Devotion.al

Tag: religion

  • I Hate You

    I Hate You

    Luke 14:25–35; 1 John 3:14–18

    So, who do YOU hate? Your mom, dad, husband, wife, significant other, son, daughter, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle…Really, who do you hate?

    Trump, Clinton, Bin Laden, and many others have been (or are) hated. It could be because of politics. It could be because they murdered people. It might be something that you think they may have done.

    This passage in Luke is a hard passage for many. Except in cases of abuse or other mistreatment, hating one’s is out of the question. A religion that has long considered itself (especially in the West) a “family-centered” religion will struggle that which it says it is based upon. “Family values”, a decades-old purportedly Christian value, are questionable if we are to hate our family.

    Then John, a disciple of writes that we are to love our brothers and sisters, and that anyone who hates their brother or system is a murderer (even if said brother or sister still lives), and because of that they don’t have . Confused, yet?

    So, how does this work, exactly? Well, we’re back to the -old problem of English versus Greek. Just like there are more words for love in Greek than in English, there’s the same problem with hate. Hate isn’t quite hate, sort of.

    When Jesus talks about hate, it refers more to loyalty that like, dislike, love, or hate. Jesus sought to shock people into an understanding that they may have to choose where their loyalty lay. Was their loyalty with family, or was their loyalty with Jesus?

    Hate may seem overly dramatic, however, in the cultural context, hate was the understanding. Only a hateful child, parent, spouse, and so forth would choose Jesus over family. In that time, the time shortly thereafter, and it appears now, family loyalty is against Jesus.

    Which brings us to John’s words. His hate is more along the lines of what we think of when we hear the word hate. The kind of hate that blindly rages and cares more about hurting another than blessing the enemy. This is the context of John’s hate.

    We are called to pray for the blessings of our adversaries. Even more so are we to seek the benefit of our brothers and sisters in Christ. John’s primary concern is not the family ties of blood and culture that Jesus brought to light. John’s concern was what we at Generations framily (friends who are like family).

    This framily is found within the body of Christ. Because of its place within the body of Christ, it should not have divided loyalties. Of course, when it comes to frailty, we all know that isn’t the case.

    As we work through our hopes and fears of COVID and elections, we will often be tempted to hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must strive against that, for a house divided against itself will not stand, and then what would we say to Jesus?

    ※Prayer※

    Jesus, you prayed to the that we would be one. Help us to be in you, while we yet still remain individuals with different thoughts and experiences. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) Is there someone in the body of Christ with whom you are angry? Pray for them. Ask for the of the to fall upon and fill both them and you.

    2) How can you work to be one with your brothers and sisters in Christ while you have differing opinions?

    3) How does the concept of Jesus before family still cause you and others trials?

  • Calling

    Calling

    Matthew 11:16–19; Matthew 12:22–28; Matthew 21:23–27

    Authenticity is appreciated. Hypocrisy is condemned. That is nothing new.

    What is more, the issue than even whether something is called authentic or hypocritical is when something is declared such (either way). Both ‘ and John’s ministries could have been declared authentic. With both men, you got what you got.

    By Jesus’ own words we see how each of them approached their ministry was quite different. Jesus wasn’t making a comparison. It was an observation.

    John followed a historic precedent by wearing a hair shirt and eating cakes of locust and honey. This certainly wasn’t a requirement, but a number of respected Jewish sects (the Essenes, for example) followed this sort of practice.

    Other than preaching and miracles, Jesus acted more like one of the guys. He went to parties. He hung out with people.

    Two very different takes.

    The religious leaders had problems with both and attacked both for their practices.  In the case of John, it does seem somewhat risky as the practices were followed by respected people. Jesus’ practices were pretty normal, and yet they were challenged, too.

    Both men were accused, basically, of being false, and different measures were used to condemn or disregard them.

    We see the real intent (as if we didn’t know) with the exorcisms that Jesus performed. The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of being in league (if not in the house of) the devil. He was doing the same thing they were, but because it was Jesus, it must be the devil.

    We can reasonably infer that there was nothing John or Jesus could do while remaining to their calling, that would satisfy the religious leaders. That is a sad indictment. When religious practice and traditions find nothing of value in faithfully filled callings, it puts practice, , and even in question.

    ※※

    Holy , help us to be faithful to your call on our lives. Help us to practices and traditions that inhibit faithfully fulfilling our call. Guide us also into and , especially through , so that we do not deceive ourselves. Amen.

