Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Faith, Life, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

God Has Lost Weight

I am not talking about physical weight,

In David Wells book “God in the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams”, he makes the following observation about modern society,

“It is one of the defining marks of Our Time that God is now weightless. I do not mean by this that he is ethereal but rather that he has become unimportant. He rests upon the world so inconsequentially as not to be noticeable. He has lost his saliency for human life.

Those who assure the pollsters of their belief in God’s existence may nonetheless consider him less interesting than television, his commands less authoritative than their appetites for affluence and influence, his judgment no more awe-inspiring than the evening news, and his truth less compelling than the advertisers’ sweet fog of flattery and lies. That is weightlessness. It is a condition we have assigned him after having nudged him out to the periphery of our secularized life. . . . Weightlessness tells us nothing about God but everything about ourselves, about our condition, about our psychological disposition to exclude God from our reality.”

Something to chew on…

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Faith, Life, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

President Obama, and a Proper Christian Response to his Election.

First off, it’s not the end of the world! It’s not the best of all possible outcomes (in my opinion), but all is not lost. This could be a wonderful opportunity for the Church to shine brighter than ever before.

The outcome of the 2008 election, to some Christians, will be a time of grief. President Obama’s stance on some moral issues are in direct opposition to the Christian worldview. With that said, we as Christian’s must not let the outcome of this election distract us from living in light of the Gospel.

“Remember that God is, and has always been Sovereign”

First, we need to be reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

In this passage the Apostle Paul is speaking on the proper response to secular authorities. We must be reminded that President Obama has been placed in a ‘governing’ position over us. It is important to notice that Paul uses the word ‘submit’ here in reference to a proper posture to secular government. As Doug Moo puts it,

“To submit is to recognize one’s subordinate place in a hierarchy, to acknowledge as a general rule that certain people or institutions have ‘authority’ over us.” (Romans, 797)

The reason, these governing authorities have been ‘appointed’ by God. The Greek word here is literally ‘to order, to put someone over.’ Ultimately behind the affairs of this world is the hand of God. God’s sovereign providence is often a mysterious thing.

Thomas Oden rightly observes that anyone who reflects deeply on the issues of sovereignty and providence “stands at the confluence of many layers of mystery”.  The particulars of God’s providence within our world have only been partially revealed. The dynamics of these various layers are certainly complex. Udo Middelmann argues that “mystery refers to details not yet known, things which will be revealed later in order to complete what is now known in part.” One day we may be able look back and see how our current situation became a great catalyst for the Gospel. God is working, in spite of everything wrong in our world.

All this to say, ‘we can grieve and complain all we want’, this is a right emotion in light of the possible outcome of President Obama’s moral stances, but we cannot loose this opportunity to respond correctly as Christians.

This is an opportunity for us, as Christians, to live in such a way that America would take notice. Like the early church we should exhibit through our community life, through far from perfect”…that we are “sufficiently different and impressive to attract notice, to invite curiosity, and to inspire discipleship.”

We should make the “grace of God credible by a society of love and mutual care which astonishes” those around us so that they recognize us as something entirely different. (Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church)

“How Then Shall We live?”

1. We must still stand against abortion. But at the same time we must stand up for adoption. We need to let the world know that we, Christians, will raise the unwanted children. This is a radical response. The early Church was known for rescuing babies from death when they were left at doorsteps and in garbage dumps.

In the same way, we must support the efforts of our community organizations to provide care, counsel, and provision to pregnant women considering abortion so that they would choose life. We must also be involved in the process of caring for and restoring those who are dealing with the regret of past abortions.

2. We must outdo government programs that seek to provide for provision and necessities for the poor, oppressed, and outcast. We must walk beside the widows and orphans. It has been said many times that the Government had to step in because the Church was not doing it’s job.

Just as Dr. Martin Luther King once charged the church for not standing up for racial issues in the 60’s, “if today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will loose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning.” (Letter from Birmingham Jail)

I pray that we have not forever lost our voice! I pray that we do not step back in grief and become a community of escapists, and irrelevant social club. We need to impact our communities for the Gospel.

3. We must seek to use our finances in a way that wages war against the culture of greed, and the corruption and turmoil it brings. Greed is the reason our economy is unstable, its that simple. No top down financial plan will deliver America from the effects of greed.

The responsible actions of Christians who understand that money is gift from God will speak volumes to an America being drowned in greed.

