Ministry Blog for Pastor Brian Tubbs
Professing Christians Increasingly Turning Away From The Truth
Aug 5th
“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter” (Isaiah 59:14, KJV).
The longer I serve in full-time Christian ministry, the more convinced I am that most professing Christians don’t believe in the Bible and don’t really embrace moral Truth. Whether it be on matters pertaining to the church, family, politics, sexual lifestyles, or even salvation itself, most Christians rely on personal experience, tradition, feelings, or individual preference to make decisions or form the basis of their philosophical outlook or ideological compass.
In anticipation of those, who upon reading this, will accuse me of judgmentalism or perhaps even “hate,” let me share my heart in saying that I do NOT consider myself better than anyone else. And I believe, with all my heart, that God loves every single member of the human race. God loves everyone that has ever lived and that ever will live! God loves everyone, regardless of health, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, geographical location, sports team preference, or any other factor. God loves everyone! God’s very nature is Love. And His love is so great that He was willing to send His own Son (a part of Himself, as Jesus is very much a part of the Trinity) to die a cruel and undeserved death on the Cross for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16; I John 2:2).
It’s because of God’s love, though, that we must also confront the nature and reality of Truth. For without truth, love is meaningless. Please read that again…
Love without Truth is meaningless.
And yet society is increasingly rejecting the very conception of Truth.
That the United States of America is increasingly turning away from Truth is obvious by the direction our society is taking with same-sex marriage. The most recent victory for gay rights activists is the admittedly landmark ruling in California, in which U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker struck down California’s Proposition 8, thus clearing the way again for same-sex marriage in America’s most populous state. Several states now allow same-sex marriage. And few doubt that America overall is trending that way.
While most of the rhetoric over this issue deals with tradition vs. choice, “hate” vs. tolerance, etc., I’d like to call your attention to a line within Judge Walker’s ruling. In it, the judge astonishingly writes: “Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals.” Really? Think about how presumptuous and audacious that is! The use of the phrase “no longer” shows the judge is acknowledging a break with the past and a change in definition. What gives a judge, who is supposed to be a referee with no personal agenda (at least according to our Founders’ vision of the judicial branch) the right to change the definition of marriage — an institution that’s been around for thousands of years!?
It’s bad enough that a growing number of Americans, including a United States federal judge, believe that gender is no longer a relevant factor in marriage. It’s bad enough that we’re taking it upon ourselves, as a society, to literally redefine marriage – an institution that is thousands of years old! And that we’re doing it on the basis of no external authority or basis, but simply on our wishes, feelings, and aspirations. (Of course, even THAT isn’t true, since a majority of Californians voted for traditional marriage. So, this is really about the wishes and aspirations of only some people). But, what’s more disconcerting about all this is that even many professing Christians are likewise embracing postmodern “truth-is-relative” nonsense and thus applauding this kind of definitional change and social “evolution.”
**For more on Christian beliefs and attitudes, see “Barna Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Over Last 13 Years“
Author Anne Rice, who publicly converted to Christianity about ten years ago, has recently announced an apparent reversal of that decision, saying she has “quit” being Christian. In a statement on Facebook, the author wrote: “I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life.” Okay, let’s set aside debate on Rice’s characterization of Christianity as being “anti” this and “anti” that. Let’s agree that Christianity (at least biblical Christianity) is indeed opposed to homosexuality, opposed to abortion, opposed to extreme feminism, and opposed to secular humanism. For Rice, this is not acceptable, so she’s turning her back on “Christianity” and instead prefers her own version of Jesus.
The United Church of Christ, one of the most theologically liberal denominations around, has reached out to Rice. “I am certain that Anne Rice’s public repudiation of Christianity has been a difficult, but seemingly necessary step for her to live authentically as a person of faith and reason,” wrote the UCC’s general minister and president. “Many in the United Church of Christ can understand and appreciate her insistence that she must follow a God of love, justice and inclusion.”
Former Anglican bishop and liberal activist John Shelby Spong has likewise turned his back on most of the Bible. He’s written that Jesus didn’t bodily rise from the dead, that much of the Bible is sexist, bigoted, and hateful, and that Christianity “must change or die.” Spong, a bestselling author, has built up quite a following around the world.
Several of my former students (I used to teach at a Christian school) and, it would seem, a couple of my former colleagues have likewise renounced or at least distanced themselves from parts of the Bible and Christianity. Here’s my question…
Who are WE to decide that Christianity “must change”?
