P5 Concluding Notes from a Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Conference: The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church - Conclusion

Note to readers: The above image is from the weekly publication, "The Baptist Messenger", produced by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The link is www.baptistmessenger.com. All comments below and links were granted permission by the BGCO to be used in today's post. May what is written below inform and equip the reader to the glory of God.

Introduction:
A few weeks ago this blogger had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (henceforth from here we will use it's abbreviation "BGCO") entitled: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church". My intention for attending this conference was two-fold:

1). To be equipped on how to better communicate to people what the Bible has to say about the Gospel and it's bearing on gender, sexuality, the church and culture.

2). To know how to express the love of Jesus in a better way to all people, regardless of sexual orientation.

The conference to say the least was very well done, organized, positively communicated and Biblical. As each sermon and panel discussion was presented, I felt it necessary to not only take notes but to make them available to readers of this blog with the hope of sharing this informative, engaging and Gospel-centered conference. Today's post concludes my summary of this very important and significant conference. The BGCO has posted some of the plenary sessions on their website, as well as links to their weekly publication: "The Baptist Messenger", which features after-conference reflections and articles by key leadership in the BGCO. Here are the links: http://www.bgco.org/bgco-conference and http://www.baptistmessenger.com/the-gospel-sexuality-the-church-2/. 

Final Panel Discussion: Communicating the Gospel in a culture that is committed to blurring the genders
This final panel discussion dealt with questions that centered around gender and the Gospel, hence this author's heading for this summary of the final panel discussion. The discussion began by defining the often talked about "LBGTQ Culture", which stands for
Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay, Transgender and questioning of one's sexual gender. This title summarizes the worldview that is attempting to redefine what it means to be a man and woman, marriage and family. After this initial discussion, the panelists were asked the following questions:

1). How has pornography affected our culture? Dr. R. Albert Mohler of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary notes two basic types of pornography: 

a). Ambient pornography. The kind of images we see on billboards and in stores.

b). Explicit pornography. Men are more image driven and look for men-like women, whereas women are more emotionally driven and look for more emotionally expressive and sensitive men. Dr. Mohler also noted that 60-70% of men in churches are viewing pornography every week. It is an epidemic. Author C.S Lewis has noted that pornography increases drive but decreases satisfaction.

2). What about sexual identity? Our identity is found by being made into the image of Christ at salvation. We are created with sexual desire. When people talk about orientation, the discussions centers around a pattern of expressing one's desire. 

3). What about same-sex attraction? Before the 1870's, people talked mainly about gender as being male or female. After the 1870's the psychological community began to talk about orientation. Because of sin and our fallen world, our internal emotional world oftentimes does not line up with the reality of human beings made in God's image. Though some people don't have a choice when they have same-sex attraction, they do have a choice in how they respond. Our primary responsibility is not to change someone's identity, but to give them the gospel. The gospel will transform their hearts and minds. Whatever we behold, we become. 

4). What about hate speech? We have to be aware of people who would like to suppress certain forms of speech that oppose their worldview. (1 Peter 2:5-9)
A Gospel that does not include both the challenge and subsequence experience of a transformed life is not the Gospel.

As the conference drew to a close, Dr. R. Albert Mohler gave the closing plenary sermon out of Romans 1. In his message he pointed out how often we see fallen man "exchanging" God for something else of far lesser value. (Romans 1:23,24,25,26,28). In short, we are seeing our culture as a whole exchanging God's truth for a man made lie. The one quote that stuck out in this writer's mind was when Dr. Mohler quoted thinker Theo Hobson: "3 things must be in place for a moral revolution:

a. That which was condemned is celebrated

b. That which was celebrated is condemned

c. Those who won't celebrate are condemend"

As Dr. Mohler closed his message, we were reminded that we have the most effective message in the world - the good news of Jesus Christ - the Gospel. Thus let's shine the light of Jesus, the love of God and the life-changing power of God's word to our gay and lesbian neighbors and 21st century culture while upholding the unwavering message of God's word.  

