This is a question that I have been asking myself. It is a question worth asking, I believe, because there is much to substantiate this reasoning. Let me explain.

What percentage of verses memorized are found in Paul’s gospels? How many sermons in the past year have you heard your pastor preach from the Old Testament? How much of the Old Testament has impacted or influenced your theology or understanding of the New Testament (especially law, sin, atonement, etc.)? You get the point?
Now I understand the importance of understanding the idea of “progressive revelation” that was consummated in Jesus Christ. Yet it appears to me that the revelation given before Christ has been marginalized, the Old Testament trivialized, and the Old Testament characters glamorized by character studies while not seeing them in the light Scripture paints them. It seems that the only benefit the Old Testament is comfort from casual reading in the Psalms, wisdom from Proverbs, and random verses that we name and claim. Now I am no Old Testament or even Bible scholar, but I can say that my eyes have been opened to see how Pauline I have become not only in my hermeneutic, but also in my upbringing in the church.
Another symptom is using Pauline lens to interpret the Old Testament. We should understand the New Testament in light of the Old Testament, but it seems that the opposite is the norm. What I am trying to say is that I don’t want to just be a “New Testament” Christian but a “Biblical” Christian. I don’t want to only read what Paul said, but also read and understand the Bible Jesus read (Old Testament). After all, he is the fulfillment of all that was written and prophesied, “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but revealed in the Son”. Now that he has been revealed, what he has fulfilled should not be obsolete but all the more emphasized, given that Jesus was not placed without roots, history, and culture (that is why Matthew 1-4 was written and the introduction to the NT). If you would like to read an excellent book that draws attention to this idea, please read Christopher J.H. Wright’s Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. I believe it will help us have a better balance and greater understanding to be not just Pauline, but thoroughly biblical in our understanding of Christianity and Jesus our Lord.
For a long time I had worn out a small portion of Scripture and God’s revelation (though important as it is) and abandoned over 2/3 of His Living Word. As a result, I had contempt towards anything that wasn’t gospel or Pauline. Thankfully, that has changed, and I hope to continue to fall in love with the God of the Bible and see him for who he is fully and completely in Christ.

The Passion of the Jew, originally uploaded by Sola Lumina Captura.

While walking through Target the other day looking for frames for Father’s Day, I passed by the DVD section and this DVD caught my eye. Since I cannot remember what the back said, here are some summaries or reviews by others. Basically, it is three different episodes making fun of Christianity in a satirical way. Quite provoking . . .

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Where else but on South Park will you find irreverent comedy as scathingly hilarious as “The Passion of the Jew”? Premiering just one month after The Passion of the Christ was released in theaters, this typically outrageous episode tore into Mel Gibson’s film with characteristic glee, ruthlessly condemning Gibson’s courtship of controversy and depicting Gibson as a raving, greedy, egotistical lunatic (recalling the classic first season episode “Mecha-Streisand”) while promoting a fair-minded appreciation of Christ’s teachings over the relentless violence of Gibson’s film. Perfectly playing off established character conflicts, the episode pits Mel-worshipping Cartman (who embraces Gibson’s alleged anti-Semitism to justify his own homespun Nazi revival) against Kyle, who is traumatized by Gibson’s film into feeling guilty about his own Jewish heritage. Never ones to flinch from taboo topics or political correctness, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone outdid themselves with this amazingly rapid response to Gibson’s film, and it’s destined to rank as an all-time South Park classic. Likewise, the bonus episodes “Christian Rock Hard” (from 2003) and “Red Hot Catholic Love” (from 2002) tackle the commercialism of Christian music (as deviously exploited by Cartman) and the news-making controversy of sexual misconduct among Catholic priests, which somehow manages to incorporate a scatological sub-plot about the marvels of “interorectogestion,” answering the age-old question of… well, you’ll just have to watch to find out. Suggested for mature viewers only–this is South Park, after all! –Jeff Shannon

Description
Join the “South Park” gang in SOUTH PARK: THE PASSION OF THE JEW as Kyle finally sees The Passion and is forced to admit that Cartman has been right all along. Meanwhile, many of the hardcore fans of the film unite together to carry out the film’s message under the leadership of Cartman. In the bonus episode “Christian Rock Hard,” Cartman, Butters and Token form a Christian rock band and rise to the top of the Christian rock charts with their own messages of faith. The second bonus episode, “Red Hot Catholic Love,” centers around a trip to the Vatican and enduring real-life challenges of a video game from 1982.

