Friends Of The Prophets And What Is Our Focus?

  

Jon Wyclif giving the "poor priests" his translation of the Bible by William Fredericks Yearnes The "poor priests" (aka the Lollards) distributed Wyclif's translation of Scriptures in an age prior to printing presses.

 

Raise your hands if you noticed the blog's new name! Funny, I don't see any hands.

In a post about two weeks ago, I mentioned I debated changing the blog's names, and gave the two options :

1. Keeping the original name "Faith, Facts and Fiction."
2. Changing it to "Friend of the Prophets."

You would not believe the response I had (or maybe you would). After the days (or was it seconds) of counting the votes, my vote proved to be the tiebreaker. (Zero to zero is considered a tie, isn't it?) 

What is the idea behind that name? Because those that fill the role of a prophet are often friendless, but I have a desire to be a friend to those types of people. And you'll notice the new title is in the plural? My hope is that I not only encourage fellow believers on the front line of Spiritual Warfare, but I also encourage others to join me.

But what does it matter? Does it matter if I change the blog's name? Does it matter if I write this blog? Does it matter if anybody reads it?

Would you believe me it's discouraging for the blog to more often than not land in the lower single digits on people who see it? (That's when I post it on my Facebook page, otherwise it wouldn't have any.) I'm sure you have discouragements about your endeavors at times, asking yourselves "What's the use?"

The reality is WHY am I taking the time to do this? Is it to build my platform for writing? Even more so, is it so that my name means something?

I'm rereading The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer, and the chapter I read today deals with that issue. Is God the ultimate reason for what we're doing, or are we trying to build our own kingdom?

Hopefully, this blog not only has a new name, but a new direction on the part of the blogger.

BOOK REVIEW: Another Gospel by Alisa Childers

 

 How would you respond if your faith is challenged by those you trust to help you defend it? Alisa Childers had that experience, which she describes in her book Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity. In this, she points out the differences between Progressive Christianity and what she terms as Historic Christianity.

What would you consider essentials in the Christian faith? The sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ? The inerrancy and authoritativeness of Scripture? Eternal blessing of those who obey God and eternal condemnation of those who reject His salvation? Childers tells how each of these "non-negotiables" are up for debate in Progressive Christianity. She mentions how phrases such as "the inspiration of the Bible" are redefined.

Why should a person continue in the faith of the last 2000 years instead of being open to new ideas? What evidence is there for traditional Christianity? Childers gives details of her research and how the beliefs she had from youth were confirmed, allowing her to be stronger in the faith.

Alisa Childers was a member of the group Zoe Girl. Her father,
Chuck Girard, also had a solo career and was a member of the Jesus music pioneer band Love Song. 

Have you had your faith challenged? Where would you turn to for the purpose of strengthening your faith?

The Hidden Call of Art

 

A week ago, I posted about the hidden dangers of art. And yes, there are spiritual dangers to the art, which all are variations of not denying self as Christ told us to (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). But is that the only side of the coin?

One thing to keep in mind is that artistic/creative talent is something that originates from God. Why was I able to teach myself piano and guitar but completely lacking in athletics? God's choice. Some state that everybody is born with creativity but education and employment and other things rob it. That may be true, but again God is sovereign on who gets to keep their talents and who doesn't.

But why did God give us talents? Yes, if God gives us talents, He has a purpose for it, and in the end it is for His glory, not ours. 

Are you familiar with Bezalel the son of Uri and Aholiab the son of Ahissamach? They were artists that God appointed to make the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Ex. 31:1-11). The former was said to be filled with the Spirit of God, and both were given wisdom. Yes, God uses artists.

Singers and musicians also had a part in a lot of the history. Chenaniah and Asaph were involved in David's days. The singers were mentioned with the Levites and other assistants of the priests in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Art and music are connected with worship. Examples include the pair of paintings I have included in this blog: Adoration of the Lamb by Jan van Eyck (at the top of today's blog) and The Exaltation of the Cross by Adam Eisheimer (left). 

However, it has other purposes as well. Colossians 3:16 talks about teaching and exhorting with  psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. How often does Christian music take up that challenge? Likewise, we sing to the Lord, but do we sing to each other to comfort and encourage?

Now, some may think I'm trying to say that everything a Christian artist/musician  does needs to be done for Christians or clearly evangelistic. Nope. Not true. Some Christians may lend their talent to a secular employer. A believer may be an instrumentalist for a mainstream band. The important thing, though, is to realize to Whom each artist (and non-artist) will give an account to, and to realize who deserves the glory.

How are you glorifying God in your daily activities? And how can you encourage others (artists and non-artists) in their ministries?

Pentecost and Other Holidays (or Holy Days or Hollow Days)

 

Pentecost by Emil Nolde

 

I got excited today. The pastor at our church mentioned today was Pentecost Sunday. If I remember correctly, the last time I heard Pentecost Sunday mentioned (other than my mentioning it) was 1959. Which, considering that was the year I was born, and Pentecost is in the spring while my birthday's not until fall...