4. We also must seek to uphold the family unit as designed by God. Some stats show that the divorce rate in the church is higher than the secular world. How can we have a voice on this issue if we are silent with our actions? Sure, we are not all perfect, and we have made mistakes, but we need to exhibit how the family unit should properly function in light of the Biblical pattern as an example to the world around us.

God provided a pattern of sacrificial love in the cross of Christ to show how marriage properly works. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”, and “Wives, submit to your husbands.”

The scope of this post cannot cover all the issues pertaining to this election. Nor do I fully understand the implications of every issue, nor have I greatly expounded on each of the issues above, but I feel that we need to respond out of love not anger.

5. Lastly,

1. Pray for our new President Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

2. Respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).

3. Honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

“Things We Must Rejoice In”

1. The implications of electing an African American president are huge. The horrible reality of our countries past illustrates the injustice of racism. We have made huge strides in recognizing all men as equal.

I am encouraged that we have an African American president. While I would rather it be someone else, I can rejoice in the fact that racial wounds can begin to heal in ways they never have.

2. Finally, and most importantly we must rejoice in the fact that our hope, as the Church, is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and nothing else. Our faith is not placed in politics, or the governing systems of this world.

Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. We are exiles in a strange land. But I pray that we are responsible citizens or in this world who recognize that our God is ultimately in control.

This is, more than anything else, a chance for the Church to shine the light of the Gospel in a dark secular America.

Note

Albert Mohler, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, C.J. Mahaney, Justin Taylor

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Life, Personal, Religion, Thoughts

Prayers for Election Day

First, Dr. Albert Mohler published an election day prayer this morning on his blog and I wanted to share it with you below;

“First, we should pray that God will bless America with leaders better than we deserve.  Democratic systems inevitably reflect the electorate’s decisions, and these decisions reveal underlying worldviews.  And, truth be told, all we can expect from democracy is the government we deserve.  We must pray for a government and for leaders better than we deserve.  May God grant us mercy as he reigns and rules over all things, including this election.

Second, we should pray that Americans will be motivated to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship, yet also that we will be stripped of an unhealthy and idolatrous confidence in the power of government to save us.  God has given us the gift of rulers and governments in order to restrain evil, uphold righteousness, and provide for civil order.  No human ruler can save.  No government official or office holder can heal the human heart, solve the sin problem, or accomplish final justice.  These powers belong to God and God alone.

Third, we must pray that Americans will vote by conscience, not merely on the basis of celebrity or emotion.  Christian citizens must vote to uphold righteousness and contend for righteous and just laws.  But, at the same time, we must repent of moralism and the tacit assumption that better laws would produce better people.

Fourth, we must pray that Americans will vote to defend the least among us — and especially those who have no vote.  This starts, but does not end, with concern for the unborn and for the recovery of respect for the dignity and sanctity of every single human life at every stage of development, from conception until natural death.

Fifth, we should pray that God will prick the conscience of the nation on issues of morality, righteousness, and respect for marriage as the central institution of human civilization.  So much ground appears to have been lost on these issues.  We need to pray that much ground can be regained.

Sixth, we should pray that God will protect these candidates and their families.  They have been through an arduous ordeal and now face the deadline of the vote.  They are physically exhausted and now face the judgment of the people.  They are public figures, but they are also flesh and blood human beings, who are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters.  Their families have withstood much.  We should pray for their marriages and their children.  May God protect them.

Seventh, we should pray that the election is conducted with honor, civility, respect, and justice.  We must pray that we do not face another round of litigation after an election.  This brings democracy into disrepute.  May there be a clear winner, not a contested result.

Eighth, we must pray that Americans will be prepared to accept the results of the election with respect and kindness.  This will be no time for rancor, condemnations, and conspiracy theories.  Instead, we must pray that God will settle the hearts of the people.  May Christians be ready to respond with prayer, respect for office, and a gentle spirit.  Others will be watching.

Ninth, we should pray that this election would lead to even greater opportunities to preach the Gospel, and that the freedom of the church will be respected, honored, and protected.

Tenth, we must pray for the church, praying that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ would be strengthened in the truth, grounded in the faith, and empowered for witness and ministry.  May the church, the sign of the coming kingdom, be faithful to declare the Gospel — knowing that this is the only message that will save.”

