“I Have Found The One My Soul Loves.”

Song of Solomon 3:4 “I have found the one my soul loves.” Unfortunately to many people try to either make the Song of Solomon a strained allegory or an almost pornographic poem. It is neither. Oh, to be sure it has allegorical (probably better metaphorical) elements and it certainly expressive in it descriptive language. I see it as an effort on the part of Solomon to share the depth of the mutual affection between him and what I can only call the “love of his life.”

The New Testament speaks of love in three dimensions. 

• There is the passionate love which speaks of the physical splendors of love making. This is expressed by the Greek word eros (Έρως).

• Then there is affectionate love. This would be the love shared by friends. It carries the idea of being “Kindly affectionate toward one another.” This aspect of love would be expressed by the Greek word pheleo (φελαιο).

• The third expression of love is generally referred to as Godly love and is generally considered the highest level of love. This would be expressed by use of the Greek word agape (αγάπη).

I have mentioned those because the phrase “My soul loves” (הנשמה שלי אוהבת) seems to me in this context to include all of the above. Solomon, rather than starting at the lowest and working upward starts at the apex and then goes on to make all of the Greek ideas about love flow from what he might call “Soul Love.” 

In the phrase, “I have found the one my soul loves” the Hebrew word translated as “soul” (אוהב)  refers to the innermost core of the person. It I that which gives a person breath and life and is the seat of all emotions and passions. 

The Greek words for love look for precision while the Hebrew word for “love” is versatile and can refer to romantic love, familial love, and love from God and can represent all three rolled into one. Hence, the soul-deep love the woman is experiencing is the deepest possible connection and yearning one can feel. 

This “soul love” is what God intended when he instituted marriage and commanded that the man and the woman become “one flesh,” i.e., one being. “Soul love” is the most Godlike like love that humanity can experience and it is rare. 

It is this “Soul Love that is at the heart of Biblical marriage.  Both parties desire each other deeply. Both find rest and peace in no other person than their beloved. They are physically and sexually attracted to each other and freely and without guilt share and enjoy every part of the other’s body. “Soul love” turns experiencing the joy of a God-honoring expression of sexual love into a spiritual experience. 

The couple that possess “Soul Love” will always feel a hole in their heart that only the other person can fill and it is only when together do they truly feel complete. When they come together, the world disappears and troubles simply fade away. 

This is why when one or the other dies the remaining spouse cries out that something has been ripped from their soul. Something has. It explains why we dream of our beloved; why we cannot wait to see them at the end of the day; and why we smile when we see them as we wake each morning. 

When Adam first laid eyes on the woman he essentially said I am now complete and when death takes one of the partners they are no longer complete but following the resurrection He who began the good work in us will bring it to completion. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

I have a feeling that when the surviving spouse dies it is going to be as if they both awakened in the morning and at the sight of each other a smile is born. So . . . . 

I will meet you in the morning by the bright riverside
When all sorrows has drifted away

I'll be standin' at the portals when the gates open wide
At the close of life's long weary day

I'll meet you in the morning with a 'How do you do?'
And we'll sit down by the river and when rapture of the plane is renewed
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning, in the city that is built four square

I'll meet you in the morning with a 'How do you do?'
And we'll sit down by the river and when rapture of the plane is renewed
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning, in the city that is built four square

So Your Pastor Retired . . . Now What?

I recently learned of a church, with which I am familiar, that even before its present pastor had left, albeit he had announced his retirement, had hired a “Christian” pastor search consulting firm to work with their church elected pastor search committee in locating a replacement for the retiring pastor.

Consulting with churches about finding pastors and other senior staff members is apparently a lucrative field. I came up with a list of 11 without any effort at all.

• Y Scouts
• Halftime Talent Solutions 
• Vanderbloemen Search Group
• Faith Search Partners
• Agora
• Recruiterie
• CarterBaldwin
• The Dingman Company
• True Path
• Shepherd's Staff
• Slingshot

Learning this raised a number of questions in my mind. The first question that came to mind had nothing to do with searching for a pastor. It was the idea that a company could be a Christian firm. It always bothered me just a little that we would identify for-profit companies as being Christian. I would personally prefer to refer to them as a firm owned and operated by Christians or perhaps a firm that caters to Christian people and churches.  Okay that’s out of the way now to the subject of hands. 

