Truth will stand the test of fire

In my last blog entry, I wrote a lot about a topic of intense interest to me for the last few weeks: identifying and developing a true biblical worldview. And in case you didn't know, I actually maintain two separate blogs but post the same entries on them (this one is primarily to link to the SBTS blog network, while my other (and older) blog is my preferred account - I use it to keep in touch with my old youth group as well as provoking thought about spiritual matters, friends and strangers alike.

Now, usually I will leave long, pour-out-my-soul entries like the one I left last time, and no one ususally leaves many comments about it. However, the last entry provoked a response, which I was thrilled about. A stranger posted a long comment, which you can read here, as well as my response. I would really appreciate any feedback about either the comment left by the anonymous blogger or mine. I really desire to have a biblical view and response to this -- I'm still a theological midget, as I am taking my first real theology classes this semester. Also, I think that my readers at Modblog.com would benefit from another seminary student's insight. Please take a moment to reflect and respond. If you have any difficulty linking, go to http://donnawonna.modblog.com and see the latest post. I will also post the two comments here for your convenience.

Posted by: Penguins
"That's an amazing statement of faith.
(Thanks for the book recommendation as well)
You write:
What is sad is that even professing Christians are often guilty of adopting practices and ideas that are inconsistent with a biblical worldview but have no problem with it, because they say, "Yes, well, this doesn't have anything to do with my faith,"

However, I do disagree with this statement -- especially in terms of politics. For it does appear that there is a difference between affecting the world as a Christian and affecting Christianity with the world.
When Christians look at everything in terms of their faith, (believe me, I'm guilty of this too) sometimes the "things" (science, politics, economics, lifestyle) start to crowd out the true mandates of the Gospels: evangelism, charity, and observance of the Law -- actually, these priorities should probably be in reverse order (Luke 18:18-23).
Political initiatives, referendums, and Constitutional amendments need to be only aftershocks from our walking-the-talk through this world. If we keep the mandates of the Gospels in focus -- and not which party to vote for, or whether evolution should be taught, etc. -- the secular political and social structures can't help but be shaken up.
Don't get the wrong idea. I belong to an urban church whose Sunday services are frequented by politicians and community leaders; of course this isn't a "bad" thing. Local, state, and federal government can certainly use more men and women in Christ.
At the same time, Jesus never instructed his disciples to pursue a political agenda. Why wouldn't he? The Roman Empire was the most advanced civilization in the Ancient World, and Israel was being overtly oppressed by it. Why wouldn't He follow a political mission and do everything He could to free the State?
There's a story in all four Gospels that I just don't hear ministers preach enough about; Matthew 22:15-22 is very clear about the event.
Pharisees ask Jesus if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar; indeed, this is a trick question. For if He says "no" in front of the Herodians (also present), then Christ can be accused of sedition against the Roman Empire. If He says "yes", then the Pharisees can accuse him of basically endorsing the oppression of Israel.
Jesus sees through this trick -- calls them "hypocrites." He asks them to show Him the coin used to pay for the tax. And when they bring the coin to Him, He asks, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They say, "Caesar's."
Then He gives the perfect reply: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
That shuts up everybody.
And it's a great account.
Because too often, it seems that some modern day Christians are rendering to Caesar that which is God's. They're doing more "stuff" -- picket signs, partisan lobbying -- than charity; more "things" than evangelism; and certainly more prescription of the Law than observance of it.
So when other believers say, "this doesn't have anything to do with my faith," I'm convinced that they actually mean, "As a man or woman of faith, this should not take priority."
But regardless, if your writings are any indication of your spiritual walk, then my rantings don't apply to you anyway. Try to take it easy on the rest of us, though, alright? ;)
And many thanks for an engaging topic."

