his hand to the plow and [continually]

enrichment / Fall 2008 125 Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security? (continued from page 125)

looking back, is fi t for the kingdom of God” option. Later, Paul warned the leaders of the Jesus commanded (Luke 9:62). The context makes the meaning church in Ephesus that “savage wolves will that members of of the metaphor clear. The same can be come in among you, not sparing the fl ock; and the new covenant said for Luke 14:34,35, “Salt is good; but if even from among your own selves men will arise, salt has become tasteless, with what will it be speaking perverse things, to draw away the community seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for disciples after them” (Acts 20:29,30.) who persisted in the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has In Paul’s letters, his teaching was no different ears to hear, let him hear” (for more on the than in his preaching in Acts. He warned the unrepentance teaching of Jesus, see Matthew 7:16,17,21,24, churches in Rome, “For if God did not spare be put out of the 26; 10:38; 12:30; 18:23–35; Luke 9:23 and the natural branches, [Israel], He will not church and treated following; 14:25–33). spare you either [Christians in Rome]. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to as outsiders to Pauline teaching those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kind- the covenant. On the mission fi eld, after they had “made ness [note the language of conditional covenant] many disciples,” Paul and Barnabas returned to if you continue in His kindness; otherwise, you the churches they had planted earlier, strength- also will be cut off” (11:21,22). He also chal- ening the disciples, encouraging them to lenged them, “If because of food your brother is continue in the faith” (Acts 14:21,22). This hurt, you are no longer walking according would have been an unnecessary expenditure to love. Do not destroy with your food him for of time and energy if apostasy was not an whom Christ died” (14:15; compare also 1 Corinthians 8:11, where the same terms appear). In 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 (compare also 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14), Paul challenged the Cor- iStockphoto inthians to excommunicate people who live in sin (compare Matthew 18:15–17). He chided libertines in the church at Corinth for allowing their freedom to cause the destruction of the weaker “brother for whose sake Christ died” (1 Corinthians 8:11). “Brother” indicates that all involved are members of the same covenant community. He believed there was a possibil- ity that even he could become a castaway from the faith (1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul further warned the Christians at Corinth that this could be their lot as well, and that they could end up like the Israelites who died in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1–13). “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (verse 12). Paul also warned the Corinthians that belief in a defective version of the good news could Apostasy endanger their salvation, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached o apostasize means to sever one’s saving relationship with Christ or to to you, which also you received, in which also withdraw from vital union with and true faith in Him. Thus, individual apostasy you stand, by which also you are saved, if you Tis possible only for those who have first experienced salvation, regeneration, and hold fast the word which I preached to you, renewal through the Holy Spirit (Luke 8:13; Hebrews 6:4,5); it is not a mere denial unless you believed in vain” (1 Corinthians of New Testament doctrine by the unsaved within the visible church. Apostasy may 15:1,2). Later, he challenged them again, “Test involve two separate, though related, aspects: (a) theological apostasy, i.e., a rejection yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine of all or some of the original teachings of Christ and the apostles (1 Timothy 4:1; yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about 2 Timothy 4:3), and (b) moral apostasy, i.e., the former believer ceases to remain yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless in Christ and instead becomes enslaved again to sin and immorality (Isaiah 29:13; indeed you fail the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Matthew 23:25-28; Romans 6:15-23; 8:6-13). This challenge is similar to the one he delivered to the Colossian church: Jesus would present them blameless before God, but only provided

126 enrichment / Fall 2008 that [they] “continue in the faith fi rmly same context, he raised the rhetorical question, established and steadfast” (Colossians 1:21–23). “How will we escape [judgment, compare verse To the churches in Galatia, Paul exclaimed, 2] if we neglect so great a salvation?” (verse 3). “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Again, the author included himself along with him who called you by the grace of Christ, for his Christian audience. a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). In Galatians We should note that the verb is neglect, not 4:1–11, he described a progression in which reject. His readers were neglectful Christians, the Galatian Christians had gone from slaves, not rejecting unbelievers. In 3:6, he echoed to sons, and then back to slaves again. In the the same challenge heard from Jesus and Paul: conclusion of this section, Paul said, “I fear for And we are His “house … if we hold fast our you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.” confi dence and the boast of our hope fi rm until To those who had been saved by the blood of the end.” He reiterated later, “We have become Jesus, but then accepted the Jesus-plus gospel of partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning the Judaizers that added circumcision to the of our assurance fi rm until the end” (verse 14). Ordo Salutis (way of salvation), Paul proclaimed, He warned fellow believers, “Take care, brethren, “You have been severed [kataergo: “cut off, emp- that there not be in any one of you an evil, tied of, annulled from, canceled from, brought unbelieving heart that falls away [apostaenai, to an end, destroyed, annihilated”] from Christ, “apostasize”] from the living God” (3:12, you who are seeking to be justifi ed by law; emphasis added). Believers need to “fear if, you have fallen [ekpipto: “to fall from or out of, while a promise remains of entering His rest, to forfeit, to lose, to cause to come to an end”] anyone of you may seem to have come short of Photos.com from grace” (Galatians 5:4). it” (4:1), because even believers can “fall, through To the Philippian church, Paul stated that he following the same example of disobedience had suffered the loss of all things “that I may [that covenant Israel exhibited]” (4:11). know him and the power of His resurrection and In 6:4–6, the author declared: “Those who the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed have once been enlightened and have tasted of to His death; in order that I may attain the res- the heavenly gift and have been made partakers urrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10,11). of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good If Paul’s salvation was fi nal and nothing could word of God and the powers of the age to come, change his status with God, he was not aware and then have fallen away, it is impossible to of it. He had taken to heart the spiritual devasta- renew them again to repentance, since they tion in the lives of some of his closest companions again crucify to themselves the Son of God and The Book because, in the same context, he told the church put Him to open shame” (emphasis added). of Hebrews at Philippi about people who once were well- Reminiscent of Numbers 15:30,31, Hebrews known believers, but he lamented “they are states: “For if we go on sinning willfully after contains urgent enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no exhortations When Paul instructed pastors, the message longer remains a sacrifi ce for sins, but a terrify- directed toward was the same, “But the Spirit explicitly says that ing expectation of judgment” (10:26,27, emphasis in later times some will fall away from the faith” added). He continues, “Anyone who has set Christians (1 Timothy 4:1; compare 2 Timothy 4:3,4). aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on to remain fi rm the testimony of two or three witnesses. How The general epistles and the Apocalypse much severer punishment do you think he will to the end. The remainder of the New Testament is also deserve who has trampled under foot the Son clear about the fact a believer can voluntarily of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood forfeit his salvation. The Book of Hebrews of the covenant by which he was sanctifi ed, contains some of the clearest warnings against and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (10:28,29, apostasy and also urgent exhortations to remain emphasis added). The italicized portion of fi rm to the end — all directed toward Christians. these verses provides incontrovertible evidence Because of the greater revelation that came that the audience is Christian. These believers with the incarnation of Christ, the author of are warned not to “throw away” (as opposed to Hebrews told Christians, “We must pay much “accidentally lose”) their salvation (10:35). closer attention to what we have heard, so that The writer of Hebrews left his Christian audi- we do not drift away from it” (2:1). In this ence with this exhortation, “See to it that no text, the writer included himself in a warning one comes short of the grace of God; that no root against leaving the way of salvation. In the of bitterness [compare Deuteronomy 29:18–21]

enrichment / Fall 2008 127 Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security? (continued from page 127)

springing up causes trouble, and by it many be that cannot be forgiven (1 John 5:16). The defi led; that there be no immoral or godless context in the fi rst half of the verse as well as person like Esau, who sold his own birthright the use of the same terminology elsewhere in for a single meal. For you know that even this letter (1 John 3:13,14) make it clear that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the this is spiritual death, not physical death. This blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place message is no different from his message in the for repentance, though he sought for it with Apocalypse. There, he promised eternal life tears” (Hebrews 12:15–17). only to those who overcome and remain faith- James tells us: “if any among you strays from ful until the end (Revelation 2:10,25,26). On A believer’s the truth and one turns him back, let him know the other hand, he guaranteed rejection and that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way loss of life to those who do not (Revelation 2:5; only security will save his soul from death” (James 5:19,20). 3:11,16). To the end of the book (and thus, the is in consistent Peter writes, “There will also be false teachers New Testament), he continued to warn about among you, who will secretly introduce destruc- the possibility of forfeiture of one’s salvation obedience to tive heresies, even denying the Master who (Revelation 22:19). the will of bought them, bringing swift destruction upon the Master. themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1). In the same context Conclusion he continued, “For if, after they have escaped the It is evident that the Bible warns against the defi lements of the world by the knowledge of possibility of forfeiture of one’s status with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again God. Scripture is clear that a believer’s only entangled in them and are overcome, the last security is in consistent obedience to the will state has become worse for them than the fi rst. of the Master. This reality fi ts perfectly with the For it would be better for them not to have known biblical defi nition of salvation. Salvation is not the way of righteousness, than having known a one-time crisis event that seals a believer for it, to turn away from the holy commandment all eternity, but a process that has past (Romans handed on to them. It has happened to them 10:9,10; 2 Corinthians 5:17), present (Luke according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to 9:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; its own vomit,’ and ‘A sow, after washing, returns 3:18; Philippians 2:12; 3:8–16), and future to wallowing in the mire’ ” (2 Peter 2:20–22, stages (Romans 8:19–24; 1 Corinthians 15:24– emphases added to demonstrate the fact the 28; 1 Peter 1:3–7; Revelation 12:10; 20:1–10; author is describing people who had previously 21:1 through 22:14). Believers retain the option been numbered among the redeemed). to choose a life of obedience and submission John described a sin that is “leading to death” to the will of God or to walk away from a relationship with God and suffer(ed) eternal separation from God as a result. By teaching ©2008 Dik LaPine your people this truth, you can encourage them to live godly lives and respond to those who believe in eternal security.

NOTES 1. W.E. Nunnally, “Defective Views of Salvation,” Enrichment journal 13, no. 3 (Summer 2008):128–135. 2. Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998), 998. 3. Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971), 385. 4. “Security of the Believer (Backsliding),” available from http:// www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/gendoct_09_security.cfm; accessed February 15, 2008 5. Erickson, 1007. 6. Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard “No, sir, we aren’t just a search committee. We’re a search and Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, rescue committee. We fi nd pastors who need to be rescued 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (http://www.Lockman.org). from dead-end, apathetic churches, and introduce them 7. Erickson, 999. to our life-sharing, healthy community.” 8. J. Rodman Williams, Renewal Theology, vol. 2. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 1990), 131.

128 enrichment / Fall 2008

TThehe GreatestGreatest CChallengeshallenges ooff PPastoralastoral CCareare / LARRY E. HAZELBAKER

ultimately yielded a life sentence without parole. On a Wednesday, 21 years ago, I had seen more than my usual number of clients. I was on my way to the evening service when a young iStockphoto woman approached me. Because I was tired, I asked her to come back the next day. She began sobbing, “My name is Grace. If you don’t see HelpingHelping me now, I won’t make it through the night.” She drew back the sleeves of her blouse and exposed raw and swollen track marks up and PeoplePeople WhoWho down her arms. With slurred speech and barely able to stand, she told me she had just come StruggleStruggle WWithith off a 3-day heroin binge. She had spent $1,500, was broke, scared, and without hope. AddictionsAddictions I told her I would give her a few minutes. She cried, babbled words, writhed, squirmed, and fell off her chair several times. During her sobs and my prayers, I had a vision. I saw the hand of a technician and the sleeve of a lab coat. The hand was reaching down, grabbing cobras, and milking their venom. As I watched, the hand turned the venom into a serum — antivenin. At first, I did not understand. Then I watched as the narrow picture panned into full view. I saw that the hand in the vision belonged to Grace. She was wearing the lab coat and making the antivenin. I spoke to her about what I had seen. I told Do We Manage a Sin or Overcome her God wanted to use her as a deliverer as a Stronghold? she shared the love and power of God (antivenin) Strongholds are Jim, 27, was single, and in the prime of his life, but that would save people addicted to heroin his addiction to cocaine had a vice-like grip on and cocaine. works of the fl esh, him. Counselors had convinced Jim that he In the hour that followed, God delivered her and pastors must had a disease, not a stronghold. The best he could from her heroin addiction (stronghold). Today, ever hope for was the willpower to manage his she is in the ministry helping people affected deal with them illness, not eradicate it. Jim felt helpless and by drugs. She has remained drug free for 21 years. accordingly. shackled by his addiction, with little hope of getting well. His condition worsened. By the Statistics time he stumbled into my office — a gesture, he According to the U.S. Department of Health confided, to satisfy his mother — he was selling and Human Services, in 2006 drug misuse or cocaine to support his habit. Not long after our abuse (cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine) conversation I received a call from his mother: accounted for nearly 1.4 million emergency Jim was in prison. Desperate for more drugs and room visits nationwide. Excessive use of alcohol short on cash, he robbed a convenience store attributed to more than 100,000 deaths. The and shot a police officer — a decision that National Center on Addiction and Substance Comment on this article LARRY E. HAZELBAKER, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, professor of psychology, and Go to: chairperson of the behavioral and social sciences department at Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida. http://forums.ag.org/ enrichment journal He is also founder and president of Harbor Institute, Inc., a nonprofit organization that ministers to ministers and their families.

