Fasting and Feasting in Lent

Last night during our Ash Wednesday service our vicar spoke about how Lent was a time for both fasting and feasting.

It would come as no surprise to most people that fasting should be associated with Lent as Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Normally when people think of fasting they associate it with going without food for a period of time. However there are other things that a Christian could fast from such as television and going on the internet. Perhaps these later two are actually harder than going without food!

The idea of feasting during Lent may come as a surprise. This basically involves taking on things during Lent, which could include:

  • Joining a Lent study group
  • Spending more time in prayer or Bible study
  • Reading a specific book
  • Increasing one’s giving by donating to specific charities

Our vicar said that if we did these things it would help us to feast on God during this Lent period.

So the challenge during this Lent is to endeavour with God’s grace to both fast and feast on Him.

Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman

Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman
With the new U2 album “No Line On the Horizon” being released in the UK on March 2nd it seemed appropriate to publish a review of Steve Stockman’s book analysing the spiritual journey of U2.

Arguably the biggest band in the world, U2 have been at the top of their profession for many years now. I remember seeing them at the Lyceum Theatre in 1981! Their early albums contained tracks which appeared to have an obvious Christian message, but as they grew this seemed to change as they turned their focus more onto social issues.

In his excellent book Steve Stockman traces the group from their beginnings and analyses their albums and brings to light Christian content in much of their music that will surprise the reader. He discusses the bands ups and downs and shows how their Christian faith underpins all they do.

It’s fair to say that the book is very defensive of U2 and is critical of some evangelical Christians who have said that the band has abandoned their Christian faith. I can guarantee that you will not agree with everything written, but for all fans of U2 and Christian music it’s essential reading. If anything it might encourage us to pray for the group as they endeavour to live out their faith in the public arena.

Predestination and Free Will

The issue of Predestination and Free Will has been an area of disagreement among Christians for hundreds of years. Those who believe in Predestination will show you verses that support that doctrine, whilst those who believe in Free Will likewise will show you Scripture that support that position.

I recently read a biography of John Wesley in which the author John Pollock recalls how the issue of Predestination put a great strain on the friendship between John and George Whitfield. Both of them thought their positions were right and felt it appropriate to speak out in defence of it. Although they still wrote to each other and kept open the path of communications their friends argued on behalf of them, although not necessary with their blessing!

It’s sad when great men of God see strains in their relationships and have to work apart, but as we see in Acts even though Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways God still used them both for His purposes.

So who is right? Is it supporters of Predestination or advocates of Free Will? One of my friends sometimes says that in some areas of theology it is not always “either / or” but a combination of the two. Could this be one of these areas? One of the best balanced articles I have read on this issue was writen by Terry Dashner and is entitled “The Paradox between Predestination and Free Will.” The article now follows.

For centuries men have debated the paradox between Predestination and Free will. The debate raises two questions: has God predetermined my life to the point that I am not responsible for my actions? Or does my ability to freely choose nullify God’s over-ruling hand in my life? The debate continues today, and we are no closer to solving it; however, there is a moderate stand that makes sense out of both positions.

I want to share the moderate position with a few simple illustrations. First, allow me to state the extreme view of Predestination (extreme Calvinism). This view says that God, since eternity past, has predestined our lives and everything that comes into our lives–be it good or evil–is from Him. We have no choice (Free Will) in the matter.

This extreme view says that God is ultimately responsible for our response to circumstances. We have no control over them; therefore, we are not responsible for what we do. This can be illustrated by the following report: Who says doctrine doesn’t have social effects? Try this from a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal:  ‘Iran must have the wildest drivers in the Middle East. It is a country of fatalists who believe that all accidents are preordained by Allah. Thus highway safety is really in higher hands and not of concern to mere motorists. Judged by the accident rate in Iran, it would seem to be a vengeful deity indeed.’  Eternity, October, 1977, p. 12.

Secondly, allow me to state the extreme view of Free Will. It is called Neotheism and has exalted free will at the expense of divine sovereignty. This group argues against the historical position that God infallibly knows all things, including all future events.

The position of both extremes may be illustrated as follows.

The story is told of a group of theologians who were discussing the tension between predestination and free will. Things became so heated that the group broke up into two opposing factions. But one man, not knowing which to join, stood for a moment trying to decide. At last he joined the predestination group. ‘Who sent you here?’ they asked. ‘No one sent me,’ he replied. ‘I came of my own free will.’ ‘Free will!’ they exclaimed. ‘You can’t join us! You belong with the other group!’ So he followed their orders and went to the other clique. There someone asked, ‘When did you decide to join us?’ The young man replied, ‘Well, I didn’t really decide–I was sent here.’ ‘Sent here!’ they shouted. ‘You can’t join us unless you have decided by your own free will!’ Today In The Word, August, 1989, p. 35.

Now allow me to voice a moderate position between the two extremes.

In regards to Predestination, the moderate view is best illustrated in the words of Norman Geisler.

