Blameless

Here is the next section of my thesis as I work through Titus chapter one. 

Blameless

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.”

                                                                                      Titus 1:5-6

Blameless is something that we all are not. There is no man that is completely blameless accept Jesus Christ. You have failed, that is a fact. You are failing and you will fail. This is the place to leave behind your fear of failure. Draw your line in the sand here – on this very page if you must. If your fear of failure keeps you from doing what you need to do than you are the biggest failure ever. Christ doesn’t expect you to succeed on your own. He already knows you are a failure. He simply wants you to put your trust in Him and take the first step of faith and watch Him do the greatest miracle and work through you. All the Christian men around me are probably held up by this more than anything else. I hear things like: “Well, once I get more of my life straightened out then I will serve God.” You might as well be telling God: “I am sorry I love my sin right now more than you and I do not want to give it up.” It is not until we simply yield to Christ and admit that we are a sinner in need of redemption that we are going to accomplish anything for Him.

How do I become blameless? Surrender! Yeah, that is right, only this one little word. Ok, now I can end this chapter, and probably this entire book. You may be saying, “Easier said than done. What does surrender actually entail?” You may also being saying, I have already ruined my reputation.” You may be already well known for not being blameless, but when you surrender to Christ you get to rebuild your reputation on His great reputation. Get over the idea that building a good reputation is going to happen over night. There is no microwave fix here. Building a good reputation is something that takes a lot of hard work and when you think you are getting close there is lots of maintenance to do.

The Greek word for blameless is ἀνέγκλητος which can also be interpreted as unaccused or irreproachable. If you think you are going to get here by covering up your sins, forget it! The guy that is the most irreproachable is the guy that has laid His sins bare in repentance. How can you accuse a person who has already exposed his own sin? I am sure you are familiar with the passage in 1 John 1:8-9: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”[1] As John is saying in this passage, the key to becoming blameless is to confess your sins. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together shows us clearly that confession is the glue that holds a Christian community together. Confession is the way to build lasting relationships between believers. Think about it as church members our favorite thing to do is gossip. You can imagine if everyone had already laid bare their sins what that would do to the church gossip. This is especially true for us men. I know it is difficult to get past the weather and sports in our conversations, but the true lasting male friendships in my life have had confession at the base. To some men letting others know what they have done wrong is the last thing on earth that they would want to do, but as we practice openness and brokenness God blesses us in ways you would never imagine.

Paul is exhorting Titus in the above passage (Titus 1:5-6) that when he goes out recruiting leaders for his church he needs to look for men who are repentant, humble men, not the air brushed “clean” (or two-faced) looking guys. Do you want to be powerful? Be humble. The proud mans existence is the fragile one. Let’s look at the story of the Publican and the Pharisee:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” [2]


The word justified can also be translated as innocent. Sounds a lot like blameless, doesn’t it? Sure the Pharisee has his Master’s in Divinity. He has been in religious circles all his life. He is Mr. Clean, but Paul would say I want the publican in my church leadership. God wants men of repentance in His Church. He wants leaders that may have been extortionists, maybe even unjust, possibly adulterers, or maybe, like you and me, sinners. He wants repentant sinners that He can mold into a blameless image of Himself. When we as men begin to surrender all, God is on the verge of doing miracles.

 So, again, how does some one become blameless? It is easy to say, be blameless; but, like I mentioned earlier, it is only in Christ’s power that you are going to be successful in this. Paul writes to the Colossians saying, “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable (blameless) and unreproveable in his sight.”[3] It is through the death and blood of Christ that we are purified. As we make His sacrifice ours, we allow His blood to wash us from our sins. If you are not saved the Christian life is not going to happen for you. Salvation is imperative if you want to be a leader in the church of God. I know that might sound basic to a mature believer but there are a lot of people out there attracted to the power of a church leadership position and faking a walk with Christ seems like an easy way to get there. Your relationship with Christ is going to be the power of your ministry and while you may think that you can fake it, you will be found out. However, a man that is honest before God and a man leaning on the power of the Cross is truly an unstoppable force.

