Brennan Manning Quote

Missional Christianity: The "New Legalism?"

I recently ran across an article posing the question: "Has radical Christianity become the newest form of legalism?" I didn't read the article right away, but instead let the question roll around in my mind for a few days and thought on it. Here's what I've decided:

Legalism can be explained in an easy equation, which states that "Jesus + Something=Nothing." When we add anything to Jesus/the Gospel and believe that it--no matter how good "it" is--will make us more meritorious in God's sight, we've entered into a legalistic mindset. So, yes, when focusing on "being uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel" becomes the "endgame" and attempts to take the place of the gospel, then it has become legalistic.

BUT simply focusing on missional living and questioning if I'm too comfortable where I am does not signify legalism.

After skimming the article, I understand the point the writer is attempting to make. He believes that when churches focus on missional, radical living "ordinary people" are shamed by not living extraordinary lives.

The writer makes generalizations, though, assuming that by encouraging believers--specifically millenial believers--to live on mission end up shaming thems. Being shamed, young Christians no longer want to work in ordinary jobs and do ordinary things with their life, and feel bad if they go about life this way. While, unfortunately, there are probably a handful of churches that participate in this type of shaming, I don't believe that this is the majority of missional churches.

These missional churches are not force-feeding the idea to their people that they all need to give up all of their belongings, move to a third-world country, and sleep on a hard floor. The idea of missional living is simple...no matter where we are or what we’re doing, where we’re at is a mission field. We have the opportunity to build intentional relationships with co-workers, classmates, acquaintances, etc. And, to me, the idea of Radical Christianity (as I’ve read about it)*** means that we are offering our full lives to God and saying “Do as You please.”

For some, the radical living and living in step with the Spirit will mean moving to a third-world country. While for others, it might mean loosening the grip on material possession and self-focus to, instead, spend time building relationships with the single mother down the street.

The missional, radical way of living is a way that I hope and pray I live out my daily life...not because I believe it raises me any higher in God’s sight, but because I want to make His name known to all that I encounter.

***I will be the first to admit that I have not completely read all of David Platt's Radical, which this idea is based off of. I am basing this off of other reading I've done on the idea of Radical Christianity through blog posts, articles, and other books.

To My Mother

Growing up, I don't think I could have been any different than my mom. We didn't really "get" each other for a long time. I was quiet and shy about my opinion. Mom was assertive and strong. People never really told me that I looked like my mom or acted like her.

Later on in high school my mom became one of my best friends. And I started to understand her more. And I think she started to understand me more too. Once I started working at the church, I started seeing my mom in action and picked-up different things about her. For the first time, after I started really coming into my work role there, people started to tell me that I was like my mom--in the way I looked and talked and in the way I did certain things. She didn't understand why I thought this was the coolest thing ever. 

But it was. 

My mom is a great leader, she's funny, she's creative, she's smart, she's a good wife, a great mother, an awesome friend. And most importantly, a strong woman of God. That's why I get a big smile on my face when people tell me that I remind them of my mother. One day, I hope to be a good mother, just like her. 

Happy mother's day mommy, I love you.

Sports & Life: Why I Couldn't Be Prouder of Michigan Basketball

I'm a sports person. I've been raised this way, and I truly believe it's in my veins. Heck, I'm from Indiana, from the get-go it was basically predetermined that I would especially love basketball. Add on top of that the fact that my dad is a basketball coach, yeah, it's in my blood.

There is something so great about sports--especially college sports. Sports, in general, are such great opportunities for character growth and maturation. Dad said it best after one of his games: "We play sports because they are a microcosm of life." And it's true. Sports grow us. Teamwork. Work ethic. Integrity. Loyalty. Perseverance. Character. Anybody who plays a sport has the opportunity to grow in these areas and more.

Watching Michigan basketball this season was one of my favorite sports moments ever. Ok, ok...pretty big "moment," but seeing those guys--some younger than me, some older--start out so strong, grow, and then finish strong was amazing. I truly believe sports are one of God's greatest gifts. 

So in college sports, you'll see kids act like kids. They'll be selfish. They'll taunt, smack-talk, jerk-off. They'll make foolish choices and big mistakes. But in brief moments--ranging from a few seconds, a few minutes, maybe even a majority of the game--we catch glimmers of who the athlete is growing to be and what's to come.

That's why when Michigan lost in the National championship game on Monday, April the 8th, I cried, was upset, but was also prouder than ever of "my" boys, and probably couldn't be any prouder had they won. Sure, we lost by six, but building up to that final game, the national audience saw the guys work like a team. Play unselfishly. When Trey had an off game, Spike or Nik stepped-up. When we needed the charge, Jordan got it. When we needed someone to get us a couple points on the board, Karis stepped up. And when we needed that clutch three, Trey got it. Seeing the excitement and hard-work of the guys and coaching staff excited me. Seeing how the guys surpassed everyone's expectations thrilled and made proud. That's why, although sad and disappointed, I couldn't be prouder. And why I"m proud to be a Michigan Wolverine--win or lose.

