As some of you know I’m in seminary. Seminary has been an incredible opportunity to get stretched in my understanding of theology, church history, and ministry methodology. I’ve had a lot of conversations with people who wish they had the opportunity to go through seminary but it just is not a reality for them in the season of life they are in. In response to this I thought each week I would do a post called “Seminary 101”. Essentially, this will be post that covers a specific topic that I am studying in seminary for that week.

The Reformation and the Church

Currently, I am taking Church History 2 from Dr. Gerald Bray. We have been discussing the nature of the church in light of its social and political climate during the time of the reformation. The very nature of the church during the time of Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Calvin, and the reformers was both scrutinized and being evaluated. It seems very clear that the reformers believed that the church had lost its way as time went on and therefore was in desperate need of reform. Wycliffe questioned the extravagant wealth of the church and priests. Wycliffe believed that the Bible should be accessible to everyone and therefore should be translated[1]. The church in response to Wycliffe’s outspoken beliefs responded by decreeing that no one was allowed to translate the Bible.

Internal and External Challenges

As these “internal” challenges were taking place, there was also growing dispute between the church and state. The secular government became increasingly reluctant to send troops to Palestine for the crusades, which brought upon unrest. These issues expanded even to the area of taxation as the Pope in 1298 AD decreed that the church could not be taxed on its properties, which the King of France took objection to. Eventually, after the Pope died, the King of France won; regardless, this caused further unrest and tension between the church and secular rulers. [1]

Luther and the Reformation

Roughly 100 years after Wycliffe enters a man named Martin Luther. Luther, continued the effort to see the church fall in line with the actual teaching of the scriptures. Luther was incredibly distraught over the practice of the church to take indulgences (priests taking payments in exchange for the forgiveness of sins and extended grace) and boldly spoke out against such practices. These practices made the church rich while clearly teaching a false gospel of works and not grace, which Luther despised.

All of these challenges and conversations spurred on the reformation and caused an environment for leaders within the reformation to stand up and speak out over errors within the church in regards to the interpretation of scripture, practice and ministry methodology, and the desire for growth in the area of political power. It is also important to note that Luther did not necessarily desire a revolution and separation from the church, rather a reconciliation and reform of the church to reflect what the scriptures actually taught.

How Does This Apply Today?

It’s important to look at the past to identify areas where we are prone to commit the same mistakes. Much of sin is repackaged in creative new forms throughout centuries. As we identify these areas and address them with the truth and light of the Gospel we are able to continue to reflect Christ. As we look to our practices in church it would be wise to consider if we are pursuing leadership and authority or diligently pursuing the advancement of the Gospel. Just as Wycliffe and Luther had a desire to see the church reform, we should also have that desire. We must have a desire to see an ongoing reformation that causes us to continually turn to the scriptures to ensure that our actions and practices are reflective of the Gospel.

Further Study:

If you would like to jump into some further reading and study about church history and the reformation I would highly recommend the Logos Bible Software Mobile Ed Course by Dr. Gerald Bray. At the time of this post being written, it is currently still available for pre-order. 

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[1]  lesson 5, Church History 2.  Dr. Gerald Bray.  Knox Theological Seminary.  Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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In the midst of tragedy, the faithfulness of God can be incredibly difficult to believe in. Through chaos often times we find ourselves distrusting the goodness of God which results in humanity trying to take matters in their own hands. Simeon and Levi are guilty of this in Genesis 34. Further, Jacob is seemingly silent and unaware of what is taking place in his own household. As he realizes what has happened and the implications that this will bring onto his family, he finds himself in great need once again of great rescue. Then, “God speaks”. God leads Jacob out of his tragedy and shows his faithfulness in spite of Jacobs faithlessness.

Our Remembrance Reaffirms The Truth That We Are Wholly Reliant On God For All Our Needs:

Remembering how God has rescued us gives us a sense of balance and places us in a position where we are not focusing on our works, ability, or self mean, but reaffirms the truth that we are wholly reliant on God for all our needs. In the same way that Jacob is reminded that his needs were and will continue to be met by God, we can also rest in this truth. It is incredibly easy for us to be distracted with what is around us. We can begin to place our trust and hope in our own means and abilities. Therefore, this principle of remembrance is formalized for the believer. Christ gave us the command to remember him as we take communion. As we partake in the wine we are to remember the blood that Christ spilled for his covenant people. As we eat the bread we are to remember the body of Christ that was beaten and broken.