130130 enrichmenteenricchment / FallFall 200820088 Abuse reported that youth who drink are 50 and actions. It happens when, for whatever times more likely to use cocaine. Furthermore, reason, a person begins to take a substance 14 million Americans met the diagnostic criteria that makes him feel good. The behavior begins for alcohol use disorders. Drugs, alcohol, and to form a neural pathway across a cluster of tobacco use among youth has risen dramatically neurons in the brain. The more the behavior since 1985. It is estimated that one-third of all is reinforced by the stimulus, the deeper the 12th graders consume alcohol weekly. Substance pathway, thereby forming a behavior or a habit abuse is on the rise, especially among youth. — an addiction. An addiction is a reoccurring compulsion The Cycle of Addiction that controls a person’s thoughts and actions, For an explanation of the cycle of an addiction, a stronghold that is nearly impossible to visit http://www.DrugRehab.net. overcome. Because of this fact, most treatment First, most addicts are intelligent people and programs focus on managing the addiction have plans for their futures. rather than on overcoming a stronghold. Confession is the Second, addicts find it difficult to deal with fi r s t s t e p t o w a r d the problems that come with life and begin Medical Model on Addictions using the substance as a coping mechanism. If ministers believe the medical model for healing in the Third, using drugs helps addicts compensate explaining addictions, then No. 7 in the above redemptive cycle. for some deficiency in their lives. Depression, cycle is true. There is little help for addicts. pain, relationships, job troubles, or not being The best a pastor can do is to provide tools to able to overcome an unrelated issue (such as help an addict manage his addiction while the obesity) are common excuses for substance abuse. addict spends the rest of his life engaging in the iStockphoto Fourth, the substance becomes a painkiller. intense struggle to control his addiction. It lessens the emotional and physical pain and Many clinical professionals believe that col- gives addicts a way to escape their problems. leges do not train ministers how to treat people New problems emerge once the addiction takes who have addictions. If the general belief were hold. Addicts begin to do whatever is necessary that an addiction is a disease, I would agree. to get high. Doctors — not pastors — treat diseases. If Fifth, behavior associated with drug depen- pastors choose to accept the medical model, dency — difficulty communicating, poor they will need to create a referral list of the job performance, and poor physical health — clinics and agencies in their area that treat becomes the norm. The addiction drives the addictions as diseases and refer parishioners addict’s life and controls and dominates his to them. Alcoholics Anonymous and other thoughts. At this point, the substance is a treatment centers can intervene and, at the least, stronghold that slowly strangles him. provide addicts with the education needed to Sixth, the substance controls addicts, and manage their addiction. they are obsessed with obtaining and using it. It degrades them and gives them a sense of Biblical Perspective on Addictions hopelessness and despair. If ministers take the Bible literally, addictions Seventh, addicts attempt to quit. Failure at are strongholds that stem from works of the program after program, therapist after therapist, flesh. They are spiritual problems that manifest and relapse after relapse leaves addicts with a themselves in the flesh. In alcoholism, current sense of loneliness, despair, and defeat. They medical definitions claim the etiology (origin) are slaves to the substance. of alcohol addiction is a genetic predisposition. Thus, alcoholics are victims of their own DNA. How It Happens If pastors choose to agree, they accept that Addictive behavior is common. A person’s nature alcoholism is a terminal disease — the person is to abuse. Anything can become a stronghold is and always will be an alcoholic. (addiction). Once a behavior becomes an The Word takes a different position. Drunkenness addiction, it controls a person’s life, thoughts, is a sin and a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:21).

enrichmentennrichmmennt / FallFalll 20082008 131131 Helping People Who Struggle With Addictions (continued from page 131)

Pastors need to embrace the biblical definition medical model of an addiction and disregard of an addiction and create ministries in the the biblical definition of sin. We must believe church to assist in the transformation we can be more than overcomers. of addicts. To receive cleansing, one must ask for Think About It forgiveness (1 John 1:9). If pastors accept the A victim-based mentality tends to drive Americans. medical model, then they must embrace the We try to discover reasons to excuse maladaptive management of sin. An addiction is not like or unacceptable conduct. If we can convince diabetes. It does not make sense to accept the ourselves that our addictions come from our genetic make-up, we have found a reason to excuse sin. If a person is from a family in which high blood pressure or diabetes is prevalent, it is not as surprising when a doctor gives him the same diagnosis. His genes provide an RESOURCES for explanation for the diagnosis. Strongholds, however, are not diseases; they Ministering to Those are works of the flesh, and pastors must deal with them accordingly. Battling Addictions People are genetically predisposed to fornicate. But when a fornicator stands before God, he ■ Anderson, Neil T. 1996. Freedom will not be able to call on human nature to From Addiction: Breaking the excuse his sin. Likewise, an addict will not be Bondage of Addiction and Finding able to stand before God and blame his addic- Freedom in Christ. Ventura, tion on a litany of excuses society has offered Calif.:Calif.: ReRegalgal Books. him. God will say, “Depart from me, ye worker of iniquity.” ■ May,May, GeraGeraldld G. 1988. AddictionAddiction andand Grace, Love and SpiritualitySpirituality What Can a Pastor Do? in the Healing of Addictions.Addictions. NewNew Pastors must embrace the biblical model of YYork:ork: HarperCoHarperCollins.llins. dealing with strongholds and add a Christ- centered program to the ministry of the church. ■ Miller,Miller, GeriGeri.. 2003 2003.. IncorporatingIncorporating One program, Turning Point, not only helps SpiritualitySpirituality in CounseCounselingling anandd PsPsy-y- those with strongholds but also trains laypersons chotherapy:chotherapy: TheorTheoryy and TechniTechnique.que. to be group facilitators. Hoboken,Hoboken, N.J.: J. WiWileyley & Sons. If a pastor cannot afford the Turning Point program and desires to implement his own ■ Miller,Miller, GeriGeri.. 2 2005.005. LearningLearning the LanLanguageguage ooff Addiction CounseliCounselinng. ministry, the following model might be a good 2d eedd. HoHoboken,boken, N.J.: JoJohnhn WiWileyley & SonsSons.. place to begin to help addicts. Several years ago, I crafted the following seven-step biblical ■ Pita, Dianne Doyle.Doyle. 2004. Addictions Counseling:Counseling: A Practical and model out of several 12-step programs. The Comprehensive Guide for Counseling People With Addictions. New church can effectively use this model. It will YorYork:k: CrossroaCrossroadd PuPublishingblishing CoCo.. require the pastor or his designee to take a leading role. ■ SoberRecoverySoberRecoveryy® & SobSoberRecoveryerRecovery CCommunityommunity FForums.orums. “Al“Alcoholismcoholism Step One: Confession. The addict must admit Addictions Mental Health Help.” The MulliganMulligan Group. http:http://www.//www. that he is powerless over the stronghold. By soberrecovery.com/soberrecovery.com/ (accessed February 15, 2008). doing this, the addict is taking ownership of his addiction. Second Corinthians 12:10 says, “For ■ Weaver,Weaver, AnAndrewdrew JJ.,., CCharleneharlene HoHosenfeld,senfeldd, HHaroldarold GeGeorgeorge KKoeing.oeingg. when I am weak, then I am strong.” Confession 202007.07. CounselingCounseling PPersonsersons WWithith AdAddictionsdictions aandnd CCompulsions:ompulsions: A is the first step toward healing in the redemp- Handbook for Clergy and Other Helping ProfessionsProfessions. CCleveland,leveland, tive cycle. God cannot intervene unless we OOhio:hio: PiPilgrimlgrim PressPress.. invoke 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” LARRYLARRY E. HAZELBAKER,HAZELBAKER, Ph.D.Ph.D. , LakelLakeland,and, FloridFloridaa Step Two: Recognize helplessness. Pastors must help the addict understand and believe that

132132 enrichmentennrichment / FallFall 200820088 God alone is able to reroute neural pathways. Step Seven: Testify. Be grateful and carry the God, however, requires our confession of gospel to others. “Go home to your family helplessness. He is able to restore the addict to and tell them how much the Lord has done wholeness, but the addict must declare himself for you, and how he has had mercy on you” incapable. God delivered Grace in my office, (Mark 5:19). Testifying brings accountability. A but not before she recognized that deliverance testimony service gives overcomers opportunity required His intervention. Faith in Him and to tell of the life-changing power of God and His ability is imperative. Deliverance may be His Word. Solomon stated, “The tongue has instantaneous or a process. the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Step Three: Surrender and forgiveness. We must Speak life. help the addict understand that he must sur- render to God. Breaking the bondage requires Conclusion the release of one’s own will. God alone can God wants us to be overcomers and victors — help an addict overcome completely. Ask Him not managers — over sin and strongholds. Most to forgive and help you. Jesus said, “Come to pastors have encountered people who have me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I life-controlling issues. Our role is to give them will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; see also spiritual guidance and counsel on how God Christians believe 1 John 1:9). can use their experience to help others overcome. that substance Step Four: Be truthful. An addict will never Let us not lay aside the Word of God to consult abuse and addiction get what he needs until he does what he Freud or Dr. Phil. Rather, we must read His should. If we confess sin, God will forgive it. Word and allow God to minister and perform is a sin, not a Ask the Holy Spirit to take an inventory of your His work through us as we use our knowledge disease. wrong behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions, of what previously separated us from Him. He and then begin to conform to what God has will use our history, often a tragic one, riddled to say about these things. “Do not conform with sin and strongholds, to bring others into any longer to the pattern of this world, but be the protection of His power and love. All for transformed by the renewing of your mind” His glory and purpose. (Romans 12:2). Wayne W. Dyer has written a series entitled, Change Your Thoughts, Change NOTES Your Life. This is a biblical principle, but 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Drug Abuse addicts must know what to change. Warning Network (2007). 2. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (2001). Step Five: Ask God for His help. “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives” (James 4:2,3). God’s ©2008 Paul F. Gray will is for people to live in good health — physically, mentally, and spiritually. We do not ask amiss when we ask God for His help in overcoming sin. Remember, Christians believe that substance abuse and addiction is sin, not a disease. An addict needs to ask Him daily, by the minute, for help in overcoming these strongholds. Step Six: Read God’s Word and pray without ceasing. If we believe what God’s Word says, why do we not embrace it like it was our life support? “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). We must believe that the Word reveals the power “Pastor, are you telling us that if we feel led to leave the church of God, reveals what we need to know and all we have to do is quit coming and we don’t have to stir up pray for, and reveals how to live our lives some kind of stink?” accordingly so we can cast down strongholds.

enrichmentennrichment / FallFall 2008 1331333 MMinistryinistry & MMedicaledical EthicsEthics / CHRISTINA M.H. POWELL

iStockphoto from the pulpit. To prepare you to address these issues in your ministry, I will examine four issues in neuroethics to discern the moral implications that arise from meddling with the mind. Medicating the Mind Scientists have developed medications to increase attention span and improve memory for people suffering from attention deficit disorder or Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, scientists have designed medications to treat debilitating emotional problems by stabilizing a person’s mood. One question that arises from the development of these medications is whether these pills can also improve thinking and elevate mood in healthy people. On college campuses, healthy students are NNeuroethics:euroethics: looking to answer this question when they attempt to increase their concentration and MMoraloral IImplicationsmplications alertness when studying for final exams by using drugs developed for people who have ooff MeddlingMeddling attention deficit disorder. Students often obtain these smart drugs from friends who have a legit- WWithith thethe MindMind imate prescription. Is such a practice ethical and appropriate? The first problem with using these drugs in healthy people is the danger of potential side effects. Researchers do not know how safe these dvances in neuroscience will expand our drugs are for healthy people or the potential for Pastors today knowledge of the brain in the 21st century damage to their nervous system. counsel increasing in much the same way that our know- The brain is a complex system. Prolonged numbers of people ledge of genetics was expanded at the use of these drugs could result in unanticipated end of the 20th century. While these problems. A medication that repairs the effects who are taking scientific discoveries are complex, the results of of a biochemical imbalance in a person with medications these discoveries will profoundly impact our a certain psychological condition may cause medical care, our criminal justice system, and an imbalance when used by a healthy person. to improve their our society’s receptiveness to spiritual truth. For example, a drug that improves attention thought processes Results of neuroscience research also influence in people who have ADD can occasionally or stabilize ministry today as pastors counsel increasing cause manic symptoms in people with no prior numbers of people who are taking medications history of bipolar disorder. their mood. to improve their thought processes or stabilize The second problem is social. The use of their mood. Pastors and chaplains who are min- performance enhancers creates an unfair istering to families facing difficult end-of-life advantage for those with access to the drugs. In decisions quickly learn how determining differ- addition, when some people use performance ent levels of consciousness impacts patient care. enhancers, others feel pressured to use Pastors and evangelists must also combat the them as well to stay competitive. The use of materialistic view of life prevalent in our culture performance-enhancing drugs in sports has Comment on this article CHRISTINA M.H. POWELL, PH.D., an ordained minister and medical research scientist, preaches in churches Go to: http://forums.ag.org/ and conferences nationwide. She is a research fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General enrichment journal Hospital as well as the founder of Life Impact Ministries.

