While Jesus was training the twelve for their mission, subsequent to His departure, He made reference, time and again, to the Kingdom of God.
Since then, hosts of earnest/sincere folk have sought to wrestle over, exactly, what He meant by the Kingdom of God.
Did He mean a visible kingdom, is the local church the manifestation of the kingdom, etc.
In this wrestling, we appear to have often lost sight of what He implied as to the Kingdom’s impact. Without doubt, He taught the kingdom would have significant impact in that first generation of believers.
Such impact is objectively borne out by the testimony of scripture (Acts 17:6 and the epistle to the Romans).
Objectively, Daniel’s vision of the establishment of the fifth and last empire is effected/brought to fruition when God’s church is established in Rome, the seat of the fourth empire. Granted, the actual fall of the empire took another 400 years, still, its demise was guaranteed when the church of The Lord Jesus was a reality in AD 50+.
But, we lose sight of how this was brought about. What, precisely, did those “…unlearned and ignorant fisherman,…” do?
Might I suggest they simply followed Jesus’ admonition to live as Salt, Light, and leaven?
The wonder of the Kingdom’s impact, to use the vernacular, is a “no-brainer”. Any and every “unlearned and ignorant…” (Acts 4:13) saint is able to function as “Salt, Light, and Leaven”.
Therein lays the genius of the New Covenant and its ultimate impact.
It is as if God says to the saints, “…have at it…I trust you…yet, expect you to appropriate and personally grasp the wonder of my confidence in you…” and the resource I have provided, i.e. the scriptures.
With that resource, and the indwelling Spirit, the potential of your impact is immeasurable.
Yet, to the degree you fail to embrace your obligation to know, understand, embrace, and teach what is contained in that resource; to that degree your generation fails to profit from your presence.
David’s testimony is that he served his generation, by the will of God (Acts 13:36).
We, on our part, have a commensurate obligation to serve, to the glory of our great King and the advance of His kingdom.
Pearcey Report
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Memories
Just got an email from one of the fellows I ministered to 20+ years ago, while he was in seminary at Biblical.
At that time, he fell subject to my influence in terms of the anti-abortion movement.
At the moment, he is deep in southern Mexico with SIL and has translated most of the NT into a tribal language.
In his post to me he recalled an incident where we had been arrested and were being held in one the the "holding tanks".
He said he recalled my being dead asleep on the floor, head under one of the concrete slabs, and one of the other pro-lifers making the observation while pointing to my inert frame, "...now there is a man with a clear conscience..." So true!
At that time, he fell subject to my influence in terms of the anti-abortion movement.
At the moment, he is deep in southern Mexico with SIL and has translated most of the NT into a tribal language.
In his post to me he recalled an incident where we had been arrested and were being held in one the the "holding tanks".
He said he recalled my being dead asleep on the floor, head under one of the concrete slabs, and one of the other pro-lifers making the observation while pointing to my inert frame, "...now there is a man with a clear conscience..." So true!
Discipleship in the Unfolding Ages to come
We wrestle with models of Discipleship today.
We have Robert Coleman, The Navigators, and a host of other noteworthy ministries.
Many, if not most, promote the model of the Lord, Jesus. If he did it this way, it has to be The Model!
But, while wrestling with Models, we often overlook the content to be passed on in the model.
The Lord, Jesus was a son of the Old Covenant, lived under the Old Covenant, fulfilled its every requirement and just prior to his final passion, established a New Covenant.
In that context, and on the final evening, while instituting the New Covenant said He had many other things to say to them. Those things came in the ongoing revelation granted to the Apostolic band and their delegates.
In the unfolding of the New Covenant writings, we see none of the Apostolic band repeating the admonition to “…disciple the nations…”.
In fact, one might suggest what is referred to as the Great Commission was fulfilled by the Apostles in their generation! (Col. 1:6, 23; Romans 1:8 & 10:18).
Instead, we see the apostle Paul speak of “…equipping the saints…” for their ministry.