In the Old Testament, God gave Israel seven holidays - or more accurately holy days - to observe (Lev. 23). An eighth one, Purim, is mentioned in Esther, though it is not commanded by God.

You can divide Christians in two groups. One group sees Christmas and Good Friday/Easter as the high points of the calendar, with some observing a time of preparation for those two days (Advent in the first case, Lent and Holy Week for the later). The other group points out neither holiday is commanded and delight in pointing out pagan connections to justify their non-observance. My mother-in-law referred to Christmas and Easter as hollow days.

Then, we can look at the issue through the extremes. Some can be ritualistic - I've heard of Christians judging those who are non-observant. Others take the cliche of celebrating the Resurrection and/or Pentecost every Sunday, though one can wonder if they are really celebrating either event any Sunday. 

Other questions arise in dealing with celebrating holidays is which ones should Christians observe. Should the Church recognize Passover and Day of Atonement and maybe even Pentecost as God commanded via Moses to Israel from Mount Sinai? As Christians, is it permissible to observe either church holidays like Lent, Advent, and All Saints Day or cultural holidays like Mothers' and Fathers' Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving and patriotic celebrations like 4th of July and Veteran's Day? 

The answer needs to be Biblical, but allow me first to give a focus on two issues which I consider biblical: the autonomy of the local church and the Priesthood of the believer. What a local congregation does should be based on the decision of that congregation. Likewise, whether an individual chooses to observe (or not) a particular day is between him and God. 

I believe that conclusion is supported by Romans 14:5-6: "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day the same. Let each be firmly convinced in their mind. He who observes the day observes it to the Lord, and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not esteem it. He who eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks, and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks." In other words, both observance and non-observance are permissible when done to the Lord.

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, and I consider it a holy day. I would love to celebrate Reformation Day, All Saints Day - though I would define "saint" a little differently than a Catholic or Orthodox - and Pentecost regularly, when I think of them. Other holidays that often get overlooked (including by me) that can be observed to the glory of God include President's Day, Juneteenth, and Labor Day. And last but not least (or is it least but not last), there's Groundhog's Day.

Happy Pentecost, and let me close by asking: How do you observe your favorite holidays/Holy Days to the Lord?

 

Hidden Danger Of Arts Revisited

 

Allegory of Painting, Gerard van Honthorst

 Two days ago, I shared a post about one of my heroes leaving one ministry for another. If there was much press about that, it's been eclipsed by Kevin Max, formerly of DC Talk, saying he's now an Exvangelical. If it was just him, that would be one thing, but he's not alone.

This reminded me of a paper I read thirty years ago by my friend Robert Roberg, titled "The Hidden Danger of Art." Roberg, who himself is a singer/songwriter, a visual artist, and a former church planter,  introduced one danger in art before telling a hypothetical story illustrating other dangers. 

I do have some comments about Mr. Max and the state of today's Christianity, but I would at first like to bring up Mr. Roberg's initial critique and add other things that can be a danger of an artist, be it musicians as in Roberg's story or actors/actresses or novelists or visual artists.

The first point Roberg made was the focus of self promoting that is involved in art. I'll admit that I do that with this blog, because I feel it might reach twice as many readers if I do (meaning there will be four regular readers instead of two). True, this is a job that many artists whole heartedly despise. There may not be the ego with these creatives. But it can also lead to a mentality that our success as a musician is up to us, not to God.

Another danger is contained in Proverbs 18:2: "A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart." Art can be an effective form of communication - after all, a picture (or a symphony) is worth a thousand words - but a lot of times it is self expression, emphasizing not what's on God's heart but what's on ours.

Also, art is by nature sensual.  I don't mean that in a negative sense (pun unintentional), but as an objective fact. Paintings draw one's eyes. Music catches the ear. Acting does both. You could say that novelists are an exception, except the best writers are good at making you feel, see, hear, and even taste and smell the setting. Thus, there is a danger of the artist moving from appealing to the senses to being sensual (in the negative sense).

An artist can also forget what is inspiration and what is Inspiration. I've known one musician who arranged Romans 8:1 to music and says it needs to be heard because he wrote it. No, who set the music doesn't matter. Another songwriter claims innocently that it's not him who writes his songs but God. No, my friend used his talents and wrote in his style. 

I love hanging around Christian artists and musicians, and for that matter pastors and missionaries (all my rowdy friends are preachers). For me, sharing their faith is a blessing. But even for me, it can be a danger, because I could start hanging around and listening to and viewing artists that don't have my worldview. "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray." (Prov. 12:26)

Now, one may ask if being an artist more susceptible to falling away from the faith. I know of two people I admired (one musician, one author) who went from being outspoken Evangelicals to taking a more ritualistic approach to faith to becoming atheists. As mentioned above, it's not rare for artists to become "Progressive."

