Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
Reading the book if Jude is sometimes a little like arriving early to the symphony when all the musicians are warming up. What we hear is a cacophony of sound until the conductor arrives on stage and raises his baton-then we have symphony. In verses 5-7, Jude lists a few familiar and not so familiar examples of those who have suffered for their sins. We often get hung up on the strange references in the passage and then we miss the symphony.
Despite some of its novelty, the point in this passage is rather straight-forward. We know that false teachers had entered the church and were preaching a life of license without the need for repentance. Jude’s point is that rebellion against God has its consequences. God’s loving act of forgiveness does not allow us to be shielded from the results of our behavior. He loves us enough to let us learn that our actions sometimes have rotten consequences.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Individualized Spirituality
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
Spirituality without religion is popular in our American culture. We like the idea of having a grasp on eternal life and ultimate reality without being told what to believe by some institution. The researcher Barna recently noted how popular it is to believe in our own, individualized forms of god, and as a recent example the LA Times columnist Anne Lamott described herself as a Christian and promptly betrayed a very non Christian view of life and death.
Why are we tempted to believe that our own visions of god are superior to His revelation of Himself? Would I let my children get away with their own mathematical machinations and call them correct? Do I think my own imagination about quantum physics is deeper than Einstein’s? Of course not, but when it comes to religion, the concept of God touches our souls in deep ways and we want to devise ways to tell him what to do instead of the other way around.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Spirituality without religion is popular in our American culture. We like the idea of having a grasp on eternal life and ultimate reality without being told what to believe by some institution. The researcher Barna recently noted how popular it is to believe in our own, individualized forms of god, and as a recent example the LA Times columnist Anne Lamott described herself as a Christian and promptly betrayed a very non Christian view of life and death.
Why are we tempted to believe that our own visions of god are superior to His revelation of Himself? Would I let my children get away with their own mathematical machinations and call them correct? Do I think my own imagination about quantum physics is deeper than Einstein’s? Of course not, but when it comes to religion, the concept of God touches our souls in deep ways and we want to devise ways to tell him what to do instead of the other way around.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Friend Assisted Suicide 3
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
The LA Times columnist, Anne Lamott killed a man. She admitted as much in her article, “At Death’s Window.” The man was a friend dying of cancer who wanted a way out. Lamott concocted a cocktail of prescription drugs and fed it to him in a bowl of applesauce. Her justification for this action should not surprise us if we have been paying attention to culture.
Lamott argued that life was nothing more than Earth school, and we were in control of whether we wanted to leave the term early: in other words, we are in control and possession of our own bodies and lives. The Supreme Court ruled the same way in 1992 by arguing that a fundamental liberty was the right to define our own concept of existence.
As a Christ-follower, my perspective is just the opposite. My life with all its twists and turns is in the hands of an all-knowing and loving God.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
The LA Times columnist, Anne Lamott killed a man. She admitted as much in her article, “At Death’s Window.” The man was a friend dying of cancer who wanted a way out. Lamott concocted a cocktail of prescription drugs and fed it to him in a bowl of applesauce. Her justification for this action should not surprise us if we have been paying attention to culture.
Lamott argued that life was nothing more than Earth school, and we were in control of whether we wanted to leave the term early: in other words, we are in control and possession of our own bodies and lives. The Supreme Court ruled the same way in 1992 by arguing that a fundamental liberty was the right to define our own concept of existence.
As a Christ-follower, my perspective is just the opposite. My life with all its twists and turns is in the hands of an all-knowing and loving God.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Naturalism and Consciousness
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger.
Much is often made of the worldview conflict between Christianity and Naturalism. From time to time people try to downplay the importance of worldviews and their consequences, but this quote from a new book written by Naturalists confronting the idea of Intelligent Design should highlight the crucial nature of their differences: Our starting assumption as scientists ought to be that…consciousness has to be an illusion. In case you missed it, this leading scientist is claiming that his awareness of his own consciousness is an illusion.