He speaks on this ministry of equipping in the context of the life of the church and the ministry of providing ongoing leadership (Eph. 4 & 2 Tim. 2).
And one might reasonably argue the ministry of these “saints” will be categorically distinct from that of the Apostolic band. The Apostolic band were granted the prerogative of physical miracles, whereas the miracles of subsequent generations were to be of a moral nature, i.e. changed lives attesting to the Gospel’s power
In the context of the New Covenant then, the ministry of “discipling” though similar in method, is, I suggest, distinct in content and context.
The new context is New Covenant, and the context, correspondingly, is New Covenant in its orientation.
IMHO, for centuries, the church and community of saints have been captive to an Old Covenant orientation, dragging that baggage after them, all the while wondering, “Why isn’t this working?...”
Again, as in the words of J. R. Lowell, trying to “…unlock the future with the past’s blood-rusted key”!
We have Robert Coleman, The Navigators, and a host of other noteworthy ministries.
Many, if not most, promote the model of the Lord, Jesus. If he did it this way, it has to be The Model!
But, while wrestling with Models, we often overlook the content to be passed on in the model.
The Lord, Jesus was a son of the Old Covenant, lived under the Old Covenant, fulfilled its every requirement and just prior to his final passion, established a New Covenant.
In that context, and on the final evening, while instituting the New Covenant said He had many other things to say to them. Those things came in the ongoing revelation granted to the Apostolic band and their delegates.
In the unfolding of the New Covenant writings, we see none of the Apostolic band repeating the admonition to “…disciple the nations…”.
In fact, one might suggest what is referred to as the Great Commission was fulfilled by the Apostles in their generation! (Col. 1:6, 23; Romans 1:8 & 10:18).
Instead, we see the apostle Paul speak of “…equipping the saints…” for their ministry.
He speaks on this ministry of equipping in the context of the life of the church and the ministry of providing ongoing leadership (Eph. 4 & 2 Tim. 2).
And one might reasonably argue the ministry of these “saints” will be categorically distinct from that of the Apostolic band. The Apostolic band were granted the prerogative of physical miracles, whereas the miracles of subsequent generations were to be of a moral nature, i.e. changed lives attesting to the Gospel’s power
In the context of the New Covenant then, the ministry of “discipling” though similar in method, is, I suggest, distinct in content and context.
The new context is New Covenant, and the context, correspondingly, is New Covenant in its orientation.
IMHO, for centuries, the church and community of saints have been captive to an Old Covenant orientation, dragging that baggage after them, all the while wondering, “Why isn’t this working?...”
Again, as in the words of J. R. Lowell, trying to “…unlock the future with the past’s blood-rusted key”!
Ruminating
Patrick Henry said:
A great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It had its origin in the principles of society, and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has in man and all the parts of a civilized community upon each other create that great chain of connection which holds it together. The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole. Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their laws; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government. In fine, society performs for itself almost everything that is ascribed to government.
Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13 apply in this context, as does Romans 2:14, 15.
Seems to me, the typical believer today cannot even consider life without the presence of Government writ large! Their thought tends to be, “…without government there would be anarchy…” and quickly rush to Judges 17:6 and 21:25, forgetting Israel was divinely ordained as a Theocracy with Republican overtones, such that political self-government was not an option. They also forget the divine injunction regarding Monarchy in 1 Sam. 8.
One suspects today’s believer longs to live under an Old Covenant context and fears the glory of the New Covenant!
A great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It had its origin in the principles of society, and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has in man and all the parts of a civilized community upon each other create that great chain of connection which holds it together. The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole. Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their laws; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government. In fine, society performs for itself almost everything that is ascribed to government.
Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13 apply in this context, as does Romans 2:14, 15.
Seems to me, the typical believer today cannot even consider life without the presence of Government writ large! Their thought tends to be, “…without government there would be anarchy…” and quickly rush to Judges 17:6 and 21:25, forgetting Israel was divinely ordained as a Theocracy with Republican overtones, such that political self-government was not an option. They also forget the divine injunction regarding Monarchy in 1 Sam. 8.
