I've been reading some in Gregory McDonald's book, The Evangelical Universalist, which he wrote back in 2006. The title intrigued me because I don't usually associate the word, evangelical, with the idea of universal salvation. Nevertheless I always enjoy a good book, whether it's to learn and embrace new ideas or to learn why I don't agree with an author's viewpoint. In chapter one where he talks about biblical interpretation he writes, "...a commitment to an inspired Bible is not a commitment to inerrant interpretations."
What he goes on to say in this chapter is that it's one thing to call the Bible inerrant, but that does not mean your intepretation of scripture, or my interpretation of scripture, is inerrant. I must always consider the possibility I could be wrong at any time, in any place.
If we truly understood this truth, think how much more rich and insightful our theological discussions about sin, salvation and sanctification would be. Instead of demonizing each other, we might actually hear each other's heart. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once said, "Though we cannot think alike, can we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may." I suspect that on the subject of universal salvation, even if it is Christocentric, we have those who believe in universal salvation and those who don't believe in universal salvation. It's like some people believe in a literal hell as an after life for those who die, and have not professed faith in Christ. Others do not believe in hell as an after life. Yet others may believe in hell, but only as a temporary place, until God redeems the cosmos.
So, be watching for my new sermon series starting later in June of this year, when I talk about sin, salvation, sanctification, heaven and hell in a sermon series I like to call, "Basic Beliefs of a United Methodist Pastor." When the series begins in late June, approach this sermon series with an open mind and an open heart. You might learn to embrace some new ideas, or perhaps I will give you reasons for why you don't believe the way I do." Either way, it can be a great conversation for both of us to grow our faith in Jesus Christ.
Dennis
Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Series on Revelation
I just finished a five week sermon series on Revelation which addressed not all, but some of the key scripture passages in the book. One section I did not cover was the number of the antiChrist, which is 666. As a kid it always fascinted me and I used to go around with thoughts of what kind of machine would punch a number of your forehead? We probably have such a machine today, but that is not how you interpret the Revelation to John. It is filled with apocalyptic writings and must be interpreted symbolically. Of course, as an adult we know the number 666 was code for the Roman Emperor, Nero. Bruce Metzger's book, Breaking the Code, written 20 years ago in 1993 accurately identified the number in saying, "Among the names and titles that have been proposed to solve the cryptogram, the most probably candidate is the Emperor Nero. If we add the numerical values in the Hebrew spelling of the name Neron Caesar we obtain 666; on the other hand, since his name can equally well be spelled without the last N, if we omit the final N, the total will be 616. The fact that some ancient manuscripts of the book of Revelation give the number as 616, instead of 666; there does not appaer to be any other name, or a name with a title, that satisfies both 666 and 616."
Well, there have been many Nero's who have ruled different lands since the fall of the Roman Empire. Only only has to consider the latter half of the last century and look at Germany's HItler, or Cambodia's Pol Pot, to see how history often repeats itself. You can probably name some 21st century rulers who fit this image. Nevertheless, what does this say to the church today? We are born with an innate need to worship, and if we do not worship the true God, then we will create some god to worship, even if it is ourselves! Such distortion only leads to further distortion, and this leads to all kinds of injustices.
Most of us will not lead the life of a sadistic dictator, but we can still live as if we are our own God who can control our own destiny. Perhaps it would be better to humble ourselves and remember who we are, and who God is who created heaven and earth. As we approach Pentecost, let us remember where our real power comes from - not from ourselves - but from the one true God who loves us and calls us to love one another. Let us open ourselves once again to receive the Holy Spirit that unites people (Pentecost) as opposed to the spirit of sin that divides people (Tower of Babel). Let God rule in you.
Hence, the number 7, which is the number for God. Let us strive to be that perfect 7, even as our Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) We strive for this perfection not because we can attain it, but because the striving for it is making perfect our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Anything less, always falls short of what God wants us to desire, leaving us as little more than a number repeating itself ... 666666666 - something to think about.
- Dennis
Well, there have been many Nero's who have ruled different lands since the fall of the Roman Empire. Only only has to consider the latter half of the last century and look at Germany's HItler, or Cambodia's Pol Pot, to see how history often repeats itself. You can probably name some 21st century rulers who fit this image. Nevertheless, what does this say to the church today? We are born with an innate need to worship, and if we do not worship the true God, then we will create some god to worship, even if it is ourselves! Such distortion only leads to further distortion, and this leads to all kinds of injustices.
Most of us will not lead the life of a sadistic dictator, but we can still live as if we are our own God who can control our own destiny. Perhaps it would be better to humble ourselves and remember who we are, and who God is who created heaven and earth. As we approach Pentecost, let us remember where our real power comes from - not from ourselves - but from the one true God who loves us and calls us to love one another. Let us open ourselves once again to receive the Holy Spirit that unites people (Pentecost) as opposed to the spirit of sin that divides people (Tower of Babel). Let God rule in you.
Hence, the number 7, which is the number for God. Let us strive to be that perfect 7, even as our Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) We strive for this perfection not because we can attain it, but because the striving for it is making perfect our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Anything less, always falls short of what God wants us to desire, leaving us as little more than a number repeating itself ... 666666666 - something to think about.
- Dennis
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
God Loves You! It's More than Words
Robert Schuller, a great voice of American Protestantism in the 20th century once wrote, "Have you ever been in a church where the minister scolds the people? He rebukes them, slaps his hands and pounds his fist, verbally crucifying those listening to him. I have attended churches like that. And the amazing thing is that the people go out and tell the preacher, "Oh, that was a great sermon, Reverend. These people enjoy being verbally spanked. They do not understand what the grace of God means."
I think Schuller got it right. Too many people think they need to be yelled at in order to bring them to repentance or keep themselves in line: but what lies behind such behavior is the false theology of people seeking to earn God's forgiveness by living lives, worthy of his love. The truth is, you will never be good enough to earn Gods's love: but the gospel says you don't have to be good enough. What matters is how much you open your heart to the Lord, and an obedient heart is never powered by all our human effort! Only God's love can make the difference for you.
Schuller writes, My message of grace to you is that God knows and he still loves you."
Today, why don't you stop trying to show God how good you can be for him, and instead let God show you how good God can be for you. It wasn't until John Wesley realized that God loved him, even him; that he found the power that transformed his very own life.
Dennis
I think Schuller got it right. Too many people think they need to be yelled at in order to bring them to repentance or keep themselves in line: but what lies behind such behavior is the false theology of people seeking to earn God's forgiveness by living lives, worthy of his love. The truth is, you will never be good enough to earn Gods's love: but the gospel says you don't have to be good enough. What matters is how much you open your heart to the Lord, and an obedient heart is never powered by all our human effort! Only God's love can make the difference for you.
Schuller writes, My message of grace to you is that God knows and he still loves you."
Today, why don't you stop trying to show God how good you can be for him, and instead let God show you how good God can be for you. It wasn't until John Wesley realized that God loved him, even him; that he found the power that transformed his very own life.
Dennis
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