134 enrichment / Fall 2008 demonstrated this. People in the workplace alternatives to taking medications exist. While could feel pressured to enhance their mood a pastor can help a person work through his or decrease their need for sleep to remain feelings about medications, any decision to competitive with coworkers. stop taking medication is one a counselee Finally, technology, such as the use of drugs must make in conjunction with his doctor. A to improve study habits, ultimately short- person should not suddenly stop taking most circuits the development of skills and character psychoactive medications; instead, he must A pastor must that is a vital part of the educational process. gradually decrease doses to avoid unwanted avoid assuming Mood enhancement raises concerns about main- side effects. taining personal authenticity. Do we become Pastors can work to reduce the stigma asso- the place of someone other than our true self when we ciated with mental illness. This will help make a doctor artificially regulate our moods? it possible for people struggling with mental Another question that arises from the devel- health issues to receive the ministry they need. or undermining opment of medicines for the mind is whether Mental illnesses, such as clinical depression, a doctor’s advice. these pills supplement or supplant personal growth. A related question — especially relevant for ministers to consider — is whether, in cer- tain cases, doctors are prescribing medications in an attempt to fill a spiritual void in a person’s life. While medications for the mind may be lifesaving in some situations, one wonders if, in other cases, taking psychoactive drugs to help people overcome the emotional hurdles in their lives is simply an expedient choice — for both patient and caregiver — but not necessarily the best choice for long-term resolution of challenging life issues. In any case, the use of psychoactive drugs to treat the biological aspects of a person’s behavior does not negate their need for pastoral care. Pastors have an obligation to meet the spiritual needs of a person who is experiencing the stress of

coping with mental illness. iStockphoto One practical consideration, given the increasing numbers of people who are taking have a genuine biological component. A medications for their minds, is to consider pastor should not view this condition as a sign the effects of these medications in ministry of spiritual failure. Pastors can incorporate settings. For example, a person whose behavior illustrations reflecting emotional struggles in suddenly changes may have stopped taking sermons, promote compassion toward those prescribed medications. When a person with suffering from these struggles, and send the bipolar disorder experiences a period of message that seeking help for mental and elevated mood, he may exhibit erratic behavior, emotional problems is not only appropriate, sleep problems, rapid speech, and a sense of but also commendable. being chosen for a special mission. A pastor counseling a person with a recent unexplained Viewing the Mind Materialistically change in behavior needs to consider gently Research in neuroscience will result in more asking the person whether he is taking any than just new treatments for psychiatric prob- medications now or has in the past. lems. Neuroscience discoveries will shape When discussing medication in counseling how society views the spiritual aspect of sessions, a pastor must avoid assuming the humanity. As neuroscience research begins to place of a doctor or undermining a doctor’s offer biological explanations for personality advice. For some behavioral conditions, traits, human behavior, emotions, perception

enrichment / Fall 2008 135 Neuroethics: Moral Implications of Meddling With the Mind (continued from page 135)

of reality, decision-making ability, and even Living systems are highly complex. The sense of spirituality, people will question the brain, with its estimated 100 billion neurons, existence of an immortal soul. As a result, is an example of such biological complexity. pastors will need to help people look beyond a Consider that the brain of a 3-year-old child is materialistic view of the mind to recognize the estimated to have about 1 quadrillion synaptic reality of their spiritual needs. connections (lines of communication between Does the existence of a biological basis for neurons). Neuroscience may be poised to help many aspects of human behavior mean scien- us better understand brain function, but the tists have disproven the concept of a human question of the existence of an eternal soul is soul? To answer this question, consider whether outside the scope of scientific inquiry. the existence of a soul is an appropriate topic Humans are much more than just the sum for science to address. of their biological parts. Even a thorough under- Science operates by reducing complex standing of how individual parts function problems into hypotheses that scientists can does not rule out the existence of a soul. This Mental illnesses, either verify or falsify through experimentation. involves a level of complexity beyond the such as Scientists then conduct experiments to analyze workings of the physical brain. clinical depression, parts of a system with the hope that they will better understand the whole system. However, Placing Blame on the Brain have a genuine complete understanding of the whole from Along with the existence of a soul, neuroscience biological understanding individual parts is rarely possible, findings suggesting that physical causes deter- because the whole is usually more than just the mine behavior challenge the ideas of free will component. sum of its parts. and moral agency. We base our legal systems A pastor should Consider the classic calculation of lines of on the premise that a person is responsible for not view communication within a small-group ministry his choices and actions, not merely a victim setting. In a small group with five members, of a chain of neurological events outside his this condition if every member is able to communicate with control. Nevertheless, evidence that an offender as a sign of every other member, there will be 10 possible has sustained damage to brain structures involved lines of communication between group in impulse control may influence a judge’s spiritual failure. members. If you double the number of group decision, especially when determining the penalty for the crime committed. The extent of iStockphoto an offender’s punishment often depends on the extent of his responsibility for his own actions. Cognitive neuroscience has identified brain systems that are involved in several psychological abilities required for positive social behavior. One example is the importance of the prefrontal cortex in the ability to weigh uncertain risks and make wise choices. Impairment in decisionmak- ing and willingness to risk negative consequences might predispose a person to criminal behavior. Not all brain damage is a result of obvious brain injury. For example, researchers have linked the use of many illegal drugs to gradual impairment of prefrontal function. Childhood abuse and neglect can also affect the develop- ment of brain areas and integration between cerebral hemispheres. Thus, determining the members to 10, however, the number of lines extent to which brain impairment has affected of communication increases to 45. Doubling a person’s behavior, thereby reducing his the group size more than quadruples the lines culpability, is difficult. of communication. While understanding the physiological In scientific studies, the same principle is nature of a person’s behavior can increase our at work. Possible combinations of individual compassion for people who have made poor parts explode exponentially as systems increase choices, we must exercise caution in placing in complexity. blame entirely on the brain. A predisposition

136 enrichment / Fall 2008 for a behavior does not mean that a person such as playing tennis. Her ability to activate has lost all ability to choose between good these regions of her brain and to cooperate and evil. We must be careful that people do with researchers by imagining particular tasks not feel powerless to make positive behavioral when asked to do so demonstrated a conscious choices. A key component of the gospel is that awareness of herself and her environment. each person has the power to make a decision, The implication of this research for pastoral choosing eternal life through Christ and care is the realization that we still have much turning from sin. to learn regarding levels of consciousness in brain-damaged patients. Pastors would do well Evaluating Levels of Consciousness to treat all patients as if they were aware of Another area of neuroscience research that their surroundings. When at the patient’s bed- has ethical implications is the development of side, speak to him new technologies to help doctors determine and pray with him as whether a patient who cannot communicate if he can understand iStockphoto is aware of his surroundings. Brain-damaged you. Do not make patients who are aware of their surroundings comments to the require different levels of care from patients family in the presence who are in a vegetative state. Thus, determining of the patient that the level of consciousness of a brain-damaged would be upsetting to patient is an ethically important medical the patient if he could question. Understanding whether a patient can hear your words. No hear and understand the bedside conversations harm comes from of his family and pastor during hospital erring on the side of visitation has ministry implications as well. caution and assuming As severely brain-damaged patients emerge that the patient has from a coma, they may enter varying levels of a higher level of consciousness. One such level is a persistent consciousness than vegetative state, characterized by the absence he may possess. The of awareness of the environment. Another level patient, however, is the minimally conscious state in which could experience great doctors can observe certain behavioral evidence distress should he of consciousness, such as the ability to follow hear a conversation simple commands or to indicate a yes/no that assumes he is unaware of his surroundings response through sounds or gestures. The locked- when, in fact, he can understand every word. Medications in syndrome is a third possible level. Patients who have locked-in syndrome are alert and aware Providing a Biblical Perspective and technologies of their environment but unable to move or What do these developments in neuroscience that treat communicate beyond blinking or moving their mean for ministers? A pastor can provide a psychological eyes vertically because of complete paralysis of biblical perspective to people encountering nearly all voluntary muscles in the body. this technology in their lives. Medications and emotional Interpreting a patient’s behavior alone pro- and technologies that treat psychological and diffi culties vides an imperfect measure of a patient’s mental emotional difficulties do not negate the need state, since other neurological damage may for pastoral counseling to address the patient’s do not negate complicate the interpretation. Doctors are now spiritual needs. In the face of a materialistic the need for using functional brain imaging as an additional deterministic worldview, a pastor can uphold pastoral counseling. means of evaluating levels of consciousness. the concept of personal responsibility, value Some studies using functional magnetic reso- science while reminding parishioners of its nance imaging have uncovered a surprising level limitations, and promote discernment and of thinking ability in patients whose behavior the importance of informed consent for those is consistent with persistent vegetative state or facing difficult medical decisions. Finally, minimally conscious state. For example, research- ministers must endeavor to connect people ers asked a woman in a vegetative state to imag- with the One who can transform them by ine playing tennis. Using fMRI, they detected the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2) activity in the area of her brain that activates in ways beyond the reach of even the most when a person thinks about normal subjects, ambitious neuroscience research.

enrichment / Fall 2008 137 Q&A fforor MMinistryinistry WWivesives / GABRIELE RIENAS

to minimize our potential losses by trying to correct our husbands. For example, if I can stop iStockphoto my husband from relating improperly with key leaders, then it could minimize tension, giving us more security and longevity at the church. If I can critique his sermons, then he would preach better and perhaps more visitors would stay and join the church. On one level, it makes sense for a pastor’s wife to offer input. After all, they are in the ministry together, and she is only trying to be helpful. However, she must take great care because people must earn the right to speak into someone’s life. When a person gives corrective input along with liberal praise and affirmation, it is often more easily received. WhenW advice is infrequent, it carriesca more weight. I DDisagreeisagree The problem comes when suggestionssu are unsolicited and WWithith MyMy HusbandHusband frequent.fre Timing is important. RememberRe the last time someone gave you advice when you were not asking for it. Add to that your While it What should I do when I disagree with the frequent attempts to correct and advise. It can way my husband handles things at church? feel intrusive and demeaning. makes sense for : We have always felt called to ministry If your husband becomes defensive, it means a pastor’s wife Q together, but lately I am becoming increas- he is feeling demeaned or misunderstood. ingly more frustrated with my husband’s approach Since this is not your intention, you may need to offer input, to people and ministry. I think this is the reason our to reconsider your timing and approach. Ask frequent attempts church is failing to grow. When I try to give my input, permission to give input. “I have an idea about to correct and he becomes resistant and defensive and we usually Sunday’s sermon. Would you like to hear it?” If have an argument. I understand that my husband is the answer is no, restrain yourself. advise can feel the pastor of our church, but his decisions affect my You believe the reason your church is failing intrusive and future. to grow is your husband’s approach — he is not performing up to the standard you believe demeaning. Your question brings attention to a is necessary. His resistance and defensiveness ministry wife’s reality. While we may indicate that he knows this. He may feel that : understand that God calls us to he is failing in your eyes. This is difficult for encourage our husbands and support him. Most men want their wives to admire and Athem in ministry, we also realize that their respect them. If your husband is confident success or failure affects us. Pastoral ministry as that you respect him as a person and as a a vocation impacts our life — location, income, pastor, he will be more likely to entertain your well-being, and social network. We are tempted infrequent suggestions. Comment on this article Go to: GABRIELE RIENAS, a pastor’s wife for 27 years and a professional counselor, lives in Beaverton, Oregon. She http://forums.ag.org/ speaks at retreats, conferences, and events worldwide. Contact her at 503-705-9230. enrichment journal

138 enrichment / Fall 2008 Challenge your own perceptions about the right approach to ministry. Often, there are areas of church leadership of which only the pastor is aware. Second-guessing your husband without knowing all the information can be naive and premature. Give your husband the benefit of the doubt. Realize that your opinion is only one way of looking at the situation. As difficult as it may be, you may need to change your ideas of what ministry success looks like. The reasons for a lack of church growth are vast and complex. Be careful about second- guessing your husband. Approach your concerns using dialogue, not confrontation or correction. “I noticed that you seemed upset about the discussion in the leaders’ meeting. Would you like to talk about it?” Seek to understand. If your husband still seems defensive, consider the possibility that he may no longer see you as his ally. Seek to change this perception by being patient and changing your approach. On rare occasions, intervention may be needed. If there is a moral issue or out-of-control behavior, seek advice and assistance from wise leadership or counselors. Do not keep these kinds of issues to yourself, but receive help from others. Pastors’ wives have the unique opportunity to deal with control issues in their own lives. I try to keep the following questions fresh in my mind: • Do I believe that God has called my husband to pastor this church for this season? • Knowing God loves His church, do I believe that God equips His servants (my husband) for the task, addressing his shortcomings in His own time? • Can I trust God, or do I need to intervene with my own agenda? Let your concerns direct you toward your source of security and help — your relationship with Jesus. Find freedom in relinquishing control of your life and future into the hand of God. His intentions for you are for good and not harm. In that place of surrender, you can become more aware of the right manner and time to plant helpful seeds into your husband’s life and ministry.