John Piper also published a prayer on Desiring God’s web page;

Father in heaven, as we approach this election on Tuesday, I pray

1) that your people will vote,

2) and that they will vote with a sense of thankfulness for a democratic system that at least partially holds in check the folly and evil in all our hearts so that power which corrupts so readily is not given to one group or person too easily;

3) that we would know and live the meaning of

  1. being in the world, but not of it,
  2. doing politics as though not doing them,
  3. being on the earth, yet having our lives hidden with Christ in God,
  4. rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s;

4) that we would discern what truths and values should advance by being made law and which should advance only by the leavening of honest influence;

5) that your people would see what love and justice and far-seeing wisdom demand in regard to the issues of education, business and industry, health care, marriage and family, abortion, welfare, energy, government and taxes, military, terrorism, international relations, and every challenge that we will face in the years to come;

6) and above all, that we will treasure Jesus Christ, and tell everyone of his sovereignty and supremacy over all nations, and that long after America is a footnote to the future world, he will reign with his people from every tribe and tongue and nation.

Keep us faithful to Christ’s all important Word, and may we turn to it every day for light in these dark times.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

This is a historic election in many aspects, just as every election is. But this election has the potential to either open or heal wounds that remind us of our sinful nature and our shameful past.

America is divided. Our hearts are divided. But as Christians we cannot place our ultimate hope in the next president. No man is upright or pure. Our world has felt the disastrous effects of sin and its implications. In the end we must realize that Christ is our only hope, in this life and the life to come.

We as Christians must be responsible citizens and vote. Vote realizing that whatever happens today does not change our mission to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of us might be upset about the outcome, and that is expected. Let me remind you of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Roman Christians;

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

The world is watching. How we as Christians respond to this election will have a massive impact on our influence in american society. Live, talk, and act with wisdom.

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Personal, Religion

2008 General Election Voter Guide

The Family Policy Council has provided a good tool for thinking through the election.

“On November 4, 2008, North Carolina voters will go to the polls to elect individuals to represent them in federal, state and local government. In order to promote civic responsibility and to help voters better understand where the candidates stand on critically important issues, the North Carolina Family Policy Council is pleased to provide this impartial, nonpartisan 2008 General Election Voter Guide.”

To produce the Voter Guide, the Council sent questionnaires by certified mail to over 480 candidates during this election year. The candidates’ responses to the questionnaires are compiled on this website and may include additional comments and explanations provided by the candidates. In addition to viewing the candidate information on this website, you may also download a copy of the 16-page print version of the 2008 Voter Guide.“

CLICK HERE to visit their web page.

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Life, Religion, Thoughts

Albert Mohler on Homosexualty and ‘the gay marriage debate!’

If you didn’t know who Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is, he currently serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Master of Divinity degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (in systematic and historical theology) from Southern Seminary. He has pursued additional study at the St. Meinrad School of Theology and has done research at Oxford University (England).

Mohler is articulate when it comes to cultural issues. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S”. It is good to know that there are able thinkers in the Christian tradition that can present their arguments in a respectable way. Even when it comes to the ‘supersensitive’ issues like Homosexuality and the Bible.

Mohler has recently written three posts on “what’s really at stake in the gay marriage debate?”

What’s at stake in the gay marriage debate?- Part 1

“Both sides in this debate understand that issues right at the core of human dignity are at stake.  Each side understands that the decision on this question will shape the future of our civilization.  And, make no mistake, both sides know that the children are watching.”

What’s at stake in the gay marriage debate?- Part 2

“Proponents of same-sex marriage now attempt to argue that the only opposition to legalized homosexual marriage comes from conservative Christians pushing a narrow theological agenda.  They cannot possibly claim that conservative Christians control the vast majority of the world’s nations in which same-sex marriage is decidedly not legal.”

What’s at stake in the gay marriage debate?- Part 3

“When children acquire a language without the words “husband” or “wife,” they acquire a cultural knowledge that betrays the subversion of the central institution of civilization itself.”

Thoughts?

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Life, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

Abortion Extremism and The Implications of Barack Obama’s Election

Note: The only issue being addressed here is abortion. Also, Please note that most of this blog post is made up of the compiled thoughts and efforts of others who hold similar views as I do.

I am a little late in posting this, nevertheless, this discussion is still important.

Robert P. George of Princeton University recently wrote an article titled Obama and Infanticide.

He argues that “Barack Obama is the most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever to seek the office of President of the United States. He is the most extreme pro-abortion member of the United States Senate. Indeed, he is the most extreme pro-abortion legislator ever to serve in either house of the United States Congress.”

As Christians we need to think about this issue. We often hear questions similar to, “is the abortion issue enough to direct your vote away from Obama?” Looking at the implications might help you answer such questions…

I encourage you to read the whole article.

Justin Taylor sums up the implications as follows;

1. Obama “has promised to seek repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which has for many years protected pro-life citizens from having to pay for abortions that are not necessary to save the life of the mother and are not the result of rape or incest.”

