In many ways our view of the body as Christians tends towards being pretty secular. There is almost a separation between the body and God. It belongs to a separate realm from our 'spiritual lives'. We can almost feel that our bodies have little to do with our relationship with God, which belongs to invisible 'spiritual' things. So, for example, to name three possible secularizing beliefs about our bodies....
1. we are going to 'heaven' where our spirits will get released from this mortal body.
2. what we do with our body is unimportant when it comes to prayer or worship.
3. our body is spiritually important only when we commit gross sin with it
But, take for example, 1 Cor 6:12f. Here we get a very strong passage on the value of the body and the need to disciple our bodies - as we would our hearts, minds etc. From Paul we learn in this passage that:
1. The Lord is for the body (isn't that amazing!)
2. The body is the dwelling place of the Spirit and Christ.
3. The body will be raised from the dead (not be left behind in a spiritualized heaven)
4. The body is to be used for the glory of God (now that is big!).
There's lots here, but taking simply the last point I'm forced to see that how I use my body is a vital part of discipleship. This is not simply in terms of the avoidance of gross sin but in terms of glorifying God with my body. It's a striking question to ask myself: how can I glorify God with my body today? What things can I do in my body to honour God? So quickly, we think of abstinence and saying 'no' to things, but that reduces glorifying God to 'sin-avoidance'. Surely, much more is needed here. It means a positive, active honouring of God with my body. What does it mean to be a disciple in my body?
Showing posts with label Christian Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Life. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Prosperity teaching and Mission
Piper has an excellent and challenging sermon here on the complete contradiction between the prosperity gospel and gospel-centred mission.
Here are some excerpts...
"At the heart of true biblical missions is the willingness to die to the cravings that prosperity preachers exploit. At the heart of true biblical missions (both for the goers and the senders) is an eagerness to live simply and give lavishly. At the heart of true biblical missions is suffering, not merely as a result of proclamation, but also as a means of proclamation—a means of making the saving sufferings of Christ known to the world. As Joseph Tson says, “Christ’s sufferings are for propitiation; our sufferings are for propagation.....”
".....Of course, contrary to what the Prosperity Gospel teaches, wealth is not usually a blessing. It is usually a curse. Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25). Wealth is a mortal danger for those who have it. It does not make us generous and humble. It makes us buy more stuff, and it numbs our conscience because we have to blind ourselves to our inconsistencies with the Calvary road.
Paul said to the prosperity preachers of his day, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
No, it isn’t for lack of money that there are 1,568 peoples with no missionaries. It’s because we have so much. The comforts of the West have made us soft and cautious and fearful and indulgent and self-protecting, instead of tough and risk-taking and bold and self-controlled and self-sacrificing. When prosperity preachers fly their personal jets to the Two-thirds World and promise the poor that if they believe in Jesus, they will get rich, they are not doing Christian missions. They are destroying its foundations. That is not the gospel that saves and produces sacrifice...."
Here are some excerpts...
"At the heart of true biblical missions is the willingness to die to the cravings that prosperity preachers exploit. At the heart of true biblical missions (both for the goers and the senders) is an eagerness to live simply and give lavishly. At the heart of true biblical missions is suffering, not merely as a result of proclamation, but also as a means of proclamation—a means of making the saving sufferings of Christ known to the world. As Joseph Tson says, “Christ’s sufferings are for propitiation; our sufferings are for propagation.....”
".....Of course, contrary to what the Prosperity Gospel teaches, wealth is not usually a blessing. It is usually a curse. Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25). Wealth is a mortal danger for those who have it. It does not make us generous and humble. It makes us buy more stuff, and it numbs our conscience because we have to blind ourselves to our inconsistencies with the Calvary road.
Paul said to the prosperity preachers of his day, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
No, it isn’t for lack of money that there are 1,568 peoples with no missionaries. It’s because we have so much. The comforts of the West have made us soft and cautious and fearful and indulgent and self-protecting, instead of tough and risk-taking and bold and self-controlled and self-sacrificing. When prosperity preachers fly their personal jets to the Two-thirds World and promise the poor that if they believe in Jesus, they will get rich, they are not doing Christian missions. They are destroying its foundations. That is not the gospel that saves and produces sacrifice...."
Contemplation of death
The Scriptures remind us regularly of the shortness and fragility of life...
Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 "I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath [b] ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return."
Isaiah 40:6-8: 'A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."'
James 4:14 "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
It would seem that wisdom is about knowing that death is around the corner and that my life is quickly over. In that case, it would make a lot of sense for me to contemplate my death and all that it means for my life now. We live so much of our lives ignoring death as if we think we'll continue like this forever. Biblically speaking, that's unhealthy. It is too small a view of things. It's too narrow. It's a morbid fascination with life now. It certainly can't help us in our battle against sin and for holiness. And it can't help us develop the right eternal priorities.
John Newton quotes the words of a dying Christian woman to him in this way: " 'Sir, you are highly favoured in being called to preach the gospel. I have often heard you with pleasure; but give me leave to tell you, that I now see all you have said, or can say, is comparatively but little. Nor, till you come into my situation, and have death and eternity full in your view, will it be possible for you to conceive tha vast weight and importance of the truths you declare. O, Sir, it is a serious thing to die; no words can express what is needful to support the soul in the solemnity of a dying hour.'"
Newton himself concludes a few paragraphs on, " I thought likewise how many things are there that now give us pleasure or pain, and assume a mighty importance in our view, which, in a dying hour, will be no more to us than the clouds which fly unnoticed over our heads. Then the truth of our Lord's aphorism will be seen, felt and acknowledged, "One thing is needful."'
