Ignorant Historian

Another week, another part of the Challenge to Women. Let’s get to the meat (this week is especially meaty!):

“That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.”

Of the ones we’ve done so far, this is the most encouraging. One of the thing that frustrates me about programs, speakers, and books targeted at Christian women is that they are often lacking in depth, focusing on relationships, feelings, purpose…anything but the truth of Jesus Christ as found in God’s Word.

Sure, these are important things to talk about and they certainly have a place, but just because we’re women doesn’t mean that we need the Bible lite, as many of these give. They throw around a few Scripture verses here and there that begin to sound trite after a while. What an incredible shame to make the Bible sound trite, given its richness and depth!

No, we don’t need a few verses here and there scattered among worldly wisdom. We need the Bible. While I know that many women haven’t had the privilege of the great educational opportunities I have had, I still think that we can bring the Bible to women of all educational levels. You don’t need a degree to understand the Bible (and sometimes the degree might be a hindrance!).

So could I be called a woman of the book? I want to be. I want to love, study, and obey the Bible more. For me, my slight adaptation of Professor Horner’s Bible-Reading System has helped me gain a new desire to read the Bible–and to read it more. I do feel like I rely on the Bible more today than I did a year ago, but also feel like I have a long ways to go. I suppose we all do.

In the last few weeks, I’ve also upped my reading of good Bible-based books. I’ve had a hard time putting them down, which is both encouraging and convicting.

I’ve always felt like I had a good grasp on the Bible and biblical truths. But lately through many different sources, God has been showing me how much there is still to learn. I’ll never exhaust God’s Word…how refreshing.

I’ve been incredibly blessed with the teaching I’ve sat under, formally and informally. What a shame it’d be to stop there and not seek any more.

Other Posts in This Series:

A Summer of Growth

Peace, Joy, and Strength

Daily Acts of Love

Photo Credit: The Pink Princess

Week 2 of my Summer of Growth challenge and we’re to point 2 of John Piper’s Challenge to Women:

“That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.”

I’ll take this in pieces. “That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that…

1. “…peace…fill[s] your soul to overflowing.”

Would I characterize my life as being filled with peace?

Yes and no. I don’t fret about the big things: death or the after life. It’s just the little things.

I think I’ve grown in the area of worry, but it’s all too easy to fall into it. I know it’s when I’m focusing too much on those little things, so they seem really big.

I frequently sing the hymn “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” to myself:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”

2. “…joy…fill[s] your soul to overflowing.”

I think this is an area that I’ve been lacking in lately. My life over the last few months could not be characterized by joy. Ho-hum would be a better term. I’ve allowed my relationship with Christ to become more of a duty and less of a joy. And for that, I do God a disservice. Reading the Bible, prayer, and worship aren’t items to simply be checked off of a list.

3. “…strength fill[s] your soul to overflowing.”

If God’s strength had not filled me during those weeks in April, I wouldn’t have made it. It might sound melodramatic, but I fully believe that without God’s help, I would have struggled more emotionally (that may have exacerbated my physical problems).

But how much more would I know of God’s strength if I was more closely walking with Him?

The truths in the Bible are powerful. But I have to know them and remind myself of them frequently through consistent Bible reading and study…

The second book the Faith and Fiction Roundtable discussed this year was Philip Yancey’s What Good is God?

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d like the book. I was pleasantly surprised that that turned out not to be the case. However, I felt like the format was forced, which ruined it a bit for me. Each section began with an introduction, then was followed with a transcript of a speech he gave. While the introductions were interesting, the speeches weren’t particularly special, and sometimes, not even relevant.

What struck me most about this book was the title. “What good is God?” is a question I’ve heard before–not always that blunt–and should not go unanswered. While I don’t ultimately think it’s the right question, it is often where people start.

I really wish that the book had actually addressed the question, instead of dancing around it.

So, what good is God? Is He someone worth believing in, trusting, following?

My answer is, “Absolutely, yes.” That said, there are costs to count. When you become a believer, your life is no longer your own. Of course, when you’re a slave to sin, your life is not your own either.

But, oh, it’s worth it. To have hope, comfort, peace. To have been given the great privilege of living with God now and in the future, not because I’m special, but because of who God is. To know that there’s nothing that I could do that would change that.

And my love and appreciation of what God has done and is doing for me grows more and more each day.

