A Sermon delivered to All Saints Anglican Church on June 24, 2007 during our outdoor worship service, Barboursville City Park, Barboursville, WV, based on Luke 9:18-24
In 2006, the movie, End of the Spear, told the story of a group of missionaries who attempted to reach out to the Auca indians in Ecuador. Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Peter Fleming, and their pilot, Nate Saint made contact with the violent tribe and were initially encouraged by a friendly response. But on January 8, 1956, during an attempt to reach the tribe, a group of 10 Aucas killed the four men.
Elliot and his friends became instantly known worldwide as martyrs, and Life Magazine published a ten-page article on their mission and death. While I was attending Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, we went to church with one of my professors, Walter Liefeld. His wife, Olive was the widow of Peter Fleming. On several occasions, we heard her tell about the events of that tragic day.
These families are credited with sparking an interest in Christian missions among the youth of their time and are still considered an encouragement to Christian missionaries working throughout the world. After her husband's death, Elisabeth Elliot and other missionaries began working among the Auca (Huaorani) Indians, where they had a profound impact and won many converts. She later published two books, Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot and Through Gates of Splendor, which describe the life and death of her husband. In 2005, a documentary based on the story was released entitled Beyond the Gates of Splendor
Jim Elliot was a very single-minded individual. He was the kind of person who went to Wheaton College to prepare for the mission field, but didn’t do well in his studies because he thought that studying philosophy and other subjects took away from studying the Bible. His commitment to sharing the Gospel with the world was absolute – even more important than his own life. In his journal for October 28, 1949, he wrote the following sentence,
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Jim Elliot was someone who lived out Jesus’ words that “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9: 24.
Today, I’d like us to ask ourselves the question, “What am I saving and what am I losing?”
Paul writes in his second letter to Timothy, “…”in the last days, there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
He is describing people who are trying to ‘save’ their lives – trying to ‘go for all the gusto’ trying to die with the most toys. What they are actually doing, according to Jesus and Paul is simply dying. They are dead to God because they are practicing the presence of their own selves. They have no spiritual life because their only interest is themselves. As a result, they aren’t just content to eventually go to hell; they are actively creating it here on earth.
You probably know people like this. They’re no fun to be around. Their selfishness is like a black hole, sucking up everything that comes near it. The most graphic current example I can think of is – brace yourselves – Paris Hilton. Her life, as portrayed in the media is the icon of the self-seeking person, who becomes a pathetic embarrassment and a reproach to all associated with her.
Contrast her life of wanton pleasure-seeking with that of Jesus, who came into this world, not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28). Although he existed in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant…humbling himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:6-8).
Paul uses the word ‘kenosis’ to describe how Jesus ‘emptied’ himself of his divine prerogatives in order to serve The Father in redeeming humanity. The result of this losing of his life was that “God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11).
Jesus lost his earthly life for us that He might inherit eternal glory.
…“for the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
This is the epitome of losing in order to save. This is what we should be emulating in our lives. If then, we wish to follow Christ, how can we do likewise?
Martyrdom:
Here’s a quote from an Orthodox website:
“The idea of martyrdom had a central place in the spiritual outlook of the early Christians. They saw their Church as founded upon blood - not only the blood of Christ but the blood of those 'other Christs', the martyrs. In later centuries when the Church became 'established' and no longer suffered persecution, the idea of martyrdom did not disappear, but it took other forms: the monastic life, for example, is often regarded by Greek writers as an equivalent to martyrdom. The same approach is found also in the west: take, for instance, a Celtic text - an Irish homily of the seventh century - which likens the ascetic life to the way of the martyr”:”Now there are three kinds of martyrdom which are accounted as a Cross to a man, white martyrdom, green martyrdom, and red martyrdom. White martyrdom consists in a man's abandoning everything he loves for God's sake ... (Green martyrdom consists in this, that by means of fasting and labour he frees himself from his evil desires, or suffers toil in penance and repentance. Red martyrdom consists in the endurance of a Cross or death for Christ's sake.'”
