Millennial Transparency

A recurring theme on this blog has been my concern for the next generation of Christians. But here's a hopeful bit of information. Millennials are being called the “Social Justice Generation” because of their concern for the poor and oppressed. But, as it turns out, not at the expense of spiritual needs. According to Barna research, evangelism by Millennials is on the rise. Faith-sharing of those under 30 increased in 2013, with 2/3's reporting they shared their faith with a non-believer within the past year (national average 50%). Why the difference?

Having grown up in the age of free-flowing information and sharing, Millennials value authenticity and transparency. Consequently, he or she will be more compelled to share his or her personal faith than the more private generations before them—Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers. If the Millennials keep this up, perhaps Jesus will find faith on the earth when He returns (Luke 18:8)!

Are you vacationing in Las Vegas or Laodicea this year?

Last year I received a glossy brochure from an Evangelical Christian school raising funds through a silent auction. The grand prize was a weekend in Las Vegas! Last week I received a sleek brochure from an international radio ministry, announcing a Caribbean cruise. While the brochure, replete with children on water slides, young adults windsurfing, diners dressed in tuxedos, was aimed at those with discretionary income, it seemed oddly out of touch with the mood of the day.

Trips to Las Vegas? Caribbean cruises? Didn't Jesus become poor for our sake? (2 Co 8:9).  Didn't He model austerity? I have no doubt these ministries mean well. But I keep thinking the words “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?” (Gal. 3:1).

Might I be so bold to suggest that our ‘first-class’ lifestyles are uncomfortably close to those described of the church at Laodicea: “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17). I know these are harsh words. But these are harsh times, as Thomas Paine said, “these are the times that test men’s souls.” Many believe a time of great testing is about to come upon the church.

“Positive Thinking” Theology

When I saw this picture juxtiposing Joel Osteen's book of positive thinking with suffering children, I knew I had to write a post about it.  Even though a picture is worth a 1,000 words, I will add a few of my own.

The message of  Joel Osteen's book "Everyday a Friday" is that if we live our lives with a more positive and optimist spirit, we will be happier (think TGIF).  Tell that to the starving children of Africa, for whom everyday is one of misery, despair, and death.

Sound Bible teaching must be applicable to rich and poor, and to powerful and marginalized alike: the true gospel message must be relevant to all peoples and cultures.   The message of prosperity and positive thinking may look good on a greeting card, but it is shamefully lacking in sound doctrine and good exegesis (1 Tim 1:10; 2 Tim. 2:15).

“When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping”

The Holidays are upon us—today begins the December countdown of shopping days to Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have already surpassed even the most optimistic expectations; economists are predicting a banner year for retailers. (I wonder how much of these sales were on credit cards?)

Considering that 83% of Americans remain anxious about the world economy, and that the world is fraught with more political ‘hot spots’ than any time in recent memory (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Syria), it appears that Americans may be trying to spend their way out of the doldrums and into a Christmas spirit— to quote the American maxim, “when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.”

Some things never change! Three millennia ago, Isaiah chided the people for spending their money on that which does not satisfy (Is. 55:2). And Solomon (the richest man alive at the time) concluded, “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Give me just enough to satisfy my needs” (Prov. 30:8). Though I doubt that such a philosophy would be heralded by retailers, it would certainly bring more peace on earth.

The Dangers of "Higher" Education

With 21 post-graduate units in theology and a semester of teaching in college, I am acutely aware of the dangers of what-is-called “higher education.”

Several times in the Scriptures, the Lord mentions the fact that an abundance of or excessive reliance upon worldly education can actually be a hindrance to entering into the Kingdom. The beginning words of the Lord’s teaching on the Mount began with the blessing on “the poor in spirit.” According to Strong’s Concordance this phrase means “destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which education affords.” God said He would destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to naught the intelligence of the intelligent (1 Cor. 1:19).

Please do not misinterpret my comments as “anti-intellectualism.” The mind is an essential part in faith: Paul says we are to grow in knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). And Jesus told us to love God "with all our mind” (Matt. 22:37).  The challenge to each of us is to be a diligent student of the Word (2 Tim. 2:15) so we may attain a truly "higher" education.

The Nightmare Cruise

When I lived in Afghanistan, I was not able to have a hot bath or shower for a year and a half! Although we had cold-water plumbing, the majority of Afghans did not. (And yes, I did bathe every day—we called it a ‘bucket’ bath!) Perhaps my abiding appreciation for hot & cold running water is compelling me to comment on today’s news story of the crippled Carnival Cruise ship. Due to a fire in the engines, the passengers endured two days without electricity, backed-up toilets, and worst of all, according to many of them, cold showers (and they had to eat canned food!). It will evermore be known as the ‘nightmare’ cruise.

As I read the article, I was reminded of the 3 billion people on our planet who live without access to proper sanitation, of the 2 billion people who have no electricity, of the 1.1 billion who do not have access to clean drinking water, and the 22,000 children who die each day of starvation and preventable diseases.

Something is really wrong when we think what happened on the Carnival Cruise ship is a nightmare. It was nothing more than an inconvenience (nobody was injured; no one died). As our American culture of consumerism and narcissism increases, can I ask you to join me today to remember and recommit ourselves to the attitude of Jesus (who lived his entire life without hot and cold running water, power or indoor plumbing) as expressed by the words of Paul: If we have food & clothing, let us be content (1 Tim. 6:8).

Don't Forget the Children

On our first day in San Ignacio, Belize, I noticed a young boy with a shoe shine box, looking for customers. I felt like giving him money, but he disappeared before I could. The next day I saw him again, but then he vanished. You see, since I had not seen any other children working, or even begging, he stood out, and I was curious to know more about him. On our third day, while sitting in a patio café, I saw him yet again, bent over someone’s feet, shining shoes. And as soon as he finished Altha and I beckoned him over to our table, where, quite amazingly, though he spoke only Spanish, we enjoyed a wonderful conversation.

His name was Selvin; he was almost 13. He told us how he lived just over the border in Guatemala, coming over to ‘work’ his trade among the tourists in San Ignacio. An orphan living in his aunt’s tiny, over-crowded house, he had to work to help buy food. Of course, we paid for Selvin's dinner and gave him some money before he took the bus back to Guatemala; we didn't see him again.

In our privileged country of social services and entitlement programs, it is too easy to forget the Selvins of this world. God used our encounter to remind us that child labor in many third world countries is a necessary way of life. But just imagine being a child alone in a ‘developing’ country. Imagine growing up without the love and guidance of a parent, living without a reliable source of food, shelter, medicine, or clothing. This is the life millions of children all over the world. What’s my point? Only this: ask the Lord to show you what you can do, to help a third world child. Sponsor a child or volunteer in some way. And if you can’t, then find and support an organization that is. Because Jesus said, “when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters [to Selvin], you were doing it to me” (Matthew 25:40).