If you have questions you would like Gabriele to answer, e-mail them to: [email protected]. You can also mail your questions to: Q&A for Pastors’ Wives, Enrichment journal, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894.

enrichment / Fall 2008 139 RRealeal LLifeife PreachingPreaching / JONATHAN MARTIN

WWhyhy OOurur PPreachingreaching DDoesn’toesn’t MMatteratter ttoo thethe ChurchChurch

hile many Pentecostal preachers are while Pentecostals are appropriately zealous in experts in leading people to the altar, leading people into these experiences, we are much of our preaching on the life failing to equip listeners with the tools neces- between conversion and heaven has sary for a life between these moments of corporate left the Bride in the cold. divine encounter. WIn spite of the zeal, mannerisms, quirkiness, Pentecostal preaching must be evangelistic — and passion that often characterize Pentecostal it must call people to Christ. This is the function preaching, I am a fan of Pentecostal preaching. of the Spirit — to empower us for soul winning. To be sure, the expectation of fi re in our preach- But there is room for Pentecostals to reevaluate ing produces some fl amboyant excesses, and at and revision the art of preaching in such a way times emphasizes style, swagger, and bravado that there is fresh affection for the growth, stim- over substance. Even so, anointed Pentecostal ulation, and spiritual formation of the church. Until we preaching — because it is sensory in its appeal Through a lifetime of experience in Pentecos- have fresh — continues to be relevant and effective, tal churches I have observed that the majority despite the potential dangers and pitfalls. of preaching in our pulpits revolves around affection Distinctively Pentecostal preaching stirs the three experiences: salvation, rededication for for the Word mind, heart, and emotions. It allows for inter- backsliders, and Spirit empowerment. While I action and feedback between the proclamation do not question the value or validity of these and prayer of the Word and the people of God. At its core, experiences, can a believer grow spiritually on a ourselves, we Pentecostal preaching is experiential in nature. steady diet of this kind of preaching? If believ- cannot make It invites and initiates experience for all partici- ers are not taught foundational truths about pants — from the preacher to the congregant. discipleship — how to follow basic spiritual disciples. The zeal and power of Pentecostal preaching disciplines for themselves such as prayer, medi- brings animation to the ancient Scriptures, tation on Scripture, solitude, and fasting — giving expression with life and vigor to God’s the only alternative is for them to become holy words. For Pentecostals, this often starts codependent on these periodic altar experiences with the reading of the biblical text, and gener- to live right. ally concludes with an altar invitation — an How many sitting on our pews “ought to be opportunity for the hearers to participate in the teachers” and no longer struggling to grasp the divine life that exudes from the pulpit. “elementary truth of God’s word” (Hebrews Because we value this experiential nature 5:12), but are still immature in their under-

of preaching, many Pentecostal teachers and standing of what it is to be a disciple? I am iStockphoto preachers are experts at leading people into convinced this has less to do with their desire moments of divine encounter around the to follow after the disciplines of Christ than it altar, including salvation and Spirit baptism. does with our failure to communicate clearly Without such opportunities, preaching the call to discipleship. The gospel that requires becomes a merely human exercise devoid of active participation in our growth in Christlike- demonstration of the Spirit and power. Yet, ness, the gospel that requires a commitment Comment to crucify the fl esh, abide in Christ, and allow on this article His words to abide in us — is not the gospel Go to: JONATHAN MARTIN is pastor of Renovatus, they have signed on for. Pastors will beg, plead, http://forums.ag.org/ Charlotte, North Carolina. enrichment journal and prod until they coerce people into an altar experience of conversion, but in the process

140 enrichment / Fall 2008 neglect the Great Commission mandate which To make disciples, we must fi rst revisit what instructs us to make disciples, not converts. it is to be a disciple ourselves. But eventually, this intentional shift to disciplemaking must The Call To Disciple Making bleed into the nuts and bolts of our preaching. Through Preaching We must examine the content of our preach- We are not making disciples if our preaching ing. Taking an obscure text and interpreting it does not cause people to become dependent creatively with a unique delivery to impress the on the Word itself more than our delivery of it. fl ock will not make disciples. To make disciples Preaching needs to inspire, convict, and moti- we must cause our people to be more enam- vate people to encounter God through spiritual ored with the Word than with our intelligence, discipline after the worship service is over. creativity, and charisma. Our ministry as pastors is to make disciples We tell our people time and again to be pray- — apprentices of Jesus — who know how to ing and studying their Bibles more often when have intimacy with Him through prayer and what we ought to be doing is showing them meditation on Scripture. We feed the sheep so how to study and pray more. Most Christians they may in turn feed themselves and are not do not know where to begin in developing a codependent on us. prayer and devotional life. They need practi- How can people sit under inspiring Pente- cal help from the pulpit. They need a preacher costal sermons without growing in disciple- who will use the Psalms to teach them to pray ship and spiritual discipline? It is not because with rawness and honesty — to pray from the pastors do not use Scripture or prayer. Even heart. They need to learn how to use the Lord’s with our frequent machine-gun style delivery Prayer as a model for their own prayer life. of Scripture are we prompting the people They need to be encouraged to approach the entrusted to our care to become people of the throne of grace with boldness rather than fear Word themselves? Do our people see in us a and a sense of unworthiness. They need some- genuine love for the Word of God and the pres- one to teach them how to pray with simplicity ence of the Father, or do they see a talented and authority. preacher who knows how to manipulate Scrip- They need a preacher who can teach them ture to get a response that satisfi es the ego? It is how to read and study the Bible. Too many one thing for us to lay claim on Scripture and Christians start in Genesis only to give up in use it, it is quite another thing for the Scripture Leviticus. Before tackling more diffi cult books We must cause to lay claim on us in such a way that the Word like Leviticus and Revelation, walk them is accentuated more so than the messenger. We through the Gospels and teach them the basics our people to know how to make things happen, but until of what it is to be a Christ follower. Teach them be more enamored we have fresh affection for the Word and prayer how to read the Scriptures prayerfully and with the Word ourselves, we cannot make disciples. slowly, allowing the Spirit to breathe creative While what we preach is important with life on them through the text. than with our regard to disciple making, the issue goes deeper intelligence, than preaching. If our people follow us around Conclusion in daily life as the disciples did with Jesus, will If you are not addressing these basic issues creativity, and they become true disciples? Jesus’ disciples from the pulpit, chances are you are not charisma. were not just impacted by His powerful making disciples. If it is your charisma and preaching and miraculous healing; they were personality they depend on, you are setting impacted by His example. If people follow us them up for disappointment. They must see in around for a week, will they learn what it is to you a life of personal commitment to spiritual carve out times of prayer and Bible meditation, discipline and growth in Christlikeness. They or will they just learn how to occupy time with must hear practical ways they can participate spiritual busyness and activity? They will fi nd in the abundant life of discipleship. And if you in us pastors who know how to string some remain sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in good thoughts and illustrations together and the process, you will fi nd your preaching to be wrap them up in a blanket of charisma and not only practical but also Pentecostal in the energy for a Sunday or Wednesday service, to truest sense. Indeed if you are to teach, train, be sure. But will they learn what it is to be a and equip people for discipleship, you cannot disciple, to be a person captivated and obsessed do it without the passion, anointing, and by the Scriptures and the intimacies of prayer? power of the Spirit.

enrichment / Fall 2008 141 MManaginganaging YYourour MMinistryinistry / JOHN MICHAEL DE MARCO

OOrganizationalrganizational DDevelopmentevelopment aandnd tthehe CChurchhurch PPartart FFour:our: CChangehange LLeadershipeadership iinn tthehe CChurchhurch

n 2006, Edward E. Lawler III and Christopher G. fourth is a lover, someone who loves something Worley debuted a remarkable business book outside of themselves — not just in a sexual entitled Built To Change: How To Achieve sense, but has an appreciation of music, art, a Sustainable Organizational Effectiveness. The sunset, etc.” authors emphasize that the most successful He continues, “There are a lot of people who Icompanies will stay responsive to external can’t graduate from being warriors to kings,

changes and challenges through a fluid process and not many people graduate from being iStockphoto of strategizing, updating their competencies kings to sages. Sage to lover is not a transition; and capabilities, and constantly adjusting it’s something you are in different forms structures, systems people, and rewards toward your whole life. The lover changes with the Thriving churches achieving top performance. other seasons. are being pastored Businesses, churches, and parachurch min- “But a lot of pastors aren’t drawn to the istries all benefit from the same intentional responsibility of changing from doer to leader. by leaders who fluidity as the rapid rate of technological eco- It’s not in their nature.” see change not as nomic and social change is significantly — if not severely — impacting all three spheres. The Leading From the Center an occasional event thriving churches of the first part of the 21st James O’Toole, author of the book, Leading but as a way of life. century are being pastored by leaders who see Change, writes that all leadership is about change not as an occasional event but as a way leading change. O’Toole uses as his model the of life, always eager to shape the wineskin to fit French expressionist painting of Christ’s entry what the Spirit is pouring out here and now. into Brussels. The painting depicts a massive Leadership author and speaker Bob Buford crowd, with Jesus riding on a donkey. notes that what is needed in church leadership “He’s right in the middle, sitting on the don- these days can best be explained by a set of key, a little higher than the crowd but in the four archetypes developed by Carl Jung, the midst of the crowd,” reflects Al Winseman, The Swiss psychiatrist. Gallup Organization’s global practice leader “The first (archetype) is a warrior; a warrior for faith communities, on the painting. “He’s is a doer,” notes Buford. “Second is king; a king leading from the center of the organization. I isn’t a doer, but brings order to an organization. think that’s a very powerful image.” The third is a sage or wisdom figure; and the The paradox of the church, Winseman Comment on this article Go to: JOHN MICHAEL DE MARCO is an ordained United Methodist pastor, leadership consultant and writer, based in http://forums.ag.org/ Nashville, Tennessee. To learn more, please visit www.johnmdemarco.com. enrichment journal

