Christian Book Review: The Thriving Church by Dean H. Taylor

The Thriving Church by Dean H. Taylor.

Practical Church Growth Lessons from the New Testament

With so many books being written each year about church growth, it is refreshing to read one that is more based on scriptural wisdom rather than business systems. Dean Taylor effectively interprets the Apostle Paul’s great words to the church in Ephesus, so that they can be applied in this post-modern age when many congregations are struggling.

The book is based on Ephesians 4:1-16 and the author cleverly uses the words of Paul to encourage other ministers and churches to get back to the basics of New Testament Church growth. Dean’s substantial research and knowledge of this passage are easily read, pondered, and applied. The whole book would make a great study for pastors and elders together, especially if they are trying to find a new vision for a congregation that has plateaued or is declining. Pastors could also use the book for a series of sermons based on the insights and applications that Taylor presents. In fact, the best two chapters of the whole book can be found together – 6: Every Pastor Equipping and 7: Every Member Ministering.

At the end of each chapter, there are a number of questions that can be shared and discussed at church classes, board meetings, or staff groups in order to engender a new and hopeful vision for local congregations.

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book for the publisher via Net Galley. I am now looking forward to sharing some of its contents with the congregation that I presently serve.

All for Nothing? - Galatians 2:21

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (NIV)

            Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and I remember an embarrassing mistake or something foolishly spoken that I committed years ago. The event or the expression I used stings my pride and I feel sorry for having said or done something stupid that may have hurt or disappointed other people. As I think about my mistake, I wish I could go back and change the past, but that’s not ever going to happen, so I make a silent prayer to God and ask for Jesus to forgive me. I cannot alter the consequences of my error either, but I am able to leave it in the hands of God after confessing my sin.

            This reminds me of why we all need a Savior. We could say to God that we regret the past and will try to be better people by making it up to Him with a whole load of good deeds, but all we would be doing is covering our shame and blanketing our remorse. We can never do enough good things anyway because there are other countless times when we have said or done something stupidly and selfishly sinful in all of our past.

            It is also the reason why the Cross is at the center of our faith. Without Christ’s sacrifice, we would sadly remain unforgiven for the numerous sinful moments across our entire lives. Without the effective work of the Cross, we could never be restored to God’s gracious love. If we could do this all by ourselves then, as Paul simply states, Jesus would have died for nothing, but because we cannot save ourselves, we need the power, purpose, and peace that the Cross of Christ provides for every one of us to be forgiven.

            So, perhaps the next time you or I awake in the middle of the night and recall an embarrassing or sinful moment from the past, instead of dwelling on our stupidity we should think about the wonderful opportunity to be totally forgiven and completely reconciled to God through Christ’s death on the Cross.

Point to ponder

What past regrets do I honestly have that still embarrass or shame me? Have I asked God to forgive me of them in Christ’s Name?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are at the center of history and the focus point of all this universe. Your Life matters to us in so many ways, but Your Death has significantly impacted us by negating our sins in order to let us be restored to our Creator. Thank You for such an amazing gift of love! In Your Holy Name, we humbly and gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called ‘Empty Sky.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Sky.

October 26 devotion - Sword Fight

John 18:11     Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

I used to fence with swords when I was a teenager. My friend Graeme and I somehow managed to purchase two foils in a second-hand shop. I think we originally bought them for a play we were doing, but we got so hooked on the swords that we started to fence outside in my backyard.

It was good fun, but we didn’t have any masks or protective clothing, so it was pretty painful at times. The foils were tipped, but if they scraped across our open skin, it left a scar for days. We even worked out a staged fight and used it to entertain the local kids.

And then one day, Graeme lunged at me and hit me in the face. He hit the corner of my right eye, which left a nasty red mark across my face. If he had hit me a quarter of an inch to the left, I would have lost the eye. It was a very painful and poignant moment. That night we put the swords away and decided to take up jujitsu instead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ was being arrested, Peter just wanted to protect Jesus when he lunged at Malchus with his sword. Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who defended Christ. It was an impetuous and impossible thing to do. The high priest’s posse had arrived with clubs and swords, so no matter what Peter did, Jesus would still be arrested.