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[1] King James Version

[2] Story found in Luke 18:10-14 Quoted from the King James Version

[3] Colossians 1:22 KJV 

The Beginnings of My Thesis

Here is the start to my thesis. This is just this introduction of a work that I want to do. My thesis will be covering Titus 1:5-9 and the qualification of Church leadership. All Christian men if they are not already in this role should be working on becoming as Paul is describing to Titus. I will be breaking down each of these word and sometimes phrases to see what God would have of my generation of Christian men. The qualifications are high the job is tough but God wants to glorify Himself through our weakness. Well here you go enjoy. I am sorry if some of this sounds familiar to some of my readers as I have posted a similar post talking about some of these things earlier.

A Plea to the Christian Man

“The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.  Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.”

                                                                                                Ezekiel 22:29-31

Introduction

            In the now more than two thousand years of Christian history there have been a lot of Christian men that have done both extremely wonderful deeds and extremely terrible deeds in the name of Christ. Christianity has been blamed for the many misguided deeds of mistaken men in the past. Things like the persecution of the Jews all through history, the Holocaust, the sacking of Christian Constantinople in 1204, and much, much more. While there have been many misguided attempts to do God’s will by men who seemed to know nothing of it there are many, many bright spots in Christian History as well. As brave Christian men truly understanding the heart of Christ took a stand when every one else had turned and run.

            Men like Martin Luther although struggling in the moment eventually said “Here I stand. I can do no other”. Also there were others like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg who with a few others stood up against the power of the Third Reich. Men like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who was unafraid to speak out when speaking his message was not popular. Rev. King has been idolized by the people who hated him most in an attempt to change his true message.

            What about today? With Christianity expanding like it never has in history, and modern missionaries taking full advantage of the explosion of communication technology. Christianity should have a voice like it has never had in history. The Christian voice although misguided at times in history should be the loudest it has ever been. Instead in an age of war and death, in a time where genocide is rampant and when the number of the murdered unborn in my country climbs ever higher, the Christian man is strangely silent. A time when blatant sins are accepted as the norm the Christian man is found completely missing in action.

            Teddy Roosevelt said: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”[1] Never before has the Christian man been so silent; so unable to stand in the gap. In the passage in Ezekiel 22 God says in verse 30: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” God, in the beginning of the chapter, is explaining why he is going to destroy the Nation of Israel. It is interesting to note that verse 30 is the reason. God is not looking for the whole nation to repent or its leadership to start doing the right thing. He is simply looking for a few good men or even one good man. The aversion of God’s wrath is not the responsibility of a nation of society as a whole but the ultimate responsibility of one man. God wants just one man to get down on his knees before Him humble and ready to be used by Him. In the previous verse, verse 29, God shows more of the justification of His wrath. “Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.” God hates the oppression of the poor and needy. Nothing makes God blood boil than when evil men take advantage of those that are defenseless, and he wants us as Christian men to stand in the gap and being their protection. What reward do you get for defending the weak? Nothing, except for maybe a bloodied noise with two sets of bruised knuckles, but in heaven the best reward of all a “well done and faithful servant”.

            God wants a man to stand in the gap. Are you willing to be that man? Wait just one moment before you pop you hand up eagerly. To be a man that stands in the gap requires a rigorous obedience to the Father. Charles Spurgeon once said: “Most men would be very religious if religion did not entail obligations.”[2] In other words talk is cheap but actions can save lives. Are you willing to follow the qualifications? God wants you to be like the man that Paul describes in Titus chapter one if you are going to fight in His army. Titus 1:6-9 will be the outline for this book as we study in detail what is means to be a man of God. A man that is just, sober, lover of good men, not a striker, etc. God doesn’t look for the best men to accomplish His will; He makes men into the best they can be if they are willing to submit to His will. Never was there a time in history when God you make you into a brighter light. Are you willing to submit to Him and accept His power to attain the greatest victory? In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians Paul says “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”[3] What Paul is trying to tell the believers at Corinth is that Jesus Christ is the Victor. We know who wins this battle but this Great King Jesus wants to us you in this fight. Are you willing to be ‘always abounding in the work of the Lord’?

