Train naked

Ever since I started comparing my journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ to the life of a Jedi, I have been enamored with the verb “train” (training, trained) as it appears in scripture. I assume this is because of the obvious Jedi context. The training of a Jedi is a mysterious journey, undertaken by a student (padawan), and facilitated by life itself, and the living out of the mission of the Jedi (guardians of peace and justice). The “training” is guided by a master Jedi, who has himself been trained, by another before him (ie. Mentoring). So I envision my training as a disciple of Jesus much the same way, and the training I offer to those coming up behind me.

Recently I was intrigued by a passage in Hebrews, and when I dug in deeper, I found this word again “train”. I decided to keep digging, because that is what a disciple of Jesus does with the Word, especially when there is time on his hands.
Note: The Bible is like picking your nose… you gotta dig deep, and you have to rub it of on someone else!

The word train appears in Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3… feel free to crack open your bible and follow along (in the voice of Strong Bad). The author of Hebrews is rebuking the readers for not progressing in their faith. They are not equipped to deal with the teaching he wants to provide for them, almost as if they are too spiritually immature. Apparently it is their own fault. As a pastor, this is a passion of mine – to see people take responsibility for their own discipleship! If you think that going to church is how you are discipled (trained to be like Jesus)… think again!

“…But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (V. 14, italics mine)

You and I can equip ourselves for advanced teaching of scripture by training ourselves! Constant study and use of scripture trains us.

This word “trains” is the Greek word “Gumnazo”, ( goom-nad'-zo). It means essentially to train naked… Weird? Not really…

1. to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics)
2. to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

As you may have already heard, athletics of this era (like the Olympics), were all done in the nude. Competitors performed un-hindered (Heb. 12) by clothing. Not that I am recommending you do this today (especially not in ice hockey), it just helps to understand what the author was referring to. The author of Hebrews could have used another word but he chose this one… interesting. Consider that you and I can exercise with the Word of God in a devoted and un-hindered way, as if we were preparing for an Olympic event! What a challenge! Notice that this training prepares us to hear the Word (say on Sunday), it does not result from hearing preaching. The responsibility to train like this is mine alone – it’s not the pastor’s fault if I’m not growing!

I own a bible that used to belong to an elderly woman of God who died a couple years ago. Just seeing her scribbled notes tells me that she took responsibility to train personally. It’s almost like this approach has skipped a generation in the church. The next generation of disciples must bring it back! Train naked!


Note:
This Greek word (Gumnazo) is also the same word used by Paul in 1 Tim 4: 7-8. He urges Timothy to train himself to be godly in this same way.

Velvet Elvis

I am reading “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. He’s the guy in the Nooma videos. I just read the portion titled “Yoke”.

I am being rocked by what Rob Bell has written. I find that assumptions I have held for over 20 years about the bible are being challenged. That doesn’t mean my assumptions are wrong (although some have to be – no one has it all right). But it does mean that once again, I have to re-evaluate what I believe about the Word of God. I think that is part of the author’s point… that the Word is “alive” and therefore I must have a living, changing relationship with it. Unfortunately I, like most people, want to find hard and fast “rules” to give myself a sense of security… a sense of; “I have this figured out so no I can move on”. A sense of “this is what the bible is, this I what the bible says – therefore I know how to live my life”. I guess it’s a desire for an unhealthy sense of closure regarding the “Living and active” word of God. This must change for me… what about you?

Rob bell explains “binding and loosing” as the wrestling with, and deciding on, what the scriptures mean and what to do about them. Action is a key. I initially feel very uncomfortable about the idea of giving everyone license to interpret the scriptures for themselves and live accordingly. But really, that is what we are doing anyways? I guess I feel uncomfortable with this because most of us have not developed the skill or discipline to interpret the Word for ourselves. That, in my opinion, is a crying shame. Unfortunately we as a culture have surrendered the power of interpreting scripture to pastors and leaders who make these crucial decisions for us. Don’t get me wrong – it is a good thing to learn from those who are devoting themselves to study, interpretation, and communication of scripture… BUT, that can’t be our only means of processing the word of God and making decisions. I’ve always assumed that there IS a right interpretation for every passage – I just have to find it. Rob doesn’t seem to discourage this theory – he just shows how it is meant to be done in community and humility. And that it is my responsibility as a disciple to “bind and loose” and then live it out. I still have an overwhelming desire to “get it right”, and that is a good thing. But I have to admit that I am often less than accepting of other peoples journey of interpretation. I am very frustrated about how some people use the scriptures to promote their “revelation” or agenda. I guess that is part of the call of leadership – to do what we can, to get what God is intending us to get from His Word, by all means necessary… and to teach it, and hold people to it. This has driven to study more and understand more about His Word. And to know His Holy Spirit who will guide me into all truth.

The Church Experiment part 2

This trip to Alberta was an opportunity for Jaime and I to hear God speak to us on a lot of levels. I’m trying to reflect and write these down. Here goes…
I found myself walking on a mountain trail hiking up to a remote place called Hidden Lake with my wife, 2 close friends, my brother and his wife. We talked of the Kingdom as we walked and looked on awestruck at God’s amazing creation (no… not just meaning my wife, she was the centerpeice of an incredible backdrop of art). At some point I jokingly said, “… this is the best church I’ve had in months”. Then it struck me like a lightning bolt... It really was. Here I was worshipping the creator with my whole body as I tried to take in what He has so artfully sculpted, specifically the immense mountains towering above me, and the cascading waterfalls. Not only was I worshipping in awe, but I was sharing the experience with close relationships who were on the journey of faith with me. This was the best “corporate worship” I had been a part of in a long time. And add to that that we talked of the Kingdom, culture, church, scripture and faith as we went along… this ROCKED!!! I am inspired to take something of this experience of church with me wherever I go. Find a way to have “church” outside of the building people!