    ※Questions※

    1) Have you ever experienced a tension between something you were taught was “right”, but seemed to go against your calling? How did you resolve it?

  • Athanasian Creed

    Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, That we worship one God in , and Trinity in ; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.

    For there is one Person of the , another of the , and another of the Holy Spirit.

    But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

    Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.

    The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.

    The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.

    And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.

    As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

    So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

    So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.

    So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord.

    And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity, to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; so are we forbidden by the Catholic , to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

    The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.

    The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. Likewise also the Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

    So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons, one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other, none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal , and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, must thus think of the Trinity.

    Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation, that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Christ.

    For the right Faith is, that we believe and , that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds, and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; perfect God, and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead, and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood.

    Who although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ; one; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God; one altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven; He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done into everlasting .

    This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

  • 3 is 1 and 1 is 3

    3 is 1 and 1 is 3

    Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 3:13–17; Matthew 28:16–20; 1 Peter 1:1–2 (read online ⧉)

    This is one of those odd “Liturgical” Sundays in the year. It set aside to specifically observe the creedal declaration of and faith in the Trinity. We have Sundays set aside for Advent, , Christmas, Easter, . These are event-based. It’s not that they don’t have doctrinal pieces in them; their beginning is based upon an event.

    There is an additional oddity, especially for people who call the Bible the of God…Trinity appears nowhere, at least not as an explicit term. That’s also what makes this Sunday interesting. A foundational theological basis for orthodox Christianity is not found explicitly in the Bible, yet is one of the key doctrines upon which orthodoxy is defined (i.e., Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses being non-Trinitarian believers).

    One of the biggest things that the Trinity teaches us by its very example is that not everything can be explained by science or even a sound rationalization of the faith. The Trinity can only be believed (ultimately) by faith. The concept that God (the Father) is God, Jesus is God, the Holy Spirit is God, while, God (the Father) is neither Jesus nor the Holy Spirit, Jesus is neither the Holy Spirit nor God (the Father), and the Holy Spirit is not God (the Father) nor Jesus (An aside: even writing that sentence, which is a simplified excerpt of the Athanasian Creed, hurt my head a bit).

    The beauty of the Trinity is that by the above (for example), we are automatically brought into the realm of knowing that we can not fully understand God. Which is good. When we think we fully understand God, we are in deep danger of having made our own god who is not God.

    While the Trinity does not expressly as a word in the Scriptures, that does not mean it is not present. We need to start with the beginning, though. God is one. One of the biggest dangers with the Trinity is that the confusion that we are talking about 3 gods, rather than 1 God.

    In the Gospels, Matthew has the 2 best almost explicit statements regarding the Trinity. With Jesus’ , Jesus is baptized, “laid upon” by the Holy Spirit, and blessed (and proclaimed) by God (the Father). All 3 persons of the Trinity are present and noted as being present (rather than in other places where they can be assumed to be present).

    In many respects, however, it is Jesus’ Commission of the Disciples (now Apostles) to baptize in the of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that there is an expression of the doctrine and persons of the Trinity (yet, still no word “Trinity”).

    While this is so, there is something critically important in Peter’s letter. Peter all but declares the Trinity in his opening. There are several reasons this is important. First, it’s Peter. His place as one of Jesus’ core disciples, and his place as commissioned leader of the church (by Jesus) makes his words critically important to our understanding of the church.

    Before the “doctrine” was declared, before the Athanasian Creed was written, before the understood writing of the Gospels, Peter brought the Trinity to the church.

    In lieu of prayer or questions, and in honor of the in more “liturgical” churches to it on Trinity Sunday, below is the Athanasian Creed.
    ※Athanasian Creed※

    Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic[1] Faith. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.

    For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.

    But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

    Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.

    The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.

    The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.

    The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.

    And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.

    As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

    So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

    So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.

    So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord.

    And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity, to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; so are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion, to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.

    The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.

    The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. Likewise also the Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

    So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons, one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other, none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together, and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, must thus think of the Trinity.

    Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting , that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds, and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; perfect God, and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead, and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood.

    Who although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ; one; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God; one altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven; He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

  • Worship This

    Worship This

    Acts 17:22–31; 1 Peter 3:13–4:6 (read online ⧉)

    Worship. We view this as a core function of what we are to do as Christians. We worship the one true God, who is mysteriously Three-in-One.

