Is Jesus' Salvation Just a Ticket to Heaven?

It seems that the most logical question after "Why am I a Christian?" would be "Would anyone else want to be a Christian because I'm one?" Maybe I'm strange for thinking that way. I just do. But let's not go there yet. That can be a troublesome topic to reflect on. I may find out that my faith is about as contagious as good genes. I only multiply it by reproduction.

Anyway, again McLaren has helped me to reflect on another topic. The topic of salvation. He writes a chapter entitled "Jesus: Savior of What?" in his book Generous Orthodoxy. He discusses how many "Evangelicals" (big "E" Evangelicals as McLaren calls them) have truncated Jesus salvation. They've cut and boxed it up so it fits right where they want it most, at the end. This type of salvation is a heaven entering, judgment freeing, restoration achieving type of salvation. It's a ticket. A ticket to eternity. But didn't Jesus do more than scalp us some tickets?

The answer is yes (obviously), but do we really know what this answer means? It has gotten too easy for us to see Jesus' salvation only as a ticket to heaven. Not something that affects our lives now. But Jesus' salvation is not just something for then, it's something for now. And it's not just a salvation for humanity from sin. It's a salvation for creation. To restore the whole works back to God. McLaren isn't the first I've read on the topic. Robert Webber (I think it's two "b"s) makes a strong case for "Christ's Victory" and its implications for life in his book Ancient Future Faith. So let's move past asking questions and onto discussing realities.

How does Jesus' salvation impact our lives right now? What does it mean for not only sin, but poverty, injustice, and environmental issues? How do we relate our faith not only to a future event but to a present reality? How are we to live now, not just so we can live then but so we can actually LIVE now? What does Jesus' salvation do for us in this moment?

Why am I a Christian?

I went to a "Youth Pastor's" lunch the other day even though I wouldn't consider myself a youth pastor. Somehow I received an email about the happening and in it were the words "free meal." How could I resist? Anyhow I thought it would be a good time of discussion, and it was.

To go along with the free meal was a free book. And because I was there so early (sometimes I've just got nothing better to do) I got first choice. I looked over a couple of Doug Fields books (one of the modern day gods of youth ministry), scanned past some Mike Yaconelli (another great man of youth ministry, one I actually highly respect); but nothing seemed to catch my eye. Then I moved some off the top of a pile and found something appealing. It was a book called "a Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren. I have heard of McLaren many times. His name seems to be ever so connected to the "emergent" movement. But I have never read him. This was my chance. So I took it (the book that is).

As I started to read I appreciated his style and discourse. His direction wasn't bad either. But before he could take me there, he stumped me with a very simple question. Why am I a Christian? He asks it of himself; but I was taken back by its implications for me. Why am I a Christian? And as I started thinking on this idea it took me deeper still. If I am a Christian, does that better or worsen the chance that others would want to be one?

This question isn't directly "grey" but it does have grey answers. Each one of us has reasons why he or she is or isn't a Christian. Some of our reasons are actually reasons; others are just excuses. McLaren has challenged me again to analyze my own reasons and test them not only for strength but also authenticity. Because if my reasons are left wanting will not my witness be also?

So, why are you a Christian? Why are you not a Christian? And how are your reasons/excuses influencing others around you?

...

Act with Action

First off let me say sorry for the lengthy period between posts. It's been Christmas season here at the Noble household and with both family events and me being in retail (my day job) my time has been precious. However it's a thoughtful Christmas gift from my wife that brings me the inspiration for this next post. So tip the egg nogg to Heather.

I was reading an interview with Bono in Rolling Stone and was once again struck with inspiration from this professing Christian Rock Star/Political Activist. His direction clear and his actions speak loudly. He is pushing world hunger up the stairs. Making it an obstacle for all of us, not just those caught in it's traps. Bringing it out of the closet and making it the emblem on his chest. To him ending world hunger is obviously the chief aim of every well fed human.

In November I was also bombarded with the need to do something for the poor and oppressed. I attended a conference where a passionate young woman called us to socio-economic action. She noted how Christians do the worst job at helping those in need, both next to them and around the world. She even pushed the envelope in saying that, given the situation of AIDS in Africa, every Christian family should adopt. Radical yet inspiring things.

For these people this issue is black and white. There is no grey. They have clear ideas of the way things should be and proceed toward them. They look at the world with different eyes than most of us. They see the needs and stop at nothing to fill them. They are inspirational, often confrontational, yet always seemingly successful (or they wouldn't get the press). We know what they do, we hear their stories of success, we see people whose lives have been changed by them; but what do we do? What do I do? Now that you have me caring so much how put me to work? But no. There is no arena to play out these new rules. There is no field to practice on. Their is no court to better our skills. There is only drive, but no destination.

How do we treat issues like this? Here we have a reverse problem present. The answer is black and white but the means is grey. What is most effective? In the case of poverty and hunger: how do we stop it? What is our best approach? What can I do right now in my own city/neighborhood? These questions plague me. I feel so much compassion inside but have no outlet. And I'm not looking for a quick fix: working at a soup kitchen or handing out sandwiches (not that these are meaningless, they are still needed services). I'm looking for a way to integrate my love for people into my everyday life. Don't just call me to act... Give me an action!