Who are WE to decide what’s true or not or what’s right or wrong?
When it comes to establishing that which is true or that which is right, one can’t simply appeal to personal feelings or preference. To do so is, at best, a sad and pathetic case of delusional, wishful thinking. At worst, it is the height of audacity and arrogance!
It’s not our place or role to determine truth. It’s rather our job to DISCOVER truth.
It’s not our role to decide what God says (or what the Bible teaches). It’s rather for us to DISCOVER what God says – and then to OBEY and FOLLOW Him.
Once again, I must reiterate that I’m not trying to be unloving or judgmental here. God loves everyone. And I don’t consider myself better than anyone else. But this is common sense, ladies and gentlemen. Truth is not relative and it’s not based on my preferences and desires. I really, really wanted the Washington Redskins to do well last football season. But, they did not. I really didn’t want to have to spend close to $2,000 in car repair bills in the last couple months, but I’ve had to do so! I really would like there to be world peace right now, but there isn’t. Reality and truth are not determined by our wants, wishes, preferences, or opinions.
Thus, if you profess to be a Christian, then I call on you to stand with Christ, who declared: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” I call on you to believe, act, and speak in a way that glorifies God and honors your Savior. Christianity is NOT a buffet, where you can pick and choose what parts to believe and what parts at which to turn up your nose. So, if God says that the marriage is between one man and one woman, then that’s the way it is! If God says sex outside of marriage is wrong, then it’s wrong. If God says that lying, stealing, pride, covetousness, etc. are wrong, then they are wrong. We don’t get to change the Bible or ignore God’s revelation, simply because we dislike it or are uncomfortable with it.
Yes, God is a God of love. But God is also a God of Truth and Justice. The Bible, which is His revelation, makes this abundantly clear. And without Truth or Justice, Love is empty and meaningless.
We didn’t create God. God created us. And that means that God doesn’t change to accommodate us. WE are the ones who must submit to God. Thus, it’s not Christianity that must change. It’s Christians that must change. For if there ever was a time that the Christian community needed a revival…it’s now.
Hate Rears its Ugly Head in Olney, MD
Aug 3rd
The B’nai Shalom Synagogue in Olney, Maryland was recently vandalized in what can only be described as a vicious act of hate and racism. Vandals spray-painted swastikas and anti-Jewish slogans along the walls, in the parking lot, and on the light posts. Most offensively, one of the slogans scrawled on the campus was “Work Will Set U Free,” a reference to the ominous sign written above the dreaded Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. This tragic example of bitter anti-Jewish racism should serve as a wake-up call to the Montgomery County community — and similar regions across the nation. Hate and racial divisiveness continue to plague our society.
I hope you will join me in prayer for the B’nai Shalom congregation and for Jews everywhere who continue to feel the bitter sting of such senseless hatred. And I hope that we, as Christians, will show the love and kindness manifested and exemplified by Christ. Though we have major differences of belief with Jewish synagogues, we stand with them in denouncing racism and hate in society.
Why Are Calvinists So Negative (and Often Unfriendly)?
Jul 14th
I made the mistake of letting myself get drawn into a Facebook discussion with several individuals who strongly espouse Reformed theology, otherwise and sometimes better known as Calvinism. The cause of my error in judgment was the following post made by one of my online Facebook friends:
“The alternative to a sovereign God is a sovereign man. The alternative to a determining God is a determining man.The idea of God predestinating from eternity (Eph. 1:4–5) is offensive to many. The alternative to a decreeing God, however, is a spectator God, one who is Himself subject to the actions of men in time and history.”
**For an overview of Calvinism, read “What Are The Five Points of Calvinism?” – an article I wrote over at Suite101 Protestantism**
While I agree fully with the Calvinistic premise of God’s full sovereignty and our (humanity’s) depravity, I nevertheless saw a logical fallacy here. My friend was presenting a false dichotomy. These are not the only two choices or options. So, I responded with the following statement:
“It’s only clear cut like this…if God is unable to decree. I agree that God has complete power, authority, and control. The issue is whether God, at least to SOME degree, delegates a certain level of choice to human beings. That God may choose to delegate doesn’t make Him a mere spectator.”
This triggered a fairly extensive and increasingly vigorous debate, in which I was clearly in the minority. And I must confess. I was not prepared for the fervor of it, and was not in the best frame of mind at the time. And I took some of the things said too personally. One of my weaknesses is that I can, at times, be overly sensitive. And my weakness came out in the discussion. Yet another situation in which God is working on toughening me up. 