But let me seem to digress. Nobody really considers news to be art. And many complain of all the crime in the news. One person commented, though, that crime is the exception. There are more people helping others than killing others. The helping is so commonplace, it's not newsworthy. The killing is not as normal, so it's news. Likewise, you're going to hear of the few who are turning from their faith while the many that stay faithful are seemingly (and possibly actually) ignored.

Kevin Max has become progressive and left the evangelical scene. Any indication his former bandmates Michael Tait - who became lead singer for the Newsboys - and Toby Mac doing the same? I haven't heard a peep. Likewise, while Max has moved toward Progressive Christianity, former Zoe Girl Alisa Childers used the lure of Progressive Christianity to strengthen her faith, which you can read in her book "Another Gospel."

So what can we take away from this? First, we need to do as Peter says and make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). Second, we can look for those who are standing firm and encouraging them in the faith. 

Is there an artist you know that you can encourage?

When One Of My Heroes Changes Jobs

  

 

Maybe I should make a list of living heroes of the faith. Of course, that would include me taking the time to rank them. And with living heroes, I might debate giving an alphabetic list so if one of those heroes reads it, he (or she) may not be disappointed they weren't higher. If I did a list like that and ranked them numerically, I would be shocked if Russell Moore is not towards the top of the list.

Yesterday, Dr. Moore announced he would be resigning as President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), effective June 1. He has been hired by the magazine Christianity Today as full time Public Theologian and in charge of their new Public Theology Project.

I have had the honor of hearing Dr. Moore on three different occasions while he was dean at The Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, and even had a chance to ask him a question in person. (The third time was when he was a guest on a live performance of Southern's President Al Mohler's radio program, and they took questions; they answered both my question and Becky's.

I enjoy Dr. Moore's sense of humor. At a Q&A session at an apologetics conference he was part of, someone asked if Mohammed was mentioned in the Bible. Dr. Moore said, "Yes. It says false prophets will come."

In 2013, Dr. Moore succeeded Richard Land as head of the ERLC. In 2015, he authored Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel, which was my favorite non-fiction book that year. 

Another thing I like about Dr. Moore: he's not afraid to be controversial. There was talk about the Southern Baptist Convention defunding the ERLC because Moore committed what was considered the unpardonable sin by many evangelicals - he criticized then candidate and later President Trump. Actually, I had concerns about Trump that matched Moore's concerns. After the DC Riot, Moore dared to say the President should have resigned because of it.

One other controversy occurred when Moore and the ERLC filed a friend-of-the-court brief when a city was requiring a new mosque to have more parking spaces than they asked churches to have (and didn't always enforce it with churches). True religious liberty is not only for my religion, but for all others as well.

Moore has appeared on national programs as well, such as Face The Nation.

I will admit - I'm not a Christianity Today fan. Some consider the magazine too centrist theologically. But I'm still praying for my hero in his new endeavor.

Sources for my story on his new job:

 Russell Moore announces departure from ERLC helm by George Schroeder, Baptist Press

Russell Moore, head of Southern Baptist public policy arm, leaving ERLC for Christianity Today by Holly Meyer, Nashville Tennessean, Wed. May 19, 2021

A Question For My Readers, or "1,000 Words A Day?!"

 I started this blog almost a year ago. At first, I thought of doing it weekly. Then, I thought of things to add that made it four times a week. And the reality? Weekly was a nice goal. Monthly is a little closer to reality.

I also will admit - maybe blogs are past their prime. The blogs that had the best response were those where I interviewed someone else, and all the friends of that someone else came to check it out for that interview.

So for months I've been between forgetting about this blog and thinking about this blog. Writing it was in another dimension. Maybe the Twilight Zone. Maybe the place a fast-food co-worker mentioned: The Fry Light Zone.

Well, I happened to read a pair of summaries on books about blogging. I have yet to read them, but they're on the list. I don't know how they differ, but both agreed on this:

You should contribute to your blog daily. Preferably 1,000 words each post.

Okay.

So should I get back on and give a daily submission to a non-existent audience? Or should I give up?

My goal is the former.

One thing I'll check on doing is changing the name. I came up with a quick name, and I'll confess that while I wanted to get the essence of the purpose of this blog, I didn't think a lot about it. I have another name in mind, and it also fits once you know where I'm coming from, but it may be more vague.

So, though I might be stuck with the name, I'll ask you, reader, the question. Which do you like better? And I'll give the rationale for the titles.

FAITH: FACTS AND FICTION (Current name). No, I am not at all questioning whether faith is fact or fiction. Rather, the purpose is dealing with faith - even some apologetics - and doing it through preaching by pastors and apologists and the like and through artists like novelists and songwriters. Or...

FRIENDS OF THE PROPHETS. By prophets, I'm not talking about people predicting things, but those who communicate the Word of God, and again that includes traditional preaching/teaching and via the arts.

So what are your thoughts on those titles?