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Happy Easter! He is risen!
Instead of barraging you with quotes and facts about the historicity of Jesus, instead I want to confess a personal struggle, a fairly recent revelation, and what I've learned.
Blind spots are called blind for a reason. Here has been one of mine. https://twitter.com/BrentBeshore/status/1249315642504708097
Instead of barraging you with quotes and facts about the historicity of Jesus, instead I want to confess a personal struggle, a fairly recent revelation, and what I've learned.
Blind spots are called blind for a reason. Here has been one of mine. https://twitter.com/BrentBeshore/status/1249315642504708097
I became a Christian intellectually first. Prior, I thought I was a well-read, well-reasoned atheist.
I’ve always felt a pull towards intellectual superiority, towards wanting to know more and build my identity on being smarter and more thoughtful than, frankly, you, all of you.
I’ve always felt a pull towards intellectual superiority, towards wanting to know more and build my identity on being smarter and more thoughtful than, frankly, you, all of you.
As I met some highly educated, whip-smart Christians who kindly corrected my assumptions, I realized I wasn’t nearly as smart or as well-read as I thought I was.
I tore through the books they gave me, first knowing the truth, then realizing I might be wrong. It was terrifying.
I tore through the books they gave me, first knowing the truth, then realizing I might be wrong. It was terrifying.
I was shocked to discover that orthodox Christianity is/was far more intellectually consistent than my atheism, with far better evidence.
When my hypothesis about the world (atheism/materialism) didn't match reality, I was forced to reconsider and recalibrate.
When my hypothesis about the world (atheism/materialism) didn't match reality, I was forced to reconsider and recalibrate.
In the Bible, I discovered a cohesive, beautifully textured belief system centered on the divinity of Jesus.
It explained and predicted the world with astonishing accuracy. Like life, it was gritty. Its teachings had no easy answers. But it had power and the quiet ping of truth.
It explained and predicted the world with astonishing accuracy. Like life, it was gritty. Its teachings had no easy answers. But it had power and the quiet ping of truth.
I went from laughing at and dismissing Christians, to realizing they might be right.
Then, ever so slowly, I came to believe it was far more than plausible, it was probable. The weight of evidence was overwhelming.
But, the implications for my life were also inconceivable.
Then, ever so slowly, I came to believe it was far more than plausible, it was probable. The weight of evidence was overwhelming.
But, the implications for my life were also inconceivable.
The cornerstone was and is the resurrection. If Jesus rose from the dead, it changed everything. It validated His teachings and his call on my life.
That realization was almost 7 years ago and ever since my life in many ways has been transformed, albeit frustratingly slow.
That realization was almost 7 years ago and ever since my life in many ways has been transformed, albeit frustratingly slow.
One way my life has not been transformed is my struggle with pride, that ever-present need to earn, prove, and validate my own self-worth, to create my own identity, to be more and better.
It’s the exhausting call to get my own, make the world about me, and serve myself.
It’s the exhausting call to get my own, make the world about me, and serve myself.
It’s the reason why I would prefer to read about God than spend time with God. It’s the reason why I can counsel a friend about sin while letting that very sin run rampant in my own life.
Right theology isn’t faith and certainly isn't relationship, never was, and never will be.
Right theology isn’t faith and certainly isn't relationship, never was, and never will be.
I worship the living God. I worship the crucified savior. I worship the creator of the universe who spoke everything into existence, who knitted me together in my mother’s womb, who knows me, loves me, works everything out for my good, and desperately wants relationship with me.
A relationship with God transforms. Theology does not.
Right theology is important as a tool to understand who you’re in relationship with, what He appreciates, and how He designed the world, including you.
But theology, even orthodox theology, isn’t the ultimate point.
Right theology is important as a tool to understand who you’re in relationship with, what He appreciates, and how He designed the world, including you.
But theology, even orthodox theology, isn’t the ultimate point.
Theology builds religions; God builds relationships.
Religions accuse you of not being enough, of not measuring up, of needing to clean yourself up to hopefully somehow, someway access God.
Jesus didn’t come to save the righteous, but sinners, like you and especially me.
Religions accuse you of not being enough, of not measuring up, of needing to clean yourself up to hopefully somehow, someway access God.
Jesus didn’t come to save the righteous, but sinners, like you and especially me.
The point is God and the living God calls you into relationship.
Jesus went to the Cross at infinite cost for you and for me -- for us, as brothers and sisters in Christ. For all those who imperfectly stumble trying to follow Him.
Jesus went to the Cross at infinite cost for you and for me -- for us, as brothers and sisters in Christ. For all those who imperfectly stumble trying to follow Him.
He did so not only to show us a better way to live, or better theology, but primarily to create a path to relationship.
Those thick temple curtains tore. The big “keep out” sign from God was destroyed. A path of forgiveness and healing for all was opened back up.
Those thick temple curtains tore. The big “keep out” sign from God was destroyed. A path of forgiveness and healing for all was opened back up.
God wanted relationship so much that He gave His only son, a poor tradesman who briefly preached, declared His kingship, and then was mocked and murdered. His family and friends deserted him.
But Sunday came. Jesus defeated sin and death for you and me. For relationship with us.
But Sunday came. Jesus defeated sin and death for you and me. For relationship with us.
Easter is about right theology and orthodox teaching and historical accuracy. But, don’t stop there. It’s about far more.
Your father in heaven sees you, loves you, and wants a relationship with you.
Regardless of your theology, run towards Jesus. He's waiting with open arms.
Your father in heaven sees you, loves you, and wants a relationship with you.
Regardless of your theology, run towards Jesus. He's waiting with open arms.