(Orthodox Christian Information website: http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/history1.aspx#The%20First%20Persecutions%20and%20Martyrs )
The Celts, whom we remember in our liturgy today were very keen to exercise this kind of martyrdom. Many “left behind the comforts and pleasures of ordinary human society to live hermits' lives on mountaintops or lonely islands. … There they studied Scripture and communed with God after the example of the anchorites in the Egyptian desert. Ireland could not duplicate the barren terrain of the Egyptian desert; thus, this green martyrdom gave way to the more social life of monasticism.
St. Columba became an example of a “White Martyr”. “Born in 521, a prince with a title to kingship, he chose to become a monk. By age 41 he had founded 41 monasteries. Because Columba was held responsible for the Battle of Cuil Dremmed in which 3,000 men died, he became an exile. As penance he set out to save the same number of people as died in the battle. Columba, with 12 relatives, founded a monastery on Iona off the coast of Scotland that became famous throughout Europe. Monks from Iona in turn set out for what they called a white martyrdom: "[H]enceforth all who followed Columcille's lead were called to the white martyrdom, they who sailed into the white sky of morning, into the unknown, never to return." (Wikipedia: “Martyrdom”).
All of which is fine and inspiring, but what about us today? How do we take up our cross and follow Jesus daily?
For many of us, the most compelling example is family life. As parents, we are constantly called upon to give up our own desires and put the needs of our children ahead of ours. I clearly remember the contrast between being able to go somewhere with Cindy and spend four or five carefree hours – and having to think of the needs of a newborn when we went somewhere. A simple trip to the mall to shop for clothes became an all-day bivouac requiring the mind of a military quarter-master to manage all the stuff we had to take with us! And then when more children came along …well, you know what I mean. Successful parenting demands that we deny ourselves and put others ahead of ourselves.
Then too, marriage requires the giving of oneself to the other person in order to be successful. I sometimes say, only half-jokingly – that “Marriage is God’s divinely ordained institution for Cross-bearing!” And let me quickly add that your spouse is not your cross! No! Rather, we encounter our own selfishness as we interact with our spouses, and we must constantly fight back the demand to have things the way that we want it when we want it. Again, it’s the contrast between being Christ-like - giving ourselves for the sake of the other - and grasping for self-fulfillment. One leads to life and the other death.
Very few of us are called to actually give up our lives in Red Martyrdom like Jim Elliot and his companions, but we are all called to live a life of self-denial, of white and green martyrdom – of giving up our own fondest desires – even when they are good, in order to serve our Lord more perfectly.
This is a basic pattern of the Christian life, and indeed in nature itself. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it cannot bear much fruit. (Jn. 12:24; I Cor 15:36). Unless you learn to die to your own selfish desires, you cannot please God. And pleasing Him is what it’s all about. It’s like a client of mine says, “If I miss Heaven, I miss everything”.
Friends, the way to follow Christ is to lay down your life for his sake. It’s a huge challenge to all who have dedicated our lives to Him. He demands everything of us but desires to give everything to us. If he demands death to ourselves, it’s only to replace it with His life, so that we may have that abundance that Jesus promises – good measure, tamped down and overflowing. (Jn. 10:10).
And if you’re out their trying to find a way to live a full life without Christ, I can only tell you that your efforts are in vain. Just as the Preacher says in Ecclesiates, “Vanity of Vanity, all is vanity.” (Eccl. 1:2). You can get all the toys you ever wanted and travel the world to your heart’s desire, but if you die without Christ, you’re just a dead person who left behind a passport and bunch of toys.
I invite you today to ‘cease striving”, to follow Jesus, to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and to make Christ the Lord of your life. If you do this you will live eternally and experience the joy of being reconciled with God.
Pray with me: “Jesus, I believe that you are the Messiah of God. I have tried to save my life and I’m losing it every day. Father, please forgive me my sins and save me from myself. Help me to give myself to you and to take up my cross and follow you daily. Make my life pleasing to you and give me the abundant life Jesus promised, for his sake, Amen.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Despising the Lord?
A Sermon delivered to All Saints Anglican Church on June 17, 2007, based on:
2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15 Galatians 2:11-21, Luke 7:36-50 Psalm 32
There was once a young man who grew up in the country. He and his family were poor, but they made a decent living for themselves by raising livestock. The job of watching the sheep usually fell to the youngest son, who was diligent and did a good job tending the sheep and keeping them safe from predators. One day, the young man was out in the field playing his harp and uploading the files to his IPOD, when his brother came running to him and told him to come quickly, that there was a very important man at the house who was calling for him.