An absolutely absurd conclusion to be sure, but one logically necessitated by Naturalism. If Naturalism is true, then not only does God not exist, but your mind doesn’t either and your own awareness of reality is an illusion. Simple logic and the Christian worldview say differently. If you can say, “I am not conscious,” then it follows that you are conscious.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Much is often made of the worldview conflict between Christianity and Naturalism. From time to time people try to downplay the importance of worldviews and their consequences, but this quote from a new book written by Naturalists confronting the idea of Intelligent Design should highlight the crucial nature of their differences: Our starting assumption as scientists ought to be that…consciousness has to be an illusion. In case you missed it, this leading scientist is claiming that his awareness of his own consciousness is an illusion.
An absolutely absurd conclusion to be sure, but one logically necessitated by Naturalism. If Naturalism is true, then not only does God not exist, but your mind doesn’t either and your own awareness of reality is an illusion. Simple logic and the Christian worldview say differently. If you can say, “I am not conscious,” then it follows that you are conscious.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Friend Assisted Suicide2
Welcome to Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger.
Anne Lamott, a columnist for the LA Times, opened a recent piece like this, “The man I killed did not want to die, but he no longer felt he had much of a choice.” That phrase, “The man I killed” should be shocking for the reader. The article is a recounting of her actions helping a friend commit suicide. What is more, later on in the piece Lamott tells us the man she killed was surprised to find out she considered herself a Christian and simultaneously whole-heartedly supported this plan of hers to help him die.
Her friend was right to be shocked by that revelation. Lamott’s view is that our lives are our own to dispose of when we see fit. The view of Scripture is that the believer’s life belongs to God and is surrendered to His perfect will. Suicide is no small matter, but neither is God’s love and sovereignty.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Anne Lamott, a columnist for the LA Times, opened a recent piece like this, “The man I killed did not want to die, but he no longer felt he had much of a choice.” That phrase, “The man I killed” should be shocking for the reader. The article is a recounting of her actions helping a friend commit suicide. What is more, later on in the piece Lamott tells us the man she killed was surprised to find out she considered herself a Christian and simultaneously whole-heartedly supported this plan of hers to help him die.
Her friend was right to be shocked by that revelation. Lamott’s view is that our lives are our own to dispose of when we see fit. The view of Scripture is that the believer’s life belongs to God and is surrendered to His perfect will. Suicide is no small matter, but neither is God’s love and sovereignty.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Friend Assisted Suicide
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In a recent article in the LA Times, self-proclaimed Christian Anne Lamott tells the tragic tale of the death of a friend suffering from cancer. Part of what makes the tale so tragic is that she and another friend assist in his suicide. In her piece, “At Death’s Window,” Lamott not only tells the story, she heartily supports her actions in what she calls “friend assisted suicide.”
Lamott’s so-called Christian view on death and suffering is more influenced by our American culture than by the life of Christ himself. In our past, long before medical technology could alleviate most pain and suffering, our Christian forefathers referred to Christianity as “the way of the cross.” They meant to convey the fact that believers, from time to time, may need to follow Christ into the garden and utter His words, “not my will but thine be done.”
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In a recent article in the LA Times, self-proclaimed Christian Anne Lamott tells the tragic tale of the death of a friend suffering from cancer. Part of what makes the tale so tragic is that she and another friend assist in his suicide. In her piece, “At Death’s Window,” Lamott not only tells the story, she heartily supports her actions in what she calls “friend assisted suicide.”
Lamott’s so-called Christian view on death and suffering is more influenced by our American culture than by the life of Christ himself. In our past, long before medical technology could alleviate most pain and suffering, our Christian forefathers referred to Christianity as “the way of the cross.” They meant to convey the fact that believers, from time to time, may need to follow Christ into the garden and utter His words, “not my will but thine be done.”
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Parenthood Scorn
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
An advice columnist on Slate.com recently advised a reader who was in her 30s and recently married that she may want to reconsider her position on having children. Before she was married she didn’t want any, and now she and her husband were considering it. The backlash to that advice was vitriolic. Angry readers wrote the advice columnist and, “expressed contempt for those deluded enough to want to reproduce.”
