Soteriology

In the first Century, Christians came up with a symbol to show if they were a Christian.  They did this because of the persecution of Christians that was prevalent in the first few hundred years after Christ.  The symbol was a fish.  Christians today still slap a bumper sticker of the “Jesus fish” to their cars and call themselves Christians.  The reason those first Century Christians chose a fish was because of its letters.  They made the acronym utilizing the letters that made up the Greek word for fish, ichthus (ἰχθύς).  Each letter stands for Jesus, Christ, God’s Son, Savior.  That last word is where the title of this article is derived.  Soteriology is the study of salvation (from σωτήρ (sōtēr) meaning “savior”).  You have to start from why salvation is needed.

When God created the world, he was fully present with his creation.  When men sinned, that made a separation between humans and God, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:1–2, ESV).  God cannot look upon evil, “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,” (Habakkuk 1:13a).  There is a need for a savior because sin and evil are prevalent in the world and God wants to be fully present again.

Stanley Grenz noted, “In his response to Arius, Athanasius showed that the deity of the Spirit is necessitated by soteriology.  If the Spirit who enters our hearts as believes is not the actual Spirit of God, then we have no true community with God.”  In other words, you are not saved if you do not have God’s Spirit.  Paul lays this out beautifully concerning the Ephesians’ salvation in 1:3-14, but look specifically at verses 13-14, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”  It is impossible to have salvation (sōtēria) without “the promised Holy Spirit.”

Trinity

            People through church history have been hesitant to use unbiblical terms.  One of the restoration pleas that developed was from Alexander Campbell, “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”  Because of this mentality, which is helpful, many stay away from any term that cannot be found in the scriptures.  If Christendom was to follow through with this, topics like “providence” and “restoration” must be avoided because of their lacking appearance in the Bible.  Christians are affirmed that God does provide and he desires to restore his people back to fellowship with himself.  Thus, providence and restoration are topics Christians cannot afford to avoid.  The same is true with the Trinity.

            The Holy Spirit as part of a divine Trinity may be confused as tri-deism.  The divine plural seen in Genesis 1-11 has similar implications to the concept of a Triune God.  The Holy Spirit is not some arbitrary thing or “glorified ‘it’” as Earl Edwards puts it.  The word for “spirit” is a neuter noun, but when the personal pronoun is used in conjunction with the Holy Spirit it is the masculine, “he.”  Let not the believer in God be confused about the oneness of God,

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God… (Exodus 20:1–5a, ESV).

            The eternally present, divine, equal, and unified Trinity does not consider its three “persons” as separate.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make up the one God of Abraham, who formed Adam and created the world, who came in the flesh then died leaving the Comforter until judgment day.  These three persons of God are evident in the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17) and his great commission before he ascends to be with the Father (Matt. 28:19).

Theology

           Theology is a fancy word for the study of God (theos).  People carry many different ideas about who God is and what his nature entails.  There is a plural nature to God seen very early in the Bible, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).  The narrator uses these plural words (us and our) to describe God.  Some theologians explain these plurals used in Genesis 1-11 and other places in the Bible to portray a divine counsel of sorts that includes celestial beings.  Since God and the Spirit of God are mentioned in the text, that suggests that the plurality of the one God is solely at work in this creative act.  As seen in Christology, God’s son was present during the creation process and is an entity of the unified Godhead seen at work in creation and certainly part of these plurals.

            The study of God encompasses the Trinity.  One cannot get around the idea of three “persons” in one substance when Paul writes things like, “…be filled with the Spirit…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Ephesians 5:18c, 20).  There are truly three parts of God and man has come up with countless metaphors to try and explain this.  Sometimes metaphors can be very dangerous though because they may leave someone with the wrong idea.  Let us stick to the Bible when trying to explain the plural nature of the one God.  Deuteronomy 6:4 does this beautifully, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  Trinitarian Christians are not polytheists or tri-deists, but believe in one God that has different roles that are named in the Bible as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

            A temptation might be to make God modal who puts on different masks through history to play different roles.  The problem is we see all three “characters” on the seen at Jesus’ baptism.  The Son was baptized, the Spirit of God descended on him, and the Father spoke from heaven declaring favor for his son. (Matthew 3:16-17).  We must be careful to explain God to others and not give the impression we worship three different gods, but only the one God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Christology

            Christology may sound like a confusing and scary word, but do not let it be.  Break down its parts and you get simply the study (from –logia) of Christ.  This study within Christian theology deals specifically with the person and nature of Christ.  There are many conflicting views about who Christ is and what his purpose was while he walked on earth in the 1^st Century A.D.  Some of these differences people hold include his deity, humanity, status as “son,” the resurrection, and his eternal reign.