I must confess at the very beginning that I am pretty much old school Baptist when it comes to calling a pastor to a church. So, let me stay at the very beginning that my underlying presupposition in regard to the calling of the pastor is as follows: 

I believe that the Bible teaches that God calls, equips, commissions and assigns pastors to His churches. I also believe that it is not the job of the pulpit committee to find a pastor for their church. Their job is to find the man that God has already selected to be the under-shepherd of His church. I also believe that, regardless of the process, a committee comprised of spiritually-minded people will discover that God will reveal His choice to them with a remarkable clarity. 

Now, having said that I need to flesh it out just a little. I have an acute awareness that Scripture does not give a process for this. There are no specific instructions for the process a church uses when filling a vacancy in the office of the under-shepherd of the church. However that does not mean that the church can just choose any process to make that selection. Whatever the process of a church chooses for selecting under-shepherd it must meet certain criteria.

Clearly, it is not efficient for the church to act as a committee-of-the-whole. Therefore, the church should elect from among its body a number, chosen by the church, of spiritually minded people to serve as a pastor search committee. I would suggest that you will not find a better model that Acts 6 and the choosing of the original Deacons.  This would be a good model for this committee and how this process should work. It is the process used in Acts to which I speak and not the specifics. 

The basic requirement for such a committee is that it consist of people who are “full of the Holy Spirit” (spiritually minded) and of “good report” (have a good reputation both in and out of the church). Pulpit Committees, Pastor search Committees and Pastor Search Teams (as we are now calling them) above everything else you can say about them MUST be composed of people who are sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the committee is not trying to find a pastor for their church. They are trying to find the person God has already selected for that position. A committee attune to the Holy Spirit will know that person when they see them. Their spirit will bear witness with the Holy Spirit with unanimity within the committee. So when making the recommendation to the church the can say with honesty and integrity, "We recommend this person to be the next pastor of our church believing them to be God's person for our church."

As a practical matter the church should decide on the number of members for such a committee.  If a list is generated from which members are chosen that list should be twice the number needed. For example: let’s say the church decides on six as the number of people on the committee. Any list presented to the church should contain at least 12 names listed alphabetically. From that list church members will select eight names. The names selected shall then be listed in order of the number of times they were selected with the top six selections forming the committee and the two below that as alternates. 

Contrary to what most might think with the first responsibility of the pastor search committee is not to obtain a list of potential pastors nor is it to begin the process of screaming a list of potential pastors. The first responsibility of such a committee is to bring themselves together spiritually. This means meeting together to share experiences and prayer. Pray for one another; to pray for the guidance of the holy spirit; and to organize themselves as a committee. I recommend that the committee at least choose a chairman and a secretary to record what they do as well as a spokesperson to speak for the committee. It is my conviction that the committee when asked by a congregant about their work could always tell the truth I’m trust the people but when telling the truth and trusting the people they do it through a single spokesperson.

Now, let us suppose that as in the church mentioned in the first paragraph the committee decides that they want to employ an outside consulting company the help them discharge their duties regarding finding the under-shepherd for the church. The question that must be addressed is, what is the role that this consulting company will play in selecting the right person for the church? 

I would suggest that the only role of the consulting firm would be to narrow down the field of candidates to a group that fits within the parameters 1st Timothy 3:1-7. This could include things such as background checks regarding criminal backgrounds, financial responsibility, domestic stability, educational accuracy and other such items. All of this in aid of narrowing the field of candidates down to the qualities the enumerated in 1st Timothy.

I also want to point out that simply because someone has had difficulty in their past does not rule them out as being God’s choice for your church. Quite frankly, not very many of the Apostles could not pass muster based on the background checks that we perform today. Such a process does not make allowance for the redemptive and reconciliation priorities placed upon the church. Besides such reports contain a lot of inaccurate and in many cases just plain wrong material.  

For example, did the negative background data predate or post date the candidate’s salvation and calling to ministry. The committee must be very careful that they do not designate what God has cleansed as unclean or unfit (See Acts 10:9-16 ). The committee must always remember it is their responsibility to recommend God’s choice not their own personal choice for under-shepherd.

