As a Christian living today there are a number of voices who claim to be speaking for all of us, they assail science and insist that we must literally accept every word in the Bible as true. In doing so they fail both themselves and others for much in the Bible is parable or metaphor. When we, as Christians, insist that parable must be accepted as literally true we put a stumbling block of, well, biblical proportions in the way of earnest seekers. It is for such seekers that I write this article. Should you happen to visit the Answers in Genesis site you will find, among other things the following comment, "...
We return to the question which forms the title of this article. Should Genesis be taken literally? Answer: If we apply the normal principles of biblical exegesis (ignoring pressure to make the text conform to the evolutionary prejudices of our age), it is overwhelmingly obvious that Genesis was meant to be taken in a straightforward, obvious sense as an authentic, literal, historical record of what actually happened..." But are they right?
Modern science shows that the earth is billions of years in age, it comes to this conclusion in a number of ways and I recommend the following site for information even a non-scientist can understand, http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-age-of-earth.html . Is there then a meeting place between science and the Book of Genesis? Yes, there is and it comes from the understanding that Genesis is not a science text-book, that it was written in order to understand, not HOW the world came to be but WHY. Genesis 1 & 2 are parables, they are parables about why there is an earth, why humans and animals and plants share it in common and why there is pain and suffering in the world. Parables are stories which may or may not be literally true but which imparts to us an important spiritual truth.
In the New Testament we have parables such as the Good Samaritan, the evil vine-dressers; the parable of the prodigal son. None of those New Testament stories are literal fact but they are true in a deeper, more meaningful way. So it is with the parables of Genesis 1 & 2. In them we are not being told that the world was created in six days, six thousand years ago. We are, however, being told that the world was created by God's intention, that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God and that God is a close to us as a friend who walks and talks with us in the cool of the day. Adam and Eve, the Fall, the Serpent, Noah and his Ark may or may not be literal truth but they are markers of ultimate truth, of truth which can be held only in the imagination, of truth which can only be shown in images and symbols. Genesis can only be understood in that it is our story, each of us is Adam, each of us is Eve, we misunderstand the Genesis parables when we fail to realize that they are addressed to US. Genesis, then, is our unique, individual story told as parable it is not some pre-scientific attempt to explain how all things came to be but rather a profound series of meditations on why things should be in the first place. Once we realize this, we can see there are no contradictions, can be no contradictions between the findings of science and God's word to us in Genesis.
Let us happily give up our insistence on a literal Genesis and seek the deeper, religious truths that await us there. Ray McIntyre is a Priest and Theologian living in New Zealand.
About The Author
Ray McIntyre is a Priest and Theologian living in New Zealand.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Rubber Masks 50% Off
How many trick or treaters do you expect at your house tonight? By the number of candy sales and costume displays out there, I would anticipate a lot if I were you. Halloween appears to be increasing in popularity and with that popularity comes more opportunity to eat untold amounts of miniature candies and play dress up for one wonderful night, no matter how old you are or what diet/exercise program you subscribe to. Halloween suspends our logic and opens our imaginations. Who would you like to pretend to be? What personality would you like to try on for size?
There are, even for adults, the classic king and queen ensembles, tigers and bears, and nurse or police uniforms, for those who also want a new job without the fuss of training for the actual work. There are always historical figures and fictional heroes like Wonder Woman and Spider Man to consider too. So many choices and a decision must be made before all the good stuff sells out. To that end, many retailers started marking down their Halloween goodies several weeks ago. Apparently mask sales were down this year because they were receiving a helpful boost out the door last week. Fifty percent off original price seemed like a pretty good deal if you were in need of such things. A mask surely is a quick, easy addition to any costume to make your disguise more identifiable, more fun, more playful.
Unfortunately, masks are also really uncomfortable to wear, especially rubber ones. Hot, sweaty and smelly, they are also hard to see out of. And you can forget about chowing down on candy or party food while wearing a mask. Simply not possible. Thankfully, Halloween masks are a once-a-year situational problem. When we get tired of bothering with them, we can peel them off, toss them in storage and really mark them down for next spring's garage sale. But there are those other masks we create all on our own, false faces we put on each morning and wear every day, hoping to pretend well enough to fool even those closest to us.
They usually aren't visible, but sometimes people use special props to keep these emotional and attitudinal masks in place. A certain way of smiling, a set of gestures, a specific voice can be very useful for keeping a protective mask in place, while our true selves are kept safe behind them. Each of us play a number of roles through our lives, daughter/son, spouse, student, employee/employer, leader/follower. Unlike an annual dress-up day, these roles are real and sometimes come with expectations we inadvertently take on and push ourselves to fulfill, even though they have nothing to do with us. Tough stuff, this living in the real world, but here we are, hopefully aiming to do our best and make a difference along the way. One of the reasons Jesus is such a compelling historical figure, beyond his importance to the Christian community as our Savior and Redeemer, is that Jesus did not pretend to be anything other than who he was. What you saw is what you got.
He wore no masks to fit in with the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the tax collectors, prostitutes, tradespeople, his own relatives, or anyone else. That lack of facade on his part didn't stop people from placing their expectations on him, and neither did his straightforwardness stop him from being blamed for issues and problems that existed in people's lives and social institutions long before he began his public ministry. Many people wanted him to be the Messiah that would win a war against all the enemies of the Jewish people and welcome a new Kingdom of God on earth. They were not all happy when Jesus told them the Kingdom of God was already among them. The Sadducees and the Pharisees wanted to blame Jesus for stirring up the people whom they sought to continue to control. Every time they attempted to corner him, humiliate him in front of his followers, Jesus answered them directly and honestly, and as one with authority. No tricks, no treats, no masks to hide behind. Jesus ended up being crucified, in no small part because he refused to be something or someone other than who he was.
We are not called to follow a set of expectations other people may have for us or that we have for ourselves. But the more we live wearing these false selves, the harder it becomes to see who we really were created to be and the harder it becomes to nurture our true selves. Being hot, sweaty and smelly under the mask becomes so familiar we don't remember what it feels like to breathe deeply of God's Spirit and enjoy the riches of God's grace. We are not called to meet our own or other people's expectations. We are called to believe in God, to serve God and each other as our authentic, genuine selves. Pretending to be someone else once a year can be fun. Being who God calls us to be the rest of the year feels pretty good too.
About The Author
Cory L. Kemp As an ordained minister, Rev. Kemp has worked in both pastoral and educational ministries in several congregations. Her ministerial background and love of writing have combined to develop Creating Women Ministries, a website dedicated to encouraging theological dialogue, particularly among women, through workshops, journaling and personal spiritual development. Her book, You Don't see Many Chickens in Clearance: Essays on Faith and Living, can be purchased through Lulu Publishing at: http://www.lulu.com. Visit Creating Women Ministries at: http://www.creatingwomenministries.com for the e-book edition. Questions? Thoughts? Musings? She can be reached by email at: creatingwomen@irun.com.
