Couple of interesting thoughts about our good buddy Adam, the every mans man, the guy we love and hate all at the same time. Paul makes a clear connection between Jesus’ resurrection state and that of Adam, the New Adam the perfect One Man. We have traditionally seen Jesus giving us a new humanity a more perfect one, one redeemed and Justified, free from sin and death in right relationship with God and rightly so. All this is good and can shed insight into salvation and have some proper applications for our lives today, but as I was studding this morning, its interesting that the Adam theology that Paul is working with in the 1st century has a narrowed view of Adam. The intertestimental Rabbis and writing always equated Adam with the eschatological hope of Israel, not a new humanity. They saw Israel as called to pick up where Adam dropped the ball, a getting it right after his foolish meltdown. And then when they speak of him there is a reference that Adams responsibilities and domain fall to Israel. This comes from the all the echoes of Adams commission in Gen found in the future cov Gen 1:28, 12:2, 17:2,6,8, 22:16, 26:3, 26:24, 28:3, 35:11, 47:27, 48:3, They would see the hope of Israel aligned with Adam in a kingly role, Israel having domain over the Gentiles as Adam did of the beasts, or Adam paralleled with Davidic kingship etc. And we can see as they would look in Isa and some of the other prophets they would easily come to the conclusion. As Israel is restored out of exile so she will become the new Adam, undoing what was done and taking up his rightful calling and dominion.
And so here is a couple of things to maybe tickle our minds, or put us to sleep. If Paul was speaking from this context of the day, his references to Adam especially in Romans begins to really makes sense with his greater push. God is fulfilling his covenant to Israel in that the restored Adam, Israel is actually fulfilled in Jesus. Where they couldn’t and wouldn’t be faithful He is (sinless). Jesus is the right and faithful representation of Israel and in Him we are justified, He is the New Adam. And all of the promises and commissions are found in Him. That’s why we see Paul plead with everyone, but especially his countrymen that to reject Jesus is to reject the very things they were destine for. A righteousness from God before God, a covenant faithfulness and the commission to be the light unto the world, to undo the sins of the past. (PS Im just following Paul's lead with the run-on sentences) It isn’t that they are rejecting the new, rather the fulfillment of the old. You can see why Paul then gets a touch cranky in Galatians saying to have “Jesus plus…” is to deny the gospel. Jesus then isn’t Lord, the faithfulness isn’t found in him, Torah isn’t fulfilled in Him. He is adamant that what is true of Him is true of them, but only if He is sole Lord. SO WHAT! Or SO WHAT? Or SO WHAT!?! What does it mean to be part of the New Adam, a new creation? Does it just mean we just get a fresh start with God? Or is He the true people of God and as we are found in Him so we become that, with all of its promises and responsibilities?
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 148
So I found an interesting article in my girly magazine. OK, its not the type of “girly” magazine you might be thinking of. It Wallpaper, which I call girly because although it is an architect and design
magazine it also will features fashion. I read it because architecture and design inspires much of my art and so I will be looking at some latest, greatest in Dubai and turn the page to see the latest designs in ladies footwear, and I don’t know about you but its kind of hard being all manly while looking at fashion, I feel a touch sissy.
Anyway, one of the latest articles was about a merging of work and life. It was about the current debate around some possible new legislation that protects the 35 hour work week in France. Yes 35 hour work week. I guess I didn’t realize that 1. They did a 35hr work week and 2. That it was protected. They also made comments on the abusiveness of the US work culture from weekly hours too skimpy vacation time. It kind of got me thinking especially in light of the resent sermons around stewardship of our time etc. (wise servant, 3rd soil). At first it kind of got my Mennonite work ethic back hair up in a knot thinking, how do they get anything done working only 35 hrs, and how can you earn a living like that as well? But you can’t help but think about how there is a butch of people that see this as a healthy rhythm of life and work and that as a country have decided to cut back in order to maintain this healthy lifestyle. That means there may be some lack of productivity and therefore maybe a lower standard of living, I don’t know, but to them it is worth fighting for. Now we can debate what is a healthy workload but just think for a moment what would you would do with the extra time? By voluntarily cutting back having a lifestyle change what could you accomplish for the kingdom? Maybe there is something to it, at least worth taking some time to ponder.
Lots of Fun! The Kids thought it was the best Fathers Day ever and Brit was saying we should have Fathers Day for 3 more days. I couldn't really disagree with her, I told her to ask her mom. Anyway, yesterday with the morning gathering we talked about how we can be faithful with what God has given (wise servants) Luke 12: 35-48 , and we related it to Fathers and their families. Much has been given much will be expected. On the wider sense we talked about radical stewardship and I thought I would share this great video about our stuff. Sure there are some over statements, but it really causes one to think about our love for consuming and all the injustices along the way from extraction to disposal. Watch it here and let me know what you think.