Regardless of my personal involvement, however, the experience has caused me to reflect on a larger question: Why are Calvinists so negative and, at times, unfriendly?
Now, let me put out a quick disclaimer. I’m not suggesting that all Calvinists or all those who hold to Reformed theology are arrogant, hostile, and unfriendly. Nor am I suggesting that all those with whom I recently sparred are negative and unfriendly. And I’m not saying that those who criticize Calvinism are all “peaches and creams” all the time. There are plenty of hotheads to go around on this issue. Nevertheless, it does seem that there’s a tendency for more people on one side of this debate to be at least a tad more negative and argumentative than on the other side. I should also clarify that by “negative,” I am referring to their tone in how they handle debates and discussions surrounding the issues of Election.
There are quite a few anecdotes and examples that I could share to bolster my contention that Calvinists tend to be disproportionately negative and unfriendly compared with those with whom they differ. In addition to some interesting conversations I’ve had with fellow pastors and Christians over the years, I’ve read numerous online articles, blog posts, and Internet discussions where anyone who challenges any point of Calvinism is branded a heretic and/or dismissed as being biblically shallow or doctrinally ignorant. I find this to be particularly distressing when Calvinists dismiss scholars like Norman Geisler, Paige Patterson, Elmer Towns, often in mean-spirited ways.
John Piper, a leading Reformed theologian of today, acknowledges this tendency. He writes: “The intellectual appeal of the system of Calvinism draws a certain kind of intellectual person, and that type of person doesn’t tend to be the most warm, fuzzy, and tender. Therefore this type of person has a greater danger of being hostile, gruff, abrupt, insensitive or intellectualistic.” I can tell you that Piper is absolutely correct in this, and I appreciate his candor. I also appreciate how he classifies this tendency, for he goes on to say: “It’s a sad and terrible thing that that’s the case.” (You can read a transcript of Piper’s remarks at his own Desiring God website).
This is, I think, one of the serious pitfalls of Calvinism. It is a doctrinal system that can lend itself to intellectual pride and divisiveness. This should not be the case. That we are part of the Elect is no cause for pride. It’s cause for gratitude. And that the Scriptures make the case for election (which they do – the difference I have with many Calvinists is on the nature of the election), it shouldn’t lead us to quarrels and division. As it says in 2 Timothy, we are not to “quarrel” or “strive” needlessly, but rather to engage in constructive study and discussion on issues such as this.
I would like to also point out that just because Reformed theology is intellectually satisfying, it doesn’t make it intellectually superior. As Ben Witherington says: “[I]t is perfectly possible to argue logically and coherently in a hermeneutical or theological circle with all parts connected, and unfortunately be dead wrong– because one drew the circle much too small and left out all the inconvenient contrary evidence. This sort of fault is inevitable with theological systems constructed by finite human beings.” (You can read Dr. Witherington’s full statement here).
I find myself applauding Witherington, when he goes on to say: ”I must confess that as a NT scholar I am inherently suspicious about theological systems like Calvinism or Dispensationalism or even Arminianism and the like which seem to foster certain kinds of feelings of intellectual certainty and even smugness about things that are in fact profound mysteries.”
Christians need to be much more humble, cordial, and gentle in handling such mysteries and controversies. It amazes me how some Calvinists can argue for biblical authority and then point to scriptural passages to bolster their Reformed theology, and yet, at the same time, completely ignore or sidestep passages that call Christians to gentleness, unity, and humility. As stereotypical as this may sound, I simply haven’t met that many Calvinists who are “gentle” and “apt to teach” (2 Timothy 2:24). And while they talk a great deal about the wonderful gift of grace God bestows on us, they often show little grace to those with whom they disagree. Once again, I’m not suggesting that Calvinists are exclusively at fault here, but I find that the more committed they are to their Reformed doctrine, the more pugnacious they can be in their tone.
Some of my Calvinist friends reading this may argue that they themselves are not “pugnacious” or unfriendly when debating the merits of their position. This may be the case, but perception matters. As Abraham Piper (son of John Piper) writes: “To many, Calvinists [do] come across as self-righteous, condescending, arrogant, unfriendly, argumentative, and even stingy.” (Read “Be a Kinder Calvinist” by Abraham Piper). Perception matters, and Christians on all sides need to be sensitive to how they come across.