The young man came home and low and behold, there was a prophet of God, who took him and anointed him King. After much struggle the young man eventually ascended to the throne and became King. He became very weatlthy and powerful and had everything he could have wanted. But just when he was reaching the Zenith of his power, something disastrous happened.
In the spring of the year, when kings go out and wage war our young man, David, was at home taking care of the affairs of state - which seemed to amount to sunbathing on the roof and looking at the neighbors as they took baths. And as we all know, this course of action got David in trouble.
See if this quote doesn’t describe what happened to David:
“Each one is tempted when he is carried away by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished it brings forth death.” (James 1:15,16)
David was carried away by lust for Bathsheba and had an affair with her that resulted in the conception of a child. Then he plotted the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. This was all evil in the sight of the Lord, and God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his sin, saying, “I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight?
David’s evil actions were the result of despising the word of the Lord! What an amazing thought! Do you think of your sins as the result of despising the word of the Lord? If not, remember what Adam and Eve did in the garden. Even though they were told very specifically what would happen if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of God and Evil, they went ahead and did it anyway. They despised the word of the Lord. And we do too.
For Sin is really a matter of deciding whose Word is more trustworthy- Mine or God’s. Here’s David lying on his chase lounge in the sun, and he sees a beautiful woman and asks himself, “What would be better, to obey God and enjoy my own harem of wives and concubines, live in luxury and prosper, or risk it all by pursuing something God told me not to do? After about a nanosecond, he decides his own idea would be better. Friends, this is craziness.
But we’re just the same as David. Our basic fault as humans is that we ignore and forget what we know about God. We despise his Word. Then when it all turns out badly, we try to cover it up. In Psalm 32 David describes what happened in his life when he tried this:
“I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. I groaned all day long. For night and day your hand was heavy upon me. Indeed my flesh was dried up, as by the summer’s heat.” (Ps 32: 3,4)
[“While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long. For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer”]
Sin results in suffering and separation from God. It robs us of intimacy with God the Father and exposes us to disaster. Here is the judgment levied against David by Nathan:
“You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife." (2 Sam. 12:9, 10). His wives were also to be given to his enemy and publicly violated, for “you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, says the Lord, (v. 12).
David’s sin was done in private, but it was publicly exposed. Just as the old saying goes, ‘Be sure your sin will find you out.’ But here’s where the story takes a turn. David confesses to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." (Duh!). And Nathan replies: "Now the LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die. God responds immediately to David’s repentance and he is forgiven, but there is a consequence to bear. Nathan continues, “Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die." (v. 14). David’s choice to despise God’s word scorns the Lord and it results in judgment and death. The baby that Bathsheba bears to David dies as a result of David’s sin.
This certainly seems unfair from our vantage point. But remember – the primary offense is against God – God Almighty, El Shaddai, Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Holy One of Israel, Who dwells in Light Unapproachable, who cannot lie and who lives eternally, self-existent, non-contingent, Father Son and Holy Spirit. The One who is High and Lifted Up, Thrice Holy, to whom the 24 elders bow down and before whom they cast their crowns. This is the God whom David has offended. To not acknowledge this God and give Him the praise he is due is to be like an unintelligent beast who needs bridle and bit to be controlled (Ps. 32:9).
In contrast, the return to health and sanity begins with an acknowledgment that I have sinned:
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said," I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. (Ps. 32:5,6)
The result of this confession is blessedness:
“Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile!” (Ps. 32, vv.1,2)
And confidence in our God:
“Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them. You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” (Ps. 32, vv. 6, 7)
How then, do we get to this place of blessedness on a day-by-day basis? The Psalmist has God say to us:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
(I will give you counsel with my eye upon you). (v. 10)
The counsel that has come down to us through the ages is that in order to experience the joy and the fellowship of the Lord, we must stay in close fellowship with him through confession of sin and submitting my will to His.
Paul says it this way in Galations 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
More specifically, it is the Holy Spirit who lives in me and empowers me to live the Christian Life. One of the ways that the Church has discovered to be empowered is to pray the “Jesus Prayer”: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (cf. Luke 18:13).
