Decompartmentalizing the Mission of God
Theologians love to compartmentalize. We specialize in Old Testament or New Testament, theology or ethics. In fact, we specialize in different aspects of each of those compartments: the Pentateuch (Old Testament), the Prophets (also Old Testament), the Hagiographa (still Old Testament), Wisdom Literature (yep, Old Testament), Old Testament Theology (you guessed it: Old Testament). These are just a few of the sub-specialties with the sub-specialty of Old Testament Studies with the specialty of Biblical Studies, which could in term be a sub-specialty of several other specialties. Of course, the same could be said of New Testament or Systematic Theology or Biblical Theology or Church History or Ethics, etc.
This type of compartmentalization is not limited to theologians; other academic disciplines practice the same kind of compartmentalization. Businesses are compartmentalized. Churches are compartmentalized. In fact, I think the compartmentalization of theology, academia, businesses, churches, and other institutions arise from the fact that people tend to compartmentalize their lives.
Compartmentalization affects our understanding of the mission of God. (Of course, theologians have several sub-specialties related to the study of the Missio Dei also… and a Latin theological term as well.) Over the last several weeks, I’ve seen books, articles, blog posts, etc. discussing what is or what is not included in the concept of the mission of God. (Of course, this is not a new phenomenon.) From what I can tell, most of the discussion suffer from the same problem: compartmentalization.
So, what is included in the mission of God? Proclaiming the gospel? Edifying believers? Serving the least? One? Two of the three? All three? Something more or something less or something different?
What is included in the mission of God? In many cases, I think the way that I’ve seen people answer that question reveals the affect of compartmentalization. What would happen if we decompartmentalized the mission of God?
Over the next few days, I’m going to examine various passages of Scripture related to the mission of God and, hopefully, work toward decompartmentalization. I hope to primarily examine the lives of the two greatest missionaries in the New Testament: Jesus and Paul.
Is there additional evidence in Scripture besides the passages that I’m going to examine. Yes. Certainly. I’m only presenting this series as a starting point in (what I hope will be) a broader discussion on decompartmentalizing the mission of God.
I hope you decide to join me on this journey. Perhaps you’d like to begin by offering a quick answer to this question: What is included in the mission of God?
————————————–
Decompartmentalizing the Mission of God Series:
Scripture… As We Live It #183
This is the 183rd passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
Then after fasting and praying separately so that no one else knew that the others were fasting, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:3 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Run with me
Okay, so I’ve written about running a few times on this blog, but I have tried to tie it back to the spiritual aspects of life. However, from the responses that I’ve gotten on the blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, and in person, many people are interested in running itself.
So, I’ve decided to put together a simple blog for those who want to learn more about my running progress. I plan to write about why I run, how I run, when I run, who I run with, what races or events I run, and where I run.
If you’re interested in “following” my running progress, then jump over to my “Running Report” blog. If you’re not interested in running, then… don’t go to that blog. 🙂
Replay: Demonstrating the heart of God
Three and a half years ago, I wrote a post called “Demonstrating the heart of God” as part of a “missional” sychroblog. This was my second post in a four month long synchroblog. In this post, I was supposed to answer the question, “Why am I missional?” Of course, many people continue to argue and debate and disagree and study the meaning of the word “missional.” It’s my desire to simply demonstrate the heart of God.
——————————-
“Demonstrating the heart of God”
This post is part of the “Missional Synchroblog” organized by Jonathan of “Missio Dei“. Jonathan has proposed that we each publish one post per month over the next four month concerning four different topics: 1) What does missional living look like to me? (see my post “Living the love of God“) 2) What attracts me to missional? 3) Where is God calling me into mission? and 4) My best missional story. Since this is the second month of the synchroblog, the topic is “Why am I missional?”
Several years ago, when Jeremy was only about 7 or 8, I was sitting on the sofa with him one Sunday afternoon watching television. He took the remote controls and starting flipping through the channels. Eventually, he came to a professional football game. Now, you should know that Jeremy has always loved football. And, we had gone to high school football games and college football games together. We had also watched college football games on television often. But, since I had never enjoyed professional football, we had never watched an NFL game together.