There are, even for adults, the classic king and queen ensembles, tigers and bears, and nurse or police uniforms, for those who also want a new job without the fuss of training for the actual work. There are always historical figures and fictional heroes like Wonder Woman and Spider Man to consider too. So many choices and a decision must be made before all the good stuff sells out. To that end, many retailers started marking down their Halloween goodies several weeks ago. Apparently mask sales were down this year because they were receiving a helpful boost out the door last week. Fifty percent off original price seemed like a pretty good deal if you were in need of such things. A mask surely is a quick, easy addition to any costume to make your disguise more identifiable, more fun, more playful.
Unfortunately, masks are also really uncomfortable to wear, especially rubber ones. Hot, sweaty and smelly, they are also hard to see out of. And you can forget about chowing down on candy or party food while wearing a mask. Simply not possible. Thankfully, Halloween masks are a once-a-year situational problem. When we get tired of bothering with them, we can peel them off, toss them in storage and really mark them down for next spring's garage sale. But there are those other masks we create all on our own, false faces we put on each morning and wear every day, hoping to pretend well enough to fool even those closest to us.
They usually aren't visible, but sometimes people use special props to keep these emotional and attitudinal masks in place. A certain way of smiling, a set of gestures, a specific voice can be very useful for keeping a protective mask in place, while our true selves are kept safe behind them. Each of us play a number of roles through our lives, daughter/son, spouse, student, employee/employer, leader/follower. Unlike an annual dress-up day, these roles are real and sometimes come with expectations we inadvertently take on and push ourselves to fulfill, even though they have nothing to do with us. Tough stuff, this living in the real world, but here we are, hopefully aiming to do our best and make a difference along the way. One of the reasons Jesus is such a compelling historical figure, beyond his importance to the Christian community as our Savior and Redeemer, is that Jesus did not pretend to be anything other than who he was. What you saw is what you got.
He wore no masks to fit in with the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the tax collectors, prostitutes, tradespeople, his own relatives, or anyone else. That lack of facade on his part didn't stop people from placing their expectations on him, and neither did his straightforwardness stop him from being blamed for issues and problems that existed in people's lives and social institutions long before he began his public ministry. Many people wanted him to be the Messiah that would win a war against all the enemies of the Jewish people and welcome a new Kingdom of God on earth. They were not all happy when Jesus told them the Kingdom of God was already among them. The Sadducees and the Pharisees wanted to blame Jesus for stirring up the people whom they sought to continue to control. Every time they attempted to corner him, humiliate him in front of his followers, Jesus answered them directly and honestly, and as one with authority. No tricks, no treats, no masks to hide behind. Jesus ended up being crucified, in no small part because he refused to be something or someone other than who he was.
We are not called to follow a set of expectations other people may have for us or that we have for ourselves. But the more we live wearing these false selves, the harder it becomes to see who we really were created to be and the harder it becomes to nurture our true selves. Being hot, sweaty and smelly under the mask becomes so familiar we don't remember what it feels like to breathe deeply of God's Spirit and enjoy the riches of God's grace. We are not called to meet our own or other people's expectations. We are called to believe in God, to serve God and each other as our authentic, genuine selves. Pretending to be someone else once a year can be fun. Being who God calls us to be the rest of the year feels pretty good too.
About The Author
Cory L. Kemp As an ordained minister, Rev. Kemp has worked in both pastoral and educational ministries in several congregations. Her ministerial background and love of writing have combined to develop Creating Women Ministries, a website dedicated to encouraging theological dialogue, particularly among women, through workshops, journaling and personal spiritual development. Her book, You Don't see Many Chickens in Clearance: Essays on Faith and Living, can be purchased through Lulu Publishing at: http://www.lulu.com. Visit Creating Women Ministries at: http://www.creatingwomenministries.com for the e-book edition. Questions? Thoughts? Musings? She can be reached by email at: creatingwomen@irun.com.
About the History of the Christian Fish Symbol
In recent years the Christian Fish Symbol can be seen affixed to the back of cars, as key chains and in other very visible locations as Christians use it to demonstrate to the world that they are believers in the only one true God. The Origin of the Christian Fish Symbol The origin of the popular Christian Fish Symbol is believed to have been in the early years of the church after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Because the church was growing rapidly it was the target of persecution by both the Romans and the Jews. One usage of the symbol was as a sort of secret code. When a Christian met someone they thought was a fellow believer they would scratch the top arch of the symbol in the ground.
If the other person was also a believer in Christ he would complete the fish symbol by drawing the lower inverted arch. Another reported use for the Christian Fish Symbol in the early church was as a pointer to secret meetings which would be scratched on the ground or on a rock. Sixteenth Century Christians In later times (around the 16th Century) Christians used the symbol in a more open and declarative fashion. The Greek word ΙΧΘΥΣ was added to the body of the fish. ΙΧΘΥΣ or Ichthusis is the Greek word used most often in the Bible for the word fish. Christians used the Greek letters from the word ΙΧΘΥΣ (Iota Chi Theta Upsilon Sigma) as an acronym to represent “Isesous Christos Theou Uios Soter” or “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”
Why Christians Use the Symbol of a Fish?
Christians may have used the fish as a symbol for their faith because of how Jesus used fish in His ministry. Some of those references include the following: Jesus told Peter and Andrew that He would make them fishers of men (Mark 1:17). Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17). After Jesus resurrection, He appeared to His disciples and directed them to a miraculous catch of fish and He cooked a breakfast of fish for them (John 21:6-9). Christians Today Christians today represent the Christian Fish Symbol in various ways including: the Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ, with a cross, with JESUS in the body of the fish or just plan without any letters. The GIL PUBLICATIONS Logo GIL PUBLICATIONS has taken the Christian Fish Symbol as our logo and added the word love because of our ministry name, God is Love (I John 4:8, 16). Also, we want to draw attention to love because we believe that the world needs the kind of love that God commanded us to give to one another. We believe in the Power of God’s Love as explained in the three examples below:
1. God’s Love at Calvary God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son (John 3:16). It is because of God’s love and what He did for us at Calvary that our sins are forgiven and we will have eternal life in Heaven.
2. God’s Love in the Resurrection In Ephesians 1:18-20 Paul prayed that we would know his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms… What God did, He did out of love and because of it we can overcome the world, that’s the Power of God’s love at work. Read below to see how God wants us to translate His love into everyday living.
3. God’s Love as Guidelines for Living God commanded us to love one another. He said: o Love God (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4-5) o Love your brother (1 John 4:19-21) o Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44) o Love your neighbor (James 2:8; Galatians 5:14; Luke 10:27) God gave us guidelines for loving when He defined love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. This is what makes us conclude that To Love is to Give because you cannot live according to this scripture without giving of yourself. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. We believe that when we follow God’s command to love in the way that He said to love then we have indeed made the world a better place to live. As Christians we need to encourage one another to love as Christ loved by giving of Himself. Therefore, GIL PUBLICATIONS logo of the Christian Fish Symbol is also a call to Christians to love as Christ said to love and for us to use the power of His love to overcome the world as He did (John 16:33). The Power of God’s Love is without limit. Paul further prayed that we may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God ... (Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV). To be filled with the fullness of God … can you imagine that? This article may be copied and distributed as long as the author contact information remains. By: Akili Kumasi GIL Publications.com
About The Author
Akili Kumasi is the President of GIL Publications (http://www.gilpublications.com) and the author of numerous articles and books including the Bible Word Search Book Series (puzzles with scripture), Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons: Recipes & Activities for Bonding & Mentoring and On the Outside Looking in: Hope for Separated Fathers Who Want To Be Good Fathers. For book-signing or speaking engagements, Akili can be reached at kumasi@gilpublications.com.