P4 Notes from a Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Conference: The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church - Passing the torch of the Christian worldview onto the next generation

Note to readers: The above image is from the weekly publication, "The Baptist Messenger", produced by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The link is www.baptistmessenger.com. All comments below and links were granted permission by the BGCO to be used in today's post. May what is written below inform and equip the reader to the glory of God. Introduction: A few weeks ago this blogger had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (henceforth from here we will use it's abbreviation "BGCO") entitled: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church". My intention for attending this conference was two-fold: 1). To be equipped on how to better communicate to people what the Bible has to say about the Gospel and it's bearing on gender, sexuality, the church and culture. 2). To know how to express the love of Jesus in a better way to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. The conference to say the least was very well done, organized, positively communicated and Biblical. As each sermon and panel discussion was presented, I felt it necessary to not only take notes but to make them available to readers of this blog with the hope of sharing this informative, engaging and Gospel-centered conference. Today's post continues my summary of this very important and significant conference. The BGCO has posted some of the plenary sessions on their website, as well as links to their weekly publication: "The Baptist Messenger", which features after-conference reflections and articles by key leadership in the BGCO. Here are the links: http://www.bgco.org/bgco-conference and http://www.baptistmessenger.com/the-gospel-sexuality-the-church-2/. Today's post will feature remarks about how to pass the torch of the Christian worldview onto the next generation and a summary of the final plenary message given by Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Panel Discussion on the topic of passing the torch of the Christian worldview on the next generation 1.) The discussion began with talking about the generation known as the "millennials" (roughly defined as either people born in the 1980's or people reaching adulthood by the early 2000's). Today Millennials are very strong when it comes to the issue of "pro-life", and yet the Millennials do not by and large have any conflict with same-sex unions. It can be very instructive to compare the development of the pro-life movement responding to the pro-choice agenda to how Christians are looking to approach a culture wherein 47% of polled adults favor same-sex unions. Although pro-life arguments are gaining traction within the culture, the traction is not ncessarilty based on theological reasons. Inconsistency among Millennials on the issues of pro-life and same-sex is due to fear. Whatever you fear drives your worldview. 2). What concerning points should Church be aware of in movies like "50 shades of grey"? We must realize that the same lies that are promoted in the culture can be written into the hearts of uncareful people in the church. For those who go by the world's standard, sexuality becomes a means of escape rather than covenant. Dr. Al Mohler quotes atheistic philosopher Michel Foucalt as saying that to experience life, one must transgress the forbidden limits so as to illicitly awaken sexual desire. 3). How do we minister to people who are struggling over their gender? First, remind people of the common humanity shared between men and women and secondly, point to the distinctiveness of men and women. (Genesis 1:26-28 ;Genesis 2:24-25). Such distinction are crucial to biblical narrative, since the Bible warns us to of what happens when these roles are misused (such as in the case of Samson and Delilah). The distinctions between men and women are not only a matter of creation and redemption, but also eschatology. The doctrine of creation teaches from the beginning God created male and female so as to introduce beauty, relationship, depth of meaning and genuine enjoyment in marriage. The doctrine of redemption has Jesus Christ as the second Adam, a man, coming to die for His bride, the church (symbolized as his wife). Henceforth the doctrines of creation and redemption point the way to the fulfillment of God's purposes or eschatology. In eternity, there will be God's redeemed people, each with a resurrection body and each distinguished as male and female. When looking at God's eschatology for His people and creation, at the center is Christ and His Bride (the church), functioning as One yet distinct, with Christ as Lord and the church as his yielded and cherished wife. 4). Dr. Moore mentions we need one another since men and women have distinct roles. Only time women are to be submissive is a marriage not in a general sense. What does Church need to address with young people without a Christian worldview? Three observations: First, we cannot keep doing the same things we've done before in reaching out to people. Second, older generations of Christians need to stop seeing Millennials as a different species of people. Millennials still need to know what to do with their guilt and they still need the Church and parents articulating the Christian worldview. Thirdly, Millennials need a mentor. One of the panelists noted it is the preacher's responsibility to preach the text and it is the Holy Spirit's job to apply the message specifically for each person's heart. We need to teach students how to walk in the spirit and overcome the flesh which never helps. 5). Dr. Moore notes two ways we can respond the young people: either like Saul throwing a javelin at David vs a Paul extending a ministry hand to Timothy and others. They need to see a genuine faith in Christ with a testimony of God with the conviction that there is a word from God.

P3 Notes from a Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Conference: The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church - Answering tough questions

Note to readers: The above image is from the weekly publication, "The Baptist Messenger", produced by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The link is www.baptistmessenger.com.  All comments below and links were granted permission by the BGCO to be used in today's post. May what is written below inform and equip the reader to the glory of God. 