Here is one of the answers given by Melissa on her bible and theology Exam. I thought she had some good points and since this is one of the key aspects of the faith I thought it would be nice to share.
Abrahamic Covenant
God made a covenant with Abraham and his family to belong to him in a special way. He promised to make his descendants as “numerous as the stars”. The agreement between them was similar to the agreement between a king and his subjects, or a husband and wife. The covenant was renewed at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5, 34:10), before entering into the promised land (Deut. 30) and through David. Psalm 89:3-4 reads “You said, ‘ I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: I will establish your descendants forever, and built your throne for all generations”.
The covenant, as they understood it, was that God would triumph over the pagan nations, defeat the oppressing enemy forces of Israel and give them glory, honor and blessings. In Deut. 29 God promises those that disobey God’s commandment will bring upon themselves curses, the worst of which will be exile from the promised land. If in exile they turn back to him, then he will bring about the blessings of Deut. 30. He also promises to change their hearts so they can finally keep the law with their hearts. God promises that it is not inacessable, i.e., up in heaven (Deut. 30:12) or across the sea (v.13), it will find them. Once this happened the curse would be over.
In the Pharesitic times, badge of belonging to the covenant was strict adherence to the law and ethnic identity. The felt that they were still living under the curse of Deut. 29, and longed for the time when they could live with a fresh understanding of the law. A question they and many before them wrestled with was “how will Israel know what to do?” Some of the thinkers before the Pharisees thought that this was in the form of wisdom, which God would give to Israel, thus setting them free. Others thought that it was a special set of laws.
Jesus is the fulfillment of that covenant. He triumphed over the enemy, Satan, bringing the people out of exile in their separation from God, and restoring us to the promises of blessings and glory and salvation. In Matthew 26 he says “...this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people.” (v.28), which is a reference to Exodus 24:8, when Moses sprinkled blood over the Israelites, confirming the covenant God made with the people.
In the book of Romans, Paul deals with this issue of the covenant, and all that comes with this new understanding of it. Romans 10:9 says “ For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved”. The Messiah came to them, just like he promised.
So how, then, are Gentiles included in this covenant? The Pharisees and others felt it applied only to ethnic Israelites. God’s covenant with Abraham was always the way He intended to save the world from death and destruction. In Romans 2:25-29 Paul says that a true Jew is a person whose heart is right with God, and circumcision is a change of the heart caused by the Holy Spirit (v.29). Faith in Christ is the badge, not ethnic identity and possession of the law.
In ch. 3: 20, he says that no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what the law says. So we’re all guilty, Jew and Gentile alike (3:21- 24), which begs the question, what is God going to do? He could either bless a nation that didn’t deserve it (love), or go back on his promise (justice). It’s love versus justice, neither side of God can allow the other to override it. This is a question of God’s righteousness, how do you bless us and punish us at the same time? Israel was given a job (being a light to the world) and they failed. The solution is now part of the problem. They too must be punished, but then how are they blessed? There is one Israelite who would offer God faithful obedience. The faithfulness of the sinless, obedient Christ, who represented us, took our punishment of death. In this way God redeemed the world, faithful to his covenant.
So, a lot has been going on since the last time I wrote, In regards to the Missional conversation. I have attended 3 different courses 2 MTN days and Theologue which is the COG continual education/ pastoral discussion/ what we thinking about today. Anyway, Theolgue was about the Missional mandate for the Bible rather than a Biblical mandate for missions. When we view scripture we can see a Biblical mandates for particular issues, for instance the Bible has things to say about marriage or productivity or raising kids, however we wouldn’t say there is a marriage mandate for the Bible etc. However, at its source the bible is about Gods redemptive mission in the world. It is the story of God working, the Bible itself is a Testament to this, there is the Great Communication (Scriptures) along with the Great Commission. So we spent the time pouring over God story of mission.
The past 2 MTN’s have been challenging as well. One about creating authentic community around common cause and purpose rather than just care or accountability. The other was about radical stewardship. Both sessions had caused their fair share of the Spirits conviction upon my life. So I figured it would be wise to spread that conviction to everyone I care about. So over the next couple inputs we will discuss some of these topics.
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rice of admission. After wandering around dodging Klingon’s, Jedi’s and Manga characters we did get to spend some time along the artist row. Without raising a huge debate on high or low culture, of pop art verses traditional, I have to say there was some great art, some real beautiful pieces. If you want to venture into the question of what does art do? How it speaks to truth etc. My buddy Ben wrote up a article here. Anyway, now that some I got my fill of Nerdness its time for some Old school Dave
. 
So I finally signed up for a .mac account I know It doesn't give you the massive space Hostpapa or Dreamhost might give but I don't have to ftp anything and everything works smoothly and seamlessly with my Apps. Iweb might not have a lot of frills, but it gets the job done quick while still looking pretty smooth. 
