Another Christian Myth

Hi all (well, is it really “all” or should I say “Hi some”),

A man has to keep his promises and since I am a man (or at least want to be one )here is another christian myth around the Christmas story to be exposed:

As you all know three wise men came to visit baby Jesus in the stable. These three wise men brought presents with them for Jesus: myrrh, frankincense and gold. Is this story really true? Or have parts of it changed in time?

Christian myths

Does this title scare you? At least I hope it did attract your attention!

This is the first of a series of posts that I want to do on Christian myths. You might ask: “What is a Christian myth?” I don’t know if this is a common term, but I made this up myself while thinking about this subject. I see a Christian myth as a story or part of a story that is in the Bible, but is changed during the years. This might be a slight change or a major change. Does this make it clear? Maybe you would like to continue reading…..

Supernatural

Both Christians and non-Christians believe in a spiritual or supernatural world that is not visible with our “natural” eye. There are also non-Christians who don’t believe in such a supernatural world. I’m under the impression that a lot of Christians, although they believe in a spiritual world, hesitate to acknowledge that it is still relevant today. Cessationists are a good example. Cessionists believe that the charismata, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, have ceased to exist nowadays.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

As a Dutchman I have been following the news on Ayaan Hirsi Ali the last few years very closely. I was positively surprised to see that Tim Challies has written a review on her autobiography “Infidel”.

I think Tim does a very good job in reviewing the book from a Christian point of view. Check it out here!!

Spirit-led or Purpose-Driven?

This morning I was thinking about Rick Warren.

I have great respect for this man, especially for his heart for the poor. But somehow the words “Spirit-led or Purpose-Driven” came to my mind. I thought I was very original in thinking this, but then I realised I have read this somewhere on the web. Here’s the link: http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htm This is a great article that goes in to detail the things Rick Warren teaches.

I don’t want to go into discussing everything that can be said about Purpose-Driven Life and -Church, but there is one thing that I would like to mention, because that’s what came to my mind this morning: Although I think that the 5 purposes Warren mentions are true, I wouldn’t want to say it the way he does. I would prefer to say that I am led by the Holy Spirit, and that He leads me to Worship, Fellowship with other Christians, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

 So, if the question is, Spirit-led or Purpose-Driven, then my answer is: Spirit-led.

Encouragement!

Currently I’m reading John Piper’s book Future Grace (in Dutch: Toekomstige Genade). It’s a great book that’s really encouraging my faith.

Piper describes how he uses Bible texts to get encouraged in tough times. Below I have pasted some of the texts he mentions, because I hope you get encouraged as I am by reading this:

(I have also pasted the texts in the Dutch translation (NBG51))

• Isaia 55,11: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Dutch:Alzo zal mijn woord, dat uit mijn mond uitgaat, ook zijn; het zal niet ledig tot mij wederkeren, maar het zal doen wat mij behaagt en dat volbrengen waartoe Ik het zend.)
• 2 Cor. 12,9: My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (Dutch: Mijn genade is u genoeg, want de kracht openbaart zich eerst ten volle in zwakheid.)
• Ps. 32,8: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Dutch: Ik leer en onderwijs u aangaande de weg die gij gaan moet; Ik raad u, mijn oog is op u.)
• Ps. 34,19: Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Dutch(in NL dit is vers 19): Talrijk zijn de rampen van de rechtvaardige, maar uit die alle redt hem de Here.)
• Rom. 5,3-5: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Dutch: Wij weten dat de verdrukking volharding uitwerkt, en de volharding beproefdheid, en de beproefdheid hoop, en de hoop maakt niet beschaamd, omdat de liefde Gods in onze harten uitgestort is door de Heilige Geest, die ons gegeven is.)

By the way, the English texts are taken from the KJV.

Bless you!

New Weblog!

Today I start with a new weblog. I have tried to start weblogs before, but never succeeded in finding the right template, and in right subjects to follow through with.

Some time ago I started with the so called “Theology Program“. This is a great course on how to “do” theology. They don’t teach you what you should believe, but how to find it out yourself. It’s a really great course where I have learnt a lot so far (and I have just started!).

 The course is available in audio and video as well as a workbook.

Michael Patton, one of the teachers, encourages the pupils to start writing to describe what you’re learning. This will help to formulate your thoughts. For me this was the last thing to persuade me to start a weblog. I had thought about it before, but didn’t know exactly what the content of a weblog should be.

 The weblog I start today will be the result of things I learn through The Theology Program, reading the Bible and other christian books and my daily walk with God. Incidently I will add posts on other subjects if it is anything interesting.