Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Lovingly Confrontational: ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR
On my radio show- “Christianity Gone Wild” last week, April 27, 2012, we discussed the concept of truth. (you can access the podcast here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christianitygonewild/2012/04/27/christianity-gone-wild-1
On the show we discussed a new concept called- ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR.
I encouraged Christians that if we “love our neighbor as we love ourselves (James 2:8)” and we truly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is truth and sets us free (John 8:31-32), then telling them the truth is of vital importance. Many people get uneasy at the thought of confronting others with the gospel of truth, yet it is what many are looking for.
This morning I issued yet again another Monday Missional Message speaking about being “lovingly confrontational”.
Watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irpKIOypvFg&feature=youtu.be
So, here is the ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR QUESTIONARRE:
1.)Do you believe truth can set people free? Free from what? Why?
2.)Have you ever heard the story of the ‘peal of great price’? (Matthew 13:44-45)
3.)What is truth or this pearl to you in your own words?
4.)Are you pursuing it? Why? How?
5.)Are you a Christian? If so what do you think of Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 3:12-17? In light of that….I am going to say that Jesus Christ came back, and if you don’t believe that, you have made Jesus a liar and are committing the worse sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit by saying that Jesus was a liar. If your pastor is teaching that he is a false teacher and needs to be rebuked. Let’s look at the Scriptures…(Matthew 10:1-23; Matthew 16:21-28; & Matthew 24:29-35)
6.) If they are not a Christian, ask if you can share the gospel. Are you able to share the Biblical gospel? (1 Peter 3:15)
In light on the Missional Monday Message, start being – LOVINGLY CONFRONTATIONAL!!! We want to heal the nations and have testimonies, why? Because it is by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
http://www.freakedoutmovement.com
Monday, April 2, 2012
Press Release: Fort Myers Pastor Discriminated Against at a Public Event
Press Release April 2, 2012
Fort Myers Pastor Discriminated Against at Public Event
On Sunday, April 1, 2012, there was a public event advertised throughout Fort Myers concerning the album release of KJ-52. Clearly on the invite it says everyone. Correct?
Here is the link: http://wayj.wayfm.com/community/concerts-a-events/event/653.html
Well apparently not so.
Pastor Michael Miano of The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. was pulled aside by the event host and asked “Why are you here?” to which Miano replied “It’s a public event and I was invited”. After which Michael Miano decided to leave with friends feeling intimidated and humiliated.
Why has this happened?
According to Pastor Miano this is not the first time this has happened. As there are many different views within Christianity that are spreading the globe, Michael Miano is involved with a “back to the Bible” movement that has been labeled “heresy”.
Recently, Michael Miano was escorted off of First Assembly of God in Fort Myers property by Church elder and the Sheriff for talking with congregants about “Asking Your Pastor”, which is a campaign that seeks to strengthen and restore Christian understanding of Biblical doctrine by urging people to “search the Scriptures”.
Speaking about Sunday’s event, “This was a public event, a concert of sorts, drew people from all sorts of views of Christianity”, says Michael Miano. Yet, clearly he and his views are not welcome. You can learn more about Pastor Michael Miano by visiting www.freakedoutmovement.com
Reporting live from the front lines of The Hairy Tick Army.
Listen live weekdays, 9am EST @ www.hairyticks.com
Fort Myers Pastor Discriminated Against at Public Event
On Sunday, April 1, 2012, there was a public event advertised throughout Fort Myers concerning the album release of KJ-52. Clearly on the invite it says everyone. Correct?
Here is the link: http://wayj.wayfm.com/community/concerts-a-events/event/653.html
Well apparently not so.
Pastor Michael Miano of The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. was pulled aside by the event host and asked “Why are you here?” to which Miano replied “It’s a public event and I was invited”. After which Michael Miano decided to leave with friends feeling intimidated and humiliated.
Why has this happened?
According to Pastor Miano this is not the first time this has happened. As there are many different views within Christianity that are spreading the globe, Michael Miano is involved with a “back to the Bible” movement that has been labeled “heresy”.
Recently, Michael Miano was escorted off of First Assembly of God in Fort Myers property by Church elder and the Sheriff for talking with congregants about “Asking Your Pastor”, which is a campaign that seeks to strengthen and restore Christian understanding of Biblical doctrine by urging people to “search the Scriptures”.
Speaking about Sunday’s event, “This was a public event, a concert of sorts, drew people from all sorts of views of Christianity”, says Michael Miano. Yet, clearly he and his views are not welcome. You can learn more about Pastor Michael Miano by visiting www.freakedoutmovement.com
Reporting live from the front lines of The Hairy Tick Army.
Listen live weekdays, 9am EST @ www.hairyticks.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
It's the End of the World as We Know It. Reflecting on 2011 and Welcoming 2012
Here we are 2012! So...what do you believe? Literal end of the world? False prophecy? Maybe, a sort of end?
One thing is for sure, it is an end to 2011, and I want to share my last year with you. It has been quite a year, encouraging as I sit here and read through my notes.
Quick recap. If you read the notes from last years recap, I went through major transitions in my life, pretty much my trip to Israel did alot in my life and changed everything. I will forever be in awe of God's providential ways. So, truthfully, as I got into 2011 I was still coming to terms with alot of the change in my life and working through things. Everything from lifestyle, relationships, theology, focus, was "under construction".
Getting right into the year I committed myself to God, looked to Matthew 6:33 as the focus of my life, and felt God was encouraging me, leading me, and gifting me as I committed to Him. As many know, ushering in the new year also led to growth in a friendship with Quanti which led to what I call "the ADD factor". I truly believe that as I sought God who knows my heart, he brought the blessing of Quanti into my life. More on that later...
So the beginning of the year was filled with self-examination, a true dying to self, and allow God to break me down in order to build me back up (now that requires faith, but man let me tell you!!). Fact of the matter is that just as the Word says, God finds His glory in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). I continually prayed for God to give me the zeal I had previously had and even re-read the book Primal by Mark Batterson to get my mind right. Yet the time was not yet.
"But what you need is a vision from God that captures your imagination and consumes your energy" -Mark Batterson
The above statement became my resolution for 2011, and I began to recognize that God would lead me in ways to love him with my intelligence (mind), honor my seeking of Him (heart), reaching the lost (soul), and strength aka perseverence. My mornings and afternoons were full of prayer (I had also committed to journaling) and felt the call to rise up, and recognize the fact that as Christians we are a chosen generation, and continually instilled in myself that I was walking by the faith of Abraham (Hebrews 11).
The powerful prayer I felt welled up inside me came from understanding salvation, the good news it truly was, and how at that point I understood it so clearer because I was drawing near to God, and He was following His promise to draw near to me. This led me to feel the burden to live "out of the catacombs". Quanti, was an amazing blessing in my life, truly the Eve in my life, and together we searched through Scripture, and she would provide amazing insights- starting at Genesis (Quanti, do you remember our 90 days? :).
Right from the beginning of the year I had the burdens of a missional reformer seeking to lead many to Christ, but also reformer the body of Christ in the process. Honestly though, I felt dry, needed to fill up on the holy water of God and continued to pray about it.
Understanding that we are living in the new heavens and new earth brought much to the table, concerning the leaves of the tree that were for the healing of the nations. I felt called, as I still do, to truly bring that healing. Looking at 2 Corinthians chapter 4 in reference to Romans chapter 12, I saw the truth in the fact that the Old Covenant had been done away with and the renewal brought us into the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
My ever-reforming relationship with Quanti was a big deal all throughout 2011, and will continue for the rest of my life, God willing :). In February I did the "name all things" and we began to official date, and I continually reminded myself of Matthew 6:33, and that she was the daughter of my King! I prayed to love her, honor her, her her pursue the life she wanted to live in Christ, and to truly manifest Ephesians 6:22-33.
The gospel of Jesus, the need for souls to be saved, and the historical legacy was continually on my mind (that pretty much sums up why I am the way I am, ha ha ha).
prayed God keep His gospel ever before my eyes (Glorious gospel, salvation of souls, and the historical legacy)- this is why we do this! Ephesians 1 continually brought me energy. It was natural, and to quote a random quote, "worship is an outward expression of an inward reality".
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6)".