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[1] Theodore Roosevelt

[2] Charles Spurgeon

[3] I Cor 15:54-58 KJV

Pericope de Adultera (Or the Story of the Adulterous Woman)

The story of the "Adulterous Woman" (John 7:53-8:11) is a passage of scripture you may have never know was in dispute. You may be surprised that some great scholars come down on the side that it was added in much after the time of John possibly as late as the ninth century. After some study on the matter and reading the arguments of great scholars on both sides of this discussion I have to agree that this is scripture. While I disagree with those on the other side of this discussion, I do so respectfully and understand that with all of textual criticism there is more study to be done as we learn more of God's word. I do however want to underscore the accuracy we have in the preservation of God's Word and the fact that this supports my believe that this passage is the Word of God.  In the words of William Hendriksen "...It is [my] conviction... ...that no attempt should be made to remove this portion from the Holy Wit" (Found in William Hendriksen's New Testament Commentary on the Gospel on John, page 33)

So why do some question the validity of this passage? To answer that question I will borrow the points of John Piper's (another respected scholar) message on this passage. 

1. The story is missing from in all Greek manuscripts before the Fifth Century

This is a difficult statement to say definitively. Maybe one could say that this story is missing from all the known manuscripts before the Fifth Century. Because if this was the case how then could Augustine, who barely lived 30 years into the Fifth Century, assert rather strongly that over-pius scribes were taking the paragraph out of their codices for fear that their wives would believe that Jesus was condoning adultery. The funny thing to me is that these scribes were not getting the discussion that Jesus was having with the Pharisees in the surrounding passages. Also Augustine is not alone in this accusation of removal. A tenth century Greek named Nikon accused the Armenians of removing the account because "It was harmful for most persons to listen to such things" (Quoted in The Pericope de Adultera By Nolen Jones, who cited Hills, The King James Version Defended, op. cit., p. 157.). Jesus is not condoning sin of adultery but simply forgiving the sinner. Furthermore, Papias a disciple of John's talks of this story although he may have been confused as to it proper location in the Bible. All this to me suggests not only a knowledge of this being scripture long before the fifth century but also that some were not too excited about this being scripture and had reason to take it out of the old text. This could be the reason we do not find it in these older texts. Also this would explain why so many of the early church father's were a little squimish about commenting on this passage. Which brings us to our next point.

2. Earliest church fathers omit this passages when commenting on John.

First of all, that is not entirely accurate as I pointed out in the previous paragraph, there are some that talk about this passage. Secondly, the reason that this passage is often skipped over by the early church fathers is because it was not intended to be read publicly. Nolen Jones explains it well in his article Pericope de Adultera. 

Burgon mentions another most relevant reason why these early Fathers did not comment on this section. [10]   Their comments were connected to the subject matter they preached and the "pericope de adultera" was omitted from the ancient Pentecostal lesson of the Church.  Burgon concludes that this is why Chrysostom (345-407) and Cyril (376-444), two early church Fathers, "in publicly commenting on John's Gospel, pass straight from ch. 7:52 to ch. 8:12.  Of course they do.  Why should they - indeed, how could they - comment on what was not publicly read before the congregation?" [11]

Again if there were people taking this passage out as early as the time of Augustine and possibly earlier then some commentators may have skipped over this passage in complete innocence not knowing that it was taken out. Others not wanting to get into the controversy of the passage again may have skipped the passage for that reason.

Also I do not see this as valid argument because it is often that people skip over thing they do not want to comment on. Especially those things they may not like as in the case of Hebrew commentators that skip over Isaiah 53. It is plan to see that this passage was very likely a rather sticky subject for our early church fathers who did not want to encourage adultery.

3. The text flows amazingly well when you connect 7:52 with 8:12

This point I could not disagree with more. Actually I think that you have a hard time understanding the next passage (8:12-20) without the beginning of chapter 8. First of all the Adulterous Woman would be one of those that Jesus is the light to. Also if the beginning of chapter 8 is missing then it is hard to make sense of what Jesus is saying in verses 14-17. ""Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true."
What is he talking about if the Adulterous Woman story is not some where in here in this context? There judgement of he Adulterous Woman was purely external, they would not be able to know if she was truly repentant or not. But Jesus could see into her heart and be able to tell her to "go and sin no more".