This is one of those worldview moments when we clearly see the differences between a self-absorbed point of view informed by Darwinistic Naturalism, and one influenced by a Christian ethic and view of human nature. The angry childless readers were happy with their lives full of self-indulgent pleasures. The columnist wrote that though they saw parenthood has a mountain of diapers, they would never understand the daily and overwhelming joy of being a parent. Following Christ means we appreciate the value of all human life, even ones that may vomit on the carpet.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
An advice columnist on Slate.com recently advised a reader who was in her 30s and recently married that she may want to reconsider her position on having children. Before she was married she didn’t want any, and now she and her husband were considering it. The backlash to that advice was vitriolic. Angry readers wrote the advice columnist and, “expressed contempt for those deluded enough to want to reproduce.”
This is one of those worldview moments when we clearly see the differences between a self-absorbed point of view informed by Darwinistic Naturalism, and one influenced by a Christian ethic and view of human nature. The angry childless readers were happy with their lives full of self-indulgent pleasures. The columnist wrote that though they saw parenthood has a mountain of diapers, they would never understand the daily and overwhelming joy of being a parent. Following Christ means we appreciate the value of all human life, even ones that may vomit on the carpet.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Jer 28-Repentance and Reconciliation
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In Jeremiah 28 we have front-row seats to a confrontation between Jeremiah the prophet of God and the false prophet, Hananiah. It had to be an interesting scene there in the Temple as one very unpopular and disliked man, Jeremiah, was given a talking-to by a religious leader very popular with the people. Hananiah’s message was simple-God will bless and he will do it quickly. Jeremiah’s message was different in one very significant way-God will richly bless us after we repent, spend 70 years in exile, and turn our hearts back to God.
The vital difference between the true and false prophets was repentance. Hananiah spoke a message of blessing without responsibility, of reconciliation without repentance. His opinion, very popular with the people, was that God would bless now without repentance. But in the end, it was Jeremiah who was right about the process-God did bless, but only on the other side of a deep and profound process of repentance and reconciliation.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In Jeremiah 28 we have front-row seats to a confrontation between Jeremiah the prophet of God and the false prophet, Hananiah. It had to be an interesting scene there in the Temple as one very unpopular and disliked man, Jeremiah, was given a talking-to by a religious leader very popular with the people. Hananiah’s message was simple-God will bless and he will do it quickly. Jeremiah’s message was different in one very significant way-God will richly bless us after we repent, spend 70 years in exile, and turn our hearts back to God.
The vital difference between the true and false prophets was repentance. Hananiah spoke a message of blessing without responsibility, of reconciliation without repentance. His opinion, very popular with the people, was that God would bless now without repentance. But in the end, it was Jeremiah who was right about the process-God did bless, but only on the other side of a deep and profound process of repentance and reconciliation.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Truth and Ice Cream
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
A Christian apologist today gives a lecture called, “Christianity is not Ice Cream.” It is a talk about truth, relativism, and what we mean when we say that Christianity is true. You see, you and a friend can argue about the best flavor of ice cream all day, your opinions can conflict, you may never convince your friend that mint chocolate chip is superior to cookie dough, but you both walk away from the discussion realizing that ice cream flavor is a matter of opinion.
Not so with Christianity. People may have different preferences about religion, and they may be deeply sincere about their tastes, but at the end of the day it is false that religion is a matter of opinion. When we say Christianity is true, we are affirming the same kind of truth when we say that 2+2=4. Christ is the way and the truth for all of us, in spite of what our opinions on the matter may be.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
A Christian apologist today gives a lecture called, “Christianity is not Ice Cream.” It is a talk about truth, relativism, and what we mean when we say that Christianity is true. You see, you and a friend can argue about the best flavor of ice cream all day, your opinions can conflict, you may never convince your friend that mint chocolate chip is superior to cookie dough, but you both walk away from the discussion realizing that ice cream flavor is a matter of opinion.
Not so with Christianity. People may have different preferences about religion, and they may be deeply sincere about their tastes, but at the end of the day it is false that religion is a matter of opinion. When we say Christianity is true, we are affirming the same kind of truth when we say that 2+2=4. Christ is the way and the truth for all of us, in spite of what our opinions on the matter may be.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Utilitarianism and Truth
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
What makes an act good? In our pluralistic culture, what kinds of political acts can qualify as good and how can we judge those kinds of things? When it comes to some of the most contentious political and social debates of our age-things like stem cells, abortion, gay marriage, spending bills and the like-the principle most often invoked is “the greatest good for the greatest number.” This is what is sometimes called utilitarianism.