Strangely enough, Jesus didn’t rebuke the posse. Instead, He rebuked Peter, which must have seemed harsh at the time. It’s only later that you realize Jesus was protecting Peter from being arrested, too. By insisting that Christ had to drink the cup of wrath from God alone, Jesus was giving Peter a way out. He was diverting the mob’s attention away from the big impulsive sword-wielding disciple and turning it back toward Himself. It was an act of grace. It was a gift of mercy from God.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get all fired up and are full of zeal for the Lord. We want to protect Him from all of the discredit and damage that the world still wants to cause Jesus, but in the process, we act irrationally and put ourselves in danger. We seem to forget that Christ alone has the power to make all things right and that one glorious day, His justice will prevail.

Point to ponder

When have I acted impulsively in an effort to defend Christ? How would Jesus have responded?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we love You and we want to please You. Forgive us when our zeal blinds our reason and our strident ways diminish our faith. Grant us the godly gift of discernment, to know when and how to say and do the right things, as opposed to doing them at the wrong time, in an un-Christian way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

October 25 devotion - What Do You Want?

Matthew 20:32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked. (NIV)

            In the Gospel story from Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus heals two blind men outside the city of Jericho. They had been begging at the gate of the city, so when they heard that Jesus was there, they suddenly cried out to Him for help. Obviously, they had been told stories of this new teacher who healed all sorts of people. As He passed by them with His entourage of followers, they realized this would be their only chance to be cured of their blindness.

            When Jesus heard their cries, He stopped what He was doing and asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?” The answer was obvious: they wanted to see. Jesus then quickly healed them of their blindness and they were both so thankful for this miracle that they decided to follow Him. It was not only an end to their blindness, but it was also a new beginning for their spirits.

            Throughout our days, we all ask Jesus for help and healing. We experience situations and circumstances that are difficult and sometimes painful. We look to Jesus to stop what He is doing, in order to lift us up and out of those predicaments. After Christ has helped us, how do we respond? Are we grateful for His aid? Are we thankful for His support? Are we willing to follow Him faithfully and serve Him after having our prayers answered, or do we take Him for granted until the next emergency or crisis in our lives?

Point to ponder

When was the last time Jesus helped me and answered my prayer? Have I responded faithfully by following Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and are fully aware of our present difficulties and current circumstances. When we cry out to You for help, please hear our prayers. And when those prayers are answered, strengthen our faith so that we may gratefully follow and serve You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome. 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest worship bulletin drawings called Bartimaeus. If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Bartimaeus.

October 24 devotion - Herod's Fate

Acts 12:22-23 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

            It was a dreadful end to a wicked leader. One moment, Herod Antipas was being lauded as a god by his supporters for a rousing speech, the next he was dying from a painful parasite which was taken to be a punishment from God. He who once was mighty and powerful was debased and diminished because of his vanity and pride. Instead of being hailed as the kingly champion of the people, Herod is remembered as an amoral schemer whose downfall was brought about by his own narcissistic tendencies and delusions of grandeur.

            This all took place at the same time when the fledgling Christian church was beginning to grow substantially. Herod’s influence was waning whereas that of Christ and His followers were increasing rapidly. The bold Galilean, whom Herod interviewed and sent to His death, would now be praised and lauded for centuries to come. Antipas, however, would remain in the past – along with all of his achievements, buildings, and decisions.

            Good leadership is a gift from God and those who are in positions of power – whether in our congregations or communities – should acknowledge God’s presence in their endeavors, accomplishments, and success. To claim those things as self-made is to rob God of His glory, something which Herod Antipas learned way too late.

Point to ponder

What leadership responsibilities have I been given? Do I thank God enough for any of my successes?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help us to remember that everything belongs to God, especially our own victories and successes, achievements and accomplishments.  Keep us mindful of the many blessings that You grant in order for us to fulfill our dreams. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you have any questions or comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s chess drawings called ‘Celtic King.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: King.

Sleepless Nights - 2 Corinthians 11:28

2 Corinthians 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (NIV)

Like most pastors, I often wake up in the middle of the night thinking about and worrying over people in the congregation that I serve. I guess that other professionals – doctors, teachers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors experience the same kind of sleepless nights. Like them, I carry around in my heart and mind the many circumstances, issues, and even secrets that the people under my care have shared with me. At times those burdens are hard to carry, so at night I sometimes lose sleep by worrying about the church folks.

