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!

a handy little church history chart

 

Here is an interesting chart I came across in Wikipedia..Take a glance at it, and feel free to let me know if you have any questions..After looking at this chart, I’m sure Jesus Himself might have some questions for us!

December 17th | Daniel and The Three

Dan The Man

 Today, the Eastern orthodox Liturgical Calender highlights the feasts of Daniel and The Three Young Men. This is observed in conjunction with the Feast of The Nativity. Daniel’s prophesy regarding the stone which smashed the idol (Daniel 2:34-35) is often used in Orthodox hymns as a metaphor for the Incarnation: the “stone cut out” being symbolic of the Logos (Christ), and the fact that it was cut “without hands” being symbolic of the virgin birth. Thus the hymns will refer to the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) as the “uncut mountain”

Reading:

Daniel 1:8a:  “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kings delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.”

Daniel 1:20 “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in his realm.”

Application:

Like Daniel, we need to realize that God has not only saved us for a future in heaven, but also for our present time on Earth. Pilgrim, be acutely aware that you are set apart, in the world, yet not of it. A shining light, in a sea of darkness. Ask yourself, what delicacies have I defiled myself with? Talk to God about this.

The Bible says that the secular “experts” were shamed by the savvy and skill of Daniel and his friends. We live in a world where so many people are seeking truth, and desperately looking for answers. may you, and we the Church, be able to give an answer. may god’s anointing rest upon us so much so that we will have “power” to heal, disciple, and serve the lost in the name of Christ. People are not looking for programs, they are looking for power. Let us not be like those false brethren Paul warns Timothy of as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for your holy word. Thank you for the example set by the Prophet Daniel and by his friends. help me Oh Lord, to be separated from the world, morally; yet help me to remain connected to it by way of ministry. Grant me pardon for my trespasses and forgive me for defiling myself with the king’s delicacies. Grant me an anointing to live  Holy life, endowed with Your very power, not just my empty religious words and intentions.

Blessed be the name of the LORD! In Jesus Name, Amen

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

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.”

Theodore the Sykeote | a piece of church history

 

I should like to write a book one day about the Body Of Christ. I should like to call it “Crown Of Jewels”, and use it to explore all of the beauty found in the mosaic of the denominations and diverse sub cultures within the church. There has certainly been plenty of constructive, and destructive criticism to the Bride Of Christ (of which I am guilty of both). But I should like to take an attempt to reveal the things that are right and good within each member. My research has begun, and I plan on even using this blog to organize and channel my learnings from Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic doctrines and traditions.One of my learning strategies is to study the various Liturgical Calendars of the church. This include feasts, fasts, observances, and assigned days for specific saints and martyrs. I have copied the different calendars into my own, and I plan on doing much of the scripture readings, and keeping some of the observances in my own way to, in essence, experience what many of these church fathers seek to experience.  Some of you may think I’m going  a little wacky, but, that’s up to you!    

Anyway, I learned that today, for the Eastern Orthodox Church, is a day that they observe a specific Saint called Theodore. (note:  I want to stress one thing about the rigorous observing of the liturgical calendar. Even though it may seem cold, traditional, and may even be misunderstood as Saint worship, I need to credit it for the fact that it brings its followers through an intentional cycle of church history, doctrine, and deep meditations on scripture passages and bible stories)  

April 22 | St.Theodore the Sykeote    

 Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he took upon himself all his life. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even the most obstinate demons, who called him “Iron-eater” because of his stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed this life in 613.

Ancient Odes

I thought it would be interesting to give a snapshot to all of you pilgrims of the “musical life” of the early church. We don’t exactly know what early services looked like, but through the writings of historians and ancient church fathers we can get a clear glimpse into the devotional language of the early believers. Christ himself sang a hymn at last supper, and on the cross, he quoted the opening lyrics of Psalm Twenty-Two. This psalm ends with a promise of deliverance for a ”people yet unborn”. It was in this spirit, that the early Christians began to sing.

Paul and Silas sang a hymn while imprisoned in Phillipi

As I mentioned, early church gatherings included singing. And, in two of his letters, Paul exhorts us to sing. Records tell us that early church song collections included canticles. Three of the well-known ones are from Luke’s Gospel:

The Magnificat (1:46:55)
The Benedictus (1:68-79)
The Nunc Dimittis Simeon (2:29-32)

All three of these canticles are still sung by some congregations, and are making a come back in such contexts as the Liturgical Revival, and the Ecumenical Movement.

