A Reasonable Faith

Recently, I have been facilitating a crash course on Apologetics. In this age, I am convinced that is no longer enough for Christians to know that they believe, but to know why they believe. The two common errors Christians can make in this arena are really two extremes. the first, is the non, or anti intellectual approach. This means that our faith is something spiritual, invisible, and cannot, and should not have to be explained, or examined in a reasonable, or rational way. The second error, is at the other end of the spectrum. These people will generally make the mistake of ruling out the “mysterious” elements of our faith, and rely completely on reason, hard science, doctrinal logic and even the senses, thus leaving no room for the trancsendancy of the Holy Spirit. My attempt, in bringing this course, is to give these new believers some real, tangible, and exciting facts, that can bolster their faith, and equip them to share the gospel in such a way as to entice people to not just make and emotional decision for Christ, but also an informed one.

In the course, I walk the students through a series of lectures and we cover many topics in our Q and A such as:

How can I know that jesus actually lived in History?

Is there evidence for the resurrection?

What about evolution?

What about all the other religions in the world?

How can I know the Bible is trustworthy?

etc. etc. etc.

If you are interested in hosting a seminar at your church please contact me: darrelllahay@gmail.com

I am available to conduct seminars ranging in length from 3 hours to two days. new beleivers, youth, seniors and students would all benefit from this fast paced and exciting course!

December 31st | The feast of St. Sylvester

 

Today is Decemebr 31st. New year’s Eve. the beginning of a new year, and a chance to celebrate for many. Around the world, to many who acknowledge various liturgical calendars, today is the feast day of someone a little less popular than Father Time..

Sylvester was ordained bishop over the church in Rome in the year 314.  This Christian brother served the church at a time when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism had provoked great discord. After the peace of Constantine, he contributed greatly to the expansion of the faith throughout the Roman world.. Below is a reading I borrowed from a Catholic Missal:

Collect:
Lord,
help and sustain Your people
as in the days of Bishop Sylvester.
Guide us always in this present life
and bring us to the joy that never ends.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the fountains, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

December 18th | Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Below, I’ve pasted a selection from the Catholic Mass reading from the USCCB website (United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops)..It is such a good devotional read…Check it out Pilgrim as we approach the time we’ve set aside to celebrate Christ’s first coming!

December 18, 2010
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Reading 1

Jer 23:5-8

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.”

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD,
when they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt”;
but rather, “As the LORD lives,
who brought the descendants of the house of Israel
up from the land of the north”–
and from all the lands to which I banished them;
they shall again live on their own land.

Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

Responsorial Psalm

RR. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Mt 1:18-25Gospel

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

Interpreting Scripture For Dummies

 

Okay Pilgrim. You’ve got the Bible. It is imparative that you learn how to use it. Paul the Apostle strongly encouraged Timothy, his young appretice and pastor, to:    

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).”

I want to give you a few tips on how to interpret, and properly comprehend scripture. Some of you may be very familiar with this discipline. Some of you may not be..Anyway, here is what Wikipedia has to say:

Hermeneutics (English pronunciation: /hɜrməˈnjuːtɨks/) is the study of interpretation theory, and can be either the art of interpretation, or the theory and practice of interpretation. Traditional hermeneutics — which includes Biblical hermeneutics — refers to the study of the interpretation of written texts, especially texts in the areas of literature, religion and law. Contemporary, or modern, hermeneutics encompasses not only issues involving the written text, but everything in the interpretative process.

Here are five simple rules of thumb any pilgrim can use to get started with proper hermenuetics:

1. LITERAL

When you read the scripture, sometimes the most appropriate meaning, is the most obvious one. What exactly, does the text say? At face value, does it simply just mean what it says? Quite often, Jesus meant exactly what He said in the gospels. Exapmle: “Do not commit adultery, means…do not commit adultery”

2. HISTORICAL

What is the setting of the text? What is the context of culture, and time frame, and audience? Who is being addressed and why? These questions are very important in putting together the message of the scripture. A good, simple Bible Dicionary is helpful for this.

3. GRAMMATICAL

Obviously the Bible wasn’t originally recorded in English. So, it is very important to discover what the actual linguistic meaning of the text is by looking at the best available translation of the ancient greek, Hebrew or Aramaic. Often, concepts to one language and culture, can change meaning when translated to fit into another language and culture.

4. COMPATABILITY

God’s character, heart, and nature does not change. God is God. The Bible reminds us that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”. Whenever you isolate one peice of scripture in order to interpret it, you have to put it in context of the whole council of God’s Word.  Does this verse line up with what God has revealed elswhere in the Bible? Are ther any apparent contradictions? Or are there other revealed biblical principles that have to be situationally applied while keeping it in context?

5. PRACTICALITY

This last one is really where the rubber meets the road. God’s Word is meant to be obeyed, and to be enriching to the life of the believer. Can this verse be acted upon? Is it a command, an encouragement? A suggestion or a warning? Ask yourself, how can I practically apply this text to my life right now?

There ya go pilgrim..let me know if this helps. If it does, leave a comment, and pass it along to some fellow pilgrims..