Introduction:
A few weeks ago this blogger had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (henceforth from here we will use it's abbreviation "BGCO") entitled: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church". My intention for attending this conference was two-fold: 

1). To be equipped on how to better communicate to people what the Bible has to say about the Gospel and it's bearing on gender, sexuality, the church and culture.

2). To know how to express the love of Jesus in a better way to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. 

The conference to say the least was very well done, organized, positively communicated and Biblical. As each sermon and panel discussion was presented, I felt it necessary to not only take notes but to make them available to readers of this blog with the hope of sharing this informative, engaging and Gospel-centered conference. Thus for the next few posts I will be sharing by way of summary the messages and panel discussions. The BGCO has posted some of the plenary sessionson their website, as well as links to their weekly publication: "The Baptist Messenger", which features after-conference reflections and articles by key leadership in the BGCO. Here are the links: http://www.bgco.org/bgco-conference and http://www.baptistmessenger.com/the-gospel-sexuality-the-church-2/. Today's post features another panel discussion that dealt with topics such as divorce/remarriage, requests for church membership from people who want to remain in the same-sex lifestyle and how to handle situations where children express to their parents that they are gay.

Excerpts from Panel Discussion #2 of the conference: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church"

1. If a couple comes forward, wants membership in a church, but wants to remain gay, what does the pastor or church do? We would deal with them like any other sexual sin. Talk to them about repentance. Don't baptize them until they have repented. Perhaps they may be on the way to changing. Keep giving the Gospel. 

2. What about ministering to transgender people? Scripture says our sin has alienated us from God's design, including gender. Gender is not a meaningless idea, since Jesus asserts the uniqueness of genders in Matthew 19:4-5. Galatians 6 tells us to come up alongside people, tell them of glimmers of their masculinity or feminity. Sometimes small practical steps such as finances, affirming of gender roles. We have got to get back to discipleship.

3. What happens if a Deacon's children expresses their preference to be gay? We need to encourage the Deacon and his family to maintain contact with the child, affirming an open door of love, while at the same time affirming a biblical standard. We can still love our children while not affirming their choices.

4. How can we deal with homosexuality in comparison to divorce/remarriage? The differences between both are the following:

a. Divorce can be appropriate on Biblical grounds and then remarriage. Sometimes in remarriage, sin was committed going into the marriage. People need to repent of the sin but be faithful to their current marriage. These marriages after all are legitimate marriages. 

b. There are no biblical grounds for same-sex marriage. If we respond to same-sex unions by not talking about it in our churches, we will come to accept it. How people reacted to divorce a generation ago and then came to see it as normal is how our young people look at same-sex unions (i.e. not shocked by it). 

5. Dr. Anthony Jordon, Executive Director of the BGCO, states how he despises seeing theology and doctrine only remaining in the seminaries. We need doctrine taught and preached in the church. Churches need to be good incubators of theology. 

6. What are ways we can improve upon preparing people for marriage? The only people we have the authority to marry are those who are accountable to one another. Weddings are not about love for one another, but in people making vows before God and going into something they have never experienced. Think about it, what happens if a spouse gets sick, laid-off from work or if there is infidelity? 

7. What about infertility or invitro fertilization? Dr. Moore, chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC, notes he is for the technology that fixes a medical problem of infertility. These efforts should not be used in situations separating sex from one-flesh unions.

8. What happens if all 50 states adopt same-sex marriage/unions. Dr. Moore notes that the government cannot force churches to perform such ceremonies. 

P2 Notes from a Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Conference: The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church - Understanding our moral and spiritual responsibility in a culture that supports same-sex marriage

Note to readers: The above image is from the weekly publication, "The Baptist Messenger", produced by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The link is www.baptistmessenger.com.  All comments below and links were granted permission by the BGCO to be used in today's post. May what is written below inform and equip the reader to the glory of God. 

Introduction:
A few weeks ago this blogger had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (henceforth from here we will use it's abbreviation "BGCO") entitled: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church". My intention for attending this conference was two-fold: 

1). To be equipped on how to better communicate to people what the Bible has to say about the Gospel and it's bearing on gender, sexuality, the church and culture.

2). To know how to express the love of Jesus in a better way to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. 