Our particular political culture is sometimes ruled by polls and what a majority of Americans think about a particular subject. What is often inferred is that the majority are right, and political policy should always follow. This is utilitarianism-what most people see as good should be our goal. But what this point of view neglects to ask the simple question, “is it right or true?” Polls and majority opinion do not track truth. A majority of people can be wrong, and the truth is not always the popular option.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
What makes an act good? In our pluralistic culture, what kinds of political acts can qualify as good and how can we judge those kinds of things? When it comes to some of the most contentious political and social debates of our age-things like stem cells, abortion, gay marriage, spending bills and the like-the principle most often invoked is “the greatest good for the greatest number.” This is what is sometimes called utilitarianism.
Our particular political culture is sometimes ruled by polls and what a majority of Americans think about a particular subject. What is often inferred is that the majority are right, and political policy should always follow. This is utilitarianism-what most people see as good should be our goal. But what this point of view neglects to ask the simple question, “is it right or true?” Polls and majority opinion do not track truth. A majority of people can be wrong, and the truth is not always the popular option.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Barna-Commitment to Christ
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
Barna recently performed a survey that measured people’s commitment to church and to developing one’s commitment to Christ. To the issue of developing a deeper relationship with God and doing whatever it took to maintain that relationship, just over 50% of all people agreed, and of those under the age of 40 only 44% agreed.
Pursuing a relationship with Christ is the primary thing. I can rarely control or manipulate the tides of my life and make them go the way I want them to, but I do have direct access to my own decision to deepen my relationship with Christ. Jesus did not lightly say, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things will be given to you as well.” A kingdom mindset is preoccupied with building an almost conversational relationship with Christ, and it creates a foundation upon which I am better able to interact with the tides of life the way Christ would if he were living my life.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies.
Barna recently performed a survey that measured people’s commitment to church and to developing one’s commitment to Christ. To the issue of developing a deeper relationship with God and doing whatever it took to maintain that relationship, just over 50% of all people agreed, and of those under the age of 40 only 44% agreed.
Pursuing a relationship with Christ is the primary thing. I can rarely control or manipulate the tides of my life and make them go the way I want them to, but I do have direct access to my own decision to deepen my relationship with Christ. Jesus did not lightly say, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things will be given to you as well.” A kingdom mindset is preoccupied with building an almost conversational relationship with Christ, and it creates a foundation upon which I am better able to interact with the tides of life the way Christ would if he were living my life.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies.
Barna-Church Commmitment
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
A recent Barna study showed some alarming trends in the commitment levels of many who consider themselves Christian. About one out of five considered church attendance to be important to their spiritual maturity, and of those who held a biblical worldview, only 25% thought a community of faith was important to their spiritual development.
We Americans cling very tightly to our personal independence. We like to be our own bosses, and we like to be self-sufficient in just about every way possible. But we are Christians as well, and it seems we need to learn the importance of being a real and genuine part of the body of Christ.
Don’t think of it in terms of the church needs your attendance, but in terms of other believers need your presence, support, input and help. Your presence at church this weekend can be uplifting and encouraging to your fellow believers, and can help encourage them in their walk with Christ. Seems like a good reason to go to me.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies.
A recent Barna study showed some alarming trends in the commitment levels of many who consider themselves Christian. About one out of five considered church attendance to be important to their spiritual maturity, and of those who held a biblical worldview, only 25% thought a community of faith was important to their spiritual development.
We Americans cling very tightly to our personal independence. We like to be our own bosses, and we like to be self-sufficient in just about every way possible. But we are Christians as well, and it seems we need to learn the importance of being a real and genuine part of the body of Christ.
Don’t think of it in terms of the church needs your attendance, but in terms of other believers need your presence, support, input and help. Your presence at church this weekend can be uplifting and encouraging to your fellow believers, and can help encourage them in their walk with Christ. Seems like a good reason to go to me.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Heroic Leadership
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
I always deeply appreciate a book or a speaker who is able to connect the Christian worldview with the world we live in. When it comes to leadership theory, that does not always happen. But with the book, Heroic Leadership, Mark Lowney has shown how the practices of the Jesuits, a 450 year old company in his terms, lead them to great success both corporately and individually.