The good thing about this is that I also get some quiet time to pray for their situations. During the day, there is a lot going on and finding a quiet place or a quiet time can be hard to do. However, in the wee small hours of the morning, I can quietly come to God to pray for the healing, help, or wholeness that people need. I can whisper their names to God and ask for strength, guidance, and grace to be given to them. Usually, when I have about finished my prayers, sleep begins to drift over me, so I can return to my bed and get beneath the warm blankets to myself.

When I read today’s verse from the Apostle Paul, the first thought that crossed my mind was ‘he gets it.’ We tend to think about Paul being a fearless preacher who faced many dangerous and life-threatening moments in his ministry. But he was also a pastor who had a heart for the people he met – this is why he writes of the daily pressure he endures because of his concern for all of the churches that he cared about. I believe that Paul, too, had some sleepless nights and quiet moments of prayer for the church folks that he knew.

Maybe you’ve been waking up at night because of family, work, school, or health issues. Perhaps you are worried about money or concerned about the future. May I humbly suggest that you use those sleepless times effectively by seeing them as sacred moments when the Holy Spirit is calling you to pray? I think you’ll find an answer to your problems and a much better sleep after praying.

Point to ponder

What concerns do I presently have? When and where can I quietly pray about them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when we have sleepless nights because of our current issues and prevailing worries, help us to quietly turn to You in prayer. Enable us to share deep concerns with You and to sincerely seek Your guidance and grace, strength and healing. In Your Holy Name, we quietly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s autumn drawings called ‘Fall Retreat.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Retreat.

October 20 devotion - Finding the Light

Matthew 4:16   “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

When I first became a minister, I worked for a while in an ophthalmic ward as its part-time chaplain. All the patients in it were recovering from eye surgery. Some of them needed implants, some suffered from glaucoma, and still others had been involved in car accidents which meant that the surgeons had to patiently pick out small fragments of glass and metal from their eyes. Most of the time, the surgeries were successful. Some patients had to undergo several different operations before their eye ailments were cured. Sadly, a small number of people each year remained blind. Dealing with those patients was amongst the saddest pastoral experiences I ever had.

For the rest of the patients, recovery took several days. They were gradually brought into the light so that their eyes would not be permanently damaged by the sudden brightness of daylight. I can remember that large wooden shutters were placed over each window in the ward. The merest ray of sunshine, if prematurely exposed to the patients, could ruin their eyes forever.

The best experiences in the ward were those great days when a patient was wheeled out into the courtyard in full sunlight. Their joy was ecstatic and tears of gladness were often shed by the patients, nurses, as well as their families. It was indeed a fulfilling of the old Biblical prophecy – “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Spiritual darkness occurs in the hearts and souls of many people in the world today. Sometimes they’ve allowed fear, disbelief, and distance from God to take them back into the shadows of doubt and despair. Sometimes painful events, grief, and illnesses cause people to retreat within them, cutting themselves off from God’s love and His people. Whatever the causes or the circumstances, as a pastor I have seen the light of Christ heal, restore, and reclaim people like them for God’s Kingdom, in words and ways that cause them to rejoice in the Lord and delight in His glory.

Perhaps you are currently undergoing some pain, hardship, or trouble. Maybe you feel vulnerable, isolated, and alone. Dark clouds may have almost overwhelmed your soul and you may feel depressed. Know this: Christ has the capacity to bring you back into the light. Allow Him to do what He is best at accomplishing – restoring lives and returning people to God’s Love. All you need to do is ask Him to do this for you, even now as you are reading this message.

Point to ponder

When I have experienced dark times in my life? How can Christ’s light heal me of those moments?

Prayer:                       Lord Jesus, You know the struggles we are all experiencing and the issues that overshadow our lives. In the midst of all the darkness that we feel, bring to each of us Your Everlasting Light. Encourage and embrace us; empower and enable us to follow Your Path. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s picture is one of John’s seasonal drawings called “Halloween Jack.” If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, click on the following link: Jack.

