No More Heroes
by Todd Burus on December 23, 2008
I was listening to a sermon by John Piper on my iTunes the other day when he said something that really intrigued me. Now, Dr. Piper often says things which I find stimulating and inspiring, but this little blurb hit me harder than most. He said, “Following Jesus is first and foremost not heroic!” Not heroic.
This statement came in the context of the two disciples of John the Baptist who, in response to John’s cry of “Behold, the Lamb of God!,” left up and began following Jesus (John 1.35-37). Piper points out that the reason these men followed Christ was not because they were like David’s Mighty Men, rushing about to please the king (2 Samuel 28.13-17), but because they were desperate sinners, longing to be saved by the one who “takes away the sin of the world” (John 1.29). Thus, they were not heroes; they were desperate men in need of a savior.
Why this grabbed me so strongly was because it made me look deep down inside of everything I do, to the core of all that I work in the name of Jesus Christ, to search my motivations for doing such. Why do I teach Sunday School? Why do I write blog posts? Why do I spend so much time studying God’s Word, even when no one’s watching me? It is not heroism which should drive me. I am dead without Christ, condemned to hell. It is not in heroism that I must follow him, it is in humble submission to his worthiness and sacrifice.
Maybe you are having trouble seeing these attempts at heroism, or maybe you are thinking that these things would be so obvious that you would easily put them off, but in doing so you would be denying the heart of all of man’s fallenness. Our attempts at heroism are pride, self-satisfcation, masquerading as humility. This is present in Scripture when we hear Jesus admonish the one who fasts and disfigures his face or prays and elevates her voice (Matthew 6.5, 16). It shows up in Saul who claims to have spared the choice animals in order to sacrifice to the Lord, though this was not his command (1 Samuel 15.15).
It is also present today in the popular movements of postmodern Christianity. Phyllis Tickle in her much heralded book The Great Emergence speaks of the practitioners of the new emerging Christianity, of which she would be one, as “the new faithful” (p.134) and says of “Emergence Christianity” that “what once was an engaging but innocuous phenomenon no longer is. The cub has grown into the young lion and now is the hour of his roaring” (p.163). Her fellow Emergent Village brother Tony Jones even went so far as to write a book about the movement he’s associated with called The New Christians. Both authors depict contemporary Christianity as being in a dire situation, one where lava has crusted over the faith and it will take something radical, their movement, to save us now. This is heroism par excellence.
Don’t get me wrong, there have been heroes, men like Augustine, Luther, Whitefield, Spurgeon, and even contemporary ones like Adrian Rogers and Al Mohler; but I firmly believe that none of these men were heroes of their own creation. They didn’t sit up at night contriving their plans, or writing books as an apologetic for their cause. No, they were raised up by God, desperate men in need of a savior, who God equipped with the spiritual guns to go out and put a heavy loss on the head of Satan’s armies. They didn’t search for it, but in faithfulness to God they found themselves in the midst of something much bigger than themselves and much greater than they personally could handle; and through their victories God, and not them, received all the glory.
We could certainly use some heroes like these men right now, but the process of raising them has to be biblical fidelity and Spirit-filled conviction, not simply a man-made desire. Whether our work is set on a global scale, such as the Emergent Church Movement, or if it is much smaller, like me teaching my Sunday School class, the clear fact is, if what we are doing is just heroism, actions pointing to Christ but only focused on promoting our own glory, then our motivations are in the wrong place and we need to be reminded of our true state. Christianity already has a savior, his name is Jesus Christ, and chances are pretty good that none of us are his second coming.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Pew Research article on eternal life beliefs
Many Americans Say Other Faiths Can Lead to Eternal Life
Most Christians Say Non-Christian Faiths Can Lead to Salvation
December 18, 2008
A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. Indeed, among Christians who believe many religions can lead to eternal life, 80% name at least one non-Christian faith that can do so. These are among the key findings of a national survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life from July 31-Aug. 10, 2008, among 2,905 adults.
To read the full article, go to: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1062/many-americans-say-other-faiths-can-lead-to-eternal-life
Most Christians Say Non-Christian Faiths Can Lead to Salvation
December 18, 2008
A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. Indeed, among Christians who believe many religions can lead to eternal life, 80% name at least one non-Christian faith that can do so. These are among the key findings of a national survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life from July 31-Aug. 10, 2008, among 2,905 adults.
