Faith and Doubt

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Robert Franklin

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8, NASB95)

The relationship between faith and doubt has long been a fascination of mine. I flatly reject the whole notion of faith being equal to belief, in fact the longer I live the more repugnant the very idea of equality between faith and belief becomes. I know that those who hold to such a position are well-intentioned, yet I cannot escape the fact that faith equaling belief is violence to the Christian ideal and robs belief in Jesus Christ of any connection to reality.

Consider the encouragement at hand. I am perpetually short on wisdom, so I may choose to follow the instruction given to me by James and ask God to generously provide me with wisdom. Faith is required; in fact faith without doubt is required. How can I as a human being call upon a God whom I cannot see or touch or speak to face to face and ask this “invisible” God for the intangible commodity of wisdom and be completely without doubt so I may receive that which I ask for? For rational beings, I think this practically impossible. Here I am on my knees begging God and in order to have any reasonable expectation of an answer the thought, “Why am I speaking to the ceiling?” must never enter my brain. Sometimes that very thought does enter my brain, or perhaps my heart is conflicted and I am asking of God as a result of sheer will and not because I feel right about it. Is there any hope for me?

Yes, I believe there is! Faith is not equal to belief. Faith, in my opinion has never equaled belief. Faith is the appropriate response to God’s revelation of himself. God has revealed himself as generous. God has revealed himself as wise. God has revealed himself as the discerner of the thoughts and intents of my heart. God has revealed himself as seeking the best for this creation we refer to as “human.” If all these things are true then I may boldly approach this God and confidently ask him for wisdom knowing I cannot “hide” my unbelief from him. Without a doubt! (For more on this see 1 John 3.21-22)

Therefore the “for that man ought not to expect…” warning is a clear statement of logical progression. If I think God is revealed as pernicious or inconsistent or unwise, how can I come to him and expect anything at all? Make sense?! James is telling his readers that the character of God is not in question, so we who know him may come to God and receive wisdom from the one who created it in the first place. There is no other true source.

If I chose to reject outright God’s revelation of himself, then I am “cast to the wind and waves” as is the case in our culture today. We have lost God and therefore have lost firm footing regarding anything. Our character is constantly changing and our thoughts are in continual flux and we receive nothing from God. We substitute panic over, or desire for, this or the other thing in exchange for the substantial and sustaining wisdom from God.

May we always be confident in who God is, so we may receive what only God can give!

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One Destination

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Robert Franklin

“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God… And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:1, 11-12, NASB95)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have responsibilities to fulfill. My “checklist” is not accomplished as a result of my own merit and tenacity, but rather as a response to the leadership and motivation of the Holy Spirit within me. My first responsibility is to worship the Most High God. He is worthy of my daily worship, in good times and in bad. My second responsibility is to lead people to a conversion experience with Jesus. In our current culture, “conversion” is a bad word and is assigned much of the same baggage as “terror.” I am not interested, nor shall I ever be interested, in “converting” a person to religious adherence. I am capable of doing such a thing, but such an act would be repulsive to me. I desire with my whole being, however, to see God transform the hearts of people who previously did not know him. In our natural state our hearts were cold and dead to God’s authority, but when God “converts” us we begin living for him and our hearts willingly yield to his direction. Witnessing this is pure joy!

Many people think that once a person becomes a follower of Jesus, then so long as they don’t do anything too horrible, that they are ok and not in need of becoming radical. The Scripture indicates otherwise. For the follower of Jesus, there must be following taking place. When Jesus walked on earth, he set the “followship” pace and his disciples, now referred to as Apostles, understood that Jesus expected us to behave like him (see You Expect Me to Do What? ).

This week at Main Street we will examine the call to maturity in Christ. Simply put, maturity is found in resembling the life, work, words and acts of the one we refer to as “Lord and Savior.” Maturity takes Jesus off the stained glass and makes him imminently dangerous to the living. Maturity considers every aspect of life and makes choices based upon God’s best for us and for others. Maturity is gained by obedient experiences, culminated by an abandon that can only be affected when the Christian really believes in heaven as his or her final and eternal destination. Maturity bears much “fruit” or more simply put, maturity’s outcome is evident by seeing people won to faith in Jesus and working to become just like him.

In September, October and November Main Street will be working through Scripture related to Francis Chan’s Crazy Love. For more information on Crazy Love click here (www.crazylovebook.com) or join us for one of our weekend worship services.

