The Why, How, and When of Christianity

The Why, How, and When of Christianity

The guide to life and afterlife in three passages

Christians and Their Bible

One of the most frustrating characteristics possessed by “Christians and their Bible” is all of the rules, and theology, and crap that people spend their entire lives arguing over trying to determine what God actually meant here and there through texts and parables.  It truly is a self-destructive practice.

This isn't to ridicule theologians or pastors (used here generically to cover all Christian church leaders) as we were made to learn and to love – so certainly learning about love should be admired.  Sometimes, however, I feel that leaders become too much of students and end up losing followers (or potential followers) due to semantics.  Is arguing that the world is 6,000 years old vs. 4.5 billion years old worth losing a soul?  How about stressing out over what type of fabric we’re allowed to wear, or meat we are allowed to eat on Fridays?  Or is it just Fridays during Lent?  Or is it only Good Friday?

I guess I’m just not one for rules.

I've always had a heart for cynics and non-believers.  Shoot, Jesus was the greatest cynic of all time!  Because of this, I would have deep conversations with friends who were agnostic, or atheist, or simply didn't care but knew they didn't like “the Church.”  I would listen intently, trying to see their points and, hopefully, become right myself.  I used to be accused with “you just have to be right” and the truth is that I just really wanted to be right; eventually.  So yes, I have to be right; but I’m willing to change my position in order to get there.

I bring this up because I don’t think anyone alive today has it all right.  I do think, however, that everyone alive today has something right.  So I don’t think I’ll ever figure everything out while still alive, but I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out the three most important passages of the Bible.  I’ll let the theologians argue over the semantics before, in between, and after these passages.

To give you a preliminary summary of this article I’ll provide the following challenge: love, love now.

The Three Most Important Bible Passages

I remember in English class, perhaps in 7^th grade, when we were tasked to write a fictional story.  The teacher pressed upon us one easy guideline for this activity and all stories in our future: determine the who, what, where, when, why, and how and you will have your story.

First book ever printed, and most copies ever sold/given, I’m pretty sure God is a good story teller; both nonfiction and fiction (what do you think most parables are?).

The Why: John 3:16

Alright, surprise surprise!  The most widely circulated and referenced verse from the Bible is, admittedly, not the most shocking addition to this article.  But there’s a reason it’s referenced so much: because it may be the most important verse in the entire Bible.  As you’ll learn, of course, I think there’s one more important – but we’ll get to that shortly.

This one is pretty up front so I’ll just take a moment here.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This one sentence describes the Why of Christianity:

•          Why did God send His Son?
•          Why do we follow Jesus?
•          Why did He die for us?

The answer: Love.

The How: Matthew 22:36-40

Where the Why is a philosophical quandary of purpose, the How is an actionable item to put into practice.

Theologians and pastors are students of the Bible (obviously these terms can apply to other religions but let’s stay within the one for now).  Jesus did the same thing.  The spiritual (and, in many cases, political) leaders while Jesus walked the earth were categorized in two separate, but similar, groups called the Sadducees and the Pharisees.  These guys would judge people and make rules based on the laws found in scripture.  They were also just kind of pompous a-holes.

Anyway, Jesus, claiming to be Son of God and all, was stirring things up a bit and these two groups were feeling threatened by His rise in popularity.  So they would often challenge Jesus in His religious practice and knowledge of scripture.  Here’s an exchange between Him and them.  For some context, Jews believed that there was no “one greatest commandment” and were trying to trick Jesus into saying one so they could prove Him wrong once and for all.  A-holes.

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

How are we supposed to act?  How do we follow Jesus?

The answer: Love.

The When: Luke 23:42-43

So now we know Why and How, but what does it lead to?

This next verse is my favorite verse to share with people asking about this Jesus guy and what He’s about.  It reminds me of a story from my past.

While I was in college I worked at a hotel with many other people around my age.  A few of them were LDS (Mormons) and we became close friends for that period.  We would have many deep discussions about the similarities and differences of my beliefs and theirs.  It was a mentally stimulating relationship I had with these friends.