But, when Jeremy saw there was football on the television, he stopped flipping through the channels. Over the next couple of hours (and few years), Jeremy fell in love with professional football. That afternoon, he asked me several questions about the NFL game, because many of the rules were different from the college games that he had seen before. I had to admit that I did not know much about the different rules.
As Jeremy grew to love professional football, something interesting happened to me. I started caring more about the NFL. Nothing changed about professional football, except now, someone that I loved cared about the game and the league. Since Jeremy cared about professional football, I started caring as well.
We do not have to read through the pages of Scripture long before we find out that God cares about people, especially the least, the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the prisoners, the sick, the oppressed, the widows, the orphans, and the foreigners. God cares about them. Someone I love cares about these people.
When we read the Book of Jonah, we see that God cared so much for the city of Nineveh that he sent Jonah to warn them about his judgment. When Jonah finally went to warn the Ninevites (the enemies of Israel) to repent, they did… and Jonah pouted. In fact, Jonah cared more about a plant that withered than he cared about a city of thousands of people that was about to perish.
As much as I would like to condemn Jonah, I have to admit that I often have his attitude. I care much more about the things that directly affect me – no matter how minor those things are – than I care about the things that God cares about – especially the least and the lost people of the world. So, in reality, if I were to answer the question, “Why am I missional?” I would have to say, “Many times, I’m not missional”.
But, I know that God has called me – an all of his followers – to take his gospel and his love to the least and the lost of this world. Yes, this includes the good news of Jesus Christ. This is extremely important. But, as Jesus told his followers, what we do for the least, we also do for him. If we see a lost and thirsty man, and only give him a glass of water, we are not fulfilling our responsibilities of demonstrating God’s heart to see people redeemed to himself through Jesus Christ. However, if we see a lost and thirsty man, and only tell him about Jesus, neither are we fulfilling our responsibilities of demonstrating God’s heart. As Jesus showed us, we demonstrate God’s heart by giving him both the gospel and also a glass of water.
Why am I missional? Because God cares for people. And, because of my love for God, I can’t help but demonstrate the heart of God toward other people – unless, of course, I hinder what God is doing in my own heart.
How Big is Too Big for the Church?
My good friend Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” is asking a very good question in his post “What Size Should a Church Family Be?”
(If you haven’t met Eric yet, he and I have known each other for about 9 years. Recently, he resigned from his job as a vocational pastor because of some convictions based on his study of Scripture.)
Eric begins where my previous post stopped: the purpose of the church gathering is mutual edification. If, then, we are to gather to edify one another, is there an upper limit on the number that can gather together? That’s the question that Eric asks.
He says:
What about the upper end? In our country right now the answer tends to be “bigger is better.” Another common way of thinking is that size doesn’t matter at all. I disagree with both these conclusions…
What about 30? I believe this is roughly the upper end. I freely admit that this conclusion is based partly on my own experience. I’ve read others who come to both higher and lower conclusions than 30. However, in my experience 30 is roughly the upper end that can fully participate in a gathering to bring about edification.
Like I told Eric in the comments, I’m not smart enough or brave enough to suggest a number. But I agree that mutual edification should be the principle that drives our gathering. If there are too many people gathered together to work together to help one another grow in spiritual maturity, then there’s a problem.
After I left my comment on Eric’s post, I began to wonder something… Is one of the causes (of desiring larger and larger church sizes) the fact that we are more interested in gathering together than we are in going out?
We all build, but not in the same way
If you peruse the posts (old and new) on this blog, you’ll find that I write often on the subjects of church gatherings and mutual edification. Why? Well, for one thing, for my PhD dissertation I am studying mutual edification as the purpose of the church gathering together from the perspective of Scripture. For another thing, well, I think the church should all work together to build up one another in maturity in Jesus Christ whenever we meet together. (Which, of course, is why I’m studying that subject for my dissertation…)
Earlier this week, Dave Black wrote a short post that touches on this subject. This is part of his post from Monday, November 14, 2011 at 1:35 p.m.:
Paul made it clear that all of the Colossian believers were to teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16). The author of Hebrews makes the same point when he writes, “Exhort one another every day” (Heb. 3:13). The message is clear. All Christians are Body-builders (they are to “edify”), but we do not all build in the same way. The New Testament envisages that all Christian disciples will be involved in the “work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). According to Paul, every member ministry is the normal Christian life.