In addition the committee will want to hear personally from not about each candidate on their “serious” list concerning the following:

1. Their salvation experience
2. Their call to preach (Not just to “ministry.” Ministry is too broad for the under-shepherd)
3. The nature and role of Scripture
4. Church governance
5. Their stance on Moral issues of day
6. Here them in the pulpit and not just on a recording. You want to see them in a live presentation and get the whole context. 
7. Just about anything else you want to know about.

Remember, as a representative of both the Lord and His congregation you are interested not only in their answers but in how they answer and their body language as they answer. 

So tell me, what do you think?

 

Successful Marriage: Well yes, If The Lord is Lord of Them

I watched a brief video about Ben and Erin Napier of the HGTV show "Home Town" and discovered why Susan loved that show about her home town, Laurel, Mississippi, so much. I thought it was because of it being focused on her hometown. But after watching this short bio about Ben and Erin Napier I now know it was about the similarity she saw in their relationship to ours. The relationships are not the same but they were oh so similar.

That led to me remembering an interview I had a few weeks ago in which after the formal interview was done the young man doing the interview said to me. "I am getting married in February and since you were married for 54 years what would you say is he most important thing to having a marriage that lasts that long?" 

He seemed surprised at my answer and I guess anyone would. I said, "My wife and I believed that the only way to have a long and blessed marriage is to keep God in the marriage relationship." As he sort of stuttered I continued, "everything about marriage is better when the Lord is included . . . . and I mean everything from the romance to the heartbreaks . . . . everything is better."

He then told me that he had asked a lot of long term married Christian couples in the project for which he was interviewing me and I was the first to say putting God in the center of the marriage relationship is the key to a long successful marriage. 

He told me he had heard things like, "have a sense of humor," "Don't take yourself too serious," and give your spouse priority."  One person even said, "learn how to transition from hot sex to sweet caresses."  No one had said, "Put God in the middle of your marriage."

All of these are probably important ingredients but I don’t think they are crucial to having a long successful marriage. I have a notion that it takes a lot influence from the God who instituted marriage to do that. 

I went on to say, “You need to  spend a lot of time together. Trust me on this . . . there is no such thing as quality time without quantity of time. Anyone who thinks you can have quality time as a couple without quantity of time is sadly mistaken. 

Don't become co-dependent but it really helps to be interdependent. Without going into a long discussion about becoming “One Flesh” marriage is the context in which God brings together  two entities, a man and a women, and creates an entirely new entity identified as a married couple whose objective is to become one flesh. This cannot happen without God in the mix.

Michel W. Smith wrote a wonderful line in a song entitled "Friends." It was about the death of his daughter. 

And friends are friends forever 
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end

This is true of genuine friendships and it is true of a marriage that has achieved or is approaching the goal of Oneness.  If the Lord is Lord of them every aspect of marriage gets better as the years pass. Then somewhere along the journey you realize you have arrived at what God calls "One Flesh" and now everything in your marriage becomes a spiritual experience . . . . yes I said everything. Everything in the relationship, including the physical aspect, have a spiritual component. How could it be otherwise. 

ADDENDUM

That may seem like a tall order but like everything that grows it starts small. Though there is much that can be done I will offer one suggestion that I believe is important in a Christian marriage. 

From the moment you enter marriage (I call it a covenant of companionship) begin including the Lord in all that you do. Yes I said from the beginning. If I had my way marriage ceremonies would include the Groom and the Bride praying a prayer of thanksgiving for their new spouse and asking God for wisdom in becoming the person their spouse needs to become the spouse they need them to be. This is the helpmate aspect of marriage. 

Commit to praying for each other. Preferably in each others presence always thanking God for the precious gift He has given to you in the person of your spouse. The sooner this becomes a life practice the better. However, it is never too late to start. 

Man and Woman: Competitors or Companions

We have raised a generation that is intent on proving that women can do anything a man can. Unfortunately as a consequence of that drive women are losing their femininity and the uniqueness of their creation.  

The God-given femininity and uniqueness of their creation is what enables women and I might add men to fulfill the purposes for which they were created. God never created women to be equal to do everything a man can do. Quiet the contrary, women were created to do everything a man can't do." 

Before I go further with this theme let me point out that this has little if anything to do with whether or not women work outside the home or have a career. However, it does have everything to do with God’s design for the relationship of a woman to a man and vis-a-visa.   