142 enrichment / Fall 2008 continues, is its nature as an institution that Change Leaders in the Trenches people look to as the last bastion of stability Dan Betzer, senior pastor of First Assembly of in a sea of change. Yet, the mandate of the God in Fort Myers, Florida, reflects that change church from Jesus is to be the agent of change is a constant. “It is said that the average success- in the world. “You’ve got this tension, the ful business has major changes every 3 years expectation many people have that at least in or fewer. The average church changes every 50 the storms of the change of life the church is years. The Assemblies the last refuge because it will never change. of God, in general, is in Pastors and church leaders really need to look dire need of major at that creative tension. God never changes, transition governmentally, but yet is continually changing. That’s a whole philosophically, and theological excursion in itself.” methodologically.” Pastors, Winseman adds, need to help Betzer notes that his people navigate change. “One of the demands own congregation has of leadership is making sense of the world changed the way it does around them, their own experience, and the services, continually experience of the organization. It’s kind of modifying time schedules being an interpreter of reality for people. to accommodate the Leaders very much need to be in tune in what’s surrounding society in going on with culture. In a lot of ways they Fort Myers. “We try to need to be cultural anthropologists.” upgrade the music all the Adds speaker and consultant Nancy Ortberg, time. That doesn’t mean “As much as we all recognize the need for we’ve abdicated the old, change, either the pace is so relentless that but we’ve integrated the we can’t keep up or we don’t see the need for new and made the old change. Most people just don’t gravitate toward sound like it was just change. I think one of the biggest roadblocks written. We don’t emulate is collaborating with people in the church anybody because that’s iStockphoto community to get people to share the vision, pretty hard to do. Great not just have the vision thrust upon them.” churches are led by people who are geniuses. If Ortberg points to another best-selling you try to wear their armor, it’s like David with “One of the business book, Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Saul’s armor. biggest roadblocks Dysfunctions of a Team, as demonstrating that “Most of these changes help us win more is collaborating people will give buy-in to change if they have people to Christ and help them grow,” Betzer a voice in the process. “People are reasonable adds. “Jesus was ultra conservative theologi- with people in the enough where they don’t always have to get cally, but in His application to the people He church community their way,” she adds. “Change takes time. Most was extremely liberal. I’ve tried to live by that. of us are very impatient.” I think Jesus is the role model for a pastor.” to get people to Another hurdle to leading change is a lack B.G. Nevitt of Glad Tidings Assembly of God share the vision, of clarity from leaders concerning what the in Decatur, Illinois, has “regular sit-downs” not just have change specifically is, Ortberg cautions. with people in his congregation “to find out “Some leaders are so vague that it’s difficult what’s the heartbeat, what’s going on in our the vision thrust for people to get on board; where is it that you community, what people are experiencing, and upon them.” want to take us?” Another roadblock is the what are their hurts. If we don’t have the pulse — Nancy Ortberg mistrust we have to own up to. Many leaders of our community, we’ll never reach it.” have used their leadership in inappropriate ways. When Nevitt entered the ministry, people There’s not a good way to microwave trust. It warned him that the elderly would be resistant takes time, it’s fragile.” to change. “Absolutely false. They are the greatest

enrichment / Fall 2008 143 Organizational Development and the Church Part Four: Change Leadership in the Church (continued from page 143)

cheerleaders of change, if you bring them along one or two levels when they go and get another the journey with you. If you don’t, sure they’re idea and another change. They keep piling it going to resist it because they don’t understand on top, without waiting for things to come back what you’re doing.” up,” he claims. “My rule is you get to stuff one One example of avoiding assumptions about thing at a time, and you don’t get to stuff the change concerns a chandelier that hung in his next thing until that one thing comes back at sanctuary, Nevitt notes. “It was made by people you from the bottom levels of the congregation.” in the church, and looked like a gigantic, old He notes, “We’re on one core value a year. wagon wheel. Half the church loved it, and I’m teaching Every Soul Matters to God. I’m the others hated it and were afraid to sit under just stuffing that, stuffing that. I knew we under- it. Previous pastors tried to take it out, and it stood that one when I watched some junior nearly split the church. The deacons said, ‘You highers in a drama for fine arts, and their theme can do anything else you want, just leave the was Every Soul Matters to God. When the shirts light alone.’ for the singles ministry said ESMTG on the “There was one family left whose name was shoulder, we got it. It’s through the organization; on the plaque,” Nevitt continues. “I told them it’s coming back to me, and now I can do the the church needed to diversify light, instead next one.” of having one fixture in the center. … I said, ‘I In a culture that is convinced that everything won’t do anything without your blessing, but must happen now, Loy warns, the frequent it’s hard for the older people to see their Bibles. result “is that nothing completely happens.” We need more light.’ “The guy looked at me and said, ‘I’ve got the Six Concerns To Consider “If we don’t hoist; do you want me to bring it in tomorrow Leadership author and speaker Ken Blanchard, have the pulse of and help bring it down?’ summarizing his Concerns model for leading “The wife looked at me and said, ‘The last change, says one of the biggest problems he’s our community, pastor tried to take it down, and we gave him seen with pastors and other leaders is “they we’ll never reach it.” fits. But you asked us, and he didn’t.’” think about the change they want to make, and “You’ve got to take people along.” the big thing they’re pitching is: What are the — B.G. Nevitt “People now are accustomed to the instant,” benefits of the change? People don’t want to observes Rod Loy, senior pastor of North Little hear that. Their first concern is information: Rock First Assembly of God. “Instant response to Tell me more about it. The second thing people their questions. I get mad if I e-mail a customer are concerned about is personal: How is this service rep and don’t have a response within 3 going to affect me? If we raise money for this, hours. We want to leverage change in our once- will it take away from our ongoing budget? a-week world, an every-Sunday approach to “What you resist, persists,” Blanchard warns. leveraging change. There’s nothing else in their “If you don’t give people an opportunity to world that takes 7 days to get interaction and express their concerns, they bring them out feedback. I publish my e-mail address in the later. In the process of sharing concerns, the bulletin. I tell people you’ll always hear back from concerns often go away.” me within 24 hours, unless I’m off the grid, in The third concern for a change initiative which case it will take me 48.” is ordering the key steps of implementation. Loy continues, “Because people are now living The fourth is the impact or the benefits of the in this interactive world, they want to interact change. “One of the biggest things I’ve been and relate to the changes as they are occurring. able to help people do is realize that you have We are not wired that way in the church. I’m to address the first three areas before you talk not sure people are always resisting change, about the benefits,” Blanchard points out. as we think. It’s their attempt to be part of an The fifth concern of change is collaboration, ongoing dialogue.” Blanchard says. Who else should be involved There is a strong tendency in today’s informa- in the change? The final concern is refining the tion-overload culture, Loy observes, for leaders changes the church has implemented. to grab hold of the latest idea or principle and Concludes Blanchard, “The greatest leadership “come back and stuff that down through the model for all time is Jesus of Nazareth. We ought organization: ‘We’re going to do this.’ It’s like to stop looking outside the church for their lead- they’re pushing this change down into a bottle, ership training. Take 12 enthusiastic believers and that change is still being shoved down to and make them self-reliant achievers.”

144 enrichment / Fall 2008 enrichment / Fall 2008 145 OOriginalriginal WWisdomisdom / DOUGLAS JACOBSEN

GGeorgeeorge FloydFloyd TaylorTaylor ((1881–1934)1881–1934) ““UnderstandingUnderstanding tthehe Spirit’sSpirit’s WWorkork andand Witness”Witness”1

best of him. He was a fighter, and he succeeded against odds that would have discouraged others. As he approached adulthood, Taylor decided his best career option was to become a respect-

IPHC Archives & Research Center & Research IPHC Archives able Methodist minister. To prepare himself, he attended the University of North Carolina in 1901. During his fi rst year in college, however, Taylor became acquainted with Albert Blackmon Crumpler and his recently founded Holiness Church. Methodist decorum could not compete with Crumpler’s charisma, and Taylor, with obvious institutional talents, was soon drawn into the leadership core of the new denomina- tion. Busy with church work, Taylor left school and did not return to UNC until 1928 to fi nish his degree. When Taylor joined the Holiness Church, it was not yet Pentecostal. In fact, Pentecostalism was still an unknown entity in North Carolina. Once the Azusa Street revival was under way, however, news spread quickly through the holi- ness networks of the South. Taylor felt compelled Taylor became eorge Floyd Taylor was born in Magnolia, to examine the new Movement. He was soon a North Carolina, in 1881. He had a rough confirmed believer, receiving the baptism in one of the start. At first, it seemed he had no chance the Holy Spirit in January 1907. Taylor never most ardent of survival, but after his caretaker rubbed did anything halfway. Once he was convinced of champions of him with warm water for an hour, he the truth of Pentecostalism, he became one of G began to show signs of life. In many ways, his its most ardent champions. Soon he was Pentecostalism. miraculous first moments set the tone for his denouncing anyone in the Holiness Church who life. Even though Taylor struggled with a variety refused to accept the new Pentecostal message. of congenital disabilities, he never let them get the Ultimately the denomination split, with Taylor

DOUGLAS JACOBSEN is distinguished professor of Church History and Theology at Messiah College in Comment Grantham, Pennsylvania. He is the author of Thinking in the Spirit: Theologies of the Early Pentecostal on this article Movement (Indiana University Press, 2003), which won the 2004 Pneuma Award from the Society for Go to: Pentecostal Studies, and of A Reader in Pentecostal Theology: Voices From the First Generation (Indiana http://forums.ag.org/ University Press, 2006) from which this series of articles is adapted. He is also the coauthor of an introduction to theology enrichment journal entitled Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess (Baker, 2006).

146 enrichment / Fall 2008 and a group of friends leaving to start their own acknowledged in all the highest and deepest new Pentecostal Holiness Church. systems of human thought and religion.” Taylor, a systematic theologian by nature, felt Three represents the Trinity — Father, Son, and compelled to articulate his beliefs with clarity Holy Ghost. and to explain how those beliefs fit together in Four represents humanity. a complete system of Christian thought. Every Seven is the union of three and four; hence, systematic theologian has one core doctrinal it represents salvation, or the Christ-life in His point of reference. For Taylor, it was the work saints. It is connected with whatever touches and witness of the Holy Spirit. Based on his the covenant between God and man. It also personal study of the Bible and his own pastoral signifies dispensational fullness. It is complete experience, Taylor developed the idea that the in that which is temporal. Thus, we are not inner work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life surprised to find that the Holy Spirit, in His was usually accompanied by an externally offices, administrations, operations, and in observable witness of the Spirit’s work. Speaking whatever way He may deal with man, is presented in tongues was, for example, the visible sign or to our minds in the number seven. witness that one had received the baptism in We have already seen that the Spirit uses the Holy Spirit. Taylor believed that the other seven symbols to present to our finite minds the activities of the Spirit were also linked to one or different ways He operates in our hearts, and now another external indicator. we are to see that there are seven operations While giving special attention to these external of the Spirit. May the Holy Spirit help us to a indicators of the Spirit’s work, Taylor cautioned proper understanding of these mighty things. against placing too much emphasis on the phy- 1. The Spirit Strives (Genesis 6:3). It is the office Taylor, a systematic sical. In particular, he understood that there was of the Spirit to convict of sin, both actual and theologian by nature, a difference between simple emotionalism and inbred. The Holy Ghost often strives with a genuine manifestation of the Spirit. From his careless Christians to move them out into felt compelled to perspective, there was nothing wrong with emo- active service for God. explain how his tions, as long as people properly understood them. 2. The Spirit Regenerates (John 3:5–8). To be born beliefs fi t together But if they got out of control, emotions could again or from above is to receive a new heart. do both people and the Movement significant This change in the heart and life is wrought by in a complete system harm. Like many Pentecostal theologians and through the power of the Holy Ghost. of Christian thought. who would come after him, Taylor wanted to 3. The Spirit Sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2). Sanctification encourage freedom in the Spirit, but he also is the destruction of the old man, the taking wanted to be discerning and disciplined in away of the old heart, and the eradication of the spiritual matters. carnal mind. Jesus — that He might sanctify the The following selection from Taylor’s first people with His own blood — suffered with- book, The Spirit and the Bride, published in out the gate. The Holy Ghost applies the blood 1907, explains his sevenfold understanding of of Jesus to the heart, and the heart is sanctified. the Spirit’s work and the external manifestations The blood is the means by which we are he believed would normally accompany each of sanctified, while the Holy Ghost is the Agent. these works.1 4. The Spirit Witnesses (1 John 5:6). He witnesses In Revelation 1:4, 3:1, and 4:5, we read of the to our justification (Romans 8:16), to our sanc- seven Spirits of God, while in Ephesians 4:4 tification (Hebrews 10:15), to divine healing, to we are told that there is but one Spirit. Harmony answer to prayer, etc. exists between these Scriptures in the fact there 5. The Spirit Teaches (John 14:26). The Spirit must is but one Spirit, yet the Holy Spirit, as sent teach the sinner how to be saved. Every saved forth for the illumination, comfort, and edifi ca- soul realizes his need of divine guidance, of tion of all the subjects of God’s redeeming divine illumination, of that wisdom that is from grace, is represented to our fi nite minds by sevens. above, and to every such soul there comes the This does not infer that the Spirit is divided, blessed assurance that he will be so guided and but He is the one Spirit in whatever way He may led. The Spirit enables him to understand the operate in us. Scriptures, to perceive spiritual things, to know Doctor Seiss says, “There is a sacred signifi - God’s will, and to receive divine wisdom. “For cance in numbers: not cabalistic, not fanciful; we know not what we should pray for as we but proceeding from the very nature of things, ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession well settled in the Scriptures, and universally for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”

enrichment / Fall 2008 147 George Floyd Taylor (1881-1934) “Understanding the Spirit’s Work and Witness” (continued from page 147)