One suspects today’s believer longs to live under an Old Covenant context and fears the glory of the New Covenant!
The perversity of Government
The perversity of govt. is in direct proportion to the lassitude, yea, the irresponsibility and wilfull ignorance of the populace subj. to such government. Govt can do no more than that ultimately permitted by the quiescent and diffident populace.
In the battle against govt, our most effective tool, long-range, is an appeal to conscience. Such an appeal will, of necessity, take a seemingly inordinate amount of time. But, in the long run, it will be far more effective than an immediate, passionate appeal via rhetoric.
Conscience carries, though she takes such a long time to awaken!
In the battle against govt, our most effective tool, long-range, is an appeal to conscience. Such an appeal will, of necessity, take a seemingly inordinate amount of time. But, in the long run, it will be far more effective than an immediate, passionate appeal via rhetoric.
Conscience carries, though she takes such a long time to awaken!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Intentional Discipleship
Given the nature of the Lord Jesus' imperative, "Go make Disciples..." one might reasonably conclude disciples "don't come naturally"?
In my experience, the only thing that comes "naturally" is weeds! If one desires "wheat", it must be cultivated!
So, why the paucity of NT Disciples?
Especially, disciples in the context of the New Covenant?
If, in the context of "...the aeons to come...", the church is to demonstrate to manifest glory of God..., one is temtped to inquire, "...wassup?...".
Are we simply disobedient; lazy; or fearful?
Granted, the early disciples were not paralyzed by 200o years of church history! They must have thought The Lord knew what He was commanding/expecting!
Today, we too often think, "...Lord, are you serious? Don't you see what we are facing? Give is a break!"
Small wonder our experience of Joy and Liberty is so defective and unattractive!
The lamp is under the bushel, the salt has lost it's savor; and the lump of dough remains a lump off dough, while 170 plus millions have been slaughtered by governments in this past century. Rwandas, Darfurs, and etc. abound while we sing our comfrotable "...songs of Zion with our harps on the Willow trees!...".
We seemingly comfort ourselves with our accomplishments in "missions", while our culture slithers down the sewer of history.
Mercy!
Disciples made a difference in that first century!
Might they not make a difference in ours?
Maybe the difference lies in the reality our genreation is made up of spectators versus participoants?
Yeow!
In my experience, the only thing that comes "naturally" is weeds! If one desires "wheat", it must be cultivated!
So, why the paucity of NT Disciples?
Especially, disciples in the context of the New Covenant?
If, in the context of "...the aeons to come...", the church is to demonstrate to manifest glory of God..., one is temtped to inquire, "...wassup?...".
Are we simply disobedient; lazy; or fearful?
Granted, the early disciples were not paralyzed by 200o years of church history! They must have thought The Lord knew what He was commanding/expecting!
Today, we too often think, "...Lord, are you serious? Don't you see what we are facing? Give is a break!"
Small wonder our experience of Joy and Liberty is so defective and unattractive!
The lamp is under the bushel, the salt has lost it's savor; and the lump of dough remains a lump off dough, while 170 plus millions have been slaughtered by governments in this past century. Rwandas, Darfurs, and etc. abound while we sing our comfrotable "...songs of Zion with our harps on the Willow trees!...".
We seemingly comfort ourselves with our accomplishments in "missions", while our culture slithers down the sewer of history.
Mercy!
Disciples made a difference in that first century!
Might they not make a difference in ours?
Maybe the difference lies in the reality our genreation is made up of spectators versus participoants?
Yeow!
So What is Anarchy?
Judges 17:6 And 21:25 are the resting spot for believers when it comes to the idea of Anarchy. Why?
Are they captive to an erroneous connotation versus a denotation?
Are they captive to an Old Covenant framework for the believer versus a new Covenant framework? If so, is that not more Roman Catholic than New Covenant?
Are they captive to an erroneous connotation versus a denotation?
Are they captive to an Old Covenant framework for the believer versus a new Covenant framework? If so, is that not more Roman Catholic than New Covenant?
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