Other Faith and Fiction Roundtable Participants:

Amy
Brooks
Carrie
Florinda
Hannah
Heather
Jennifer
Julie
Liz
Nicole
Sheila
Sherry
Thomas
Tina

I must admit that when I first heard of this book I didn’t like it. I can’t quite remember now what my misgivings were, but it had something to do with the idea of “ambition” having anything good about it, or something.

Whatever my amorphous distaste about ambition I may have had, I don’t anymore, which is why it’s hard for me to recall them. I’m always like that…I rarely remember what my position used to have been…it’s like I’m my own Ministry of Truth (think 1984) rewriting history to always reflect the better understanding of today.

Anyway…

Reading Rescuing Ambition definitely changed my mind. Dave Harvey wrote this to two kinds of people: people who are ambitious for their own goals and people who aren’t ambitious at all. I’m definitely more of the former…we’re all basically one or the other.

While much of Christianity may seem to stifle ambition, that’s not what we’re supposed to do. We’re not supposed to simply “let go and let God.” We are to be ambitious, but for God’s glory, not our own.

So instead of  trying to squash those ambitious desires, we should give them over to God and pursue the things He’s laid out in Scripture. Perhaps God does want me to be a famous blogger and novelist (I doubt it!), but regardless of how God wants to use me, He wants me to trust Him and take opportunities to share God with others.

My favorite chapter of the book was the one about being ambitious in the church. I have such a great respect for the local church (and specifically, my local church), so I appreciated this emphasis. God has chosen to organize His followers into churches, local bodies of Christ. In order for us to do the work that God has given us, we must work together, not trying to promote ourselves but each doing our parts in a harmonious way.

I’m afraid I’m not telling the essence of this book very elegantly…just read it!

I recommend this book.

Humanitarian Jesus: Social Justice and the Cross is basically two books in one.

The first book is a discussion by the authors of the 20th century split between the social gospel and traditional Evangelicalism which called to seek to save souls at any cost. On the one hand, social gospel urged the Church to save lives, and Evangelicalism urged the saving of souls.

So which was right? Both and neither. Focusing on providing for physical needs only goes so far…after all, without sharing the truth of Christ, you’re only postponing the inevitable punishment for their sins. But on the other hand, how receptive to the Gospel will someone be if their physical needs aren’t being met?

I did enjoy the first half of this book, though I felt like When Helping Hurts speaks to this issue better and obviously more comprehensively.

The second half of Humanitarian Jesus is the transcript of 15 interviews. These interviews are with leaders of organizations that seek to meet physical needs, seek to meet spiritual needs, or both.

This section is what made this book stand out.

I found several points in the interviews to be insightful and encouraged me to reconsider or refine my own views on the subject.  That said, as a book as a whole, these interviews made for a rather disjointed read.  The interviews are presented almost entirely without commentary–though the authors injected their own opinions as part of a discussion of the issues. I think I would have read these interviews in a magazine or blog. If they were going to be given in book format, I would have preferred more commentary and analysis.

That said, this is an interesting book with some valid points worth the read if this is something you are interested in. The role that humanitarian work has in sharing the Gospel will continue to be an issue of discussion in Christianity (rightly so) for some time to come.

I wish I could write like Rachel Held Evans.

I read Evolving in Monkey Town, a memoir about doubt, when judging for the INSPYs‘ creative nonfiction category.  It was not only the committee’s consensus choice, but my personal choice.  Our statement (not written by me) was,

“Evans’ Evolving in Monkey Town chronicles the author’s move from complete acceptance of the faith of her childhood, through a desolate period of questioning, arriving at a renewed conviction about the love of God. Interweaving her own tale with the views of people she meets, Evans juxtaposes all of the voices about God in her life. Evans’ honesty in telling her faith journey impressed us along with how much her love of the Lord imbued the entire narrative.”

Evans grew up in Dayton, Tennessee–the infamous site of the Scopes Monkey Trial–which is the background for the trial of her faith (unintended pun noticed, but then ignored).  Growing up in a conservative, believing family, she later becomes unsettled not knowing what exactly she did believe.

