KNOWING . OING &DC S L EWI S I N S TITUTE Spring 2012 A Teaching Quarterly for Discipleship of Heart and Mind Understanding and Dealing with Today’s Culture of Narcissism by Stuart McAllister Vice President, Training and Special Projects, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries rue faith in Christ demands a change his cross daily and follow me. For whoever IN THIS ISSUE of focus and orientation. The Scrip- would save his life will lose it, but whoever tures envision a life that includes loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 2 Notes from T the President self-renunciation. The heart, and its order- 9:23–24 ESV; see also Luke 14). As Dallas by Kerry Knott ing, is central to this. “Keep your heart with Willard has pointed out, self-denial is a key all vigilance,” says Proverbs 4:23, “for from it element of spiritual formation. With this in 3 The Discipline flow the springs of life” (ESV). The scriptural mind, let’s consider our cultural moment— of Discipleship understanding of the heart’s “fallen” bent or its dominant mood and the difficulties it by Dr. V. orientation calls us to be careful in monitor- creates for such a vision of discipleship—in Raymond Edman ing what it is that captivates and then cap- light of the Greek legend that tells the tragic tures our hearts. story of Narcissus. 4 Finding Power to As Ken Boa often points out, in line with Live a New Life Augustine long before him, the central call A Legendary Mind-Set by Thomas A. of Scripture is to love God supremely, to Tarrant learn to love him correctly, and to love others Known for his handsome features, Nar- practically. The Christian life is a love story, cissus was oblivious to others; he scorned 6 Bright Messenger and the struggle of existence, if you will, is or ignored the people around him. When of God over who, what, and how we love (see Matt. someone angrily lashed out, “May he who by David B. Calhoun 22:36–40; John 13:34–35). St. Paul reminds loves not others love himself,” something the young Timothy that the goal of his min- like a curse fell on Narcissus: he became fix- 8 Discipleship: It istry is love “that issues from a pure heart ated by his own reflection in a pool of water. Starts with You and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Gazing in adoration at his own beauty and by Karl Johnson Tim. 1:5 ESV). In light of this, and other clear magnificence, he was unable to hear Echo’s teachings of Scripture, the exhortation of the call, until eventually he fell into the pool 31 The Imitation Proverbs to keep or guard our hearts is a se- and drowned. Narcissus died a lonely, self- of Christ by rious warning and a vital, timeless concern. absorbed death, consumed in the end by his Thomas à Kempis Luke records Jesus’ central teaching in own self-infatuation. terms of self-denial. “If anyone would come As we move from ancient mythology to 32 Resources after me, let him deny himself and take up modern times, we note (continued on page 10) NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT by Kerry A. Knott President, C.S. Lewis Institute Dear Friends, or the disciple of Christ, what does one do when it seems that trends continue to push Christianity further and further away from the center of culture? At times it Fseems like the string of bad news continues unabated—the recent court decision in New York barring churches from meeting in public schools, Bible-believing church- es losing their properties through court decisions, and recent surveys highlighting the serious decline of biblical literacy, the list just goes on. So what can we do? I suggest the best way for us to address this decline is by fo- cusing on discipling a few other believers. If each disciple of Christ were to disciple three or four other believers each year, and then each of those were to disciple others in the coming year, pretty soon we would see dramatic change in our churches, our neighborhoods, and our overall culture. Karl Johnson’s article, “It Starts with You,” makes this point forcefully. Toward that end, I encourage you to consider our new resource—Heart and Mind Discipleship—to help you disciple others. This new ten-week program provides a thematic approach using The best way for us to address DVD lectures, short articles, Bible study questions, and group dis- this decline is by focusing on cussion questions. This resource includes instructions from some of the best discipleship leaders around, and it is based on what we’ve discipling a few other believers. learned from decades of discipling others. And while it is easy to get discouraged from time to time, there is actually a lot to be excited