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