2. Obama has promised that “the first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act” ( FOCA). This would make abortion a federally guaranteed right through all nine months of pregancy for any reason. Virtually every state and federal limitation on abortion that is currently on the books would be abolished (e.g., parental consent and notification laws for minors).

3. Obama opposes the ban on the heinous practice of partial-birth abortion and strongly disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the ban.

4. Obama wishes to strip federal funding from pro-life crisis pregnancy centers that provide alternatives to abortion for pregnant women in need.

5. Obama refused to support the pro-life Democrats’ “95-10” legislation (designed to reduce the number of abortions by 95% in 10 years by strengthening the social safety net for poor women). This would not have made abortion illegal; it would seek to reduce abortion.

6. Obama “opposed legislation to protect children who are born alive, either as a result of an abortionist’s unsuccessful effort to kill them in the womb, or by the deliberate delivery of the baby prior to viability.” The bill contained a specific provision that ensured that the bill would not affect abortion laws (Obama and his campaign lied about this fact until it was proven in the records).

7. Obama has co-sponsored a bill authorizing the large-scale industrial production of human embryos for use in biomedical research in which they would be killed. It would require the killing of human beings in the embryonic stage that were produced by cloning, and would make it a federal crime for a woman to save an embryo by agreeing to have the tiny developing human being implanted in her womb so that he or she could be brought to term.

8. Obama was one of the few senators to oppose a bill that would have put a modest amount of federal money into research that would develop methods to produce the exact equivalent of embryonic stem cells without using (or producing) embryos. “From any rational vantage point, this is unconscionable. . . . Why create and kill human embryos when there are alternatives that do not require the taking of nascent human lives? It is as if Obama is opposed to stem-cell research unless it involves killing human embryos.”

I encourage you to read the whole article.

What is the Freedom of Choice Act?

This is something that each and everyone of us must think through;

For Albert Mohler the answer is clear;

“Our vote will determine whether millions of unborn babies live or die.  The Freedom of Choice Act, if passed, would lead directly to a radical increase in the numbers of abortions.  The abortion industry has told us that themselves.

The question comes down to this:  How many lives are we willing to forfeit — to write off as expendable — in order to “move on” to other issues of concern?  There is no way to avoid that question and remain morally serious.  The voting booth is no place to hide.”

Read his whole post here.

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Religion

Francis Chan at Catalyst Conference on the Church

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Life, Religion, Thoughts

Panel Discussion at Queens University on the film “For the Bible Tells Me So”

Last night I attended a panel discussion at Queens University of Charlotte. During this event the documentary “For the Bible Tells Me So” was shown, and after the film a panel of ‘Christian’ thinkers dialoged about the film and the issues surrounding homosexuality and the church.

The panelists illustrated a wide range of viewpoints under the banner of ‘Christianity’,

Mike Deal (Cross & Crown Lutheran), Chris Ayers (Wedgewood Baptist Church) Catherine Houchins (Metropolitan Community Church), and Roberta Dunn (Charlotte Gender Alliance).

On the more conservative end;

Dr. Michael Brown (Line of Fire Ministries), Michael A. Stevens (University City Church of God in Christ), and Derek Radney (Calvary Baptist Church).

My Initial Thoughts

This film has an agenda, namely to illustrate the incompatibility of Historic Orthodox Evangelical Christian beliefs with those who claim to be Christian’s and continue in the homosexual lifestyle. But, this film unfairly characterizes Christian’s as always responding inappropriately to this issue. While it is true that many people of homosexual orientation are hurt by the unloving responses of their Churched loved ones when the issue surfaces, this is no reason to ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’. The church is full of sinful people.

As a Christian, I believe that we are all sinful beings. We all need salvation from our destructive nature. This is the reason God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life (upholding God’s law) and die (as a substitution for you and I, consuming God’s wrath against sin). When Christ rose again on the third day he defeated sin and death for all who would have faith in Him. This is the Gospel! The church is full of imperfect people who must rely on the grace of God, and exhibit that grace to others.

Often times Christians illustrate this sinful nature in our treatment of others. When it comes to the more emotionally heightened issues, the effects can be disastrous. While I acknowledge that many have been hurt in this capacity, I also acknowledge that ‘within the church’ we are called to gather around God’s truth and confess it as true, even when it hurts. God’s word calls us to a standard of living!