This simple prayer covers all the necessary ground as we approach our God. It acknowledges the Lordship of Christ in our lives, recognizes that Jesus Christ is One with the Father, asks forgiveness for sin, and pleads for mercy. As we pray this pray, then Ps 32:11 becomes a reality for us. Instead of experiencing great tribulation because of our wickedness, …”mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.” Being justified by God and righteous through the blood of Christ, we can “Be glad …and rejoice in the LORD; We can “shout for joy, all who are true of heart.”
(Ps. 32:12)
So let’s recite the Jesus Prayer together: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Jesus encountered this spirit of repentance in a certain sinner woman who “brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment.” When she did this Jesus pronounced, “Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."
Friends, let us realize that we have been forgiven much. We are all Davids and sinner women at heart. Let us not despise the word of the Lord, but rather confess our sins so that we me hear Jesus say to us, as he said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven.Your faith has saved you; go in peace." ( Luke 7:36-50) Amen.
2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15 Galatians 2:11-21, Luke 7:36-50 Psalm 32
There was once a young man who grew up in the country. He and his family were poor, but they made a decent living for themselves by raising livestock. The job of watching the sheep usually fell to the youngest son, who was diligent and did a good job tending the sheep and keeping them safe from predators. One day, the young man was out in the field playing his harp and uploading the files to his IPOD, when his brother came running to him and told him to come quickly, that there was a very important man at the house who was calling for him.
The young man came home and low and behold, there was a prophet of God, who took him and anointed him King. After much struggle the young man eventually ascended to the throne and became King. He became very weatlthy and powerful and had everything he could have wanted. But just when he was reaching the Zenith of his power, something disastrous happened.
In the spring of the year, when kings go out and wage war our young man, David, was at home taking care of the affairs of state - which seemed to amount to sunbathing on the roof and looking at the neighbors as they took baths. And as we all know, this course of action got David in trouble.
See if this quote doesn’t describe what happened to David:
“Each one is tempted when he is carried away by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished it brings forth death.” (James 1:15,16)
David was carried away by lust for Bathsheba and had an affair with her that resulted in the conception of a child. Then he plotted the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. This was all evil in the sight of the Lord, and God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his sin, saying, “I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight?
David’s evil actions were the result of despising the word of the Lord! What an amazing thought! Do you think of your sins as the result of despising the word of the Lord? If not, remember what Adam and Eve did in the garden. Even though they were told very specifically what would happen if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of God and Evil, they went ahead and did it anyway. They despised the word of the Lord. And we do too.
For Sin is really a matter of deciding whose Word is more trustworthy- Mine or God’s. Here’s David lying on his chase lounge in the sun, and he sees a beautiful woman and asks himself, “What would be better, to obey God and enjoy my own harem of wives and concubines, live in luxury and prosper, or risk it all by pursuing something God told me not to do? After about a nanosecond, he decides his own idea would be better. Friends, this is craziness.
But we’re just the same as David. Our basic fault as humans is that we ignore and forget what we know about God. We despise his Word. Then when it all turns out badly, we try to cover it up. In Psalm 32 David describes what happened in his life when he tried this:
“I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. I groaned all day long. For night and day your hand was heavy upon me. Indeed my flesh was dried up, as by the summer’s heat.” (Ps 32: 3,4)
[“While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long. For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer”]
Sin results in suffering and separation from God. It robs us of intimacy with God the Father and exposes us to disaster. Here is the judgment levied against David by Nathan:
“You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife." (2 Sam. 12:9, 10). His wives were also to be given to his enemy and publicly violated, for “you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, says the Lord, (v. 12).
David’s sin was done in private, but it was publicly exposed. Just as the old saying goes, ‘Be sure your sin will find you out.’ But here’s where the story takes a turn. David confesses to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." (Duh!). And Nathan replies: "Now the LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die. God responds immediately to David’s repentance and he is forgiven, but there is a consequence to bear. Nathan continues, “Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die." (v. 14). David’s choice to despise God’s word scorns the Lord and it results in judgment and death. The baby that Bathsheba bears to David dies as a result of David’s sin.