If God made free creatures, and if it is good to be free, then the origin of evil is in the misuse of freedom. This is not hard to understand. We all enjoy the freedom to drive, but many abuse this freedom and drive recklessly. Yet we should not blame the government that gives us the license to drive for all the evil we do with our cars. Those whose irresponsible driving kills others are responsible for what has happened. Remember: the government that gave us the permission to drive has also informed us how to drive safely (Norman Geisler, Chosen But Free, Bethany House Publishers, second edition 2001, pp. 22-23).

Also, consider this example by A. W. Tozer:

In Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer attempts to reconcile the seemingly contradictory beliefs of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will: An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains, neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port.  Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history.

I think the moderate view of free will can best be illustrated in the simply logic of D. L. Moody, an evangelist of years past. The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever won’ts. In conclusion, God is sovereign and has predestined us to his salvation. This is true on its face; however, God does not make robots. He has given us a free will. We are made in his image, and he is a free moral agent; therefore, so are we free to choose. Both positions are truths that are limited by our mortal understanding. Although both positions are taken to the extreme, a moderate position of both helps ease the paradox to our limited grasp of understanding. God has called me to salvation, and I have freely chosen to receive it through Jesus Christ.

Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is coming soon.

Pastor T.

About the author: Terry Dashner;
www.ffcba.org

Simply Christian by Tom Wright

Simply Christian by Tom Wright

Thanks to Ian from the Parish of Wonersh for permitting the use of the review he wrote on “Simply Christian.”

I think this is Simply the best book I read in 2008. A modern thinker (theologian, New Testament scholar, evangelical, Bishop of Durham) sets out to write a modern version of C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”, i.e. a guide to faith for the thoughful layperson. Very creatively, he starts from five things modern people are seeking, and explores how God satisfies these hungers in Christ. Quality writing, simple but profound. Superb!

Challenging Lifestyle

Challenging Lifestyle by Nicky Gumbel
This book is written by Nicky Gumbel, the man who pioneered the Alpha course. Challenging Lifestyle is described on its front cover as an official follow up to the popular Alpha Course.

It’s based on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 to 7) and is split into 19 short chapters. Each chapter is based on a short passage of scripture from Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount and then Nicky Gumbel’s comments on the passage explaining its meaning and its relevance for today.

At the back of the book there is a set of 6 or 7 questions for each chapter which were written by David Stone. These questions can then form the basis of a group discussion on the passage in question.

Subjects looked at in the book include “How to Deal with Anger”,  “How to Avoid Sexual Sin” , “How to Love Your Enemies” and “How to Handle Money.”

The book can be studied individually but I would suggest it is better when used in a group setting. I would personally recommend it as a good source of material for a housegroup to study. However be prepared to be challenged as per the title!

Caroline Petrie suspended for Praying

Caroline Petrie is a community nurse from Weston-Super-Mare who has been suspended from work because she offered to pray for a elderly patient whilst undertaking a home visit. As a result of this she has been suspended without pay since the middle of December 2008.

They say that nursing is a vocational role and it certainly is not an easy job. I guess one of the characteristics of a nurse is that they are caring. Caroline, as a Christian, showed this caring attitude by offering to pray for someone and this praying has got her into trouble.

Should Caroline have prayed for the lady? Was it inappropriate behaviour for a nurse? As Christians we should not departmentalise our lives so our faith should effect her working life. Caroline may well pay the price for living out her faith at work. We need to pray for her that she might know God’s peace in her heart at the moment whatever the eventual outcome of this.

Interview with Caroline Petrie

Interview with Caroline Petrie and background to suspension from work

Thank God it’s Monday

Thank God it’s Monday (Ministry in the Workplace) by Mark Greene

This is a well written and easy to read book for anyone struggling with what it means to be a Christian in today’s workplace. Greene believes that it is God’s will for Christians to work, although he makes no distinction between those in paid employment, such as the CEO of a large multi-national organization or the stay at home mum. He states that, whatever we do, we should seek first to honour God rather than our earthly bosses. Indeed he even suggests that, as all authority comes from God, our earthly bosses have been empowered by God to transform us and make us more Christ-like – a real challenge if you struggle to get on with your immediate supervisor!

Greene asks why there is generally so little preaching and teaching on workplace evangelism (although this may be due in some instances to the make-up of a congregation if it comprises mainly retired Christians or folk who may have little hope of gaining paid employment in particularly deprived areas). He reminds us that the success of any outreach is winning people for God not increasing individual congregations. Greene also addresses some of moral dilemmas particular to the workplace with practical examples dealing with such things as using office equipment and being asked to lie by your superiors.

This book has now been republished three times and even during this period the working environment has changed significantly with a long hour’s culture now almost the norm in many jobs. The author looks at this issue and the impact that it has on our lives. The book avoids offering any easy solutions but does challenge our attitudes to work, and those we work with, and warns against compartmentalising our lives.

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