The conference to say the least was very well done, organized, positively communicated and Biblical. As each sermon and panel discussion was presented, I felt it necessary to not only take notes but to make them available to readers of this blog with the hope of sharing this informative, engaging and Gospel-centered conference. Thus for the next few posts I will be sharing by way of summary the messages and panel discussions. The BGCO has posted some of the plenary sessionson their website, as well as links to their weekly publication: "The Baptist Messenger", which features after-conference reflections and articles by key leadership in the BGCO. Here are the links: http://www.bgco.org/bgco-conference and http://www.baptistmessenger.com/the-gospel-sexuality-the-church-2/. Today's post features a summary of a panel discussion that dealt with questions relating to our moral and spiritual responsibility in a culture that supports same-sex marriage. The participants in the discussion were Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dr. Russell Moore, Chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Panel discussion #1 Understanding our moral and spiritual responsibility in a culture that supports same-sex marriage.  Question 1 how did we get to this point in our culture? Dr. Mohler noted the imminent collapse of the moral structure we thought was firm. The first sexual revolution was contraception. We felt we could separate sex and procreation. We ended up in separating sex from marriage in the 1965 Griswold decision that dealt with contraception, then called "the pill". Also too, the divorce revolution in the sixties and seventies contributed to how we arrived at this current state of affairs, causing marriage to be viewed as a temporary arrangement. Dr. Mohler then quoted a philosopher who noted that people live as if they don't fear God. If moralism is our message, we're done. Question 2: What are practical ways to uphold the biblical view of marriage without being bigots? Dr. Moore notes we can avoid being bigots but we can't avoid the gospel and being viewed as such. Pastors need to deal with issues as same-sex attractiveness, much like we would deal with pornography, temptation and other areas. Question 3: What attitudes must change? An adjustment in our view of truth must take place before a truth adjustment occurs in our heart. Question 4: What about the court ruling of same-sex marriage based on the 14th amendment. Right now 59% of Americans support same-sex marriage. Even if court rules against it, we are still in a same sex supporting culture. If we take the pro-life movement as a model - short term it was going to be difficult, however, long term though it thrived. How? By means of a multi-pronged strategy of political societal and spiritual reconciliation. Same sex marriage is not only immoral but impossible. If the courts on June 30th rule in favor of same-sex people as being a constitutionally protected class, it will have massive reprucussions for religious liberties. 37 States currently have legalized same-sex marriage. Question 5: What about convictional kindness? Dr. Moore noted that civility is too low of a bar. Capitulation is not kindness. 2 Timothy 2:23-25 tells us to speak and kindness the way Jesus said it. We express both content and the intention to convey the voice of Jesus. We must have confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not dealing with issues, but people. Question 6: What happens when a loved one expresses they are gay? We must recognize the language of the heart and deeds and how we treat people. Dr. Moore noted we must Crucifier pride. We must stop a searching for our own self image. There's not one family in the scripture that does not have a prodigal child. Research was done in North America, Africa and Asia with researchers telling the prodigal-son story as it appears in Luke 15:11-32. The researchers then had the people retell it back. The North Americans missed the detail of the family, whereas the Africans and South Americans did not. Question 6: How do we address this issue? We begin by talking about marriage and sexuality in the Bible and how it relates to the gospel. We must not have fear, but faith in addressing sin. Question 7: What blind spots do we have as evangelical Christians? We need to get to know gay and lesbian people so they can hear us and we can hear them. Closing thoughts? The Gospel will be voted down 100% of the time by unbelievers. Marriage persists because it is embedded in creation. (Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:23-25). We need to look to the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. Dr. Mohler reminds us that the church has had to face these issues before, since the scriptures were revealed to it in a pagan, Graeco-Roman culture.

P1 Notes from a Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Conference: The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church - The Strangeness of the Gospel to our culture in need of the Gospel