(Another one)
The episode called “The Passion of The Jew” is the centerpiece, and easily the funniest in the package. Cartman decides that Mel Gibson’s movie is actually delivering instructions for The Final Solution and Kyle is so deeply moved by Jesus’ pain that he asks his synagogue’s congregation to apologize for killing Christ. This sends the community’s Jews into a frenzied campaign to get the film banned.

Meanwhile, Stan and Kenny travel to Malibu to ask Gibson for their money back because they think his movie “totally sucked.” Gibson is portrayed as an insane megalomaniac horny to be tortured. Though this starts as a parody of The Passion of the Christ (and Braveheart), Parker and Stone’s ire is stoked by a celebrity claiming his “art” has God’s blessing. By the time Gibson arrives in South Park, raving, everyone has reconsidered their view of the film. The townsfolk agree that it’s better to focus on the good works of Jesus and not his death, a fixation that has so often led to the oppression of others. Amen.

The episode “Christian Rock Hard” combines Parker and Stone’s barely secret love for Jesus (they consistently revere some de-Americanized version of the Lord, peaceful, loving, and non-capitalist) with their open hatred of celebrity. Cartman becomes a Christian rock star, penning sexually suggestive songs about the Savior. At the same time, Stan, Kyle, and Kenny go on strike to protest illegal file-sharing, after they’re arrested by the FBI for downloading Metallica and Judas Priest songs. They come to this epiphany after the agents show them all the extravagant items pop stars haven’t been able to buy (like a gold-plated shark tank) because of file-sharing. Such cheap shots at rich celebrities are repetitive and obvious. There’s no subtlety in having Britney Spears saying, “We’re in it for the money” while protesting with the kids.

In the final episode, “Red Hot Catholic Love,” Priest Maxi worries about waning church attendance due to molestation scandals, and goes to the Vatican in an attempt to persuade the Pope to do something about the pedophilia epidemic. He finds that sleeping with young boys is a cherished tradition among the Church hierarchy, written into Church Laws. Back in South Park, Cartman discovers that if you shove food up your (expletive), you (expletive) it out your mouth. This is South Park at its most puerile and, depending on your tastes, you’ll either love it or groan at the many variations of people defecating from their mouths.

In case you haven’t been aware of South Park and it’s cultural defamation of Christianity, here is a taste of secular culture’s contempt towards the Christian faith.

This tidbit was taken from the Arizona Daily Star’s obituary column on June 19, 2005. I heard about this on my way home this afternoon on the Rush Limbaugh Show. I thought it was quite funny. Here’s the link if you wan’t to view it.

Corwyn (Cory) William Zimbleman
Tucson, AZ (formerly of Champaign, IL)
Age 53. Born April 18, 1952 to the late Willard and Gilda (Ebert) Zimbleman, died June 10, 2005. Throughout his life Cory was an extraordinary artist. His artistic talent and imagination would bring awe to all who viewed his work. His works grace an LP cover and numerous books; using Computer Aided Design (CAD) he designed home and business exteriors, interiors, and furniture for several architectural firms. His talent went beyond the fine arts as he added sculpturing, woodworking, metals, and other mediums to his repertoire. Having never gained the recognition he deserved in his own lifetime his family hopes to publish a book of his works. Another of his passions was herpetology. As a child he was always bringing home reptiles. His friends nicknamed him “Snake.” He even built a turtle pond in his backyard. An avid atheist, he studied the bible and religion with more fervor than most Christians. He had strong political opinions and followed Amy Goodman’s radio broadcast “Democracy Now.” Alas the stolen election of 2000 and living with right-winged Americans finally brought him to his early demise. Stress from living in this unjust country brought about several heart attacks rendering him disabled. Cory, a great man, so very talented, compassionate and intelligent, dedicated to the arts and humanities and the environment, will be greatly missed by his wife, family, and friends. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Montiel; his step-daughter, Esperanza Hernandez both of Tucson; his brother, Mike (Dana) of St. Louis, MO; his sisters, Susan St. Claire of San Jose, CA and Laura Zimbleman of Ypsilanti, MI, and his turtles Heidie, Skinhead and Studley and many other pets. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2005 from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., please call 883-2862 for information. Cremation has taken place.

