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Christmas only makes sense if…

… there is a blessed hope – the second Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Christ was born in Bethlehem the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Anyone who is familiar with human history is painfully aware that the promise of “peace on earth” remains an unrealized hope. The “Prince of peace” suffered a violent death. The resurrection did not establish peace on earth. Within several days, the resurrected Prince of Peace ascended into the heavens. A few days later, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit was given. But, instead of universal peace the church was plunged into conflict and tribulation in which its leaders were imprisoned and martyred. For two thousand years the message of Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world. Violence and death continue to prevail. Even as we gather with family and friends for Christmas festivities, many will gather in sorrow. So much for “peace on earth.”

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The Christmas Propaganda War

I first noticed the Christmas decorations in department stores before Halloween. Soon after, I began hearing the Christmas mood music. Then some radio stations began doing their “all Christmas” schedule. The TV specials and Hollywood’s annual Christmas releases began to appear. By now we’re in full holiday mode. Parties, food, presents… and the new sign of the Christmas season – the Christmas propaganda war, aka, the war on Christmas.

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Does “Happy Holidays” make you angry?

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

My wife, Sharon, and I have been traveling for the Thanksgiving holidays. We are very happy to be spending the holidays with our family. As we were driving along I-40 between Chattanooga and Nashville, we decided to stop at Wal-Mart. After shopping for a few minutes we walked up to the check-out clerk, a young lady who sheepishly asked me, “You’re not going to get mad if I wish you ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas,’ are you?”

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Chrism, Charismata, and Character

Peer Accountability – Sanctification through Community

Paul charged the Ephesian church elders: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). His warning is not to guard the flock from the devil, but from toxic leaders within the church: “…savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Here we discern two aspects of guarding the flock. First, church leaders must exercise sober caution in the initial placement of leaders in ministry. Paul places the responsibility for dealing with toxic leadership squarely upon the bishops and elders of the church. He warns, “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin” (1 Timothy 5:22). When the bishops of the church fail to guard against toxic leaders, they become complicit toxic leaders.

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Church Conflict as Spiritual Warfare

Conflict is the absence of shālôm.  The Hebrew word shālôm refers to the overall welfare of the human soul.[1] Shālôm means to be complete, or whole; to be safe; to be in good health; to prosper; to live and die in tranquility. In matters of human community, shālôm refers to friendship and peacemaking. In relationship to God shālôm refers to the salvific covenant between God and humanity.[2] When the apostolic authors of the New Testament spoke of peace they used the word to reflect its usage in the Septuagint, which corresponds to the Hebrew shālôm.[3] Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” and his disciples are call to be peacemakers.[4] Throughout the New Testament, the apostolic greetings and benedictions speak of the blessing of peace.[5]

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False-christs, False-prophets, and False-apostles: Toxic Leaders in the Church

As the Apostle Paul offered his farewell address to the church at Ephesus he offered a paradigm for leadership in the church. Throughout his farewell address, Paul’s words reflect three years of diverse conflict as he served the church. Paul’s time at Ephesus was marked with tears. His straightforward declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ provoked the conflict. The sources of conflict were “the plots of the Jews,” “savage wolves” from outside the assembly, and leaders within the church that will arise to speak “perverse things” in an effort to divide the church. As Paul takes leave of these believers, he warns them of continuing conflict and urges them to “be on guard” and “be on the alert.” Even as he transitions to another area of ministry Paul declares that “the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” In other words, conflict cannot be avoided. In fact, it is the Holy Spirit that is guiding him from conflict to conflict. The goal of Paul’s ministry is to “build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:18-32).

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