Throughout the middle of the year as I continued to grow in my understanding of the gospel and live as a modern day apostle, it would ever so often offer me the opportunity for debate and dialogue. I began to take serious the command to defend the faith delivered to the Apostles, and realized it was through the Scriptures alone that strongholds would be demolished. I prayed and prayed for humility (as I still do) in teaching the truth in love, yet coming in dispute with false teachings and doctrines, those who would label be a "heretic" which I earned this year by teaching true doctrine through the Consider Yesterday series on Youtube.
In defense of the gospel, I began to have what I call "Luther moments". It hurt to be ostracised at times, but I was encouraged by the Spirit that what I was doing what right. I began to read through Alan Hirsch's books for encouragement yet again.
"...tamed by tradition, captivated by culture, and controlled by our desire to fit in"- quoted from Untamed, which is such a true statement and is hindering many from having a true life in Christ. Many churches and pastors are seeking to domesticate Christians rather than truly disciple them.
As I grew in the truth of salvation in Christ, the truth of the Scriptures, and a better understanding of the Preterist doctrine, I began to have some come in direct opposition with me. At that point I inititated PLAN BE: Be the Change You Want to See in the World. Seriously, think about all the gripes people have, especially Christians in the Church. So, I lauched The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. on June 25, 2011. Granted, starting a church wasn't exactly on the agenda for the year, but after giving up my internship to follow the Scriptures, I felt led to start what I would call "the solution".
In the midst of writing my book, Freaked-Out by the New Covenant", this was hard but it was such a blessing, and is continuing to challenge me. I must say, I owe alot to Quanti for the persevering attitude.
So here I sit, January 9, 2012 reflecting on a year that has brought me into missional debates with so many people- Unitarian Univeralists, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses. A year that has offered me the opportunity to disciple people in the truth of Scripture and lead some to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. A year that through my personal growth has allowed me to visioneer and begin to pastor The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H., and to truly be an opinion leader, might I dare say a sort of social gadfly, in the Christian Church. Truly a year of awe and answered prayer, and is leading me into a reborn perspective in the kingdom of God (we have to love how God works).
Granted, I must admit....the resolutions for 2011 didn't go all that well. I still do not have my own car, I haven't read through the entire Greek and Hebrew Bible (although, I have done fairly well, thanks to Q for buying me one :)). I have not memorized any books of the Bible, and did not learn any new languages. I did however study systematic theology and develop a good framework, finished writing my book, graduated college, planted a church, have continually worked on my personal integrity/ honesty and compassion. I imagine I accomplished a bit more on my bucket list this year as well- yes, I went on a cruise with Q to the Bahamas!!! woohoo!
As far as 2012, man it has already started pretty darn amazing. Entering into the year with the mindset of being famous for the glory of Jesus, I seek to accomplish big things! Some resolutions include getting involved with radio (both speaking and listening), I want to buy thrift, start a sort of daily work out regimen, live with a free, passionate engaging attitude as I launch my tour- "End Your World 2012"....living with a zeal empowered by knowledge.
(http://www.zealempoweredbyknowledge.com). I seek to have my book published in March 2012, get married (yes, you read that right!!!), and believe it or not shorten my messages (hopefully this will be the last long blog of Michael Miano :).
With that, I will end. Let's let 2012 truly be an end of the world as we know it. Let's go hard for the gospel of Jesus Christ, preach by any means necessary..This is how we will act as the Church in unison, our missionality- go! Speak the Truth in love.
2012- go hard for the gospel. any means necessary, missionally bring unity to the body- speak the truth in love
"Living in a world come of age, as dead men not cowards"
Blessings in Christ,
Michael Miano
One thing is for sure, it is an end to 2011, and I want to share my last year with you. It has been quite a year, encouraging as I sit here and read through my notes.
Quick recap. If you read the notes from last years recap, I went through major transitions in my life, pretty much my trip to Israel did alot in my life and changed everything. I will forever be in awe of God's providential ways. So, truthfully, as I got into 2011 I was still coming to terms with alot of the change in my life and working through things. Everything from lifestyle, relationships, theology, focus, was "under construction".
Getting right into the year I committed myself to God, looked to Matthew 6:33 as the focus of my life, and felt God was encouraging me, leading me, and gifting me as I committed to Him. As many know, ushering in the new year also led to growth in a friendship with Quanti which led to what I call "the ADD factor". I truly believe that as I sought God who knows my heart, he brought the blessing of Quanti into my life. More on that later...
So the beginning of the year was filled with self-examination, a true dying to self, and allow God to break me down in order to build me back up (now that requires faith, but man let me tell you!!). Fact of the matter is that just as the Word says, God finds His glory in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). I continually prayed for God to give me the zeal I had previously had and even re-read the book Primal by Mark Batterson to get my mind right. Yet the time was not yet.
"But what you need is a vision from God that captures your imagination and consumes your energy" -Mark Batterson
The above statement became my resolution for 2011, and I began to recognize that God would lead me in ways to love him with my intelligence (mind), honor my seeking of Him (heart), reaching the lost (soul), and strength aka perseverence. My mornings and afternoons were full of prayer (I had also committed to journaling) and felt the call to rise up, and recognize the fact that as Christians we are a chosen generation, and continually instilled in myself that I was walking by the faith of Abraham (Hebrews 11).
The powerful prayer I felt welled up inside me came from understanding salvation, the good news it truly was, and how at that point I understood it so clearer because I was drawing near to God, and He was following His promise to draw near to me. This led me to feel the burden to live "out of the catacombs". Quanti, was an amazing blessing in my life, truly the Eve in my life, and together we searched through Scripture, and she would provide amazing insights- starting at Genesis (Quanti, do you remember our 90 days? :).
Right from the beginning of the year I had the burdens of a missional reformer seeking to lead many to Christ, but also reformer the body of Christ in the process. Honestly though, I felt dry, needed to fill up on the holy water of God and continued to pray about it.
Understanding that we are living in the new heavens and new earth brought much to the table, concerning the leaves of the tree that were for the healing of the nations. I felt called, as I still do, to truly bring that healing. Looking at 2 Corinthians chapter 4 in reference to Romans chapter 12, I saw the truth in the fact that the Old Covenant had been done away with and the renewal brought us into the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
My ever-reforming relationship with Quanti was a big deal all throughout 2011, and will continue for the rest of my life, God willing :). In February I did the "name all things" and we began to official date, and I continually reminded myself of Matthew 6:33, and that she was the daughter of my King! I prayed to love her, honor her, her her pursue the life she wanted to live in Christ, and to truly manifest Ephesians 6:22-33.
The gospel of Jesus, the need for souls to be saved, and the historical legacy was continually on my mind (that pretty much sums up why I am the way I am, ha ha ha).
prayed God keep His gospel ever before my eyes (Glorious gospel, salvation of souls, and the historical legacy)- this is why we do this! Ephesians 1 continually brought me energy. It was natural, and to quote a random quote, "worship is an outward expression of an inward reality".
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6)".
Throughout the middle of the year as I continued to grow in my understanding of the gospel and live as a modern day apostle, it would ever so often offer me the opportunity for debate and dialogue. I began to take serious the command to defend the faith delivered to the Apostles, and realized it was through the Scriptures alone that strongholds would be demolished. I prayed and prayed for humility (as I still do) in teaching the truth in love, yet coming in dispute with false teachings and doctrines, those who would label be a "heretic" which I earned this year by teaching true doctrine through the Consider Yesterday series on Youtube.
In defense of the gospel, I began to have what I call "Luther moments". It hurt to be ostracised at times, but I was encouraged by the Spirit that what I was doing what right. I began to read through Alan Hirsch's books for encouragement yet again.
"...tamed by tradition, captivated by culture, and controlled by our desire to fit in"- quoted from Untamed, which is such a true statement and is hindering many from having a true life in Christ. Many churches and pastors are seeking to domesticate Christians rather than truly disciple them.
As I grew in the truth of salvation in Christ, the truth of the Scriptures, and a better understanding of the Preterist doctrine, I began to have some come in direct opposition with me. At that point I inititated PLAN BE: Be the Change You Want to See in the World. Seriously, think about all the gripes people have, especially Christians in the Church. So, I lauched The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. on June 25, 2011. Granted, starting a church wasn't exactly on the agenda for the year, but after giving up my internship to follow the Scriptures, I felt led to start what I would call "the solution".
In the midst of writing my book, Freaked-Out by the New Covenant", this was hard but it was such a blessing, and is continuing to challenge me. I must say, I owe alot to Quanti for the persevering attitude.