Finally, one has to ask to what “profit” this debate has for the Kingdom of God, when it takes on such tones and especially when it spills out into the mainstream, non-Christian culture. What kind of message does it send to the unsaved for Christians to go around emphasizing that they are part of the Elect, the Chosen Few? What does it say to an unsaved man or woman to hear or observe Christians harshly debating the nature of God’s grace?
In future posts, I will address the issue of divine election more specifically. But, my main point here is simply this…
I hope more Christians will model love, patience, humility, grace, and unity in handling this issue, for that is what God wants of His children and His church.
Happy Birthday, America!
Jul 4th
Today is, of course, Independence Day. It’s the day Americans celebrate as their national birthday. I hope you will take some time today to thank God for the United States of America and place the USA before God’s throne in prayer.
A Review of The Holy Land Experience
Jun 21st
The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida is ”a living, biblical museum that takes you 7000 miles away and 2000 years back in time to the land of the Bible.” My family and I visited The Holy Land Experience for the first time today (June 21) as we wrapped up several days together in Orlando, FL. Since there are a lot of folks out there looking for reviews of The Holy Land Experience, I thought I’d take a few minutes and provide one myself.
Trinity Broadcasting Network, which owns and operates The Holy Land Experience, deserves great credit for making a worthy effort at recreating Jerusalem at the time of Jesus Christ. Based on that intriguing concept and some terrific reviews from close friends, my wife and I enthusiastically made plans to finish out our Florida vacation with a trip to The Holy Land Experience. While it didn’t quite live up to all our expectations, we’re glad we took it in.
After purchasing tickets, visitors enter through a recreated “gate” and (sort of) step back in time. I say “sort of,” because the gift shop that more or less greets you immediately reminds you that you haven’t really left the twenty-first century. Not that capitalism wasn’t a part of everyday life in first century Jerusalem, but The Holy Land Experience shopping experience is definitely rooted in this century. Still, I have no problem with a park or attraction making money, and mean no criticism in this. It’s just a little distracting from the first century “feel” that the attraction is trying to generate.
The second thing we noticed is that The Holy Land Experience is oriented around shows and performances, and the times of the shows are not at all conducive to a single day visit. If you and your family wish to see all the shows, you’ll need to set two days aside and possibly three. You won’t be able to get it all into one day. The problem with this is that The Holy Land Experience ain’t Disney World. (My apologies to my former English teachers who might be reading this). It’s one thing to ask families to understand that one day might not be enough if you have a massive amusement park full of exciting options. That is not the case with The Holy Land Experience. Compared to any of the Disney parks or either Universal Studios park, The Holy Land Experience is small. “Tiny” would, in fact, not be off the mark. And given the small size of the park and the amount of the per person ticket, it’s only fair that visitors should expect to catch virtually all (if not all) of the shows that The Holy Land Experience has to offer. That this is not the case was one of the things most disappointing.
The above disappointment is significant, because The Holy Land Experience is very peformance-oriented. You basically go from show to show. There are no rides. And, for my kids, this was quite a contrast from four straight days of Walt Disney World! While both admitted there were some interesting aspects to the park, they described it overall as “boring.” Had we done The Holy Land Experience before Disney World, their review may have been more positive. Still, I think it’s worth noting that TBN has a ways to go with the teen and older kid market.
My final critique deals with approach. Most evangelical, churchgoing Christians and virtually all viewers of The Trinity Broadcasting Network will find the The Holy Land Experience, with all its evangelistic performances, quite inspirational. The applause and the Amens were a testament to that. However, I’m not sure how the shows might appeal to non-Christians, infrequent churchgoers, or professing Christians from more mainline (non-evangelical) denominations. To me, it didn’t seem that The Holy Land Experience was adopting Paul’s “all things to all men” evangelistic strategy in I Corinthians 9. I certainly understand the rationale of appealing to one’s constituency. Target marketing is the way of business these days. But I still think there’s a place for another biblically themed park in the future that appeals to more mainstream and non-Christian audiences.
For all its shortcomings, The Holy Land Experience has many positive points going for it. The location is convenient. Parking is free. There are several “photo op” locations throughout the park. The costumed staff are very friendly and do a good job adding to the atmosphere of the attraction. (Though I was disappointed that at least one of the uniformed Roman soldiers clearly wore a cheap, low-budget stage version of a Roman uniform. Why can’t The Holy Land Experience invest the extra dollars and buy high quality Roman uniforms and armor?) The shows are very interesting and informative. I particularly appreciated the reenactment of the High Priest’s role in the Wilderness Tabernacle during the Old Testament years.
