Romans 1 - that long, endless slide

Even in his opening salutation, Paul self-identifies as an apostle of Jesus Christ, and then walks the talk, preaching the gospel of a savior promised in the scriptures, descended from David, declared by the Spirit to be God’s son, and raised from the dead.

In the case of Romans, you CAN tell a book by its cover, or at least by its opening paragraph. It is Paul’s summa, his great work of theology and godly living. Excepting perhaps one of the gospels, it may be the most influential book of western civilization. He wrote it in 57 AD, probably in Corinth. He dives right in. I can’t. I don’t have the Spiritual lungpower to stay down so long, marveling at the treasure. The best I can manage is a deep breath, a few strokes down, a quick look, and then it’s back to the surface.

To better understand salvation by grace through faith (v. 17), I must understand man’s depravity. He has willfully rejected the obvious truths of God evident in creation. This wrong turn leads to a long slide at midnight down a cliff of lies. The longer the slide, the faster and messier it gets. From Darwin to gay marriage and plenty in between, you can connect the dots. Paul leaves no room for catching a root and pulling oneself back up the cliff like Indiana Jones. Mankind without grace is in eternal free fall. God throws up his hands and says, “you want filth, then go ahead and wallow in it.”

But God…..

Acts 29

I know there is no Acts 29. Tim Steiner knows there is no Acts 29. So when he asked me to write about it, I asked why, and he said that Back in the Day, the Jesus People of the early 1970's saw themselves as renewing New Testament church life. They were picking up where Paul and Peter left off. Hence, Acts 29.

Paul ends the book with the ringing declaration, yea prophecy: "I will bring the gospel to the Gentiles: and they will listen!" So here is an overview of 20 centuries of raving oversimplification of how and when Gentiles embraced the gospel. Every statement could be qualified with a "yes but" and a "you forgot this." And that would be true.

So here goes......

Every Roman bishop for many decades is martyred. Burned as torches and torn by lions, believers die trusting in Christ's resurrection and return. Romans respect courage which, combined with kingdom preaching and good works like nursing the sick and saving abandoned babies, produces many converts. The double-edged sword of political power comes in 314 AD when Emperor Constantine declares Christianity a state religion. Monastics, early "reformers" reject urban worldliness and seek God in desert solitude. Great councils of the established church codify doctrine and scriptures. When the western Roman empire crumbles, the church remains, preserving learning and universal language (the "Romance languages" and church latin) during the lawless Dark Ages (600 - 900 AD). Shining lights include Patrick, an English missionary to Ireland's druids and celts. Christian kings and princes protect and sometimes co-opt the church. The Viking terrorists eventually forsake Thor for Christ. The Eastern Roman Empire of Constantinople (Istanbul) and its Orthodox church thrive, sending missionaries to Russia and Eastern Europe, where kings receive Christianity and the people (eventually) embrace Orthodox faith. The new faith of Islam carves out huge chunks of African and middle eastern Christian countries.

Everywhere Christians periodically rediscover the gospel. Sometimes this threatens church and state, and persecution follows. Countless movements experience the cycles of receiving truth, faithfulness, and legalism or apostasy. Believers become pharisees oppressing new believers. Wheat and tares grow side by side, awaiting the Master Gardener's separation. The greatest reform is the Protestant Reformation, led by German Martin Luther, a man like Paul: a brilliant, learned theologian, by nature stubborn, impatient, and energetic, not humble by nature but led through crisis to wholly embrace Christ's salvation by grace through faith. Politics and the printing press help Luther survive and prevail. Soon almost half of Europe is Protestant, including the dominant sea power, England, which eventually controls North America. Thus is Protestantism, complete with countless mini-reformations (Edwards, Whitefield, Finney, Moody, AB Simpson, Nazarene and pentacostalism, etc. etc. etc.) established in the U.S. and Canada.

I see a pattern: the Spirit prompts "normal people" to consider the powerful teachings and example of the most amazing man who ever lived, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God and Mary. In stark contrast to the falseness and shadows of their religious experience, they see something - no, Someone - Real. They fall in love and will live and die for Him. The ardor fades with subsequent generations, and the cycle is repeated. The Bridegroom woos his bride without domination and without ceasing, praise His name.

In the late 1700's the Protestants, perhaps inspired by earlier generations of German Moravians, get serious about world missions. William Carey evangelizes India, to be followed in example by Hudson Taylor to China, David Livingstone to Africa, Adoniram Judson to Burma. The list of servants at home and abroad is endless and will not be written until Jesus returns.

Acts 28: Shake That Serpent Off

So I'm climbing Bryce Hill Road tonight on a drop-dead gorgeous Midsummer evening, with Mt. Mansfield looming ahead, and a marching song comes to me. Or it could be a work song, a group of men singing along in time with the dip of their shovels. Or a sea chanty, with one man singing out the verse and the rest singing the chorus as they haul on a line.

It sounded great as I walked along, but either I forgot the tune, or it wasn't anywhere near as good as the beautiful setting made it sound. Either way, the rhythm and verse/response chorus resembles the old spiritual and slave's field song, "Let My People Go".