So here I sit, January 9, 2012 reflecting on a year that has brought me into missional debates with so many people- Unitarian Univeralists, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses. A year that has offered me the opportunity to disciple people in the truth of Scripture and lead some to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. A year that through my personal growth has allowed me to visioneer and begin to pastor The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H., and to truly be an opinion leader, might I dare say a sort of social gadfly, in the Christian Church. Truly a year of awe and answered prayer, and is leading me into a reborn perspective in the kingdom of God (we have to love how God works).
Granted, I must admit....the resolutions for 2011 didn't go all that well. I still do not have my own car, I haven't read through the entire Greek and Hebrew Bible (although, I have done fairly well, thanks to Q for buying me one :)). I have not memorized any books of the Bible, and did not learn any new languages. I did however study systematic theology and develop a good framework, finished writing my book, graduated college, planted a church, have continually worked on my personal integrity/ honesty and compassion. I imagine I accomplished a bit more on my bucket list this year as well- yes, I went on a cruise with Q to the Bahamas!!! woohoo!
As far as 2012, man it has already started pretty darn amazing. Entering into the year with the mindset of being famous for the glory of Jesus, I seek to accomplish big things! Some resolutions include getting involved with radio (both speaking and listening), I want to buy thrift, start a sort of daily work out regimen, live with a free, passionate engaging attitude as I launch my tour- "End Your World 2012"....living with a zeal empowered by knowledge.
(http://www.zealempoweredbyknowledge.com). I seek to have my book published in March 2012, get married (yes, you read that right!!!), and believe it or not shorten my messages (hopefully this will be the last long blog of Michael Miano :).
With that, I will end. Let's let 2012 truly be an end of the world as we know it. Let's go hard for the gospel of Jesus Christ, preach by any means necessary..This is how we will act as the Church in unison, our missionality- go! Speak the Truth in love.
2012- go hard for the gospel. any means necessary, missionally bring unity to the body- speak the truth in love
"Living in a world come of age, as dead men not cowards"
Blessings in Christ,
Michael Miano
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Missional Marketing- "Healing of the nation"
Everyday I love the Lord more and more as I continue to learn the true and reasonable gospel of Jesus Christ that shines through consistent fulfilled theology. Yet, the burden always stands that we need more missionaries, more door to door evangelists, more teachers and preachers to teach the proper view of the kingdom of God, of which I believe is the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:).
In line with what I just spoke about in the video, I am looking to do my part. Called as a reformer of the Church, a healer of the nations through the gospel of Jesus, I will do all I can to display the message and help others understand it clear enough that it takes root in their lives (oddly, the word radical is derived in Latin from "being rooted").
Learning from the network marketing sector, and being fully convinced of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I seek to do all that I can to get the message out. WE NEED MISSIONARIES!
So, Missionary Marketing is my brand/business to utilize my passionate energy ("zeal empowered by knowledge") to get the gospel out! Working namely within the Preterist camp, I want to begin networking properly.
You help me by spreading the word of what I am doing, helping me get invites and events, etc..I will help your cause by promoting you by any means necessary! What do you think?
Message me on Facebook, email me at p.mike_miano@yahoo.com, or give me a call at (239) 603-5695.
I look forward to working with you.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
VISIT MY SPEAKING PAGE @
HTTP://WWW.ZEALEMPOWEREDBYKNOWLEDGE.COM
.
In line with what I just spoke about in the video, I am looking to do my part. Called as a reformer of the Church, a healer of the nations through the gospel of Jesus, I will do all I can to display the message and help others understand it clear enough that it takes root in their lives (oddly, the word radical is derived in Latin from "being rooted").
Learning from the network marketing sector, and being fully convinced of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I seek to do all that I can to get the message out. WE NEED MISSIONARIES!
So, Missionary Marketing is my brand/business to utilize my passionate energy ("zeal empowered by knowledge") to get the gospel out! Working namely within the Preterist camp, I want to begin networking properly.
You help me by spreading the word of what I am doing, helping me get invites and events, etc..I will help your cause by promoting you by any means necessary! What do you think?
Message me on Facebook, email me at p.mike_miano@yahoo.com, or give me a call at (239) 603-5695.
I look forward to working with you.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
VISIT MY SPEAKING PAGE @
HTTP://WWW.ZEALEMPOWEREDBYKNOWLEDGE.COM
.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Perfect Christmas Story: The need for a Consistent Gospel
December 25th, is known by many as the day that Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus. Granted there are many who claim Jesus is the Christ yet do not attribute any value to December 25th and cite a variety of reasons.
We see nighborhood lawns decorated with the nativity scene, a moment to reflect on a time long long ago when a baby was born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. Yet, we also see the roadways packed with traffic, the shopping malls cluttered with frantic shoppers, and consumerism having a sort of parade that competes with the values that were later taught by this baby Messiah.
It seems that this celebration is a bit inconsistent. Although it does not stop there. The sad reality is that the distorted celebration of the Messsiah's birth is bred by a distorted storyline. Logically, it only makes sense that if the story itself is completely confusion and inconsistent the product or action it will produce will be the same.
So...what's the Christmas story you know or have heard? As Christians, this story, which is the gospel that our Messiah was born into this world to bring to men (John chaper 1), should be of vital importance. We must understand it, live it, and reproduce it, after all, Christian does mean "little Christ's", right?
In my following of Christ, I have done everything I could to present this message to the world, whether it was simply living a life that glorifies Christ or radically proclaiming the message from the rooftops (sometimes quite literally), I have been willing to entertain other understandings of this message- in an effort to understand the consistency of the gospel message- or for this message- the perfect Christmas story.
Recently I had made a habit of attending a local Unitarian Universalist congregation which is a group that seeks to exhibit a message of understanding that faith is subjective and it is through willing to allow others to grow that "god" is realized, or quite possibly in their belief, the lack thereof. One day their minister delivered a message in regards to what it is a Unitarian Universalist believes, and he quoted an article written by Reverand David Bumbaugh, a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School in which he said:
"Unitarian Univeralists have, I believe, an implicit faith position that has evolved over time as a result of our engagement with the world, a faith position that we seem reluctant to make explicit. It is a faith position that seeks to provide a sense of meaning to our existence; a position that challenges us to live responsibly in the world and to engage the challenges constantly confronting us"
I continually attended these meetings, and I will admit I always had a sense of "holy frustration". I have continually quoted to others in Christ that I feel the UU position is one that keeps peoplein a room running in circles denying the fact that their are walls. Many of these congregants are very intelligent and have been dismayed with the unreasonable, inconsistent, and often times unreliable message that the "Christian Church" has offered. I had a meeting with their minister and he told me how he was led away from his position as a Christian pastor by means of studying and realizing certain parts of the message didn't sit well with reality. This saddened me. Although, it is sadly true that many Christians and churches fail to offer a consistent and reasonable message that demonstrates our explicit position in Christ. Do you know your foundation, can can you explain it?
Again and again, I realize that much of the distortion of the Christian message comes from presuppositions built upon presuppositions. A presupposition is an assumption that comes beforehand or to something that is taken for granted in advance. In Christian communities this is challenged as inserting something into the text or your own interpretation. This is clearly demonstrated when I meet with the Mormons who offer a new gospel in an effort to restore the message of Jesus Christ. The sad truth again is that, YES, the gospel does need to be restored but without faulty presuppositions that are ever clear in their tradition, traced back to why Joseph Smith even prayed to God for wisdom. Many friends in different streams of Christianity offer faulty presuppositions when they take something I say and add to it (for example, if we are living in the new heavens and new earth therefore there is no longer any need for the gospel). Also, many challenge true Biblical teachings based on what they have always felt they already knew or what seems logical and the only right way, to them! Faulty presuppositions come up in any Bible study, especially when dealing with morals and ethics, yet these same false views have led to dispensationalism, the history & theology of the Jehovah Witnesses, and many other brands in the Christian church.
As Charles Spurgeon put it, ""I believe a very large majority of church goers … are merely the stolid, unthinking, slumbering worshippers of an unknown God". Unfortunately, many of the scholars are sitting in circles amongst each other and giving truth to yet another quote by Mr. Spurgeon, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on". A great read concerning this is A Road Back to Preterissm by Kurt Simmons. (This article can be found at Preterist Central.com).
To be quite honest. I am sick of hearing about shoppers killing another shopper over a toy around the celebration of the Messiah, I am antagonized by killings in my area, at the mall, around the Christmas season, and I am bothered by the nonsense story that has taken place of the true gospel story. So what do I resolve to do? Attack back! As much as the ways of this "world" seek to attack the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, we in the kingdom of God must wage war as well. How ready is your armor?
