June Study Book

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Blue Like Jazz

Review of Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller

To the casual observer, this book appears to be the random narratives of a man in his search for Christian spirituality. You find that he draws upon his experiences as he learns who God is and begins to have a relationship with Him. However, careful reading quickly shows that this man, Miller, is not just searching for God, he his searching for a different kind of relationship with God. Miller writes about a new kind of “Christian spirituality” that seeks to show the love of Jesus Christ. He discusses his ideas about reaching out to a lost people, feeding the homeless, and having a relationship with those the church has abandoned. While the initial reaction of the reader may be, “Wow, I want this kind of faith.” one must giver closer examination to Miller’s understanding, assumptions, and propositions.

Miller’s overall point of the book is summed up near the middle of his text when he says, “the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced but not explained.” (p. 115). This becomes the basis for Miller’s thoughts on Christian spirituality as he bashes Christianity and the church. So you may be asking what’s wrong with being upset at how the church has treated people, or yes, the church has abandoned people and we should love them. The problem is not in the desire of Miller and others to reach out to a lost and hurting people. The problem is how they go about doing this. Miller believes that we need to live in community with the culture around us and we need to make God’s word relevant to their lives. Miller and his friends do this by participating with and looking like the culture. They believe that for people to see Jesus, they must see how He can be like them. This is backwards thinking. The Bible tells us to be in the world, not of the world (John 15:19; Romans 12:2). We should be in relationship with the world, but for the purpose saving them (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15). For example, we are told to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey God’s word (Matthew 28: 19-20). What Miller shows as the love of Jesus Christ, is not an accurate reflection of the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not make disciples by hanging out at tax booths or the lake and talking fish and money (Matthew 4:17-19). No, he called his disciples from those places to follow him (Luke 9:23). Their lives were changed by the Word of God whereas Miller believes that the Word of God should be changed by their lives. While Miller encourages many good works, such as feeding the homeless, he neglects to emphasize the importance of spending time in the Word and bringing our life into accord with it. If we truly want to show the love of Jesus Christ, we will not just give someone physical food, we will give them the living water (John 4:13-14).

The second major issue in Miller’s book is about the mysteriousness of God. True, we will never fully understand God while on this earth, but this can be taken too far to say that we can’t understand God at all. Miller holds that we receive personal revelation of God through our experiences so he cannot be explained because how I have experienced him is different than how you have experienced him. This is simply not true. God has revealed himself through His Word (1 Samuel 3:20-22). It’s not hard to see God in our experiences, but this is not how He defines himself. The nature of God is seen in who He tells us he is (in scripture) and we see him act, as he has already told us, in life’s situations.

Lastly, Miller spends a great deal of his book bashing the church. His anti-establishment/organization attitude is very clear. This is seen in how he responds to any authority over him and his thoughts on the purpose of church. Nowhere in the Bible, does God appear or act chaotic. God is a god of structure. Not to mention, we are clearly commanded to be obedient to authorities over us (Titus 3:1; Col 1:16; Romans 13:1). If we cannot be obedient to someone in the here and now, how are we going to be obedient to a God whom we don’t physically see and calls to us change our entire life?

This review is in no way a comprehensive dissection of Miller’s book. I would encourage you to read it and discern the message being sent. Please talk to me about it if you wish. Most importantly, apply the measure of God’s word to the book and see if it stands up.

Scott

Bloom

Thought I would leave you with something fun for the weekend.

Bloom

Lying? part 4

Other Resources

I know that this has been far from exhaustive. My goal has been to whet your appetite and get you thinking about practical application of scripture. We so often justify or discount sin in our lives. Lying even more so than some other sins. It is acceptable in our society and to a degree has become acceptable, if the "motivation" is right, in the modern church. All our sin grieves God. As we grow to be more like Christ, our view of sin should become more like His.

Here are some great resources about lying.

The Destructive Sin of Lying(Part 1) by John MacArthur
The Destructive Sin of Lying(Part 2) by John MacArthur

Question & Answers with John MacArthur

At what point does deception become sin? For example, Rahab was commended for her faith, but apparently she lied when she was hiding spies. And, more specifically, what would you do if you happened to be hiding Jews in your house, and officials asked you if you were hiding Jews, how would you respond to that?

I just got back from a summer with an organization where we took Bibles and books into Eastern Europe and Romania. And, one such problem I had to deal with personally was, what would happen if I got to the border with a load of books and Bibles and was asked point-blank, which, maybe, I was, and I did not know it. "Do you have any Bibles?" What would be your ethical answer to that?

I would like to know when it is okay for a Christian to tell a lie. For example, like Corrie Ten Boom, an underground church, underground police officer. Just when is it okay?

Speak Truth with Your Neighbor by John Piper

Lying? part 3

Rightous Lying?

When ever the question, “Is it ever alright to lie” comes up, it inevitably leads to Joshua 2 and the story of Rahab. As the reasoning goes, Rahab lied to the king to protect the spies, she did it for the Lord, and the Lord later commended her for it. Lets take a look at each part of that.


Rahab lied to protect the spies and she did it for the Lord

The point to this argument is, Rahab had right motivations when she lied. She lied for the Lord. The problem with this is the Bible never supports an “end justifies the means” philosophy of action. We have already recognized lying as a sin. Our motivation does not take away the sinfulness of the act. The Bible recognizes lying, deceitful actions, and flattery as sins.