One of them, probably the one I related to the least, was mesmerized with the fact that I wasn’t interested in joining LDS.  Finally I asked her why it was so important to her; after all, I believed that we would have similar afterlives since we both followed Jesus.  I mean, I would never stress over converting a Catholic to Protestant.  She answered with “But Joey, you are abstinent, you don’t drink, you don’t do drugs, you’re kind to people.  Don’t you think that you deserve something better than a murderer on his deathbed who is saved just before dying?”

I thought about it for the first time in my life; and then I answered “I don’t believe I deserve Heaven to begin with; that was the whole point of Jesus.”

My biblical knowledge wasn’t all that strong at the time (full disclosure, it still isn’t) but I think that was a perfect answer.  I’m not “good” because I get a better life or afterlife.  I don’t believe that He promised us such absurdities.  I’m “good” because I believe God wants me to be “good” – and that’s enough reason.

Jesus was crucified between two convicted criminals (likely thieves).  This is the interaction of Him with one of them:

Luke 23:42-43 – Then he said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus answered him “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This thief didn’t follow Jesus one day of his life.  He asked for mercy while hanging on a cross (his deathbed) and Jesus replied with grace instantly.  I believe this is the most important passage of the Bible.  The criminal is you, and me, and everyone else in the world.  We have done bad things but we are forgiven.

There is no deed which can get you into Heaven; but there is no deed which can keep you from grace.

When can you join Him in paradise?

The answer: Now.

So that’s it: the How, Why, and When of Christianity in three passages.

Love, love now.

The Things That Make You Great

The Things That Make You Great
Songs That Empower

I think we all have those songs that bring us to our feet, or to our knees, or to tears, or a combination of all of those.  Mine is the worship song “Great I Am”, even though I totally misinterpret the meaning of it.  (Find a link to the song at the bottom of this blog)

The song is a beautiful visualization of our desire to be closer to Him.  Angels singing above us, demons fleeing, death overcome by life, darkness by light.  To me, it has always been a source of hope and power in difficult times.  Jared Anderson, composer of this song, explains just that as his inspiration when writing the song in this video interview: http://www.praise.com/artist-interview/jared-anderson-testifies-great-i-am

The obvious reference of “I Am” is of Jesus in regards to His many statements reflecting that term; I’ll dive into those momentarily.  However my heart pounds to these words because it reminds me of the strength that He has given me; He has given all of us. 

I am great.

Inspiration

Clearly I don’t post many blogs and the reason for that is because while I’ll write a decent amount, particularly in hard times, I don’t want to bring something to the world which I don’t feel moved to share with everyone.  My first blog was spawned only when God shoved a number of signs in my face – I often wonder if a man of stronger faith would see it sooner than me.  Oh well, I’m honored that He takes the time to send me more than one command until I get it right.

This time it is coming from many different angles (I initially mistyped that as angels – interesting). 

Firstly, my brother and I were on a short road trip and since I was driving he was playing navigator and DJ; which really just means DJ.  His music usually consists of hip hop, top 40, and some choice singer/songwriter songs that never seem to fit but are still fantastic songs.  “Great I Am” comes on during our Sunday drive.  I didn’t know he had any worship songs let alone this one.  I didn’t even know he liked this song in particular.  But there it was, so I sang it out loud while driving in a carefree, tone deaf sort of way.

Next, a friend of mine who is the bucket of water to my sponge.  What I believe is we all need buckets of water in our life.  These are the people who you refuel with.  From a Christian perspective, it’s those who remind you of faith and who show faith in you.  We, the sponges, fill up with the water so that we can go out and squeeze the revitalizing water over those out in the world that rely on us.  You cannot keep giving to others because eventually your sponge will dry out – this makes your bucket of water essential to both you and those depending on your delivery.

This bucket of water in my life has faith like a child.  Seriously, I look at her and see an 8 year old girl in awe of Jesus and unconditional love for Him.  It’s a rare site as most of us have been through our own kind of hell and are scarred followers.  I can’t say what she’s experienced and if she’s been through her own hell or not, but who she is today is that child of faith.  Through any pain I’ve faced in the last year she always has the same phrase for me each week: “how can I pray for you this week?”

When explaining my feelings this week while answering this question I could only express it by referencing “Great I Am.”

Finally, yet another friend has been through a lot of pain of recent and has expressed (whether vocally or merely in tone) a weakness.  As if there is nothing within her to overcome the pain and anguish.  I want to explain the way I see “Great I Am” to her; and anyone else who will listen.