If the other person was also a believer in Christ he would complete the fish symbol by drawing the lower inverted arch. Another reported use for the Christian Fish Symbol in the early church was as a pointer to secret meetings which would be scratched on the ground or on a rock. Sixteenth Century Christians In later times (around the 16th Century) Christians used the symbol in a more open and declarative fashion. The Greek word ΙΧΘΥΣ was added to the body of the fish. ΙΧΘΥΣ or Ichthusis is the Greek word used most often in the Bible for the word fish. Christians used the Greek letters from the word ΙΧΘΥΣ (Iota Chi Theta Upsilon Sigma) as an acronym to represent “Isesous Christos Theou Uios Soter” or “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”
Why Christians Use the Symbol of a Fish?
Christians may have used the fish as a symbol for their faith because of how Jesus used fish in His ministry. Some of those references include the following: Jesus told Peter and Andrew that He would make them fishers of men (Mark 1:17). Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17). After Jesus resurrection, He appeared to His disciples and directed them to a miraculous catch of fish and He cooked a breakfast of fish for them (John 21:6-9). Christians Today Christians today represent the Christian Fish Symbol in various ways including: the Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ, with a cross, with JESUS in the body of the fish or just plan without any letters. The GIL PUBLICATIONS Logo GIL PUBLICATIONS has taken the Christian Fish Symbol as our logo and added the word love because of our ministry name, God is Love (I John 4:8, 16). Also, we want to draw attention to love because we believe that the world needs the kind of love that God commanded us to give to one another. We believe in the Power of God’s Love as explained in the three examples below:
1. God’s Love at Calvary God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son (John 3:16). It is because of God’s love and what He did for us at Calvary that our sins are forgiven and we will have eternal life in Heaven.
2. God’s Love in the Resurrection In Ephesians 1:18-20 Paul prayed that we would know his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms… What God did, He did out of love and because of it we can overcome the world, that’s the Power of God’s love at work. Read below to see how God wants us to translate His love into everyday living.
3. God’s Love as Guidelines for Living God commanded us to love one another. He said: o Love God (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4-5) o Love your brother (1 John 4:19-21) o Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44) o Love your neighbor (James 2:8; Galatians 5:14; Luke 10:27) God gave us guidelines for loving when He defined love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. This is what makes us conclude that To Love is to Give because you cannot live according to this scripture without giving of yourself. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. We believe that when we follow God’s command to love in the way that He said to love then we have indeed made the world a better place to live. As Christians we need to encourage one another to love as Christ loved by giving of Himself. Therefore, GIL PUBLICATIONS logo of the Christian Fish Symbol is also a call to Christians to love as Christ said to love and for us to use the power of His love to overcome the world as He did (John 16:33). The Power of God’s Love is without limit. Paul further prayed that we may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God ... (Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV). To be filled with the fullness of God … can you imagine that? This article may be copied and distributed as long as the author contact information remains. By: Akili Kumasi GIL Publications.com
About The Author
Akili Kumasi is the President of GIL Publications (http://www.gilpublications.com) and the author of numerous articles and books including the Bible Word Search Book Series (puzzles with scripture), Fun Meals for Fathers and Sons: Recipes & Activities for Bonding & Mentoring and On the Outside Looking in: Hope for Separated Fathers Who Want To Be Good Fathers. For book-signing or speaking engagements, Akili can be reached at kumasi@gilpublications.com.
8 Keys to a Successful Church Building Program
Eight Considerations for Leading a Successful Church Building Program There are many reasons for a church to decide to enter into a building program. It may be that the community is growing, the church is growing, or church space is saturated. Whatever the reason, the following considerations will help you develop and conduct a successful church building program. 1. Write A Statement Of Mission Writing a statement of mission is a very important first step in the process of planning your new facility.
The purchase of land, the master planning, and the design of the facility are all related to, and dependent upon, the mission of your church. The church should plan what it’s going to do in the building as an expression of faith in obedience to God’s call and the mission He has given. The church must know why they are here as a congregation, what they are going to do, and how they do it. When this is understood, then the church can plan adequately for the space and equipment needed to do their work and express their faith. Your statement of mission should include present ministry and outreach, as well as plans for the future.
2. Timing When is the best time to build? Conventional wisdom says its time to build when the church reaches 80-85% of its worship capacity for the first time. While the “85% capacity” rule of thumb is sound and proven, the more important thing is for the church to reach it that first time! Growth patterns, whether positive or negative, tend to feed on themselves. If you enlarge your facilities as you approach saturation, you permit growth to continue. If you don’t, you then impose an upper limit on growth and upon reaching your “facility saturation point” the growth rate slows, eventually stops and often reverses itself to a less saturated plateau. If the space situation is not properly addressed, churches frequently find a decline sets in and the church begins a “roller coaster” ride of growth and decline, repeatedly bumping up against the saturation point.
3. Understanding building as part of a process A church building project is a major experience in the life of an individual and of a congregation. For a great many people this experience has opened new spiritual horizons and led to a deeper and closer walk with God. For some, it has been a source of bitter disappointment, frustration, and deteriorated spiritual life. The difference in outcome is not just happenstance; it happens because of the attitude, concept, and administration of the entire project. You should view the building effort as a “process’ in the continuing life of your church. A new building is a milestone in your growth, and that growth is intended to continue onward until Christ returns. So, while doing the necessary thinking and planning for the building, you must allocate time and resources not only for current responsibilities, but also for the future growth opportunities for your ministry.
4. Develop a work calendar A key step towards a successful church building project is to insure that the work of each committee or study group is clearly defined and understood. It is imperative that they see their particular work in relationship to other groups and the building program as a whole. Organize your meetings, specifying the results you hope to achieve in a certain time frame. This calendar should be specific and written down. This task is necessary so as to establish benchmarks to know where you are in each phase of your building goals and to insure that all of the requisite parts come together in a timely and seamless fashion.
5. Base your Master Plan on your philosophy of ministry Before an architect is authorized to begin work on building design or plans, it is imperative the congregation produce a written church building program. This program should include: What they believe; how the church carries out those beliefs in worship, education, fellowship, evangelism, recreation, community involvement, etc.; how they conduct worship service; what constitutes their program of Christian education, including the space needs of all age groups; how the church plans for fellowship experiences and the equipment needed; what work areas are needed for the pastor, church staff and teachers; needs for sanitary facilities, and other space to insure the comfort and safety of those who will use the building. By thinking through all these matters, the major aspects of a building project are established well before the building itself is designed. Your major goals will be established, while allowing flexibility in creating the details of your church design.
6. A building that reflects its people The building must be an expression of the whole congregation (within reason) and not the vision of one person, or a small group. To accomplish this, it is necessary to involve as many people as possible in the study groups and in writing the church building program. The design of your building should reflect your churches personality, goals, age, income, beliefs, hopes, wishes and desires. What the members of a congregation believe, and how they practice those beliefs — in worship, fellowship, education, evangelism, recreation, community involvement, etc. — really should determine the shape, size and style of building they build. Being able to communicate this to your architect will help make the design of the building welcoming to both members and seekers as well as more effective as a ministry tool.