Note to readers: The above image is from the weekly publication, "The Baptist Messenger", produced by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). The link is www.baptistmessenger.com.  All comments below and links were granted permission by the BGCO to be used in today's post. May what is written below inform and equip the reader to the glory of God.  John 4:9-13 "Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water?12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her,“Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Introduction: A few weeks ago this blogger had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (henceforth from here we will use it's abbreviation "BGCO") entitled: "The Gospel, Sexuality and the Church". My intention for attending this conference was two-fold: 1). To be equipped on how to better communicate to people what the Bible has to say about the Gospel and it's bearing on gender, sexuality, the church and culture. 2). To know how to express the love of Jesus in a better way to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. The conference to say the least was very well done, organized, positively communicated and Biblical. As each sermon and panel discussion was presented, I felt it necessary to not only take notes but to make them available to readers of this blog with the hope of sharing this informative, engaging and Gospel-centered conference. Thus for the next few posts I will be sharing by way of summary the messages and panel discussions. The BGCO has posted some of the plenary sessions on their website, as well as links to their weekly publication: "The Baptist Messenger", which features after-conference reflections and articles by key leadership in the BGCO. Here are the links: http://www.bgco.org/bgco-conference and http://www.baptistmessenger.com/the-gospel-sexuality-the-church-2/. Today's post will feature summary notes of the first session preached by Dr. Russell Moore, Chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), wherein He talks about how to approach this issue of the Gospel, Sexuality and the Church from the account of Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well in John 4. Dr. Moore refers to the need to proclaim the "Strangeness of the Gospel to our culture in need of the Gospel". The BGCO conference the Gospel, sexuality and the church - session #1: "The Strangeness of the Gospel to our culture in need of the Gospel". Dr. Russell Moore, Chairman of the ERLC.   In session 1, Dr. Russell Moore preached from John chapter 4:1-20. He introduced his message by talking about how shocking and counter intuitive the Gospel was to two kids he taught. In short, they thought the gospel was strange. As Christians, we are used to a "Nicodemus" culture (compare Nicodemas and Jesus in John 3) whereby people want to be something with a thin veneer of religiosity. We are shifting to a Samaritan woman culture (please compare the Samaritan woman and Jesus in John 4). When we compare Nicodemus to the woman of Samaria we find out what is meant by this. 1). Nicodemus came to Jesus by night whereas the woman of Samaria came to Jesus by day. 2). Nicodemus was all about morality whereas the woman of Samaria was immoral. 3). Nicodemus came asking Jesus questions where as Jesus asked the woman of Samaria questions. So how does Jesus engage the Samaritan woman? Moreover, what should be our method of cultural engagement with the Gospel, since we are no longer in a Nicodemus culture? Let's notice some things. Jesus shed light on the issues with the Gospel. Jesus was not afraid to take the light of Himself, the embodiment of the Gospel, and shed light into the world of the Samaritan woman. It must first be noted that people in our culture are offended by Christian views of marriage, but moreover, our views on final judgment. Jesus tells this woman to go get her husband. He doesn't sidestep the heart issues, since he is calling her to repentance. Secondly, sexuality is a powerful impulse an expression created by God. Marriage is a sermon, an invitation that preaches the gospel. If we refuse to hold fast to what Jesus and His apostles gave us, we will be unloving to our neighbours and leave consciences undisturbed. Third, sexuality is not a political issue but a moral, theological issue. If we remain silent and blur the topic, we will leave those needing the gospel in the dark. Fourthly, if we do not address sexuality, people will realize we are not telling the truth and conclude that they don't need a Bible and thus draw conclusions on their own. If people sense we are unwilling to be marginalized, they won't trust us. So we can see how Jesus shed light on the issues but notice secondly.... Jesus engages His culture (i.e the Samaritan woman) in conversation and spiritual warfare. When engaging our culture, we must remember that our warfare is not with people, but with ideologies and the kingdom of darkness itself.  The Devil uses two tactics to try to destroy people: accusation and deception. How does Jesus deal with this in John chapter 4 in this conversation with the Samaritan woman? Well Jesus is not afraid of the woman. He was not disgusted nor repulsed. He sees her as an object of redemption. People holding to a Christian view on sexuality and marriage have always been in a minority. The temptations we will have are twofold: wringing our hands or shake our fists at the culture. The people railing against the gospel are reflecting the devil of Revelation 12 which reminds us that the Devil's time is short before Christ's return in judgment, which is why the Devil is angry. The church at large and Christians in particular are not walking into a new situation. When we do nothing but vent against culture, we are saying to God we deserve a better culture. We should see the people around us as those in need of Christ. So in observing Jesus and his conversation of the Samaritan woman, we see Him shed light on the issues at hand and how He dealt with the twofold method of Satan in accusation and deception. Jesus reveals the source of confidence in this present hour Let notice now the matter of the source of the Christian's confidence in this present moment. We do not find a hope in polls or political maneuvering, but in Matthew 16:18 which reminds us that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church. The culture believes the sexual revolution will deliver on it's promises. As Christians, we know marriage is not a social construct. When James and John wanted Jesus to call down fire on the Samaritan people, Jesus chose to enter not only into their orbit, but specifically into this Samaritan woman's life. Jesus gave her spiritual water at a well that could only offer physical water. Many people are hostile to our message, however we must remember they are not to be written off. Now when it comes to communicating and embodying a biblical vision of marriage and sexuality, how do we do that? We used to assume that people agreed with us on sexuality and marriage. That perceived consensus is no longer the case. We articulate what the Scripture teaches on manhood, womanhood, fatherhood, motherhood, to our children. We must not only articulate this, but embody it. Why do we often respond in the wrong way to our children? We view them as in our image whatever they are doing. If it conflicts with us and our peer groups, it will come back on us. This focus on ourselves is selfish. Could it be that our gay and lesbian neighbors wonder what it may look like for them to take up the gospel? For them, they assume such a response would mean dying alone. That is not Acts 2 Christianity. So in approaching the Gospel, Sexuality and the Church, we learn from Jesus to shed the light of the Gospel on the issue, engage in conversation and spiritual warfare and the source of confidence. Let's consider one final thought, namely... The Strangeness of Christianity - Our Best Strategy for reaching the culture The strangeness of Christianity is what will enable us to counter are sexual revolution culture. We believe a previously dead man will show up in the sky on a horse. Our problem has been to view the Gospel as a moralistic message. Rather, we need to confess the strangeness of the gospel in a culture that sees the strangeness. If done right, such contact will open the door for the Spirit to show people that they are sinners and that God in Christ desires to reconcile them and save them from judgment." More tomorrow....