Indeed. Contemplating my own death and mortality has got to have an invigorating effect on my Christian life. It helps me see the difference between passing clouds and what is truly important. Let's not be morbidly preoccupied with life.
Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 "I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath [b] ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return."
Isaiah 40:6-8: 'A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."'
James 4:14 "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
It would seem that wisdom is about knowing that death is around the corner and that my life is quickly over. In that case, it would make a lot of sense for me to contemplate my death and all that it means for my life now. We live so much of our lives ignoring death as if we think we'll continue like this forever. Biblically speaking, that's unhealthy. It is too small a view of things. It's too narrow. It's a morbid fascination with life now. It certainly can't help us in our battle against sin and for holiness. And it can't help us develop the right eternal priorities.
John Newton quotes the words of a dying Christian woman to him in this way: " 'Sir, you are highly favoured in being called to preach the gospel. I have often heard you with pleasure; but give me leave to tell you, that I now see all you have said, or can say, is comparatively but little. Nor, till you come into my situation, and have death and eternity full in your view, will it be possible for you to conceive tha vast weight and importance of the truths you declare. O, Sir, it is a serious thing to die; no words can express what is needful to support the soul in the solemnity of a dying hour.'"
Newton himself concludes a few paragraphs on, " I thought likewise how many things are there that now give us pleasure or pain, and assume a mighty importance in our view, which, in a dying hour, will be no more to us than the clouds which fly unnoticed over our heads. Then the truth of our Lord's aphorism will be seen, felt and acknowledged, "One thing is needful."'
Indeed. Contemplating my own death and mortality has got to have an invigorating effect on my Christian life. It helps me see the difference between passing clouds and what is truly important. Let's not be morbidly preoccupied with life.
Monday, 27 October 2008
Depression, medication and sin
Here is a useful and balanced interview with Ed Welch - which is well-worth a read.
Monday, 15 September 2008
What does the Spirit do?
Rom 2:29 He circumcises our hearts
Rom 5:5 He pours God’s love into us
Rom 7:6 He gives us a new way of serving God
Rom 8:2 He has set me free from the law of sin and death
Rom 8:5 He gives us new desires
Rom 8:9 He steers us towards righteousness
Rom 8:9 He is a sign of our belonging to Christ
Rom 8:11 He is the promise of future resurrection
Rom 8:13 He enables us to put the sinful nature to death
Rom 8:14-16 He brings the reality of adoption into our lives
Rom 8:26 He helps us in our weakness
Rom 8:26 He prays for us
Rom 14:17 He brings us righteousness, peace and joy
Rom 15:13 He gives us power
1 Cor 2:10 He reveals God’s wisdom to us
1 Cor 3:16 He lives in us and makes us into the Temple
1 Cor 6:11 He washes us, sanctifies us and justifies us
1 Cor 12:3 He enables us to say “Jesus is Lord”
1 Cor 12:7 He is working for the common good of the Church
1 Cor 12:8-11 He distributes spiritual gifts to the Church
1 Cor 12:13 He baptizes us
1 Cor 12:13 He quenches our spiritual thirst
2 Cor 1:22 He is the deposit of things to come
2 Cor 3:6 He gives life
2 Cor 3:8 He brings a glorious ministry
2 Cor 3:17 He is Lord
Gal 3:2 He is received by faith
Gal 3:14 He is the promise offered to Abraham
Gal 5:5 He will bring us future righteousness
Gal 5:17 He is opposed to the sinful nature
Gal 5:18 He sets us free from the Law
Gal 5:19 He enables spiritual fruit in our lives
Eph 1:13 He is the seal of our salvation
Eph 1:17 He gives us wisdom and revelation
Eph 2:18 He enables access to the Father
Eph 2:22 He is God’s presence with us
Eph 3:5 He reveals the purposes of God to us
Eph 3:16 He strengthens us
Eph 4:4 He gives unity to the Church
Eph 5:18 He fills us
Phil 1:19 He is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus
2 Tim 1:14 He helps us to guard the deposit of the gospel
Titus 3:5 He brings rebirth and renewal
Rom 5:5 He pours God’s love into us
Rom 7:6 He gives us a new way of serving God
Rom 8:2 He has set me free from the law of sin and death
Rom 8:5 He gives us new desires
Rom 8:9 He steers us towards righteousness
Rom 8:9 He is a sign of our belonging to Christ
Rom 8:11 He is the promise of future resurrection
Rom 8:13 He enables us to put the sinful nature to death
Rom 8:14-16 He brings the reality of adoption into our lives
Rom 8:26 He helps us in our weakness
Rom 8:26 He prays for us
Rom 14:17 He brings us righteousness, peace and joy
Rom 15:13 He gives us power
1 Cor 2:10 He reveals God’s wisdom to us
1 Cor 3:16 He lives in us and makes us into the Temple
1 Cor 6:11 He washes us, sanctifies us and justifies us
1 Cor 12:3 He enables us to say “Jesus is Lord”
1 Cor 12:7 He is working for the common good of the Church
1 Cor 12:8-11 He distributes spiritual gifts to the Church
1 Cor 12:13 He baptizes us
1 Cor 12:13 He quenches our spiritual thirst
2 Cor 1:22 He is the deposit of things to come
2 Cor 3:6 He gives life
2 Cor 3:8 He brings a glorious ministry
2 Cor 3:17 He is Lord
Gal 3:2 He is received by faith
Gal 3:14 He is the promise offered to Abraham
Gal 5:5 He will bring us future righteousness
Gal 5:17 He is opposed to the sinful nature
Gal 5:18 He sets us free from the Law
Gal 5:19 He enables spiritual fruit in our lives
Eph 1:13 He is the seal of our salvation
Eph 1:17 He gives us wisdom and revelation
Eph 2:18 He enables access to the Father
Eph 2:22 He is God’s presence with us
Eph 3:5 He reveals the purposes of God to us
Eph 3:16 He strengthens us
Eph 4:4 He gives unity to the Church
Eph 5:18 He fills us
Phil 1:19 He is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus
2 Tim 1:14 He helps us to guard the deposit of the gospel
Titus 3:5 He brings rebirth and renewal
Saturday, 6 September 2008
The daily choice
Each day forces a decision on me, whether I like it or not. Will I live by this age or will I live by the cross? (1 Cor 1-2) These are two mutually incompatible and contradictory lives, cultures and ministries.