Shake That Serpent Off

Old Paul was shipwrecked on the isle
shake that serpent off
pulled a stick from the woodpile
shake that serpent off
the serpent straight right up he stand
shake that serpent off
and bit th'apostle on his hand
shake that serpent off, Paul, shake that serpent off

His friends they gave up Paul for dead
shake that serpent off
He jus' toss it in the fire and said
shake that serpent off
No rest for me till my work's done
shake that serpent off
Gotta teach you 'bout the healing one
shake that serpent off, Paul, shake that serpent off

Now listen to a word that's true
shake that serpent off
resist the devil he flee from you
shake that serpent off
and no impossibility
shake that serpent off
can stop our savior's victory
shake that serpent off, Paul, shake that serpent off

I ain't no God I'm just a man
shake that serpent off
I give him glory when I can
shake that serpent off
Now bring your sick and lame to me
shake that serpent off
with them I'll share God's victory
shake that serpent off, Paul, shake that serpent off

Acts 27: Vrroom! Vrroom! & Other Upheavals

A sight to sadden, scare and thrill a father's heart: his "little girl" driving off by herself in her car!

It happened last week, just a day after Imani earned her driver's license. The girl who refused to use training wheels on her bicycle but hopped right on a two wheel and pedaled furiously and successfully down the road was also the first of our three kids to get a license! She is a very good driver, and God willing she will get through the nerve-wracking first year of driving just fine.

The car is a 1996 Mercury Mystique, driven until a few months ago by Linda's landlady Pat Halsey. It has been very well cared for over the years by none other than Craig Sheppard, car mechanic extraordinaire, fairly new grandpa and husband of the extremely pregnant Heather. Imani being Imani, she drove out to an auto parts store and bought stylish seat covers, air freshener and other "bling". I bought the gas! She is, however, looking hard for a job to meet her responsibilities. Anyone got any work for her?

Her newfound independence and Joe's graduation and pending on-campus life at St. Mike's unsettled me. Slow down, world, too much loss for one year......but a terrific Father's Day helped a lot. Joe made me a cheesecake and cleaned the downstairs, Imani gave me no-bake cookies, and Tim and I enjoyed a happy Father's Day phone call. Even better, I am blessed to know that all three of my children are healthy, walking in faith, and using their particular strengths and gifts to be servant leaders in their respective communities. Truly my quiver is full!

The Acts 27 application to my life has nothing to do with comparing Imani's driving to the heaving and tossing of a storm-wracked ship off the coast of Cyprus, except perhaps by sharp contrast. The upheaval, the "will it never end" feeling, did describe my state of mind sometimes last week, though. I resembled the tired, sick, despairing sailors and soldiers on the ship. Like them I was blessed to hear from a few encouraging Pauls, brothers and sisters who assured me that trusting God and His word would bring me into a calm, safe haven. And after some prayer, and some TLC from my kids, that's exactly what happened.

Acts 26: A Powerful Testimony

King Agrippa is not just a Big Dog in the Roman hierarchy. He also controls the purse strings of the temple and appoints the high priest. Rome considers him an expert on the Jews. Festus' report on Paul won't be complete without Agrippa's perspective. At a hearing before Agrippa and Festus, Paul shares his compelling testimony, complete with an unforgettable first-person encounter with God, colorful colloquial expressions, and a direct presentation of the gospel.

It's all too much for Festus, who calls Paul "insane". As this is Father's Day, I will share a story of my father, Guy Page Jr., who at one time held the "record" as the youngest lawyer to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Before Parkinson's Disease robbed him of the pleasure of speech, he loved to tell anecdotes and stories. Out of the blue he once told me, "Guy, when the facts are against you, argue the law. When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the law and the facts are against you, call the other lawyer names." Which is pretty much what Festus does here. Paul responds firmly and rationally and then turns to Agrippa and basically lays an altar call on him in the form of a question:

"King Agrippa, do you believe in the prophets? I know you do."

Agrippa, no greenhorn in the art of Jewish discourse, answers with a question:

"Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to become a Christian?"

Paul's answers with commitment, certainty and laser-like focus: "Short time or long - I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Paul has not won Agrippa's heart, but he has won a degree of support: in his opinion, Paul could be set free. His powerful testimony has made an impression. Which reminds me of another powerful testimony, made this morning by Joe before several hundred people at Jericho Congregational Church. As a graduate, he was offered the opportunity to deliver his testimony, and he made the most of it - see below - proud of you Joe and Imani and Tim and Happy Father's Day, everyone!

My Testimony

There are many ways I could begin with my testimony.  When I sat down at the computer to write this,  I really didn’t quite know where to start. Luckily, I phoned Pastor Carter, who returned my call, so that helped. Now I know just how to begin, and that is, firstly, by thanking God, withall of my heart, for all the wonderful people he has placed i n my life. From this supportive congregation, to my close friends who have recently graduated from Rice Memorial High School (along with myself and the rest of my class), to all the teachers and staff at Rice who have made a difference in my life, and last, but by no means least, to my family, including my mom in Heaven.

