Faith...

Why do you believe?

Belief, or faith, or trust, (all closely related words and concepts, and all possible translations of the Greek word pistis piðstiv) is actually just the natural result of recognizing truth – if gravity is true, we must trust, (believe, have faith) that if we step off a cliff we are going to fall. Any other belief is illogical. So, it is not so much a matter of why you believe, but of what you believe. It becomes a matter of seeking to divide truth from fiction.

Everyone believes something, and the question is whether their belief is in something true or something false.

This gets us nicely to the next point – truth. What is truth? Pilate asked the same thing.

The easy way out is to answer that the truth is that which is not false. Logically unassailable and yet totally useless. Another approach is to define truth as that standard against which other things are judged. It’s something like using a yardstick – other things are compared to the yardstick, with the yardstick assumed to be the standard.

Of course, the yardstick has some prior referent, and that itself has some prior referent, back to some beginning. I believe that God is the ultimate prior referent, and everything else is measured, or compared, to Him. That which does not compare favorably to God (or to His standard) is false.

Jesus Manifesto - Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola

Both a devotional and a challenge, Jesus Manifesto is at once easy reading and difficult doing. The authors call Christians to put Christ at the center of everything they are and everything they do, as the cause and end, as the reason and the result. They remind us that if we truly understand what and who He is, we really have no choice.

Christianity began as men and women closely and clearly focused on Jesus and His example. It evolved (perhaps a better word, devolved) into systems, bureaucracies, and dogmas. Most religious systems, bureaucracies and doctrines can stand by themselves without any content of, or reference to, Jesus. But without Jesus at the center, it is not genuine Christianity. This book constantly reminds us how far we have departed from the origins of our faith, and how important it is that we return.

This book is important reading for both decision makers in the church, and for people in the pews. Decision makers, so that they can refocus their churches on the author and perfecter of our faith, and the people in the pews so they can understand genuine Christianity and discern the difference between that and the counterfeits all around them.

I greatly enjoyed this book, and recommend it highly.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Top Ten...

Ok- there is nothing new about a Top Ten list. But, this one isn't mine- it's yours. Take a few minutes, think about this, and respond. I am using the results in a project.

Let's set the stage. You are talking to someone who is not a Christian, but who is open to what you have to say. They have expressed that they are neutral about the Bible- they aren't sure about its authority or authenticity but are willing to check it out. But importantly, they have limited time, and ask you for a quick reference list to check out.

Here is your assignment-

1. List, in order, the ten most important Bible passages this person should read.
2. These passages should not be longer than can be read in a minute or two.
3. You should include a one or two sentence explanation of why this passage is important.

Respond in the comments or email me with your lists.