And I absolutely loved the scale model of first century Jerusalem. I was fully impressed by the exquisite detail of the model. And the accompanying presentation was extremely interesting, as the narrator pointed to different spots of the city, telling us where different events from the New Testament took place. Awesome!
Most importantly, The Holy Land Experience is very family friendly and unashamedly Christian. A lot of hard work and great intentions have gone into The Holy Land Experience. And for that, all those who created it and who maintain it deserve our thanks and support. And I’m glad my family and I had the opportunity to visit and enjoy it. If you and your family visit Orlando and you have an extra day to spare, it is definitely worth checking out.
First SBC Convention
Jun 15th
Hello from sunny Orlando! I am attending my very first Southern Baptist Convention. It’s been quite an experience. Though I’ve been (pretty much) a Baptist all my Christian life, I’m fairly new to the Southern Baptist Convention. This year has thus been my first opportunity to attend the SBC annual meeting.
I flew down a couple days early to be a part of the SBC “Greater Things” Pastors’ Conference. That was a real blessing. Got to hear from speakers that included Ravi Zacharias, Al Mohler, Tony Evans, Francis Chan, and more. Today was the opening of the actual Annual Meeting. And I got to cast my very first vote as a “Messenger” to the convention. That vote was for the next SBC president.
There are over 10,000 people down. And even though you can never get that many Baptists to agree on everything (they are Baptists after all), there is nevertheless a unity of overall purpose. Everyone I’ve seen, heard from, and talked with loves the Lord and wants to advance His Kingdom.
To follow what’s happening at the SBC Annual Meeting, check out The Baptist Press Blog, which features periodic updates.
Lessons From The Lord’s Prayer
May 21st
Prayer was a central component of the lives of all the central figures of the Judeo-Christian faith. So much so that Jesus’ disciples asked Him to show them how to pray. Jesus responded with the model known through the ages as “the Lord’s Prayer.”
Here are some lessons we can learn from each of its petitions:
“Our Father”
A few years ago, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church voted to consider more gender-inclusive language for God – language that would replace the traditional “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” trinity with “Mother, Child, and Womb” (among other options). This is nothing short of blasphemy, considering that Jesus Christ Himself refers to God the FATHER in His prayer? Is Jesus not inclusive enough? Must a 21st century denomination take it upon itself to correct the Son of God?
There is a long, biblical tradition standing behind a masculine conception of God. Here are just a sampling of verses affirming this fact:
- “Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath brought thee? Hath he not made these, and established thee?” –Deuteronomy 32:6
- “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.” –Psalm 89:26
- “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” –Isaiah 64:8
- “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?” –Malachi 2:10a
And, of course, Jesus refers to the “Father” repeatedly in the Gospel accounts, and Paul makes approximately forty references to God as the “Father” in his writings. The Scriptures clearly show God as our “Father,” and it is not within our purview to correct that, regardless of any qualms, concerns, or biases we may have in this gender- sensitive age we live.
The reason all this is important is we must approach God on HIS terms – not ours. Once we allow ourselves to redefine God in a more feminine or gender-neutral way, we have opened the door to define God however we want. We did not create God. God created us. We should never forget that.
“Who Art in HEAVEN”
God is omnipresent, but His throne is in heaven. There are numerous references attesting to this fact, including Genesis 24, which refers to “the Lord God of Heaven.” Being reminded of God’s throne helps us appreciate His superintending power and sovereignty. Put simply: our God reigns.
“Hallowed by thy Name”
Hallow means “to sanctify, to set apart, to make special.” Jesus is teaching the disciples (and us, by extension) to honor and revere the very name of God. This is consistent with the Ten Commandments, which contain a prohibition against taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7).
Yet we throw God’s name around casually and irreverently all the time today, and not just in the form of cursing. We invoke God’s name often to advance our own interests or agendas. This is precisely what Jesus is urging us not to do. When we pray to God and invoke His name, it must be done with all sincerity and reverence.
“Thy Kingdom Come….Thy Will be Done”
Jesus calls on us to serve, first of all, the kingdom of God. That should command our highest allegiance.
This is a rebuff to those who want to just “tack God on” to their daily lives as they continue to pursue their own selfish wants and desires. God is not something to put on your fireplace mantle. He’s not a certificate for your wall, a button for your lapel, or a (pardon the cliché) a feather in your cap. No, God is your Lord and Sovereign King. You owe Him your complete and total allegiance.