I truly believe we can fix the problem by missionally living out what I have come to call an emerging profitable Christianity which is demonstrated with a consistent message. Make sense? That is exactly it! We must let the good news become good news, not an odd quirky story of spiritual nonsense that "works for you". Are you willing to not only explain the perfect Christmas story that began when that baby was born in Bethlehem, but also live in its reality today?
Take a look at Luke chapter 2. A man named Simeon was waiting for what? The consolation of Israel! And he would be alive until when? Until he seen the Lord's Christ! And what did he prophesy about the child?
"Soveriegn Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel...this child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too".
and of course it doesn't stop there. Concerning the prophetess Anna the Scripture says "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all where looking toward to the redemption of Jerusalem". Immediately we read of Jesus growing up and going about the Father's business proclaiming the fullfillment of prophecy and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God.
I must question. Is this the gospel message that you are being taught? I always hear a subjective, out of context, personal salvation- might I dare say boyfriend jesus message in many churches rather than the fulfillment of prophecy to Israel, salvation of Israel, which would be a light to the Gentiles. That is what is in Scripture.
In a decaying world outside the gates of the kingdom of God, many Christians offer dirty water as the message of Christ:
in once sentence it is said, death is destroyed by Christ and now we have eternal life, yet we say we cannot be living in the realities of the kingdom because people still die. Many say we are in the presence of God, yet when we die we will go into His presence. Some speak of hell as being an eternal place, yet the Word says Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Many preach that we are the kingdom of God, and then speak of a yet future kingdom of God. The Scriptures say that sin is what leads us to Jesus, and that the Gospel is eternal, yet many preach a false hope of a kingdom without sin, and therefore without the need for Jesus.
We must get with the program! We are not offering the healing of the nations that is so desperately needed, and can be found in a consistent gospel message- or in this case the perfect Christmas story.
The good news is that an emerging profitable Christianity is on the horizon. Sometimes we must emerge amidst the nonsense, and truly offer something profitable- this is the remnant always spoken of in the Bible.
GOOD NEWS:
A CHILD WAS BORN, A SON WAS GIVEN, AND HIS GOVERNMENT IS ON HIS SHOULDERS, HE IS CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE WILL HAVE NO END FROM THE TIME HE WAS BORN TO FOREVER (ISAIAH 9:6-7). HE HAS SET UP A KINGDOM THAT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CRUSH ALL OTHER KINGDOMS, BUT HIS KINGDOM WILL ENDURE FOREVER (DANIEL 2:44). THIS IS A KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROMANS 14:18). YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION BY FINDING SALVATION IN HIM (), THANK GOD HE FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES (LUKE 21:20-22, HEBREWS 9:28; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:11) TO BRING SALVATION. IN THIS WORLD WHICH WILL NEVER END (EPHESIANS 4:21) AS GENERATIONS COME AND GO (ECCLESIASTES 1:4) WE HAVE THE ETERNAL GOSPEL (REVELATION 14:6) WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS (REVELATION 22:2) AS WE INVITE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD (REVELATION 22:14-17) BY BEING REBORN (JOHN CHAPTER 3).
I hope this bears fruit in your life, blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
Give us men in the pulpit...that fear God & think the gospel good enough for anybody & make no apology for preaching it-A.T. Robertson
P.S.- Here is a brother in Christ's blog that discusses the same stuff but probably a bit more clearer than my crazy mind works. :)
http://ultimatereality-revdannyfoster.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
We see nighborhood lawns decorated with the nativity scene, a moment to reflect on a time long long ago when a baby was born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem. Yet, we also see the roadways packed with traffic, the shopping malls cluttered with frantic shoppers, and consumerism having a sort of parade that competes with the values that were later taught by this baby Messiah.
It seems that this celebration is a bit inconsistent. Although it does not stop there. The sad reality is that the distorted celebration of the Messsiah's birth is bred by a distorted storyline. Logically, it only makes sense that if the story itself is completely confusion and inconsistent the product or action it will produce will be the same.
So...what's the Christmas story you know or have heard? As Christians, this story, which is the gospel that our Messiah was born into this world to bring to men (John chaper 1), should be of vital importance. We must understand it, live it, and reproduce it, after all, Christian does mean "little Christ's", right?
In my following of Christ, I have done everything I could to present this message to the world, whether it was simply living a life that glorifies Christ or radically proclaiming the message from the rooftops (sometimes quite literally), I have been willing to entertain other understandings of this message- in an effort to understand the consistency of the gospel message- or for this message- the perfect Christmas story.
Recently I had made a habit of attending a local Unitarian Universalist congregation which is a group that seeks to exhibit a message of understanding that faith is subjective and it is through willing to allow others to grow that "god" is realized, or quite possibly in their belief, the lack thereof. One day their minister delivered a message in regards to what it is a Unitarian Universalist believes, and he quoted an article written by Reverand David Bumbaugh, a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School in which he said:
"Unitarian Univeralists have, I believe, an implicit faith position that has evolved over time as a result of our engagement with the world, a faith position that we seem reluctant to make explicit. It is a faith position that seeks to provide a sense of meaning to our existence; a position that challenges us to live responsibly in the world and to engage the challenges constantly confronting us"
I continually attended these meetings, and I will admit I always had a sense of "holy frustration". I have continually quoted to others in Christ that I feel the UU position is one that keeps peoplein a room running in circles denying the fact that their are walls. Many of these congregants are very intelligent and have been dismayed with the unreasonable, inconsistent, and often times unreliable message that the "Christian Church" has offered. I had a meeting with their minister and he told me how he was led away from his position as a Christian pastor by means of studying and realizing certain parts of the message didn't sit well with reality. This saddened me. Although, it is sadly true that many Christians and churches fail to offer a consistent and reasonable message that demonstrates our explicit position in Christ. Do you know your foundation, can can you explain it?
Again and again, I realize that much of the distortion of the Christian message comes from presuppositions built upon presuppositions. A presupposition is an assumption that comes beforehand or to something that is taken for granted in advance. In Christian communities this is challenged as inserting something into the text or your own interpretation. This is clearly demonstrated when I meet with the Mormons who offer a new gospel in an effort to restore the message of Jesus Christ. The sad truth again is that, YES, the gospel does need to be restored but without faulty presuppositions that are ever clear in their tradition, traced back to why Joseph Smith even prayed to God for wisdom. Many friends in different streams of Christianity offer faulty presuppositions when they take something I say and add to it (for example, if we are living in the new heavens and new earth therefore there is no longer any need for the gospel). Also, many challenge true Biblical teachings based on what they have always felt they already knew or what seems logical and the only right way, to them! Faulty presuppositions come up in any Bible study, especially when dealing with morals and ethics, yet these same false views have led to dispensationalism, the history & theology of the Jehovah Witnesses, and many other brands in the Christian church.
As Charles Spurgeon put it, ""I believe a very large majority of church goers … are merely the stolid, unthinking, slumbering worshippers of an unknown God". Unfortunately, many of the scholars are sitting in circles amongst each other and giving truth to yet another quote by Mr. Spurgeon, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on". A great read concerning this is A Road Back to Preterissm by Kurt Simmons. (This article can be found at Preterist Central.com).
To be quite honest. I am sick of hearing about shoppers killing another shopper over a toy around the celebration of the Messiah, I am antagonized by killings in my area, at the mall, around the Christmas season, and I am bothered by the nonsense story that has taken place of the true gospel story. So what do I resolve to do? Attack back! As much as the ways of this "world" seek to attack the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, we in the kingdom of God must wage war as well. How ready is your armor?
I truly believe we can fix the problem by missionally living out what I have come to call an emerging profitable Christianity which is demonstrated with a consistent message. Make sense? That is exactly it! We must let the good news become good news, not an odd quirky story of spiritual nonsense that "works for you". Are you willing to not only explain the perfect Christmas story that began when that baby was born in Bethlehem, but also live in its reality today?
Take a look at Luke chapter 2. A man named Simeon was waiting for what? The consolation of Israel! And he would be alive until when? Until he seen the Lord's Christ! And what did he prophesy about the child?
"Soveriegn Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel...this child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too".
and of course it doesn't stop there. Concerning the prophetess Anna the Scripture says "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all where looking toward to the redemption of Jerusalem". Immediately we read of Jesus growing up and going about the Father's business proclaiming the fullfillment of prophecy and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God.