I had to read it to believe this obit was true.

* In case you haven’t already seen, I have been posting pictures from Drew and Erin’s wedding on my Flickr account. Before I am done, I hope to have at least 100 pictures from the wedding. For those of you who were in it or see pictures you like, you can download them simply by clicking on the picture and clicking the “download this picture” script and pick the size you want to download. The original size will be large (I use a 8MP camera), so you may want to take that into consideration.

* Also on my Flickr account, I have posted pictures from our (Dusti and myself) hike up to Tioga Falls located in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. No, we did not find any gold, but we did see a nice little waterfall. 24 pictures are posted there as well of our hike.

* Some of you know that I have been preaching often lately, most of which has been at Payneville Baptist Church. I recently have been working on creating a blog for the church. It is a simple idea, but I think it has great potential. Right now, the church does not have a web site (and I for one don’t know how to make one . . .yet), so the blog will be a way to communicate and connect with one another throughout the week. One it I hope to have a Q&A forum, FAQ’s, directions and contact information, weekly sermons notes (from previous sermon), and prayer requests and list center. Maybe more to come. Right now, it is just started. But feel free to check it out and tell me what you think. You ideas and comments are greatly appreciated.

* This Sunday night, I am looking to go to hear the David Crowder Band at Southeast Christian Church (that big honkin’ place). I dig his unique flavor and look forward to hearing the new stuff coming out.

I guess that’s all that’s going on right now. I had a rather unproductive week last week, one of those where you felt like you did a whole bunch of things but really didn’t do anything at all. Been there?

My Dad . . . a good man, a godly man, and a great father . . . my best friend. Those arms have carried me all these years through sacrifice and selflessness. Top-notch coach, number #1 cheerleader, unceasing intercessor, faithful at all times. You have shown me the love and beauty of God our Father in a fatherless day, a gift that keeps on giving, a gift I hope one day to give to your grandchildren. Thank you dad, for always keeping me in wonder, and as the years go by, for the tear-stained memories I cherish each day.

An addendum to the posts concerning grace . . .

Over the past couple of days, I have written about reasons why grace is no longer amazing. Today, I want to submit how I believe we can once again relish the sovereign grace of God. If not, I fear that we will find ourselves like the Pharisee banking on superior performances, praying, “God, I thank you that I am not like those adulterers, extortioners, and like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I have . . .”. I think this prayer modernized is rampant in religious circles today and causes us to nibble on crumbs when God has provided a banqueting table at his throne of grace.
There was something that the tax collector stood, yea experienced within himself that caused him to beat his breast continually and cry out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” What was it? What hit him with such force that drove him to look nowhere but within himself, not even able to lift his head to heaven? I tell you it was the reality of his depravity and utter helplessness that brought him to the place where his only hope was the mercy and grace of God. He had no performances to speak of, to brag about in his prayers (which we often do). He did not have the spiritual lingo down pat so as to cover up his nakedness in finely woven fig leaves and form without substance. He knew that the guilt lied squarely on him. The weight of condemnation and judgment pending was too great to bear. He had come to the point where he finally embraced his depravity.
And this is what I believe needs to happen today, not just for sinners tasting grace for the first time, but for the saints who have the tendency to forget that we are still sinners. Unfortunately, there are those who have concocted this idea that the Christian can reach a point of “sinless perfection” or “entire holiness” where grace is no longer necessary and sin is not a reality. If that be the case, then I would like to meet that person and hand him the diploma for being the first to graduate from Christianity. Yet, I will be the first to say that I am NOT that person. Like Paul, “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” You see, we will never be staggered by grace until we have been confronted with the heinousness of sin. For some reason, we don’t think sin is that sinful anymore. Hell is not real, but only a metaphorical statement. Sinners are not in rebellion against God; they just have “imperfections” and “bad judgments” and therefore are victims. We feel sorry for ourselves and expect others to have pity on us. Many religious circles are nothing but group therapy to appease the reality of sin rather than confronting it. We cannot drink of the cup of grace deeply until we have tasted the seriousness of our sin fully. Period.
Embracing our depravity does not leave us hopeless, for Christ came into the world to save sinners. You know, the only category of people Christ Jesus came for is sinners. “This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world for sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). You would think that some serial killer said this. Well, you are right. The Osama Bin Laden of 1st Century penned those words, and his former name was Saul. He knew something of this reality, even at the end of his life. Jesus did call those who think they were fine. He came for sick people. He cares not for your spiritual resume or personal sacrifices. He desires mercy. He longs to lavish grace upon grace on wretched, poor, and blind sinners.
It is time that we take ownership for our sin. We must come clean before the Lord. We must allow our secrets to be headlined on the 5:00 news and our darkness illuminated by the spotlight. It is time that we expose our nakedness before God and shed those masks which only add to our condemnation. What are we afraid of? What others will think about us? Who are we foolin’? Don’t let your presentation be fabricated. What we need today are transparent, authentic Christians, those who have been before the throne of grace. You see, the Scripture says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). We are already naked before the Lord (Hebrews 4:13), but we just don’t want to come to terms with it, and many will go their grave with lifelong attempts to rub out the ruins of sin. If only someone would tell them of the blood of Christ. Yes, there is a fountain fill with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged within the flood, lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains. Yes, I sing again . . .