This is clear from the meaning of the words translated “helpmate”(עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ)  It means “to make up what is lacking” and carries the additional idea of strength and equality. Nonetheless, there is a subtle hint of voluntary submission in describing woman as her husband’s helper. None of this denigrates but rather elevates both the man and the woman by pointing to each ones uniqueness of creation.

As one who is called alongside to make up what is lacking woman is man’s paraclete . . . . one called alongside to help to shore him up or help him achieve his creation purpose. This must be understood in the context that what God is doing by creating man as male and female is creating the conditions whereby they shall become one flesh.

Now what does that mean? Becoming one flesh means that as husband and wife you live a shared life. It is not simply the sharing of a bed and consummation of a marriage. That is a part and an important part of becoming one flesh. It is important enough so that the Scripture speaks plainly about the physical and intimate fleshly relationship of a husband and wife. 

Yes there is more than just sharing a bed . . . . . it involves the joy and sorrow; your hopes and fears; successes and failures; money and possessions; as well as bodies and souls. You share everything with each other. And in the process, God weaves you together as one. You’re two people truly united and become one flesh. 

More importantly becoming one flesh only intensifies over time. I really like the idea of making up what is lacking in one another. To those rare couples who achieve the biblical one flesh death feels like you have literally lost not just a part of your body but part of your soul and spirit as well.  When you rip your body apart, it HURTS.

This explains in large measure why I feel so lost without my Susan. We were certainly companions; we were also compatible, but more importantly we were complimentary. Were I am weak she was strong and where she was weak I was strong. Over sixty years of relationship and 54 plus years of marriage we became one flesh. 

To be sure we understood that each of us was uniquely created by God and capable within ourselves. However, we also believed God chose us from our birth to be together and that he put us together as husband and wife and then brought us into a oneness that can only be described as becoming one flesh. 

But Susan and I also knew that together we were stronger. As she battled pancreatic cancer she would clasp right hands and she would say, “Stronger together.” Hence, now that she has entered into her eternal and heavenly reward I am discovering daily . . . . sometimes moment by moment . . . . where she was making up where I am lacking and so, I intensely miss her presence.

Consider the lioness . . . . . the lioness does not try to be the lion. She embraces her role as the lioness. She is powerful, strong, and nurturing. She does not mistake her meekness for weakness. The world needs more kind, compassionate, humble, faithful, persevering, confident, fierce, bold, pure, and tender-hearted women.

"I Have Found the One Whom My Soul Loves."

 

"I have found the one whom my soul loves." Song of Solomon 3:4

My intention is not to tell Susan's life story. God willing I will do that soon. I just want to share something of who she was and what drew me to her.

* * * * * * * * *

More than sixty years ago I met a girl.  For the first time ever on a church sponsored hay-ride I actually noticed a young girl named Susan.  She was 13 going on 14 and sitting on a row of hay bales with some friends. It was cold and that row of girls were sharing blanket with their eyes peering over the top and their legs dangling from beneath the bottom. 

I was 14 going on 15 and sitting at the other end of that straw strewn trailer with a group of boys. In those day boys and girl were kept separate at church functions. As I sat there looking at those legs dangling from beneath that blanket I settled my gaze on a pair right in the middle of the group. I thought, “Wow, those are some good looking legs” and with that thought in my mind I raised my gaze to see to whom they belonged. That’s when our eyes met and she gave a smirky smile.  It was almost like she knew I was looking at her though later she would say she didn't. As I looked into those clear blue eyes I thought, “Those are the kindest eyes I have ever seen.” I punched my friend and said, “I don’t know how or when but that girl is going to be in my life some day.”  

Well by the time we were both 15 we were a steady item. Neither of us ever dated another person. During this time I answered the call to preach. When I did she said it was about time. Seems she knew God was calling me to preach before I did.

We graduated from separate high schools in 1965 and I attended a year of college. Then on December 23, 1966 we became husband and wife in a ceremony at our home church . . .  The Boulevard Baptist in Pasadena, Texas.

