The main reason why I got involved in blogging originally, was a desire to "fan the flames" of reformed doctrine. This is something that is badly needed among Christians. The doctrinal content of the faith is absolutely essential and reformed Christianity offers a rich content of the faith. Christianity is not simply an emotion, it is not just a way of life, but it is faith which is built on truth. It is the truth that God is the Creator and Redeemer. This is one of the reasons why the first three chapters of Genesis are vital to the Christian message and the Christian church. Let me summarise the first three chapters of the Bible
Genesis Chapter 1
God created everything, out of nothing, and in the space of six days. Genesis 1:1 reads: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". In Genesis 1:1, 1:21, 1:27 and 2:4, the word "created" is used six times. There is not the slightest hint of evolution or a compromised hybrid to somehow combine evolution and creation together. God is the Creator and sustainer of all things. This Creation narrative is repeated in summary in Genesis 5:1-2.
Genesis Chapter 2
This chapter reveals what life was like in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. We are told facts about the Creation of Adam and his wife who was called "woman" prior to the Fall. Adam and Eve are historic persons, they are never treated as myth in the Bible. The Garden of Eden was a real, historic place where a "covenant of works" bound Adam to perpetual obedience to the Lord. Genesis 2:16-17 reads: "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis Chapter 3
Here we learn of the historic Fall of humanity. Eve ate of the fruit and then gave it to her husband. They broke the one law which God gave them to obey and sin entered the world. All humanity are descended from Adam and Eve and therefore all humanity are affected by their Fall. People are not sinless but they are born in sin and their nature is to live in sin and rebellion against God Almighty. In Genesis Chapter 3 we get the first Gospel promise when the Lord preached to the serpent and Adam and Eve were the congregation. The Lord God said: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel”.
The Christian message cannot be rightly understood without these biblical foundations. So much more could be said of God's plan for marriage and the family which are also plainly taught in these opening chapters of the Bible. I recommend that any person reading this blog, that they should simply go back and read the first three chapters of Genesis and think of how many biblical truths are contained in these chapters.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Monday, 4 February 2013
The Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
As a result of being involved in a church planting work in Berlin, German church history is of great interest to me. In the first church planting study in September 2012, we had a PhD student who joined us at the study who was doing research on Bonhoeffer's ecclesiology. He recommended a biography to me called "Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945: Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance" by Ferdinand Sclingensiepen (this is accurate and scholarly). There is also a similar biography by Eric Metaxas, which I am told is very good and it is perhaps an easier read.
While we may not agree with all of Bonhoeffer's theology, he and other German Christians stood up to Nazism at great personal cost to themselves. I did not realise it until I read this book, how much German Christians suffered under Nazi rule and how many Christians and ministers were imprisoned and killed for the their commitment to the Gospel of God. It is perhaps a little known truth of World War II.
One thing that struck me was that Hitler would pass new laws and then make it illegal for anyone to hold a contrary opinion. This struck me. Why? Ironically, we face a similar situation in the UK and many Western nations today. Our governments offer subliminal persecution and ostracism to anyone who dissents to their value system. Whether it be evolution, atheism, homosexuality or other matters. It is virtually illegal in the UK today to stand up and say that homosexuality is wrong or sin (as the Bible teaches) and to do so is to be accused of being homophobic. Freedom of speech has fast disappeared in the name of "freedom of licentiousness".
As a young person I grew up under the threat of nuclear war between East and West. Russia and the East were presented as evil and mainly this was due to their atheistic communism. The bizarre scenario today is that communism has mainly collapsed with the exception of China (where it pursues materialistic communism but it is still atheistic), and yet our own Western governments have taken on the same agenda of secular atheism. Perhaps the West has had good times for too long and the church is already facing persecution as an EU rule against Christians who want to exercise liberty of conscience in their jobs has recently proved. In this respect Bonhoeffer has much to encourage us with.
The church are called to be "Salt and Light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in every generation, no matter what the pressures are to come against the truth of God. Jesus said "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:10. Christ Jesus also promised his disciples that: "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In many ways Bonhoeffer has much to offer us, to strengthen us in our witness, to encourage us to persevere in the faith, to be bold as a Christian, and to refuse to compromise in the face of anti-Christian teaching.
While we may not agree with all of Bonhoeffer's theology, he and other German Christians stood up to Nazism at great personal cost to themselves. I did not realise it until I read this book, how much German Christians suffered under Nazi rule and how many Christians and ministers were imprisoned and killed for the their commitment to the Gospel of God. It is perhaps a little known truth of World War II.