Last night I head several of the panelists (who are pastor’s) say things like;

“The Bible is not a manual for human sexuality, but the story of God’s love for humanity”

“At our church we do not care about who you are or where you come from, we understand the concept of God’s inclusive love”

To this I would respond, yes God is a God of love, but He is also just! We cannot minimize the reality of sin because it is not compatible with our sentiment. God’s love is inclusive in the sense that all who place their faith in Jesus will be saved. But its not inclusive in the sense that ‘all will be saved regardless of their beliefs and lives’. All who are truly saved will show it by their lives– in a desire to live according to God’s word. Just as we saw last night, Christians will not always be understood or even liked! But as sinful human beings, Christians should desire to live according to God’s word. This means that a Christian cannot continue in sin without repentance.

I pray that we as Christian’s would exhibit God’s love to those who are confused and desire to seek help with their struggles. We are all sinners in desperate need of the Gospel! We cannot minimize God’s truth on the issue of homosexuality, and we must “speak the truth in love“. One panelist eloquently said, “in this film we see many people speaking the truth, but not in love. On the other hand, we see many people speaking love, but not in truth.”

Here are a few informative resources on the issue of homosexuality;

1. Dr. Albert Mohler (A Proper Christian Perspective On the Cultural Issues of Homosexuality)

2. Dr. John Piper (A Pastoral Perspective on Relating to Homosexual’s in a Christian Manner…scroll down past sermons)

3. J.I. Packer (On Homosexuality in the Anglican Church)

4. Robert Gagnon (Scholarly Defender of the Church’s Historic Understanding of Homosexuality as Revealed in the Bible)

5. David Powlison (A Perspective on Biological Tendencies and Homosexuality)

Matt Capps Culture, Life, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

The Politics of Jesus

This past weekend First Baptist Church of Durham NC held a conference titled ‘The Politics of Jesus: Timeless Answers to Today’s Questions“. Below is the purpose of the seminar;

“This seminar is designed for pastors, church leaders, government and public policy leaders, medical ethicists and physicians, business and entrepreneurial leaders, members of the legal community, university students and members of the social services community to listen and interact with key evangelical leaders from around the nation on matters of culture, government, and politics. Issues which will be directly addressed include marriage, political activity by the church, Islamic theology, and racism.”

Among the participants were Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Nathan Finn from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Owen Strachan of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School live-blogged the event. He has compiled his posts, including Strachan’s manuscript and Nelson’s notes, here. You may also listen to each message via podcast by going to the conference website.

Matt Capps Culture, Life, Media and Technology, Personal, Philosophy, Thoughts

A Thought on Media Technology and Human Relationships

While in college, I took a class on ‘Popular Culture’, the class filled one of my sociology requirements. One of our texts for the class was a book titled Media Society. In this book the authors made an obvious but profound observation on the effect of media on social situations; they wrote “One important characteristic of media technology, is that it is usable by almost anyone with access to it; it does not require elaborate technical knowledge on the part of its users. The significance of media technology, as a result, is far reaching.”

The authors continue, “the social significance of media communication is that it differs substantially from unmediated face to face interaction…when we take a sociological look at media technology, we are asking how these technologies shape the ways we interact and communicate with one another.” Let’s think about the significance of media technology for a minute.

Almost everyone can use what they called ‘media technology’ (the internet, television, ipods), but have we given serious thought to the implications of these devices if gone unchecked? We need to become what Neil Postman called ‘great noticers’. If we stop and think about it, a live internet/television feed of an event (that can be hundreds or thousands of miles away) is an astonishing manipulation of time and space. We can “be there” without being there.

You can literally live one block away from the a football stadium, not be watching or listening to the game, and someone who lives across the country can know the outcome of the game before you do. Physical distance becomes irrelevant. Why does this matter? Beyond football games, think about your relationships with friends and family. How many of us keep up with friends or family via facebook or myspace. How many of us opt for a computer camera or instant messenger for having ‘face to face conversations’ because it is more convenient. Sure, for some of us we have too because of physical distance reasons. But others, the cost of gas is no excuse for disregarding the importance of quality personal time with the ones we love.

Back to facebook and myspace, the whole concept of ‘virtual community’ suggests that relationships no longer need to be geographically based. While technology has radically changed the way we understand the ‘meaning of distance’, it should not radically change the way we engage in human relationships.

We often talk of the possibilities that new technologies create, the awesome powers of new machines, but rarely do we consider the social implications of such things. We should not only be asking ‘what can technology do for us, but what should we do with technology?’ Yes, these technologies are easily accessible for most of us, but we need to be ‘great noticers’ of its effects, the results are far reaching.