This certainly seems unfair from our vantage point. But remember – the primary offense is against God – God Almighty, El Shaddai, Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Holy One of Israel, Who dwells in Light Unapproachable, who cannot lie and who lives eternally, self-existent, non-contingent, Father Son and Holy Spirit. The One who is High and Lifted Up, Thrice Holy, to whom the 24 elders bow down and before whom they cast their crowns. This is the God whom David has offended. To not acknowledge this God and give Him the praise he is due is to be like an unintelligent beast who needs bridle and bit to be controlled (Ps. 32:9).
In contrast, the return to health and sanity begins with an acknowledgment that I have sinned:
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said," I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. (Ps. 32:5,6)
The result of this confession is blessedness:
“Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile!” (Ps. 32, vv.1,2)
And confidence in our God:
“Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them. You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” (Ps. 32, vv. 6, 7)
How then, do we get to this place of blessedness on a day-by-day basis? The Psalmist has God say to us:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
(I will give you counsel with my eye upon you). (v. 10)
The counsel that has come down to us through the ages is that in order to experience the joy and the fellowship of the Lord, we must stay in close fellowship with him through confession of sin and submitting my will to His.
Paul says it this way in Galations 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
More specifically, it is the Holy Spirit who lives in me and empowers me to live the Christian Life. One of the ways that the Church has discovered to be empowered is to pray the “Jesus Prayer”: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (cf. Luke 18:13).
This simple prayer covers all the necessary ground as we approach our God. It acknowledges the Lordship of Christ in our lives, recognizes that Jesus Christ is One with the Father, asks forgiveness for sin, and pleads for mercy. As we pray this pray, then Ps 32:11 becomes a reality for us. Instead of experiencing great tribulation because of our wickedness, …”mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.” Being justified by God and righteous through the blood of Christ, we can “Be glad …and rejoice in the LORD; We can “shout for joy, all who are true of heart.”
(Ps. 32:12)
So let’s recite the Jesus Prayer together: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Jesus encountered this spirit of repentance in a certain sinner woman who “brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment.” When she did this Jesus pronounced, “Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."
Friends, let us realize that we have been forgiven much. We are all Davids and sinner women at heart. Let us not despise the word of the Lord, but rather confess our sins so that we me hear Jesus say to us, as he said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven.Your faith has saved you; go in peace." ( Luke 7:36-50) Amen.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
The Trinity and the Fight for Orthodoxy
A Sermon delivered to All Saints Anglican Church on Trinity Sunday, June 2, 2007
In the early 300’s AD, one man, Athanasius of Alexandria, Egypt, almost single-handedly stood up and fought for what we regard today as Orthodox Christianity. He was born in about 296 to an apparently well to do family and received a good education, later studying philosophy.
Alexandria was at that time the New York City of the ancient world. It was the most important trade center of its day as well as being the primary emporium for the exchange of ideas. It had an important Catechetical School, the breadth of which included many ‘secular’ subjects. Even pagan philosophers were a part of the company of scholars.
He was barely out of his teens when he wrote two very important books, Against the Gentiles and On the Incarnation. He was very impressed with monastic spirituality of the Desert Fathers and wrote The Life of St. Anthony. In his own spiritual practice he was so disciplined that he came to be known as an ascetic.
During his lifetime there were ‘giants’ in the land. A Libyan priest, Arius was living at that time, propounding his ideas about the ‘only human’ nature of Christ. Concerning the Word of God (John 1:1) he taught that "God begat him, and before he was begotten, he did not exist." Athanasius was at that time a newly ordained deacon, secretary to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, and a member of his household. His reply to Arius was that the begetting, or uttering, of the Word by the Father is an eternal relation between Them, and not a temporal event. Arius was condemned by most of the bishops of Egypt and went to Nicomedia, from which he wrote letters to bishops throughout the world, stating his position. Arianism was perhaps as much a political intrigue as it was an ideology, but at the time, it was very divisive in the church and there was real threat of division. So it was in 325, that Emperor Constantine called together a council to meet in Nicea, in order to deal decisively with questions about the exact nature of Jesus Christ as God.