What do I choose?
1. This age: self-sufficiency, independence, achievement, power? Do I spend the day thinking and boasting about myself? Am I taken up with what I have done? Am I taken up with what other people have achieved? Is the acceptance of other people the main driving force in my life? Am I trying to get things done my way?
2. The cross: is my boast all day long in what Jesus has done for me? Are my thoughts taken up with Golgotha? Am I unconcerned by looking foolish, weak and unimpressive to people? Am I most concerned with His repute? Am I trying to get things done Christ's way?
I make a decision every day and have been making it (consciously and unconsciously) every day ever since I came to know Christ. Which way am I choosing?
What do I choose?
1. This age: self-sufficiency, independence, achievement, power? Do I spend the day thinking and boasting about myself? Am I taken up with what I have done? Am I taken up with what other people have achieved? Is the acceptance of other people the main driving force in my life? Am I trying to get things done my way?
2. The cross: is my boast all day long in what Jesus has done for me? Are my thoughts taken up with Golgotha? Am I unconcerned by looking foolish, weak and unimpressive to people? Am I most concerned with His repute? Am I trying to get things done Christ's way?
I make a decision every day and have been making it (consciously and unconsciously) every day ever since I came to know Christ. Which way am I choosing?
Depression
John Piper, in his book "Tested by Fire", give us some useful, compassionate and biblical reflections on the battle against depression - based on the life of William Cowper(see p.109ff). These are both useful for those who struggle with depression and for 'helpers' and friends who live alongside them.
1. We fortify ourselves against the dark hours of depression by cultivating a deep distrust of the certainties of despair. Despair is relentless in the certainties of his pessimism.
2. Love your children dearly (Cowper's family life was marked by an awful father).
3. Despair not of the despairing. Here he refers to Newton's constant care and concern for his friend William Cowper. Do not give up!
4. We need to practice the gift of self-forgetfulness. We are often best when we are not so aware of what we feel. Self-examination is needed but mental health is best when we are focused on worthy reality outside of ourselves. Self-forgetfulness and happiness are inextricably linked.
5. Escape and isolation are not an answer. Health nor holiness is had by escaping from the world and it sin.
6. Those of us who teach and preach should not limit ourselves to success stories. Hope can also be had by the looking at the struggles of a man such as William Cowper.
7. Let's rehearse the mercies of God often in the presence of discouraged people. Let's tell them of the cross often. Keep soaking people in the grace of God even though it seems to have little seeming effect.
1. We fortify ourselves against the dark hours of depression by cultivating a deep distrust of the certainties of despair. Despair is relentless in the certainties of his pessimism.
2. Love your children dearly (Cowper's family life was marked by an awful father).
3. Despair not of the despairing. Here he refers to Newton's constant care and concern for his friend William Cowper. Do not give up!
4. We need to practice the gift of self-forgetfulness. We are often best when we are not so aware of what we feel. Self-examination is needed but mental health is best when we are focused on worthy reality outside of ourselves. Self-forgetfulness and happiness are inextricably linked.
5. Escape and isolation are not an answer. Health nor holiness is had by escaping from the world and it sin.
6. Those of us who teach and preach should not limit ourselves to success stories. Hope can also be had by the looking at the struggles of a man such as William Cowper.
7. Let's rehearse the mercies of God often in the presence of discouraged people. Let's tell them of the cross often. Keep soaking people in the grace of God even though it seems to have little seeming effect.
Friday, 5 September 2008
A definition of the Christian life
I've been struck by the way that 1 Thess 1:10 gives a (for us unusual description) of the Christian life "to wait for his Son from heaven..." The Christian life is described here in terms of waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. I wonder how many of us really think of discipleship in those terms? We are busy with so many projects, plans, ideas and our own 'perfecting' that we forget to 'wait for his Son'. Perhaps that reveals our lack of hope. It seems almost passive and joyless to simply wait for Jesus, doesn't it? It would be easy to parody such waiting as typical Christian anti-worldliness. Yet, perhaps it is our problem that many good things take the place of the one supremely Good Thing - the personal presence of Jesus. Perhaps, our hope has become diluted by things that are temporal. What are we really looking forward to? What does it really mean to live the Christian life: it means to wait for Jesus to come back.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Pilgrim's courage
There's a great comment here in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress...
"But now, in this valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back, or to stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no armor for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground: for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand." (pp.34-35)
What a great challenge - there's no armour for our backs! We are meant to face down whatever comes our way and not to run away. That is the only way to 'save our lives'. Courage is a little-mentioned virtue for the Christian life. I thank Bunyan here for his stirring challenge.
"But now, in this valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back, or to stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no armor for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground: for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand." (pp.34-35)
What a great challenge - there's no armour for our backs! We are meant to face down whatever comes our way and not to run away. That is the only way to 'save our lives'. Courage is a little-mentioned virtue for the Christian life. I thank Bunyan here for his stirring challenge.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Self-examination
Some questions for self-examination...
