Think Bigger

The following article was published in Winter 2011 issue of Biola Magazine, written by Fred Sanders, theologian:

The Trinity is a biblical doctrine, but let’s admit it: There’s something annoying about how hard it is to put your finger on a verse that states the whole doctrine.

The Bible presents the elements of the doctrine in numerous passages, of course: that there is only one God; that the Father is God; that the Son is God; and that the Spirit is God. We can also tell easily enough that the Father, Son and Spirit are really distinct from one another, and are not just three names for one person. If you hold all those clear teachings of Scripture in your mind at one time and think through them together, the doctrine of the Trinity is inevitable. Trinitarianism is a biblical doctrine and all the ingredients are given to us there. Just add thought and you have the classic doctrine.


Like most evangelicals, though, I would prefer to have a doctrine be stated clearly and concisely in one place. I like my doctrines verse-sized. I sometimes wish there were one verse that said, “God is one being in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” The doctrine of the Trinity, though, is simply not verse-sized. Sometimes that feels like a disadvantage, but in fact it’s an advantage. The doctrine of the Trinity is a massive, comprehensive, full-Bible doctrine that serves to expand our minds as readers of Scripture. In Scripture, God is leading his people to understand who he is as Father, Son and Spirit.


For example, set aside for a moment the desire to fit the doctrine into one verse. Look instead at how it shows up in a slightly larger (three verses) passage, Galatians 4:4-6: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son … to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” Paul is describing God’s greatest acts in the history of salvation, and those acts are specifically Trinitarian: The Father sends the Son and the Spirit to save.


Or think even bigger: in a crucial passage of Romans, Paul summarizes his message in five verses, and there is a necessarily Trinitarian cadence to his summary: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. … We rejoice … because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:1–5).


Or try to take in 12 verses at once: Ephesians 1:3-14 is one gigantic sentence (in Greek) that surveys all of God’s plans and intentions from eternity past, through our present salvation, and on to final redemption. Three times it points us to the kind intention of God’s will, and three times it points us to the praise of his glory. The fundamental movement of the passage, though, is from the Father’s choosing and predestining us in love, through the beloved Son’s death for our forgiveness, to the Holy Spirit’s work sealing us for redemption.

Once you learn to see the Trinity shaping these larger stretches of Scripture, you’re ready to notice how entire books of the Bible are structured by the same Trinitarian logic. In Galatians, for example, Paul proves his gospel of faith against salvation by works in a three-part argument: The Galatians received the Spirit by faith, God promised Abraham that he would justify the Gentiles by faith, and Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. The great arc of Romans runs from the Father’s judgment through the Son’s propitiation to the Spirit’s deliverance.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the Trinity as the big story behind the Bible, the best thing to do is to read the Gospel of John fast, in one sitting. Your dominant impression during the first half will be that the Father and the Son love each other, and in the second half the Holy Spirit will burst into your attention as the fulfillment of the revelation.

There are a handful of verses where the three persons are named in one place, such as Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. These classic passages have the advantage of being comfortably verse-sized. But when we move on from the partial glimpses of the Trinity we can get from single verses, we are led on to larger stretches of argument, wider vistas of insight, and a more inclusive expanse of God’s self-revelation through Scripture. And that prepares our minds for the biggest Christian thought of all: The whole Bible is one complete book that reveals the Trinity. That fact is what the ancient church fathers meant when they summarized the Christian faith in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father … and in his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ … and in the Holy Spirit.”

The Trinity is a biblical doctrine, therefore, in a very special sense: not in any one verse, but as the key to the entire book.

The chief end of man is to enjoy God forever!

It is natural that every aspect of you should hunger for God. This is really not a supernatural thing, but rather it is what you were created for. Your relationship with God is not some obscure issue relegated to the unseen realms of the spirit. Even for the uninitiated, it is not a spooky thing. Even your physical body was designed to be a host, a carrier of Him. He fits you like a glove. Your mind, your decision making processes, your emotional life and even your natural body yearn for the harmony that comes when the eternal God steps inside of you and wears you like a garment. In fact, Adam wore God like clothing! He didn't know he was naked in the Garden of Eden because he never was until sin entered. As we are clothed with His glory presence, we become lost in the divine. God rests inside of me, and I walk inside of Him-spirit, soul, and body.

Movements Change With Each Generation

We may define "movement" as a "coordinated change to replace present conditions with a new lifestyle."