Furthermore I am not alone in my conclusions on this matter. C. I. Scofield (in his notes on this passage) says  "...The immediate context (vs. 12-46), beginning with Christ's declaration, 'I am the light of the world' seems clearly to have its occasion in the conviction wrought in the hearts of the Pharisees as recorded in verse 9; as, also, it explains the peculiar virulence of the Pharisees words (v. 41)." William Hendriksen agrees by saying "The story fits very well into the present context. It can be viewed as serving to prepare for and elucidate the discourse of the Lord in 8:12 ff. Let it be borne in the mind that this woman had been walking in moral darkness. It is probable that Jesus dispelled her darkness. So, we are not surprised to read in verse 12: 'I am the light of the world.'" (Found in William Hendricksen's Commentary on John page 34, paragraph 5) Even James Montgomery Boice who doubts it is John's writing has to admit that the placement of this passage is perfect. "The story of the woman taken in adultery may not have been in the original text of John's gospel, that is, in the first copy of the book as John wrote it. But whether it was there initially or not, few can doubt that the place where it finally was put was well chosen; for it follows well on the failure of an original plan by the rulers of Israel to arrest Jesus, and leads naturally into Christ's statement about being the light of the world. The story of the woman and her acusers is a greater revelation of the dark nature of sin than anything yet recorded in John's Gospel, and in the purity and brightness of Jesus shine through abundantly." (James Montgomery Boice's Commentary on the Gospel of John page 613) 

4. No Eastern church father cites the passage until the 10th century

I have already addressed this point under some of he previous points but again the possible reason for this is that some were taking this passage out. Like Nikon, the Greek from the 10th century, says that Armenians were removing the account. If Nikon had knowledge of this passage there must have been at least discussion of this passage earlier than his time. This Eastern region seems to have a special problem with this passage and instead of assuming that they didn't think it was scripture maybe Nikon was right that they were taking it out because they did not like it's teaching. Fundamentally I think it would be over all much easier to take out passages, either through negligence or intent, than to add in passages. Often when making hand written copies of an original one might accidentally miss a passage or phrase or even leave out the same because one does not like what he reads. The latter possibly being the case when in regards to the paragraph about the Adulterous Woman; as Augustine and Nikon seem to suggest.


5. When this passage starts to appear it appears in four other places besides the place it occurs.
This I think is a testament to the fact that it is scripture, or else why would people be trying to work it in some other location in scripture? If people were taking it out, as Augustine and others were suggesting, this would cause much confusion about what it was and where it should be located especially if the story was preserved but the location lost. As I mentioned under point number two I believe it is in the proper location and fits perfectly into the context around it. That is authenticated by a number of scholars that think the same thing. But the point here, I think that should be made, is when we begin to tamper with scripture what damage and doubt we can cause in the lives of younger believers. We need to be different from the Pharisees and the scribes, the latter who changed their codices, and take scripture for what it is not pick and choose the passages we like or dislike.

6. The style and vocabulary are more unlike the rest of the gospel.
This argument is simply not conclusive. Although the language does differ from that which John normally chooses to use this passage is simply not long enough to give this argument strength. Even Leon Morris who felt strongly that this was not John's writing admits, "While the spirit of the narrative is in accordance with that of this Gospel the language is not quite that of John. The passage is too short for this argument to be completely decisive," (Leon Morris' Commentary on the Gospel of John, appendix, page 883) Lets, for a moment, flip this argument over how about we say that some one maybe wanted to preserve some oral tradition and accredit it to the gospel writer John. Wouldn't they be careful enough to actually use the language that he used, and not make a blatant mistake and write the story down in a different style. Lies tend to be perfect, but sometimes authors change their styles by mistake or happen to use a word that they may not normally use.

To sum it up, while it may not be possible to absolutely prove that this passage was authored by John I think there is plenty of evidence that it was Johns writing. I believe that this passage is in it proper place in scripture and should be treated just the same as its surrounding context in the Gospel of John. I completely agree with John Calvin who said "[John 7:53-8:11] contains nothing unworthy of an Apostolic Spirit, there is no reason why we should refuse to apply it to our advantage." (John Calvin's Commentary on the Gospel of John page 319) I firmly believe that to say that this is not scripture is to miss out on a vital piece of John's Gospel and a window into the nature of Christ. 

Book Review on The Shepherd Leader

"The Shepherd Leader" is a fantastic book for pastors or for any one that plays a role in church leadership. It is a great book where the author not only presents a great concept but also communicates practically how to implement the concept. Which I have to say is rare. It is a great read that will get you excited about about church growth and discipleship, but not just get you excited but will point you in a practical direction to do something about it in your church. I have seen so many churches struggling in these areas because the church leadership is too stuck in their ways to change or they simply lack the knowledge of how to do it better. If the concepts of that are talked about in this book are properly applied then a church could not only avoid many problems but also reach out to people they never thought were possible to reach. So many churches are bogged down by unmotivated leadership. This would be a great book to help your break that stalemate and get things moving again.