1. Do I have an increasing joy in God and His fame?
2. Am I governed increasingly by the word of God?
3. Am I more forgiving and patient with the faults of others?
4. Do I base who I am on what the Lord Jesus has done for me rather than what i do for Him?
5. Do I have a growing concern for the needs of others, whether for this life or eternity?
6. Do I delight in the people of God?
7. Is my day-to-day speech life-giving or destructive?
8. Do I grieve over my sin and delight in my salvation?
9. Do I pray with God's priorities and with joy?
10. Do I yearn to be with Jesus in the new creation?
1. Do I have an increasing joy in God and His fame?
2. Am I governed increasingly by the word of God?
3. Am I more forgiving and patient with the faults of others?
4. Do I base who I am on what the Lord Jesus has done for me rather than what i do for Him?
5. Do I have a growing concern for the needs of others, whether for this life or eternity?
6. Do I delight in the people of God?
7. Is my day-to-day speech life-giving or destructive?
8. Do I grieve over my sin and delight in my salvation?
9. Do I pray with God's priorities and with joy?
10. Do I yearn to be with Jesus in the new creation?
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Names of Jesus
For our prayer meeting this week I got hold of a list of the names of Jesus and read it out. It is really edifying to go through it!
ADVOCATE: (1 John 2:1)
ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8)
ALPHA AND OMEGA: (Revelation 1:8)
AMEN: (Revelation 3:14)
ANGEL OF THE LORD: (Exodus 3:2)
APOSTLE: (Hebrews 3:1)
ARM OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 51:9) (Isaiah 53:1)
AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2)
AUTHOR OF LIFE: (Acts 3:15)
AUTHOR OF SALVATION: (Hebrews 2:10)
BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18)
BLESSED AND ONLY RULER: (1 Timothy 6:15)
BRANCH: (Isaiah 4:2)
BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32)
CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4)
CHRIST: (Luke 9:20)
CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: (Luke 2:25)
CORNERSTONE: (Psalm 118:22)
COUNSELLOR: (Isaiah 9:6)
CREATOR: (John 1:3)
DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26)
DOOR: (John 10:7)
CHOSEN ONE: (Isaiah 42:1)
EVERLASTING FATHER: (Isaiah 9:6)
FAITHFUL WITNESS: (Revelation 1:5)
FIRST AND LAST: (Revelation 1:17)
GLORY OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 40:5)
GOD: (Isaiah 40:3)
GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11)
GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14)
HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22)
HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2)
HIGH PRIEST (Heb 8:1-2)
HOLY SERVANT: (Acts 4:27)
HOLY ONE: (Acts 3:14)
HOLY ONE OF GOD: (Mark 1:24)
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL: (Isaiah 41:14)
HORN OF SALVATION: (Luke 1:69)
I AM: (John 8:58)
IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4)
IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14)
JESUS: (Matthew 1:21)
JUDGE OF ISRAEL: (Micah 5:1)
KING: (Zechariah 9:9)
KING ETERNAL: (1 Timothy 1:17)
KING OF THE JEWS: (Matthew 2:2)
KING OF KINGS: (1 Timothy 6:15)
LAWGIVER: (Isaiah 33:22)
LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29)
LEADER AND COMMANDER: (Isaiah 55:4)
LIFE: (John 14:6)
LAST ADAM: (1 Corinthians 15:45)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12)
LION OF JUDAH: (Revelation 5:5)
LORD OF GLORY: (1 Corinthians 2:8)
LORD OF LORDS: (1 Timothy 6:15)
LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6)
MAN OF SORROWS: (Isaiah 53:3)
MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5)
MESSENGER: (Malachi 3:1)
MIGHTY GOD: (Isaiah 9:6)
MIGHTY ONE: (Isaiah 60:16)
MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16)
NAZARENE: (Matthew 2:23)
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON: (John 1:18)
OUR PASSOVER: (1 Corinthians 5:7)
PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6)
PROPHET: (Luke 24:19)
REDEEMER: (Job 19:25)
RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25)
THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: (Acts 7:52)
RISING SUN: (Luke 1:78)
ROCK: (1 Corinthians 10:4)
ROOT OF DAVID: (Revelation 22:16)
RULER: (Matthew 2:6)
SAVIOUR: (Luke 2:11)
SEED OF WOMAN: (Genesis 3:15)
SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 2:25)
SON OF THE BLESSED ONE: (Mark 14:61)
SON OF DAVID: (Matthew 1:1)
SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15)
SON OF THE MOST HIGH: (Luke 1:32)
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2)
TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9)
TRUE VINE: (John 15:1)
TRUTH: (John 1:14)
WORD: (John 1:1)
ADVOCATE: (1 John 2:1)
ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8)
ALPHA AND OMEGA: (Revelation 1:8)
AMEN: (Revelation 3:14)
ANGEL OF THE LORD: (Exodus 3:2)
APOSTLE: (Hebrews 3:1)
ARM OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 51:9) (Isaiah 53:1)
AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2)
AUTHOR OF LIFE: (Acts 3:15)
AUTHOR OF SALVATION: (Hebrews 2:10)
BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18)
BLESSED AND ONLY RULER: (1 Timothy 6:15)
BRANCH: (Isaiah 4:2)
BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32)
CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4)
CHRIST: (Luke 9:20)
CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: (Luke 2:25)
CORNERSTONE: (Psalm 118:22)
COUNSELLOR: (Isaiah 9:6)
CREATOR: (John 1:3)
DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26)
DOOR: (John 10:7)
CHOSEN ONE: (Isaiah 42:1)
EVERLASTING FATHER: (Isaiah 9:6)
FAITHFUL WITNESS: (Revelation 1:5)
FIRST AND LAST: (Revelation 1:17)
GLORY OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 40:5)