7. A building that says welcome Let the building say to your neighbors “This is a friendly place. We want you to come in and join our fellowship. Let us help meet your needs. We care about you.” If parking is readily accessible and well lit, the entrance is easily seen, there are few steps to climb, and the building is warm and friendly; then a new person sees the welcome signs they are looking for. You must make a conscious effort to make it easy for new people to visit your church.
8. Spend your money wisely Don’t overspend on your building program. It is very easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of building and leave the budget behind. Staying focused on your goals and within your budget are key ingredients to insure a successful building program. There are a variety of legitimate ways to save money in a building program, including using “off the shelf” church plans. Through the practical application of their experience, a church building consultant can help your church reduce the cost and the effort in building. It is often a good idea to get an outside consultant involved as they have both the experience and objective viewpoint to help maximize the results of a building effort. The general rule of thumb for how much financing you can safely afford is three times your annual income minus less any debt you already have. This will vary depending on circumstances, but it is a good place to begin. One important thing to remember is not to start construction until you have secured your all of your financing. Nothing will kill enthusiasm in a building program faster than running out of money before the job is done. While it is assumed that the church will seek God’s wise counsel through His Word, do not underestimate the power of prayer and meditation. We like to say that the devil will show up in every building project, as he hates when God’s Kingdom and God’s people are growing. A solemn responsibility rests on the pastor and church leaders to use the occasion of a church building project to inspire, uplift, and solidify the congregation and to make it a more vital and useful force for God.
About The Author
Glen Trematore is a Principal at Church Development Services Inc., which provides off the shelf church building plans, consultants for church building and church capital stewardship campaigns. Mr. Trematore may be reached via email at glentrematore@yahoo.com or via the web at http://www.churchdevelopment.com
The purchase of land, the master planning, and the design of the facility are all related to, and dependent upon, the mission of your church. The church should plan what it’s going to do in the building as an expression of faith in obedience to God’s call and the mission He has given. The church must know why they are here as a congregation, what they are going to do, and how they do it. When this is understood, then the church can plan adequately for the space and equipment needed to do their work and express their faith. Your statement of mission should include present ministry and outreach, as well as plans for the future.
2. Timing When is the best time to build? Conventional wisdom says its time to build when the church reaches 80-85% of its worship capacity for the first time. While the “85% capacity” rule of thumb is sound and proven, the more important thing is for the church to reach it that first time! Growth patterns, whether positive or negative, tend to feed on themselves. If you enlarge your facilities as you approach saturation, you permit growth to continue. If you don’t, you then impose an upper limit on growth and upon reaching your “facility saturation point” the growth rate slows, eventually stops and often reverses itself to a less saturated plateau. If the space situation is not properly addressed, churches frequently find a decline sets in and the church begins a “roller coaster” ride of growth and decline, repeatedly bumping up against the saturation point.
3. Understanding building as part of a process A church building project is a major experience in the life of an individual and of a congregation. For a great many people this experience has opened new spiritual horizons and led to a deeper and closer walk with God. For some, it has been a source of bitter disappointment, frustration, and deteriorated spiritual life. The difference in outcome is not just happenstance; it happens because of the attitude, concept, and administration of the entire project. You should view the building effort as a “process’ in the continuing life of your church. A new building is a milestone in your growth, and that growth is intended to continue onward until Christ returns. So, while doing the necessary thinking and planning for the building, you must allocate time and resources not only for current responsibilities, but also for the future growth opportunities for your ministry.
4. Develop a work calendar A key step towards a successful church building project is to insure that the work of each committee or study group is clearly defined and understood. It is imperative that they see their particular work in relationship to other groups and the building program as a whole. Organize your meetings, specifying the results you hope to achieve in a certain time frame. This calendar should be specific and written down. This task is necessary so as to establish benchmarks to know where you are in each phase of your building goals and to insure that all of the requisite parts come together in a timely and seamless fashion.
5. Base your Master Plan on your philosophy of ministry Before an architect is authorized to begin work on building design or plans, it is imperative the congregation produce a written church building program. This program should include: What they believe; how the church carries out those beliefs in worship, education, fellowship, evangelism, recreation, community involvement, etc.; how they conduct worship service; what constitutes their program of Christian education, including the space needs of all age groups; how the church plans for fellowship experiences and the equipment needed; what work areas are needed for the pastor, church staff and teachers; needs for sanitary facilities, and other space to insure the comfort and safety of those who will use the building. By thinking through all these matters, the major aspects of a building project are established well before the building itself is designed. Your major goals will be established, while allowing flexibility in creating the details of your church design.
6. A building that reflects its people The building must be an expression of the whole congregation (within reason) and not the vision of one person, or a small group. To accomplish this, it is necessary to involve as many people as possible in the study groups and in writing the church building program. The design of your building should reflect your churches personality, goals, age, income, beliefs, hopes, wishes and desires. What the members of a congregation believe, and how they practice those beliefs — in worship, fellowship, education, evangelism, recreation, community involvement, etc. — really should determine the shape, size and style of building they build. Being able to communicate this to your architect will help make the design of the building welcoming to both members and seekers as well as more effective as a ministry tool.
7. A building that says welcome Let the building say to your neighbors “This is a friendly place. We want you to come in and join our fellowship. Let us help meet your needs. We care about you.” If parking is readily accessible and well lit, the entrance is easily seen, there are few steps to climb, and the building is warm and friendly; then a new person sees the welcome signs they are looking for. You must make a conscious effort to make it easy for new people to visit your church.
8. Spend your money wisely Don’t overspend on your building program. It is very easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of building and leave the budget behind. Staying focused on your goals and within your budget are key ingredients to insure a successful building program. There are a variety of legitimate ways to save money in a building program, including using “off the shelf” church plans. Through the practical application of their experience, a church building consultant can help your church reduce the cost and the effort in building. It is often a good idea to get an outside consultant involved as they have both the experience and objective viewpoint to help maximize the results of a building effort. The general rule of thumb for how much financing you can safely afford is three times your annual income minus less any debt you already have. This will vary depending on circumstances, but it is a good place to begin. One important thing to remember is not to start construction until you have secured your all of your financing. Nothing will kill enthusiasm in a building program faster than running out of money before the job is done. While it is assumed that the church will seek God’s wise counsel through His Word, do not underestimate the power of prayer and meditation. We like to say that the devil will show up in every building project, as he hates when God’s Kingdom and God’s people are growing. A solemn responsibility rests on the pastor and church leaders to use the occasion of a church building project to inspire, uplift, and solidify the congregation and to make it a more vital and useful force for God.
About The Author
Glen Trematore is a Principal at Church Development Services Inc., which provides off the shelf church building plans, consultants for church building and church capital stewardship campaigns. Mr. Trematore may be reached via email at glentrematore@yahoo.com or via the web at http://www.churchdevelopment.com
The Devil Made Me Do It!
With sincere thanks to Flip Wilson who deserves the all credit for popularizing the preceding phrase. OK, so it used to be popular. I still like it anyway. To start this little discussion, let’s talk about “evil” – as in evil forces and stuff like that. Are there evil forces at work in our world? It doesn’t take a great deal of super-heavy thinking to realize there’s something rotten in Hog Hollow. In this far from perfect earthly world there are a whole bunch of individuals and groups who are resorting to all sorts of skullduggery to achieve their devious goals. And yes, sometimes with catastrophic results.