Jesus wanted to know, “Who do men say that I am?”  How people answer this question is the core of christology.  Jesus is eternally divine.  Everything was created through him making him present in and responsible for the creation.  He was called Immanuel, “God with us,” because he was God in the human form.  The historical implications to this claim are affirmed in Jesus’ own claim of his divinity and the confirmation of that claim through his resurrection from the dead.  Jesus’ humanity is strongly affirmed through his birth to Mary.  He was born of flesh and blood.  The book ends of his life point to his humanity maybe more than anything else.  While he was born of flesh and blood, he died because of that same flesh and blood that he allowed to be abused and poured out during his crucifixion.

Christ is God’s one of a kind son.  Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus in the gospel of John carries one of the most descriptive christological verses in the Bible.  Jesus said in 3:16 (NASB), “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…”  The description “only begotten” is also translated “only” and “one and only.”  The notion that Jesus came from or was created by God the father does not line up with his eternal nature.  The second verse of the Bible expressly mentions God and the Spirit of God during the creation narrative.  Later in that same story, the divine plural is seen for the first time, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).  It is a little easier to understand why the Jews could understand the Spirit, but not a third substance of God.  John 1:1-5 tells of the son’s presence also during creation.

Campfire Christianity

            One hobby I enjoy thoroughly is camping.  A “must do” while camping is building and maintaining a campfire. The fire is used for several different activities while in the woods.  Food is often cooked on the campfire, marshmallow roasting is a sure hit, heating up chocolate Hershey bars to make "smores" wets my taste buds, keeping warm during the night’s cool breeze, and “chewing the fat” are all events that I love to take part in around the campfire.

A good campfire starts out as a dead pile of brush and small twigs that will catch a spark easily.  As the base is broadened, larger sticks are used for the endurance of the fire.  Once the base is set up a spark is needed to ignite the flame either from a match, lighter, or the old school hard core way of friction from a stick.  The campfire is now going, the food has been cooked and the time is at hand for gazing into the fire being mesmerized by the red hot coals.

Kurt Kaiser wrote the song “Pass It On” which speaks of a fire.  The first verse says,

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those a round can warm up in its glowing;

That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it:

You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

Jesus speaks of this “spark” in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (ESV).  Jesus provided the spark which started the fire of Christianity.  The fire started out small and then turned into a blaze.  Often in our lives though, the fire weakens.  When a campfire is built, the spark starts the brush, the brush starts the twigs, then the twigs catch the logs and a big fire is made.  Once the logs start to burn out though, the fire will lose its flame.  Is our Christianity burning out?

            It is not a new concept or weakness to allow one’s Christianity to burn out.  Peter was on fire for Jesus and stated in Matthew 26:35 “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.”  Peter’s fire soon died out when he was approached three different times that night being accused of being associated with Jesus and denying the accusation all three times before the rooster crowed (Mt. 26:69-75). Do not be discouraged if your fire dims down, but do not become slack concerning the matter.

Exert from The School Bus Drivin’ Preacher.

It’s a Boy!

            Becoming a parent is one of the most intimidating experiences I have encountered to date.  There is so much responsibility needed for the proper care of a child.  We found out back in July that Kayla was pregnant…our first child was officially being formed!  Last Monday we found out that the baby is a boy.  This news came with much relief on my part because I grew up in a house full of boys (God bless our saintly mother) and knew somewhat how to handle them.  Of course, if he does half the things my brothers and I did, then Kayla will be bound for the crazy house as I am sure we almost did with my blessed mom. 

            It has been said before that one of the most important mission fields is your own home.  I am blessed to have parents and grandparents that prayed regularly about us growing up to find the LORD and find a mate that would help us get to heaven.  Saturday, October 29 marks the final answer to those prayers as Daniel marries Amber Wiginton.  Amber has amazing parents that prayed the same prayers for her.  My prayer for our baby boy is that he too grows up to find his heavenly father, trust in his son Jesus, and be sealed by his Holy Spirit so that we will one day all be reunited in eternal heaven. 

The most intimidating thing about becoming a parent is the responsibility of training children up in the way of the LORD.  This is so nerve-racking because I am certainly not a perfect person.  How am I qualified to help someone figure out Christianity when I do not even have it figured out myself?  Thankfully there is a loving father who teaches and guides his children on how to be better parents, not perfect parents.  The saying stands true in parenthood as it does anywhere else, “Practice what you preach.” 

To lead by example is what God the Father does for us through his son.  Jesus was the perfect example of a servant leader.  This type of leader certainly does not allow people to trample on him, but rather takes a stand for the truth and is willing to be killed for it.  That is the type of leadership I strive for and the kind I pray can be passed on and lived out better than I ever could.

I Can Depend on You

            At the Arnold Youth Retreat in Bloomfield, MO, Andy McDonald had everyone take a favorite song and rewrite it in their own words for one of the activities.  The song entitled “I Can Depend on You” written by Pat Moon in 2002 is very encouraging.  The song gains inspiration in part from Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV).  I reworded the song like this:

            1.  When I’m in an airplane looking out over the puffy white clouds, Lord, I find you.  When I snorkel in the clear blue Caribbean, there you stand.  From snowboarding in the Colorado Rockies to fishing in the deep Atlantic Ocean, you made them, Lord they are yours to command.

