I believe that the Bible becomes the Word of God when we live it out. The Bible, without God's people living out its vision, is simply a book - nothing more. It is only when we hope in the promises of prophecy, take to heart the parables, and change our behavior and actions based on the teachings of Christ that the book we call The Book becomes the Word of God.

We were working on a movie for church, and one of the scenes called for a Bible to be dropped. I decided we were going to use the Big Bible (trademark) from the Holy Shelf(Registered Trademark) from the church. First I highlighted the passage, and then I instructed the team to drop the Bible on the ground for the scene. Everyone looked at me like I was a three legged frog riding a unicycle. No one could believe that I had just written in the Big Bible, nor that I was suggesting we would drop it on the ground. We did the scene - and the Bible's cover was bent ... but ... God's truth is still in tact.

I don't believe there to be anything special about the book itself, I don't even think reading scripture is magical. It upsets me when we take on animistic forms and treat the Bible like a "magic book." Bill Beatty once wrote this really great quote that I keep on my Facebook wall. "What the heck is going on in our churches that we revere the big Bible on the table but we ignore the broken woman in the pew? We polish the brass cross but we push aside the confused teenager?" I don't know if he would agree with my point (probably not) but I think we share the same sentiment.

The Bible is just another book if we don't live out what it teaches. Christianity is just like all the other religions if we don't hold fast to grace. Revelation is a boring confusing book if we don't hold onto the hope it contains in times of struggle. If our churches aren't effectively reaching the people in our communities it won't matter if we have a Big Bible on every Holy Shelf in every room of the church.

I believe that the Bible is errant ... but in a good way. We are errant creatures trying desperately to live for God. We won't get it right; arguing about premill, amill, or postmill won't help us; and discussing theology is pointless ... unless! ... we live out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. When we do this we will truly experience the Word of God in our lives.

I recently wrote a paper supporting full inclusion. I understand all of the reasons it was stupid. I handed it in fully knowing that it would persuade no one. I wrote it knowing that I would get a lesser grade than a similar paper without a liberal bias.

I'm tired ...

I'm tired of handing in papers that are lies.

I'm tired of answering questions on tests that violate my beliefs simply for a few points.

I'm tired of people who cannot recognize that God doesn't smite his children for thinking outside of the box.

I'm tired of people doubting my salvation because of a few non-mainstream theological/social points.

I'm tired of being thought of as a lesser Christian because of my beliefs.

I'm tired of the Hermeneutical principal that a text has only one meaning - I don't even think that the original intent of the writer is necessarily what we are supposed to glean from the text.

I'm tired of hearing people deify the Bible while they refuse to live out what is written in it.

I'm tired of the awkward animistic reverance that we attach to the Bible. - If you drop it ... it will ... what? lose it's power? If we burn it ... it will ... what? stop being the word of God?

I'm tired of viewing the scriptures systematically.

So, that's why I wrote my paper on full inclusion. I wanted to be honest. I didn't want to lie to a professor, to a brother. I didn't want to lie to myself by writing a paper I didn't agree with. I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, I may have different opinions than other people, but I refuse to be labeled anything less than an ardent follower of Jesus Christ.

We are surrounded by brilliant people. In our lives we will connect with people who are truly brilliant. Most of us will miss it, though. We discount true brilliance by writing the truly brilliant off as crazy. The autistic boy who plays the piano at my church is more brilliant than any of us could ever fathom.

The certain foolishness of spending a lifetime trying to understand God earns men and women doctorate degrees. I was talking with my friend Daniel today. He said that, although he knew he would never be able to understand God fully he wanted to study the Bible to get a glimpse of God. Our brains are too small to ever even get a glimpse of God through our study. When a person can explain to me how it is just for Hitler and most of the Jews he killed to be in the same hell, when that happens I will believe that we can catch a glimpse of God through our studies.

When I was India I looked into the eyes of lepers and saw Jesus. Go into the city and find people with AIDS - offer them what they need most and tell me that you don't see Jesus. I don't discount Daniel. I believe he will get a glimpse of God, but ... I pray that when I saw Jesus in those lepers they also saw Jesus in me. I don't want to get a glimpse of God is others won't get to see Him through me.