The newspapers and other media news reports are commonly filled with examples. From a spiritual point of view, there’s probably a reason to allow these things to happen. For one thing, this yucky stuff could always serve as a source of lessons and positive reinforcement for all of us. If we see and hear about things happening that we believe are just “not right”, this can help to solidify our values. If we are on the receiving end of a really bad situation, this could possibly turn into one of the best learning experiences of our life if we’ll let it.
The bad – or evil – stuff also provides a reference against which we can measure good. I think the following question sums it up nicely. “If there were not evil, what would good be?” So what is the source of all the “evil” things we see happening in this world? Are they the work of satan? Is the devil really meddling in our affairs to try to drag us away from our God? Here’s a quick history lesson. A long, long time ago, a satan was a considered to be a member of the “divine court” whose main job was to snoop around earth and report back to the super powers on us humans. The original Hebrew word for these sneaky folks was later translated in Greek to “diabolos” (slanderous) and then to the Latin “diabolus” – eventually reaching our language as “devil”. Along the way we personified the original Greek translation so we eventually wound up with a concept of a really bad guy who is responsible for the world’s evil doings. The image of the human-animal demon with horns and a tail popped up sometime during the Middle Ages. Interesting, huh? My guess (that’s all it is folks) is that we humans have maybe promoted the concept of this bad guy for a couple of reasons.
One may be so we don’t have to take responsibility for our own actions. It’s the easy way out, isn’t it? It’s pretty much the same as blaming your little brother (or sister) for the crayon scribblings on the wall. “Not me, Mom. Herbie did it!” Only now as adults, we can all chime in together to sing, “The devil made me/us/them do it!” Or maybe we just picked up on what appeared to be a logical idea from the ancient Persians and put it to use. It’s a good guy/bad guy – good and evil thing. You know how easily that sort of thing can happen. Someone else already has what seems to be a reasonably good idea so we just buy into it either because we honestly believe it’s true – or it blends in smoothly with whatever concept we’re trying to promote. Here’s another off-the-wall thought. Maybe we would be well advised to stop mentioning or even thinking about the “evil dude” altogether.
We humans are very special creatures with amazing abilities. We know that we have the ability to imagine, visualize and create those things which never before existed. This includes not only material objects but abstract concepts as well. The evidence is everywhere we look. Perhaps the very recognition of the possible existence of a modern “satan” is the very thing that is allows “him” to exist and negatively influence our lives. Maybe it’s the only thing. Maybe we should all just forget about the horned dude altogether and individually take responsibility for – and be accountable for - our actions as good or as “evil” as they might be. So, are we humans inherently evil? Nah, but for whatever reason, we do frequently wander off the path into the thorny bushes.
The newspapers and other media news reports are commonly filled with examples. From a spiritual point of view, there’s probably a reason to allow these things to happen. For one thing, this yucky stuff could always serve as a source of lessons and positive reinforcement for all of us. If we see and hear about things happening that we believe are just “not right”, this can help to solidify our values. If we are on the receiving end of a really bad situation, this could possibly turn into one of the best learning experiences of our life if we’ll let it.
The bad – or evil – stuff also provides a reference against which we can measure good. I think the following question sums it up nicely. “If there were not evil, what would good be?” So what is the source of all the “evil” things we see happening in this world? Are they the work of satan? Is the devil really meddling in our affairs to try to drag us away from our God? Here’s a quick history lesson. A long, long time ago, a satan was a considered to be a member of the “divine court” whose main job was to snoop around earth and report back to the super powers on us humans. The original Hebrew word for these sneaky folks was later translated in Greek to “diabolos” (slanderous) and then to the Latin “diabolus” – eventually reaching our language as “devil”. Along the way we personified the original Greek translation so we eventually wound up with a concept of a really bad guy who is responsible for the world’s evil doings. The image of the human-animal demon with horns and a tail popped up sometime during the Middle Ages. Interesting, huh? My guess (that’s all it is folks) is that we humans have maybe promoted the concept of this bad guy for a couple of reasons.
One may be so we don’t have to take responsibility for our own actions. It’s the easy way out, isn’t it? It’s pretty much the same as blaming your little brother (or sister) for the crayon scribblings on the wall. “Not me, Mom. Herbie did it!” Only now as adults, we can all chime in together to sing, “The devil made me/us/them do it!” Or maybe we just picked up on what appeared to be a logical idea from the ancient Persians and put it to use. It’s a good guy/bad guy – good and evil thing. You know how easily that sort of thing can happen. Someone else already has what seems to be a reasonably good idea so we just buy into it either because we honestly believe it’s true – or it blends in smoothly with whatever concept we’re trying to promote. Here’s another off-the-wall thought. Maybe we would be well advised to stop mentioning or even thinking about the “evil dude” altogether.
We humans are very special creatures with amazing abilities. We know that we have the ability to imagine, visualize and create those things which never before existed. This includes not only material objects but abstract concepts as well. The evidence is everywhere we look. Perhaps the very recognition of the possible existence of a modern “satan” is the very thing that is allows “him” to exist and negatively influence our lives. Maybe it’s the only thing. Maybe we should all just forget about the horned dude altogether and individually take responsibility for – and be accountable for - our actions as good or as “evil” as they might be. So, are we humans inherently evil? Nah, but for whatever reason, we do frequently wander off the path into the thorny bushes.
Sometimes it may be because our life experiences (programming) have been a bit screwed up. Or sometimes maybe we just develop some weird priorities and over-focus on some really strange (and frequently hurtful) things. And some of it may even be due to a skewed interpretation of messages provided by our survival instincts. Lots of possibilities. Yes, there are certainly evil forces in this world, however it really looks like we humans are the ones who are exerting all the effort to keep these forces alive and well. Maybe – who knows? I recently heard that our universe is created in conundrums (as in the answer to a question is only another question). For whatever reason, that appears to be quite intentional. Perhaps to promote questioning, the learning process and our individual development. Again, who knows? As a wrap-up, your assignment is now to try really, really hard to think about mostly good stuff for the rest of your life. Give it a shot. You’ll probably like it…
About The Author
Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable personal growth and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/
Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable personal growth and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/
Do you know that Christmas was celebrated before Christ?
Christmas might be oldest holiday that are celebrated by many cultures. And, interestingly, although it is traditionally celebrated during the winter season, there are places that celebrate it during their summer (Australia where December is actually their summer!) Before Christmas was celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, people were already celebrating it! The celebration was held for the Winter Solstice, celebrated on December 21 in the northern hemisphere. This is because it was after the Winter Solstice that the worst part of the year was behind them, the days began to get longer, giving the people more time to spend outside on their crops and tending to their animals.
Now, let’s focus on the ancient: - in ancient pagan Rome, the Saturnalia is a celebration of the Winter Solstice. This was celebrated in honor of the god of agriculture, who was named Saturn. During this celebration, the entire Roman Empire is in a state of social disarray, i.e. Servants and peasants spend time with and celebrate the holiday with people of higher classes, which would not happen during “normal days”. The Saturnalia festival in itself can last an entire week and during that time, people rejoiced all over the country of Rome.