On that cold December night Susan Eileen Warren became the “wife of my youth.”  For more than 54 years this godly woman has stood beside me. She has loved me, forgiven me, supported me, encouraged me, wept with me, bore my children and laughed both at me and with me. She has shared the load in times of enormous pain and heartbreak and has been with me as we celebrated times of great joy. We traveled the world in  ministry, business and pleasure. We did it all together. 

We were just kids (19 years old) when we got married so we grew up figuring out life together. Our Heavenly Father has been faithful to us and I thank Him for the "wife of my youth" who became the wife of my old age. In many ways I still see her through the eyes of that 19 year old boy.  We may have grown old together but she is forever young in my heart and mind. At the time we married I thought no one could love another person like I loved her and she me but after more than 54 years of marriage I must confess our love for each other is deeper than I ever thought two people could have. 

Susan became the beat of my heart and the breath in my lungs as well as the wind beneath my wings. I became the same for her and as she would tell me "her rock."  We would often clasp and and say to one another, "Stronger together."  Each night as we lay in bed she would whisper, "I love you and I don't know what I would do without you."  I'd reply, "I love you too and I do not want to ever be without you." Some times I'd say, "I love you too now lets go to sleep."

I earlier mentioned Susan’s kind eyes catching my attention. I would learn that the kindness in her eyes was merely the radiation from her heart. Susan was the authentically kind by nature. She always saw the good in people and had an uncanny way of putting people at ease. One CEO of a large travel company once told me, "Your wife is the easiest person with whom to talk I have ever known . . . she seems genuinely interested."  I said, "She seems that way because she is." She was accepting and non-judgmental and wanted everyone to be happy. 

Over time we proved to be complimentary personalities. We were not opposites and we were not the same but she made up where I was lacking . . . .  we completed one another and achieved in our lifetime the oneness that the Bible speaks of for husbands and wife. We completed one another so that together we became a complete person.

Neither of us knew that December night when we promised to love, cherish, honor, protect and care for until God calls us home where our steps would take us. We knew that it was a commitment as binding on our hearts in hard times as in good times; in sickness as in health; when we had nothing and when we gained wealth. Our goal was to become one in the Lord and by God's grace I believe we achieved that goal. 

Over time we came to believe that when God formed us in our respective mother’s wombs He had destined us to be together. To be one in Christ as a marital unit was our destiny and we enthusiastically embraced it and God made it so.

I have often said of Susan that she is not a example of the Proverbs 31 woman but instead said that she is that woman. She magnified her husband (that would be me) and she nurtured her children who numbered four. I can tell you now her children praise her.  Truth is, all she ever aspired to be was a wife and mother. In the process of doing that she became so much more. 

We started our journey as children in many way. No better sense than to just believe God would supply our needs and supply our needs He did. He allowed us to do everything together. I suppose that is because He knew that separate we would flounder. I will not try and divulge all the ways that God has led us as we make our journey to the promised land but suffice it to say we lived a blessed life.

Susan was kind, generous and just plain sweet by nature. Little things brought her joy . . . . you didn't have to do much to make her happy --- she was happy by nature. We couldn't even have one of those husband/wife arguments in which others engage . . . . she just refused to play. Nothing confounded her more than people not being able to get along with each other. She intuitively knew that happiness is a choice and wondered why so many people didn't choose to be happy. She was the tool that the Holy Spirit used to tame my temper.

But in the last three years of her life as she confronted all manner of health challenges she demonstrated a strength of character that not many people can match. I watched in awe as she confronted a brain bleed that affected her speech, a fall that destroyed her teeth; and pancreatic cancer which robbed her health and gave her excruciating pain that medication could not assuage. I can still hear her saying as she could barely move because of he pain . . . . “I can do this.” and so she did. Then during her heroic battle against the cancer a second stroke left her motionless and unable to speak or swallow. It marked the end of her battle. 

Then, on May 30, 2021the wife of my youth whom my soul loves was called home. We had walked hand in hand with Jesus for all these years. They were for the most part wonderful years. Then we walked hand in hand to the Gates of Heaven. All the while she never took her gaze from me or loosened my hand until we reached a place on the path beyond which I could not go. It was then that she turn her eyes from me and looked past me; loosed my hand to take another and she walked on without me but with her Lord . . . . . I now knew she was safe.