GOD: (Isaiah 40:3)
GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11)
GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14)
HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22)
HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2)
HIGH PRIEST (Heb 8:1-2)
HOLY SERVANT: (Acts 4:27)
HOLY ONE: (Acts 3:14)
HOLY ONE OF GOD: (Mark 1:24)
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL: (Isaiah 41:14)
HORN OF SALVATION: (Luke 1:69)
I AM: (John 8:58)
IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4)
IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14)
JESUS: (Matthew 1:21)
JUDGE OF ISRAEL: (Micah 5:1)
KING: (Zechariah 9:9)
KING ETERNAL: (1 Timothy 1:17)
KING OF THE JEWS: (Matthew 2:2)
KING OF KINGS: (1 Timothy 6:15)
LAWGIVER: (Isaiah 33:22)
LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29)
LEADER AND COMMANDER: (Isaiah 55:4)
LIFE: (John 14:6)
LAST ADAM: (1 Corinthians 15:45)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12)
LION OF JUDAH: (Revelation 5:5)
LORD OF GLORY: (1 Corinthians 2:8)
LORD OF LORDS: (1 Timothy 6:15)
LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6)
MAN OF SORROWS: (Isaiah 53:3)
MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5)
MESSENGER: (Malachi 3:1)
MIGHTY GOD: (Isaiah 9:6)
MIGHTY ONE: (Isaiah 60:16)
MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16)
NAZARENE: (Matthew 2:23)
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON: (John 1:18)
OUR PASSOVER: (1 Corinthians 5:7)
PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6)
PROPHET: (Luke 24:19)
REDEEMER: (Job 19:25)
RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25)
THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: (Acts 7:52)
RISING SUN: (Luke 1:78)
ROCK: (1 Corinthians 10:4)
ROOT OF DAVID: (Revelation 22:16)
RULER: (Matthew 2:6)
SAVIOUR: (Luke 2:11)
SEED OF WOMAN: (Genesis 3:15)
SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 2:25)
SON OF THE BLESSED ONE: (Mark 14:61)
SON OF DAVID: (Matthew 1:1)
SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15)
SON OF THE MOST HIGH: (Luke 1:32)
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2)
TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9)
TRUE VINE: (John 15:1)
TRUTH: (John 1:14)
WORD: (John 1:1)
Hoarding...
Hoarding stuff makes us feel secure but here's a great comic strip I saw on the Desiring God blog.
Friday, 7 March 2008
Our Father in Heaven
It is one of those popular Christian myths that you hear going around that "if you had a bad father you will struggle to realize the goodness of your Father in heaven." I have to say that I think it's a load of rubbish. In no way am I belittling anyone's struggles, I am simply concerned that we do not enslave ourselves spiritually.
Some reasons why we should discard this myth...
1.What we need to get God's love is the Holy Spirit and the gospel (e.g. Rom 5:5). They are powerful enough to get behind all our 'issues'. The Spirit through the gospel holds out firm and sure promises to us. We must not obscure His power to reveal our Father to us, nor seek to encase ourselves with a layer of personal trauma.
2. People have bad experiences of lots of things in their lives including judges, kings, masters, saviours, helpers, sons - we don't think that people need counselling about those things. What would we do with a woman who's son had run out on her? Sympathetically suggest she needs counselling before she trust in Jesus, the Son?
3. The Bible tells us that our fathers are 'evil' (Matt 5:11) - it doesn't seem to think this is a problem for us getting God. Rather, our wonderful Father is just very different from any other Father.
4. The way we grow in maturity is not by going inwards into myself i.e. fixing my personal history and emotional baggage. Rather, we grow by moving out of ourselves towards God, through the Scriptures, empowered by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:18). This will do everything necessary to convince us of God's love. I don't need to go deeper into myself, but deeper into God's word.
Some brief reminders on the character of our Father from the Sermon on the Mount...
Dwells in heaven (6:9 etc)
Gracious to the undeserving and evil (5:45)
Kind sutainer of all things (6:26)
Perfect (6:48)
Forgiving (6:14)
Bringer of rewards (6:4 etc)
Supplier of our needs (6:11)
Giver of gifts (7:9-11)
Some reasons why we should discard this myth...
1.What we need to get God's love is the Holy Spirit and the gospel (e.g. Rom 5:5). They are powerful enough to get behind all our 'issues'. The Spirit through the gospel holds out firm and sure promises to us. We must not obscure His power to reveal our Father to us, nor seek to encase ourselves with a layer of personal trauma.
2. People have bad experiences of lots of things in their lives including judges, kings, masters, saviours, helpers, sons - we don't think that people need counselling about those things. What would we do with a woman who's son had run out on her? Sympathetically suggest she needs counselling before she trust in Jesus, the Son?
3. The Bible tells us that our fathers are 'evil' (Matt 5:11) - it doesn't seem to think this is a problem for us getting God. Rather, our wonderful Father is just very different from any other Father.
4. The way we grow in maturity is not by going inwards into myself i.e. fixing my personal history and emotional baggage. Rather, we grow by moving out of ourselves towards God, through the Scriptures, empowered by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:18). This will do everything necessary to convince us of God's love. I don't need to go deeper into myself, but deeper into God's word.
Some brief reminders on the character of our Father from the Sermon on the Mount...