When we ask for things in prayer, these requests should be within the context of our serving God’s purpose, God’s plan, God’s agenda – not ours.
“Give us This Day our Daily Bread”
We are taught to ask for our “bread,” meaning that which we need to survive. This verse does not say, “Give us this day our daily seafood buffet” or “Give us this day our daily Dairy Queen blizzard.” (Not that I’m against seafood buffets or Dairy Queen). We simply do not have a right to consider ourselves entitled to the pleasures of life. We are taught to focus on those bare necessities of live – things we need to carry out God’s will for our lives. If God blesses us with more than that through the fruit of our labor or through His Providence, that’s great. But we are not entitled to such blessings.
Now, Paul, in his writings, appears to expand on this principle. He writes: “Let your requests be made known to God.” Thus, we have room, under Paul’s phraseology, to ask for big-screen TVs, all-you-can-eat crab leg buffets, and Mint Oreo blizzards. However, our focus and our continual prayer should be on our needs – and not our wants. We are servants of God. We should thus be asking for what we need in order to serve Him, not ourselves.
Note also that the phrase “our daily bread” implies a reference to what we have rightfully earned. In other words, Jesus is not teaching His disciples to pray for bread to fall from the sky.
The late biblical scholar and theologian Matthew Henry observed: “We ask for our bread; that teaches us honesty and industry: we do not ask for the bread of others, nor the bread of deceit….nor the bread of idleness….but the bread honestly gotten.”
Moreover, the word “our” implies that we aren’t simply to be focused on individual needs. We are in this life together, and we must think of our neighbors. After all, Jesus says the second greatest commandment is to love one’s neighbor as himself or herself.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
It is clear from context, and also in comparing Matthew’s and Luke’s versions of the Lord’s Prayer, that the words “debts,” “trespasses,” and “sins” are used (and can be used) interchangeably.
Jesus is teaching the disciples to ask God for forgiveness for their sins, and to be eager and willing to forgive others as well. Many Christians inhibit their prayer life with bitterness, grudges, and hatred. The Bible teaches us to let these negative emotions go, and to turn them over to God. We are called to love and not to hate. We are called to forgiveness, not revenge.
God will settle all accounts in the end. We need not worry about that.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
According to Easton’s 1897 Bible dictionary, temptation refers to (broadly speaking) a trial or one being put to the test. However, according to Easton, the term ordinarily applies to a “solicitation to that which is evil.” The context of the Lord’s Prayer, of course, emphasizes that negative aspect of temptation.
We should be wary as we proceed through our life’s journey. Jesus teaches us that temptation is a reality. Sin is enticing.
The only way we can be delivered from sin is to rely on God’s leadership in our lives and His deliverance from its grip. Unfortunately, people in general (including Christians) want to be left alone to do their own thing, and do not take well to being led. Such an independent, stubborn spirit – particularly in the context of our relationship with God – is a recipe of disaster.
“For Thine is the Kingdom”
This first of the final declarations in the Lord’s Prayer harkens back to the opening petition for God’s Kingdom to come. It reinforces our primary allegiance to God.
This reaffirmation of allegiance calls on us to make sure God is the Lord and Master of our lives. We are under His command and control, or at least we should be. We must accept His will and authority as final.
“For Thine is the Power”
We are affirming our faith in God’s sovereignty and power. God can do anything, and certainly has the power to grant our requests. But are faith must remain in God and His might – and not on us, including our judgment of the rightness of our prayer requests and our feelings concerning how God does or doesn’t respond to our prayers.
“For Thine is the Glory”
We’ve made God too warm and fuzzy in our day and age. God is an awesome God. He is a God of glory, honor, and power. He should be revered and worshipped. Jesus is teaching the disciples this important truth.
We must humble ourselves before God, worship His glory, and submit to His authority.
“Amen”
The word “Amen” actually means “so be it” or “so let it stand.” By concluding your prayer with this word, you are giving the substance of your prayer completely over to God, and are expressing your acceptance of whatever He decides.
How many people say “Amen” at the end of their prayers, but don’t really mean it? How many have no idea what they are saying? It is important, however, that you know what the word “Amen” means – and that it truly reflects your attitude as you close out your prayers to God.
Extra Money For Pastors?
May 17th
The other day, I had the privilege of meeting with one of our church’s longtime members. In the course of our meeting, she asked if I had a consulting business. I found the question surprising and amusing. Surprising in that I have no idea what led her to think I was in involved in any kind of consulting work. And amused, because if I were consulting, I’d like to know where my paychecks are going. Seriously, the question did get me thinking about the issue of pastors making money. And that’s what I’d like to take a few moments to blog about here.