The Biggest and Best News - Jesus has Risen from the Dead!

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (NASB)

Introduction:
What follows is a demonstration of why Christ's resurrection from the dead makes the Gospel the Biggest and Best News. 

To see the beauty and scope of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, we will offer a fresh translation of the text from the Greek to behold the glory of the Resurrected Christ.  Endnotes will be included in the translation for the reader who desires to dig deeper into the implications of Paul's words.  After the the translation, we will then consider in outline form why Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead is the biggest and best news.

A fresh translation of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now behold! Christ has risen from the dead, as the first fruits (i.e first one to do so) from those who have otherwise remained dead! 21 It is a known fact that through a man came death, and through a man comes the resurrection from the dead. 22 To be more specific - all who are in association with Adam1 die 2, consequently then, all who are in association with Christ 3 will live. 23 You see, each occurs in a specific order: Christ the first fruits, then secondly, those who will be with Christ at His Personal Return 4 24 then thirdly, The End 5, that is, whenever He hands over the kingdom to God the Father following the time after every ruler and every authority and every power is abolished. 25 To clarify, it is necessary for Him to reign until He has placed all enemies under His feet. 26 The one called ‘Death’ is of course the last enemy to be abolished. 27 For He placed all things under His feet of authority. When He states: ‘all things have already be placed under His authority’, He is excluded from the category ‘all things’, since He is the One under whom all things have been placed. 28 But whenever the condition of all things is fulfilled in relationship to the Son’s reign, then the Son Himself will voluntarily submit all things to Him so that God may be all supreme in all things.”

With a fresh translation of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, we can now consider why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is first of all the Biggest News, followed by why His resurrection is also the Best News.

Christ's resurrection is the Biggest News because it covers every major doctrine and section in the Bible

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is such an important section of 1 Corinthians 15 because of the scope of material that it covers. In the above translation I underlined five words that are significant in this text, since all of them put together provide a basic outline of the entire Bible!  The reader is encouraged to look at the endnotes I mentioned earlier to see the further implications of the five terms.  We can take those five words above and summarize them accordingly:

a. "Adam" = refers to creation

b. "die"      = refers to the curse

c. "Christ" = the focal point of scripture, and the One who raised from the dead

d. "Personal Return" = translated in other translations as "coming".  This speaks of Christ's Personal, Visible, Physical return at the end of this age

e. "The End" = This refers to the conclusion of all things when Christ hands over everything He has submitted under His reign to God the Father. 

So with those five terms: creation, curse, Christ, coming and conclusion, we can see why Christ's resurrection is such big news in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.  Christ's resurrection demonstrates that creation will be redeemed, the curse has been reversed for believers in Christ and that Christ is central to understanding history and eternity.  Furthermore, Christ's resurrection also demonstrates what Christ will accomplish in His second coming as well as how He will bring all things to their appropriate conclusion.

