Deutero Q

Since this coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday, I thought I would post some thoughts on the related theme of the deity of Christ.

There are many passages in the New Testament that refer specifically to the deity of Jesus Christ. For example, John 1:1 says about Christ, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Notice that the Word (Christ) was God. Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Observe that Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being.

Philippians 2:6 speaks of Christ “…being in very nature God.” The phrase “in very nature (μορφή) God” is also a very strong affirmation of the deity of Christ, as is Col. 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form….”

The New Testament also reveals in other ways that Jesus is God: He forgives sins (Mark 2:8-10); refers to the angels as His angels (Matt. 24:31); speaks of judging the world (Matt. 25:31-46); and is considered worthy of worship (Heb. 1:6). Consider also the names of Jesus, which have counterparts to names for God in the Old Testament: Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 2:8; Isa. 41:4; 48:12); Lord (1 Cor. 12:3; Ps. 96:7-8); Savior (John 4:42; Isa. 43:11); King (Rev. 17:14; Ps. 95:3; Isa. 43:15); etc.

On numerous occasions I have dialogued with Jehovah’s Witnesses about the deity of Christ. In defense of their view that Jesus is not God, Jehovah’s Witnesses have invariably cited John 14:28, where Jesus says, “…for the Father is greater than I.” My response is that, in His incarnation, Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant (Phil. 2:5-11). Jesus was “less” than the Father in the sense that He came into the world as a servant; Jesus was not less in terms of His deity. Elsewhere in Scripture (as we have seen), Jesus is clearly presented as being God. Augustine’s words are helpful here:

"The Son of God, then, is equal to God the Father in nature, but less in 'fashion.' For in the form of a servant which He took He is less than the Father; but in the form of God, in which also He was before He took the form of a servant, He is equal to the Father" (On the Trinity, I.vii).

Biblically speaking, the only way to get around the deity of Christ is to approach Scripture with a presuppositional understanding that He is not God. Then you have to make the Bible fit your beliefs, rather than vice versa. This, of course, is exactly what groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses do: they conform the Bible to their theology, rather than conform their error-filled theology to Scripture.

I thought I would post this sweet song, "Leah," by Roy Orbison. What a voice! (Elvis Presley once referred to Orbison as "the greatest singer in the world.") Check out the song:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gwv-imrzluA

The Christian world’s center of gravity is clearly shifting to the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, those of us in the West would do well to recognize and learn from what the Lord is doing elsewhere in the world.

During the course of my ministry, I have been able to spend time with Christians in Mexico. I have found in my Mexican brothers and sisters a spiritual fervor and depth of faith that is inspirational. Although many of my fellow Christians to the south lack material riches, they are spiritually rich.

Without a doubt, we American Christians have a great deal to learn from Christians in the global South.

The decline of mainline Protestantism is another example of how the church is changing. In the 1960s, mainline churches (i.e., theologically moderate to liberal denominational bodies made up of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, and others) accounted for about 40 percent of all American Protestants. Today the number is closer to 12 percent.

All indications point to mainline Protestantism as a cultural dinosaur on the verge of extinction. Not surprisingly, many conservative/Bible-believing denominations are growing and thriving.

As a mainline Presbyterian pastor, I have experienced sadness, anger, and shame as I have observed church leaders and members within my denomination continue to subvert scriptural authority and disavow foundational doctrines of the faith. I have grown wary and weary of efforts to lift up peace and unity while downplaying biblical purity in the headlong rush to the altar of inclusiveness.

The words of a Chinese poet named Ai Qing well describe my mind-set toward much of mainline Protestantism and its leadership: “I’m tired of listening/To those prolix speeches pretending to be the truth."

While I am aware of sociological factors (e.g., low birth rates and the graying of many church members) that are contributing to the demise of mainline Protestantism, I also know that many parishioners are not being fed in mainline churches; people are going elsewhere for spiritual nourishment.

Moreover, I wonder if God is withholding His blessing from denominations such as my own that flirt with apostasy. Indeed, might our demise be the result of God’s judgment?

Personally and pastorally, I wrestle with whether to work for renewal and reformation or come out from among a denomination that seems bent on making a shipwreck of the faith.

As long as mainline Protestantism steers its present course, with spiritual pirates at the helm, I am pessimistic about its survival. I am, however, extremely optimistic about the body of Christ, and regularly remind myself of Jesus’ words that the gates of Hades will not overcome His church.

Humanly devised denominations and movements will come and go, but the body of Christ will endure.

Not long ago, while I was at home watching a movie about the life of Christ, my two-year-old daughter came into the room. At that moment, the movie showed Jesus being crucified. With wide-eyed wonder, my daughter asked, “What is that?” to which I responded, “It’s the story of Jesus.” Without any prompting on my part, she began singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

That was an especially poignant moment for me—watching the portrayal of the Lord’s crucifixion while listening to my little daughter singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

I could say more, but I think my daughter's response said it all.

As hurricane season draws near, I find myself once again reflecting on the sovereignty of God as it pertains to weather. I have came away from my study of Scripture convinced that nature is neither controlled by Satan nor does it have its own will. Rather, all of nature is under the control of Almighty God. Consider the biblical evidence:

"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.... He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow" (Ps.147:8; 16-18).

"When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses" (Jer. 10:13).

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm and clouds are the dust of his feet" (Nah. 1:3).

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matt. 5:45).