October 19 devotion - Guilt and Grace

Acts 10:43 Peter concluded, “All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

            Guilt is something that a lot of us struggle with on a regular basis. As we go through life, we carry a lot of baggage, some of which include regrets from the past. This might be something wrong in our teenage years, an old family conflict, a foolish and embarrassing choice, or even a mistake that affected our relationships or careers. Whatever the case, our guilt is usually about something that remains unresolved and unforgiven.

            From its very beginnings, the message of Christianity has always included the gift of forgiveness, which Jesus offers to us in His name. He can do this because God allows Christ to claim us as His own. This means we can be both pardoned and restored to God at the same time. All of the baggage that we carry from past mistakes can be personally removed when we trust Jesus. We also don’t have to go through religious acts of penance or make major sacrifices to appease God. We only have to embrace Christ and rely on Him to keep His word.

            Perhaps there is still something in your life that constantly casts a shadow over you. Maybe there is an unhealed memory that haunts you or a deep regret that weighs you down emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Please know that you can bring those things to Christ in prayer, express to Him your sorrow, and ask Him to forgive you in His name. As soon as you do this, God will forgive you, Christ will release you, and the Holy Spirit will help you to start again.

Point to ponder

What is my greatest regret? Am I willing to let Jesus forgive and heal me of this burden?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You know all that we carry in our hearts and play over again in our minds. You are aware of the burdens of guilt that we carry and the sources of sorrow in our lives. Please help us to quietly come to You to ask for mercy and grace. Hear us now as we humbly pray in Your Holy Name. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send John an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can also read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s digital glass drawings called ‘Time to Pray.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Pray.

Book Review - Grateful American by Gary Sinise

Grateful American by Gary Sinise

Real Gratitude

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to read such an interesting and inspiring autobiography. I knew very little of the actor, Gary Sinise, apart from a few movies which he was in. After reading his remarkable life story, I’ve started to watch some of his films and TV series on Prime and Netflix.

Like most actors, he was encouraged to take part in drama events at High School. In Gary’s case, this saved him from going down the wrong route and helped him to become the success he is today. His early career in Chicago as a founding player in the now-renowned Steppenwolf Theater Company makes great reading. His anecdotes of many fledgling actors like himself – for instance, of John Malkovich – make the book compelling.

Gary writes of his journey in very honest terms with the turning point being his role as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. This changed his life completely, giving him a calling to help wounded US veterans all over the nation, as well as entertaining and supporting our troops via the USO service. His patriotism to help military personnel and their families is amply and effectively described in the book. His service to our country is wonderful and he enthusiastically seeks to get more folks involved from his acting profession.

It’s a great book that also deals with serious family issues and tragic personal moments. Gary’s candid way of communicating his feelings is very captivating and his faith experiences are both humbling and deeply honest.

This would make a great gift for any US Veteran or for any theater enthusiast. I give it five stars from beginning to end. Gary Sinise is truly a very grateful American and someone from whom we could all learn how to help one another.

Christian Poem - Harvest Lament

Harvest Lament

We plow the clouds and scatter

The people of the land,

As they are bombed and shattered
by Man’s inhuman hand.

We send the squads to conquer,
To slay and spread the pain,
the rockets and the bullets,
So we can kill and maim.

Refrain:
All this fear around us
from Man to man we send;
then beg the Lord, O beg the Lord
For all war to end.

Man only is the maker

Of things we fear afar,
he blasts the wayside village,

he sets the towns on fire;
he wins and knaves applaud him,
by him the hawks are fed;
much more than this with children,
he adds our daily dead.

[Refrain]

We beg you, then, O Father,
for all things right and good:
for peace-time and for justice,
for life, for health, for food;
no prayers have we to offer
our dreams are all in parts,
but ask that You may heal now:
our broken, fearful hearts!

[Refrain]

© John Stuart 2019

One Important Thing - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Today’s Bible reading can be found at this link: Jeremiah 2:1-22 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-21.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (NIV)

If there is truly one thing that I would implore all people to be – especially my family, my friends, and my acquaintances – it would be to reconcile themselves to God. Far too many folks miss out on this wonderful opportunity that Jesus has given to the whole world by dying for everyone. Some of us go through life with a notion or an idea about God, thinking that all we need to do is to carry that thought in our head and everything will be alright. We believe that God will understand how busy we are and why we are so focused on what life means to us. We can put God on a shelf or in a box, only to be used in an emergency. But that’s not reconciliation, that’s actually manipulation.