As he points out, there are many exhortations, principles, and examples in Scripture that indicate that all believers should work together (“mutual”) to build or strengthen the church (“edification”). (By the way, Dave only lists a few of the many passages that point toward mutual edification.)
Similarly, and as he also points out, “we do not all build in the same way.” This is especially clear in the passage of Scripture in which the authors discuss spiritual gifts. But, there are other examples as well.
Think about these two points carefully. There is a reason that we do not all “build” in the same way. We all need to be “built” in different ways. Some may need more of one kind of construction and strengthen than another kind, but we all need many different kinds edification.
We need different kinds of “construction” so we also need different “construction workers.” One person cannot and must not attempt to do all of this work. The body of Christ is not designed to work in this way.
Imagine a dilapidated house… a shack perhaps… about to fall in on itself. It needs much work. It needs carpentry work, electrical work, plumbing work, roofing work, etc. A carpenter cannot do all of the work. An electrician – even a master electrician – cannot do all of the work.
In the same way, in order for the church to be built up (edified), it is necessary for every follower of Jesus to take part in the work of building up.
When you gather with the church, do those gathered understand that the goal is edification of the whole body? Who is expected to do the work of edification? Who is allowed to do the work of edification?
When it gets in the way, is it possible to work around the system?
Glenn at “breathe” always writes interesting blog posts. His latest post is no exception: “Changing the System by Ignoring It.”
One of the most interesting aspects of this particular posts is that it touches on dealing with problems with many different institutions: governments, corporations, and even churches.
As I’ve stated many times, I do not believe that the church is an organization, although the people may be organized. The organization itself is not the church, and, sometimes (perhaps often?), the organization itself can get in the way of the church.
So, what do the people do? They get angry, frustrated, hurt… but what can they do?
Glenn makes a suggestion:
So, my encouragement to myself and whoever happens to read this is to move past the complaining and progress into the next step; creating. Don’t keep banging your head against the same wall. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t postpone action until you have every detail mastered, because you need to be more flexible, creative, and collaborative than you can currently foresee. Let your anger and frustration move you into the realm of the better way and then get started!
Exactly! The organization is not the church, so don’t let the organization hinder you from loving, serving, caring, teaching, leading, discipling, etc. as God has called you, gifted you, and provided you opportunities.
Yes, it is possible to work around the system. Would it be better if the system did not get in the way in the first place? Sure. But you may not be able to control that, so don’t let it deter you. Simply live and serve and love and give and speak as God directs you… with or without the help of the system.
Do you know of examples of working around the system?
The Spiritual Gift of Connecting People
Okay, so it probably isn’t a spiritual gift, but I love connecting people to one another. And, from what I’ve been able to tell and from other people have told me, it is a kind of “gift” or talent that I have.
What do I mean by “connecting people”?
Well, when I meet someone for the first time and begin to get to know them, something happens in my brain. As the person tells me about himself or herself, I immediately start relating their interests, concerns, location, passions, etc. to other people with similar or complimentary interests, concerns, locations, passions, etc.
If I meet someone who is a mechanic, I’m immediately reminded of friends with car problems. When I’m first introduced to someone who lives in Franklinton, I think of people I know who live in or near that city. A new friend says that she likes to study Revelation, and I remember other friends who love prophecy and apocalyptic literature.
Of course, I’m not always able to connect people like this. Sometimes there are other issues that keep people apart, such as work schedules. In fact, I don’t think it is my responsibility to make sure that people build relationships, but I do think it’s good to introduce them to one another and point out the points of connection.
I’ve found that this has been a huge benefit in developing and building community. Pointing people to other with similar interests help them fit in with a group. Linking people who have the skills or means to those who have certain needs can help them serve each other.
Like I said, I don’t know if this is a spiritual gift or not. Perhaps it is an offshoot of encouragement, or helps, or serving. But, I have seen how God has used this ability in the past, and I hope that he continues using me to connect people in the future.
Do you have the ability to connect people? Do you know someone else who does? How have you seen this ability work among the church? Can you see benefits outside the church?
What is a false teacher?
Jeremy at “Till He Comes” is continuing a very good series on heresy and false teaching. So far, he has stepped through several passages to show that “heresy” in Scripture is about divisiveness, not false teaching.