I think that most Christians come to a point of doubt in their journeys.  But not all of us take the time to investigate, seeking the truth.  While I’ve not come to all the same conclusions that Evans has, I appreciate her honest take at the truths presented in the Bible.  I think when we’ve decided that we already know everything that we need to know, claiming beliefs in spite of all evidence, we’re in a dangerous position.  While I do believe to be a Christian is to trust in things unseen, I don’t think it means that we flat-out ignore what we see, either.  If what we believe is true, it will stand up.

If you’re interested in reading Evolving in Monkey Town, I’m giving away my gently used copy (I kept the crums to a minimum this time). Simply leave a comment on this post.  For extra entries, follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my RSS feed, and mention that in your comment (new and current followers and subscribers all earn extra entries).  Make sure you include a way for me to contact you.

International entrants welcome.  Contest ends 1/14/11 at 5 PM Eastern.

Giveaway closed.  The winner was Joy…congratulations!

This fall, I had the exciting opportunity to be a judge for the INSPYs creative non-fiction category (re-reading that sentence, I realize that it sounds like I’m about to write a middle school essay).  The INSPYs are awards given by bloggers for good faith-driven books.

I’ve mentioned before my distrust of the “Christian” name given to books (and other things), so I’m glad that this word doesn’t do that, but does seek to fix the problem.  It is possible to write good fiction (and creative non-fiction in the case of the category I helped judge…think memoirs) from a Christian viewpoint, and that’s what the INSPYs is seeking to promote.

In our category, we chose Rachel Held Evans’ Evolving in Monkey Town for the INSPY as it was funny, true to life, and dealt honestly with the questions Evans had about her faith.  While I don’t necessarily come to the same conclusions that she does, I do recommend this book as an interesting, provoking read.

I look forward to reading some of the other books chosen in the other categories.

These are just a few quotes that have caught my interest–for good or bad–the past few weeks.  Feel free to discuss them with me in the comments.

“…the economically rich often have ‘god-complexes,’ a subtle and unconscious sense of superiority in which they believe that they have achieved their wealth through their own efforts and that they have been anointed to decide what is best for low-income people, whom they view as inferior to themselves.” – When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, p. 65

“You never know what a man is capable of, even old friends.”
Yeah, Jimmy was a good guy.  He has one turn of bad luck, and it changed all that.”
No, Belson made the choice to go down this road.  Luck has nothing to do with it.” – CSI:NY, “Out of the Sky”

“This boy and million like him want a meaningful life, not ping pong.” – Native Son by Richard Wright

“…she was a Baptist through and through, which meant she approached her faith like the woman on the Bounty paper towel commercials: quick, with no time for nonsense like spiritual leaks and spills.” – Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner, p. 13

“…he feels that ice cream should be for special occasions, while I believe it’s a way of life.” – The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne, p. 125

“As I listened to these people praying to be able to live another day, I thought about my ample salary, my life insurance policy, my health insurance poplicy, my two cars, my house, etc.  I realized that I don not really trust in God’s sovereignty on a daily basis, as I have sufficient buffers in palce to shield me from most economic shocks.” – When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, p. 69

“So many of us Christians are all about being vulnerable, especially when we’re on stage, dressed up in a costume, and wearing makeup, putting on a performance we consider ‘a means to an end.’ ” - Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner, p. 11

“Make it a practice to feel special to God.” – church sign

“The goal is not to make the materially poor all over the world into middle-to-upper class North Americans, a group characterize by high rates of divorce, sexual addiction, substance abuse, and mental illness.” – When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, p. 78

“I think some women at [the church] feel sorry for me,” she said, “as if they think I’m only half the woman I could be because I don’t have a husband to act as my spiritual leader.” – Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner, p. 17

“I’m absolutely positive,” he assured Gallien, “I won’t run into anything I can’t deal with on my own.” – Chris McCandless in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

“Roberta talked about God like a scientist talked about gravity or Darwin, with no room for mystery or wonder.” – Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner, p. 76p

“But I am convinced that Christians in America can appreciate their country without worshipping it, be politically engaged without being politically consumed, and hold opinions about healthcare and the economy without insisting that God agrees. We can be civil because we know that people are infinitely more valuable than positions. We can be calm because we know that love will win in the end. We can laugh because we’re neither threatened nor dazzled by power.” – Rachel Held Evans, “Moderates: The Silent Majority?”

I’ve written more in the margins of Mere Churchianity than any other book I’ve read.  Makes me really wish Michael Spencer was still here with us (he passed away last spring, before the book was published) so that I could pose these questions.