I'm so tired of the status quo. I'm so tired of arguing over doctrine. I will now go and find my rest.

Remember! Remember! God is love. Remember! Remember!

Don't let the world take you down. Don't let rules drag you down. Let the love of God lift you up. Let the grace of God be what you need.

Remember!

If God created all the animals on the earth why is the eagle the only allowable mascot for a Christian college? We're so fixated on scripture that we forget that God created everything. I want to see God in everything. I want to see God in diversity, in nature, in relationships, etc.

We learned about Islam today in my World Religions class. We are practically muslims at my school. We are so fixated on our book that we deny the presence of God in our daily lives. A popular addage we throw around in theological debates is "experience doesn't make it scriptural." On eternal security, it doesn't matter if your aunt had been a missionary and then gave up the faith to worship satan - if there isn't scripture to back it up your point is invalid.

In Islam (I'm just starting to learn forgive me if I'm wrong) following the rules is of utmost importance. At my college (i've been here two years I've already learned this) following the rules is of utmost importance. We deny the Grace of God in our daily lives by our fixation on our book and our quest of following the rules. That's the point of Islam ... but, most assuredly not the point of the Christian faith.

I don't believe that my opinions or analogies are on par with scripture, but I do believe that God is working in my life and is using me daily. He called Hosea to marry a prostitute - I'm sure a few of his friends were a little upset that he wasn't following the rules. Jesus ate with prostitutes and tax collectors - maybe he had never heard the "avoid the appearance of evil" passage ... but he did (technically speaking he wrote it) and he ignored it. I think there's something there - I'm still searching.

We've missed the point - one of the most foundational points of Christianity. Our salvation is NOT dependent on our ability to follow the rules, but rather on the grace of God. God's Grace is not dependent on our ability to follow the rules, but rather on the death and resurrection of Christ.

We take the idea of "freedom from sin" and automatically assume it means that the freed person doesn't do that sin anymore ... I haven't seen any proof of this (ever) happening. I believe that freedom from sin is when you are freed from the guilt of sin - when you realize that God's grace has covered it and you don't need to feel guilty; you are truly free.

I think we over quote the "let's go sin a bunch to show how much God's Grace can cover - may it never be" line. I think that we use that verse to justify legalism. We can't see how ugly legalism is. Legalism (in any form) castrates the gospel message. As soon as Christ's death and resurrection aren't enough the very essence of the gospel has been eviscerated. Grace is what seperates Christianity from every other religion - I'm not willing to give that up to satisfy those who demand stricter adherence to rules.

Jesus was an outcast, too.

The youth were finished eating and grazing towards their worship seats when I entered. Caleb was in the entrance way, back against the wall - pensively standing, just praying that he wouldn't be noticed. I figured the youth were playing hide-and-go-seek or a similar game. I asked him how he was doing and if he was okay.

He was hiding. He's different. He follows the rules and doesn't back talk adults. His parents don't buy him everything he wants exactly when the ask. His actions haven't caused parents to remove their daughters from our Youth Group. He isn't like the other boys at Youth Group.

Jesus was an outcast, too. He was different. Different is good.

I just can't fathom that the Messiah who was born in a barn, died on a tree, and did everything describing an outcast inbetween would approve of a church where the outcast is shunned and the different are asked to leave.

Caleb, be different. Dance to the rhythm that Jesus leads you in, but never conform to the standards set by our Youth Group.

Faith and Praise

Yep, that's the lesson I get to teach to the middle school Sunday school class tomorrow.

Two of the hardest subject for me and I get to present them both in one lesson to a bunch of middle schoolers.

Faith: The story is the parting of the Red Sea. When your back is against the water and Pharoah's army is coming after you what other choice to do you have but to trust in God. When I'm down to my last dime I most assuredly have faith that He will provide ... but ... then there are the times when faith seems option and then it is difficult to have faith.