You are great.

Intended Meaning

As explained earlier, the intended reference of “I Am” is of Jesus Christ.  Throughout the book of John Jesus uses key statements with the term “I Am.”  Over time, this has become another name for Jesus Christ.  Here are examples:

• "I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never go hungry […]” John 6:35
• "I AM the light of the world; whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12
• "I AM the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9
• "I AM the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  John 10:11
• "I AM the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die” John 11:25
• "I AM the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
• "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” John 15:1  
• "Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM” John 8:58

So the “Great I Am” is the “Great Jesus Christ.”

What I Sing

I like to think of it as literally talking about myself (crazy conceited, I know, but give it a chance).  In Jeremiah 1:5 He knew us before we were born; in Genesis 1:27 we are created in His image; in Matthew 10:30 He has counted the hairs on our heads; in Psalm 139 1-24 He knows our every actions and thoughts; there are many more references showing the uniqueness each one of us has and the love that He has for each of us individually.

The God of the universe, creator of all things, and more powerful and loving than we could ever fathom loves you individually.  It’s not “I love My people” but instead it’s “I love you, Joseph Sudmeier.”  Whoa.

The breath of life was exhaled from his mouth into my body.  He loves me no matter what I do.  How powerful does that make me!?!  Even scientifically I am pretty amazing.  Seventy or so years ago man discovered the power within an atom and unleashed the world’s first atomic bomb.  By splitting a single atom these people introduced the most destructive man-made device the world has ever seen – all of that power held inside of one atom.  There are literally billions of billions of atoms that make up my physical body – I am powerful.

And if that wasn’t enough, I have a supernatural team to support me.

I recently read a Christian novel titled “This Present Darkness” which gives us a look at what spiritual battles around us may look like.  To be honest, there were concepts that were a bit off of my personal beliefs and much of the writing was too PG for my taste but the idea of these battles around us almost make sense.

The author describes demons as spirits with talons and they dig into our bodies and souls as we walk around, weighing us down and making it harder and harder to advance our lives and spirituality.  Think of when you face depression, the deeper you go the harder it is to get out – the talons dig deeper.

The author describes our weapon in this battle is prayer which enables angels to come to our aid; strengthening them so that they can save us.  Interesting concept.

On a similar note, I’m in the middle of another book called “My Time In Heaven” which details a man’s journey and return from Heaven after a not-quite-fatal car accident.  He describes Heaven in painstaking detail.  One such scene he experienced was seeing a variety of angels including two who escorted him through Heaven, as well as other angels ready for battle.  When he asks his escorts what they are prepared for the response was “they are ready at any moment to come and do battle against the powers of the devil that assail us.”  He later suggests that these angels are waiting for us to call to Jesus for when they will combat – merely say the name “Jesus” and the power is bestowed.

Again, another book I take with a grain of salt, but there is no doubt to me that we have a power in Jesus to defeat any evil spirit that torments us.  Any demon with its talons dug deep.

What it Means

Now let’s go back to that song; “Great I Am.”  Suddenly it takes a different form.  He is greater than all; He made me; He answers my prayers; His name is on my tongue and can defeat all evils; He breathed life into me; He knows my every thought, action, and has even counted the hairs on my head.

With this thought I can’t help but fixate on the line in the song which says: “There is no power in hell or any who can stand before the power and presence of the Great I Am.”  This isn’t about pride in ourselves, mind you, but basking in the power and greatness that only God can give us – and has given us.

I challenge you to listen to the song and think of it from this new viewpoint.  You will walk away humbled and empowered all at once.

He is great; I am His; I am great – the Great I Am.

Get empowered! 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-narrow-road/id556078665

Suicide in Christianity

Suicide in Christianity
Christian “Rules” That Never Were

Books, chapters, news, conversations, all carrying the tone of suicide.  Why?

I feel fortunate to have never been close to a suicide.  I’ve known people who have lost loved ones to it, and those who have actually witnessed someone taking his/her own life.  While I’ve faced depression in my life and have seen the world through gloom-shaded glasses, I never seriously contemplated suicide as a way out.  For these reasons, I have been a bit perplexed as to why that topic has snuck into my life in a number of ways several times over the last month.  I wondered if God was nudging me to write something about it to share with those in my life – who knows, maybe I know someone who is secretly struggling with the loss of someone or is battling suicide in one way or another.  Maybe these words would help someone, or maybe it’s just a way for me to act on my heart.  I was going to reference a movie starring Robin Williams when, if ever, I would write this.  With the sad loss of him this week and his apparent suicide I feel further compelled, even convicted, to write.