The phrase 'eat, drink, and be merry' was played out to its fullest. Shops and businesses are closed during the Festival of Saturnalia. Following the first week of Saturnalia, the festival itself usually ends, but the Saturnalia period itself does not end. I mean, I am sure there are other ancients that celebrated “Christmas” although not in the strictest sense, the way as we celebrate in present time. Just one more nuggets before I conclude this article: the Chinese also held a celebration during this time, loosely translated; it is known as the rice ball festival. This marks the last of the lunar calendar month, and delicious rice balls are made and eaten to celebrate a good year and for reunion.
About The Author
Ebenezer Heng Chee Leng is the editor of http://www.christmasgiftsshopping.com/, which provides quality Christmas related links and articles to better the joyous occasion. He reviews and ensures all contributions lead to a fun and easy online shopping experience for Christmas gifts editor@christmasgiftsshopping.com
About The Author
Ebenezer Heng Chee Leng is the editor of http://www.christmasgiftsshopping.com/, which provides quality Christmas related links and articles to better the joyous occasion. He reviews and ensures all contributions lead to a fun and easy online shopping experience for Christmas gifts editor@christmasgiftsshopping.com
The Investment That Always Gives You the Best Return
How would you like to find an investment that will consistently outperform every other investment you make? There is such an investment, but it’s not anything you’d expect. In fact, it’s not real estate. It’s not the stock market. It’s not options. It’s not treasuries. And it’s not commodities. The investment is giving to your church and other charities. If you don’t believe this investment will always outperform every other investment you make, let me share a story from Dr. Joe Morecraft, a pastor friend of mine. Joe was on the board of directors for a fairly large company.
At the annual board meeting, one of the board members, an elderly man who had amassed a sizable fortune, made a stunning announcement. He told the board that he had far more money than he could ever use and no heirs to give it to, so he was going to give away his entire fortune over the next year. The rest of the board was stunned! Well, one year later, the board came together again. But this time, there was a noticeable buzz in the air.
Everyone wanted to know if the man was able to give away all those millions of dollars. When the man entered, the room fell silent. Then came the announcement. A very red-faced board member had to tell all those influential people that he had failed in his task. But what he said was even more stunning than his original announcement. He told the board that through the course of the last year, he gave away millions upon millions of dollars. He established a pace that, he thought, would enable him to quickly get rid of everything he owned.
At the annual board meeting, one of the board members, an elderly man who had amassed a sizable fortune, made a stunning announcement. He told the board that he had far more money than he could ever use and no heirs to give it to, so he was going to give away his entire fortune over the next year. The rest of the board was stunned! Well, one year later, the board came together again. But this time, there was a noticeable buzz in the air.
Everyone wanted to know if the man was able to give away all those millions of dollars. When the man entered, the room fell silent. Then came the announcement. A very red-faced board member had to tell all those influential people that he had failed in his task. But what he said was even more stunning than his original announcement. He told the board that through the course of the last year, he gave away millions upon millions of dollars. He established a pace that, he thought, would enable him to quickly get rid of everything he owned.
Then something happened that he didn’t expect. He started making more money than he had ever made previously in his life. All of his investments were moving up faster than they ever had. The man had to tell the board that he was, in fact, far wealthier after that one year than he was when he made the original announcement. But what he said next was one of those lessons we all need to learn. The last thing he said was, “What I learned this year is that I can’t out-give God.” As hard as he tried, he couldn’t get rid of his money faster than God was blessing him. So if you’re looking for a way to get the best return on your money, give it away. The return won’t always be monetary. And there are times when you won’t see the rewards this side of heaven. But the reward will always be far greater than the investment.
About The Author
* Steve Kroening publishes Wisdom's Edge e-zine. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for the free e-zine.
* Steve Kroening publishes Wisdom's Edge e-zine. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for the free e-zine.
Baptist-Express
Wherever you are on your journey we want to help you find the dynamic life that God offers. So come on, open the door, take a peek, and begin your discovery of Baptist-Express . . . for life's journey. Becoming a Christian is the most incredible event that will ever take place in your life. You have found peace with your Creator. You have found everlasting life! Be assured--God will never leave you nor forsake you. He has brought you this far and He will complete the wonderful work He has begun in you.
God knows your every thought, your every care and your deepest concerns. Let's now look at some of those possible concerns. First, and of primary concern -- do you have "assurance" of your salvation? The Bible says to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10, italics added), so, let's go through a short "checklist" to make sure that you are truly saved: 1. Are you aware that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV), and that he died for the sins of the world? 2. Did you come to the Savior because you had sinned? 3. Did you "repent" and put your faith in Jesus? 4. Are you convinced that He suffered and died on the Cross and that He rose again on the third day? God acquits us from the Courtroom of Eternal Justice on the grounds that Jesus Christ paid our fine. We are "justified" (made right with God) by His suffering death.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was God's seal of approval of the fact that His precious blood was sufficient to pay the fine. Think of it this way... You have violated the law and face a $50,000 fine. You tell the judge that you are truly sorry for your crime, but he answers, "So you should be -- you have broken the law! Now, can you pay this fine?" He can only acquit you if the fine is paid. If someone else pays your fine, then he can let you go, but he must have "grounds" on which to release you. The reason we need a substitute (a savior) to pay our moral "fine," is because we have broken God's Law.
God knows your every thought, your every care and your deepest concerns. Let's now look at some of those possible concerns. First, and of primary concern -- do you have "assurance" of your salvation? The Bible says to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10, italics added), so, let's go through a short "checklist" to make sure that you are truly saved: 1. Are you aware that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV), and that he died for the sins of the world? 2. Did you come to the Savior because you had sinned? 3. Did you "repent" and put your faith in Jesus? 4. Are you convinced that He suffered and died on the Cross and that He rose again on the third day? God acquits us from the Courtroom of Eternal Justice on the grounds that Jesus Christ paid our fine. We are "justified" (made right with God) by His suffering death.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was God's seal of approval of the fact that His precious blood was sufficient to pay the fine. Think of it this way... You have violated the law and face a $50,000 fine. You tell the judge that you are truly sorry for your crime, but he answers, "So you should be -- you have broken the law! Now, can you pay this fine?" He can only acquit you if the fine is paid. If someone else pays your fine, then he can let you go, but he must have "grounds" on which to release you. The reason we need a substitute (a savior) to pay our moral "fine," is because we have broken God's Law.