What it comes down to is our faith. Do we have faith that God is in control of all situations. When we lie for God, we are in effect say “God, this will go wrong if I don’t help you out.” God desires our help, but He doesn’t need our sinful help. We show a lack of faith in Gods providence when we start sinning to help Him. As James 1 says, we take a righteous trial from God, and due to our fleshly desire, we turn it into sin.

This goes for Corrie ten Boom, the Underground Railroad, and anywhere Christians lie for God. God is never out of control in a situation.


The Lord commended her for it

When people try to justify Rahab’s actions, they look at Hebrews 11:31 and say “See, God said she was faithful.”

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

They are correct, God said Rahab was faithful. But what action showed her faith? It was her receiving the spies peacefully, not her lying. God never commends her for sin.


Tomorrow I will try to wrap things up and give you some helpful links.

Lying? part 2

What does the Bible say?

Yesterday we looked at a definition of lying. Today I want to look at what the Bible has to say about lying.


What commands are we given about lying?

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16

You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:11-12

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, Colossians 3:9-10

What is God's view of lying?

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22

What should be our view about lying?

I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. Psalm 119:163

A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
Proverbs 13:5

For He said, “Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie.” So He became their Savior. Isaiah 63:8

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalm 40:4

He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Psalm 101:7

Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. Psalm 119:29

What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. Proverbs 19:22

What kind of person is characterized by lying?

You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Psalm 52:3

They only consult to cast him down from his high position; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, But they curse inwardly. Psalm 62:4

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? Acts 5:3

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44

The Bible certainly is not quiet about lying. What are some of the truths we see in the text?

Lying is clearly forbidden.
Lying is not characteristic of a Christian.
Lying is characteristic of an unregenerate soul.
Lying should be dealt with seriously.
We find no statement from God commending lying or allowing lying.

Take the time to look up other references about lying. Here are some links that might be helpful with this.

Topical Index

Keyword Search

Tomorrow we will look at the example of Rahab. Is Rahab an example of "righteous lying"? Read Joshua 2 and Hebrews 11:30-31

Lying? part 1

A Definition

I guess there was a conversation at church yesterday that I missed. It was about lying. Is there ever a good reason to lie? Obviously God commands us not to lie, but as the question always goes, what about Rahab? What if I am a secret squirrel in the CIA? What if I don't want to hurt someone's feelings?

This week, I want to take a look at lying. What does scripture say about it and what are the practical applications.

So let's define lying. Here are some different definitions of lying.

Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary

lie noun
1 a : an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive
b : an untrue or inaccurate statement that may or may not be believed true by the speaker
2 : something that misleads or deceives

lie verb
lied; lying
intransitive verb
1 : to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
2 : to create a false or misleading impression
transitive
verb
1 : to bring about by telling lies 〈lied his way out of trouble〉

New Bible Dictionary

LIE, LYING (Heb. šeqer, ‘falsehood’, ‘deception’; kāzāb,
‘lie’ or ‘deceptive thing’; Gk. pseudos and cognates). Essentially, a lie is a statement of what is known to be false with intent to deceive

Harper Dictonary

lying, the act of telling falsehoods as truth.

So lying is telling someone something that is not true or telling something with the idea of misleading them.

Tomorrow we will look at what the Bible says about lying.

Miscellaneous Updates & People to Perfect

Well, my parents visit went well. They made it home safely. Pray that their next visit can come sooner than this past one.

I am done with the job at the secure government site.

These two things combined mean updates should happen more frequently.

We also have another person who will be joining our blogging team. He will be posting every other week for now. Keep an eye out.

I have enjoyed reading through Exodus. I am continually struck by the imperfect people God uses to minister to His people. Abraham, Moses, Aaron, the list could go on and on.

It brings me comfort to know God is not looking for perfect people, but people to perfect.

Expository Preaching

Here is an article from Grace Community Church's Pastor's Conference. It is about why expository preaching is so important.

Preach The Word: A case for expository preaching.
By Dan Dumas

Here is an excerpt from the article about what expository preaching is.

Richard L. Mayhue defines expository preaching as preaching that “focuses predominantly on the text(s) under consideration along with its (their) context(s). Exposition normally concentrates on a single text of Scripture, but it is sometimes possible for a thematic/theological message or a historical/biographical discourse to be expository in nature. An exposition may treat any length of passage.”

Preaching that is severed from the Scriptures is not Christian preaching!

“The regular proclamation of Christ through the close exposition of Scripture is more relevant in creating a worshipping and serving community than political causes, moral crusades, and entertaining services.”

Mayhue gives a helpful summary of the essential elements of expository preaching. They are as
follows:

1. The message finds its sole source in Scripture.
2. The message is extracted from Scripture through careful exegesis.
3. The message preparation correctly interprets Scripture in its normal sense and its context.
4. The message clearly explains the original God-intended meaning of Scripture.
5. The message applies the Scriptural meaning for today.

Richard L. Mayhue, Preaching: How to Preach Biblically

Small break

My parents are in town so my posts might be sporadic for the next 2 weeks.