Dwells in heaven (6:9 etc)
Gracious to the undeserving and evil (5:45)
Kind sutainer of all things (6:26)
Perfect (6:48)
Forgiving (6:14)
Bringer of rewards (6:4 etc)
Supplier of our needs (6:11)
Giver of gifts (7:9-11)
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
How often do I meditate on the wrath of God?
It's one of those topics that we know about it, believe in and mention - but I wonder how much I ever really think about it properly? The wrath of God often becomes for me one bit in a gospel presentation (box 3!) which I then move on from. I wonder whether, perhaps strangely, this leads me to be both legalistic and superfical at the same time. I haven't really gone down into the depths of the wrath of God in my own spiritual thinking so I can only 'use it' as something to scare myself and others with, rather than to use it to convict us of sin. It would seem to me that the main purpose of the Bible's teaching on God's wrath is not 'run-because-you-will-be-punished-and-you-don't-want-that' but 'your-sin-is-heinous-and-God's-anger-tells-you-just-how-bad-it-is.' I fear that we think of God's anger only as something to escape from rather than as a mirror to who we are. I know it sometimes takes people to get angry with me before I'll see that I'm doing something wrong. How much more true this is of God! Surely, as Christians we can meditate on this with great profit because we will see more of the holiness of God, the awfulness of sin and the wonder of salvation?
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Give us our daily bread
I was reflecting on the Lord's prayer from Matt 6:9ff the other day and it struck me that this petition of giving me daily bread might be more radical than I had previously supposed. I think I've always seen it as basically metaphorical for basic dependence upon God for the things we need in life as well as an allusion to the spiritual bread we get in Jesus. But I wonder actually whether the prayer presupposes a situation that is a lot more radically dependent than I have thought before. The 'problem' with the prayer is that we don't really 'have to pray it'. After all, we seem to have what we need, don't we? When did I last pray for my food or clothes?
Yet, perhaps there is a presupposition built into this prayer that His disciples are to live so radically free from wealth and possessions that they obviously have to pray this prayer. Perhaps a more profound dependence is being assumed here so that it is obvious that daily bread really will not be there apart from specifically answered prayer. This context of radical dependence makes sense given the allusions to the dependent, pilgrim OT people of God within the petition itself (also alluded to in "lead us not into temptation"). Further, we have Jesus's teaching in 6:25-34 on worry/security/possessions. The commands there not to worry about what we eat or wear are actually quite mindblowing - and they assume a situation where you don't know where your food or clothes are coming from. The kind of dependence that disciples need is so radical because of their call away form trusting in wealth and possessions.
Yet, perhaps there is a presupposition built into this prayer that His disciples are to live so radically free from wealth and possessions that they obviously have to pray this prayer. Perhaps a more profound dependence is being assumed here so that it is obvious that daily bread really will not be there apart from specifically answered prayer. This context of radical dependence makes sense given the allusions to the dependent, pilgrim OT people of God within the petition itself (also alluded to in "lead us not into temptation"). Further, we have Jesus's teaching in 6:25-34 on worry/security/possessions. The commands there not to worry about what we eat or wear are actually quite mindblowing - and they assume a situation where you don't know where your food or clothes are coming from. The kind of dependence that disciples need is so radical because of their call away form trusting in wealth and possessions.
Friday, 1 February 2008
50 reasons not to sin
(It has occurred to me that I often try to fight sin with 'sniper attacks' and 'special force incursions', rather than with a full frontal, total military assault. I try to apply a few truths here and there but I don't get hold of the whole range of what the Bible gives me. This list is an attempt to correct that...)
2. I make myself guilty before God (Ps 32:3-5)
3. The promises of sin are deceitful (Heb 3:13)
4. I am the temple of God’s presence (1 Cor:19)
5. God’s wrath and judgement is coming against sin (Rom 1:18)
6. Christ and righteousness are more satisfying (Ps 16:11, Prov 10:28)
7. Sin enslaves me in habits and patterns (Jn 8:34)
8. It brings me death (Rom 6:23)
9. I am destined for a future life and a world free from sin (Rev 21:27)
10. My God hates sin (Jer 44:4)
11. The death of Jesus has delivered me from the power of sin (Rom 6:6)
12. It wrecks my character (1 Sam 15:16-26)
13. It 'ruins' God's reputation (Ezek 36:22)
14. It ruins the reputation of the church (1 Cor 5:1-2)
15. It ruins my reputation (1 Tim 5:24-25)
16. God is an impartial Judge and will not 'let me off' (1 Pet 1:17)
17. I have been raised in Christ to live for God (Rom 6:8-10)
18. Sin messes up God’s world (Gen 3:17-19)
19. My sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)
20. It turns me into a fool and makes me ignorant (Rom 1:21)
21. I become like an animal ("brute beast") (Luk 15:15-16)
22. Sin hardens my heart even more to God (Ehp 4:18)
23. My heart has been 'circumcised' by Christ and the sinful nature done away with (Col 211)
24. Sin wages a war for my personal destruction (Eph 6:12)
25. I lose self-control and become filled with cravings (Eph 2:3)
26. I belong to Christ (1 Cor 6:20)
27. I break the whole law of God with one sin (James 2:10)
28. Sin implies a rejection of Jesus as my Saviour from sin (1 Pet 2:24)
29. It gives the devil a foothold (Eph 4:27)
30. My conscience loses its sensitivity (Rom 1:28-31)
31. It is better to have a crippling disability than to sin (Matt 5:29-30)
32. The LORD is a holy God (1 Pet 1:16)
32. Sin leaves me without an inheritance in the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21)
33. It is out of place for God’s holy people (Eph 5:3)
34. Sin is shameful (Eph 5:12)
35. God is present everywhere and every action, word and motive is laid bare before Him (Ps 139:1-10)
36. Sin breaks relationships and destroys community (2 Sam 11-12)
37. I am no longer under Law but living by power of the Spirit (Rom 7:4)
38. I have offered myself to God as His servant (Rom 6:16)
39. Sin excludes me from God’s presence (Exod 19:21, 23)
40. Where sin has increased, grace has increased all the more (Rom 5:20)
41. I have put on a new self and am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17, Col 3:10)
42. Sin destroys any ministry I have (2 Tim 3:2-5)
43. Jesus is coming back (1 Thess 5:4-6)
44. Sin leads to more sin (Gen 4:7)
45. God’s grace teaches me to say no to sin (Titus 2:12)
46. If I keep on deliberately sinning, no sacrifice for sin is left (Heb 10:26)
47. Sin will lead to the Lord’s discipline (Prov 3:11-12)
48. Sin is the result of idolatry and spiritual adultery (Rom 1:25, James 4:4)
49. It destroys my joy and peace, and disturbs my conscience (Ps 51:8, 12)
50. My life will self-destruct (Prov 5:22, 11:25)
Monday, 21 January 2008
Obedience and identity
I always act on the basis of who I am. Who I perceive myself to be has massive repercussions upon how I behave and what my attitudes/motivations are. This seems to be the basis of Paul's exhortations towards holiness. As scholars have noted, the imperative in Paul's letters is always based on the indicative. He always exhorts us on the basis of who we are and what we have become in Christ. Our actions naturally flow out of our core identity and how we view ourselves. Change and sanctification are therefore strongly connected with a transformation in our identity. As our identity changes so we change. It is vital that I get to see who I am in Christ and what I have in Christ, for this is the basis of me being transformed.