No man ever loved a woman more than I love Susan Eileen Warren Appleby. I love her still and her departure has left me with a large emptiness in my Spirit and in my Soul. I miss her more than language can communicate. We truly are one in the Lord. Our spirits and souls are interwoven and one day God will restore me to wholeness. For the Christian husband and wife who have loved deeply the parting at death while only temporary is in fact sweet sorrow. But, . . . .

There will be a happy meeting in Heaven, I know

When we see the many loved ones we've known here below

Gathered on that blessed hilltop with hearts all aglow

That will be a glad reunion day.

A glad day, a wonderful day,

A glad day, a glorious day

There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay

That will be a glad reunion day.

When we live a million years in that wonderful place

Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face

It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace

That will be a glad reunion day.

A glad day, a wonderful day,

A glad day, a glorious day

There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay

That will be a glad reunion day.

Christians may be Paranoid But It Is With Good Reason

Don't tell me there is no attack on the church o that the persecution of Christians is an ancient practice that no longer exists. Christians have been persecuted since the day that Jesus ascended to the Father. Indeed, Jesus himself was crucified. All but one of the Apostles died as martyrs for the faith. Persecution of Christians has never stopped. The source, form and the intensity of that persecution may vary from place to place and generation to generation but it has never gone away. It is happening somewhere in the world as I write.

Worldwide persecution is clearly seen by those who would but look. Turkey, Iran, China and the Sudan are two of he more notorious persecutors of Christians. Radical Muslim organizations are murdering Christians. These international persecutions are increasing daily.

However, this is not these are not he only places Christians are persecuted nor are they they only means of persecution being endured by God's people  Every day I read of a new attack here in the good old USA of some Christian organization enduring persecution. Christian infrastructure is being over burdened by states that forbid Christians from gathering as commanded by Scripture. Christians are being denied the right to carry their faith outside their church property. Christians are being marginalized politically and economically. 

Unfortunately, persecution against Christians in the United States is not something that is avoidable. It is something that we Christians will have to deal with and understand going forward.

These attacks come from many sources.  As believers we are not surprised by the criticism from non-believers.  We are accustomed to being attacked by those outside of the household of faith. Indeed we know that they will find the Christian faith hard to accept and understand. These critics and adversaries do not surprise us nor do we fear them.  They in fact are the very people to whom we are called upon to "preach the Gospel."

However, there are two sources that do surprise me. One is our own governmental jurisdictions. The leadership of our various governmental institutions in some twisted understanding of the First Amendment to the constitution are removing all Christian symbols and statements from those institutions. The House of Representatives under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi has removed many references to God and the Ten Commandments as well as the "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance as used in the House of Representatives.

Courts have variously ruled in favor of atheist and attempted to removed prayer from school gatherings including but not limited to extracurricular activity such as weekend sports events and clubs made up of students. Some have gone so far as to forbid students and/or teachers from wearing religious jewelry such as a necklace with a cross. 

The courts, including the Supreme Court, have  either wittingly or unwittingly slowly but systematically been removing religion and religious people from the public square. They have ordered Christian who own businesses to leave their religion at their business door forcing them to do things that they believe is a violation of their faith group beliefs

The other is organizations formed by “so called” Christian people.  These are quasi religious groups that purport to be defending the faith.  Groups like Freedom America and The Baptist Joint Committee (BJC) claim to be champion the Christian faith when in reality they are attacking the very structure of the church in our nation.

Sadly, most of this governmental activity against the Christian faith has come at the insistence of pseudo-Christian groups. Groups like "Faithful America" run by an Episcopalian priest and The Baptist Joint Committee of Public Affairs (JPC) and it’s strawman war against the phony notion of Christian Nationalism and others.

Do not be deceived . . . . . they are not. Jesus warned of this. Remember he said, "They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."  They seek to destroy what they can and distort what they cannot destroy.  It is the Good Shepard seeks to protect and warn his sheep from these imposters. Be vigilant and be discerning.

Jesus warned us of this when before he ascended to the Father he said to his disciples, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." Acts 20:28-32

Organizations like "Faithful America" fall into the category of dangers of which Jesus was speaking in that discourse. They all use in some form Satan's approach when deceiving Eve "Did God really say? except today his emissaries word the deception this way, "I Know that's what the Scripture says but , . .  ."