In many ways the book reads like one you might pick up that was written from a corporate point of view, but this book focuses on the spiritual disciplines and lifestyles of the Jesuits as they expanded across the globe. It underscores the truth that a life wholly dedicated to God and deliberately focused on Him can make a profound difference in this world. Long before the benefits of modern technology or travel, these dedicated and faithful people turned the world upside down. What might we do today if we reengaged life with their kinds of priorities?
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
I always deeply appreciate a book or a speaker who is able to connect the Christian worldview with the world we live in. When it comes to leadership theory, that does not always happen. But with the book, Heroic Leadership, Mark Lowney has shown how the practices of the Jesuits, a 450 year old company in his terms, lead them to great success both corporately and individually.
In many ways the book reads like one you might pick up that was written from a corporate point of view, but this book focuses on the spiritual disciplines and lifestyles of the Jesuits as they expanded across the globe. It underscores the truth that a life wholly dedicated to God and deliberately focused on Him can make a profound difference in this world. Long before the benefits of modern technology or travel, these dedicated and faithful people turned the world upside down. What might we do today if we reengaged life with their kinds of priorities?
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Happiness-In A Classical Sense
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In their wonderful book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler want to reengage Christians with a biblical and classical notion o happiness and provide practical ways of attaining it. Early in the book they clarify the difference between what we typically take for happiness today from what Scripture and the great thinkers of history took for happiness.
It is typical today to see happiness as a sense of pleasurable satisfaction. In that case it is all about us and our own needs. In an ironic reality, the more turned inward we become, the more empty our lives become.
On the other hand, happiness as described in Scripture is more about a life well-lived; a full life of character and virtue, one that displays wisdom, kindness and goodness. Happiness in this sense is a life-long pursuit that fills us with the life and light of Christ, and as we pursue it and Him, our own lives will become filled with meaning and purpose.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In their wonderful book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler want to reengage Christians with a biblical and classical notion o happiness and provide practical ways of attaining it. Early in the book they clarify the difference between what we typically take for happiness today from what Scripture and the great thinkers of history took for happiness.
It is typical today to see happiness as a sense of pleasurable satisfaction. In that case it is all about us and our own needs. In an ironic reality, the more turned inward we become, the more empty our lives become.
On the other hand, happiness as described in Scripture is more about a life well-lived; a full life of character and virtue, one that displays wisdom, kindness and goodness. Happiness in this sense is a life-long pursuit that fills us with the life and light of Christ, and as we pursue it and Him, our own lives will become filled with meaning and purpose.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Jer 27-The Yoke of Christ
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In Jeremiah chapter 27, God has his prophet do something a little uncomfortable. Jeremiah shows up in the king’s court with a yoke built for two oxen around his neck. His message is guaranteed to be unpopular as he tells the king and the assembled nobility to surrender to the Babylonians because God has given them the region. Rebellion will spell disaster, and surrender to God’s plan will mean security.
Jeremiah gives the king an option between two yokes-one of rebellion and one of surrender to God’s plan. Not surprisingly, the king doesn’t want any yoke. But there is no third option given. Paul tells us about this truth in Romans 6 where he says we are either slaves to Christ or slaves to our own sins and shortcomings. We want, like the king of Judah, to be autonomous, but that choice is disastrous as we enslave ourselves to our own flesh. Take on the yoke of Christ-He is gentle and His yoke is light.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In Jeremiah chapter 27, God has his prophet do something a little uncomfortable. Jeremiah shows up in the king’s court with a yoke built for two oxen around his neck. His message is guaranteed to be unpopular as he tells the king and the assembled nobility to surrender to the Babylonians because God has given them the region. Rebellion will spell disaster, and surrender to God’s plan will mean security.
Jeremiah gives the king an option between two yokes-one of rebellion and one of surrender to God’s plan. Not surprisingly, the king doesn’t want any yoke. But there is no third option given. Paul tells us about this truth in Romans 6 where he says we are either slaves to Christ or slaves to our own sins and shortcomings. We want, like the king of Judah, to be autonomous, but that choice is disastrous as we enslave ourselves to our own flesh. Take on the yoke of Christ-He is gentle and His yoke is light.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Risking for God
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In their book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler make the case in one of their chapters for forming the kind of trust in God that chooses to takes risks with Him. At one point they note that pondering the reality of God’s future and ultimate victory and our eternity with Him encourages faithful living in this world today.