No better way to prepare for the Holy Week than praying the prayer of St. Patrick Lorica of Saint Patrick I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude. |
I summon today all these powers between me and evil, Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul. Christ shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation St. Patrick (ca. 377) |
Just some thoughts form a great chapter from Simply Christian especially as we prepare for Easter
“Nothing in all the history of Paganism comes anywhere near this combination of event, intention, and meaning. Nothing in Judaism had prepared for it, except in puzzling shadowy prophecy. The death of Jesus of Nazareth as the king of the Jews, the bearer of Israel’s destiny, the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people of old, is either the most stupid, senseless waste and misunderstand the world has ever seen, or it is the fulcrum around which world history turns.” Wright, Simply Christian, 111
“The time had now come when, at last, God would rescue his people, and the whole world, not from mere political enemies, but from evil itself, from sin which had enslaved them. His death would do what the temple, with its sacrificial system, had pointed to but never actually accomplished. In meeting the fate that was rushing toward him, he would be the place where heaven and earth had met, as he hung suspended between the two. He would be the place where God’s future arrived in the present, with the kingdom of God celebrating its triumph over the kingdoms of the world by refusing to join in their spiral of violence.”
Have you ever stood outside maybe on one of the famous BCCC Saturday hikes or maybe it is after a long day at work and you are enjoying a bit of down time on the deck in the evening, or maybe you actually stop long enough on the cross country trail to hear your beating heart, and also look around and see it, It being Kbud (kvod). And have you ever then declared as the Psalmist does “the heavens declared the glory of God…” The glory of God, we not only see it, we experience it. That’s why I think people go out of their way to be able to spend time out where they see the heavens and creation all pointing to the kbud of God. Whether people know it or not there is something within all of us that can’t help but be awestruck and attracted too the glory of God. Now here is the thing, the heaven aren’t the only thing that is to bring kbud. 2Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Do our lives declare the glory of God? Its time to allow God to mold and shape us, by exercising our faith. This weeks challenge is letting your life bless 3 people, just acting on the times when God bring people to mind or across your path. Let me know how it goes.
“Old habits are hard to break, and no one is easily weaned from his own opinions; but if you rely on your own reasoning and ability rather than on the virtue of submission to Jesus Christ, you will but seldom and slowly attain wisdom. For God wills that we become perfectly obedient to himself, and that we transcend mere reason on the wings of burning love for him.”
Thomas a Kempis
After the pancakes tomorrow… Who come up with these things? Not that I mind having any excuse for eating pancakes but if you wanting gluttonous celebration, Shrove Tuesday should be rare steak and Poutine. Anyway, as we prepare for Easter by contemplating Jesus suffering on his Journey to the cross, this becomes a great time to dust off those disciplines that have been hiding in the closet. Maybe it’s something as easy as reciting the Jesus prayer while you breath, (breath in) “Lord Jesus son of God (out) have mercy on me a sinner.” or Post Easter (breath in) “Lord Jesus son of God (out) shine your mercy on me.” Or practicing a wealth of other disciplines The Sacred Way, it’s time to truly consider Jesus’ painful road to victory as we come to know Him by “knowing the power of the resurrection and sharing in His suffering becoming like him in death.”
One of the things that came out of the Ottawa church Planting Congress was an opportunity to connect in some of the local church planting hubs. They offered a course where we get together for a day a month (for 6 months) and dialogue about what some of this looks like and share practical experience in trying to get the job done. (like my vagueness? – ya, I think it is the blind leading the blind, but at least when we get hit by the car crossing the street we’ll all be together) Anyway, we had our first day this past Friday and we were asked to take a look at a comment made a while ago regarding the church. The comment was, “The church has to decide how it will serve the congregation.” I found that interesting on a couple of different levels. First off there it was interesting that the “church” and “congregation” where thought of as separate. Secondly, from that separation we see a consumer mentality driving it. The church is an institution that exists to serve its congregation, like a health or country club. If we pointed people to Ephesians 4 we could clear most of the fog. The church is the congregation and within that there are people set apart to equip the church for the Mission of God. Anyway, my buddy Nick had a great comment immediately when we were asked to look at this. He answered “on a platter to the world.” I have to admit I found that extremely fun and profound. It carries right along with what Wright says about the church, “Just as Jesus was to Israel so the church is to the world.” The church begins to be a picture of Jesus selflessly and sacrificially calling people to come out of the darkness of exile and oppression. Incarnating (as Frost says video below) the presence, proximity, powerlessness, and proclamation. And yes part of that includes the church being an example of unity and love, serving and taking care of each other,but it’s existence and purpose is found in the Missio Dei which is Gods heart for the world. How are you being served up today?