            2.  On the warm sunny beach, Lord, I find you.  And in the starry moon-lit night there you stand.  Every sun, moon, star, and solar system…the universe brags on your brilliance because they fit in the palm of your hand.

            3.  In the innocence and mouths of babes, Lord, I find you.  And by your Spirit and Son, there you stand.  You sent your Son at such cost and left your Spirit to seek the lost, such love deserves nothing less than my all.

            Chorus: I can depend on you, Lord.  I can depend on you.  No matter how high or low, far or near I go, Lord I can always depend on you.

            This was a fulfilling exercise that helped bring the words of a song into focus and reshape them to relate to personal experiences.  God can be seen all around if we will just open our eyes to his glory.  In the visible attributes obvious all around and throughout history, the fact that God is dependable screams to humanity.  “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19–20).  Strive for the point where you say, “I can depend on you, Lord.”

Hatred, Love, and Everything in Between

            Hate is a strong word.  The words “I hate you” should never come out of the mouth of Christians.  Children ought to associate the use of that phrase with a mouth full of soap or a swat on the rear-end.  How can a Christian possibly fulfill the great commission of Christ with hate for another human dwelling in their heart?  The natural opposite of hate is love.  One simply cannot uphold these opposites and still follow Christ.  It is with this in mind that Solomon wrote.

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:12–18, ESV).

            Hatred infects the heart like a cancer.  The only thing in this world we ought to hate is sin.  No matter what evil someone has done against another, Christians are called to love instead of hate.  Jesus even said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).  The ironic thing about this statement from his Sermon on the Mount is that nowhere in the scriptures is the command to “hate your enemy.”  Leviticus 19:18 commands us to love neighbors, but the concept of hating enemies was fashioned only in the minds of people, never from the mouth of God.

            Peter quotes this Proverb when he too emphasized the importance of love, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).  Much more can be said for the wisdom between this inclusion of hatred, but the bottom line is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

How Will You Be Remembered?

            Sunday, September 25^th, a great warrior in the kingdom of God headed to Paradise.  Brother Neale Pryor will be remembered by countless people for many different reasons.  The Proverbs writer talks about two different perspectives of how someone’s life may be remembered, “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (Proverbs 10:6–11, ESV).

            It can be said without a doubt that brother Pryor had blessings on his head while he journeyed through life.  As the Proverb says, our memory of him is a blessing as well due to his righteous life.  Even while he is in eternal rest, his memory inspires and convicts people to be better.  His name will be cherished in the years to come because of his character, example, and role he played in the life of the church and the world by showing others Christ.  His wisdom was evident with his diligent pursuit of God’s commands.  He shared those instructions with others in the classroom, from the pulpit, and with personal relationships speaking with grace and truth.  He certainly walked with integrity and because of that people trusted him.  He was not one to stir the pot of discord, but had a mouth of righteousness which was a “fountain of life” for all who were around him. 

            The passing of loved ones makes people consider how they themselves will be remembered.  The Proverb above has an inclusio “…the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”  When something is concealed it is covered completely or overwhelmed by something.  This is the idea here, that the mouth of the wicked is overwhelmed with violence.  There are two ways people can be remembered by: righteousness or wickedness.  Brother Pryor is remembered in righteousness.  How will you be remembered?

Which Son are You?

            A method used by Solomon in some of his proverbs included what modern commentators call an inclusio.  This technique mentions similar things at the beginning and ending of the proverb.  There is a theme between these two verses that are sealed by these book-ends.  Proverbs 10:1-5 uses this technique with the theme of a prospering family between the inclusio of a wise/prudent son and a foolish/shameful son in verses 1 & 5. 

Hear the wisdom, “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”  Notice with each positive statement there is an adverse statement to accompany it.  Both types of sons play a part in the make-up of a family.

Godly children desire to please their parents.  Sometimes their actions may say otherwise, but they generally seek to please.  On the other hand, there are children who have no delight in making their parents proud and their actions and words speak loudly about their lack of desire.  These verses have much in common with the child who shows honor to his family and that family prospering as a result.  Not only prospering financially, but also medically.  Righteousness delivers from both death and hunger!  This reality makes one consider how raising children plays into the well-being of the family.

There are many get-rich-quick schemes out their and pills that claim to melt the weight off an unhealthy body, but Solomon enlightens us with true wisdom.  Live righteously and work diligently to bring wealth and health to you and your family.  The problem Satan poses is an alleged “quicker” way to get what we want.  Remember his deception from the very beginning though.  Anything worth having will not require you to risk your soul and will very likely take time.  Which son are you?