(Romans 8:26). Into all the details of the minis- be enumerated under these seven. try of the gospel, the Holy Spirit enters. It was “There are diversities of operations, but it by the direction of the Spirit that Philip was is the same God which worketh all in all. But sent into the desert to preach to and baptize the the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29–39). The Spirit man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:6,7). suffered not Paul and Silas to go into Bithynia It appears to me from the above Scripture when they desired of themselves to do so (Acts that a manifestation follows each operation of 16:7). And it was the Spirit that sent Peter to the Spirit in our hearts. I also gather from other preach to Cornelius (Acts 10:19 and 11:12). Scriptures that each operation of the Spirit And so all through the ministry of the apostles, includes two kinds or phases of manifestation. the Holy Spirit directed them. First, there are the invisible and internal influ- ences or manifestation; and second, the visible and external manifestation, and since there is profit in the manifestation, it is given to every man in whom the Spirit operates. 1. We know that when the Spirit strives with a man, there is uneasiness in his soul, and a trou- bled look on his face (Daniel 5:6; Acts 24:25; Psalm 42:5). 2. Justification brings the invisible manifesta- tion of peace (Romans 5:1), and the visible manifestation of a new life (Ephesians 2:1–5; Galatians 5:22,23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). 3. Sanctification brings the invisible manifesta- tion of joy (Luke 24:50–52), and the visible man- ifestation of fruit unto holiness (Romans 6:22). 4. The witness of the Spirit brings an internal Like many manifestation of confidence toward God (1 John 3:20–22), and an external manifestation Pentecostal of testimony to the world (Romans 10:10). theologians who 5. A person who is taught by the Spirit has would come after an internal manifestation of an insight into the words of Jesus (John 14:26), and an external him, Taylor wanted manifestation of wisdom, especially in regard to encourage to the Christ-life, and the hidden things of God (Genesis 41:37–40; Daniel 1:19,20; Acts 4:13; freedom in the 18:24–26). Spirit, but he also 6. A person who receives an anointing of the iStockphoto wanted to be Spirit has an internal manifestation of an insight into God’s dealings with His children discerning and (Psalm 23:5,6), and an external manifestation disciplined in 6. The Spirit Anoints (Psalm 23:5; Acts 4:31). of boldness and liberty (Acts 4:29–31). The purpose of these anointings is to prepare 7. The baptism of the Spirit brings an invisible spiritual matters. us for service, or to enable us to undergo some manifestation of living water (John 7:37–39), particular trial. Many miss all the sweetness of and a visible or external manifestation of a trial by failing to tarry before God until He tongues (Acts 2:3,4). anoints them for that trial. I have not mentioned other manifestations of 7. The Spirit Baptizes (Matthew 3:11). This is the the Spirit, but as far as I have gone, I have tried culmination of the offices of the Spirit; it is the to build upon the Word. It is possible that I grand climax. This is the seal of the Spirit of have made some error in giving the manifestation promise, by which seal we are designated as the following each of the first six operations; for in Bride of the Lamb. regard to these the Word is not so clear. I will Thus, I have given the seven offi ces of the Holy therefore give my readers the liberty to rearrange Spirit with reference to man’s salvation. There these manifestations if they choose; but you may be others, but it seems to me that they can must remember, “the manifestation of the Spirit

148 enrichment / Fall 2008 is given to every man” in whom He operates, Taylor’s Original Wisdom for Today and also your manifestation must be scriptural. Taylor was both a systematic theologian and a But when we come to the manifestation careful observer of human behavior. How following the baptism of the Spirit, we have a do his ideas and observations prompt your “thus saith the Lord.” We may think for many own thinking? years that we have the manifestation of the 1. Taylor lists seven operations of the Spirit. Spirit following any or all of the first six opera- Do you find his list helpful? How might you tions, and then find out that we have been expand or reorganize his list? mistaken; but not so in regard to the visible 2. Is it necessary or helpful to catalog the manifestation of the seventh. effects of the Spirit as Taylor does or should Here let me say that there is quite a differ- theologians and pastors be more fluid in their ence between “the manifestation of the Spirit” understandings of the many different ways the and emotions. A person may have emotions Spirit can be present in the world, in the church, without “the manifestation,” or he may have and in people’s lives? “the manifestation” without emotions. An 3. How do you distinguish between mere emotion is caused by the spiritual overcoming emotions and what Taylor calls the manifesta- the physical. But such is not the case with regard tion of the Spirit? Is this an issue for members to speaking with tongues. Of course, a person of your own congregation? may be emotional while speaking with tongues, but neither is the other, nor does either cause NOTE the other. Leaping, shouting, dancing, etc., are 1. Portions of this article are adapted from Douglas Jacobsen, emotions, while speaking with tongues is “the A Reader in Pentecostal Theology (Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana manifestation.” University Press, 2006).

enrichment / Fall 2008 149 SSermonermon SSeedseeds For additional sermons, visit http://www.enrichmentjournal.ag.org. Look under Resources for Practical Ministry.

a. Glad because of salvation. He has brought us out of the horrible pit, placed our feet on the solid rock and established our goings, and put a new song in our hearts (Psalm 40:1–3). We have salvation by accepting God’s Son (John 1:12; see 1 John 3:2). b. Glad because of the Savior. Our Savior has a name above all other names (Philippians 2:9). Calling on this name gives us salvation (Romans 10:13; see John 3:16). 3. Singing (Psalm 100:2). “Come before His presence with singing.” a. Songs of Praise (Acts 16:25). Despite having been beaten and placed in stocks, Paul and Silas sang praises to God at midnight (Acts 16:25). Paul said to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in our hearts toward God (Ephesians 5:18,19). •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• b. Songs of pleasure. James said, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). The Psalmist ■ A Thanksgiving Psalm encourages us, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). CROFT M. PENTZ, Union, New Jersey 4. Supernatural (Psalm 100:3). a. Controller. “Know ye that the Lord he is God.” He created the world TEXT: PSALM 100:1–5 (Genesis 1:1). He created all things (John 1:3). He is not only the creator, but He is also the controller (Colossians 3:16). INTRODUCTION b. Creature. “It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” Look at the thank-related words in the Bible. Thanks is mentioned 75 God created man and woman in His own image (Genesis 1:27). God times; thanksgiving, 28; thank, 27; thankful, 3; thanked, 3; thanksgiv- breathed into Adam, and he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). ings, 2; and, thankfulness, 1. There are 139 references of these words. God then made a help meet for Adam (Genesis 2:18). Other thank-related words include bless and praise. 5. Sheep (Psalm 100:3). Jesus healed 10 lepers. Only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17:12–17). a. Personal. “We are His people.” By the new birth, we become part How often do we thank God for His many blessings? of the family of God (John 3:1–16). Some things we need to be thankful for include: b. Protection. “And the sheep of His pasture.” Note: “The Lord is my • Parents. For their patience, prayers, hard work, and example. Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). • People. Schoolteachers, Sunday School teachers, doctors, and nurses. This good Shepherd gives abundant life (John 10:10). He gives • Peace. Peace of heart, soul, and mind. eternal life (John 11:25,26). • Pastors. Pastors who preach, teach, visit, and counsel. 6. Sharing (Psalm 100:4). • Prayer. The opportunity to pray, presenting all our needs. a. Praise. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts • Partners. For husband and wife who stand together in serving God. with praise.” The Psalmist warns not to forget all His benefits • Problems. Through problems we learn to trust and grow in God. (Psalm 103:2). Paul said in all things we need to give thanks Saying thank you not only makes others feel good, but it also makes (1 Thessalonians 5:18). you feel good. Being thankful keeps old friends and makes new ones. b. Personal. “Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” In His name, we have salvation (Romans 10:13). In His name, we have healing MESSAGE (Mark 16:18). Only through Him do we have salvation (John 14:6). 1. Sound (Psalm 100:1). 7. Steadfastness (Psalm 100:5). a. Joyful noise. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” Note three things that will always remain steadfast with the Lord: (1) Psalm 9:1 says, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole a. Goodness. “For the Lord is good.” The Psalmist says, “O taste and heart.” Not a complaining noise, but a joyful noise. see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). The prophet said, “The (2) Joy at Christ’s birth. “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7). be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of b. Mercy. “His mercy is everlasting.” The prophet said, “It is of the David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord’ ” (Luke 2:10,11). Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions b. Joyful people. “All ye lands.” All people in all nations. Thank Him fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” for all His benefits (Psalm 103:3). All who have breath need to be (Lamentations 3:22,23). joyful and praise the Lord (Psalm 150:3). c. Truth. “And his truth endureth to all generations.” Note these 2. Service (Psalm 100:2) words, “And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be “Serve the Lord with gladness.” true” (2 Samuel 7:28). Paul said that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

150 enrichment / Fall 2008 CONCLUSION b. The going (Hebrews 6:1). A thankful person is a happy person. He is a healthful person. When we (1) The writer of Hebrews was confident that he would progress are thankful, it extends our blessings. Failure to be thankful may end with God’s help. God is always urging us on to the next level, them. Some count their blessings on their fingers and their problems on and the next. an adding machine. (2) The only way to reach the next level is by moving, not by Our prayers need to begin and end with thanksgiving. Too many standing still. prayers are filled with requests and little, if any, thanksgiving. Illustration: Ten Lepers. They received their healing when they We need to continually thank God for His blessings. We often have started moving and obeying. So, get moving; the next level awaits. many prayer requests, but we seldom remember to offer praise and (3) Moving requires: thanksgiving when He answers. (a) Motivation. We become motivated when we see a need Begin practicing thanksgiving today. for, an advantage in, and the benefit of doing something. Our motivation must be internal and provided by: 1) The NOTE promise of Scripture (Joshua 1:3); 2) The prompting of 1. Scripture is KJV. the Spirit (John 16:12,13); and 3) The providence of God (Philippians 2:13). •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• (b) Resolution: “I press on” (Philippians 3:12). We need resolve because our dedication and determination will be ■ Taking It to the Next Level tested. There are two things that test us: (i) Stumbling Blocks. NELSON BRENNER, Pocomoke City, Maryland • Those who would hold us back: peers, family, and friends. • Things that hinder (Mark 4:18,19). TEXT: HEBREWS 6:1 • Our adversary, the devil, does not want us to advance, to get more of God. INTRODUCTION • Self — self-complacency and apathy — is our The principle of progressing to the next level is seen in many areas of our biggest hindrance to reaching the next level. lives; for example, education and sports. The same principle applies to • For example, Elisha was tested, but he resolved to go our spiritual lives. The Hebrew Christians were failing. on (2 Kings 2:1–14). (ii) Stepping Stones. MESSAGE • God’s people: pastors, saints (Ephesians 4:11–16). 1. Program of progress. • Means of grace: church, prayer (Acts 2:42). a. The process (Philippians 3:12–14). • Trials are blessings in disguise (Psalm 119:71). b. Paul was intent on progressing to the next level. He would not rest 3. Prospect of perfection. on his laurels. He had not yet attained. He was still striving. The Prize (Philippians 3:14). The goal is maturity (Ephesians 4:13–15). c. Moving toward the next level is called sanctification. Sanctification a. God calls us to higher heights. is the progressive work of grace that begins at salvation and For example: Moses (Exodus 34:2,3). Climbing Mount Sinai in the continues throughout our lifetime. The Spirit carries out our morning was inconvenient, physically difficult, and time consuming, day-to-day progress in sanctification. but worth it and life changing. It will cost you something to go to d. Natural growth is spontaneous, but spiritual growth requires effort the next level; it is not a free ride. and diligence (2 Peter 1:2–11; Hebrews 6:11,12). b. There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Paul’s testimony 2. Procedure of performance. (2 Timothy 4:7,8). You can walk, run, and go at your own pace. The a. The leaving (Hebrews 6:1). important thing is keep going on and up. There are no limits (1) Leaving means to not abandon, but to move beyond — (Ephesians 3:20). letting go to embrace another. For example, little girls outgrow c. A pole-vaulter does not begin by setting the bar at the top. The bar baby dolls. is set low and gradually raised. Don’t you think it is time to raise (2) Moving to the next level requires letting go, having a willingness the bar spiritually? The writer of Hebrews was expressing this idea to change, leaving our comfort zone, and being dissatisfied to these early believers. with the status quo — which leads to repression, not progression; to stagnation, not acceleration. CONCLUSION (3) Paul was not content to remain stationary: “Forgetting what Are you progressing to where you should be? need to be? Or, like the is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians Hebrews, are you living below your privileges — underachieving? 3:13). We cannot live in the past and still advance. We cannot Chorus: “I am reaching for the highest goal, that I might receive the loiter, linger, or lag behind if we want to progress to the prize; pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside out of my way, next level. because I want to know You more.”

enrichment / Fall 2008 151 BBookook ReviewsReviews Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity — And Why It Matters DAVID KINNAMAN AND GABE LYONS (Baker, 256 pp., hardcover) found myself somewhat reluctant to read another book full of depressing statistics about the failings of the American church. Avoidance and denial can be tempting when you feel pastorally overwhelmed and out-voiced by the culture. Unchristian is a massive dose of painful reality as the Barna Group makes the case that the American church has an image problem of crisis proportions, especially among 16 to 29 years old. I Kinnaman and Lyons have structured Unchristian around six extraordinarily negative perceptions of the evangelical world. Christians are too: (1) hypocritical; (2) focused on getting converts; (3) antihomosexual; (4) sheltered; (5) political; and (6) judgmental. Without compromising, how do we either move past or rectify those perceptual barriers and build bridges to emerging generations? The answers, along with the reflections of more than two dozen church leaders, make Unchristian a worthwhile read — in spite of the pain. Although the book is controversial, I found Unchristian to be more than a data-driven diagnosis Unchristian: seemingly unfair to our cause. Part of the church’s image problem concerns the offense of the What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity Cross, cultural relativism, and the fact people love darkness rather than light. The book tries to deal — And Why It Matters honestly with that reality. Nevertheless, Kinnaman and Lyons present pastoral prescriptions that get to the heart of the great need to disciple devoted followers of Jesus who authentically live out Christ’s kingdom in a culturally impacting way that glorifies God. —Reviewed by Jim Bradford, senior pastor, Central Assembly of God, Springfield, Missouri.