However, there are warnings about false teachers, and Jeremy begins to cover that in his latest post “Beware of False Teachers.”
I love the way that Jeremy begins this part of his series. He suggests that everyone who disagrees with us is not necessarily a “false teacher.” So, what does Jeremy say we should do about those disagreements? He writes:
It is far easier to call someone a “heretic” or a “false teacher” then it is to actually learn and understand the views of those who disagree, and then either lovingly state our disagreements or adjust our own views to fit with something we learned from someone else.
It is always easier to continue believing what we already believe, and condemn everyone else, then it is to take the risk of having our views and ideas challenged by someone else.
It is always easier to dismiss someone out of hand, then it is to consider their views.
Wow… so if someone disagrees with us, Jeremy suggests that we should listen carefully and consider their views. He even suggests that we may need to adjust our own views.
What is this world coming to…
Seriously, I’m looking forward the Jeremy’s posts on false teaching.
What do you think Scripture means when it refers to “false teachers”?
Did Paul Make a Major Blunder?
On his last trip to Jerusalem, James suggested that Paul take part in a ritual in order to appease some of the Jews. (Acts 21:18-26) Paul agreed and, along with four other men, purified himself according to the Jewish tradition and presented himself in the temple. While in the temple, some Jews from Asia accused Paul of bringing Gentiles into the temple and roused up the crowd to drag Paul out of the temple in order to kill him. (Acts 21:27-31)
While the crowd was trying to kill Paul, the tribune who led the Roman armies in Jerusalem heard about the commotion and went to investigate. (Acts 21:31-32) Assuming that Paul was some kind of revolutionary, the tribune arrested him and took him into the barracks. (Acts 21:33-36)
Eventually, the Roman tribune discovered that Paul was not a revolutionary and was, instead, a Roman citizen. (Acts 21:27-39) Paul spoke to the crowd of Jews, but they rioted again when he said that he took the gospel to the Gentiles. (Acts 22:1-22) The tribune took Paul into protective custody, and tried to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council) in order to determine what was causing the problem. (Acts 23:1-11)
Paul’s nephew overheard a plot by some of the Jews to ambush Paul. He told Paul, who told the tribune. The tribune then shipped Paul off to Caesarea so that he would be protected by Felix, the Roman governor. (Acts 23:23-35). Felix listened to the charges brought against Paul by Tertullus, a Jewish lawyer and then listened to Paul’s defense. (Acts 24:1-21) Felix decided to postpone his judgment until he could hear from the Roman tribune in Jerusalem. Before that could happen, Felix was succeeded by Festus, and Paul remained in custody in Caesarea. (Acts 24:22-27)
Again, Festus heard the charges that the Jews were bringing against Paul, and he heard Paul’s defense. This time, Paul appealed to Caesar. (Acts 25:1-12) Luke records Paul’s appeal and Festus’ response as follows:
But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” (Acts 25:10-12 ESV)
Next, while Agrippa was visiting, Festus asked Paul to address them both. (Acts 26:13-27) They heard him, discussed his message with him. Festus concluded that Paul must be out of his mind probably because of Paul’s insistence that Jesus was raised from the dead. Paul said that he was perfectly sane and then asked Agrippa to consider what he said when compared to the Hebrew Scriptures. (Acts 26:1-29)
After they had heard him, Festus and Agrippa discussed the case:
Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:30-32 ESV)
According to Festus and Agrippa, Paul had made a major blunder. If he had left the decision up to them, then Paul would have been released – he would have been set free. However, Paul had appealed to Caesar, and so he would be shipped to Rome to be tried by Caesar – Nero, to be exact. To Festus and Agrippa, this was a bad move on Paul’s part.
But, Paul knew something that Festus and Agrippa did not know. He knew that he was not his goal to be set free. No. It was his goal to go to Rome. In fact, God had told him earlier that he was going to Rome. While Paul was being held in the Roman barracks in Jerusalem, Luke tells us that the following occurred:
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11 ESV)
No, Paul did not make a major blunder. In fact, Paul used the laws of the Roman Empire and his position as a Roman citizen to help him obey God and testify to Jesus Christ in Rome. It may have looked like a stupid move from the outside, but Paul knew exactly what he was doing.
Paul did not give up his chance at freedom by appealing to Caesar; he was following the course that God had laid out for him.