I must question. Is this the gospel message that you are being taught? I always hear a subjective, out of context, personal salvation- might I dare say boyfriend jesus message in many churches rather than the fulfillment of prophecy to Israel, salvation of Israel, which would be a light to the Gentiles. That is what is in Scripture.
In a decaying world outside the gates of the kingdom of God, many Christians offer dirty water as the message of Christ:
in once sentence it is said, death is destroyed by Christ and now we have eternal life, yet we say we cannot be living in the realities of the kingdom because people still die. Many say we are in the presence of God, yet when we die we will go into His presence. Some speak of hell as being an eternal place, yet the Word says Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Many preach that we are the kingdom of God, and then speak of a yet future kingdom of God. The Scriptures say that sin is what leads us to Jesus, and that the Gospel is eternal, yet many preach a false hope of a kingdom without sin, and therefore without the need for Jesus.
We must get with the program! We are not offering the healing of the nations that is so desperately needed, and can be found in a consistent gospel message- or in this case the perfect Christmas story.
The good news is that an emerging profitable Christianity is on the horizon. Sometimes we must emerge amidst the nonsense, and truly offer something profitable- this is the remnant always spoken of in the Bible.
GOOD NEWS:
A CHILD WAS BORN, A SON WAS GIVEN, AND HIS GOVERNMENT IS ON HIS SHOULDERS, HE IS CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE WILL HAVE NO END FROM THE TIME HE WAS BORN TO FOREVER (ISAIAH 9:6-7). HE HAS SET UP A KINGDOM THAT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CRUSH ALL OTHER KINGDOMS, BUT HIS KINGDOM WILL ENDURE FOREVER (DANIEL 2:44). THIS IS A KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROMANS 14:18). YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION BY FINDING SALVATION IN HIM (), THANK GOD HE FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES (LUKE 21:20-22, HEBREWS 9:28; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:11) TO BRING SALVATION. IN THIS WORLD WHICH WILL NEVER END (EPHESIANS 4:21) AS GENERATIONS COME AND GO (ECCLESIASTES 1:4) WE HAVE THE ETERNAL GOSPEL (REVELATION 14:6) WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS (REVELATION 22:2) AS WE INVITE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD (REVELATION 22:14-17) BY BEING REBORN (JOHN CHAPTER 3).
I hope this bears fruit in your life, blessings in Christ,
Pastor Michael Miano
Give us men in the pulpit...that fear God & think the gospel good enough for anybody & make no apology for preaching it-A.T. Robertson
P.S.- Here is a brother in Christ's blog that discusses the same stuff but probably a bit more clearer than my crazy mind works. :)
http://ultimatereality-revdannyfoster.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
My NY TIMES Response: The Baby's Bathwater
In response to an article I read in The NY Times, which can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/opinion/the-evangelical-rejection-of-reason.html
This was my response which I emailed to them and just might possibly be in the papers soon:
The Baby’s Bathwater
Last week I sat down with a friend who happens to be a Unitarian Universalist pastor. I shared with him my views of theology, eschatology, and how I am encouraged by the postmodern worldview that is taking place as well as my discouragement concerning the prevalent anti-intellectual attitude alive in the Church. Here it was a 27 year old radically engaged Christian pastor and an above 50 years of age reverend of a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, sharing salad and stories, hopeful of what the information age will bring to pass.
Since I shared my views of how my “thinking” and studying the Scriptures led me to be dismissed and ostracized by the “big church” in our location, I was delighted and inspired when he text messaged me concerning the NY Times article titled “The Evangelical Rejection of Reason”, that was in the opinions section on October 17, 2011.
After reading and re-reading the article a couple times, as well as getting feedback from many Facebook friends, I am responding to this article that brought me a breath of fresh air. Time and time again, especially in political and religious atmospheres, we hear the statement: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”, yet it is about time that we recognize what exactly is the baby and what is the bathwater. Why? Because the bathwater is full of bacteria and its dirt is getting all over the baby and even to the extent of getting the filth all over those seeking to take the baby out of the bacteria-infested water. At this point one might realize I am speaking of the man-made doctrines in the Church that are accepted as Biblical, yet fail to stand against scrutiny and ultimately “spit in the face of Jesus”.
I seek not to be prideful, arrogant, or to throw stones at anyone- yet as the NY Times article rightly said: “But when the faith of so many Americans becomes an occasion to embrace discredited, ridiculous and even dangerous ideas, we must not be afraid to speak out, even if it means criticizing fellow Christians”. This is exactly the point! As I read this NY Times article I didn’t spend time dwelling on the “side issues” that were brought up to make clear the point of- the evangelical rejection of reason- rather I saw complete agreement, considering it is my reason and being “too intellectual” which has gotten me rejected by many.
As a missionally engaged Christian on the frontlines of radically spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, I can say I am grateful for the postmodern atmosphere of critiquing and questioning. As Mark A. Noll wrote in his book, “The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind”, “The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind”, and that is clearly demonstrated as the authors of the NY Times article explained through the fundamentalist slogan- “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it”. Oh, how us students of the Bible wish it was that easy, considering the vast disagreements in all areas of theology so alive in the Church. It is discernment, disagreement, and intellectual honesty that have led to the expanding reach of the Christian gospel, in Spirit and Truth.
The popular evangelical Christian doctrines set up various views that force its proponents to look at reason, study, and any form of knowledge outside there confines as arrogant, misled, and heretical. Many man-made doctrines that have been passed off as “Biblical” lead to excessive conspiracy theories in all fields concerning science, history, and the like. Authors Timothy P. Martin & Jeffrey L. Vaughn, explain, detail, and document this in their book, “Beyond Creation Science: New Covenant Creation From Genesis to Revelation” making bold statements such as “The real reason the influence of secular unbelief is so great in our day lies in the widespread failure of Christians to understand the Bible in its own context and to present a real Christianity to the world…Christians have lost influence in Western society precisely because Christians have not thought deeply or acted wisely in response to the cultural challenges modernity presents to the Christian faith”. Also, speaking of a growing group of conservative evangelicals the authors wrote, “They also wonder what it will take to bring about the demise of dispensational premillenialism in America which has retreated from reasoned biblical defense of the view”.
Yet, true to form I will always present the case of the good news. I was encouraged by the above mentioned NY Times article because I see something on the horizon (I myself am an example). The Age of Enlightenment came with a lot of criticism toward the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Emergent generation- X rebelled against the fundamentalist Christianity offered by their parents, and today the postmodern generation provides challenges yet inquiring Christian minds are seeking to provide answers, dare I say a resurrection of the gospel. This is something I like to call emerging profitable Christianity, which is pushing away the “simplistic theology, cultural isolationism, and stubborn anti-intellectualism” of pop-culture Christianity. Many, myself included, are seeking to be an example of a true Christian worldview that can take on whatever it is that the world seeks to offer, rationally and reasonably. We refuse to get caught up in the right and wrongs of gay marriage, the contrast of political parties, and seek to engage science and history with an open mind standing on our foundation in Christ- all in an effort to bring healing to the nations as ambassadors of the kingdom of God.
Admittedly, this is a long, hard, and sometimes lonely task. Yet we are continually encouraged through conversation with one another, an authentic way of living Christ-like, and the ever-reforming challenge to wash the dirty water off the Messiah-baby Jesus Christ through critical, loving, challenging and welcoming conversations.
It’s emerging…
Michael Miano is pastor of The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. in Fort Myers, Florida. He is currently working on a seeking- to- be published autobiographical tale called Freaked-Out by the New Covenant: What Your Life Would, Could, or Should Be. Also, an avid You Tuber and blogger. Visit the church website at http://www.freakedoutfellowship.weebly.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/opinion/the-evangelical-rejection-of-reason.html
This was my response which I emailed to them and just might possibly be in the papers soon:
The Baby’s Bathwater
Last week I sat down with a friend who happens to be a Unitarian Universalist pastor. I shared with him my views of theology, eschatology, and how I am encouraged by the postmodern worldview that is taking place as well as my discouragement concerning the prevalent anti-intellectual attitude alive in the Church. Here it was a 27 year old radically engaged Christian pastor and an above 50 years of age reverend of a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, sharing salad and stories, hopeful of what the information age will bring to pass.