Hail yeah!

(A great blog post by senior Wolverine Josh Bartlestein)

Christianese Part 2

God has a plan for this (trial, situation, etc.). This sentiment is Biblical and can be found in Romans 8. I don't think that this is "inappropriate" to say, but I  personally believe that this quote and similar variations are thrown around way too often and have become cliched. 

A lot of times, I think we don't know what to say to comfort somebody during a difficult time and this is what comes out of our mouths first. But sometimes, it seems as if we're saying "Well, you're going through this problem, but just remember, it's not a huge deal because God will work it out to His glory in the end." Yes, it's true that God will work the situation out for his glory in the end, but when we just leave it at that, we come off as insensitive (even if it's unintentional). 

Several months ago, I was watching one of my favorite shows, Parenthood. Kristina was battling a severe case of breast cancer. Adam--her husband--came into the house angrily exclaiming that the neighbors had the audacity to say this to him. When an unbeliever hears this, they (generally) shut down. Unbelievers don't understand that God has come to redeem this world and that he will come to restore it. They don't understand that the trials we go through are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4). If they don't believe in God, why would they believe that he would work out a sad situation for his glory? In this type of situation, maybe it's best to just show that, as a friend, you're there. You're willing to help out with physical needs, and if the opportunity presents itself, you can then share the gospel.

Maybe no matter who the person is--Christian or unbeliever--it's best to remind them of this, but also remind them that it's okay to grieve and lament. Point them to Psalms of lament. Remind them of God's goodness. But for goodness sake  don't just end your sympathies at "God has a plan for this." 

(Please do not think that I believe this passage has become cliched, I just believe that the way we throw it around has become cliched)

Christianese Part 1

We, as Christians, have a certain set of sayings that we like to throw around in any given circumstance. Some of these are true--but have become so cliche--while others don't seem to actually be Biblical. If you're a Christian and you say some of these things, no, I don't think you're a bad person. I do think it's time, though, that we reevaluate some of the things we say.

Image Via: Google Images

God will never give you more than you can handle. When I first saw this quote, it bothered me a bit, but not too much. Therefore, I didn't really think about it too much. When I started seeing it everywhere (read: Pinterest) and considered it more deeply, I thought: "No, that's not right. I don't think that's actually even Biblical." 

I'm sure whoever first started saying this had good intentions, but I just don't agree. I think it's more likely that God does give us more than we can handle sometimes. Why? Probably because people frequently realize they need God when they're in the middle of a crisis--when they're on their knees. This isn't always the case, but God uses trials in our lives to build us, shape us, and grow us. It makes sense then that He would give us trials that we physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually cannot find our way through on our own. 

What are your thoughts on this saying? Agree? Disagree? If you can point me to a verse or passage that says this, I will gladly take back what I've said.

"All the Poor and Powerless"

"Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel Tyrants...he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck. He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restores the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture--when they bleed, he bleeds; when they die, he dies." Psalm 72-Various Verses-The Message

God has always been caring for the poor and oppressed. This care is a common thread throughout the Bible--from Exodus and Leviticus to the Psalms and the Gospels. In the Old Testament, God instructed his people not to pick up crops that fell to the ground, so that the destitute among them would be able to come and gather the abandoned fruit. Psalm 9:9 states that "The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." And Psalm 35:10 asks the questions "Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them."

All of these verses--and the countless others--show the Heart that the Lord has for the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, the oppressed, and the "just plain down-and-out." 

Before Christ's redemptive work begins in our lives, we are these people. We might not all be physically poor, but in a sense, we are all poverty-stricken. Because of the Fall, our relationship with Christ has been distorted and we are poor in spirit. Where Adam and Eve once literally walked in fellowship with the Lord, we are now--by our own feeble attempts-- trying to reach God. Thankfully, God has always had a heart for the poor and he sent his Son to save us. He came, and in doing so, has piled blessings on us. 

As a Believer that is being sanctified to become more and more like Christ daily, one specific area I want to look more like Christ is in my care for the oppressed and the poor. Because...

"He loves us without condition, unrelentingly  forever. He loves us broken, and he loves making us whole again. And he asks those of us who love him to love others the same way. To choose them. To be agents of his hope, his forgiveness, his grace. He asks us to join him in rescuing others." Christine Caine-Undaunted  

All Sons and Daughters--All the Poor and Powerless