By way of follow up on my post from Monday, here are a few bits and peices that relate to the topic of controversy, contenting, disagreeing, and critiquing. 

Stephen Altrogge wrote about "How to Disagree Online". 

Chris Lazo wrote about how to respond when you are criticized. 

Tullian [Last Name Illegable] pointed out Tim Keller's teaching on Religion vs. the Gospel. This is a round about way of supporting Bethke's intentions with his Religion vs. Jesus video. 

Britt Merrick tweeted: "To escape criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." Make sure you put on sun glasses before you click on that link. 

Trevin Wax tweeted: "Excessive critique on the part of leaders will squelch the passion of the next generation."

What does the Bible say about Facebook, Twitter and social networks? Nothing? That's right. Facebook and Twitter are not in the Bible. But there is a very clear teaching in scripture that helps us to evaluate issues that are not explicitly commanded or condemned in the Bible. This teaching is called Christial liberty. 

In my blog post yesterday I referenced "matters of conscience" quite a bit. Christian liberty and matters of conscience are very similar and they represent a vital doctrine that helps us evaluate our participation in social networks. It is the basic theological platform that allows us to use Facebook or Twitter. 

The core passages on Christian liberty are found in 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Romans 14-15. Here Paul explains his freedom and self-imposed limits. There were Christians and nonchristians that were strugling with food offered to idols, holidays, marriage, and the cerimonial aspects of the jewish law. Paul explained at length how to evaluate these types of issues. So if you want to study Christian liberty, that is where you need to start. 

A few years ago my Dad preached a sermon that framed the whole topic well. He provided an instrument called The Six Freedom Principles that helped clearify the biblical teaching on Christian Liberty. Much of the teaching is based on the key passages out of 1 Corinthians and Romans. I have embeded the message below along with all six freedome principles referenced in the message. 

01_The_Conscience_part_5.mp3

(download)

Click here to download:

01_The_Conscience_part_5.mp3 (14.5 MB)

Freedom Principle #1: I have the freedom and right to do whatever is not forbidden explicitly in Scripture. I have the responsibility to take a stand for the freedom I have in Christ. My choice is between God and me. (Galatians 5:1, Romans 14:23, 1 Corinthians 10:29)

What is Christian Freedom? 

Christian freedom is the ability to move without constraint, pursuing and achieving the desires of our hearts, within the boundaries provided by the scriptures.

What does it mean to violate one’s conscience?

1. If you participate in an activity that your conscience is telling you is wrong, that is sin. (Romans 14:23)
2. If you know you should do something and don’t do it, that’s sin. (James 4:17)

So, avoid things that your conscience is prompting you as wrong and do what you know is right.

Freedom Principle #2: I have a responsibility to limit my freedom in Christ for the sake of other believers who may be caused to stumble. The word “stumble” has the idea of falling into sin themselves, not just being bothered. (1 Corinthians 8)

Freedom Principle #3: I have a responsibility to limit my freedom for the sake of non-believers because winning them to Christ is the most important issue. (1 Corinthians 10:23-33)

Freedom Principle #4: I must limit my freedom when it indulges my sinful nature. (1 Corinthians 6:12, Galatians 5:13, Proverbs 4:23)

Freedom Principle #5: I need to be careful about imposing my personal convictions on someone else, thus erring by judging others. (Romans 14:1-8, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 7:2)

Freedom Principle #6: I must submit myself to those whom God has placed as authorities in my life, recognizing that leaders (ie: parents, pastors, government) have an obligation to encourage people to live Godly lives, warn them about the dangers of life choices, and impose limitations when necessary. (Romans 13:5)

I have used this teaching a number of times since I first heard it in 2009. Most recently I taught a class at School of Worship based on the same outline. 

In closing, I wanted to add one more quote from The Great Doctrines of the Bible. The author provides a more condensed version of the same thing. 

Believers have liberty in Christ, Gal. 5:1. This is limited by personal conviction, Rom. 14:5; by warnings against self indulgence, Gal. 5:13; by enslaving habits, 1 Cor. 6:12; and by anything which does not edify, 1 Cor. 10:23; which is hypocritical, 1 Pet. 2:16; or which tends to harm the weak, 1 Cor. 8:9. Three principles govern conduct.

1. Effect upon self. Conduct must be pure rather than lustful, 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11. It must not defile, 1 Cor. 3:17; Tit. 1:15 , or result in self condemnation, Rom. 14:22. It is always to be in the category of good works, Tit. 3:8 , rather than in the category of sin, Rom. 6:13.

2. Effect upon others, Rom. 14:7. It is to be a good example, 1 Tim. 4:12; worthy of our calling, Eph. 4:1; honest, 2 Cor. 8:21; free from the appearance of evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; helpful rather than offensive to a neighbor, Rom. 15:2; l Cor. 10:32; not a cause of stumbling, Rom. 14:13. It must honor parents, Col. 3:20; and government, Tit. 3:1; while it may not be an unequal yoke, 2 Cor. 6:14.

3. Relationship to God. Everything is to be done in the name of the Lord, 1 Tim. 6:1; as unto Him, Col. 3:23; and for His glory, 1 Cor. 10:31. It is to be worthy of God and His kingdom, 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5. (Evans, W., & Coder, S. M. (1998). The great doctrines of the Bible (Enl. ed.) (282–283). Chicago: Moody Press.)