The say, “Because God’s victory is certain, so is our future….Maintaining a future focus is essential for living now.” A healthy and faithful outlook on this life includes an accurate outlook on the next. Because God will welcome his followers into His hands at the end of our lives, the rest of our lives are free to be given to Him in every way possible. I don’t need to hang onto things in this life. As Paul said, we should not consider the things of this life to be comparable with the glory that waits for us in the next.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In their book, The Lost Virtue of Happiness, J.P. Moreland and Klaus Issler make the case in one of their chapters for forming the kind of trust in God that chooses to takes risks with Him. At one point they note that pondering the reality of God’s future and ultimate victory and our eternity with Him encourages faithful living in this world today.
The say, “Because God’s victory is certain, so is our future….Maintaining a future focus is essential for living now.” A healthy and faithful outlook on this life includes an accurate outlook on the next. Because God will welcome his followers into His hands at the end of our lives, the rest of our lives are free to be given to Him in every way possible. I don’t need to hang onto things in this life. As Paul said, we should not consider the things of this life to be comparable with the glory that waits for us in the next.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Rockies and Tolerance
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
USA Today recently ran an article about the Christian influence in the ranks of the Colorado Rockies. As a fan, it was encouraging to hear of the open and honest faith expressed by many of the players and the management. But there was a tone in the article that made it sound like the Rockies needed to be on the defensive because of their beliefs; because they were Christians they were in danger of becoming intolerant and small-minded toward other non-Christian players.
One of the remaining politically correct prejudices in our culture today is directed against Christians and Christianity. It is assumed that followers of Christ are unable to live with other points of view in a pluralistic culture. What seems to be lost, however, is that it was good Christian theology that erected the system of political pluralism and religious tolerance we enjoy today. It is exactly because of Christian virtue that other beliefs enjoy the toleration and respect they do today.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
USA Today recently ran an article about the Christian influence in the ranks of the Colorado Rockies. As a fan, it was encouraging to hear of the open and honest faith expressed by many of the players and the management. But there was a tone in the article that made it sound like the Rockies needed to be on the defensive because of their beliefs; because they were Christians they were in danger of becoming intolerant and small-minded toward other non-Christian players.
One of the remaining politically correct prejudices in our culture today is directed against Christians and Christianity. It is assumed that followers of Christ are unable to live with other points of view in a pluralistic culture. What seems to be lost, however, is that it was good Christian theology that erected the system of political pluralism and religious tolerance we enjoy today. It is exactly because of Christian virtue that other beliefs enjoy the toleration and respect they do today.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
Colorado Rockies, Character and Baseball
Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.
In a recent article in USA Today, the Colorado Rockies were exposed, so to speak, as a team full of Christian players and management. It was encouraging to read of a group of professional athletes and administration who were not only open about their beliefs, but who were also honest about how those beliefs were effecting their professional decisions. For example, the manager, Dan O’Dowd, said, “We go after players of character.”
That is a refreshing piece of Christian thinking in a professional sport world that places little to no emphasis upon the personal integrity of their players. Other players are famous for how infantile they are, for how often they disrupt their teammates, and for the teams that are willing to put up with them just to win championships.
A Christian ethic is willing to put first things first, and even in a world as competitive as professional baseball, it is willing to put the character of the player and the team ahead of other concerns.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
In a recent article in USA Today, the Colorado Rockies were exposed, so to speak, as a team full of Christian players and management. It was encouraging to read of a group of professional athletes and administration who were not only open about their beliefs, but who were also honest about how those beliefs were effecting their professional decisions. For example, the manager, Dan O’Dowd, said, “We go after players of character.”
That is a refreshing piece of Christian thinking in a professional sport world that places little to no emphasis upon the personal integrity of their players. Other players are famous for how infantile they are, for how often they disrupt their teammates, and for the teams that are willing to put up with them just to win championships.
A Christian ethic is willing to put first things first, and even in a world as competitive as professional baseball, it is willing to put the character of the player and the team ahead of other concerns.
This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information, please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.
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