The wide chasm between "Clergy" and "Laity" had existed for centuries when Martin Luther broke with Rome, proclaiming "The just shall live by faith."
With these words, Luther unknowingly triggered a "Reformation Movement"--a rejection of the papal control of the church.
As we evaluate what happened, we can learn about what always happens when a movement is launched.
1. THE FIRST GENERATION IS LAUNCHED WHEN TOTAL DISSATISFACTION WITH PRESENT CONDITIONS BOILS TO THE SURFACE.
Some decide they will not tolerate the present condition and begin to ask, "How can this be changed? What can I do about it?" Instead of owning a vision, the first generation is owned BY the vision. No price is too great to pay to make the change take place.
So it was: Luther had a fire in his belly. He would not rest until he let the world know how he felt. The 95 Theses were posted on the wall of the church in Wittenburg. It is not extravagant to say "all hell broke loose." Even assassination was attempted to shut him up.
Early Adopters then follow, encouraged to join the movement. They also burn with a fire in their belly.
This is what can be said of the first generation: they have a fire burning within! The cause is more important than their own existence. It is important to repeat: they do not own the vision. The vision owns them.
2. THE SECOND GENERATION IS LAUNCHED WHEN FOLLOWERS DECIDE THERE MUST BE MORE STRUCTURE TO GUIDE THE MOVEMENT.

Luther hammered the rebellious document on June 15, 1520. Melancthon participated with him from the beginning, but his humanistic convictions quenched the fire. His attempts to synthesize the theological foundations of Luther occupied him. In 1560, his "Corpus Philippicum" paved the way for the next generation. He never threw an inkwell against the wall. For him, the Reformation was all about doctrinal issues. The fire was replaced with a focus on dogmatics.
3. THE THIRD GENERATION THEN LAUNCHES WHEN FORMS CONTROL THE LIFE OF THE MOVEMENT.

Lutheranism, narrow and harsh, appeared full blown in 1580 with the Formula of Concord. In only 60 short years, the fire had turned to structure and structure birthed a frozen state of formal religion.

THE CELL CHURCH MOVEMENT IS REFLECTING THESE CYCLES.

I remember back in the 1950's when I was told by Donald McGavran I should meet Yonngi Cho. We were just a few guys here in the States who had decided the church lacked New Testament community. Sitting dismembered body parts in pews and treating them like children to be taught instead of soldiers to be trained was untenable. We shared ideas, compared notes, sarcastically said "Copyright means the right to copy." We would find a better way! Cho's model became copied by many. But alas! The theology of community was totally missing and many pastors found themselves discharged for their passion. Only a handful of men in the USA moved into the cell church theology and practice. Overseas, where community and persecution drew the people of God together, the movement flourished. Not in the USA.

What did happen? Those who wanted to "modernize" their church structures began to add the "Small Group Pastor" to the staff. He had one job: create "holding tanks" so members would not become restless and cruise to the competing church across town. Give them "busy work" to keep their idle hands busy. But never, ever, tell them there is NO distinction between the hired holy men and the tithers in the pew. Just give them something to feel they are "serving God" in any sort of small group.
I truly believe we will run out of gas soon. I sense there is a generation of people leaving the organized church and sitting at home, forming little "house churches" that are in reality one more expression of dismembered body parts, "not discerning the body"--which always has two wings: the small Basic Community and the glorious gathered assembly that celebrates the glorious Body of Christ that is all over the earth.
If you want to ponder this even more, pick up a copy of my last book, Christ's Basic Bodies.

"JUST PEDAL!"

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a President. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable...It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, and it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"

I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people I met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says..."Pedal.”

--Adell Keith

CELL CHURCH IN IVORY COAST IN GRAVE DANGER!

The reporter is acting as witness and also as a contracted partner of this church on a huge social and community program in progress for the church.

The Eglise Protestante Oeuvres et Missions Internationales located in Yopougon Kouté was attacked from all sides yesterday [May 2] evening around 9PM [local] by the FRCI [troops officially and directly under the command of Ouattara]. The pastor officially appointed by the church to be in charge of the crisis testifies to the following facts at the scene at this time (we have created some 2500 dossiers of those who have taken refuge in the church):

Preamble: Several times I have reported the distressing situation (sanitary, medical, security…) of the Eglise Protestante Oeuvres et Missions Internationales [www. epbomi.org] located at Yopougon Koute between Nankoko pharmacy and Hotel Assonvon. Direct contact has been made with French Licorne military forces, the United Nations Mission to Cote d’Ivoire, the UN Refugee High Commission, UNICEF, by email and on a benevolent and mutual aid channel on Facebook. (Unfortunately I no longer have access to the recent Facebook files which disappeared today. I sent a request to this service to know who has done this and why it was done.)