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A Call for Apologetics

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Robert Franklin

People like to give me books to read. It is a persistent challenge to prove that as a pastor I neither sit around reading all day, nor do I spend hours every week chasing down the “finer spiritual dimples” of a golf ball. That being said, my friends tend to provide me with books that I either want to read or that I really must read and I find myself reading 10-15 books simultaneously at any given time.

I recently found an interesting juxtaposition of books on my shelf.

Ken Ham’s recent release, Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do to Stop It* is a clarion call for the Christian church to wake up and begin to actually teach her children the Bible or risk losing them to the faith all together. Citing a recent research project that Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.com) commissioned, Ham provides all the harrowing statistics necessary to frighten a concerned Christian parent to action. One of the study’s more disturbing conclusions involved statistical proof that it was actually harmful for a child to attend weekly Bible study (Sunday School) since the Bible is most often presented as stories to the children and never connected to “real life” or “real science” or really anything real. I have long agreed with this contention and believe that we have not, and in many cases are not, educating our children for reality in the church. When “reality” does set in between the ages of 15-29 the Christian individual chooses to leave the church and often even his or her faith. Sometimes never to return.

Karl Keating’s 1988 publication, Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”** is a clarion call for Catholics to wake up and begin to actually learn what the church teaches and to understand why church doctrine is important. I am one of those few who think the schism in the church is a thing to be mourned. I wish there were some way for the “protestant” and “catholic” wings of Christianity to be reconciled for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. I have been to mass enough times to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented at every service.  Even though I am prohibited from taking the Eucharist since I was never confirmed (christened, yes, but we know that’s not enough) I deeply appreciate the cross remaining central to the Catholic gathering of worship.

Keating’s clearly states that those who are, by choice, outside the Catholic faith, are in serious need of [mental] help, especially if they are converted from Catholicism into “fundamentalism.” The book is designed to help the reader distinguish between real fundamentalism and its less offensive, but still apostate cousin, “evangelicalism.”   Once the differentiation is made the work attempts to help the reader to combat common objections to the Catholic faith as it is currently practiced. 

As I read Keating’s book, I became more and more convinced of the prudence of staying out from under the Catholic umbrella. Keating did a great job highlighting the Biblical concerns I would have in becoming Catholic. If there were a draw toward to Rome it was obliterated completely by Keating’s unabashed defense of Marian beliefs in chapter 22. I literally cringed as I read.
Oddly enough, both works call Christians back to their Bibles and back to the discipline of apologetics (a reasoned defense of a belief system). I think this challenge is to be applauded. People of faith have for far too long based their relationship with God upon tradition, received doctrine, popular personalities and programming that addresses felt needs. Both works call Christians to be intelligent people, aware of history and other disciplines of the mind which have been wrongfully expunged from the church.

Perhaps someone will actually listen and the world will be changed, again, by the truth of God’s work, word and presence.

O how blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffer. Instead his delight is in the law of the Lord and in God’s law he immerses himself day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which bears fruit in every season. His leaf will never whither, for whatever he does will prosper. (Psalm 1.1-3, my translation)

*Ham, Ken. Beemer, Britt. Already Gone: why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, ©2009. ISBN 9780890515297

**Keating, Karly. Catholicism and Fundamentalism: the attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, © 1988. ISBN 0898701775.

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Magnificence

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Robert Franklin

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world… (Psalm 19:1-4, ESV)

I met with a friend for lunch recently. We chatted about a myriad of things, took care of some business and then he surprised me by taking out a list of Scriptures he wanted to read with me. I had my Bible handy and he had brought his and we read aloud selections from the Psalms.

The day we met was one of those particularly stormy days. This summer has seen us cope with consistent rains and below normal temperatures. This week parts of Kentucky were flooded as a result of severe thunderstorm cells. As the thunder rolled above and lightning flashed, I was encouraged by the text of God’s word and challenged by my friend’s thoughtfulness to remember the magnificence of God’s creation.

Having had the privilege of travelling around the world, it is amazement to me that as humans we take our capacity to identify and enjoy natural beauty for granted. In this world full of ideological screamers, the constant and quietly pervasive call of Creation cuts through the din of our self-important claims of superiority. Yes, God placed us as stewards over his creation (a responsibility Christians just now seem to recall). Creation directs us to its Master, who is far greater that we can possibly describe.

