There, but for the grace of God . . ."

April 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Philippians 3:4b-6 NIV

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Here’s that list enumerated.
1. Circumcised on the eight day (as required by the law)
2. Of the people of Israel (God’s chosen people);
3. Of the tribe of Benjamin (the tribe of Saul, Israel’s first king);
4. A pharisee (very strict and accurate in religious observance);
5. Persecuted the church with great zeal (no distance was too far to travel to harm Christians);
6. Blameless regarding observance of the law.

Some might call that Paul’s pre-conversion resume – the list of accomplishments upon which he intended to receive God’s approval. And from Paul’s pre-conversion perspective, it was a very impressive list. But that was pre-conversion.

Would you look at Paul’s “resume” and immediately think, “there, but for the grace of God, go I”? Probably not. But that was exactly Paul’s post-conversion appraisal! Here’s how Paul said it (3:7-9):

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

If Paul was coming to speak at your church next month, what would the marketing campaign look like? Would there be a heavier emphasis on Paul’s pre-conversion resume, or his post-conversion assessment of the futility of putting confidence in the flesh.

Or how about this: A famous professional athlete who is a Christian is coming to speak to the men’s group at your church next month. What would the marketing campaign look like? From that material (flyers- posters- banners- advertisements) would you get the impression that Christianity is the right choice because a) Christ is glorious above all others, or b) because a certain high-profile athlete believes in Jesus?

If the answer is b, isn’t that another form of putting confidence in the flesh? In the end, is Christ more glorious because a man that can catch, kick, or hit a ball better than most other men, believes in him? If not, then we should be careful to not appear to market Jesus that way.

Jesus is glorious because he is willing and able to save any who come to him in faith, whether they be high-profile or no profile. All must come humbly, depending only in the mercy of Christ for salvation.

Filed Under: Philippians, Thinkers

Do You Tweet?

April 21, 2009 by 1 Comment

Beware, this video has much to say.

Filed Under: Social Commentary, Thinkers

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2009: An Unfitting Name

April 20, 2009 by Leave a Comment


Recently we were walking down the Avenue of the Righteous Among Nations at the Yad VeShem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, when a particular sign caught my eye. The name Charles Coward screamed for my attention. If there ever was a man mis-named, Charles Coward has to be that man. The irony of his name is clear, particularly if you know his story.

Coward, a British soldier during WWII, was captured in 1940 near Calais, France. That was his introduction into the inner workings of the Nazi war efforts, and also the opportunity to be a man of courage when and where there were far too few. He is credited with saving as many as 400 Jews, which is amazing. But, the ways in which he undermined the Nazi efforts were brilliant.

I would encourage you to read this article about his heroics.

Here’s to men of courage, like Charles Coward, who helped rescue Jews during the holocaust.

And the 6 million Jews who were killed shouldn’t be forgotten either.

Filed Under: Jerusalem, Life in Israel, Social Commentary, Thinkers

What Would be a Fair Trial?

April 19, 2009 by Leave a Comment

“We’d like to express our condolences to all the victims of this terrible accident — and that’s what it was, it was a terrible accident,” Longwith said outside court.

Longwith is Randall T. Longwith, the defense attorney for Andrew Gallo of San Gabriel, California.

Here’s the background of the statement by attorney Longwith: Early on the morning of April 9, 2009, Nick Adenhart, Henry Pearson, and Jon Wilhite were riding in the car with Courtney Stewart when they were broadsided by a vehicle driven by Andrew Gallo, which allegedly ran a red light. Stewart, Pearson and Adenhart were killed, and Wilhite is hospitalized in serious condition. Gallo fled from the scene of the wreck on foot before eventually being apprehended by police.

Here are some important (to me) details: The reports are that Gallo’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. He had previously pled guilty to drunken driving in 2006, but didn’t finish the conditions of his sentencing in that case. Additionally, he was still on probation from his 2006 case at the time of this wreck. He was also driving on a suspended license. In 2007 Gallo was convicted of marijuana possession, which may or may not have any bearing on this particular incident.

Here’s my question: Was this just an accident, “a terrible accident,” as attorney Longwith suggests? I have not read any reports suggesting that Gallo intended to kill, or even harm anyone when he got behind the wheel of his mini-van. And since he apparently had no intention of harming anyone, does that make this simply a “terrible accident?”

I think this case would have been a good one for the Old Testament cities of refuge (Joshua 20), which were set up to be a “safe haven” for those who had accidentally killed someone else. By “safe haven” I mean a place where they can get a fair trial, and not just receive the wrath of their victim’s family.

If I were among the elders in a city of refuge and Mr. Gallo stumbled into town asking for asylum, here’s what I would rule: Guilty. Of course, that verdict assumes the facts are similar to what has been reported in the press.

I’m not sure why the defense attorney believes his client can’t get a fair trial in Orange County. Perhaps it’s because he killed a promising young professional baseball player from the local team. However, given what I have seen regarding the “facts,” what would the attorney actually argue to mitigate the actions of his client?

Honestly, IF 1) Gallo was driving with a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, and 2) he ran a red light and broadsided at least one other vehicle, and 3) he killed three people, and 4) he was driving on a suspended license from a previous drunk driving conviction, where does one go with that?

It may have been an “accident,” as in “he didn’t intend to kill anyone.” But driving while intoxicated (particularly THREE times the legal limit) pretty much removes the “it was a terrible accident” plea. AND that there was a previous drunk driving conviction removes any hesitation about removing the “it was an accident” excuse. Period.

If I’m the judge or on the jury and the facts are as have been reported, here’s my verdict: GUILTY!

After that, here’s the question: What should the sentence be? Answer: The max! Apparently, the most he can get is 55 years. But is the death penalty justified in a case like this?

Filed Under: Old Testament, Social Commentary, Thinkers

Christ Our Passover Lamb

April 8, 2009 by 5 Comments

John 19:14-16 NIV

It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

1 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Filed Under: Leviticus, Life of Christ, Passover, Thinkers
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