Facts of May 2nd, 2011 around 8:30PM – 9:00PM reported around 9:10PM. 54 PEOPLE WERE TAKEN AWAY - YOUNG PEOPLE OF 19 to 30 YEARS TOWARDS the SHELL STATION NOT FAR FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR the BLIND IN YOPOUGON (reported by witnesses trying to determine the facts with the pastors and members of the church in charge of security) The list of these people is in the possession of the pastor in charge.

The Church has been attacked with heavy weapons (a report is being compiled on property damages) Offices were plundered with major damage and theft (cell phones, portable computers, cameras,…) The church health clinic center was ransacked. Emergency medications provided by the UN were stolen.

Two Nissan vehicles, green and gray, were taken as well as one small Peugeot bus. I contacted the UN Human Rights Commission [UNCI HRC] reps in Cote d’Ivoire in the neighborhood of 9:30PM. (I reported the exact hour on the [now lost] Facebook mutual aid channel). I also directly contacted the French Licorne military force. The agent on duty transferred me right back to the UNCI HRC agent on duty who said he had informed the UN Security Council. I gave him the phone number of the pastor in charge for more details. We have had NO return calls from them as yet. The church is being intimidated because the attackers promised to return. We think that this is a deliberate act. I posted this odious act on Facebook. However I do not know if officials have contacted the interested parties for information as the page disappeared this morning. I am trying to find out if it is government officials themselves who have removed this from Facebook or if it was Facebook who did so and for what reason.

Pasteur Dion, President and founder of this Church, has experienced attempted threats of kidnapping. However, he was put in a place protected by pastors and friends. We fear for his life.

We ask everything possible be done to safeguard the physical integrity of those “taken away” as well as present and future protection of displaced members of this church and also with all of the Churches affiliated with the activities of Pasteur Dion [www.epbomi.org]

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[This is the message sent to unicef]

MEDICAL AND SOCIAL URGENCY

WE ARE ALERTING YOU TO THE EMERGENCY SITUATION AT YOPOUGON AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN YOPOUGON KOUTE IN THE “RED ZONE” [Red Zones are areas not yet secured by the government]:

WE HAVE RECORDS ON THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE

2500 REFUGEES - -800 WOMEN OF WHOM 57 ARE PREGNANT WITH 7 IN LABOR INCLUDING 1 MISCARRIAGE THIS MORNING. - 1000 CHILDREN - 700 MEN

WE ARE IN A COMBAT ZONE WITH ROCKET FIRE WHICH HAS NOT YET REACHED THE MAIN SITE BUT IS HITTING ALL AROUND US WITH COMBAT TAKING PLACE ON THE GROUND NEARBY

WE NEED : 1) FOOD AND DRINKING WATER 2) BASIC DRUGS AND MEDICAL EVACUATIONS 3) MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BECAUSE THE ZONE IS OUTSIDE OF WIRED NETWORKS WITH INTERNET EXCEPT FOR CELL COMPANIES GSM, MTN, AND KOZ. 4) NIGHTIME SECURITY

AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A REPONSE FROM YOU TO EMAIL SENT AT THE BEGINNING OF WEEK TO UNCHR

Everyone An Equipper, Everyone Equipped

There are a few principles that are crucial to discipleship. I have carefully crafted our TOUCH equipping track to apply them:

THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

In 1 John 2:12-13 we are given the three stages of spiritual growth:
* The "Little Child" knows two things: "I have a Papa and my sins are forgiven."
* The "Young Person" knows one more thing: "I know the enemy and how to overcome his power."
* The "Father" knows two more things: "I have an intimate knowledge of God and how He works and I have sired a child."

This makes clear there is a path for each person to be equipped while equipping someone else. Who is better suited to mentor the "Little Child" than someone who knows how to "overcome the evil one?"
Who is better suited to care for the "Little Child" and the "Young Person" than the "Father" who led them to Christ? The discipling of all believers is the task of all believers! By forming "'Basic Communities" of these three persons, you have automatic discipling.

The most important issue in discipling is to help each Christian to become a discipler. I have just visited Santarem, Brazil where the PAZ cell church has over 53,000 people in cell groups. Every cell group is formed from disciplers discipling disciples.