Thankfully, Paul also gives us a worked-out example of this in 1 Cor 6:12-20, where he is dealing with sexual immorality. In confronting the immorality, he calls the Corinthians to understand who they really are and what they have become. They are now "in Christ" and so for them to sleep with a (shrine) prostitute is to unite Christ with a prostitute. The thought of that, a very powerful image, makes us aware of what sin really is when you belong to Christ. We are alive to God so why do we offer ourselves to sin? So, the basis of change here is not simply knowing that it's wrong and against God's will, nor feeling bad about it, but seeing yourself in the light of Christ. This example can be extended to lots of areas of life. In each and every situation I need to think "I'm in Christ, I belong to Him and enjoy all His benefits, so what is the natural thing to do here??" It is about looking at every situation from the vantage point of Christ.
Thankfully, Paul also gives us a worked-out example of this in 1 Cor 6:12-20, where he is dealing with sexual immorality. In confronting the immorality, he calls the Corinthians to understand who they really are and what they have become. They are now "in Christ" and so for them to sleep with a (shrine) prostitute is to unite Christ with a prostitute. The thought of that, a very powerful image, makes us aware of what sin really is when you belong to Christ. We are alive to God so why do we offer ourselves to sin? So, the basis of change here is not simply knowing that it's wrong and against God's will, nor feeling bad about it, but seeing yourself in the light of Christ. This example can be extended to lots of areas of life. In each and every situation I need to think "I'm in Christ, I belong to Him and enjoy all His benefits, so what is the natural thing to do here??" It is about looking at every situation from the vantage point of Christ.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Conflict in Christ
How are Christians to deal with conflict and disagreement with each other? Well, the category of being "in Christ" has got to be the starting point for any dealing with this problem. It is fascinating to see how Paul continually describes other believers as being "in Christ". For example, look at Rom 16:2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11b, 12, 22. Also striking is how Paul asks Euodia and Syntyche "to agree with each other in the Lord" (Phil 4:2). Being "in Christ" is the framework or atmosphere in which we are to view each other as Christians, and we need to particularly hold onto this in the midst of conflict. What implications does this have? Well it means that in speaking truth to one another and sorting through an issue...
1. I cannot distance myself from you as if you are a thing or an object because we are united in Christ. Whatever issue divides us, it is smaller than Christ.
2. When I look at you I must remember that I am dealing with a member of Christ, yes even Christ himself. When I wound/lie to/manipulate/rage at/hate you, I am doing all these things to the body of Christ.
3. All Christ's promises are as true for you as they are for me.
4. The Cross saves you as much as it saves me.
5. When I speak truth, righteousness and goodness, I am honouring Christ in you.
6. When I am cowardly before you or avoid confronting your sin I dishonour Christ in you.
The point is: being in Christ does not mean that we stop having conflict or diasgreeing with one another. It does not mean that we avoid open and truthful discussion. Nor does it mean that visible, immediate harmony is the ultimate goal. But, rather, it means that we handle these issues in a unique way amongst ourselves. We remember that we are "in Christ" right now and that sets the parameters for how we deal with the conflict. Look here for an excellent article on creating healthy peace within the church community.
1. I cannot distance myself from you as if you are a thing or an object because we are united in Christ. Whatever issue divides us, it is smaller than Christ.
2. When I look at you I must remember that I am dealing with a member of Christ, yes even Christ himself. When I wound/lie to/manipulate/rage at/hate you, I am doing all these things to the body of Christ.
3. All Christ's promises are as true for you as they are for me.
4. The Cross saves you as much as it saves me.
5. When I speak truth, righteousness and goodness, I am honouring Christ in you.
6. When I am cowardly before you or avoid confronting your sin I dishonour Christ in you.
The point is: being in Christ does not mean that we stop having conflict or diasgreeing with one another. It does not mean that we avoid open and truthful discussion. Nor does it mean that visible, immediate harmony is the ultimate goal. But, rather, it means that we handle these issues in a unique way amongst ourselves. We remember that we are "in Christ" right now and that sets the parameters for how we deal with the conflict. Look here for an excellent article on creating healthy peace within the church community.