I responded:
"On the contrary, Penguins -- I really appreciate your response and that you thought about what I said. This is exactly why I post these kinds of things... I WANT people to think and respond. I need to be challenged in what I say, think, and practice. Truth will stand the test of fire, and if it's not truth then it won't... we MUST engage in discussions like this to test what we believe and practice. So, thank you!!
In response to your comment, if I understand you correctly I think that I agree with you in part but also want to clarify my comment. What I hear you saying is that our focus should primarily be on evangelism and caring for souls moreso than pursuing a political agenda and making fools of ourselves before Unbelievers. I couldn't agree with you more -- the Gospel should be our greatest passion as followers of Christ.
The point that I wanted to drive home (which I probably should clarify - thank you for bringing this to my attention) is that if we are followers of Christ, justified by faith and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and fully believe that the Word of God is true and the basis for our daily lives, we should not make everyday choices and hold beliefs that are contradicting to that. It amazed me how we as Believers can compartmentalize our lives so that we say one thing but our lives say something completely different. We see some things in our lives as under the Supremacy of Christ, while we see other things as strictly personal preference and unrelated to our faith. This cannot be - we are to be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1-2). When animals were sacrificed in the Old Covenant, they didn't take parts of an animal to offer to GOd and let the other half of the animal go walk around freely at its own free will (I have to admit, it's a funny picture). But the WHOLE animal was used as a sacrifice -- so we should be. Paul connects this idea of becoming living sacrifices with the concept that we are not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). The way we see the world, the way we live in it, and the way in interact with it is changed by the Spirit of God dwelling in us. It is impossible to separate the two -- one affects the other. One of my favorite quotes that has greatly impacted me this year is by C.J. Mahaney, and in my mind it connects what we are both saying: "If there is anything in life that we should be passionate about, it's the gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate in thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And only the gospel ought to be."
I would like to challenge you a bit further with this thought, though I'm afraid that I may not articulate this well, but I will think more about this and try to post further -- Feel free to reply, I don't claim to be inerrent in my beliefs or understanding of Scripture. I am in need of teaching as well (which is why I'm at seminary!), so your comments are welcome...
Evangelism and discipleship is by far one of the most important responsibilities that we have as followers of Christ -- one of Jesus' last words before He ascended into heaven points to this: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 18-20, NIV, emphasis mine).
What does it mean to make disciples? First, to share the Gospel - the Good News - with those that are lost: That though we are born sinful and incapable of saving ourselves because we are spiritual dead, Jesus - the Son of the one true God - came to live a perfect, sinless life and out of obedience to the Father offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins out of God's amazing love and mercy toward sinful man. Through this we may have total forgiveness from God, because His wrath against sin has been poured out on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Not only that, but Jesus proved His power over death and was resurrected back to life -- so we as those who have been saved from sin have the promise of the resurrection: being resurrected spiritually at the point of conversion (2 Corinthians 5:16-17), then the resurrection of our minds as the Holy Spirit who enters our hearts when we are made alive in Christ begins the work of making us more like Christ -also called "sanctification" (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:5, and many others-ask if you want more), and eventually even physically as we will be given new bodies that are free from sin and suffering (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10).
Okay, with that said (I know, that was a bit tangential - sorry, just wanted to make the message of the Gospel clear for those reading who don't know what the Gospel is), becoming a disciple of Christ first means accepting the Gospel and living in newness of life with Christ by the grace of God.
Looking at the example of the early church and the apostles following the command of Christ in the book of Acts, we see that people from all walks of life were coming to know Christ - Ethiopian eunuchs (Acts 8:26-39), wealthy businesswomen (Acts 16:11-15), and military leaders (Acts 10). Now, when they became followers of Christ, did they all stop doing their jobs and fully committed themselves to just preaching the Gospel and working in the church? The Scriptures do not indicate this at all. They more than likely continued in their works, but now they did their work for the glory of God. Why should we be any different?
Now, am I saying that God doesn't call certain people to commit their lives to evangelism, teaching, and preaching? Certainly not! I am at seminary to prepare to go into full time "vocational" ministry as a biblical counselor. We NEED people who are fully dedicated to understanding and teaching Scripture accurately. However, if we only limit the term "ministry" to people who are on salary at local churches and para-church organizations, then we are missing the point of what it means to be the "ministers of reconciliation," a calling on believer's life (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). Wherever you are, whatever God has called you to do - do it for the glory of God. If you are an accountant, janitor, Congressman, or whatever, and you are also a follower of Christ - do the tasks God has called you do to in such a way that follows his commands and glorifies Him.
So, I suppose what I want to challenge every follower of Christ to do is not to consider anything you do apart from living for the glory of God - your jobs, your relationships, your families, anything. Paul challenged us to think in this way: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God" (1 Corithians 10:31) In comparison for what He has done for us, we can do no less."

Please comment here or (preferably) on my other blog for the benefit of others -- thanks!