Abe Huber calls these "MDA's." He writes,
"Model of Discipleship means 'Apostolic Microcell of Discipleship.' Thus, MDA, in terms of its appearance, is a "microcell" referring to the individual care that all members receive in the Body of Christ, the church. It is personalized, individual, where every Christian has someone who accompanies him as a mentor, helping him grow in Christian life and service to God. As a "model," the MDA includes the entire structure: pastoral, evangelistic, missionary, apostolic, prophetic and teaching of the church. It is how the church exists and operates." - O PURÊ DE BATATAS

I have pressed Abe to get his materials translated into English from Portuguese. The world needs the truths God has given him! I believe the MDA concept is anointed and must be expounded by him for use beyond the PAZ ministry.

Meanwhile, while we wait, I have taught this form of mentoring for 30 years! I have built this into all of my equipping track materials. www.touchusa.org
Leaders are developed at this grass roots level. When the "Young Person" mentors the "Little Child" a leader is being formed. As Abe said to me, "Who is better to supervise this than the "Father" who won the "Child" and mentored the "Young Person?"

Your thoughts?

My friend Dan Boone has moved upstairs...

Most of the world knew Dan Boone as a car dealer and a sportsman. I knew, at least for a brief time, a man who was captured by a higher claim on his life.

Following the surrender of his family to the Lordship of Christ, Dan began to attend our worship services with them. Through this we began to develop a personal relationship. This led to transparent discussions about his lifestyle as we met at the country club for luncheons. He was willing to share his deep struggles and finally, over two spinach salads, he made a simple confession of faith in Christ.

There followed many weeks of our meeting daily at his home in the mornings. For 11 weeks, I prepared a daily devotional for an hour discussion with him about the core values of a Christ follower. These were moments when I could sense the deep struggles of a man torn between inner conflicts and a desire to break loose from a well entrenched pattern of activities.

Eventually I published the material I originally wrote to mentor him as A Survival Kit for New Christians. It became widely used with over two million copies now distributed in many languages, used around the world. As a result, Dan and I flew to Nashville where he was given a plaque by Broadman Press for inspiring the book to be written for him as a new Christian.

We drifted apart when my own journey took our family to serve as missionaries in Viet Nam and Singapore. The years went by.

Dan and Pat moved away; upon return to Houston, we found Pat was active in a fine church, growing in the Lord. But no one invested much in helping Dan continue his walk into Christ’s Lordship. As a result, the seed sown into the soil of his life was crowded out by the thorns of old lifestyles.

I was then contacted by Dan when Pat was found dead with an open Bible in her lap as she was called home by her King. At the funeral, several key men spoke to me about their concern for Dan. The lack of solid Christian community had left him drift.

My attempts to keep in touch after that were minimal because of my own travel and the schedules we both kept. I deeply regret I did not continue my friendship with him.

While his life was not a dramatic testimony of personal faith, my friend is in the care of the Christ who died to redeem him. He chose to be owned by the saviour of the world.

Did his life reveal a deep walk with Christ? It did not. Yet his and our salvation does not depend on our lifestyle but the integrity of a loving God who has made it very plain in this inspired verse:

“By grace are you saved through faith; not through your own works, lest any man should boast.”

Is Dan with the Lord he never fully yielded to? We can be sure he is.

Was Dan never fully drawn into a servant lifestyle? We know he was not.

But in eternity, he will find there is no other lifestyle available. With the destruction of the human flesh his spirit is finally released to be all it was meant to be.

C.S. Lewis wrote of a waiting room where recently deceased people were waiting to enter heaven. The complaints, the angry comments of those present, reflected all the personality traits of these unhappy earth people. The main character in the story is horrified and says to himself, “Shall I enter heaven to put up with these people for all eternity? How can there be anything but more hell in what is called 'heaven'?”

Then, one by one, the waiting room is emptied and people pass into heaven. To his astonishment, he sees amazing transformations in each of the people in the waiting room! They are all totally transformed when the weight of earthly transgressions are stripped away.

I am waiting to greet my friend Dan Boone when I join him in the next life. It will be amazing to see him divested of his humanity and to see him as God has always seen him: a blood-bought son of God, pure and unhindered by the habits of the flesh.

I often wonder what I will be like at that time? The weight of sin drags all of us down. It is so sad that in this life we fight so hard against what we could experience here and now: the eternal peace that comes into the dimension of time when we stop struggling and enter into His rest.