One thing that struck me was that Hitler would pass new laws and then make it illegal for anyone to hold a contrary opinion. This struck me. Why? Ironically, we face a similar situation in the UK and many Western nations today. Our governments offer subliminal persecution and ostracism to anyone who dissents to their value system. Whether it be evolution, atheism, homosexuality or other matters. It is virtually illegal in the UK today to stand up and say that homosexuality is wrong or sin (as the Bible teaches) and to do so is to be accused of being homophobic. Freedom of speech has fast disappeared in the name of "freedom of licentiousness".
As a young person I grew up under the threat of nuclear war between East and West. Russia and the East were presented as evil and mainly this was due to their atheistic communism. The bizarre scenario today is that communism has mainly collapsed with the exception of China (where it pursues materialistic communism but it is still atheistic), and yet our own Western governments have taken on the same agenda of secular atheism. Perhaps the West has had good times for too long and the church is already facing persecution as an EU rule against Christians who want to exercise liberty of conscience in their jobs has recently proved. In this respect Bonhoeffer has much to encourage us with.
The church are called to be "Salt and Light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in every generation, no matter what the pressures are to come against the truth of God. Jesus said "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:10. Christ Jesus also promised his disciples that: "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In many ways Bonhoeffer has much to offer us, to strengthen us in our witness, to encourage us to persevere in the faith, to be bold as a Christian, and to refuse to compromise in the face of anti-Christian teaching.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
"Missionalism": Beware of Hastily Accepting New Theological Language
Have you noticed that in recent years the word "missionalism" has entered into evangelical vocabulary? But, what does it mean? How does this movement stand at the bar of Scripture with its claims of "new ways" to do church? My answer may not be satisfactory, but it is indeed hard to give clear answers to some of these questions because the missional movement is exactly that. It is a movement, it is fluid, it is hard to "pin down" as it were. Different missional adherents say different things and it is not a single cohesive model for the church. This is not surprising though because once the notion is accepted that the New Testament does not teach us how to "do church" explicitly, then a myriad of "new ideas" will arise.
Our question to every theological claim must be to always ask the question posed in Romans 4:3: "For what does the Scripture say?". This is a healthy question and it must always be asked, now, continually, and always. It is the maxim of the reformation and indeed of the apostles. How many times did the Lord Jesus confront the false interpretations of Scripture and the Law with the words: "Have you not read ...?" ? (Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; and 22:31). We must not accept every "wind of doctrine" but we must "test all things" (Ephesians 4:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
My main concern in writing this blogpost is to highlight two points regarding this emergent "missional movement". Firstly, it is to warn concerning the quick acceptance of "new theological language" by evangelicals and secondly to question the claim that the NT does not give an apostolic pattern that needs to be replicated.
1. Warning One: Against the Quick Acceptance of New Theological Language
The Cambridge University historian Quentin Skinner gives us all a timely reminder as he writes: "The surest sign that a group or society has entered into the self-conscious possession of a new concept is that a corresponding vocabulary will be developed, a vocabulary which can then be used to pick out and discuss the concept in question with consistency" (Quentin Skinner, "Visions of Politics: Volume 1 Regarding Method", Cambridge: CUP, 2010, p 160). If we accept Skinner's assessment then, the acceptance of new vocabulary is the sign of a "new concept". Therefore the acceptance of the new phrase "missionalism" is to knowingly or unknowingly accept "new theological concepts". Let us consciously question people in love, as to why we need "new concepts" when the Scripture is unchanging. What has changed? The Scripture has not changed, therefore it must be our understanding of Scripture that has moved in such a case.
2. Warning Two: The Claim that the NT Does not Give an Apostolic Pattern is False
The church throughout history have never believed that the Bible does not teach an apostolic pattern for the church. Indeed much of the historic debate has related around this crucial question. My own conviction is that the confessional presbyterian pattern most closely represents Scripture. However, my reading of the missional authors is that they claim that there is no fixed pattern for us to follow; in fact it must be evangelism that must drive the agenda. This claim was similarly adopted by all the big evangelists in the 20th Century, but is this what Scripture teaches?
My blog posts are intended to get people thinking, to stir people to critical analysis and to not accept things which have not been tested and evaluated thoroughly. Yes this is a demanding task but we dare not play around with the church or use the church to fulfil our individual dreams or visions, lest we wake up one day and find ourselves sitting somewhere that is not a true church, one that is not faithful to Christ Jesus.
"The Beloved Son ... is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:13, 18).