On December 20th one of my heroes died. Bob Hoekstra was 71 and had been in poor health for two and half years. Just a week prior to his death he sent out a note through his web site letting his friends and family know that he felt like God was calling him home to heaven. And a few days later he was home. 

There are eight men who have radically impacted my faith and influenced my walk with God. I have followed these men as they have followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Bob Hoekstra is one of those men. And even though he has gone home to heaven, he has left a pattern to be followed. I had the chance of sitting in three of his classes while I was at Bible College: Biblical Theology, Growing in Grace and Galatians/Ephesians. I also volunteer in his ministry office with Living in Christ. He supported our family when we went to Kauai to plant the Bible College. And he was one of the few pastors we called when we faced the most challenging theological questions.

On Tuesday evening word of his passing spread across the internet… primarily through Facebook. It was amazing to see how many of my Facebook friends mentioned his death and more importantly the impact his life had had on them. One testimony after another came rolling in. There was no question that Bob influenced thousands of Bible College students.  

Here are a few of the things that stand out when I remember Bob Hoekstra. 

His “earthen vesselness” was evident. That is the word he coined when he taught through 2 Corinthians 4. He had a weak voice; causing him to carry a cough drop in his pocket. He did not have a striking figure or incredible beauty. He was not an entertainer or a tremendous orator. His speech was plain and direct. There was nothing about his physical appearance that commended him or gave him an edge over my other Bible College teachers. 

If that weren’t enough, his classes were consistently scheduled in the afternoon. At 2:00 PM we would role into the Sanctuary having just stuffed ourselves at lunch. With half of his audience in a food induced a coma Bob would pray and begin to teach through his notes. Heads would nod… not out of agreement, but because we were drifting into a mid afternoon nap. 

But there is no teacher that had a greater impact on the number of students that Bob had. His systematic teaching on the grace of God, the insufficiency of man, and the need for faith stuck with students to this day. He provided his students with a biblical lens through which life could be processed. He taught on the folly of pride and the need for faith and humility. He taught on the difference between the grace of God and the Old Testament law. He taught on the nature of the Church and preeminence of Christ. All of these lessons sunk down in our hearts and minds and became the theological framework for our daily Christian life.  

Another wonderful characteristic about Bob was his thoughtfulness and diligence in preparing his material. He was so well prepared. The notes he gave to the students were unparalleled. I still have mine in a treasured binder and I reference them a few times a year. He worked hard to outline the book he was teaching. He did an excellent job inductively studying the text and identifying the key points. And his book on counseling followed suit. It would be tough to find another book by a Calvary Chapel author as well thought out as How to Counsel God’s Way. He spent years developing that book. 

This week I’ve spent a lot of time thinking through the example that he left. I found myself wishing I could have the same impact he had. The evidence of his fruitfulness is remarkable, and it can only be attributed to the power of God working through him. I’m praying that I can grow into that same place of being yielded to God. I’m inspired by his example and I love God more because of the work God did through my friend Bob. 

Other than CCU, there are three new schools I'm watching and excited about. 

1. Benah De Christo in Hermosillo, Mexico. Earlier this year I met Robert Lawrence over the phone. He shared the vision for the school they are starting in Mexico. I was deeply impressed with Roberts background in Higher Education and vision for Christian education in Mexico. He is starting from scratch and is creating a program that serves locals. He isn't attempting to import US citizens and US culture. He is meeting the local population wher they are at and creating a program that serves the community in a beautiful way. I would encourage you to check out what he is doing and consider supporting the work.  

2. Calvary Houston School of Ministry is a year old program right in the heart of Texas. I don't have a link for the school, but I spoke with Dan Loaiza last year about the overall concept. Recently, Dan got back a hold of me and shared a status update. They are currently in their first year and have a good group of students participating. I was really encouraged by Dan's decision to start at School of Ministry rather than a Bible College. It fits perfectly with what God is doing in the church. If you are in the Houston area, I would encourage you to check it out. 

3. CCBC Ireland is a school in the embrionic stages. Right now they are in the process of developing a leadership team and hammaring out a vision. I'm excited to see a Bible College started in Ireland because it could be an excellent laymen training venu for future leaders. If you are are interested in more detail you can contact Clay, Jon or CJ at Calvary Waterford. 

When I look back on the start up of Kauai Bible College and my time at Calvary Chapel University, there is one crucial driving force: the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without the leading and empowering of the Spirit, the whole launch of a school is baseless. 

When the circumstances are difficult or the money is tight, it is so meaningful to look back on the concrete examples of God's providence. There were many times I had to recall the specific circumstances that led us to Kauai or led us back to California. If our plans are not based on a deep conviction that God has led us, it would have been a painful experience. 

So how does the Holy Spirit lead a church in this direction? There are four common ways through which God reveals his will: prayer, the Word, the church and circumstances. These are the vehicles that God uses to communicate his will to our hearts and minds. 

In 2006 God worked through circumstances and other believers to reveal to us that he wanted to start a Bible College in Kauai. As we walked in that direction God continued to speak to us through his word. 

In 2010 God led us back to California to participate in Calvary Chapel University. God's guidance in this particular instance came through prayer. And it was confirmed through believers and circumstances. 

For both KBC and CCU it has been so important to remember that the school is just a means to an end and not the end in and of itself. It is an instrument that God uses to form lives.

If you feel like God is leading you to start a college, remember that it is not about the establishment of an institution that will someday be massive, but a process of infecting lives for the kingdom of heaven.