In Christ (Part II)
More things that I have in Christ....
I am an heir of God (Rom 8:17)
I have been crucified (Gal 2:20)
I have been clothed (Gal 3:27)
I have been made alive (Eph 2:5)
I have died to the world (Col 2:20)
I am bearing spiritual fruit (Phil 1:11)
I will reign with Him (Rev 20:4)
I have Life and Light (Jn 1:4)
I have hope (1 Thess 1:3)
My spiritual thirst and hunger are quenched (Jn 6:35)
I have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68)
I know the Way and I have the Truth (Jn 14:6)
I have the promise of answered prayer (Jn 14:14)
I have the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-17)
I have the Father (Jn 14:20)
I am continually given life and strength (Jn 15:5)
I am hated by the world (Jn 15:19)
I have joy (Jn 16:22)
I have power to endure hardship (Phil 4:13)
I belong to the line of Abraham (Gal 3:29)
I have died to the law (Rom 7:6)
I share in his sufferings (Phil 3:10)
I have Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30)
I have gifts from God (Eph 4:7)
"There is enough grace, mercy and pardon in one of God's promises for the sins of millions of worlds, if they existed, because the promise is supplied from an infinite, bottomless reservoir." (p. 62, Communion with God, John Owen (Banner of Truth ed.))
I am an heir of God (Rom 8:17)
I have been crucified (Gal 2:20)
I have been clothed (Gal 3:27)
I have been made alive (Eph 2:5)
I have died to the world (Col 2:20)
I am bearing spiritual fruit (Phil 1:11)
I will reign with Him (Rev 20:4)
I have Life and Light (Jn 1:4)
I have hope (1 Thess 1:3)
My spiritual thirst and hunger are quenched (Jn 6:35)
I have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68)
I know the Way and I have the Truth (Jn 14:6)
I have the promise of answered prayer (Jn 14:14)
I have the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-17)
I have the Father (Jn 14:20)
I am continually given life and strength (Jn 15:5)
I am hated by the world (Jn 15:19)
I have joy (Jn 16:22)
I have power to endure hardship (Phil 4:13)
I belong to the line of Abraham (Gal 3:29)
I have died to the law (Rom 7:6)
I share in his sufferings (Phil 3:10)
I have Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30)
I have gifts from God (Eph 4:7)
"There is enough grace, mercy and pardon in one of God's promises for the sins of millions of worlds, if they existed, because the promise is supplied from an infinite, bottomless reservoir." (p. 62, Communion with God, John Owen (Banner of Truth ed.))
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Grief
I just read through CS Lewis's "A Grief Observed" this Christmas and was quite struck by Lewis's quite profound wrestling with grief and doubt at the death of his wife. The book has a rigorous honesty and language we sometimes find hard to appropriate. It is basically a modern lament psalm moving through the familiar psalmic structure of pain-doubt-faith in God.
The omnipresent effect of death..... "if one were forbidden all salt one wouldn't notice much more in any one food than in another. Eating in general would be different, every day, at every meal. It is like that. The act of living is different all through. Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." (p.11)
The emptiness after death.... "I look up at the night sky. Is anything more certain than that in all those vast times and spaces, if I were allowed to search them I should nowhere find her face, her voice, her touch? She died. She is dead. Is the word so difficult to learn?" (p.15)
The finality of death..."What pitiable cant to say, "She will live forever in my memory!" Live? That is exactly what she won't do. You might as well think like the old Egyptians that you can keep the dead by embalming them." (p.20)
The challenge of death..."You never really know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then discover how much you really trusted it?" (p.22)
Does the gospel comfort in the face of death? ..."What St Paul says can comfort only those who love God better than the dead, and the dead better than themselves." (p.26)
Death and marriage..."bereavement is a universal and integral part of our experience of love. It follows marriage as normally as marriage follows courtship or as autumn follows summer. It is not a truncation of the process but one of its phases; not the interruption of the dance, but its next figure." (p.50)
The imapct of death upon our images of God..."Images of the Holy easily become holy images - sacrosanct. My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast. Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of His presence? The Incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins. And most are 'offended' by the iconoclasm; and blessed are those who are not." (p.66)
The omnipresent effect of death..... "if one were forbidden all salt one wouldn't notice much more in any one food than in another. Eating in general would be different, every day, at every meal. It is like that. The act of living is different all through. Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." (p.11)
The emptiness after death.... "I look up at the night sky. Is anything more certain than that in all those vast times and spaces, if I were allowed to search them I should nowhere find her face, her voice, her touch? She died. She is dead. Is the word so difficult to learn?" (p.15)
The finality of death..."What pitiable cant to say, "She will live forever in my memory!" Live? That is exactly what she won't do. You might as well think like the old Egyptians that you can keep the dead by embalming them." (p.20)
The challenge of death..."You never really know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then discover how much you really trusted it?" (p.22)
Does the gospel comfort in the face of death? ..."What St Paul says can comfort only those who love God better than the dead, and the dead better than themselves." (p.26)
Death and marriage..."bereavement is a universal and integral part of our experience of love. It follows marriage as normally as marriage follows courtship or as autumn follows summer. It is not a truncation of the process but one of its phases; not the interruption of the dance, but its next figure." (p.50)
The imapct of death upon our images of God..."Images of the Holy easily become holy images - sacrosanct. My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered time after time. He shatters it Himself. He is the great iconoclast. Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of His presence? The Incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins. And most are 'offended' by the iconoclasm; and blessed are those who are not." (p.66)
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