Some folks wonder if God actually exists, so until they get absolute proof, they are going to live their lives the way they think best suits them. They can do what they want, go where they want, and believe what they want. But that’s not reconciliation either, that’s actually delusion.

Other people can follow their own course and reject God entirely. They blame churches and religious institutions for being imperfect. They hold grudges against pastors or church members for failing to live up to their expectations, or for expressing different viewpoints, or for not appeasing their own beliefs. But that’s not reconciliation either, that’s actually self-righteousness.

Being reconciled to God requires humility and submission. It’s the realization that we exist in God’s Life and not the other way around. It’s the recognition that we are imperfect in need of perfection, that we are incomplete in need of completeness, and that we are creatures in need of our Creator. We can do a million things with our lives, but in the end, if we have not reconciled ourselves to God, then not one of those achievements will actually matter; however, if we are reconciled to God, then all of those things we have accomplished will matter forever. The key to such eternal happiness is reconciliation with God. As C.S. Lewis once wrote:

“I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road.” – in other words, to be reconciled to God means getting back on the right path to God.

Point to ponder

Am I reconciled to God or have I let something get in the way?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Gospels tell us that You are the way to God and through Your sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God forever. Help us to understand that this is not a given, it is actually an offer. Grant us the courage to humble ourselves, so we may be reconciled to God from this time forth. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM – you will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Heaven’s Highway.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Highway.

Free to Be? - 2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NIV)

In today’s society, when we speak about freedom, we normally mean being able to do what we want. We think about it as our personal right to be fiercely independent and woe betide anyone or any institution, authority, or government that gets in our way. Some folks are really aggressive when it comes to defending their rights to maintain their freedom, but what they are really doing is not allowing anything or anyone to interfere with their individual preferences. They might even use today’s scripture or similar verses to back up their claims, especially if they consider themselves to be strong Christians.

However, what the Apostle Paul meant by freedom and what we may mean today are very different. We tend to revise what was once written in order to suit our ‘freedom’ to interpret scripture as we please. But the times and society that Paul was living in were completely dissimilar to what we know today, so in order to correctly understand and apply this Biblical concept of freedom, we need to seriously look at its context.

For a start, Paul was writing to a small Greek congregation that existed in a society full of slaves and conquered people. Most of the churches that Paul wrote to were made up of a diverse population of all classes and ethnic origins. Each believer existed under the totalitarian rule of the Roman emperor; some of the first Christians were wealthy merchants whereas others were the lowliest slaves. This means that when Paul was writing about freedom, he wasn’t expressing it in terms of individual, economic, political, or personal rights; the apostle was writing about a spiritual liberty where believers would be free from the eternal consequences of sin and restored to God’s everlasting favor, so that all of them could serve God faithfully, cheerfully, and above all, freely. Paul was not writing about establishing individual rights or personal preferences; he was encouraging the Corinthian Christians to freely give their lives over to God in order to advance Christ’s mission.

So, this Biblical idea was not a case of doing what Christians individually wanted; it was the spiritual freedom to do what God fully intended for their lives.

Points to Ponder

When I think about freedom is it all about me or God? Do I honestly serve Him freely or just when it’s personally convenient?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us about what freedom is. Forgive us for aggressively maintaining our personal preferences and individual rights, instead of faithfully serving You freely. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and freely worship God with us on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Free Spirit.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: FreeSpirit.

Book Review - ReBorn Again by Christopher VanHall

(Re)Born Again – Crucifying Christendom & Resurrecting A Radical

By Christopher VanHall.

This is not my usual kind of Christian book to read. Christopher is a radical progressive Christian whose ideas and experiences of faith are very raw to a traditionalist like me. I was intrigued by the title of this book and also wanted to be better informed of a branch of Christianity that has often made me uncomfortable. I was not disappointed.