Why Christ's Resurrection is also the Best News
The more you read and study 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, the more amazed you become at the range of ground touched by the resurrection.  But let's not forget that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is as much personal as it is profound.  1 Corinthians 15:20-28 serves to demonstrate the personal importance of Christ's resurrection to the Gospel asserted in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand. (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (NASB)  

Did you catch how many times the personal pronouns (you, our) were mentioned in the text?  Paul emphasizes the personal pronouns ten times in a span of four verses to communicate how the Gospel is the Best News around.  Personally it gains you access to God, to Jesus, to His forgiveness, to all His rich graces and to the hope of an eternal home.  Not only that, but since the pronouns in the original Greek are plural, that means you and I who believe on the resurrected Jesus get to enjoy all of His saving benefits together!   

Truly the Resurrection of Jesus Christ makes the Gospel both the Biggest News and the Best News.  "Big" because of all the doctrines and events that it has either affected or will ever affect.  "Best" because you who by grace through faith believe on Him are personally and eternally saved from wrath, saved unto Him and saved to live forever with Him.  That's the Biggest and Best News you will ever hear!

Endnotes_____________________

1. Creation: We see the historical Adam mentioned in 15:21-22. God created man originally perfect. Adam was not a myth, but a real person.  As we read later on in 1 Corinthians 15:45a "So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.”

2. Curse: This second word summarizes what Paul says when he mentions in 15:22 how all born into Adam "die". We know from Genesis 3 that after Adam and his wife had eaten the forbidden fruit, God consigned both they and their descendants to a curse. Whenever we consider these first two ideas: creation & curse, we begin to see God's aim in redeeming and restoring that which was lost as a result of sin and death. Romans 8:20-21 notes - "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." 

3. Christ: So the question is: "will creation ever be redeemed and will the curse ever be reversed?" As you read on down through 1 Corinthians 15:23ff, you get the answer to that question in one Person - Christ. Christ's resurrection from the dead demonstrated two vital truths: He has reversed the curse upon all who by grace through faith believe on Him and that the created order will be redeemed. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 presents creation and the curse - the problem, and 15:23 present the solution - Christ. For the remainder of 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, we will see how Christ will accomplish the Father's purposes. Remember, everything that Paul is writing hinges on the reality of Christ's resurrection - its that big! So we have seen creation, curse and Christ. 

4. Coming: 1 Corinthians 15:23b states in the NASB "after that those who are Christ's at His coming". In the above translation I rendered this word "Personal Return" to underscore the nature of Christ's second coming. The Personal Return of Jesus Christ is captured by the Greek word "parousia" that speaks of a King returning to his home city or country after having won a battle or a war. The inhabitants come out to meet the King and to reconnect with their Ruler, and he with them. 

5. Conclusion: 1 Corinthians 15:24 starts out with the simple but profound phrase: "then comes the end..." Christ's resurrection from the dead not only demonstrated the accomplishment of His first coming - redemption, but it also guarantees what He will accomplish when He come again - Rulership. As you go down through the remainder of 1 Corinthians 15:25-28, Paul details what he means by verse 24, as well as showing the relationship between "the coming" and "the end".  We would advocate that there is an implied space of time between "His coming" in verse 23 and "the end" in verse 24.  Furthermore, I personally see the implied "space" being explicitly 1,000 years as detailed in another scripture - Revelation 20.  In 1 Corinthians 15:25 I included the term "to clarify", since verses 25-28 are a clarification of verse 24.  Paul is proposing an actual ordering of major events outlined in Biblical prophecy or eschatology:

Christ's                  Christ's 2nd coming      He must reign   End

Resurrection-------Resurrection of saints--Millennium of--- of

(first fruits)            (those with Christ)         Rev 20 seems    all

                                                                        to fit here         things

                                                                        Resurrection

                                                                        of the wicked

                                                                        will occur at

                                                                        the end of the

                                                                        Millennium or

                                                                        1,000 year reign

                                                                        of Christ.

With that basic order, harmonized with other prophetic texts, we gain a sweeping understanding of history and prophecy.  Following the end, Christ will have handed all things up to the Father, which will then take us into eternity. 