    In some respects, and more practically, worship is acting in a reverential state toward something greater than the self. If analyzed a bit, one can recognize that worship (as just defined) is not solely the property of religion.

    This is important to understand. Often, people who insist on their logic and scientific reasoning worship the concepts. When they do so, when confronted by something that cannot be explained by the logic and scientific reasoning they worship, they will state that they just don’t know enough.

    They’re right. They don’t. What they also don’t recognize is that by this exact , they are showing that they are just as religious as those they often pity or despise.

    We all worship something. The oddness of Mars Hill was that everything was worshiped, or at least had a place to be worshiped. One could make the argument that in such a context, all religions were supposedly equal, but the reality was that no one had to make a decision.

    As we look around ourselves, we need to be generous toward the religious beliefs of others. Often we only think in terms of self-identified religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc.), and neglect those perspectives that proclaim no “worship” and yet worship is just as much a part of their lives as it is of ours. It’s just that they and we need to see it.

    As we talk about what we believe with others, context matters. was abrupt, but it was appropriate for the time and place. That isn’t always the case.

    Peter notes that while we are to always be to defend our , at the same time we are called to be gentle and respectful. As we begin to see the layers of worship that we all have, it can become quite jarring to many to realize that they worship anything at all. They believed the didn’t.

    On the other hand, some are quite willing to worship something that they perceive has no expectation of them, or has an expectation of them that is in line with their own desires. We are to be gentle and respectful always.

    ※ Prayer [BCP] ※
    Lord Christ, you stretched out your arms of on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the and love of you; for the of your . Amen.

    ※ Questions ※
    1) What is your understanding of worship? Can unbelievers worship?
    2) Is there a difference between winning souls for Jesus and winning friends for Jesus?
    3) When talking about “your” defense (1 Peter 3:15), why is it important to understand it is “your” defense and not the defense of others?

  • Seeing Nothing or Something

    Joel 2:27–32; Acts 10:1–16 (read online ⧉)

    Visions. In our current culture, visions are portrayed as “mystical” to the point of being unbelievable. We now have organizational statements which, if we’re honest, seem to be about as unbelievable as the visions that we think are part of fantasy and magic. Yes, that’s probably a bit cynical. Vision statements have grown into a business. An organization will often hire consultants whose entire job is to help an organization develop a vision statement. Too often, though, the vision statement is merely a placard that hangs on a wall and is part of an email signature.

    Visions are not a small thing. So, this is not something you might necessarily want. Many of the Old Testament prophets were not particularly pleased with their visions. There are those today who claim that they have visions from God…did you just snicker or doubt? You probably did. If you didn’t, you’re one of the rare ones.

    Visions haven’t ended. We in the Western Developed nations have just turned them into dreams and targets of psychoanalysis and psychiatry. Our hardened hearts and closed minds are no longer as receptive to God’s moving in our lives.

    Those that are of a more mystical bent are often decried or sneered at. There are certain circles that cannot seem to either understand nor be graceful toward those that are mystically-inclined. In places where is questionable, and jobs are technical (engineering, programming, general technology, manufacturing) this is especially true.

    The good side of that is that we are less susceptible to being deceived (in that area, at least). The bad side is that we cast aside something that God has used (and continues to use elsewhere) to draw people to him, them, form them, and especially chide them.

    Cornelius and Peter each had visions of the same coming event (in general). The result of both their visions was that the Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews) would receive (quite dramatically) the , and Peter would begin to understand that when Jesus said the whole world…he meant it.

    This is not to say we should expect (or even want) visions. In many respects, what often comes with such visions is far more than many of us can bear. As Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 12–13, no matter how great the (or vision), without love it is worthless. Yet, we should not disparage nor deny God’s gifts that are beyond our comprehension.

    God, you are infinite; we are finite. To fully comprehend you is beyond us. Help us to not put you in our of , whether it be of feelings, religion, or science. May we keep our “boxes” open to what you want to do in our lives. Amen.

    1) Have you ever had an experience that you would call “mystical”? What about it makes it mystical?

    2) If someone, whom you otherwise respected and/or , shared with you a vision they had, how would you ? Would you try to process it with them? How?

    3) If you had a vision, who would you tell? What is the first thing you would do? Why?

  • Proof

    Proof

    27 April 2020 devotional

    John 4:45–54; Acts 7:47–60; Hebrews 11:1–16 (read online ⧉)

    “What is ? How does it begin? Are we alone?

    These are some of the questions we ask in our quest to about and share the wonders of the universe.”