To see how much we have transgressed this Law (the Ten Commandments), we will go through some of them -- Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever lusted after another person? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, you admit that you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart, and you have to face God on Judgment Day! If you have used His name in vain, then you are guilty of "blasphemy" -- you've substituted God's holy Name for a curse word. Perhaps you've hated someone, then the Bible says that you are a murderer. You have violated God's holy Law, and you're in BIG trouble. On Judgment Day, you will be found guilty and end up in Hell. That's why you need the Savior. Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won't help you. You must turn from sin (repent), and your faith must be in Jesus Christ alone. He is the only "grounds" for God to grant mercy towards you. If you're not sure of your salvation, make Psalm 51 your own prayer. To learn more, visit http://www.baptist-express.com
About The Author
Jeff Jansen Born in central N.J. I was raised Catholic and quickly drifted away from Christ When in my mind as a young boy, being "out" with my friends seemed so much more important than anything the Catholic nuns were trying to teach. Problem was, as I grew older I developed quite the temper. For years I struggled with the shortest fuse anyone had ever seen. However, since re-discovering Christ, my life has been filled with real peace and contentment
Jeff Jansen Born in central N.J. I was raised Catholic and quickly drifted away from Christ When in my mind as a young boy, being "out" with my friends seemed so much more important than anything the Catholic nuns were trying to teach. Problem was, as I grew older I developed quite the temper. For years I struggled with the shortest fuse anyone had ever seen. However, since re-discovering Christ, my life has been filled with real peace and contentment
Spiritual Life of Dr. Albert Schweitzer
Study of the Bible and especially the Gospel has become very popular during 19th and 20th centuries. One of the most interesting parts for scholars has always been the Gospel. Many people devote all their lives to the matter of studying it. One of those was Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Analyzing the Gospel Schweitzer came to an opinion that the main message of Jesus was eschatological. It basically means that Jesus believed that the approaching end of the world. Schweitzer was a son of Lutheran pastor, which is probably why he got attached to the studying of Bible from his early years. In 1899 Albert Schweitzer received PhD in philosophy from the University of Strasbourg. He later taught theological courses at the same university.
During his career Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote a number of books that greatly influenced some people’s view of God, Jesus, and Christianity as a whole. One of the most famous books that Schweitzer wrote on the Gospel is The Quest of the Historical Jesus. Schweitzer observed that Jesus' apocalyptic message was simply too foreign and strange to be grasped by rationalistic, Enlightenment-influenced historical-critical scholars.
While they observed the formation of an original mythology, Schweitzer only saw the mediator between God who asserted on his own divinity and the approaching of God’s kingdom. Jesus' parables, ethics and religious teachings, Schweitzer disputed, were all conditioned by the belief that the end of the world would occur during or curtly after Jesus' era. Another important work of Dr. Albert Schweitzer is The Mystery of the Kingdom of God. As well as in The Quest of the Historical Jesus this book highlighted the apocalyptic message of Jesus.
The Mystery of the Kingdom of God presented a completely new for its time and it greatly changed theological studies, and even still is often referenced by some theologians. According to Schweitzer, Jesus expected The Kingdom of God early in his ministry. It was actually supposed to be a Judgment Day for all people and it could have happened any time. Schweitzer suggested that Jesus expected for the end of the world to happen when he sent his disciples to preach the Kingdom, Repentance, and the Judgment.
When it did not happen, Jesus understood that his own death was necessary. Thus, he did not anything to deter it but even encouraged that to happen. During the time of Jesus’ Passion he expected the Kingdom (which meant the actual end of the world) to come immediately after his death. To protect his point of view, Schweitzer portrays Jesus as fundamentally mistaken in the things that he expected to happen, however, it does not mean that Jesus was wrong in his ethics. He supports the point with the following idea, “In what relation, however, did [Jesus'] ethics and his eschatology stand to each other? So long as one starts with the ethics and seeks to comprehend the eschatology as something adventitious, there appears to be no organic connection between the two, since the ethics of Jesus, as we are accustomed to conceive it, is not in the least accommodated to the eschatology but stands upon a much higher level.
During his career Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote a number of books that greatly influenced some people’s view of God, Jesus, and Christianity as a whole. One of the most famous books that Schweitzer wrote on the Gospel is The Quest of the Historical Jesus. Schweitzer observed that Jesus' apocalyptic message was simply too foreign and strange to be grasped by rationalistic, Enlightenment-influenced historical-critical scholars.
While they observed the formation of an original mythology, Schweitzer only saw the mediator between God who asserted on his own divinity and the approaching of God’s kingdom. Jesus' parables, ethics and religious teachings, Schweitzer disputed, were all conditioned by the belief that the end of the world would occur during or curtly after Jesus' era. Another important work of Dr. Albert Schweitzer is The Mystery of the Kingdom of God. As well as in The Quest of the Historical Jesus this book highlighted the apocalyptic message of Jesus.
The Mystery of the Kingdom of God presented a completely new for its time and it greatly changed theological studies, and even still is often referenced by some theologians. According to Schweitzer, Jesus expected The Kingdom of God early in his ministry. It was actually supposed to be a Judgment Day for all people and it could have happened any time. Schweitzer suggested that Jesus expected for the end of the world to happen when he sent his disciples to preach the Kingdom, Repentance, and the Judgment.
When it did not happen, Jesus understood that his own death was necessary. Thus, he did not anything to deter it but even encouraged that to happen. During the time of Jesus’ Passion he expected the Kingdom (which meant the actual end of the world) to come immediately after his death. To protect his point of view, Schweitzer portrays Jesus as fundamentally mistaken in the things that he expected to happen, however, it does not mean that Jesus was wrong in his ethics. He supports the point with the following idea, “In what relation, however, did [Jesus'] ethics and his eschatology stand to each other? So long as one starts with the ethics and seeks to comprehend the eschatology as something adventitious, there appears to be no organic connection between the two, since the ethics of Jesus, as we are accustomed to conceive it, is not in the least accommodated to the eschatology but stands upon a much higher level.
One must therefore take the opposite course and see if the ethical proclamation in essence is not conditioned by the eschatological view of the world.” in The Mystery of the Kingdom of God. The Schweitzer’s point of view was widely acceptable during the 20th century. Currently, however, Schweitzer’s hypothesis was dismissed. Mainly because most of New Testament scholars nowadays believe that eschatological points were added much later in the history by the Church that somehow wanted to expand its influence and control over the believers. Most of Biblical scholars now think that Jesus’ teachings were aimed to help people live better lives (meaning spiritually) and in no case preaching that they will shortly die. Even though, we have a number of Schweitzer’s followers today that fully believe in doctor’s ideas. Bibliography 1. Dale Allison. The Eschatological Jesus. October 1996 issue of Bible Reviews. Retrieved on April 5, 2005 from http://home.pcisys.net/~jnf/index.html 2. Reviews of and Quotes From Dr. Schweitzer's Books. Retrieved on April 5, 2005 from http://home.pcisys.net/~jnf/schauth/rq2.html 3. Albert Schweitzer. The Mystery of the Kingdom of God. 1914. Translated by Walter Lowrie. Prometheus Books, 1985
About The Author
Jeff Stats is a staff writer at http://www.mindrelief.net He specializes in writing college research papers, book reviews, admission essays, and other types of assignments.
About The Author
Jeff Stats is a staff writer at http://www.mindrelief.net He specializes in writing college research papers, book reviews, admission essays, and other types of assignments.
Blessed Are The Givers
Midterm elections are less than two weeks away. Although we have been hearing about them from the national media for months, the real indicator of how close they loom is the increased frequency of candidate exposure through television ads, newspaper coverage and the lawn signs dotting our streets. Our political process in the United States is unique, still relatively new, and carries with it the heritage of the marketing manifest destiny that more is always better. Inherent to electing our leadership by plastering communication systems with messages claiming to say what a candidate supports, is the reality that we are not being told what the candidates support.