Our question to every theological claim must be to always ask the question posed in Romans 4:3: "For what does the Scripture say?". This is a healthy question and it must always be asked, now, continually, and always. It is the maxim of the reformation and indeed of the apostles. How many times did the Lord Jesus confront the false interpretations of Scripture and the Law with the words: "Have you not read ...?" ? (Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; and 22:31). We must not accept every "wind of doctrine" but we must "test all things" (Ephesians 4:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
My main concern in writing this blogpost is to highlight two points regarding this emergent "missional movement". Firstly, it is to warn concerning the quick acceptance of "new theological language" by evangelicals and secondly to question the claim that the NT does not give an apostolic pattern that needs to be replicated.
1. Warning One: Against the Quick Acceptance of New Theological Language
The Cambridge University historian Quentin Skinner gives us all a timely reminder as he writes: "The surest sign that a group or society has entered into the self-conscious possession of a new concept is that a corresponding vocabulary will be developed, a vocabulary which can then be used to pick out and discuss the concept in question with consistency" (Quentin Skinner, "Visions of Politics: Volume 1 Regarding Method", Cambridge: CUP, 2010, p 160). If we accept Skinner's assessment then, the acceptance of new vocabulary is the sign of a "new concept". Therefore the acceptance of the new phrase "missionalism" is to knowingly or unknowingly accept "new theological concepts". Let us consciously question people in love, as to why we need "new concepts" when the Scripture is unchanging. What has changed? The Scripture has not changed, therefore it must be our understanding of Scripture that has moved in such a case.
2. Warning Two: The Claim that the NT Does not Give an Apostolic Pattern is False
The church throughout history have never believed that the Bible does not teach an apostolic pattern for the church. Indeed much of the historic debate has related around this crucial question. My own conviction is that the confessional presbyterian pattern most closely represents Scripture. However, my reading of the missional authors is that they claim that there is no fixed pattern for us to follow; in fact it must be evangelism that must drive the agenda. This claim was similarly adopted by all the big evangelists in the 20th Century, but is this what Scripture teaches?
My blog posts are intended to get people thinking, to stir people to critical analysis and to not accept things which have not been tested and evaluated thoroughly. Yes this is a demanding task but we dare not play around with the church or use the church to fulfil our individual dreams or visions, lest we wake up one day and find ourselves sitting somewhere that is not a true church, one that is not faithful to Christ Jesus.
"The Beloved Son ... is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:13, 18).
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Of Holy Scripture and Missions
I think a neglected subject has been that of the doctrine of Holy Scripture that a church, missions group or an individual holds. At the reformation one of the first matters to be discussed was that "Of Holy Scripture". This is the fountainhead of all doctrine. This is the fountainhead of where things go wrong and often unknowingly. There are a range of inter-connected doctrines such as the authority, sufficiency and inerrancy of Scripture. The extent of special revelation and the necessity for a church to hold to these things.
In the Christian world of missions today, as is often the case of the church also, there is huge confusion concerning 'what is missions?'. It seems as if anything goes. If you have a vision then "go for it" is often the unspoken motto. People raise finance to go and do puppet ministry, offering free haircuts for the homeless, doing street art, dramas or music. But does the Bible teach these as valid forms of mission?
It seems to me that many sections of the church and most especially missions organisations need to be prepared to freshly evaluate themselves in the light of Holy Scripture and not in terms of what works or what is exciting.
Romans 4:3 asks: "For what does the Scripture say?". Now the principle of reformed teaching is that there are not manifold biblical interpretations but one. Listen to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1:9: "The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly".
Did you notice that there are not manifold interpretations but one? Therefore, there are not manifold mission methods but one. These are the ordinary means of planting churches and strengthening the church and not operating independently of ordained elders. Sorry, but Paul never instructed Timothy to do a quick crowd-drawing gimmick in Corinth so that he could then jump up and give a 3 minute gospel explanation. Let us peer into Paul's life in Rome as he ministered for the Lord.
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved (Acts 28:23-24).
May we all return to the Holy Scripture to evaluate our understanding of missions and our practice in missions!
In the Christian world of missions today, as is often the case of the church also, there is huge confusion concerning 'what is missions?'. It seems as if anything goes. If you have a vision then "go for it" is often the unspoken motto. People raise finance to go and do puppet ministry, offering free haircuts for the homeless, doing street art, dramas or music. But does the Bible teach these as valid forms of mission?
It seems to me that many sections of the church and most especially missions organisations need to be prepared to freshly evaluate themselves in the light of Holy Scripture and not in terms of what works or what is exciting.
Romans 4:3 asks: "For what does the Scripture say?". Now the principle of reformed teaching is that there are not manifold biblical interpretations but one. Listen to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1:9: "The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly".