Since I shared my views of how my “thinking” and studying the Scriptures led me to be dismissed and ostracized by the “big church” in our location, I was delighted and inspired when he text messaged me concerning the NY Times article titled “The Evangelical Rejection of Reason”, that was in the opinions section on October 17, 2011.
After reading and re-reading the article a couple times, as well as getting feedback from many Facebook friends, I am responding to this article that brought me a breath of fresh air. Time and time again, especially in political and religious atmospheres, we hear the statement: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”, yet it is about time that we recognize what exactly is the baby and what is the bathwater. Why? Because the bathwater is full of bacteria and its dirt is getting all over the baby and even to the extent of getting the filth all over those seeking to take the baby out of the bacteria-infested water. At this point one might realize I am speaking of the man-made doctrines in the Church that are accepted as Biblical, yet fail to stand against scrutiny and ultimately “spit in the face of Jesus”.
I seek not to be prideful, arrogant, or to throw stones at anyone- yet as the NY Times article rightly said: “But when the faith of so many Americans becomes an occasion to embrace discredited, ridiculous and even dangerous ideas, we must not be afraid to speak out, even if it means criticizing fellow Christians”. This is exactly the point! As I read this NY Times article I didn’t spend time dwelling on the “side issues” that were brought up to make clear the point of- the evangelical rejection of reason- rather I saw complete agreement, considering it is my reason and being “too intellectual” which has gotten me rejected by many.
As a missionally engaged Christian on the frontlines of radically spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, I can say I am grateful for the postmodern atmosphere of critiquing and questioning. As Mark A. Noll wrote in his book, “The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind”, “The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind”, and that is clearly demonstrated as the authors of the NY Times article explained through the fundamentalist slogan- “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it”. Oh, how us students of the Bible wish it was that easy, considering the vast disagreements in all areas of theology so alive in the Church. It is discernment, disagreement, and intellectual honesty that have led to the expanding reach of the Christian gospel, in Spirit and Truth.
The popular evangelical Christian doctrines set up various views that force its proponents to look at reason, study, and any form of knowledge outside there confines as arrogant, misled, and heretical. Many man-made doctrines that have been passed off as “Biblical” lead to excessive conspiracy theories in all fields concerning science, history, and the like. Authors Timothy P. Martin & Jeffrey L. Vaughn, explain, detail, and document this in their book, “Beyond Creation Science: New Covenant Creation From Genesis to Revelation” making bold statements such as “The real reason the influence of secular unbelief is so great in our day lies in the widespread failure of Christians to understand the Bible in its own context and to present a real Christianity to the world…Christians have lost influence in Western society precisely because Christians have not thought deeply or acted wisely in response to the cultural challenges modernity presents to the Christian faith”. Also, speaking of a growing group of conservative evangelicals the authors wrote, “They also wonder what it will take to bring about the demise of dispensational premillenialism in America which has retreated from reasoned biblical defense of the view”.
Yet, true to form I will always present the case of the good news. I was encouraged by the above mentioned NY Times article because I see something on the horizon (I myself am an example). The Age of Enlightenment came with a lot of criticism toward the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Emergent generation- X rebelled against the fundamentalist Christianity offered by their parents, and today the postmodern generation provides challenges yet inquiring Christian minds are seeking to provide answers, dare I say a resurrection of the gospel. This is something I like to call emerging profitable Christianity, which is pushing away the “simplistic theology, cultural isolationism, and stubborn anti-intellectualism” of pop-culture Christianity. Many, myself included, are seeking to be an example of a true Christian worldview that can take on whatever it is that the world seeks to offer, rationally and reasonably. We refuse to get caught up in the right and wrongs of gay marriage, the contrast of political parties, and seek to engage science and history with an open mind standing on our foundation in Christ- all in an effort to bring healing to the nations as ambassadors of the kingdom of God.
Admittedly, this is a long, hard, and sometimes lonely task. Yet we are continually encouraged through conversation with one another, an authentic way of living Christ-like, and the ever-reforming challenge to wash the dirty water off the Messiah-baby Jesus Christ through critical, loving, challenging and welcoming conversations.
It’s emerging…
Michael Miano is pastor of The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. in Fort Myers, Florida. He is currently working on a seeking- to- be published autobiographical tale called Freaked-Out by the New Covenant: What Your Life Would, Could, or Should Be. Also, an avid You Tuber and blogger. Visit the church website at http://www.freakedoutfellowship.weebly.com
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Missional: Attacking the Static- Part 5 (A Theology that WORKS)
Good day my friends. Please don't mind if I vent a bit. This blog is being written at no better a time because of how clear I am seeing the pharasaic attributes of the church which serve to stagnate the church and it's mission. If we look at the modern church and consider the time of Christ we see very similar diversion tactics being used by those who want to defend their view or institution. For example, consider time when Jesus began to explain that the Sabbath was made for the man not man for the Sabbath, the Pharisees looked for ways to accuse Him according to the Law rather than see the truth in the matter at hand (Mark 2:23-3:6). Another example is that as Jesus is teaching the Truth of the law and do miracles the religious people continually find reasons to question what He is doing for example in Matthew 15:1-20, they focus on the fact that Jesus' disciples do not wash their hands before they eat and therefore break the tradition of the elders. Legalism, what you should not be doing, was the greatest method of diversion to get people to ignore what Jesus was truly doing, and it even extends to the Apostles. Consider all the times that the Apostle Paul had to explain and reiterate the difference between law and grace and was constantly accused of making it ok for people to sin( Romans chapters 2-7; Galatians chapters 2-3; Ephesians chapter 2; might I add that you should just read the New Testament as a whole). Today, many in the Church are clearly allowing a man to determine where they will stand in regards to the truth and are not studying things for themselves, and that's depressing because one must consider how many Jews in the first centruy where led astray by this tactic- following their Rabbi. In Matthew chapter 23, Jesus Christ is issue the judgement text as to what is going to happen to the religious teachers of the Law in his time, might we read in context yet glean some wisdom from blindly following teachings that may just seem right:
" Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are (Matthew 23:13-15)".
This week I sat down with a Jehovah Witness and during our 3 hour discussion/ debate he continually emphasized that I remind him of Obama because of how well spoken I am. Obviously, this diversion tactic was used to say that it's my speaking that is convincing, not my theology. At this point I am all to familiar with diversion tactics and strawmen that are used to confuse and diffuse truth (Check out my video series on Pulling Apart the Strawman). Fact is, truth will prevail!! And since it has been said that I am similar to Obama, I will stay true to form and say- "There is hope"! :)
There is hope that the truth will prevail over the deceit, deception, falsehood and lies that are a plague to the church and its mission. There is hope that the true gospel spoken by Jesus Christ and the apostles will be ressurected as the Christians begin to use discernment and search the Scriptures. There is hope that the gospel message that emphasizes the mission of making disciples for Christ will be renewed and revitalized in contrast to the prevailing apathetic misinformed "churchianity" message that many are comfortable with.
I titled this blog- A Theology That Works- for a dual purpose. If one is to consider the works versus grace contraversy that has continued in Christianity and is clear in the book of James, we come to the Biblical conclusion that
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17)".
Therefore, we conclude that our lives must be marked by action. But what produces the action? Our Faith! Theology is our understanding of God, so we recognize that the natural outpouring and fruit of our faith should be action. Do you feel that tug of action? What exactly is your understanding of God (theology) urging you to do?
The purpose of this blog series- Missional: Attacking the Static- was to get us to take an honest inventory of the Church, our participation as members of the Body, and now I am clearly up some of the issues so prevalent (all of which have been expounded upon in books, through quotes, and personal discernment):
apathy, passivity, Pharasaic separatism, comfortability, and inconsistent discipleship.
What I pose through this blog is an emerging profitable Christianity that starts with our theology which will produce action, as I like to term is "zeal empowered by knowledge".
As I said before, there is hope, and that hope is through a through us, the body of Christ, the Christians doing what we are commanded by studying the Scriptures, using discernment and searching the Scriptures, and allowing a natural outpouring through our lives of the things we begin to know and how we look at the world (a true Christian worldview). Their are some amazing things that are emerging thanks to the current times and the good ole information age. The challenge is on the table though, it is not an easy task for an apathetic passive comfortable Church to begin to be consistent in our dealings with the world, to offer a true good news that is rational and reasonable, and to truly engage.
Come, let's reason together....Can you consistently discuss and if need be defend/debate your faith? Are you presenting a message of good news to the world that is actually accepted as good news?