about. The Holy Spirit is working in America, and we see evidence of this in churches that are refocusing their attention on discipleship and in ministries that are finding effective ways to explain and defend the gospel and reach new audiences with the message of Christ’s saving grace. The articles in this issue should equip you as you continue your journey of disciple- ship. Stuart McAllister offers excellent guidance on how to understand and deal with today’s culture of narcissism. Tom Tarrants delves deeply into the Holy Spirit’s work in discipleship, and a classic piece from Thomas à Kempis is a powerful reminder about our desires and weaknesses in fully following Jesus. The profile of Bishop Han- ley Moule and the sound words from Dr. V. Raymond Edman should inspire each of us to pursue God’s call for us to grow to spiritual maturity. As we learn and grow, I encourage you to invest in people. The people you disciple today could change the world tomorrow. Sincerely, Kerry A. Knott [email protected] Page 2 • KNOWING & DOING | Spring 2012 The Discipline of Discipleship Taken from V. Raymond Edman’s book, The Disciplines of Life, Van Kampen Press, Wheaton, IL, 1948. f any man will come after me’’ man, O Lord’’ (Luke 5:8). A woman wept (Luke 9:23) as she stood by His feet, which she washed “I Discipleship means ‘’discipline!’’ with her tears of repentance; and she heard The disciple is that one who has been the Saviour’s word, ‘’Thy sins are forgiven taught or trained by the Master, who has . thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace’’ come with his ignorance, superstition, and (Luke 7:48, 50). The penitent Publican smote sin, to find learning, truth, and forgiveness his breast in genuine sorrow for sin, and from the Saviour. Without discipline we prayed, ‘’God, be merciful to me a sinner’’ are not disciples, even though we profess (Luke 18:13), and went home justified. His Name and pass for a follower of the Thus it has been down the ages; the de- lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age Dr. V. Raymond Edman spondent, despairing of themselves, have (1900 – 1967) when liberty and license have replaced come to the Saviour for mercy, and have V. Raymond Edman was a law and loyalty, there is greater need been saved. ‘’Not by works of righteous- WWI soldier, missionary, than ever before that we be disciplined to ness which we have done, but according pastor, college professor, be His disciples. to his mercy he saved us’’ (Titus 3:5). ‘’But writer, fourth president of Wheaton College, and men- Discipleship requires the discipline of as many as received him, to them gave he tor to Billy Graham. His conversion, wherein we recognize our lost power to become the sons of God, even to devotional writings reflect estate because of rebellion against God, them that believe on his name’’ (John 1:12). the intimate relationship he and with penitence come to the Saviour, Without salvation no sonship; without son- had with God, borne out of the Lord Jesus Christ. We assent from our ship, no discipleship! a personal resurrection expe- rience in Ecuador, and a life hearts that ‘’all we like sheep have gone It is His sons whom God disciplines that of spiritual discipline. While astray; we have turned every one to his they might bring honor to His name. He giving a Wheaton chapel talk own way’’ (Isa. 53:6), that ‘’all have sinned, wants to teach and train them, to soften entitled, “In the Presence and come short of the glory of God’’ (Rom. and sweeten them, to strengthen and steady of the King,” Edman col- lapsed on stage and entered 3:23), that ‘’the Scripture hath concluded all them, that they may show forth the excel- God’s presence. For more under sin’’ (Gal. 3:22), and that we ‘’were by lencies of Him who told them, ‘’Learn of on the life of Dr. Edman, nature the children of wrath, even as others me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and see the Winter 2011 issue of . strangers from the covenants of prom- ye shall find rest unto your souls’’ (Matt. Knowing & Doing. ise, having no hope, and without God in the 11:29). Without discipline we are not His world’’ (Eph. 2:3, 12). sons; but as His own we need the exhorta- This discipline is difficult for the natural tion, ‘’My son, despise not thou the chas- heart of each one, for we will not humble tening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art ourselves to admit our sin and shame; but rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth it is easy for the honest and good heart that he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son sees itself in the light of Calvary’s Sacri- who he receiveth’’ (Heb.