A World Of Difference: Putting Christian Anecdotes describing Samples’ personal life- Truth-claims to the Worldview Test and-death crisis bring his clear explanations to life and show how Christianity passes the same KENNETH RICHARD SAMPLES (Baker, 320 pp., paperback) tests other religions fail. s there truth? What makes the Bible different Pastors will find this book an excellent from other holy books? Don’t all religions resource for meat-and-potatoes topics that will I lead to God? Unfortunately, such questions not only feed their congregants’ spirits but also make many Christians hesitant to share their satisfy their intellectual appetites. The discussion faith with those who want answers. Even worse, questions and additional resources at the end A World Of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-claims Christians often struggle to hold on to their of each chapter make this book a valuable tool to the Worldview Test own beliefs in the face of conflicting messages. for small-group studies as well. According to Barna’s research, less than 1 — Reviewed by Patti Townley-Covert, communications in 10 evangelical Christians holds a biblical director at Reasons To Believe, an interdenominational worldview. A World of Difference attempts to science-faith think tank in Pasadena, California. change this disturbing fact by educating readers about what makes the Christian perspective uniquely reasonable, verifiable, and livable. Misquoting Truth: A Guide to the Fallacies Samples explains how “a person’s worldview of Bart Ehrman’s Misquoting Jesus shapes his vision of what is real, true, right, and TIMOTHY PAUL JONES (InterVarsity Press, 144 pp., paperback) valuable. It is the prism through which one makes sense of life and death.” His in-depth analysis Are the books of the New Testament reliable? Are of Christianity’s historical and philosophical they based on eyewitness testimony? Were they basis tackles tough issues using logic and reason accurately copied? Is what we read today the to develop the concept of testable truth. Critical same as what was written centuries ago? thinking skills help readers evaluate competing In his bestselling book, Misquoting Jesus, Misquoting Truth: worldviews. After exploring the Christian world- Ehrman answers no to all these questions. A Guide to the Fallacies view, Samples uses nine distinct tests to compare Ehrman is chair of the religious studies depart- of Bart Ehrman’s it with current religious and philosophical ment at the University of North Carolina at Misquoting Jesus competitors including Islam, postmodernism, Chapel Hill. He is a well-regarded textual critic naturalism, and pantheistic monism. and historian of early Christianity. Concerning

152 enrichment / Fall 2008 personal spiritual commitment, he describes are effective and retain a crucial commitment to himself as “a happy agnostic.” truth in a vibrant relationship with God. Jones rebuts Ehrman’s arguments in Misquot- Far from being a purely theoretical work, Truth ing Jesus: A Guide to the Fallacies of Bart Ehrman’s Decay explains how God’s truth ignites our pas- Misquoting Jesus. He demonstrates that textual sion for Him in a world gone numb with endless variants in the extant copies of the New distractions, infuses our lives with objective mean- Testament books are trivial, and no Christian ing in a chaotic and pointless culture, and binds doctrine depends on a textual variant. Conse- His people together in community. As such, quently, we can have a high degree of confidence Groothuis’ work will help pastors who are seek- in the textual reliability of the New Testament. ing to deliver God’s truth in culturally relevant ways. Jones also builds a strong case for the eyewit- — Reviewed by Stephen Scheperle, Springfield,Missouri. ness foundation of the Gospels, which were written by apostles or their associates. Both the antiquity of the Gospels and their apostolic Church Safety and Security: A Practical Guide foundation explain why certain books made ROBERT M. CIRTIN (CSS Publishing Company, 152 pp., it into the New Testament canon, while others paperback) did not. Because the New Testament books are rooted in eyewitness testimony, we can be Why do pastors need to read another book on the confident of their historical reliability as well. legalities and dangers confronting churches today? Ehrman raises interesting questions in his book, And, if they do, why is this the book? Misquoting Jesus. Unfortunately, he provides the Pastors need to read this book because it is a wrong answers. Jones offers a fairer, more accu- practical guide to assessing the possible vulnera- rate presentation of the facts about the New bilities of churches and ministries in the areas of Testament’s reliability. I strongly recommend violence, child abuse, day care and Christian school this book to pastors and lay people alike. jeopardy, medical emergencies, and negligence. —Reviewed by George P. Wood, pastor, This book is different from most on the subject Truth Decay Living Faith Center, Santa Barbara, California. because it offers simple and effective safeguards and procedures to overcome these vulnerabilities. Pastors may have read of the horrible incidents Truth Decay of armed intruders invading a church, even a worship service. This book contains a 15-point DOUGLAS GROOTHUIS (InterVarsity Press, 300 pp., paperback) list of what to do if that happens in your church. No pastor wakes up Sunday and prays, “God, please This list alone is worth the purchase price of the help me to deliver an irrelevant message today.” On book. There may be times when the church needs the contrary, relevance is a central concern for to do an investigation. This book has an instruc- most pastors given the cultural shifts away from tional guide on how to do one correctly. Medical Christianity in America. Truth Decay provides emergencies are common and the church needs helpful insights for pastors who desire to speak to know how to respond. This book explains what the truth of the gospel in culturally relevant ways equipment your church needs on campus, how while avoiding the pitfall of merely presenting to formulate an emergency medial plan, and how cultural doctrines in Christian terms. to develop and train a medical response team. Church Safety and Security: After explaining the rise of today’s postmodern Cirtin has served as a church staff member. A Practical Guide rejection of objective truth, Groothuis gives a He is a law officer and a certified investigator. philosophical and biblical defense of truth as a He is also a professor of criminal justice at necessary tool for everyday life as well as for one’s Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri, and walk with God. His balanced approach accepts owns an investigation firm. His unusual, even that our reasoning is fallen, and therefore, limited; unique blend of experience, education, and yet, he refrains from submitting to postmodernism’s expertise has helped him produce a valuable claim that reasoning is entirely fl awed. resource that can protect churches in our Groothuis voices concern regarding Christians litigious society and prepare church leaders to today who, striving for cultural relevance, merely anticipate and respond to many emergencies. accept postmodernism’s dismissal of truth and, Every church leader needs this book. therefore, eschew the role of truth in Christian- — Reviewed by Terry Raburn, superintendent, ity. Groothuis then offers his own alternatives Peninsular Florida District of the Assemblies of God, for engaging the postmodern world in ways that Lakeland, Florida.

enrichment / Fall 2008 153 NNewsews &RResourcesesources

AG Family Services Agency touch of a finger. For more information, visit http://www.worldtouchscreen.ag.org, or e-mail [email protected]. Photos.com Sponsorship Ministry Rekindles Futures of Hillcrest Children’s Home and Highlands Maternity Home World Focus CD contains summaries of each country where the AG is involved with The Hillcrest and Highlands sponsorship ministry missions work. CDs are available for $3 from provides your members opportunity to directly the AGWM catalog multimedia section. To minister to the medical and personal needs of a order, call 1-800-988-6568, or visit http://www. child, or teen mother and infant. For as little as worldmissions.ag.org. $25 a month, you can make a difference in the life of a child. U.S. Missions U.S. Missions is dedicated Every cent of your Hillcrest Children’s Home to reaching all ages, back- sponsorship goes to direct childcare. Hillcrest Candidate grounds, and communities in has many needs this autumn: school clothes Orientation America with the gospel. and supplies, eyeglasses, medical checks, and We have a mandate from God to give every orthodontic work. person in the United States an understandable Students finishing high school are preparing presentation of the gospel. for college or technical school. Hillcrest Children’s U.S. Missions hosts two orientation sessions Home now has a college scholarship fund to each year for new missionary candidates. help ensure a bright future for Hillcrest teens. Candidate orientation consists of interviewing, Your support of this fund helps provide a college training, evaluating, and preparing candidates Kiosk at Marlton or university education for Hillcrest students. for the emotional and spiritual aspects of Assembly of God, In addition, 100 percent of your sponsorship missions work. Each session ends with a Marlton, New Jersey. for Highlands Maternity Home goes directly commissioning service. A schedule for the next to medical and professional care for young year is below. For more information, contact women and their infants, rescuing them from Mary Hartley at 417-862-2781, ext. 3274. harm’s way. The Baby Bootie Club provides state-of-the-art medical and professional care SEPTEMBER 12–19, 2008 – Fall 2008 Candidate Orientation for the expanding Highlands ministry. Order DECEMBER 1, 2008 – Missionary application deadline for your free Bootie Bank today to partner for life. Spring 2009 Candidate Orientation To make a difference in the lives of infants, MARCH 6–13, 2009 – Spring 2009 Candidate Orientation children, and youth, call Assemblies of God JUNE 1, 2009 – Missionary application deadline for Fall 2009 Candidate Orientation Family Services/Hillcrest and Highlands at 501- SEPTEMBER 11–18, 2009 – Fall 2009 Candidate Orientation Touchscreen 262-1660, or visit http://www.agfamilyservices. org (click on the contribution link). Request the software will take new, free AGFSA DVD/media packet today, and Evangel Publishing Kids’ Edition an individual on see what God is doing to change lives. for Seventh Straight Year a multimedia Touchscreen Software and World Focus CD “Giving pastors another low-cost, highly effective missions trip evangelism tool to reach children with the around the world. Consider Touchscreen software for the church gospel is the primary reason we publish the foyer. Explore the world electronically at the Kids’ Edition,” says Today’s Pentecostal Evangel

Discipleship Website personal Bible studies, preconversion, forums.ag.org/discipleship/. The forum and new convert care. offers pastors and church leaders Looking for discipleship resources? opportunity to engage in online Check out the discipleship Web Discipleship Forum discussions, to ask questions, and site at http:///www.discipleship.ag.org. to extend their ministries by sharing It is packed with helpful information, Do you have questions about discipleship? experiences and advice with others in downloadables, articles, and resources Are you looking for those who have need of discipleship help. Whether you to assist the church in most aspects discovered effective methods to share have advice or questions, investing time of discipleship, including Christian their findings? Join the discussion on on the discipleship forum will enrich education, discipleship, small groups, the discipleship forum at http://www. your ministry.

154 enrichment / Fall 2008 Managing Editor Kirk Noonan regarding the Web sites. Volunteers can use 1-2-1 Connections upcoming Oct. 12 issue. “Plus, we love knowing to disciple new Christians around the world. boys and girls get a kick out of the edition while Our evangelistic Web sites make an altar call learning about Jesus.” response button available 24/7. We call this a yes The issue marks the seventh consecutive button. Our goal is to reach 10 million people October the Evangel is publishing an English- in the next 10 years. language edition for Imagine discipling someone from Antarctica, children. TPE will produce (continued on page 156) a corresponding Spanish version of the children’s issue as the fall edition of 2008 National Girls Ministries Week, September 14–20 Evangelio Pentecostal Hoy for the fifth straight year. The The 2008 National Girls Ministries annual theme is Lives in the Making. The response to the Kids’ Edition author of Psalm 139 expresses how great, mighty, and awesome is God. has been noteworthy, God knows each girl before she is born, and He knows everything about according to Noonan. her. During 2008, National Girls Ministries wants girls and leaders to “Since we started doing grasp the significance of their creation by Almighty God and to know that the children’s issue 6 years He is always aware of the minute details of their lives. ago, more than 374,000 If your church has not received the annual Theme/Sleepover packet, extra copies of the editions contact the national Girls Ministries Department for your free materials.