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I am found
Was blind
But now I see.

Seeing my sin. Savoring God’s grace. This, I believe, is what makes salvation so sweet.

The second submission on the matter of grace and why I believe we struggle to embrace it today.

It is evident all around us that lawlessness is on the rise. Just like the close of the book of Judges, everyone seems to be doing “what is right in their own eyes.” However, when I speak of lawlessness, I am not necessarily referring to the law of the land, though it is very important; rather, I am speaking about the “law of the Lord.” I submit to you that a big reason why grace is so trivialized is because God’s law is so ignored.
Now there needs to be some clarification and explanation concerning this law. Generally, we think of God’s law as a set of rules and regulations, do’s and don’ts. Immediately, the Ten Commandments come to our mind. However, the Hebrew word from where we get the word law literally means “instruction“, not the contemporary version of a societal and authoritative set of rules. It is a popular notion that people think that the Old Testament saints were saved by “keeping the Law.” On the contrary, the Law was given to the saints after they had been delivered (saved) and was written for their instruction on how to live in covenant with Yahweh, to wear His name well, to represent Him as His people on the earth. There are scores of verses that can attest to the “law of the Lord” (esp. Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119; Joshua 1:8; Ezra 7:10; Psalm 19:7-11; Nehemiah 8:1-8). Now this is a slight variation on how Paul understood the Law, but it serves as a foundation for New Testament thinking in regards to sin.
Now let’s turn to the New Testament. Hear Paul saying, “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Romans 7:7). Again, “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane . . .” (1Timothy 1:8-9). We think, “Whew, I am glad I am not one of them. Therefore, the law does not apply to me.” Wait a minute. Before we “think more highly of ourselves than we ought”, let’s consider life outside Christ, outside salvation. Aren’t we all guilty of being lawless, disobedient, ungodly, sinners, unholy, and profane??? If you answer no in regards to you, then grace is as alien to your soul as sin is to a holy God. But how do we know that we are these things? Because of the law of God.
Paul explains the law as being our tutor/guardian to lead us to grace. Hear his argument: “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions . . . Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that through the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming of faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:19,21-23). Without a tutor/teacher, how can we have knowledge of sin? Certainly, it can be attributed that the reason why we have become so graceless is because we have for so long been so tutorless.
As Christians we need to emphasize God’s law, God’s instruction, God’s Word. We don’t know sin by means of practicing sin. That only makes our hearts harder and our consciences seared. We know sin by juxtaposing it to sheer holiness, and in that light see sin for what it is. This is what the law does. As long as the backdrop to grace continues to be our spiritual resume or competing goodness or measuring morality, grace will not be savored and salvation won’t be sweet. The only backdrop is the law of the Lord which is perfect (Psalm 19:7). In God’s perfection and holiness, seeing our state through the lens of God’s character, we are imprisoned, bankrupt, destitute, and depraved. And in that state is where grace is appreciated. Not just for the lost person coming for salvation, but for the saved person living in grace, we must always say like the Psalmist, “The law of your mouth is better to me, than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72). Oh that we may delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night! Oh that grace will capture our hearts once again!