During these debates, Athanasius so distinguished himself that he was chosen by the ailing Alexander to be his successor as the next Bishop of Alexandria. He served as Primate for 46 years, during which time, he witnessed the triumph of the Trinitarian faith over Arianism. Athananius is also the first person to draw up the list of 27 New Testament books we regard as canonical today.
During his stand for orthodoxy, Athanasius had to contend with political intrigue whispered in the ear of the Emperor. He endured a two-year exile because of fabricated charges brought against him, but he returned to Alexandria after the death of Arius in 336 and Constantine in 337. His political troubles were not over, however, and he soon had to go into hiding to escape his enemies, ultimately traveling to Rome and appealing to Pope Julius for a fair hearing regarding the charges leveled against him. He was vindicated and after seven years returned to Alexandria.
Throughout most of his career, Athanasius would be haunted by various allegations of defiling an altar, selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and for suppressing dissent through violence and murder. Nevertheless, he was uncompromising in his opposition to Arianism and other heresies, one of his famous treatises being an Oration versus Arius. Over a fifty year period, he lived to see the Arian controversy put down and the triumph of the Nicene Creed, with it’s statement that Jesus was of the ‘same substance’ (homoousios) as the Father.
Why was Athanasius so dogged in his opposition to a position that was widely known and variously accepted by many people? Athanasius writes in another place that the very salvation of people’s souls was at stake. He was standing for Orthodoxy because he honestly felt that if people did not have a true understanding and belief in the True faith they would be eternally lost. We’ll see this when we recite the Athanasian Creed together shortly.
So let’s relate this to our current situation. We, as a small body of people in this area have taken a stand over against those in the Episcopal Church who have adopted what Peter Toon calls the New Episcopal Religion. Below is a synopsis of the differences between the New and the Traditional Episcopal Religious beliefs:
A Synopis of the article: "Two Religions in One Family" by Peter Toon
The New Episcopal Religion (NER)
On the Nature of God:
Emphasis on Oneness, Pantheistic, Immanent
God and Cosmos influence one another
Both seen as evolving
"Trinity" symbolizes human community
God, Traditional Episcopal Religion (TER):
Trinitarian, Transcendent,
Wholly Other than Cosmos
Creation Ex Nihilo, God unchanging
Three Persons, One Being
On Jesus, NER:
The Supremely Human Being (avoids the word "Man")
Uniquely evolved to reflect and reveal God
Identifies with the poor, outcast, etc
Agenda: Peace and Justice
Stress on "Dignity of all persons"
Jesus, TER:
God Incarnate, a real man
Ministers on earth to poor, outcast, etc.
Substitutionary death atones for our sins
Resurrection is literal, glorious
Prophet, Priest and King
Intercessor with the Father
On the Holy Spirit, NER:
Power of Deity and Jesus
Wholly identified with NER mission:
In line with United Nations Millenium Goals
Holy Spirit, TER:
Descends personally from Father & Son
Continues work of Salvation & Redemption
On the Bible NER:
"First in a line of witnesses"
Authority lies in being first
Written record of God's visitation to Jews and Christians
Spirit continues to reveal God's mind
Contemporary Experience reveals God's will.
Bible does not stand alone
Continuing revelation must be consulted.
Bible, TER:
The Word of God written
God's inspired Self-revelation to man
Message of salvation from sin into eternal life
God's commands to his faithful people
Revelation is final and authoritative
Revelation cannot be changed
On Salvation, NER:
"Having a relationship with God"…
Personally and in community
Joining God's mission of peace & Justice in the world.
Following Jesus=imitating his care of the unloved
At death, one goes to be with God -
Absorption in God's divine being and unity.
Salvation, TER:
Faith in Christ saves us from condemnation
Repentance of ones sins is necessary
Personal relationship with God through Christ
Take the Gospel to the world, show mercy
At death we go to Heaven to live with God
Personal identity maintained eternally.
Considering all these differences between the Traditional and the New Episcopal Religion, one can only conclude that the New beliefs have taken the Episcopal church out of Christianity altogether. While it may be true that individuals who remain in TEC may hold on to their faith, they are clearly worshipping at the altar of a foreign religion. The only conclusion that may be drawn from this is that these dear folks, for whatever reasons they choose to remain within TEC are courting spiritual disaster.