I was recently told by someone who identifies as a Methodist Christian that I needed to put down that "old book" (speaking of the Bible) and get in the real world. I are not what they slight of hand is their goal is to so culturize the Christian faith o that even the Lord Himself would not recognize it. On a personal level they do this to rid themselves of the stigma of engaging in what Scripture prohibits and what it defines as an abomination to God.  It is some kind of crazy logic that thinks that by simply denying removing something from Scripture or the liturgy it changes something. The actions of men do not have the power to alter what God thinks about anything. What was sin in Paul's day is sin in our day. We may change but God does not. We can label it and define it any way we choose but it is still sin and sin is an offense to God. God and is word change not.

I had a fiend who is now with the Lord with whom I loved to give some challenging theological or ethical question question. She would try and explain it and find herself going in circles. She would finally just say; "I just believe what the Bible says"  My friends that is what we need across the board in contemporary Christianity. There is an old saying used in a previous generation that said of the Bible, "God said it, I believe it and that settles it." Sounds good but it is wrong. The correct response should be, "God said it and that settles it."

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Kingdom of God & The Kingdom of Men & "Christian Nationalism"

During the past several months,  I have commented on Facebook about a thing called "Christian Nationalism." There has been much talk and concern expressed on the Internet regarding  Christian Nationalism. The Baptist Joint Committee (BJCPA) seem to have gone to seed on the subject. 

The academic definition of Christian nationalism is Christianity affiliated religious nationalism. Christian nationalists primarily focus on internal politics, such as passing laws that reflect their view of Christianity and its role in political and social life.  This is the real definition. However, the BJCPA would have you believe that any definition of Christian Nationalism should include the creation of a theocracy through legislation. 

Jeremie Beller defines Christian Nationalism as "the intertwining of the Kingdom of God with the kingdoms of men."  Tanya Brice says, "It is a form of civil religion that places one’s earthly citizenship above one’s obligation as a follower of Christ."

However, I contend that the term “Christian Nationalism” is at best a misnomer and at worst a deliberate straw man to allow left leaning “Christians” to attack conservative Christians under the cover of exposing them as what academics have labeled Christian Nationalism.

Before I delve into this I want to make it abundantly clear that not everyone who self-identifies as a Christian is in fact a true Christian. Many of these people simply operate in organizations that were either created by Christian people or chartered by Christian bodies such as the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

Let me concede up front that there are Christians and non-Christians who are Nationalist and there are Nationalist who are Christian and non-Christian. But the idea of Christian Nationalism is an academic construct (in lay terms a “strawman”) used by those who wish to attack Conservative (Traditional/Orthodox) Christians.  

“Christian Nationalism is an oxymoron in my mind. Christianity is one thing and Nationalism is another. There is no such thing as Christian Nationalism. If the Christian Nationalism construct were anything other than an academic creation by ceasing to be a Nationalist one would also cease to be a Christian. Instead what you get is a Christian who has denounced his Nationalism.

I also refuse to quibble over the fine line difference between Patriotism and Nationalism. I would use these terms thus: “I am a Christian who loves his country (National identity) and is committed to its well-being (a Patriot). In short interchangeably.

I am an American by birth and a Christian by a spiritual new birth and as both an American and Christian I would . . . . 

• Fight and die for my country to maintain its independence and borders in spite of its flaws. That makes me a Patriot not a Nationalist though the Nationalist might do the same.

• I also believe America is unique among the world’s nations in that from its inception God has had a unique plan for my country.  Christian principles lie beneath many of the founding fathers comments and establishment documents. 

• I believe in and support a strong military, secure borders, and the rule of law over the rule of men.

• I believe the laws of the land should be built upon the laws of Scripture (Holy Bible) and that standards of morality for the American culture should also be the Scripture (Holy Bible). The Judeo-Christian ethic informs most of our laws regarding behavior and relationships.

• I am pro-life and oppose abortion as a means of birth control.

• I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that gender is determined by biology, fixed at birth and is not a choice.

• I hold a Biblical world view which can be summed up as Eschatological Holy History and basically holds that from time to time God acts within history in such a way as to move history in a direction that it would not have gone had he not acted.

Government is not the ultimate authority for my life or the grantor of all might rights. Some rights are directly bestowed by God Himself and as our founders acknowledged these are things like living our lives in Liberty as we pursue a happy and content life for ourselves and our family.