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. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21, ESV)

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Missing Out

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Robert Franklin

…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!” (Psalm 81:10b-13, NLT)

The encouragement to “open wide” is most often not associated with pleasant experiences. This phrase is most heard at the doctor’s office or perhaps in the kitchen before we are to receive some nasty tasting medicine.

God’s promise to us is that he will fill our mouths with good things. We don’t trust him, however, and we resolutely stand before him arms crossed and lips firmly shut. Stubborn desires for things we acquire for ourselves wins over the good things God wishes to freely place upon our tongues. We gorge ourselves on our own designs and ideas and then become angry with God when the taste of the outcome is sour.

God’s call to his people is amazingly singular…follow after me. God never promises exemption from life’s difficulties, but he does guarantee riches beyond belief and the personal care and attentions of the Almighty. His people continue to stump around, mouths full of junk when they need simply to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow him (Mark 8.34).

Hear the heart cry of the Holy One of Israel.

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“Good” Isn’t Good Enough

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Robert Franklin
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:1-6, NLT)

I have a passion for children. No, I am not one of those goofy fellows who kids love to hang with because I instantly relate on their level. I will never be a member of the Wiggles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wiggles). I do, however, love to spend time with kids, to study them, to learn from them. Many of the best things I have learned about God have come through the time I spend with children.
 
In Hungry Lice, I spoke about Julia and James. My friend, Diana, and I spent ninety wonderful minutes with them at Wal Mart picking out clothes for the upcoming school year. During our shopping I confirmed that Julia and James are indeed not related. James has been cared for by his “father” since he was 18 months old. James’ biological parents are unknown to James and the man he calls “dad” is most likely a former boyfriend of his “bio-mom.” Dad didn’t clarify exactly how he managed to have James.
 

Dad seems to genuinely care about J & J. He is articulate, well-groomed, but in need of a shower. They all needed showers. Julia and James are well-behaved and don’t seem to be afraid of dad. They are appropriately affectionate. They bear no obvious tell-tale signs of physical or sexual abuse. Dad seems to be as well-informed as any typical male regarding shoe sizes and pant sizes. He speaks with the tone of one who takes his responsibility seriously.

 

Dad bragged that he had been investigated twelve times in the past four years by the children’s services division and was able to keep his kids every time, “They found nothing worth taking the kids.” He is currently technically homeless. He will leave next week for Florida to “hopefully” take a job working in a warehouse. I visited the home where dad’s sister lives and where the children will stay while dad is in Florida. We were not allowed to enter because “they weren’t dressed yet.” It was 10AM and the distinctive blue-green haze of marijuana smoke rolled out of the partially opened front door.

 

I spoke to “dad” about his kids being hungry. He knew it was an issue, but he said they were picky eaters. He said, “At least Julia is a picky eater.” Then he said that he would wait for an hour or so after the kids complained of being hungry so that they would eat whatever he prepared. Then he said that neither of them had grown at all in the last year. I told dad that they were malnourished if they had not grown. I talked to dad about Julia’s eyes, her dull hair, and her lethargy. He said he was doing the best he could.

 

I asked Dad if Julia had been treated for her head lice. He said that he needed to take her to the doctor today, that he would get a special “one-time” lice treatment that would bypass all the combing and shampooing that Rid™ or Nix™ require. Julia coughed: one of those deep rattling coughs that accompany a respiratory infection. I looked at dad, he was unaffected. Diana offered to get Julia some cough medicine. Dad said, “No,” that he was going to take her to the doctor today and would get something there.

 

I talked to dad about his spiritual history. He had a long church background, but had stopped attending years ago. I asked him why he didn’t return. He said he really wasn’t interested, but that he would send the kids “on the bus.” I told him that wasn’t good enough. Cheap church babysitting doesn’t do anyone any good. If he really cared about the spiritual life of his children he had to be present with them. He said that he knew what I said was true, but he was honest enough to not give the slightest indication that he was ready to stop doing whatever seemed right to him at present and to submit his life to the Lordship of Jesus.

 

Later that day, James and Julia showed up at the Boys and Girls Club. James was allowed to stay. Julia was turned away since she had not been treated for her head lice. They were with a woman. Dad was nowhere in sight. The woman was asked about Julia.

She said she was going to take Julia to the doctor today.

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