Christopher’s deep honesty and coarse language throughout the book are actually quite refreshing. He writes about his experiences from the heart and describes his faith journey in very terse terms. His Christian roots are conservative and he begins the book with several events that eventually led him to question the performance presentations that his large mega-church extravagantly put on. At times, it sounded comical and absurd, but below the surface, Christopher was experiencing a painful spiritual rebirth of who he is and what Christ expects of His followers.

I was captivated by the unapologetic honesty and relentless drive that Christopher conveys through the different stages of his life. His confrontations with church leaders, marriage breakdown, self-questioning, and rock-bottom experiences are all there in the book. How he manages to rediscover himself and climb up out of his spiritual pit is inspiring. His progressive and radical insights taught me a lot about the struggles that others like him have in their own lives. While I may not always agree with his methods or even some of his thoughts on scripture, I do recognize his real passion for what he believes, thinks and does.

I like the way he has set out each chapter, beginning with an episodic situation or circumstance which is quite intriguing, and then breaks off from it to explore and express an important theological point. At the end of the chapter, he very neatly returns to the initial incident and cleverly weaves it into a very effective and teachable lesson. Time and time again, this impressed me deeply.

This book will make a great small group study by all sorts of Christians. I am thankful for the opportunity to both read and review it for the publishers. It is a remarkable journey and I am grateful for the broader insights about progressive Christianity that Christopher has given me.

The Courage to Love - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (NIV) 

            The Apostle Paul totally understood the precarious times that he was living in. The new fledgling faith of Christianity was beginning flourish across the Mediterranean and as more believers gathered together, both the local and imperial forces began to take notice of these small churches. Paul was gravely concerned that the new members of the faith would be blind-sided by religious foes and hostile authorities. He, therefore, signed off his first letter to the Christians in Corinth with these cautionary words:

‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.’

            Paul wasn’t asking the Corinthian believers to do something that he hadn’t already practiced. He knew he was a marked man and that his zeal for the Lord created many conflicts in his daily life. He boldly preached the Gospel of Christ and stood firm in his faith. It caused a lot of trouble and issues for Paul, but he would not give in to the pressure. This eventually cost him his life, but it was supremely important to him to stand up for what was true and be courageous in the face of hostility. As we know, for a long time, Paul confronted his foes, both within and outside of the church. He did not do anything to be popular; he taught what God laid on his heart and fulfilled all that Christ called him to do.

            Christianity has always had to wrestle with what is popular and acceptable, no matter which nation, society, or civilization it encountered. Christians are meant to have the courage to stand against evil and face down bullying, oppression, or tyranny. When our faith neglects to do this, it not only falters, it actually fails. This means that we need to be not just aware of our moral responsibilities in the face of falsehood, we need to be on our guard against scurrilous systems and immoral authorities that manipulate people in order to protect their own interests and repressive agendas.

            Paul did not end his words of caution there. He also added this to his message in the very next verse of his letter: ‘Do everything in love.’ In other words, he did not expect his brothers and sisters in Christ to fiercely or violently face their opponents and oppressors. Like Jesus, Paul asked them to do this in a loving manner. Evil, oppression, and tyranny had to be confronted, but it could only be persuaded of wrong in a loving way. This, in fact, was how the small fledgling faith overcame the mighty Roman Empire – it loved its way into the hearts and minds of the people, leaders, and imperial structure.

            Perhaps you are going through some turmoil in your life or maybe you’re weary with the conflicts that are going on all around us. Perhaps you feel like giving up and just surrendering to popularism or polarization. The easy thing to do would be to give as good as we get and fight with might that proves we’re right. However, the Christian thing would be to courageously and lovingly face our foes in order to effectively display and present Christ in any situation, circumstance, or conflict. It won’t be easy for any of us, including me, and certainly won’t be popular, but it will truly be what Jesus expects of His followers - to let His love win over people.

Point to ponder

Do I have the courage to use love to prevail against those who offend or upset me? Am I willing to let Jesus win?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us in our conflicts and confrontations to overcome the issues with Your love. Grant us the courage to practice our faith in honest and compassionate ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome. 😊

Today’s drawing is one of John’s bulletin cover images called “Love Your Enemies.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Love.