Firstly, let me describe my faith.  I grew up in a Christian home but church was never required, and we never really dove into the teachings of Christ or the stories.  My parents basically just instilled good morals and intent in my brother and me.  Many “facts” about faith and spirituality and even God’s Word have been absorbed through other people (good Christians), society, and churches that I’ve attended.  It was in college that I made my first stance against alleged “good Christians” when someone who was “stronger in faith” than me stated that confession and communion are required to be able to enter Heaven.  As if Jesus says to people “the only way you can get to Heaven is to hear some guy in a particular profession forgive you weekly, and also eat some bread and wine.”  There was no question in my heart that this was wrong and against my beliefs.

Martin Luther was a badass.

It was at this time when I learned about Martin Luther.  Now here was a Christian badass!  The Roman Catholic church was so messed up that people, in those days, would purchase “indulgences” which basically meant they would give the Church money and in exchange they would have immunity from punishment of their sins once they died.  People would buy these for themselves and for recently dead loved ones.  You know what’s great about my God?  He doesn’t keep score.  If He did, we’d all be screwed.  No amount of giving can earn you Heaven, or earn you greater blessings or anything else.  Do you know why we give? Because it’s the right thing to do; you know it in your heart, too.

Martin Luther knew this and even challenged that the pope had the authority to issue such immunity.  He even said “a simple layman armed with the Scriptures” was superior to the pope.  Bam!

What’s more, he nailed what became known as the “ninety-five theses” on the door of the church.  This practice was actually customary in those days, but to challenge the church to such a degree as he was started a movement and, as far as I’m concerned, declared him as Total Christian Badass.  This was, essentially, the start of the protestant movement in Christianity.  (It should be noted that both Catholics and Protestants agree he was a positive influence to Christianity and Catholicism corrected many problems he pointed out.)

For a period, I actually hated the concept of traditional acts such as confession and communion and, to an extent, tried to credit and emulate Martin Luther in that way (hate was a poor and inaccurate choice to mimic the man).  There was something about those traditions that made me feel like everyone was idolizing; like we were buying something that gave us even more than our relationship with God already had.  In fact, I think many people were idolizing.  This angered me and drew me farther and farther away from the church. 

As my heart left the church I feel like it built my relationship with God, however.  My church morphed into Him and me just hanging out, rock climbing and defying death together; ironically with my atheist best friend at the time.  We would ski together and laugh while carving down the mountain amongst His gorgeous creation.  Eventually, He told me that an idol is only an idol if you make it one; tradition and honoring God is inherently good.  So I began taking communion again and it suddenly meant so much more to me when I realized that I didn’t have to take it.  I was free, and I spent that freedom inviting Him into my heart.

God hates sinners.

Over time, other “rules” have popped up and I have decided to squash them because that’s not the God I believe in.  In reading Love Wins by Rob Bell I shared an experience he referenced: “Often times when I meet atheists and we talk about the god they don’t believe in, we quickly discover that I don’t believe in that god either.”

A big rule I squashed in my mind was the one that “god hates sinners.”  What fool thought of this?  That is a god I don’t believe in.  My God has more love for every individual on this planet than we can even comprehend.  My God has mercy and grace.  My God places judgment on people so that I don’t have to.  My God commands that I love others; He commands that I love you.

In that blasphemous phrase you can substitute “sinners” for a number of terms that reflect sexual orientation, race, creed, gender, etc.  All people are sinners, God loves all people, and therefore God loves sinners (feel free to insert whatever term mentioned before into that sentence now – God loves them).

I think it’s important to ask: is your god one of love or hate?

Which brings me to a rule that I always blindly accepted.

Suicides go to Hell.    

Not to make anything light of the sad news we received this week, but how fitting it is that the star of What Dreams May Come has allegedly committed suicide.  It was a brilliantly vivid and beautiful movie with a depiction of Heaven and Hell which were both believable enough to fall in love with the former and be horrified with the latter.  I don’t want to dive into the biblical accuracy of the Heaven and Hell depicted in the movie, people have speculated what Heaven and Hell actually are and look like for thousands of years, I lack the knowledge and the patience to dive into it in a simple article.