Our Remembrance Produces A Grateful Heart:

This remembrance causes us first, to be grateful to this great God who became man, conquered sin and death, and reconciled the covenant people of God back to himself. Second, it causes the covenant community to rest in the sufficiency of Christ. We are reminded that once again, left to our own means we were aliens and enemies of God (Eph 2) destroying not only ourselves but also those closest to us. What a great reminder of the goodness of God to send his Son and restore His people. The result of is a tremendous relief. We no longer have the burden to produce or perform. We are no longer slaves to the law and feel the defeat of the chains and bondage that we place on ourselves. Rather we respond from a grateful heart as a people who have been reconciled and restored. We live in the truth of the Gospel which free’s us to love people just and Christ loved us. We can now look at others and see them as Christ see’s them. What an incredible blessing to live, move, and breath in light of our recollecting the saving grace of God.

Some of us are in bondage. We are putting ourselves under the bondage and chains of the law. We are motivated from fear or expectation rather than a Gospel reality of grace. We need now more than ever to remember that we will never be able to satisfy ourselves or achieve our hearts desires through our own means. We need to remember the Gospel and live in light of Gods free and unmerited grace.

Catch Up On Posts From The Series!

Theology of Remembrance Pt. 1 – “Our remembrance of the goodness of God stirs up our affections for Jesus”

The post Genesis 35: A Theology Of Remembrance Pt. 2 appeared first on Joel's Travels.

Earlier in the year I wrote a post about bridging the gap between music and the Word. You can read it here.

I realized quickly that this concept of bridging two worlds is much larger than just music and the Word. It affects all areas of life, church, and ministry. Augustine is famous for his writings on what he calls the two cities in his book “The City of God”. Throughout the pages we read the tension and the contrast between the City of man and City of God.

This same tension exists today, however, we also feel it within the borders of the church and how it relates to modern day culture. With various opinions, methodologies, and preferences, it can become difficult to see what we have in common. It’s even harder to see where our differences can be bridged and become helpful.

What follows in this series are some practical ways we can begin to bridge the gap between:

Culture and Church:

The church is made up of people. People live in cities, neighborhoods, and interact with other people. Each person is influenced in both passive and assertive ways via means of tv and social media. So how do we engage our culture? How can the church leverage culture for the sake of making Jesus famous?

Nationality, Ethnicity, and the Church:

Heaven will be made up of every race, skin color, and ethnicity possible. Yet sadly, the church can be one of the most segregated places. How can the local church relate to ethnicity as it is inevitably apart of the church? What does it look like to be a multi ethnic church?

Youth Ministry and the Church:

As a former youth pastor I know first hand the great joys and sorrows that come with youth ministry. I also know the danger of youth pastors creating a “sub church” culture. How can churches embrace, engage, love, and support youth ministries?

The Goal:

That we would see what we have in common, identify areas that can be come distractions and cause divisiveness, and carefully contextualize in order to see the Gospel advanced within our communities.

The post Introducing: Bridging Two Worlds Series appeared first on Joel's Travels.

Are you more satisfied in Christ when he exalts you, makes much of you, and in your exaltation he is glorified. Or are more satisfied in Christ when he destroys you, breaks you, the world will never know your name, and in that you bring utmost glory to God?

Take a moment and really consider this. It’s a question I ask of myself continuously and it is a sobering reminder of my pride. I am reminded that there is a part of me that attempts to dethrone the creator of the universe and replace His centrality with my own. Yet, the honest truth is that when we attempt to become central in all things it only yields to utter brokenness. We are not capable in the slightest to fix ourselves, our families, our world, or our culture. And the fact that our behavior proves that we think we can is evidence of our pride and our lack of understanding the greatness and majesty of God. There is no need to turn any further than the very first sentences of Genesis 1.

In. The. Beginning. God.

Prior to all created things, existence, nature, matter, there was God. And God in the beginning God initiated an action, he created through his breath and His Word, all things to come into existences (John 1, Col 1:15-20). Therefore, the center piece and focal point of all creation and history is contingent upon God. He is preeminent in all things and our right understanding of who He is and what He has done shifts our perspective of ourselves and our capabilities.

Take a moment to meditate on these scriptures:

While my centrality leads to utter brokenness and failure, the centrality of Christ leads to salvation, freedom, and true liberation.

While my centrality leads to utter brokenness and failure, the centrality of Christ leads to…
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