Did you notice that there are not manifold interpretations but one? Therefore, there are not manifold mission methods but one. These are the ordinary means of planting churches and strengthening the church and not operating independently of ordained elders. Sorry, but Paul never instructed Timothy to do a quick crowd-drawing gimmick in Corinth so that he could then jump up and give a 3 minute gospel explanation. Let us peer into Paul's life in Rome as he ministered for the Lord.
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved (Acts 28:23-24).
May we all return to the Holy Scripture to evaluate our understanding of missions and our practice in missions!
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Church Planting in Berlin
Since September 2012 I have travelled to Berlin once a month to bring leadership to a church planting Bible study there. There has been a lot of "behind the scenes" research and preparation by the church planting committee of the EPCEW (the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales) before this work began. On the second Thursday of each month, we meet to study a particular subject pertinent to laying a foundation for a confessional presbyterian church plant.
There is much work ahead of us but things are progressing well. If you would like to know more information then there is now a website in German which is: www.epkd.de
Watch this space for more developments in the future ...
It seems that missions can mean so many things in many circles. At the heart of missions in the NT was the church, making disciples, the appointment of elders and exhorting Christians. Acts 14:21-23 offers a refreshing challenge to many contemporary methods in missions
Acts 14:21-23: "When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed".
There is much work ahead of us but things are progressing well. If you would like to know more information then there is now a website in German which is: www.epkd.de
Watch this space for more developments in the future ...
It seems that missions can mean so many things in many circles. At the heart of missions in the NT was the church, making disciples, the appointment of elders and exhorting Christians. Acts 14:21-23 offers a refreshing challenge to many contemporary methods in missions
Acts 14:21-23: "When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed".
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
The New Atheism Promotes a New Morality
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" Galatians 6:7-8.
Every vacuum has to be filled with something and so it is with the moral, ethical and religious decline that is happening before our eyes in the United Kingdom. This country has had a rich Christian heritage but the corrosive influence of secularism, the new atheism, evolutionary science and media propaganda forms and creates a new worldview for many people. A worldview that is often simply uncritically accepted and it produces a new moral code. An unwritten code but one which is not allowed to be challenged in the name of "freedom".
This unwritten code of ethics enforces its view on the false premise that God does not exist, God does not see anything and there will be no final day of accountability. This makes a sense of "right and wrong" extremely relative and it fosters rebellion. Why should we be surprised then when bankers act in fraudulent ways, when MP"s wilfully abuse the expenses system or that people riot and loot in London?
The New Atheism carries a very clear message if you listen to people like Richard Dawkins. They say: "This life is all there is to existence, therefore get out of it as much as you can, live for the now!". This is the maxim of a Darwinian approach taken to its logical conclusion. Anything that is inconvenient to getting all you want to get from this earthly life can be disposed with. People may disagree with me, but in my view this new atheism produces a new moral code that is selfish, materialistic, greedy and driven by the lust of personal pleasure.
While we may lament the growth of this atheistic and materialistic worldview growing in the UK, what about the growth of China's economic, political and ethical influence? China is the world's largest atheistic nation with 1.3 Billion people which will simply promote materialism as the height of human existence.
However, there is a God in heaven who is unchanging, a God in heaven who will judge all mankind for their breaking of God's own law's and God has provided his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from sin for those who call upon his name for forgiveness of sins.
Here are three of God's laws from the Ten Commandments.
Commandment Number 1: "You shall have no other gods before me" (this commandment forbids atheism).
Commandment Number 7: “You shall not commit adultery".
Commandment Number 8: "You shall not steal".
As an ordained Christian minister of the gospel it is part of my duty to warn people of the coming judgment that all mankind will face.
God's moral code is completely opposite to the moral code of new Atheism. Peter the apostle warns us all that "And he [God] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead". But Peter also extends the mercy of God as he preached: "To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:42-43).
May 2013 be a year that people turn away from godless atheism and joyfully embrace the commands of God and God's Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins.
Every vacuum has to be filled with something and so it is with the moral, ethical and religious decline that is happening before our eyes in the United Kingdom. This country has had a rich Christian heritage but the corrosive influence of secularism, the new atheism, evolutionary science and media propaganda forms and creates a new worldview for many people. A worldview that is often simply uncritically accepted and it produces a new moral code. An unwritten code but one which is not allowed to be challenged in the name of "freedom".