Alcohol-ism

We've denounced racism, forgotten about sexism, but now there is a new kid on the block: alcohol-ism. Now, I am not referring to alcoholism as it describes the addiction to and misuse of alcohol. I am talking about Christians dividing themselves on the issue of alcohol, firing prejudicial shots back and forth. Alcohol-ism may be the next ism that the church must overcome in order to maintain its relevance within society.

Alcohol is one of those very touchy issues in the faith of Christ followers. We seem to be unable to navigate this grey area. And as we consult the Bible looking for black and white answers they allude us. Here are some examples:

- - alcohol in the negative - -

Noah's drunkenness and Canan's Curse

Lot and his Daughters

The Vow of the Nazirite

Beer Brawler

Don't join and Drink too much

Kings shouldn't drink

Don's get Drunk on Wine

Not with Drunkenness

+ + alcohol in the positive + +

Reference to Joy

Wine Gladdens our Hearts

Filled to the Brim

Love of Wine brings Riches

Jesus turns Water into Wine

Wine as Rolaids

The Lord's Supper

Please do not think this list exhaustive. Wine and drinking alcohol is all throughout the Bible. It's part of Jewish culture. But does that mean it should be part of our culture? Part of our expression of Christianity? This is the question. And placing ourselves so strongly on one side or the other causes us to commit alcohol-ism.

So what should we do? How should we treat alcohol so that we are true to scripture and approbate to culture. We can find some help from Romans 14. Here Paul gives direction as to how those with "strong" faith should interact with those with "weak" faith. What is interesting is that those who accept disputable issues are considered to have "strong" faith; and those who reject them have "weak" faith.

Who are we? Where are we at? Is our faith strong or weak? Are we causing our weaker fathed brothers and sisters to stumble? How are we going to respond to the issue of alcohol without committing alcohol-ism?

your thoughts ? ? ?

The Power of the Dark Side

I'm sitting here watching the latest Star Wars release, Episode III. Though I do prefer the originals, this episode does have something to contribute to our discussion of "the grey." In it Annikan, who was once our famed hero, goes through his transformation into Darth Vader (sorry if I ruined it for you). For Annikan/Vader the transition is quick and definable. Though he struggles with himself he moves from one side to the other. He must make a choice. The choice is quite clearly black or white. Will he move to the dark side, or will he remain true to the Jeti? You know the answer.

I saw some of myself in Annikan's story. So many times I find myself making decisions that are black or white. My opinion on issues may be grey but my actions mustn't be. In each moment, each time I am confronted with a choice, I must choose black or white. This is what complicates the grey areas even more; and thus, purposes the existence of this blog.

For example: in terms of politics, Christianity does not require party allegiance (or at least it shouldn't). One Christian can vote Liberal, another Conservative, and still another NDP. In fact, one Christian can vote for all three parties in his/her lifetime and not place his/her faith in jeopardy. Though the issue of politics is grey, the voting process if very black and white. One cannot place a grey vote; one is forced to choose. Just like Annikan. Just like me.

But when will I choose white and when will I choose black? That is the question. We can discuss how grey an issue is until we are blue (or grey) in the face; but we still must choose black and white when we live it out. If we feel politics are grey we must still vote one way or another. If we see alcohol as grey we must still decide when and when not to drink. Etc, etc, etc. And the real, down-to-earth, practical, and grass-roots question becomes: When is a grey issue black and when is it white?

Absolutely Relative

I was cleaning up my office about a month back and found a book that I had borrowed from a friend for research purposes. The book was entitled Right from Wrong by Josh McDowel and Bob Hostetler (this is how the names appear on the book; which makes me question, though I may be wrong, McDowel's involvement in the actual writing other than printing his name on the cover). There was a section concerning "Absolute Truth" that caught my eye. As I started to read, I found out quickly that "Many of our youth [you could likely insert people in general] simply do not understand or accept absolute truth," (p. 17). I was shocked; appalled at this injustice. Why the nerve of those people. How dare they not fall in line with McDowel's opinions. How dare they challenge the beliefs of the conservative right. Blasphemy.

Hopefully you have read past my sarcasm. In fact, though McDowel made it out to be a surprise, I was entirely un-shocked with his assessment. Of course no one believes in absolute truth. It's part of Canadian culture; the only absolute is that there are no absolutes. Einstein's theory has become fact. Didn't you get the memo Josh.

But seriously, this issue of truth and whether it swings absolutely or relatively seems to expand further than the realm of philosophy. In essence, it is the reason for this blog in the first place; and thus, appropriate as its first posting. We must believe in both absolute and relative truth (if at least our only absolute truth is that "all truth is relative"). The difficult thing is discovering which is absolute and which is relative; which is black/white and which is grey. The problem is compounded when people like McDowel (don't get me wrong, I know he means well) bring Christianity into the mess. People like this seem to start arguing for religion (though they may never admit it): a system of rules in which all things are either right or wrong. They make Christianity a culture, when it should always remain a faith. Once it becomes a culture it is trapped into a specific time and setting. Thus going against its very nature.

If we understand Christianity to be a faith not a culture, then we must take a whole different approach to discerning "right from wrong." We must not only include the "absolutes" or principles learned from scripture as it is communicated through ancient culture; but also consider principles learned from current culture. Matching these two worlds and "navigating the grey" is the responsibility of every person. This is why God has given us the church; our journeying partners.