Obviously, I could make this a very long review (but I won’t).

In Mere Churchianity, Michael Spencer speaks against what he calls “church-shaped spirituality” in favor of “Jesus-shaped spirituality.”

If you’re like me, you’ll wonder what the distinction between the two is.  After all, isn’t the church Christ’s body?  His bride?

Basically, “church-shaped spirituality” is the religious stuff that is found in all churches to a greater or lesser degree: the attribution of things to Jesus that aren’t him and all the rules we place on the faith.  These are exactly what you’d expect in churches made up of sinners (and I haven’t found one yet that isn’t).

I agree that this is a huge problem: at best these things distract from the gospel and at worst they’re blasphemy, leading people to hell.

Rather than calling this “church-shaped spirituality” I’d be much more comfortable calling it “man-shaped” or “sinner-shaped.”  I believe that God is jealous for His Church, like a good and faithful husband.  I don’t think he likes his bride’s name dragged through the mud, whether by the words of critics or by the actions of “Christians” who don’t follow Christ.

I agree with a lot of the problems Spencer points out.  Unfortunately, Christians sometimes are the worst advertisers for God and His Kingdom…but they are messengers God has chosen.

I think Spencer is incorrect about what drives people from the local church.  I do believe some leave because God is no longer the focus of that church (the reason he gives for the majority of the de-churched).  As Spencer puts it, “The God behind the labels and the church signs didn’t look like God to them, so they went looking elsewhere” (p. 17)

But I think that a lot more of us leave the church because we’re sinners who don’t really want to change our ways as demanded to be true followers of Christ.  Couple that with the fact that in most of America you no longer have to attend church to be accepted socially (which I believe is a good trend), and it’s easy to understand why many churches are disappearing.

It is these people who have left (or are in the process of leaving) the church that Spencer is addressing.  He encourages them in their pursuit of God over the institution, and does eventually encourage them to get involved into a community of believers, though he doesn’t go so far as to say that this has to be a biblically-defined church.

Though Spencer makes some great points, I simply have too many issues with his conclusions that I can’t recommend this.   But I’m not going to be speaking out against it, either.

If you’ve read Mere Churchianity or have specific questions about it, I’d be glad to talk to you more about it in the comments, or via email (ronnica@ignoranthistorian.com).

“You could always count on Mrs. Mohler to keep the gossip flowing, using church words to make it okay.” – Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth, p. 139

“Faith is a lack of contentment with what I am, but a sense of satisfaction with what God has given me of himself in Jesus.” - Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer, p. 146

“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” – Galatians 6:1, NASU

about the Republican Party, but sadly, it describes a lot of churches, too: ”You have to look one way, think one way, and act one way.  Wear the uniform!  Embrace groupthink!  And for goodness’ sake, no strangers allowed!…The doors and windows aren’t just shut.  The curtains are drawn.” - Dirty Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain, p. 8

“There is little need for large churches stuffed with satisfied audiences.  There is a great need for a movement of disciples going into the overlooked places of the world to see and serve the kingdom of God.” - Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer, p. 101

“They killed anyone who stood in their way.  They burned our house down and called it a mistake.  They weren’t in their own country so they didn’t have to answer to anyone.” - In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, p. 57

“Jesus’ assignment to the apostles was not to get people to respond to an altar call but to make disciples of all nations.” - Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer, p. 99

“But lately, in the Republican Party, anybody with a new idea is labeled ‘progressive,’ that dirty word, or just ignored.  I can’t think of a greater turn-off.  Why would a vibrant young person, full of energy and passion and lots of creativity, be interested in the Republican Party if new ideas and fresh starts aren’t welcome?” - Dirty Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain, p. 38

“In the last century, evangelical Christians parted ways with Christians in mainline churches, in part over suspicions about ‘the social gospel.’  Evangelicals came off sounding as if helping people was borderline unbiblical.” - Mere Christianity by Michael Spencer, p. 203

“The country people around the farm say that until the nail is hit, it doesn’t believe in the hammer.” – In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, p. 20

“If a church isn’t supporting and growing disciples, isn’t crossing cultures with the gospel, and isn’t encouraging and producing Jesus-followers, I believe you’re entitled to look for a different form of community that is doing these things.” – Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer, p. 212