These beliefs do not make me a “Christian nationalist.” They are what make me a Christian, a Patriot who is committed to the national life and integrity of my country.

Let me make it abundantly clear . . . . I am first, foremost, and above all a Christian.  Certainly I love my country and am committed to helping make her the greatest on Earth. However, my country comes somewhere behind my Savior and my family.  My first commitment is to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. I am not wedded to any political party or to their programs, objectives and/or aspirations. 

Because I believe that the single most important thing in anyone’s life is not political liberty but spiritual liberty. I receive my marching orders from the commands of Jesus Christ. Those commands are global in nature. Jesus commanded that we “go into all the world.” I want all the people of my nation to know Jesus but I also want the rest of humanity to know that Jesus died for their sins and longs to forgive their sins and to give them eternal life.

To be sure I love my country, I want what is best for my country and what I judge best for the country is informed by my Christian faith and the Holy Scripture. I want my country to reflect as much as is humanly possible the moral and ethical values of the Kingdom of God.  Those values are found within the pages of the Holy Bible. That does not mean I want to create a theocracy.

Most of the recent concerns about Christian Nationalism comes from people on the political Left many of whom would self-identify as Cristian socialists. 

The Liberal mind operates out of a world view that sees many of the things the Orthodox and/or Evangelical Christianity. Biblical Christians, as I stated above, reject abortion on demand, gay marriage, gender confusion, etc. all of which are Liberal goals. 

So here is why I contend the very term “Christian Nationalism” is an academic straw man and oxymoron used to attack Conservative Christians:

• For a Christian the focus must be on the advancement of the Gospel. Nationalist focuses on the advancement of the politics of the nation.  I once heard a preacher friend respond in class to the question, "What is your name and what state are you from by saying, "My name is Mickey Scott and I was born in Texas but live in the state of grace." I identify myself with that remark. However, a citizen does not loose the benefits of their earthly citizenship because they are or become Christians. We are first and foremost citizens of the Kingdom of God which exists in but is not limited by this world and its kingdoms.

• The Christian faith produces loyalty to Christ. Nationalism produces loyalty to the nation above all else.

• The Christian faith produces people who are willing to die for the cause of Christ. Nationalism produces citizens who are willing to die for their nation.

• The Christian faith proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes his kingdom above all else. Nationalism raises the national flag above all else. The Kingdom of God is eternal while nations are temporary. The Kingdom of God exists within the Nation and is greater than the nation. The Nation is temporal and the Kingdom of God is spiritual. The "Kingdom of God is among you." Matthew 3:2

• The Christian faith promotes the interests of God Kingdom as revealed in Scripture. Nationalism promotes the interests of the nation above the Kingdom of God. My first allegiance is to Jesus Christ and no governmental entity, nation, politician or other person will take priority over him . . . . . . Ο Ιησούς δεν είναι ο Καίσαρας.

Beginning with the Prophets in the Old Testament, The Apostles and believers in the New Testament believers have declared the word of the Lord to the nations and their nation in particular. They spoke to the nation and its leadership not for it in their day and believers are obligated to do the same today.

That word sometime could bite and put the believer at risk. Believers have died by the thousands over the years and continue to do so in our day. Not for their government but for their Lord. As believers our job is to call people to repentance and faith knowing that if we are successful in that arena our nation will be a better place to live.

I do believe politics and economics are vital and that to some extent can and in my mind should represent biblical ethics.  However, I believe making disciples and seeing lives change will do more that all the political action we can take to bringing the nation into compliance with the requirements of God’s word on people. The Kingdom of God transcends all nations and ethnic identities.  When God called me to preach the Gospel I received the highest assignment possible as a child of God in the world and that is to preach the Gospel to the people of all nations. 

Although I am both willing to defend my neighbor and die for my nation I see that as a lessor thing than honoring Christ with my life and if called upon to die for His namesake and/or kingdom. I would argue that I am a better citizen not because I am willing to die for my nation, but because of my faith in God. 

We are called to walk in the ideals set forth in Holy Scripture if that happens to coincide with those of our nation then so much the better.  

I implore you as a believer in Jesus Christ to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  

In Christ Alone

Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.