These next two posts are the result of some reflection on why there is so much resistance to the concept of grace, and why Christians, though they speak of it often, seldom understand it.

It concerns me that today many people are singing Amazing Grace with a yawn. What staggered so many desperate souls has become a by-word in our “Christianese”. Our language and verbiage so well learned, the meaning so far distanced, we repeat our lingo and sing our jingles often without serious thought or examination as to what meaning there is in what we say.

How did we get to this apathy (or so it seems) towards grace? What is so amazing about grace (as Phillip Yancy puts it)? One of the reasons why I believe there is so much resistance and barriers to appreciating grace is because of our performance-driven culture we live in. From childhood, when you are in Kindergarten, we strive to tie our shoes well, say our ABC’s, and not eat glue. But why? So that we get an “S” for satisfactory rather than an “U” for unsatisfactory on our report cards. Throughout grade school until the day we walk across the stage and receive our diploma, we are graded on our performance at least every six weeks. When we did not perform well as a student, our grades going home held us accountable, especially when dad saw them (can I get a witness?). We were motivated to perform well, to get the awards on award’s day, to receive those scholarships, all to give evidence on the value of a good performance. Even when my dog goes out and does her business well, her performance is met with a treat.
The same is true in the workplace. If you perform well as an employee, well, you are most likely to get better pay or maybe a promotion. At least, you will receive the good favor of your boss when you need a day off or make certain requests. How about sports? Growing up I was a jock with a capital “J”. I was, and still am, and avid competitor. I so wanted to perform well so that our team could win the game, and maybe I could get the game-ball or be called the MVP. The write-ups in the local paper would be cut out and held as proof as a great performance. In the grander scale, you see the national championships, the Olympic medals, the world records being broken, all as evidence of exceedingly great performances . . .
But is this how we are to “grade” the Christian life? Can we rightly take this performance-driven mentality and place it on our personal walks with the Lord? To the success of our church? I heard of churches that are “results-driven” which clearly show that they are “performance-oriented.” Yet there is nothing that can validate that this is how one is to grade their spirituality.
From salvation, you see that it is not as a result of works whereby one is saved. Clearly, salvation is the Lord’s doing, not ours. We can’t perform well enough to merit God’s favor, to be acceptable in His sight. Yea, our “exceedingly great performances” are but filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). Verily, it is our performance that hinders us from salvation. We think we can be good enough, can do enough, to “beat the odds” against eternity and God’s verdict on our lives. There is one who worked, whose performance was perfect, whose life was totally acceptable. Paul mentioned: “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18-19). Whoever works gets the glory, has the reason for boasting, can rightfully receive the praise due to their performance.
God never intended me or you to live the Christian life. It is simply impossible. I know that it is common that many view God’s relatedness on the basis of our performance. If we perform well (pray, study, and so on), then God accepts us, but if we perform poorly, then we feel unacceptable to God. Yet the Christian life is the life of Christ in us. This life is lived, not by our working, but from our abiding in God through utter dependence and reliance upon the Holy Spirit to work in us. Our acceptance to God is not based on our doing, but on what Christ has done, and His work stands once and for all on our behalf, speaking perfection over us, a performance that the Father is well-pleased. We, as recipients of God’s grace and God’s Son, are called to be conformed to the image of Jesus as a result.
Clearly, there is a “Suit and Tie” Christianity today. We feel it necessary to cover up our nakedness. We don’t want to be exposed – for people to see our sin, our pride, lust, gossiping, lying, immorality, jealousy, bitterness, and so on. We are doing well in our “sin management”, trading sins for others that are easier to hide (Webb’s lyrics). If but our lives were on the movie screen for all the world to see that we can be desperately desiring God’s grace. Before God we are naked and exposed (Hebrews 4:13), and only those who have been clothed in the righteous garments of Christ can have their sin covered, their needs met, their lives acceptable to God. So when you see me in church, look not for my suit and tie. Don’t be fooled. I am a saint and a sinner. I am nothing without God’s grace. Don’t let my “good” performances (Lord willing)deceive you into thinking that there is anything good in me. It can only be said in the striking statement made by Paul that “by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
To be this type of Christian not only cuts across the grain in our culture, but also against much of Christianity today. Our “spiritual resumes” rival the grace of God, and Paul who probably is the greatest missionary who ever lived stated that he would not venture to speak of anything except what Christ had accomplished through him (Romans 15:18). Any self-independence, any self-engineered religion, any manufactured spirituality is abhorrent and disgraceful to God’s grace. Until we realize that our lives are entirely indebted to the grace of God, we will continue to swagger in our prideful performances and yawn at the grace that used to be so amazing.