Read Ephesians chapter 2-3 (notice "you will be able to understand", "make plain to everyone the administation of this mystery). Does your gospel presentation sound like that?
These are contentions I have had for a while living as a fully engaged Christian who looks at the world as a mission field. Through my studies of the gospel we present to the world I have continually realized that we fail to speak about the kingdom of God. My continual contentions were that we are not seeing the miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus and the Apostles did (or the 3000 people coming to the faith) because we were not being true to form. Jesus came on the scene of ministry and declared:
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near; repent, and believe the good news. (Mark 1:14-15)"
"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near (Matthew 4:17)".
AND THE APOSTLES:
"They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even large numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (Acts 28:23)".
"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30-31)".
My continual focus of seeking to understand and declare this message to the world has led me even further in realizing the failure of being consistent to the message. If you look to the end of Revelation, it is then that the kingdom of God is given to men- what kingdom is this? Is it a physical kingdom that will one day be on earth? Is it a restored world? If you read Revelations chapters 21-22, along with the Old Testament prophecies of the hope of this kingdom you realize the popular view is hardly consistent with the text. What did Jesus say to Nicodemus about the kingdom?
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3)"
Unfortunately, as you study church history you will see the confusion and debate concerning the realized kingdom of God, the mix of Gnostic teachings, and much to our detriment today- new teachings upon new teachings to explain misunderstands by what Christ meant. If you study doctrines you will see that due to much of the confusion the popular gospel message today has many gnostic tendencies:
"Gnosticsism is a radically dualistic view of reality where physical reality is completely separate from spiritual reality...They claimed "salvation" involves escaping from the physical world, which is the source of corruption, into the spiritual realm, which is pure and eternal...deny the goodness of God's physical creation and teach that God must replace it with a new universe in the future...one of the many things that the Christian docrtine of the incarnation shows us is the perfection of Jesus Christ is possible in God's physical world. Many other holy and righteous men in Biblical history also demonstrate to us that man's problem has nothing to do with the created order; the problem is sin which resides in the human heart. The curse related to sin is not inherent in the elements of the physical world; the curse has to do with human beings and their covenant relationship to God. That is why believers can be saved, right here and now, in this world. The problem mankind has is sin, and God can take care of that for those who believe. He doesn't have to throw away the physical universe in order to do that (Paraphrased from the book: Beyond Creation Science)".
Biblical truth sounds a bit different than the spiritual hogwash being spouted at many sunday services today, doesnt it? You know... the whole recieve Jesus in your heart today that way you have the hope to be wisked away with him into heaven when you die, but you will have to follow some rules and live a good life separate from the bad people and come here to sing alot of songs, etc, etc.. And that's the good news we present to the world? Sounds a bit like Gnosticism.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking"- Steve Jobs
I love that quote above. Sadly, many in the Christian Church today are living by dogma, doctrines, and a spinkle of Scriptural truth. The aspect of thinking out-side-the box or really thinking through things with discernment (intellectualism) is considered a fault in the eyes of many- because many equate faith with a lack of rational thought. As I have posed through this blog, looking at the socio-religious climate- THIS IS A MAIN TENENT OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN BEING A STATIC INSTITUTION!!
"Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritains worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:21-24)"
Jesus was speaking to a woman outside the covenant of Israel. He was telling her of a time when truth would be revealed to all those who seek to know God through Christ, the Messiah. Notice that it would be spirit and truth that the Father wants those to worship Him through, we must not ever compromise these aspects! That my friends is the solution.
Becoming missional in our efforts to attack the static of the institutional church through faith and works is the solution and the greater things that we would do through Christ (John 14:12)- living in love, fulfilling the Law (Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14; etc..).
Unfortunately, the separatist/ retreat from the world aspect that makes Christians feel good about them being the "righteous" is the hypocritical doctrine that blocks us from living in love and living missionally. Besides..it's easier to just separate and know our differences. That's exactly NOT how it is done, the incarnation of Jesus Christ is a prime example.
There is a difference between true Christianity that is reforming and emerging in small unions in radical Christ-ways from organized churchianity. We have seen the need to reform and critique many times and for many reasons in Christian history, and I would imagine the list I can compile is a very minimal list compared to the needs that must change as we emerge and engage the world as the true Christ-followers that we are.
"Where the church is faithful to its Lord, there the powers of the Kingdom are present and people begin to ask questions to which the Gospel is the answer"
Some of us from The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. have taken up the opportunity to gather and learn with the local Unitarian Univeralists on Sunday mornings. Originally. we started out just going and listening and seeking to demonstrate the gospel in word and deed. The more time we spend there and befriend more and more people, we are realizing the commonalities we all share, the value of friendship ("love beyond belief"), and the process of enjoying the journey of learning, loving, and living. Recently, the minister has been sharing with us about the convictions of the UU congregation and summation of his "What Do We Believe" sermon was:
"The most important point of faith which I have not yet mentioned is, faith is for a purpose. It's to motivate you to care for yourself, so that you may help others, and to exhibit concern for the world of we're apart of"
As Christians, we are not just simply universalists with a concept of “love beyond belief” nor do we hold an atheistic do-good view rather we have a proclamation of truth changes all things. Read Hebrews chapter 11 to learn of what part faith has had in the lives of the heroes of our faith. Yet we fail.
It is time, especially in a religious, social, politcal, and economical culture we face today to be offering a consistent, clear, and not so absurd good news to the world. This will enable our efforts to smash false paradigms and views that are set up contrary to the true gospel and the reality of it. We have the unction to demolish strongholds and therefore make all thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We have the call to be rational, reasonable, and offer the answers to the world around us through the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 3:15)- this is truly the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:3).
The depressing news is that many are misinformed because of the serious lack of studying the Scriptures, knowing church and secular history, and instead of defending the faith and searching the Scriptures many have trusted in doctrines of men and sough the the easy way out. Popular teachings stand in stark contrast to the concept of iron sharpens iron, and especially the challenge of Proverbs 18:17: "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him". Instead of searching out the matter, and diligently searching the Scrictures the popular teaching, even said by pastors is the inconsistent aspect of sitting under a man or school to learn truth (oddly enough, in time this is and can be disputed as reguritating the doctrines of a man, or as you learn more as desire to search things out you may recieve the rebuke of taking information from too many sources -sorry bit of a side not there :))
Sadly, as you may have noticed at the beginning of this blog the issue of defending and teaching the truth gets personal for me. As a committed missional Christian, committed to study of the Word and searching the Scriptures- I am at odds with popular doctrine. Emerging missional theology is not a stated way of doing things it simply means to emerge (defined as moving out of the way or away from something and come into view) and become missional as you learn more and more about God. I pray that this blog series has been edifying to you and that through the Spirit of God you will continue to diligently study the Scriptures and share the gospel through your learnings!
"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!". And let him who hears say, "Come!". Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life (Revelation 22:17).
and I guess this is where I extend my invite of "Come!", lets hang and let me buy you a coffee.
A brother, friend, servant of the Lord,
Pastor Michael Miano
*And yes I really am inviting you to fellowship with me over a cup of coffee, tea, or maybe a frappachino, ha ha ha...give me a call or text 239-603-5695
" Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are (Matthew 23:13-15)".
This week I sat down with a Jehovah Witness and during our 3 hour discussion/ debate he continually emphasized that I remind him of Obama because of how well spoken I am. Obviously, this diversion tactic was used to say that it's my speaking that is convincing, not my theology. At this point I am all to familiar with diversion tactics and strawmen that are used to confuse and diffuse truth (Check out my video series on Pulling Apart the Strawman). Fact is, truth will prevail!! And since it has been said that I am similar to Obama, I will stay true to form and say- "There is hope"! :)
There is hope that the truth will prevail over the deceit, deception, falsehood and lies that are a plague to the church and its mission. There is hope that the true gospel spoken by Jesus Christ and the apostles will be ressurected as the Christians begin to use discernment and search the Scriptures. There is hope that the gospel message that emphasizes the mission of making disciples for Christ will be renewed and revitalized in contrast to the prevailing apathetic misinformed "churchianity" message that many are comfortable with.
I titled this blog- A Theology That Works- for a dual purpose. If one is to consider the works versus grace contraversy that has continued in Christianity and is clear in the book of James, we come to the Biblical conclusion that
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17)".
Therefore, we conclude that our lives must be marked by action. But what produces the action? Our Faith! Theology is our understanding of God, so we recognize that the natural outpouring and fruit of our faith should be action. Do you feel that tug of action? What exactly is your understanding of God (theology) urging you to do?