As many of you know, earlier this year, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother, Diane Page. As painful as the situation was, and still will be, I know that my family and I have been, and still are, in the prayers of many people. However, it is not only through prayer that people have reached out in their own ways:  Pastor Anderson and his wife graciously brought over dinners to us. Mrs. Jaquith has been a positive influence on me, sending out e-mails reminding me that God is ever-present, and that we are part of, to quote her directly, “His cloud of witnesses.” Mr. and Mrs. Sims, the Rainfords, and of course, my dad and Uncle Bill have always been there for me, no matter life’s ups and downs.

(For those of you I did not mention, as there are a great many of us who attend this church, I thank you as well). And it is only through what everyone has done for me, and the kindness and continued support I have been shown, and the prayer I have been a part of, that I’ve been able to keep going forward.

I am looking forward to attending Saint Michael’s College in August, and meeting new faces and forming new friendships. God-willing, I hope to be able to live on campus, and become comfortable in the new college setting as time progresses. I feel amazed that my four years of high school have now come to an end, reluctant to part ways from my friends and those I have gotten to know, while at the same time having hope that we will someday meet again, and feeling excitement to start another chapter of my life. Looking further ahead, I know that the Lord will be with me, wherever I go, and that one day, I too will join my mom and other loved ones who have passed away, in Heaven, where there is eternal life, salvation, healing and forgiveness through the death of Jesus Christ.

I end with this Bible verse from Proverbs 3:3, which says: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

  

                               

                                 

Acts 24: The Power of Powerlessness

After yesterday's post, Tim Steiner commented that Paul's unending trip from one Roman court to another could have been the inspiration for a similar story by Franz Kafka. The term "kafkaesque" describes an absurd, unpleasant, unending experience. The difference, though, is that Paul actually seems to have invited this experience. Yes, he was making himself powerless; yes, he was giving up his high position as a law-abiding citizen of the Roman Empire to become an accused, shackled criminal, at the mercy of the "authorities" who more often than not are just paying back favors to Paul's enemies. Yes, he willingly goes before yet another Herod (Agrippa), something that never worked out well in human terms for Jesus, John the Baptist, James, Peter and John, just to name a few.

But that's okay with Paul. He's not a masochist. He just accepts that his life is not his own, anyway, and that his mission and passion is to preach Christ to the Gentiles. So where better to do this, than Rome? And who better to speak to, than princes and governors and centurions and travelers? Sure, Paul was chained to the Roman transportation, military and justice systems; more important, they were chained to him. I don't know if this apparently one-way trip to Rome is considered a "missionary journey," but it should be. It is not a victory lap, except in the sense that "in all these things we are more than conquerors". The man who wrote "when I am weak, then I am strong" knew a thing or two from personal experience and CHOICES about surrendering personal power and relying on God's.

I have been very, very angry this week. Angry at all I have lost and am losing. Just a blip in time ago this familiar old house of mine was bustling with the activities of four busy people. It wasn't always happy, but it was four "real" people living their busy lives together. Now one is dead, another lives elsewhere (with a new car and drivers license!), and a third graduated from high school this past Sunday and will be leaving home in two months. So WOE IS ME. At Deb Bensen's advice I took this to prayer. What I heard back was this: "God loves you. He knows what you are experiencing. You wouldn't be going through this if He didn't have a good reason." And yeah, receiving that takes away some of the anger, loss and sting of experiencing life in process.

Acts 23: Paul's "Day" In Roman Court Begins

Flattery and lies. Kiss up and kick down. That about describes the "litigation strategy" of Paul's accusers before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea.

By contrast, Paul tersely acknowledges the governor's authority to judge, and gets right to the point with accurate, verifiable fact after fact after fact. And, being Paul, he testifies to the power of the resurrection. In this first hearing he does not mention Christ, perhaps that is because he knows that Felix "was well acquainted with The Way" (v. 22). In the second and subsequent hearings, at which Felix is joined by his Jewish wife Drusilla, Paul presents the whole gospel. Felix is afraid of the message of judgment but greedy for a bribe, so he keeps calling for Paul, who keeps coming to share the gospel.

Eventually Felix is recalled to Rome for mishandling ethnic riots and is replaced by a new governor of the Jews with the unfortunate name of Porcius. Historical accounts say he was, however, wiser and more honest than his predecessor.

Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa 1 (the "godlike" one whose stomach was filled with worms), and was married at age 15 to Azizus King of Emesa before deserting him after a year and marrying Felix. Her son, also named Agrippa, died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Thus, hopefully, ended the miserable line of proud, violent persecutors and sometime killers of godly men (John the Baptist, Jesus, James, Peter, John, Paul, etc. etc.).

As the conclusion of Acts approaches, I wonder why Luke spends so much time on the details of the ups and downs of Paul the Litigator. Maybe it has something to do with dignifying the gospel message in the eyes of Roman readers by presenting it in a positive light before an institution they knew and respected and indeed took pride in as a lynchpin in the Pax Romana: the courts. Think Billy Graham in Yankee Stadium.