This unwritten code of ethics enforces its view on the false premise that God does not exist, God does not see anything and there will be no final day of accountability. This makes a sense of "right and wrong" extremely relative and it fosters rebellion. Why should we be surprised then when bankers act in fraudulent ways, when MP"s wilfully abuse the expenses system or that people riot and loot in London?
The New Atheism carries a very clear message if you listen to people like Richard Dawkins. They say: "This life is all there is to existence, therefore get out of it as much as you can, live for the now!". This is the maxim of a Darwinian approach taken to its logical conclusion. Anything that is inconvenient to getting all you want to get from this earthly life can be disposed with. People may disagree with me, but in my view this new atheism produces a new moral code that is selfish, materialistic, greedy and driven by the lust of personal pleasure.
While we may lament the growth of this atheistic and materialistic worldview growing in the UK, what about the growth of China's economic, political and ethical influence? China is the world's largest atheistic nation with 1.3 Billion people which will simply promote materialism as the height of human existence.
However, there is a God in heaven who is unchanging, a God in heaven who will judge all mankind for their breaking of God's own law's and God has provided his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ for deliverance from sin for those who call upon his name for forgiveness of sins.
Here are three of God's laws from the Ten Commandments.
Commandment Number 1: "You shall have no other gods before me" (this commandment forbids atheism).
Commandment Number 7: “You shall not commit adultery".
Commandment Number 8: "You shall not steal".
As an ordained Christian minister of the gospel it is part of my duty to warn people of the coming judgment that all mankind will face.
God's moral code is completely opposite to the moral code of new Atheism. Peter the apostle warns us all that "And he [God] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead". But Peter also extends the mercy of God as he preached: "To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:42-43).
May 2013 be a year that people turn away from godless atheism and joyfully embrace the commands of God and God's Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
A Christian's Common Sense Guide to Christmas
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
When I was a very new Christian I was asked to dress up as Santa Claus and give out presents to children. This innocent and joyful job was heartily taken on by myself but in the afternoon beforehand a more mature Christian told me that "Santa" is Satan spelled differently and I should not do it. As a new Christian my conscience was tender and I thought "Oh no, I do not want to disobey God". Maybe you have faced similar challenges from people who may have said that Christmas is pagan or Christmas wreaths are celebrating death, and so on, or that Christmas is a Roman Catholic feast.
These issues really bring to the forefront of our minds the necessity of common sense in our Christianity and also that of the need for Christian maturity. These kinds of issues have always been around and they always will be. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 8:7-13 we read about matters of conscience: "However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble".
The church over the centuries have sought to honour two significant events in the life of Christ: The Incarnation and the Passion of Christ. It is true that Jesus was not literally born on December 25th, and tinsel and worldly Christmas activities such as drunkenness or revelling have nothing to do with the gospel. But to honour the incarnation of Christ or sing hymns that celebrate these truths are not sins.
My common sense advice for Christian's towards Christmas is to enjoy this time with our families, a time of rest and a time to remember the miracle of the incarnation, while being on our guard against excessive materialism. Let us do all things for the glory of God.
Ps I did dress up as Santa, even though he is a fictional character. Let us not forget that we must not restrict our remembrance of the incarnation of Christ to the Christmas season but throughout the year we have liberty to magnify this precious truth.
When I was a very new Christian I was asked to dress up as Santa Claus and give out presents to children. This innocent and joyful job was heartily taken on by myself but in the afternoon beforehand a more mature Christian told me that "Santa" is Satan spelled differently and I should not do it. As a new Christian my conscience was tender and I thought "Oh no, I do not want to disobey God". Maybe you have faced similar challenges from people who may have said that Christmas is pagan or Christmas wreaths are celebrating death, and so on, or that Christmas is a Roman Catholic feast.
These issues really bring to the forefront of our minds the necessity of common sense in our Christianity and also that of the need for Christian maturity. These kinds of issues have always been around and they always will be. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 8:7-13 we read about matters of conscience: "However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble".
The church over the centuries have sought to honour two significant events in the life of Christ: The Incarnation and the Passion of Christ. It is true that Jesus was not literally born on December 25th, and tinsel and worldly Christmas activities such as drunkenness or revelling have nothing to do with the gospel. But to honour the incarnation of Christ or sing hymns that celebrate these truths are not sins.
My common sense advice for Christian's towards Christmas is to enjoy this time with our families, a time of rest and a time to remember the miracle of the incarnation, while being on our guard against excessive materialism. Let us do all things for the glory of God.
Ps I did dress up as Santa, even though he is a fictional character. Let us not forget that we must not restrict our remembrance of the incarnation of Christ to the Christmas season but throughout the year we have liberty to magnify this precious truth.
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