Shalom | pastor Darrell

Words from St.Augustine

 Okay, that’s not a picture of Augustine..it’s actually me at St.Patrick’s Basillica preparing my sermon in my head..Hey, is that a halo? Or a dart board?

Anyway, I’ve been reading Confessions lately, and I thought I’d dip my foot back into the blogosphere and share this blurb with ya’ll..

 

CHAPTER IV

4. What, therefore, is my God? What, I ask, but the Lord God? “For who is Lord but the Lord himself, or who is God besides our God?”[13] Most high, most excellent, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful and most just; most secret and most truly present; most beautiful and most strong; stable, yet not supported; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, never old; making all things new, yet bringing old age upon the proud, and they know it not; always working, ever at rest; gathering, yet needing nothing; sustaining, pervading, and protecting; creating, nourishing, and developing; seeking, and yet possessing all things. Thou dost love, but without passion; art jealous, yet free from care; dost repent without remorse; art angry, yet remainest serene. Thou changest thy ways, leaving thy plans unchanged; thou recoverest what thou hast never really lost. Thou art never in need but still thou dost rejoice at thy gains; art never greedy, yet demandest dividends. Men pay more than is required so that thou dost become a debtor; yet who can possess anything at all which is not already thine? Thou owest men nothing, yet payest out to them as if in debt to thy creature, and when thou dost cancel debts thou losest nothing thereby. Yet, O my God, my life, my holy Joy, what is this that I have said? What can any man say when he speaks of thee? But woe to them that keep silence — since even those who say most are dumb.

Let me know if the words of this Bishop provoke any thoughts.

Peace|Out

Some counsel from the Didache

I’ve been reading through the Didache today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache)

Also, known as the Teaching of The Twelve Apostles, this early Christian liturature, likely penned around 100AD, contains, devotional instruction that echoes the Pauline Epitles, as well as a manual for church functions. here is a quick excerpt for you to meditate on:

“By day and by night, my son, remember him who speaks the word of God to
you. Give him the honour you would give the Lord; for wherever the Lord’s
attributes are the subject of discourse, there the Lord is present.
Frequent the company of the saints daily, so as to be edified by their
conversation. Never encourage dissensions, but try to make peace between
those who are at variance. Judge with justice, reprove without fear or
favour, and never be in two minds about your decisions.”

 

 

Tertullian. A Church father’s words on marriage and the role of women in the Church

I was reading some of the writings of Tertullian. Here is a blurb from Wikipedia about him.

Tertullian (ca. 160 – ca. 220 A.D.)^[1], was a prolific early Christian Berber author^[2] and the first to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He also was a notable early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy. Tertullian has been called “the father of Latin Christianity”.^[3]

Though conservative, he did originate and advance new theology to the early Church. He is perhaps most famous for being the oldest extant Latin writer to use the term Trinity (Latin trinitas),^[4] and giving the oldest extant formal exposition of a Trinitarian theology.^[5]. Other Latin formulations that first appear in his work are “three Persons, one Substance”

I was struck by some of his words in a letter he wrote to his wife. I believe it paints a great picture of Christian love in the context of marriage, and I also believe it provides a great reminder of the important role of women in the church. I will include some of the excerpts below for you to ponder.

PS: If anyone has any opinions on the role of women in the church, or has concerns about women as leaders, I welcome your feedback. I believe that their are some erroneous ideas out there, and that women have been misrepresented and have been denied some God-given destiny within the Body of Christ. I welcome your comments and encourage some healthy, open bible discussion about this topic. Now, here’s Tertullian:

THE BEAUTY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

How shall we ever be able adequately to describe the happiness of that marriage which the Church arranges, the Sacrifice strengthens, upon which the blessing sets a seal, at which angels are present as witnesses, and to which the Father gives His consent? For not even on earth do children marry properly and legally without their fathers’ permission.

How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in hope, one in desire, one in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice. They are as brother and sister, both servants of the same Master. Nothing divides them, either in flesh or in spirit. They are, in very truth, two in one flesh; and where there is but one flesh there is also but one spirit. They pray together, they worship together, they fast together; instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another. Side by side they visit God’s church and partake of God’s Banquet; side by side they face difficulties and persecution, share their consolations. They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other’s company; they never bring sorrow to each other’s hearts. Unembarrassed they visit the sick and assist the needy. They give alms without anxiety; they attend the Sacrifice without difficulty; they perform their daily exercises of piety without hindrance. They need not be furtive about making the Sign of the Cross, nor timorous in greeting the brethren, nor silent in asking a blessing of God. Psalms and hymns they sing to one another, striving to see which one of them will chant more beautifully the praises of their Lord. Hearing and seeing this, Christ rejoices. To such as these He gives His peace. Where there are two together, there also He is present; and where He is, there evil is not.

shalom | pastor Darrell

Words from Irenaeus

Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyons in the ancient Roman province of Gaul, is one of the early church fathers from the second century who’s writings still survive and hold relevance..

Here are some of his thoughts on “a life well spent”:

 ”The God, therefore, who does benevolently cause His sun to rise upon all, and sends rain upon the just and the unjust, shall judge those who, enjoying his equally distributed kindness, have led lives not corresponding to the dignity of His bounty, but who have spent their days in wantonness and luxury.”