The purpose of this blog series- Missional: Attacking the Static- was to get us to take an honest inventory of the Church, our participation as members of the Body, and now I am clearly up some of the issues so prevalent (all of which have been expounded upon in books, through quotes, and personal discernment):
apathy, passivity, Pharasaic separatism, comfortability, and inconsistent discipleship.
What I pose through this blog is an emerging profitable Christianity that starts with our theology which will produce action, as I like to term is "zeal empowered by knowledge".
As I said before, there is hope, and that hope is through a through us, the body of Christ, the Christians doing what we are commanded by studying the Scriptures, using discernment and searching the Scriptures, and allowing a natural outpouring through our lives of the things we begin to know and how we look at the world (a true Christian worldview). Their are some amazing things that are emerging thanks to the current times and the good ole information age. The challenge is on the table though, it is not an easy task for an apathetic passive comfortable Church to begin to be consistent in our dealings with the world, to offer a true good news that is rational and reasonable, and to truly engage.
Come, let's reason together....Can you consistently discuss and if need be defend/debate your faith? Are you presenting a message of good news to the world that is actually accepted as good news?
Read Ephesians chapter 2-3 (notice "you will be able to understand", "make plain to everyone the administation of this mystery). Does your gospel presentation sound like that?
These are contentions I have had for a while living as a fully engaged Christian who looks at the world as a mission field. Through my studies of the gospel we present to the world I have continually realized that we fail to speak about the kingdom of God. My continual contentions were that we are not seeing the miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus and the Apostles did (or the 3000 people coming to the faith) because we were not being true to form. Jesus came on the scene of ministry and declared:
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near; repent, and believe the good news. (Mark 1:14-15)"
"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near (Matthew 4:17)".
AND THE APOSTLES:
"They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even large numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (Acts 28:23)".
"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30-31)".
My continual focus of seeking to understand and declare this message to the world has led me even further in realizing the failure of being consistent to the message. If you look to the end of Revelation, it is then that the kingdom of God is given to men- what kingdom is this? Is it a physical kingdom that will one day be on earth? Is it a restored world? If you read Revelations chapters 21-22, along with the Old Testament prophecies of the hope of this kingdom you realize the popular view is hardly consistent with the text. What did Jesus say to Nicodemus about the kingdom?
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3)"
Unfortunately, as you study church history you will see the confusion and debate concerning the realized kingdom of God, the mix of Gnostic teachings, and much to our detriment today- new teachings upon new teachings to explain misunderstands by what Christ meant. If you study doctrines you will see that due to much of the confusion the popular gospel message today has many gnostic tendencies:
"Gnosticsism is a radically dualistic view of reality where physical reality is completely separate from spiritual reality...They claimed "salvation" involves escaping from the physical world, which is the source of corruption, into the spiritual realm, which is pure and eternal...deny the goodness of God's physical creation and teach that God must replace it with a new universe in the future...one of the many things that the Christian docrtine of the incarnation shows us is the perfection of Jesus Christ is possible in God's physical world. Many other holy and righteous men in Biblical history also demonstrate to us that man's problem has nothing to do with the created order; the problem is sin which resides in the human heart. The curse related to sin is not inherent in the elements of the physical world; the curse has to do with human beings and their covenant relationship to God. That is why believers can be saved, right here and now, in this world. The problem mankind has is sin, and God can take care of that for those who believe. He doesn't have to throw away the physical universe in order to do that (Paraphrased from the book: Beyond Creation Science)".
Biblical truth sounds a bit different than the spiritual hogwash being spouted at many sunday services today, doesnt it? You know... the whole recieve Jesus in your heart today that way you have the hope to be wisked away with him into heaven when you die, but you will have to follow some rules and live a good life separate from the bad people and come here to sing alot of songs, etc, etc.. And that's the good news we present to the world? Sounds a bit like Gnosticism.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking"- Steve Jobs
I love that quote above. Sadly, many in the Christian Church today are living by dogma, doctrines, and a spinkle of Scriptural truth. The aspect of thinking out-side-the box or really thinking through things with discernment (intellectualism) is considered a fault in the eyes of many- because many equate faith with a lack of rational thought. As I have posed through this blog, looking at the socio-religious climate- THIS IS A MAIN TENENT OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN BEING A STATIC INSTITUTION!!
"Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritains worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:21-24)"
Jesus was speaking to a woman outside the covenant of Israel. He was telling her of a time when truth would be revealed to all those who seek to know God through Christ, the Messiah. Notice that it would be spirit and truth that the Father wants those to worship Him through, we must not ever compromise these aspects! That my friends is the solution.
Becoming missional in our efforts to attack the static of the institutional church through faith and works is the solution and the greater things that we would do through Christ (John 14:12)- living in love, fulfilling the Law (Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14; etc..).
Unfortunately, the separatist/ retreat from the world aspect that makes Christians feel good about them being the "righteous" is the hypocritical doctrine that blocks us from living in love and living missionally. Besides..it's easier to just separate and know our differences. That's exactly NOT how it is done, the incarnation of Jesus Christ is a prime example.
There is a difference between true Christianity that is reforming and emerging in small unions in radical Christ-ways from organized churchianity. We have seen the need to reform and critique many times and for many reasons in Christian history, and I would imagine the list I can compile is a very minimal list compared to the needs that must change as we emerge and engage the world as the true Christ-followers that we are.
"Where the church is faithful to its Lord, there the powers of the Kingdom are present and people begin to ask questions to which the Gospel is the answer"
Some of us from The Fellowship C.H.U.R.C.H. have taken up the opportunity to gather and learn with the local Unitarian Univeralists on Sunday mornings. Originally. we started out just going and listening and seeking to demonstrate the gospel in word and deed. The more time we spend there and befriend more and more people, we are realizing the commonalities we all share, the value of friendship ("love beyond belief"), and the process of enjoying the journey of learning, loving, and living. Recently, the minister has been sharing with us about the convictions of the UU congregation and summation of his "What Do We Believe" sermon was:
"The most important point of faith which I have not yet mentioned is, faith is for a purpose. It's to motivate you to care for yourself, so that you may help others, and to exhibit concern for the world of we're apart of"
As Christians, we are not just simply universalists with a concept of “love beyond belief” nor do we hold an atheistic do-good view rather we have a proclamation of truth changes all things. Read Hebrews chapter 11 to learn of what part faith has had in the lives of the heroes of our faith. Yet we fail.
It is time, especially in a religious, social, politcal, and economical culture we face today to be offering a consistent, clear, and not so absurd good news to the world. This will enable our efforts to smash false paradigms and views that are set up contrary to the true gospel and the reality of it. We have the unction to demolish strongholds and therefore make all thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We have the call to be rational, reasonable, and offer the answers to the world around us through the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 3:15)- this is truly the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:3).
The depressing news is that many are misinformed because of the serious lack of studying the Scriptures, knowing church and secular history, and instead of defending the faith and searching the Scriptures many have trusted in doctrines of men and sough the the easy way out. Popular teachings stand in stark contrast to the concept of iron sharpens iron, and especially the challenge of Proverbs 18:17: "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him". Instead of searching out the matter, and diligently searching the Scrictures the popular teaching, even said by pastors is the inconsistent aspect of sitting under a man or school to learn truth (oddly enough, in time this is and can be disputed as reguritating the doctrines of a man, or as you learn more as desire to search things out you may recieve the rebuke of taking information from too many sources -sorry bit of a side not there :))
Sadly, as you may have noticed at the beginning of this blog the issue of defending and teaching the truth gets personal for me. As a committed missional Christian, committed to study of the Word and searching the Scriptures- I am at odds with popular doctrine. Emerging missional theology is not a stated way of doing things it simply means to emerge (defined as moving out of the way or away from something and come into view) and become missional as you learn more and more about God. I pray that this blog series has been edifying to you and that through the Spirit of God you will continue to diligently study the Scriptures and share the gospel through your learnings!
"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!". And let him who hears say, "Come!". Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life (Revelation 22:17).
and I guess this is where I extend my invite of "Come!", lets hang and let me buy you a coffee.
A brother, friend, servant of the Lord,
Pastor Michael Miano
*And yes I really am inviting you to fellowship with me over a cup of coffee, tea, or maybe a frappachino, ha ha ha...give me a call or text 239-603-5695
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)