To read the full article, go to: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1062/many-americans-say-other-faiths-can-lead-to-eternal-life
Monday, December 1, 2008
It Was Truly A Wonderful Life - Dave Burchett
It Was Truly A Wonderful Life
I rarely suggest that anything I write is a must read. There is a simple reason for that. Most of what I write is not. Today is the exception not because of my writing skill but because of the subject of this article. I have been deeply touched, moved and a little shamed by the story of an amazing little boy from Lynnwood, Washington.
KOMO News in Seattle reported the original story on November 7th.
When Brenden Foster was first diagnosed with leukemia, he and his mom began a new tradition. Every night they list three positive things that happened during the day, and they have to share a laugh. A chuckle will do, Brenden said, but a fake laugh will never do.
In the last days of his life, it was a homeless camp, namely Nickelsville, that captured the boy's heart.
"I was coming back from one of my clinic appointments and I saw this big thing of homeless people, and then I thought I should just get them something," he said. "They're probably starving, so give them a chance," said Brenden.
Brenden is too ill to leave his bed and feed the homeless. But Brenden's wish will not go unfulfilled.
One week later KOMO updated what had now become a international story of inspiration and love.
The local boy whose dying wish to feed the homeless inspired thousands across the world has taken a turn for the worse. Brenden Foster is growing weaker, but his message is growing stronger. His body is failing, his skin yellowing. His mother is trying to decide on the wording for his grave marker.
"B-Man is his nickname, or Mr. B. But most people call him B-Man," said Wendy Foster.
The end is near, and Brenden has one question for God. "Why at so young an age? I could have done more. But if it has to be now, it has to be now," he said.
It's easy to imagine all he could have accomplished after seeing what the 11 year old has achieved in his final days. Brenden's dying wish to help the homeless has touched hearts from Saudi Arabia to South Carolina. Many of them left voice messages for their new hero.
"We collected over 20,000 cans of food and donated it to a local food bank in your honor," said a woman named Nina. A Vietnam vet from Kentucky who lost his leg in the war wants me to give Brenden his Purple Heart for bravery.
Brenden's message inspired Daniel Chairez, a 12-year-old boy in California who is also battling leukemia. "He really inspired me because he's not afraid. And he wants to help people and he's not selfish," he said. Daniel says he wants to pick up where Brenden leaves off and help the homeless.
"I think that's very great," Brenden said.
On November 20th Brenden was able to attend a food drive organized on his behalf to feed the homeless and fulfill his dying desire. Brenden urges others to follow their dreams. "Mine already came true," he said. Achieving Brenden's wish makes his mom proud. But the thought of losing him has been devastating her and the expected costs of his funeral frightening her. "We don't know how we're going to pay for it," said Wendy. Worry no more, Wendy. The Seattle Seahawks saw the KOMO News story and asked how they can help. The Seahawks players have decided to pay for the funeral of beloved Brenden Foster, the one little boy who has touched so many lives.
"He's always thought about others. Never complained about having to go through this, ever," said his mother, Wendy Foster. "It's devastating, but I find great peace in knowing we've had our time together and that we will see each other again," said Wendy.
"I had a great time and until my time has come, I'm gonna keep having a good time," he said.
On the morning of November 21st, one day after seeing his food drive come to pass, Brenden passed away in his mother’s arms. I remembered the words of Jesus as the “adults” were arguing over who would be the “greatest” in heaven. About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18, NLT)
I am sure that Brenden entered the Kingdom of Heaven as one of the greatest. His life demonstrated exactly what Jesus was teaching. Becoming like a child is not about acting childish. Jesus asked us to model that childlike humility and belief that things that are wrong can and should be made right. The childlike faith to allow God to love you and let that love flow out to others.
Instead of looking at the homeless with disdain or fear Brenden looked at them with a heart to help. Instead of feeling uncomfortable and looking away he looked those unfortunate souls squarely in the eye and said how can I help? I am humbled by his example. Would you join me in doing something out of your comfort zone this Christmas to help others? Sure, things may not be as good as other years but I would imagine most of us are in a better place than where Brenden was when his heart reached out to help others.
Do something special this Christmas in the memory of this special young man. And you can imagine that on the streets of heaven a newly arrived saint will be saying "I think that's very great". Thank you Brenden for putting this year in perspective. Your example will live on.
Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring'em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church. You can reply by linking through daveburchett.com.
I rarely suggest that anything I write is a must read. There is a simple reason for that. Most of what I write is not. Today is the exception not because of my writing skill but because of the subject of this article. I have been deeply touched, moved and a little shamed by the story of an amazing little boy from Lynnwood, Washington.
KOMO News in Seattle reported the original story on November 7th.
When Brenden Foster was first diagnosed with leukemia, he and his mom began a new tradition. Every night they list three positive things that happened during the day, and they have to share a laugh. A chuckle will do, Brenden said, but a fake laugh will never do.
In the last days of his life, it was a homeless camp, namely Nickelsville, that captured the boy's heart.
"I was coming back from one of my clinic appointments and I saw this big thing of homeless people, and then I thought I should just get them something," he said. "They're probably starving, so give them a chance," said Brenden.
Brenden is too ill to leave his bed and feed the homeless. But Brenden's wish will not go unfulfilled.
One week later KOMO updated what had now become a international story of inspiration and love.
The local boy whose dying wish to feed the homeless inspired thousands across the world has taken a turn for the worse. Brenden Foster is growing weaker, but his message is growing stronger. His body is failing, his skin yellowing. His mother is trying to decide on the wording for his grave marker.
"B-Man is his nickname, or Mr. B. But most people call him B-Man," said Wendy Foster.
The end is near, and Brenden has one question for God. "Why at so young an age? I could have done more. But if it has to be now, it has to be now," he said.
It's easy to imagine all he could have accomplished after seeing what the 11 year old has achieved in his final days. Brenden's dying wish to help the homeless has touched hearts from Saudi Arabia to South Carolina. Many of them left voice messages for their new hero.
"We collected over 20,000 cans of food and donated it to a local food bank in your honor," said a woman named Nina. A Vietnam vet from Kentucky who lost his leg in the war wants me to give Brenden his Purple Heart for bravery.
Brenden's message inspired Daniel Chairez, a 12-year-old boy in California who is also battling leukemia. "He really inspired me because he's not afraid. And he wants to help people and he's not selfish," he said. Daniel says he wants to pick up where Brenden leaves off and help the homeless.
"I think that's very great," Brenden said.
On November 20th Brenden was able to attend a food drive organized on his behalf to feed the homeless and fulfill his dying desire. Brenden urges others to follow their dreams. "Mine already came true," he said. Achieving Brenden's wish makes his mom proud. But the thought of losing him has been devastating her and the expected costs of his funeral frightening her. "We don't know how we're going to pay for it," said Wendy. Worry no more, Wendy. The Seattle Seahawks saw the KOMO News story and asked how they can help. The Seahawks players have decided to pay for the funeral of beloved Brenden Foster, the one little boy who has touched so many lives.
"He's always thought about others. Never complained about having to go through this, ever," said his mother, Wendy Foster. "It's devastating, but I find great peace in knowing we've had our time together and that we will see each other again," said Wendy.
"I had a great time and until my time has come, I'm gonna keep having a good time," he said.
On the morning of November 21st, one day after seeing his food drive come to pass, Brenden passed away in his mother’s arms. I remembered the words of Jesus as the “adults” were arguing over who would be the “greatest” in heaven. About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18, NLT)
I am sure that Brenden entered the Kingdom of Heaven as one of the greatest. His life demonstrated exactly what Jesus was teaching. Becoming like a child is not about acting childish. Jesus asked us to model that childlike humility and belief that things that are wrong can and should be made right. The childlike faith to allow God to love you and let that love flow out to others.
Instead of looking at the homeless with disdain or fear Brenden looked at them with a heart to help. Instead of feeling uncomfortable and looking away he looked those unfortunate souls squarely in the eye and said how can I help? I am humbled by his example. Would you join me in doing something out of your comfort zone this Christmas to help others? Sure, things may not be as good as other years but I would imagine most of us are in a better place than where Brenden was when his heart reached out to help others.
Do something special this Christmas in the memory of this special young man. And you can imagine that on the streets of heaven a newly arrived saint will be saying "I think that's very great". Thank you Brenden for putting this year in perspective. Your example will live on.
Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring'em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church. You can reply by linking through daveburchett.com.
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