TEC and its House of Bishops has clearly rejected the demands of the Orthodox Anglican Community. After September of this year, the ultimate date given for TEC to return to Christianity, no Christian has any business worshipping in an Episcopal Church, for it has long since ceased to be Christian.
Friends, that puts us in a similar position to Athanasius. We are in the midst of a fight for Orthodox Christian belief. This fight is not just about Anglicanism. The Episocpal Church is at the vanguard of the fight, but the Methodists and Presbyterians are close behind. Whatever happens in Anglicanism is sure to impact the rest of Christianity as well. I had breakfast on Friday morning with a Church of Christ pastor and he commented to me that this fight is even causing him to think about issues within his own church. So the fight is important and it’s worth the effort to leave the comforts of church buildings and friendships because people’s souls are at stake.
Remember the words of Jesus:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Matthew 16:24-26.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Matthew 7:21-23.
Let us pray to Almighty God that we are not among those who hope in vain. And let us pray for those who find themselves worshipping in a House of Heresy, that they may see the error of their ways and flee for their lives. Let us consider soberly the warnings and explicit faith of the Athanasian Creed.
The Creed of Saint Athanasius
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone 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 Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost 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 Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost 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 both 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. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
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 salvation 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 give 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. Amen.
In the early 300’s AD, one man, Athanasius of Alexandria, Egypt, almost single-handedly stood up and fought for what we regard today as Orthodox Christianity. He was born in about 296 to an apparently well to do family and received a good education, later studying philosophy.
Alexandria was at that time the New York City of the ancient world. It was the most important trade center of its day as well as being the primary emporium for the exchange of ideas. It had an important Catechetical School, the breadth of which included many ‘secular’ subjects. Even pagan philosophers were a part of the company of scholars.
He was barely out of his teens when he wrote two very important books, Against the Gentiles and On the Incarnation. He was very impressed with monastic spirituality of the Desert Fathers and wrote The Life of St. Anthony. In his own spiritual practice he was so disciplined that he came to be known as an ascetic.
During his lifetime there were ‘giants’ in the land. A Libyan priest, Arius was living at that time, propounding his ideas about the ‘only human’ nature of Christ. Concerning the Word of God (John 1:1) he taught that "God begat him, and before he was begotten, he did not exist." Athanasius was at that time a newly ordained deacon, secretary to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, and a member of his household. His reply to Arius was that the begetting, or uttering, of the Word by the Father is an eternal relation between Them, and not a temporal event. Arius was condemned by most of the bishops of Egypt and went to Nicomedia, from which he wrote letters to bishops throughout the world, stating his position. Arianism was perhaps as much a political intrigue as it was an ideology, but at the time, it was very divisive in the church and there was real threat of division. So it was in 325, that Emperor Constantine called together a council to meet in Nicea, in order to deal decisively with questions about the exact nature of Jesus Christ as God.
During these debates, Athanasius so distinguished himself that he was chosen by the ailing Alexander to be his successor as the next Bishop of Alexandria. He served as Primate for 46 years, during which time, he witnessed the triumph of the Trinitarian faith over Arianism. Athananius is also the first person to draw up the list of 27 New Testament books we regard as canonical today.
During his stand for orthodoxy, Athanasius had to contend with political intrigue whispered in the ear of the Emperor. He endured a two-year exile because of fabricated charges brought against him, but he returned to Alexandria after the death of Arius in 336 and Constantine in 337. His political troubles were not over, however, and he soon had to go into hiding to escape his enemies, ultimately traveling to Rome and appealing to Pope Julius for a fair hearing regarding the charges leveled against him. He was vindicated and after seven years returned to Alexandria.
Throughout most of his career, Athanasius would be haunted by various allegations of defiling an altar, selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and for suppressing dissent through violence and murder. Nevertheless, he was uncompromising in his opposition to Arianism and other heresies, one of his famous treatises being an Oration versus Arius. Over a fifty year period, he lived to see the Arian controversy put down and the triumph of the Nicene Creed, with it’s statement that Jesus was of the ‘same substance’ (homoousios) as the Father.