Is it wrong for pastors to make extra money? By “extra money,” I mean money in addition to their church salary. That’s the question we’re going to explore. And the best way to explore such a question is by going to the Word of God. Although, in order to answer that question, we must look at the overall principles concerning pastoral compensation. What does the Bible say about pastors making money?
1. Calling vs. Career
Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. –I Corinthians 9:14
First, no one should enter pastoral ministry in the same way he might enter the field of medicine or law or engineering or business. Being a pastor is not a career. It’s a calling. When God calls a person to be a pastor, God is setting that individual apart for Kingdom work. Of course, all Christians are to be about Kingdom work, but, in the case of pastors, they are to be fully devoted to Kingdom work and that is how they are to make their primary living.
2. Seek God First
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. –Psalm 23:1
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. –Matthew 6:31-34
Whether the person is a pastor or not, anytime an apparent need for additional money arises, the Bible continually points us to rely on God. We must see the Lord as our provider and not our own hands, minds, credit cards, savings accounts, etc. This doesn’t mean we should throw caution to the wind or dodge our responsibilities in stewardship and/or planning, but it does mean that we shouldn’t let worry, emotion, and/or a lack of faith drive our thoughts and/or our decision-making processes when it comes to money matters. We are to, first and foremost, trust God.
3. Greed is NOT Good
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” –Luke 12:15
A bishop then must be….not greedy for money. –I Timothy 3:2-3
The sad truth is that some pastors are constantly on the lookout for ways to make more money, drive nicer cars, own bigger houses, etc. It’s not that these things are wrong in and of themselves. After all, God poured such blessings on Solomon. But the acquisition of money must not be the pastor’s primary focus.
4. No Dishonest Gain
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you…not for dishonest gain but eagerly. –I Peter 5:2
If a pastor does determine prayerfully that extra money is necessary, he must not resort to dishonest gain. Examples of dishonest gain would be charging church members for services that he should render to them as part of his ministry and cheating on taxes. I also remember a former pastor telling me how one of the revival preachers he had in followed up his church visit by calling members of the church about some kind of shady investment deal. Not good. Based on my reading of Scripture, I’d have to add gambling and investments in sinful industries to the list of things that fall under “dishonest gain.”
There’s nothing wrong with a pastor doing something on the side to make a little extra money. That’s what Paul did, after all, when he made tents. But Paul performed his work honestly. He made sure that whatever he did, he did to God’s glory.
5. The Ox Must Not Be Muzzled
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? –I Corinthians 9:7-9
It’s a straightforward biblical teaching that local churches should, to the best of their ability, financially provide for those who ”feed the flock.” Pastors should be paid. But what happens when the pastor’s financial needs exceed the ability or desire of the church to meet them?
One of the most disturbing things in some churches is the idea that a pastor who desires additional money is automatically guilty of greed. In some churches, the whole concept of the pastor having financial needs raises a great deal of controversy. In some churches, it’s as if people don’t even want to think about it or face the issue. And when someone (usually the pastor) makes them confront it, they react in a very accusatory and sometimes hostile manner.
(I must add, as a disclaimer, that I’m thankfully NOT speaking from direct, personal experience here. But I have done a lot of reading on this subject and have seen some pretty crazy things written by deacons, pulpit committees, and everyday church members when it comes to pastor pay. What’s more, I have several pastor friends who have shared some “horror stories” from their experiences. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed in that the churches I’ve served understood the pastors need to be paid just as any other worker needs a wage. Other pastors, sadly, aren’t so fortunate).
The important thing to keep in mind here is that the “ox” must not be “muzzled.” We muzzle the ox when we deprive it of that which it needs in order to live and serve. In the case of our pastors, churches should do all they can to make sure that their pastor and his family are housed, clothed, fed, healthy, etc. The specific dollar amount and the details of the compensation plan vary from church to church and area to area. The principle, though, is clear and it’s binding on all churches in all cultures and in all time periods.
**See “Baptist Pastor Salary Guidelines” (an article I wrote in March 2009 for Suite101.com).
6. Double Honor For Those Who “Rule Well”
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. –I Timothy 5:17-18
One pastor explained to me that the “double honor” principle in I Timothy 5 means that, if a church feels the pastor is “ruling well” (i.e., doing a great job), then they should figure out a suitable compensation for that pastor — and then DOUBLE it! Now, as a pastor, I must admit that such an interpretation sounds good to me. Unfortunately, such an interpretation doesn’t pass the good ole Sniff Test. It’s frankly poor biblical interpretation.