* I am glad to see that two good friends of mine have entered the “blogosphere.” Jimmy’s blog has a distinctive flavor of recent trends in culture blended with intuitive thought and insight. K.J.’s blog is simply his interaction with Scripture, implementing a very helpful and concise way of gleaning and growing from God’s Word. I strongly encourage you to check them out.

* I still have a few R.D.S.A. posts left in “draft mode” that I hope to get around to in the next week or so. A couple I think might interest you. Be checking in, and comment on, if you so choose on these posts.

* I have continued to add weekly polls on the side while also updating the blogroll. You will see additional links, new pictures on the Zeitgeist, and new blogger’s links as well.

* I want to thank all of you who have checked out my pictures on my Flicker account. In just two weeks, there have been over 1100 views of my photostream, and I am thankful for your visits. Obviously, we are a visual people (whether good or bad), and pictures are worth a thousand words (mind probably less).

What I Am Reading:
A Wideness in God’s Mercy (Clark Pinnock) for review/critique
No Other Name (John Sanders) for review/critique
The Glory of God’s Grace (James Montgomery Boice) highly recommended
The Reign of Grace (Abraham Booth) highly recommended

Hope you have a great week!

- t.n.b.

I thought about calling this “the most important person to God.” I was thinking about this on the drive home from work yesterday morning, and it hits me that people don’t ever talk about who the most important person to God is. What I have heard all my life are songs that say things like, “When he (Jesus) was on the cross, I was on his mind,” or more contemporary tunes that charm us like, “Like a rose, trampled on the ground/He took the fall, and thought of me/Above All.” When I would here people pleading with people to become Christians, I heard the moving statements like, “If you were the only one lost in the whole world, Jesus would have died just for you.” All these statements, as innocent though they seem to be, are indicative of the American feel-good gospel that makes us “special” and “deserving” while God is indebted and obligated to us.

Should it not be said that “God shall have no other gods before him?” Because God is God, he must be centered on himself, lest he be an idolator. This strikes right at the root of our man-centered gospel today. We think that we are the most important person to God, that because we know he loves us, we therefore, must be what God worships, right? Yet this logic and portrayal is foreign to Scripture. When God delivers, rescues, saves, or redeems (however you put it), he does so for his name’s sake. First and foremost, in all God’s actions and affinities, he is utmostly and ultimately concerned about his name, his glory, his testimony. “My glory I will not give to another” reverberates throughout the pages of Scripture. To attempt to list all the phrases of God’s preeminent commitment to himself would be to keep you scrolling down this page with a worn out index finger.

Some may think, “If God is wrapped up in himself, is he not a megalomaniac? How could this God who is so God-centered be loving?” Well, let me ask: “If God were to love anything/one more than himself, would he not be committing idolatry? Is it not most loving to give us what is best for us?” And clearly what is best for us is God himself. He is the gospel. For God to give us less, to be centered on anything else but himself, would be idolatrous to himself and unloving to us. God is for us, but supremely he is for himself. And if we are to be like him, we must be God-centered in our thinking, in our theology, in our practice, lest we find ourselves singing our praises to ourselves of how great we are. Admittedly, this is very counter-cultural, even counter-spiritual for believers today to do, for we think we derive our worth or significance by thinking that we must be man-centered in our Christianity. Why do you think the overwhelming majority of praise and worship songs are littered with phrases of “I will . . .” or “I am . . .” and so on? We start with us and not with God. We speak of what we will do, not what God has done. Our reference point is us, not with God, and then we assume that God must be like us – always thinking about us. Yet, the God of the Bible is not an idolator. He will not have any gods before himself. He is God and God alone, and our rightful place is in glad surrender and unmitigated humility in his presence. Clearly, the most important person to God is God himself. If it were any different, we would neither know love nor have gospel, and God would be found contradicting his nature of Godhood and would be charged with idolatry in the most grave sense.