We all have come to expect that what we will be seeing, hearing, and eventually avoiding, is all the negatives each candidate wants us to perceive in their opponent. My own conclusion, after muting the third round of commercials between "My Name is Earl" and "The Office," is that I can tell you who is running for the senate in my state and their party affiliations. But I don't know what each person running would like to accomplish if they get the job. Personally, whenever I have interviewed for a position, I have made it a point to answer all questions directly and honestly, and I especially don't slander other people interested in the same job in the hope that I will look better.
This whole campaign process seems to defy the Biblical concept of treating other people how we would like to be treated. We tell our children not to be mean to each other, not to speak badly of other people, but we adults really seem to struggle with that. What if we considered for a moment what a political campaign of common courtesy and respect might look like? Going even one step further, what if political candidates decided to say only positive, hones things about each other and they had debates that focused on making our country a better, healthier, more hopeful nation? What would that say about us as a country? The potential for that kind of open dialogue in a political campaign simmers with possibilities. We might witness well-thought out questions designed to welcome another's genuine concerns and ideas to improve education, the environment, tax reform and any number of issues. Whether or not the candidates agreed with each other would be a moot point because each would want to understand the other's position and how they came to their beliefs and convictions.
The mutual courtesy and respect inherent in that kind of exchange couldn't help but spread the word that working together means more to all of us who live in this country than getting our own way, being right or controlling the overall process of government. My guess is that living that kind of message would translate more positively to a world that mostly sees us as a country with a need to exploit other nations for our own gain. God's principle of abundance comes into play here, and that is in direct opposition to what we can describe in far too many places in our world today. But describing the world isn't where Jesus based his ministry. He acknowledged his surroundings - the oppression, the hardness of life, the struggle to survive. Then, he asked those around him to take a step back and view the world, not through rose-colored glasses, but through the eyes of a loving God who intends only the best for each of us. If we can learn to stand next to God and act as God would, with love and grace, we would always be able to feel the double blessing that giving imparts.
We are often told it is more blessed to give than to receive. Removing that observation from Christmas gift giving, imagine instead applying that principle to daily exchanges between human beings that matter the most: conversations with our families, communications with co-workers and the simple courtesies of smiling, saying hello or holding a door for a stranger as we pass by each other on our journeys. Individually these would add up to innumerable opportunities to give strength, hope, courage, joy, peace and kindness to each other. When some of that comes back your way, it is easy to see what Jesus was trying to convey. Jesus' lesson is about giving the way God does to us, without attachments to how we have responded in the past or how we may behave in the future. We aren't, as people of faith, to be about basing our choices and behavior on how we see other people acting and reacting, but on what God's abundant mercy, compassion and grace have already given to our lives. Simply because other people are behaving badly, whether it be a co-worker, friend, spouse or political candidate, it doesn't mean we have to respond in kind or expect that the world will never change because that's the way it is.
For all those children who jumped off the bridge despite what their parents told them, more of us can walk across that same bridge and meet the people on the other side with a handshake and an appreciation for what can still be.
About The Author
Cory L. Kemp As an ordained minister, Rev. Kemp has worked in both pastoral and educational ministries in several congregations. Her ministerial background and love of writing have combined to develop Creating Women Ministries, a website dedicated to encouraging theological dialogue, particularly among women, through workshops, journaling and personal spiritual development. Her book, You Don't see Many Chickens in Clearance: Essays on Faith and Living, can be purchased through Lulu Publishing at: http://www.lulu.com. Visit Creating Women Ministries at: http://www.creatingwomenministries.com for the e-book edition. Questions? Thoughts? Musings? She can be reached by email at: creatingwomen@irun.com.
We all have come to expect that what we will be seeing, hearing, and eventually avoiding, is all the negatives each candidate wants us to perceive in their opponent. My own conclusion, after muting the third round of commercials between "My Name is Earl" and "The Office," is that I can tell you who is running for the senate in my state and their party affiliations. But I don't know what each person running would like to accomplish if they get the job. Personally, whenever I have interviewed for a position, I have made it a point to answer all questions directly and honestly, and I especially don't slander other people interested in the same job in the hope that I will look better.
This whole campaign process seems to defy the Biblical concept of treating other people how we would like to be treated. We tell our children not to be mean to each other, not to speak badly of other people, but we adults really seem to struggle with that. What if we considered for a moment what a political campaign of common courtesy and respect might look like? Going even one step further, what if political candidates decided to say only positive, hones things about each other and they had debates that focused on making our country a better, healthier, more hopeful nation? What would that say about us as a country? The potential for that kind of open dialogue in a political campaign simmers with possibilities. We might witness well-thought out questions designed to welcome another's genuine concerns and ideas to improve education, the environment, tax reform and any number of issues. Whether or not the candidates agreed with each other would be a moot point because each would want to understand the other's position and how they came to their beliefs and convictions.
The mutual courtesy and respect inherent in that kind of exchange couldn't help but spread the word that working together means more to all of us who live in this country than getting our own way, being right or controlling the overall process of government. My guess is that living that kind of message would translate more positively to a world that mostly sees us as a country with a need to exploit other nations for our own gain. God's principle of abundance comes into play here, and that is in direct opposition to what we can describe in far too many places in our world today. But describing the world isn't where Jesus based his ministry. He acknowledged his surroundings - the oppression, the hardness of life, the struggle to survive. Then, he asked those around him to take a step back and view the world, not through rose-colored glasses, but through the eyes of a loving God who intends only the best for each of us. If we can learn to stand next to God and act as God would, with love and grace, we would always be able to feel the double blessing that giving imparts.
We are often told it is more blessed to give than to receive. Removing that observation from Christmas gift giving, imagine instead applying that principle to daily exchanges between human beings that matter the most: conversations with our families, communications with co-workers and the simple courtesies of smiling, saying hello or holding a door for a stranger as we pass by each other on our journeys. Individually these would add up to innumerable opportunities to give strength, hope, courage, joy, peace and kindness to each other. When some of that comes back your way, it is easy to see what Jesus was trying to convey. Jesus' lesson is about giving the way God does to us, without attachments to how we have responded in the past or how we may behave in the future. We aren't, as people of faith, to be about basing our choices and behavior on how we see other people acting and reacting, but on what God's abundant mercy, compassion and grace have already given to our lives. Simply because other people are behaving badly, whether it be a co-worker, friend, spouse or political candidate, it doesn't mean we have to respond in kind or expect that the world will never change because that's the way it is.
For all those children who jumped off the bridge despite what their parents told them, more of us can walk across that same bridge and meet the people on the other side with a handshake and an appreciation for what can still be.
About The Author
Cory L. Kemp As an ordained minister, Rev. Kemp has worked in both pastoral and educational ministries in several congregations. Her ministerial background and love of writing have combined to develop Creating Women Ministries, a website dedicated to encouraging theological dialogue, particularly among women, through workshops, journaling and personal spiritual development. Her book, You Don't see Many Chickens in Clearance: Essays on Faith and Living, can be purchased through Lulu Publishing at: http://www.lulu.com. Visit Creating Women Ministries at: http://www.creatingwomenministries.com for the e-book edition. Questions? Thoughts? Musings? She can be reached by email at: creatingwomen@irun.com.
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