When we try to discover the meaning of a passage of Scripture, we must first understand the words (and that sometimes means looking at the original Greek – or, in the case of the Old Testament, Hebrew – vocabulary. Then, we must carry ourselves back to that time period to discern the context. In the ancient world, barter was a greater part of the economy than coinage. In Paul’s day, there were no W-2′s, direct deposits, signed paychecks, etc. In fact, if you trace church history right up to the pre-Industrial Age, you’ll find that ministers were often “paid” in crops!
When a church member brings me vegetables from their garden or offers to treat my wife and me to dinner (either at a restaurant or by inviting us over to their house), that member is showing “honor” in a way that’s very consistent with how pastors were supported in Paul’s day. You could add a whole slew of things to this, including babysitting, helping with household repairs, or whatever. When we were in Ohio, we lived in a parsonage on church property. The church covered all the utilities – and even mowed our lawn!
Certainly, pay is PART of the “honor” equation. After all, the deritative Greek word for “honor” means value and it’s where we get the word “honorarium.” All I’m saying is that it’s not just pay that Paul’s talking about. There are many ways that a church can honor (or double honor) its pastor.
And I’ve only addressed the compensation/support side of “honor,” there’s also the whole aspect of respect, kindness, moral support, prayer, etc. And, if I may say (as a pastor), that I truly believe God will smile greatly on a loving church, which shows respect and kindness to its pastor, even if that church is unable to provide much financially.
7. Can a Pastor “Make Tents”?
There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. –Acts 18:2-4
Now, we come to the question that started it all. What if the pastor and his family need or want more than the church is able or willing to provide? Perhaps the pastor needs extra money for retirement, to pay down debts, to save up for his kids’ college, to allow his wife to stay home and be a full-time homemaker, or something else.
Based on the above scriptural principles, I believe it’s perfectly acceptable for a pastor to earn money for work that’s in addition to and outside of his pastoral ministry, provided the following conditions are met: a) he’s not doing it for greed or to support a wasteful, covetous lifestyle, b) his work is honest, and c) it doesn’t detract from or undermine his primary calling.
In my case, my family and I would like to pay down our debt and also move closer to our church. And we both want Jane to remain a full-time mom. Accomplishing these goals will require some additional funds. For this reason, I am engaged in freelance writing and trying to acquire some paid speaking engagements. That’s the main purpose of my BrianTubbs.com blog site — to promote my writing and speaking. I may also do some substitute teaching. I am NOT, however, involved in any consulting. There is NO consulting business. For anyone at Olney Baptist Church who is reading this, I hope that clears up any confusion.
Of course, as Jesus makes clear in Matthew, my first task is to seek God’s Kingdom and turn my heart toward His righteousness. I am here to serve Him. The same is true for you. So, whatever financial situation we find ourselves in, we must remember that we serve a God who is greater than any challenge we face and who loves us more than we can possibly imagine. It is to that God that we must turn for direction, wisdom, and peace.
The Apostle Paul’s Prescription for Peace and Joy
May 13th
Wrapping up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul provides a blueprint for our peace and joy as Christians. The historical context of this blueprint was apparent anxiety on the part of the church in Thessalonica concerning when Jesus Christ would return and how they should prepare themselves or conduct themselves in anticipation of that event. Making things even more tense for some of the Thessalonian Christians were the hardships and challenges many Christians were facing in the first century Roman world. The teaching Paul gives is as instructive for us as it was for them.
In the fifth chapter of I Thessalonians, Paul told the Thessalonian church not to worry or speculate about the return of Jesus, but rather to conduct themselves in a way that would bring glory and honor to Christ. He then explains what kinds of things Christians can do to glorify God. His list of specific exhortations is something each church and individual Christian should pursue and model:
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Take a few moments to review Paul’s list. Ask yourself how you are doing in each area. We do not know when Christ will return, because we don’t know the future. But we do know the God who is sovereign over the future. And we know what His instructions are for the present. The extent of our peace and joy (even in the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainty) will be commensurate with our commitment to the principles and practices to which Paul exhorts us in I Thessalonians 5.
Happy Mother’s Day
May 9th
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ~Washington Irving
I’d like to wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.