Praise: Have you ever tried to praise God when it hurts? It sucks. Plain and simple ... it sucketh. But, there is an incredible testimony of faith when we can praise God when things look really bad. We are a people of a hope. Our hope doesn't pertain to our safety or our comfort. Our hope exists when we have faith enough to praise God in any circumstance.

I've got nothing.

Papers and tests march on. No theological insights found. Unrelenting voices in my head won't shut up nor give me a competitive edge on Jeopardy. Grandfather remains sick. Hope dies hard when Christ lives within. Hired for summer job, will finish some tasks at church this summer as well. Truly happiest when surrounded by those who love me for no reason - love me as me. Truly happy.

On Easter

There may be things about me you do not like, doctrines I hold to that you do not approve of, and personal choices I have made that seem irrational to you; but you cannot deny my love of the Savior nor diminish- one iota - his influence on my life.

I went to the tomb this morning, broken and dying. I found it empty, and in finding it so hollow I found again the fulfillment my life so desperately needs. I don't remember whether I fell at his feet and clutched them in my arms or if he had asked not to be touched. I don't remember what physically happened, but I was in his arms. I was wrapped in his love. An empty tomb, a filled heart. I needed on this day to find again the proof of resurrection, today I found it - not only a physical tomb with a literal resurrection, but a church filled to the very brim with Easter people: every last one reminded that our song is Hallelujah. I found not only historical evidence for the empty tomb, but within my own heart the very Christ who eluded the tomb now resides.

You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart. On this tenent I build my faith. The rest I am unsure of; the details are left unresolved. Today I found an empty tomb, today I was reminded of my filled heart.

On losing faith:
"One can believe something to be true, yet have weak or even faulty reasons for doing so. I believe the microwave heats food; I have no idea why or how. Imgaine that I were to encounter an unbelieving professor in the classroom, one who has never used a microwave ... if asked to defend my belief, I could easily be made to look and feel foolish. But, when I get hungry, I will heat my microwaveable, gourmet mac & cheese, while the professor eats a cold, squished PB&J. ... I've used the microwave too many times to question its power.

My entire being, mind and soul, considers Christianity a framework for life that surpasses all others. I agree with former skeptic C.S. Lewis; "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

I suppose that someon, somewhere could shoot a hole in my defense or reveal a flaw in my logic. But my standard of faith is not one hundred percent certainty or watertight evidence for every minor point of Christian theology." - Kurt Bruner "I Still Believe."

I need to find an empty tomb tomorrow. I've spent too much time crucifying Christ - and now I need to find that tomb empty.

We take three years of his teachings and reduce it down to a systematic theology so small and narrow that only a select (or elect) few could possibly fit. We follow a homeless preacher who asks us to give up everything we own, who healed indescriminately, who drank with drunkards~laughed with whores~broke bread with tax collectors~ and shook hands with lepers. We get it so wrong, so fucking wrong. All we take from the faith is the understanding that anyone who disagrees with us is wrong and going to Hell. I believe that the path to heaven is narrow and difficult ... I just think the path most Christians are on is pretty smooth and straight.

Tomorrow, I need to find an empty tomb. I need to be reminded that no matter what mess we've made of religion, our Savior still is resurrected from the dead.

And this is our model of community. Jesus and the twelve seated single file ignoring entirely the other side of the table. John sits to the right of Jesus, who, perhaps flanked also by James, sits peaceably amidst the confusion. Judas, ugly and tainted, leans in for one last look before the betrayal. Jesus, the one amidst the crowd with a clue of the approaching chaos, sits peacefully. This is our model of community. Pick one. Be the betrayer, be the one sidled up against the leader, be the jealous brother trying so desperately to gain Jesus' attention, or be the Christ. Sit peacefully while the world plots your murder.

I lost a friend today. He explained that he couldn't be my friend anymore because I was a heretic. I don't hold to the innerancy of scripture and I don't think that belief in the virgin birth is a necessity for salvation. I'm also open to a lot of different schools of thought (including earthly Jesus / heavenly Christ) in theology - all of which ends with me being a heretic. I won't deny it. Basically, he doubted my salvation and his Bible professors explained that the appropriate course of action was to sever ties. He prayed about it a lot. I'm not angry. I'm sad that he would doubt my salvation ... and I'm sad that he thinks this is the best option.