While the main character explores Heaven and reconnects with loved ones who were lost years ago he soon learns that his wife, who waits on Earth to finish her life and be reunited with her lost husband in Heaven, has committed suicide due to her anguish.  A memorable scene is seeing Robin Williams’ horror when his heavenly guide (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) says to him with tears in his eyes “she's a suicide, suicides go somewhere else.”  Suggesting that in spite of any faith the wife may have had, she ruined any chance she had at Heaven and being in the presence of God because she faced the darkest moment in her life without a loved one to carry her through, and took her own life.

Christians like me grew up with the “rule” that this is true: suicides go to Hell.

I’ve never questioned it.  It was never a part of my life so why would I bring it up?  Other sinners and concepts were part of my life so I could easily check the gauge with people to see what the Bible says about this or that and, eventually, challenge the “rules” myself.  But without any exposure to suicide in my life, how could I ever understand it?

There is not one passage in the Bible which states that suicides go to Hell.  Not one.  Some will argue that the Bible states “thou shalt not kill” and killing yourself is killing, nonetheless – therefore you are committing a sin and sinners go to Hell.  To clarify this, generally Christians believe that sinners do, in fact, go to Hell.  We deserve it, or to be more accurate, we don’t deserve Heaven.  Because we have all done bad things and those bad things keep us out of Heaven.

Think of it like this, you cannot go into the operating room in a hospital for a procedure unless your body has been fully sanitized.  You cannot enter Heaven unless your soul has been fully sanitized.  If you’ve ever done anything wrong (we all have) then you cannot bring those germs in that sanitized environment, you must be cleansed.  The spiritual term for this undeserved cleansing is called grace.

The concept of grace comes in where Jesus forgives us for these sins for no reason other than the fact that He loves us dearly and wants us with Him.  Whether you believe that it takes a good heart, or a prayer (the “sinner’s prayer”), or something else, Christians are taught that these acts do not make us immune or incapable of sin.  In fact, it’s much worse when you start recognizing sin in your life you start realizing how futile it is to actually believe you will never sin again. 

Jesus forgives us for all past, present, and future sins.  Confession isn’t for the benefit of God hearing your shame.  It is for the benefit of you recognizing your failures and leaving your shame in His hands so that you can get back into the world and try again – it is not a prerequisite for Heaven, but merely a tool to be used in life to live better.

With that, if your last deed on this earth is murder (of yourself) there is no further impact on your eternal soul. 

Now, let’s think logically about my God; because I think He might be the one you believe in too.  I recently read a book called Appointments with Heaven written by a country doctor who phrased it better than I could:

Despite what some denominations and religious traditions teach, as a doctor, I don’t believe suicide is a sin that separates us from God; it is a cause of death that results from an illness.  Much like heart disease or diabetes can be fatal, so can depression.

Friends and family members shouldn’t fear that they’ll never see their loved one again.  If that person was going to heaven before deciding to commit suicide, that person is in heaven after committing suicide.  God is love, and whom does he love more than the helpless and the hurting? – Reggie Anderson, Appointments with Heaven

I share this so that when loved ones or simply good people take their own lives the pain they’ve left for us still here on Earth can be eased in the hope and knowledge that we will, indeed, see them again someday.

If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one, know that suicide has not condemned them or separated them from the grace of our God.  Don’t blame yourself for what the illness did to him/her.  There was enough pain that they endured and enough pain that this act has caused, don’t let it win, don’t harness more pain.  When you actively love you are strong, you are good, and you will see your loved ones again someday.

If you are personally battling this illness know that you cannot take this on alone.  Share with loved ones, see a doctor, and involve yourself in good.  You will see the good and love in this world.  Know that you were made good, and no matter what you’ve done, God still loves you and that “good” can be achieved.  Just as you don’t hurt people in this life, you don’t want to hurt people out of this life.  The pain and anguish that those who love you (and there are those who love you) will live within them long after you’ve parted. 

Stay with us. 

You are loved.

Need encouragement?  Listen to this song by Andy Grammer: Remind You (video above).

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/magazines-or-novels/id891049725