Two compelling proofs that Jesus Christ raised from the dead: Early Christian faith and post-resurrection appearances

Matthew 28:6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

Introduction:

No other event or Christian doctrine is more proclaimed, more attacked and more crucial than Christ's resurrection from the dead.  To get our footing on how Jesus' resurrection is communicated and how it is typically defended against critics, I will note four key areas of consideration that must be considered when talking about Jesus' resurrection from the dead:

1. His burial

2. The empty tomb

3. Post resurrection appearances to His followers

4. Changed lives

What top Christian apologists or defenders of the Christian faith say about Jesus' resurrection from the dead

Three of the top Christian Apologists today list the above four areas in their short list of what consistitutes the essence of the Biblical narrative of Christ's resurrection from the dead.  I want the reader to note the last elements in each of their listings, since the importance of Jesus' post-resurrected appearances will be discussed toward the end of this post.

First Josh McDowell in his book: "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" lists the following elements of what he calls "the resurrection scene":1

1. Jesus was dead

2. The tomb

3. The burial

4. The stone

5. The seal

6. The guard

7. The disciples

8. The post-resurrection appearances 

The second Christian apologist, Liberty University Professor Gary Habermas, lists out a very similar short list in the argument he gives for the Resurrection that he calls the "minimal facts argument":2

1. The burial

2. The empty tomb

3. Post resurrection appearances

4. Changed lives (especially of the Apostle Paul).

Dr. Habermas' argument leans heavily on Paul's statements in 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, noting that the material represents early information that takes the reader back to within a year after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  

The third Christian Apologist who argues for the historicity and reliability of the resurrection accounts of Jesus Christ is Dr. William Lane Craig, a world renowned expert and debater who frequently debates critics attacking the Bible.  In his presentations, I have heard Dr. Craig list in a similar fashion the following essential elements to the account of Jesus' resurrection from the dead:

1. The burial

2. The empty tomb

3. The post resurrection appearances

4. The changed lives of the disciples

5. The conversion of the Apostle Paul

The reader can check out Dr. Craig's material at www.reasonablefaith.com.

The one area among these elements that merits further focus and explanation

In past posts over the years we have explored the great resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 and have aimed to unpack and proclaim all that Paul has to say in his masterful explanation and defense of the resurrection. Certainly the Gospel accounts have also been the focus of past blogs on this subject, wherein we have talked about the crucifixion, burial and empty tomb.  

In listening to such fine articulators of the Christian faith above like McDowell, Habermas and Craig, as well as reading wonderful books and articles written by able Bible teachers, it has come to my attention that the way in which Jesus' post-resurrection appearances changed lives is worthy of consideration. As a matter of fact, this blogger has become convinced that the sheer existence and growth of the early church in its first decades of existence constitutes (next to the Biblical material) provides the greatest proof of Christ's resurrection from the dead. Exploring how the post-resurrected Jesus radically changed the lives of his disciples in the wake of His resurrection, as well as how He is still changing lives today lends immense credibility to the truth of the resurrection narratives. 

What we observe in the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus

Whenever we consider the four Gospel records, the Book of Acts and 1 Corinthians 15, we find exactly one dozen episodes featuring Christ's post resurrection appearances.  Furthermore, we find three common themes among them all:

1. Desperate condition of the people before His appearances

2. Direct encounter with the Risen Christ appearances themselves

3. Dramatic change that resulted from the appearances

Eight individuals or groups stand out in these post-resurrection appearance narratives, what we could call "post-resurrection profiles". 

1. Mary Magdelene

2. Peter

3. Emmaus Road Disciples

4. Thomas

5. The Disciples in general

6. Group of 500 people

7. James, the half brother of Jesus 

8. Paul

In scanning over these eight people or groups, we discover that in each case, their lives before, during and after each post-resurrection appearance leads to the conclusion that Christ indeed not only raised from the dead, but is alive and operating among His people.  Such post-resurrection power is the basis for the salvation and Christian growth of every Christian living today.  The early (and we must emphasize sudden) faith turn around of the early Christians as being connected to Jesus' post-resurrection appearance constitute the two-compelling proofs of the reality of His resurrection from the dead. 

Closing thought

The importance of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances cannot be over-estimated. Likewise, the dramatic turn-around of the disciples from those who were skeptical and without hope to an unwavering faith that Jesus had raised from the dead cannot be dismisssed.  Not only is such a truth a vital component in communicating and defending the truth of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, but also is vital in explaining how Jesus is able to change lives today. In closing, this is why we come across such statements as 1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." May we think on such truths and live our lives for the living, risen and exalted Jesus Christ!

Endnotes:

1. Josh McDowell. Evidence that Demands a Verdict - Volume 1. Here's Life Publishers. Page 189.

2. Dr. Habermas' minimal facts presentation can be found at the following link at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay_Db4RwZ_M