Bible Scholars discern hymns in parts of the Epistles. In fact, it is likely, that Philippians 2:6-11 was a song written by a member of the church.

Early collections of ancient church music have been preserved and handed down to us.  One such collection is known as The Odes of Solomon, Likely recorded in the late fourth century. This song book consists of forty-two psalms and is very articulate and beautiful in both syntax and description. I will leave you with this selection from Ode #16

4 For my love is the Lord, and therefore I will sing unto Him:

5 For I am made strong in His praise, and I have faith in Him.

6 I will open my mouth and His spirit will utter in me the glory of the Lord and His beauty; the work of His hands and the operation of His fingers:

7 The multitude of His mercies and the strength of His word.

8 For the word of the Lord searches out all things, both the invisible and that which reveals His thought;

9 For the eye sees His works, and the ear hears His thought;

10 He spread out the earth and He settled the waters in the sea:

11 He measured the heavens and fixed the stars: and He established the creation and set it up:

12 And He rested from His works:

 

Some puzzle over the rapid spread of Christianity, but it is possible that it can be somewhat attributed to the hymns that were sung, loved, repeated and heard with wonder..

shalom|pastor darrell

The Great Tradition

What do I think the church is doing right in 2010?

 

This is a question that a WordPress pal of mine asked at the end of one of his posts: http://www.seansabourin.com/?p=871   This is a good question indeed, especially since most take a critical aim at the ‘blushing bride’ of Christ more often than commend it for anything!

At great risk of appearing controversal, I submit that ‘one’ of the good things happening within the Body of Christ is running in the same vein as what has come to be called the: ‘Ecumenical Movement’. This movement brings mixed reviews. Some hailing it as a great pilgrimage of repentance, and others (mostly fundamentalists) accusing it of being a sort of ‘unitarian apostacy’. In terms of the official movement itself, I subscribe to neither review whole heartedly, but i want to highlight some of the characteristics therein that i feel are of great benefit to the Church.

Latley we are seeing a return to liturgy. Christians everywhere are showing signs of a yearning that the post-modern church, or emerging church, can’t quite seem to satisfy. We are seeing a growing interest in The Great Tradition. I see it in the new books being written. I see it in the blogosphere. I hear it in the music and liturgy Sunday mornings…What is this Great tradition of which i speak? Lets back up a bit…

The church that was birthed in the New Testament account of Pentecost enjoyed a relatively schizm-free existence from its inception. this continued right through the Roman persecution (and after the Roman legalization in 313 AD under Constantine),  right up till about 1054 AD. Besides the outbreak of two or three notable splinterings (Nestorians, Mar Tomas) the church remained in relative unity. After nearly half a century, three major fragmentations began to happen. The three major branches are: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Reformed Protestantism.

Western Protestantism (Lutheran, Baptist, Anabaptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Reformed, etc, etc) is what dominates the religious population in North America today. There are well over two thousand denominations within Protestantism alone. And these denominations include sub groups such as fundamentalism, liberalism, post-modernism, liturgical, etc, bla bla bla.

One can look at all of these fragments of the Body of Christ with scrutiny, and rightfully so. I have taught on the subject of denominationalism and I have expanded on its cons, and it’s pros, but, I have a hard time picturing Jesus being thrilled about division that happens every day. don’t get me wrong, i am not being a pluralist in saying that all “religions” should be unified. Not only would that be un-biblical, but a great philosophical impossibility. What i am trying to say can be best elaborated on by a quote from Walter R. Martin, author of the classic Kingdom Of The Cults. On matters of doctrine and practices withing the Church, he said:

“In the essentials; there ought to be unity.

In the non-essentials; liberty.

In all things; love.”

I believe it is time for the church to get back to its roots. There are so many gems found in studying the Great Tradition. But if we are careless, we may miss them. History holds a tutorship quality that will help us prepare for our future. In essence, we can learn about our future by looking to our past. Studying the great traditions of the early church, the lives of the martyrs, and the growth of the church has been a great source of interest to me ltely, as well as a well spring of wisdom. My admonition to the Church is to look to the past as well as the future. What were the early Christians like? what did they value? What did they believe and why? What action did their beliefs influence them to take? How did they live? What did “church’ look like to them?

Food for thought//pastor Darrell