Jesus ate dinner with Judas on the night of the last supper. Jesus gave Judas communion on the night in question. Jesus had fellowship with his betrayer. If I'm Judas, I want to be with Christ. This is our model of community. I think that Paul got in wrong when he told churches to throw out members living in sin (heretical thought, but I'm okay with a little heresy). I think that Paul was wrong. I think that churches are often wrong when they follow his advice. But, for the sinner, community with those of faith is what encourages him or her to live differently. I understand that when the church was first trying to establish itself this teaching (getting a good reputation) might have been important, but not now. But this is our model of community. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, but a meal and even the body and blood of Jesus are shared anyway.

No, I'm not doubting my salvation. I've never been so confident of my salvation - I've never been living for Jesus like I am now. I am investing in the lives of those around me. I might think it okay to refer to the Holy Spirit as she, I might not hold to a literal interpretation, and I might read only the Message - but I know where my heart is. I know to whom it belongs. I'm not doubting.

There's so much blood. It's impossible to escape from the blood. We have it in a lot of our hymns, I've never been too offended by the blood of Jesus. As an evangelical I believe that I am "cleansed in the blood of the lamb." It's been one of those things that I've said, but in my mind I've always glossed over it.

I cut my foot today. My toe got caught under a broken part of a door. I figured I had lost my toe; there was so much blood. Now, safe at home with ten toes, I realize that my foot recieved a scratch less than a half-inch long.

We paint Christ with miniscule droplets of blood proceeding from the three nails, his side, and occasionally the crown of thorns. A janitor could walk by and wipe away all of the blood with one rag. Let's face it - Jesus was a bloody mess on the cross. There was simply blood everywhere. The lashings, the soldiers pulling his beard out, the nails, the crown, the pierced side all bring a healthy dose of blood with them.

It's a horrifying thought; to think, the very Christ bleeding profusely. That God bled at all is a miracle, that He bled and died to forgive the sins of the world (including mine) is an atrocious miracle.

Why God? Why?

On a lovely Palm Sunday morning, I can't get the Christmas nor the Easter story out of my head. Triumphant entry? My sunday school teacher equated the Palm Sunday entry to a New York "ticker-tape" parade. He claimed that it was a parade "the likes of which the world had never seen before and would never see again." Well, I don't believe that. The teacher said that when people were laying down their cloaks it was their only clothes and it was a big sacrifice. But, it was on a Donkey that Jesus rode into the city. They laid down their cloaks for a donkey to step on. They waved palm branches, so caught off guard that the only thing they could find to welcome the Messiah was leaves.

I think of the birth narrative, I can't imagine why, and after some thought I remember that it was in a stable that he was born. The savior of all mankind in humility and poverty both enters the world and Jerusalem in less than spectacular circumstances. Triumphant entry? Maybe. He was celebrated at his entry. When He entered the world the shepherds came running to see the King. When he entered Jerusalem it was most likely the poor who waved palm branches and disrobed for a more comfortable path for the Messiah's donkey.

We know, and Christ knew at the time, what was going to happen on Friday. The little parade they had for Jesus that day was probably smaller than the one the Roman soldiers threw for Jesus on Friday. No one took off his or her cloak to make the path more comfortable for Christ that day. A beast of burden had carried Christ on Sunday, but on Friday Christ would carry the burden. There would be no palm branches on Friday, just the palms of our messiah with nails being driven through them. No comfort, no celebration, and little hope. The people who had cried out "Hosannah!" would now cry out "Crucify Him!".

A God of the unexpected. Who would expect the Messiah would be born in a shanty barn? Why would the Messiah enter Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a great animal of power? Why would our Savior have to die? We worship a God of the unexpected.

Today, I reflect not only on the Triumphant entry of our Savior into Jerusalem, but on his entry into the world and my heart. Jesus entered the world in a stable, a stinking barn. Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus enters a heart full of sin and filth. We have a God who isn't afraid to be humble and who is capable of entering through humble means places that don't deserve his presence. Triumphant? Maybe. Humble? Definetly.