4-15-13<\/p>\n
One of the very tantalizing aspects of Bible scholarship is when you come upon different versions of the same events. Professional skeptics pounce upon \u201cdifferent facts,\u201d ready to assert that Scripture contradicts itself, and therefore cannot be true. But I said \u201cdifferent versions,\u201d not \u201cdifferent facts.\u201d In fact it is more than tantalizing to see how the Bible is full of nuance and shades of meaning and diverse descriptions \u2013 all bringing a richness to believers in its message.<\/p>\n
Similarities in God\u2019s word, His message, are pathways leading to the same goal. Besides, any seeming contradictions are not really anomalies at all, and never involve important points of doctrine. Skeptics huff and puff about unimportant matters.<\/p>\n
Sometimes Christians do, too.<\/p>\n
There are reasons for the existence of hundreds of denominations, sometimes very good reasons. From the days of the Apostles, heresies and false doctrines emerged. It would be a logical goal of Satan to destroy the Church. But there are bad reasons for the existence of hundreds of denominations, also; sometimes very bad reasons. Corruption, pride, jealousy, ignorance, flawed traditions, all are elements of false doctrines and tragic schisms.<\/p>\n
Religionists can be obsessed with How many angels can dance on the head of a pin\u2026 and skeptics crowd at their elbows, debating loudly why angels cannot dance on the heads of no stinkin\u2019 pins. Accusers and apologists, renegades and religionists, can drown out everything, and every one, around them, sometimes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, humble and quiet, is the Truth of God. It really needs no army to enforce its views. And it is impervious to the attacks of those who hate it. It was bequeathed modestly, offered to God\u2019s children for their instruction, and, along the way, their unspeakable joy and eternal security. On the other side, it savagely has been attacked by brutal governments, fanatical leaders, seductive intellectuals, and physical persecution during every moment of humankind\u2019s existence\u2026 and it stands, pure and strong and unassailable as ever.<\/p>\n
Some of the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples, after Resurrection, are recorded with slight nuances by the gospel writers. Again, whether we take away Jesus referring to Jews and gentiles, or Jews THEN gentiles; or \u201cauthority to teach\u201d or \u201cauthority including healing\u201d\u2026 are perhaps deliberately open to phantasms of opportunity. To those who seek the full import, and not those who love disputes. Listen to what has come to be known as the Great Commission:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u2026 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, \u2018All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.\u201d (Matthew 28:16-20)<\/p>\n
I am going to suggest that even the broader points, not just the nuances, of the Great Commission, are sometimes lost on Christians. This was the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion; so, we can agree on its importance. The to-do list, such as it was, is little more than 1) going; 2) making disciples; 3) baptizing people; and 4) teaching them to obey. <\/p>\n
The story of the church for two millennia has played out through point Number 2. Religion has been at its most innovative, and least consistent. It has produced its softest individuals (saintly missionaries) and harshest hordes (Crusaders and Inquisitors), all in the name of \u201cmaking disciples.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discipling means \u201ccoming alongside,\u201d or inviting people to come alongside you. Then, in this broad swath of establishing emotional connections, we can imitate the Christ. Therein lies the way to make disciples.<\/p>\n
We can be so serene that troubled souls desire \u201cwhat we have.\u201d We can know the Commands of God and the Words of Christ so that people want to learn what is hidden in our hearts. We can live changed lives so that folks who are hurting want to walk our new walk. Discipleship probably is evanescent unless we exhibit these types of \u201cwitness,\u201d as Jesus did \u2013 quiet, modest, truthful, secure.<\/p>\n
Modern pastors bleat about the \u201cpower of story\u201d in their preaching (forgetting that Jesus relied on parables\u2026 but let them have their fun) \u2013 and often wind up telling stories about themselves, not the Savior. Postmodern theologians prattle about meta-narratives and relational truth, hopefully impressing people with words, words, words, to quote Hamlet.<\/p>\n
But there is wisdom for the humblest friend of a troubled friend, or the most prominent evangelist: Tell them the story of Jesus. Nothing more. And nothing less. And all things will be added to it. It has all the elements that will draw people to Him.<\/p>\n
Tell them the story of Jesus, Write on their hearts every word;
\nTell them the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.
\nTell how the angels in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth,
\n\u201cGlory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tell of the years of His labor, Tell of the sorrow He bore;
\nHe was despised and afflicted, Homeless, rejected and poor.
\nTell of the cross where they nailed Him, Writhing in anguish and pain;
\nTell of the grave where they laid Him, Tell how He liveth again.<\/p>\n
Love in that story so tender, Clearer than ever I see;
\nStay, let me weep while you whisper, \u201cLove paid the ransom for me.\u201d
\nTell them the story of Jesus, Write on their hearts every word;
\nTell them the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.<\/p>\n
Your assignment for the Great, Great, Great Commission? Tell them the story of Jesus.<\/p>\n
+ + +<\/p>\n
That poem is by Fanny Crosby, the blind poet who started writing hymns and lyrics in her forties, and wrote more than 8000 creations like this before she died fifty years later. Another beautiful and powerful song on the same theme is one that we all should want to sing, \u201cI Love to Tell the Story\u201d! Two such people, in this video, are Emmylou Harris and the actor Robert Duvall. It was written by Katherine Hankey, a pioneer of sorts \u2013 a young girl of the late 1800s who evangelized on London street corners and factories. She became fatally sick and confined to bed, and voiced her biggest regret: that she could not go out in the world and \u201ctell the story.\u201d But she did\u2026 through this classic hymn.<\/p>\n