e-news for week 7/10/11

So we (Melody, Natasha, Justin, and I) were at the North American Christian Convention last week (all of us should make plans to go to Orlando next year). On one of the mornings I park the car, come up the street, and boom – protesters. And not just your average protestors, these are professional protestors. Yes, the ever-popular Westboro Baptist Church was at it again. So, why were they protesting the NACC and the independent Christian Churches? Because we teach “God loves everybody.”

You see, that doesn’t reconcile with “God hates Fa_____” or the other people of the world that God hates.

People have asked me why this group puts out this type of spew.

Part of it stems from the theological bent they embrace. They embrace a theology that essentially says: God elects people to be saved – you don’t have any choice in the matter – it’s exclusively God’s choice. God loves those “chosen ones” and the rest of the planet is pretty much just out of luck/grace/favor. The role of the chosen ones is to pretty much live to God’s glory so that the damned can see what they are missing(which, by logics sake, means I’m missing out on travelling around the country with protest signs. Wow, I guess I don’t know what I’m missing).

Are people of this bent (determinists) Christians? We all have faulty thinking/theology to one degree or another. God is bigger than our ability to fully figure Him out. But this is true of God: He is love. By faith (believing, repenting, confession that “Jesus is Lord”, immersion) through God’s grace, even those of us who are less than perfect with our theology will be saved. However, this is a brand of theology that I’d like to keep locked up in the attic. Unfortunately pure determinism (in less violent forms) continues to invade the church.

Why does this matter? If this type of determinism is accurate, then those commands of Christ communicating to us His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” are nothing other than a waste of effort, sweat, and leg work because those who hear the word have no choice anyway.

You might ask, “Why are you writing us about this?”

1. Our theology matters. Bad theology yields bad practice (and bad protests).
2. God is a loving, gracious God who sent His son to save sinners. The protestors were protesting because we believe God loves everyone. I hope we are found guilty of that message, don’t you?
3. And speaking of this loving message, as we conclude the sermon series we’ll see God’s loving mercy.

Couple of quick announcements:

We’re opening up another study option for Jr./Sr. High students at 9:30. It will happen in room 100 (“The Cave” which is the current Jr. High room).

Baby Shower/Going away party for Jared and Katrina Wortman will happen on July 31 right after third service. The church will provide the meat and the drinks. If you’d bring a side dish or dessert and a gift for Baby Girl Wortman that would be great (I’m sure they’d also accept gifts of cash).

This Sunday we conclude our series, “The Journey.” For all of you who repented from the sin of grumbling and complaining – good. This week we’ll be in Numbers 21 and John 3 if you want to read ahead and prepare your hearts.

Can’t wait to worship with you this week. – Scott