Ordination #3e: Social Drinking

The Bible warns against the dangers of drinking throughout (Prov. 20.1; 31.4-5; Gal. 5.21), including leading to debauchery (Eph. 5.18). At the same time, wine is not inherently evil. It is seen as a gift from God (Ps. 104.15) and a legitimate element in feasting and celebration (Dt. 14.26; Isa. 25.6). Even if alcohol is permitted, care should be taken to avoid addiction (1 Cor. 6.12) as well as leading others into violating their conscience with regards to alcohol (Rom. 14.13, 20-21).

Ordination #3d: Divorce & Remarriage

The OT Law gives some guidelines for divorce (Dt. 24.1-4), but it is clear that God “hates divorce” (Mal. 2.16). Even so, Jesus and Paul are explicit that there are appropriate reasons for divorce, but divorce is not required. Marital unfaithfulness is the only legitimate ground for divorce that Jesus mentions (Mt. 19.9) while Paul says a believing spouse is not bound by a marriage if they are deserted (1 Cor. 7.15). Remarriage for the offended party is acceptable in both cases. Remarriage is also allowed when one’s spouse has died, so long as the believer marries “in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7.39).

Ordination #3c: Abortion, Infanticide, Euthanasia

The Bible is clear that the taking of innocent life is prohibited (Ex. 20.13) because people are created in God’s image (Gen. 9.6). Infanticide is clearly wicked in God’s eyes (Isa. 57.5). Abortion is relatively straightforward as well given that the unborn are considered persons in Scripture. They are called children (Luke 1.41, 44) and the unborn are personally known by God (Ps. 139.13-16). As such, they should be protected as innocent life. Regarding euthanasia, the Bible is clear that our lives are not our own (Jer. 10.23), but we are God’s creation and we are overstepping our authority to take our own lives or assist others in doing the same.

Ordination #3b: Spiritual Warfare

Scripture is clear that there are malevolent spiritual forces that are created beings (Col. 1.16). These spirits intend to influence all people away from God (2 Cor. 4.4), though they are not outside of God’s sovereign control (Job 1.6-11). They can influence believers (2 Tim. 2.25-26; Gal. 4.9), but believers are to be alert to these spiritual forces, stand against them in the truth (Eph. 6.12-18; 1 Pet. 5.8-9) as well as resist them and draw near to God (James 4.7-8).

Ordination #3a: Homosexuality

These next Ordination posts have to do with "Contemporary Issues" in the church. Some are more contemporary than others, but here we go...

This is a tough issue to write on/blog on because it is such a heated debate on a broad cultural level. I'm looking forward to reading unChristian by Kinnaman and Lyons (I think), which deals with perceptions of Christians in the broader culture. One such view is Christians are anti-homosexual. Because of the sensitivity of this issue, we need to communicate lovingly, but we must communicate the truth as well. I think where we make a big mistake is elevating this issue beyond other sins that we have come to wink at in the church. Given the political intensity, I'm not sure how to stand for the truth in love, but it must be our goal. Disclaimer done. Here's the statement.

Sexual union is intended to be the consummation of a marriage commitment between man and woman (Gen. 2.23-24) and Jesus makes it clear that husband and wife are no longer two, but one flesh (Mt. 19.6). Sexual engagement outside of a marriage covenant is becoming one flesh with another, but it is an illegitimate relationship (1 Cor. 6.15-17). Given the man/woman bond that marriage is built around, the biblical witness is unanimous in teaching homosexual acts are illegitimate, sinful expressions of sexuality (Dt. 18.22; Rom. 1.26-27). It is not, however, a sin from which one cannot recover because believers are not slaves to sin (Rom. 6.1-2) and we are called to subject our bodies in service to God (1 Cor. 9.27).

Breaking the Missional Code: Breaking the Code Without Breaking the Faith (ch. 13)

I had a friend ask me about “emerging/emergent church” the other day. They had heard it did some good things at reaching out, but it was moving away from key theological doctrines. I told him it isn’t that simple. It is a vast movement and Stetzer notes that, while some key leaders have drifted theologically, the majority of young missional leaders have not given up key theological doctrines.

I’m starting at the end of the chapter, but Stetzers there are three streams from the emergent/emerging church. Some are relevants – those trying to explain the message in a relevant way. These guys are fully legit. There are the reconstructionists – those trying different forms like house churches and incarnational models. These can be good so long as they keep the Bible central, etc… Finally, there are revisionists – those who question key issues of theology along the line of some of the mainline denominations that have gone before. This isn’t good.

Before these streams, Stetzer talked about the challenge of faithful contextualization. This is the challenge of missions. Good contextualization, in my mind, should at times come close to syncretism. It shouldn’t go there, but we need to figure out how to speak the timeless message into our contemporary culture.

Good missional leaders need to ask key theological questions about the nature of the church and how it engages culture – like Paul did at Mars Hill in Acts 17. Paul was a missionary theologian. He wasn’t in an ivory tower. A key quote: “To be theologically faithful and culturally relevant we must be willing to engage in answering hard questions because the mandate of Scripture and the lostness of culture require nothing less” (p. 183). We have to avoid going too far (syncretism), but we also need to make sure we go far enough for fear of irrelevance. One more quote: “The missional church does not reject scriptural commands, only cultural barriers” (p. 184).

The Breaking the Code Challenge
1. Describe the traditions in your context that may hinder your church from breaking the code.
2. Describe areas in your church and mission where you may be compromising truth.
3. What does it mean to be a biblically faithful and a contextually relevant church?
4. How can you help lead others to understanding what it means to connect with culture without compromising the truth?

Mariners need a new GM. I'm available...

... but here's a list of potential candidates from my favorite website/blog, USS Mariner:

http://ussmariner.com/2008/06/17/potential-gm-candidates-a-gigantic-post/