    From the About us section of the SETI Institute website

    SETI (the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) Institute searches the universe for signs and proofs that we are not the sole planet containing intelligent life. They work with scientists, other scientific organizations, government agencies to analyze the heavens above to answer questions for which humanity has since the beginning sought answers, such as, why are we here, and how did it all begin?

    In history books, we are taught to despise the Roman Catholic church for its ex-communication of Galileo, notwithstanding that there was more at stake than just whether the sun or the earth was at the center of the solar system (actually, both argued for ). In the Church of the Nazarene, there is still a theological debate between those that believe in a literal 7 day Creation and those that believe the 7 days are figurative.

    Proof of God’s existence for some is impossible, for no matter what you say they will not believe. For , proving God exists is simple when one watches the sunrise or a bumblebee fly.

    Proof is often requested. That’s no surprise. It was demanded of that he prove his validity. Miracles and teachings should have been sufficient, but it wasn’t. Even those that were, supposedly, of the same challenged him. They didn’t believe what was right in front of them.

    The story of Israel includes casting out, beating, and even killing prophets sent by God. Israel would raise up and support and follow those that opposed the prophets of God. The prophets were not all highly educated. They weren’t always from influential families. There is some question if anything “qualified” them to be a prophet of God. That’s the human perspective. The one who called, also qualified…God.

    We are at a time when science appears to reign supreme. Culturally, it does. Often it was because vilified what it feared or did not understand. Honestly, just as science does today in regards to religion. Often, we are called to defend our faith with “proof”. No scientific proof will likely prove to an atheistic scientist that God exists. It will be something that we will be wrestling with for generations to come.

    It comes down to the question being asked. Science asks what and how (in a systemic sense). Religion asks about why and how (in a motivational sense). Often times things seem to be in conflict, however, the reality is (as Christopher Stasheff once wrote) that any conflict between science and religion is either a science believer who doesn’t understand religion or a religious person who doesn’t understand science.

    This is an incredibly volatile time. There are far too many people full of fear and ignorance, and too little deep information out there. What there is are people who take the pieces they do have and weave something that fits for them. Often, though, the result ends up having an unexpected growth beyond anticipation that increases blind fear resulting in the wrong action in response.

    Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us minds that seek to understand you and your Creation. Help us balance these views that often seem to be in conflict so that we can live out the life that your son, Jesus, has called us to. , guide us into all truth as Jesus said you would. Amen.

    Questions

    1) Do you tend more to the science side or the faith side? (There is no wrong answer)

    2) Do you struggle to balance science with faith? How about others you know?

    3) What is the great science revelation you can think of? What is the greatest faith revelation you can think of? Do these conflict?

  • Flawed and Honored Vessels

    Psalm 107:1–16; Exodus 15:22–27; Hebrews 3:1–6 (read online ⧉)

    Water is essential to survival. Not having water was a death sentence. What made the waters of Marah too bitter to drink can only be guessed. It would have been horrible to be thirsty (3 days in the desert) and find the saving source of water undrinkable.

    They had just experienced God doing a miracle by saving them from the Egyptians. Yet, here they were, 3 days later, complaining. There is a reasonable question, “what shall we drink?” However, it seems that it didn’t start there. It started with complaining.Much of Moses’ journey with the Israelites seemed to involve the Israelites complaining. They complained against God. They complained against Aaron. They complained against Moses. As their cultural history developed, Moses (rightfully) was granted a position of significance. The developed a hearty for God’s rescuing prophet. The first generation complained. The succeeding generations honored.

    By the time of Jesus, Moses was just below God in some ways. Not that they worshipped Moses, but that he was used as the measuring rod of the of God. In Luke 16:29, we read, “they have Moses and the prophets….” Moses is raised above the other prophets, even above King David, a man after God’s own . The writer of Hebrews resets things, by raising up Jesus as the of God, not “just” a servant (as Moses was).

    The writer of Hebrews was incorporating Jewish understanding of God and (including Moses’ role) into a fuller understanding of who Jesus Christ should be to faithful Jews.As did regarding we being the dwelling of God, the writer of Hebrews says that Jesus Christ is building us into his house. The author of Hebrews equates us, amazingly, to Moses. Both (all) were houses built by God.

    1) Have you ever compared yourself to another, and said, “I could never be like that?”

    2) Have you ever heard someone another a lot and think, “how can I measure up to this?”

    3) What are your thoughts on being a house made by God, and being made just as you are, flaws and all?