We have to remember the words of Jesus Christ in Matt. 16:18:  "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  

This verse does not say 'the church's gates will not be over taken'; Jesus is saying we will will not be stopped by even the last defensive measures of hell. The gates of a city are your last hope if you do not stop thew enemy there they you are pretty much toast. This means that we are to be on the offensive. Our fight is not a passive defense of what we have but a marching forward in the power of the greatest King ever. This book will be a great tool in the hands of someone that is passionate about building the body of Christ, the church. Which is all believers.

What I Want to Accomplish in the Final Stages of My Internship?

Studying is a great thing and I have been so thankful for the opportunity to study here at Warner Ave Baptist Church. If there is one thing that I have learned while I am here it is that I certainly do not want this to be the end of my learning. In some ways what I have learned has only opened the door to much, much more learning. I am excited to make this a life long pursuit. I am very thankful that I have been able to get this head start on such things. I have been able to read some great books, prepare a lot of sermons, take some awesome classes on theology, as well as many other things.

While there are several other books as well as other projects I intend to complete before my time here is done, I really want to complete my thesis. I want to sum up my learning here in a very large project that I hope in the end will produce something of a small book. This I hope will be a valuable tool for me as I go out to work in whatever ministry God sees me doing next. I am still working on a title but the theme of the book will address the modern Christian man and his roles in Church, Society and Family. Unfortunately it seems the greatest fault of our modern Christian man is not that he is off in the Holy Land slaughtering Jews, Christians, and Muslims or torturing Indians on the tables of the Inquisition, or even flirting with the concepts of Darwinism, but that his wholly missing in action. Where is the modern Christian man? Has he been so silenced by his failures that he simply is too timid to even speak on the behalf to others? While the historic Christian man has made his mistakes at least he tried. Sure it hasn't been all roses and sunshine, but it was Christian men who were willing to die for their faith in the coliseums of Rome, who fought to end the slave trade and spoke out against Hitler and his Reich. As Teddy Roosevelt wisely said  “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” Unfortunately the modern Christian man has checked out. This generation has become the fatherless generation. 

This book will be a call to men to stand up and fight for the truth. Jesus was not afraid to use a whip and lash to purge his Father's house. We should not be afraid to defend the defenseless and stand in the gap.

"The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD." 

                                                                                                Ezk 22:29-31

Just Some Morning Thoughts

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning

will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

                         Ps 5:3

There is something about the morning hours when the sun is coming up at the start of the day. This is a great time offer a sacrifice of time to the Lord. It also signifies our desire to consecrate our day to God. What blessing we receive from God if we give him all that we have. Take some time this morning, or if you are reading this in the afternoon, tomorrow morning to spend some time with God. Be creative do you exercise in the morning? How about spending some time in prayer at the same time. Most bodily exercise does not require much brain activity. Do you spend time like I do driving in traffic? Don't waste it spending the time cursing the people that cut you off. Instead spend the time with the Lord or listen to an audio version of the Bible. This verse is a common theme in the Psalms as David rises early to pour out his heart to the Lord. A Christian should never feel lonely. Yes God often blesses us with human companions, but He wants us to put him first in our lives and if that means starting the day with Him than do it. God is always there wanting to spend time with us take advantage of what could be lonely moment and spend it with the Heavenly Father.

How Should We Then Live

Just a quickie review of a great book. "How Should We Then Live" by Francis A. Schaeffer is a foundational book in the learning of any serious student of Christianity. He shows through the course of history how much humanity's world view can either oppress and restrict them or open them up to the truths of God and the world He has created. Man has continually destroyed himself in his desperate attempts to rid himself of God and His laws. Warning, you may need to brush up on your history when reading this book, but when was that ever a bad thing. Again I would heartily recommend this book as a foundation stone to building your world view on the Stone of the Word of God. It is a great read and man I would hate to ever get in a debate with this guy. Truth always wins because you cannot argue against it, and when you put that together with a powerful and knowledgeable communicator you have a fantastic combination.