Photos.com have been ordered,” Packets contain promotional plans and resources for National Girls Noonan says. “That tells us Ministries Week, a Sleepover planning guide, and a new catalog. To receive we are meeting a need. a packet, call the national office at 1-417-862-2781, ext. 4074, e-mail “This year’s version will [email protected], or download your materials from the National Girls be the best yet,” adds Ministries Web site at http://www.ngmevents.ag.org. Noonan. “Pastors can count on a strong salva- The National Girls Ministries Week offering, received by churches during tion message and exciting content, including National Girls Ministries Week services, helps the national office cover stories, games, activities, and superb graphics. administration costs and provides resources to more than 200,000 girls Plus, it’s an inexpensive way to engage children and leaders involved in the Assemblies of God Girls Ministries programs. with life-transforming biblical truths.” Many people give the Kids’ Edition to trick-or- Nationwide Girls Ministries Sleepover/Coins for Kids Project treaters. Congregations, such as First Assembly of God in Minot, N.D., use the issue for outreaches. The annual Nationwide Girls Ministries Sleepover is Sept. 26,27. The church ordered 1,000 copies of the 2007 This year’s theme is Race of a Lifetime. This theme, based on Spanish Kids’ Edition for ministry in Mexico. 1 Corinthians 9:24,25, uses Paul’s race analogy to describe Churches placing orders of 400 or more copies how believers need to pursue their relationships with Christ. of either or both versions by Sept. 30 can receive This year, as the world participates in the Summer Olympic Games, girls free customized imprinting on the back cover will learn how discipline and training will keep them close to God. The of each issue. Nationwide Sleepover is a great way to start your new Girls Club’s year For additional information on the upcoming and introduce visitors to Jesus. Invite girls to join the race. Oct. 12 Kids’ Edition (#69-7841) or the During the sleepover, we will also receive the annual Coins for Kids Spanish version (#69-7855), visit the Evangel’s offering. All funds collected this year will go toward completing and Web site at http://www.tpe.ag.org, or call GPH equipping the Bolivia Hope Center (Cochabamba) project. Bolivia Hope Customer Services at 1-800-641-4310. The cost is Center will provide a home for as many as 35 children whose mothers are only 25 cents each for orders of 50 or more copies. in prison. The children currently live with their mothers in the Cochabamba prison in impoverished conditions. While living at the Hope Center, children will receive academic and spiritual education, and unconditional love. All Coins for Kids funds sent to the national Girls Ministries Department will be included in your church’s total BGMC giving. A System To Follow Up Every church reporting Girls Ministries on their Annual Church Online Responders to the Gospel Ministries Report will receive a combination annual Theme/Sleepover packet. If you have not yet received yourour packet, contact the national Network211 has launched 1-2-1 Connections — Girls Ministries Department, or visit http://www.ngmevents.ag.orghttp://www.ngmevents.ag.org forfor a a secure, interactive system for tracking and downloadable version. following up with online responders to evangelism

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Singapore, or Japan. You can — using e-mail. and church members to communicate the first- Network211 is mobilizing volunteers committed century gospel. Learn more about our vision to discipling inquirers online. We invite you to and mission at http://www.network211.com. join Team 10Million and become an Internet missionary volunteer from your home. Many of our partners are organizing a Team Enrichment journal Launches Forum 10Million missions group in their churches. The newest As pastors log new converts into the system, feature on the volunteers connect with them online, discipling Enrichment journal and encouraging them. This is a new way to be Web site is the EJ involved in missions. Forum. This forum To learn more about 1-2-1 Connections allows print and and to become a Team 10Million volunteer online readers visit http://www.project10million.com/team- to comment on signup.html. Enrichment journal articles. Starting with the Network211 offers online tutorials and fall 2008 issue, each article on the Web site e-Ministry Seminars to help volunteers learn will have a link to this forum. Once at the to use 1-2-1 Connections. We also conduct forum, users will be asked to register before e-Ministry Seminars in churches, sections, and commenting on Enrichment journal articles. districts in the United States and around the The forum can also be accessed at http://forums. world to help pastors turn their Web sites into ag.org/enrichmentjournal/. The Enrichment evangelistic ministries. For more information, journal staff believes this forum will provide visit http://www.network211eministry.com. valuable input for future issues of EJ as well as Network211 helps pastors use 21st-century allow for a healthy exchange of ideas among technology to connect with their communities ministry leaders.

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Etta L. Baird Charles W. Butterfi eld George Curry Leandro R. Gallegos Alvin Oya Ebony, Virginia Salem, Oregon Fort Collins, Colorado Wichita Falls, Texas Kingston, Washington J.E. Baker Robert A. Canterbury William T. Curtin Ada B. Geesey Marie L. Palmer Ironton, Missouri Lake George, New York Wichita, Kansas Anchorage, Alaska Bedford, Texas Joy O. Barnett Helen L. Carmichael Louis R. Davidson Milford C. Gilbert Lahoma V. Parnell Overland Park, Kansas Pell City, Alabama North Port, Florida Stevens Point, Wisconsin Snyder, Oklahoma Vincent Baroncelli Charles G. Clark Mary E. Dean Kenneth E. Goodwin Bobby L. Perez Bay City, Texas Conway, Arkansas Memphis, Tennessee Washington, Iowa Pascagoula, Mississippi John H. Beamer Eulalie G. Cole-Rous John Deegan John R. Hamercheck, Jr. Herschel Phillips Lebanon, Pennsylvania Springfi eld, Missouri Monroe Township, New Jersey Penns Grove, New Jersey Durham, North Carolina Floyd W. Beckstrand Ann H. Collins Paul Demetrus Joyce K. Hanohano Grace Price Finley, North Dakota Brewton, Alabama Springfi eld, Missouri Makawao, Hawaii Cumberland, Maryland R. Stanley Berg Clarence T. Collins James G. Dennison Raymond J. Harper Sekon Qereqeretabua Springfi eld, Missouri New Boston, Texas Switzer, West Virginia Lodi, California Citris Heights, California Michael D. Blatchley Seth B. Cotton, Jr. Angel Diaz Vivian L. Harris Barbarita Ramon Coldwater, Kansas Phenix City, Alabama Manor, Texas Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania Lubbock, Texas William Bloodworth Mary F. Cover Lupe M. Dobbs Hubert L. Hatley Ted C. Ramos Livingston, Texas Alton, Missouri Springfi eld, Oregon Greer, South Carolina Pomona, California Jose Bonilla Gerald C. Cox Harry C. Doepke Isabel Hernandez Dorothy E. Robinson Bridgeport, Connecticut Harrison, Arkansas Florence, Kentucky Rochester, New York Tacoma, Washington Wayne A. Boyd, Sr. Thomas V. Cross Jesse Duncan Charles A. Husted Eusebio Rodriguez Poplar, Montana Cape Coral, Florida Tilden, Illinois Pella, Iowa Stockton, California Bonnie P. Brown Elsie A. Crosson Shelby L. Duncan Larry W. Kelly Veta M. Rude San Jose, California Sacramento, California Sanger, California Nezperce, Idaho Grand Rapids, Michigan J.C. Burks W.R. Cullum, Jr. Minnie Ecklund Benjamin F. Kittrell William H. Sakwitz Meridian, Mississippi Ripley, Tennessee Torrance, California Ormond Beach, Florida Houston, Texas Donald M. Edson Oscar W. Langston Don G. Salinas Coon Rapids, Minnesota Phoenix, Arizona Everett, Washington Ignacio Estrella Theodore A. Laugen Mamie L. Sprouse Bronx, New York Hungry Horse, Montana Huntsville, Texas Opal O. Etter John H. Leland Kenneth H. Taylor, Jr. Chariton, Iowa Maysville, Kentucky Griffi n, Georgia Jack D. Evans Norma B. Levang Paul C. Taylor Maplewood, Missouri Minneapolis, Minnesota Kennewick, Washington William C. Everitt Harriet Long Robert J. Teeter Cache, Oklahoma Phoenix, Arizona Peabody, Massachusetts Norma Eytzen Wilbur L. Mandrell Lavern Thompson Adams, Wisconsin Sulphur Springs, Texas Apple Valley, Minnesota Marvin E. Foredyce Leon P. Mitchell Harold E. Whetstone Grandview, Washington Springfi eld, Missouri Modesto, California Walter J. Fowler Daniel Navejas F.R. Williams McCrory, Arkansas Eagle Pass, Texas Snyder, Texas Wallace M. Franklin Richard A. Nelson Milton R. Williams Albuquerque, New Mexico Gravette, Arkansas Livingston, Texas Charles E. Frederick Maria J. Ochoa Jenkins R. Woods Rapid City, South Dakota Rialto, California Baytown, Texas Richard Fulmer James T. Oliver Evelyn B. Yeats Mission Viejo, California Anchor Point, Alaska Beaumont, Texas Pablo M. Galdamez Archie C. York Los Angeles, California Cleveland, Arkansas

158 enrichment // FallFall 20082008 AAdvertisingdvertising IndexIndex

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enrichment / Fall 2008 159 IInn ClosingClosing / RICHARD L. SCHOONOVER

PProclaimingroclaiming TTruthruth TodayToday One of the most n John 18:38, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” We can also proclaim this truth in a way that In our post-Christian culture — or as engages today’s listeners and challenges them challenging some have called it, an anti-Christian culture to consider the claims of Christianity. aspects of — people are asking the same question, or One of the most challenging aspects of perhaps another question: “Is there such a pastoring is helping your congregation adhere pastoring is thing as truth?” Relativism is taking such a to and maintain a Christian worldview. A glance helping your hold on our society that many people believe at some of George Barna’s statistics2 indicate congregation there is no such thing as absolute truth. that many of those who claim to be Christians I As a pastor, how do you respond to the belief have less than an ideal view concerning the adhere to there is no absolute truth? How will the people Bible, Jesus, and moral behavior. Your people are and maintain in your congregation respond to this statement constantly being bombarded by a secular world- from a coworker or friend? view. Unless they are strongly committed to a Christian The quest for truth and the need to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, this secular worldview worldview. truth is not new. Someone wrote about Irenaeus, begins to shape their lifestyles. one of the Early Church fathers: “With his heart Christianity is being attacked today in unpre- for peace, Irenaeus opposed the Gnostics not cedented ways. The world views Christians as out of desire for power but out of concern for intolerant, bigoted, and unloving. Some even their salvation. He wanted, he said, to ‘turn advocate eradicating Christianity from society. them back to the truth’ and ‘to bring them to a How do we respond to these accusations? DesignPics saving knowledge of the one true God.’ Many of the attacks on Christianity and its “Furthermore, he was a pastor with a respon- beliefs are not based on fact, but on opinions sibility to care for his flock. His opponents stated as facts. Understanding the weaknesses of were enticing members of his community away these arguments is the first step in answering from the apostolic faith with a message that our critics. Second, being able to provide a logical sounded true but wasn’t. defense of these false concepts of Christianity “As a pastor, then, Irenaeus wrote Against and its beliefs is important in helping people Heresies in order to describe the heresies that understand the fallacy of these beliefs. Third, were threatening his congregation and to present practical ministry to those who claim we are the apostolic interpretation of the Scriptures. intolerant toward them is a way to show that, He revealed the cloaked deception for what it while we do not condone sin, we do love the was and displayed the apostolic tradition as a sinner. Like Irenaeus, we can have compassion saving reminder to the faithful.” 1 on those who are captivated by sin. How do we respond to the attacks and beliefs The Enrichment staff prepared this issue to that are prevalent in today’s society? How do help you minister more effectively in today’s we proclaim the gospel in a religiously plural- pluralistic society. We have provided valuable istic world where Christians are labeled as resources that will help you prepare your intolerant? How do we help our congregation congregation to minister to those they come in respond to the questions from unbelievers who contact with at work or in their neighborhood. ridicule the Christian faith? Together, through loving ministry we can Our proclamation of the truth must be proclaim truth in today’s secular society. based on the Bible, God’s inspired Word. While the Bible is under attack today, teaching NOTES your congregation how the Bible has been 1. Bingham, D. Jeffrey, “One God, One Christ, One Salvation,” in transmitted through the centuries shows them Christian History, fall 2007, issue 96, p 19. 2. Born Again Christians: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage. its authenticity and reliability. We can trust it. aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=8 accessed December 12, 2007; Faith Commitment: http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page= RICHARD L. SCHOONOVER is associate editor, Enrichment journal, Springfield, Missouri. Topic&TopicID=19 accessed December 12, 2007.

160 enrichment / Fall 2008