Why was Athanasius so dogged in his opposition to a position that was widely known and variously accepted by many people? Athanasius writes in another place that the very salvation of people’s souls was at stake. He was standing for Orthodoxy because he honestly felt that if people did not have a true understanding and belief in the True faith they would be eternally lost. We’ll see this when we recite the Athanasian Creed together shortly.
So let’s relate this to our current situation. We, as a small body of people in this area have taken a stand over against those in the Episcopal Church who have adopted what Peter Toon calls the New Episcopal Religion. Below is a synopsis of the differences between the New and the Traditional Episcopal Religious beliefs:
A Synopis of the article: "Two Religions in One Family" by Peter Toon
The New Episcopal Religion (NER)
On the Nature of God:
Emphasis on Oneness, Pantheistic, Immanent
God and Cosmos influence one another
Both seen as evolving
"Trinity" symbolizes human community
God, Traditional Episcopal Religion (TER):
Trinitarian, Transcendent,
Wholly Other than Cosmos
Creation Ex Nihilo, God unchanging
Three Persons, One Being
On Jesus, NER:
The Supremely Human Being (avoids the word "Man")
Uniquely evolved to reflect and reveal God
Identifies with the poor, outcast, etc
Agenda: Peace and Justice
Stress on "Dignity of all persons"
Jesus, TER:
God Incarnate, a real man
Ministers on earth to poor, outcast, etc.
Substitutionary death atones for our sins
Resurrection is literal, glorious
Prophet, Priest and King
Intercessor with the Father
On the Holy Spirit, NER:
Power of Deity and Jesus
Wholly identified with NER mission:
In line with United Nations Millenium Goals
Holy Spirit, TER:
Descends personally from Father & Son
Continues work of Salvation & Redemption
On the Bible NER:
"First in a line of witnesses"
Authority lies in being first
Written record of God's visitation to Jews and Christians
Spirit continues to reveal God's mind
Contemporary Experience reveals God's will.
Bible does not stand alone
Continuing revelation must be consulted.
Bible, TER:
The Word of God written
God's inspired Self-revelation to man
Message of salvation from sin into eternal life
God's commands to his faithful people
Revelation is final and authoritative
Revelation cannot be changed
On Salvation, NER:
"Having a relationship with God"…
Personally and in community
Joining God's mission of peace & Justice in the world.
Following Jesus=imitating his care of the unloved
At death, one goes to be with God -
Absorption in God's divine being and unity.
Salvation, TER:
Faith in Christ saves us from condemnation
Repentance of ones sins is necessary
Personal relationship with God through Christ
Take the Gospel to the world, show mercy
At death we go to Heaven to live with God
Personal identity maintained eternally.
Considering all these differences between the Traditional and the New Episcopal Religion, one can only conclude that the New beliefs have taken the Episcopal church out of Christianity altogether. While it may be true that individuals who remain in TEC may hold on to their faith, they are clearly worshipping at the altar of a foreign religion. The only conclusion that may be drawn from this is that these dear folks, for whatever reasons they choose to remain within TEC are courting spiritual disaster.
TEC and its House of Bishops has clearly rejected the demands of the Orthodox Anglican Community. After September of this year, the ultimate date given for TEC to return to Christianity, no Christian has any business worshipping in an Episcopal Church, for it has long since ceased to be Christian.
Friends, that puts us in a similar position to Athanasius. We are in the midst of a fight for Orthodox Christian belief. This fight is not just about Anglicanism. The Episocpal Church is at the vanguard of the fight, but the Methodists and Presbyterians are close behind. Whatever happens in Anglicanism is sure to impact the rest of Christianity as well. I had breakfast on Friday morning with a Church of Christ pastor and he commented to me that this fight is even causing him to think about issues within his own church. So the fight is important and it’s worth the effort to leave the comforts of church buildings and friendships because people’s souls are at stake.
Remember the words of Jesus:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Matthew 16:24-26.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Matthew 7:21-23.
Let us pray to Almighty God that we are not among those who hope in vain. And let us pray for those who find themselves worshipping in a House of Heresy, that they may see the error of their ways and flee for their lives. Let us consider soberly the warnings and explicit faith of the Athanasian Creed.
The Creed of Saint Athanasius
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone 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 Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost 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 Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost 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 both 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. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
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 salvation 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 give 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. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)