As you may know (and if you don’t know you are soon to find out), atheism has declared war on theism. One of their tactics is to lump all of religion together. Here is the obvious problem with such generalizations: all religions are not the same. They do not all believe the same things; they do not all act the same ways.

Religion is not even settled on whether a supreme being exists. Those who believe in a supreme being are not in agreement on who or what he is. There’s not even agreement on his nature and expectations of those he created. The god of the Muslims, for example, is quite different from the God of Christians and Jews. The Muslim God expects his followers to rid the earth of the infidels. If you can’t persuade them, kill them. If you have to kill yourself, your children, your babies to eliminate a few of them…so be it. Then again, not all Muslims would agree with this, but they are strangely silent.

Atheists delight in pointing out the horrendous acts of religious people they lump together as “Christians.” A favorite target is the Roman Catholic Church with its crusades, persecutions, executions, edicts, etc. Next on their list are the Protestants with much of the same. Not only are these vastly different from each other, but they are quite different, in varying degrees, from the primitive Christianity exposed in the New Testament. They are the results of virgin Christianity being interfered with by the likes of Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Smith, Zwingli, popes, assorted false prophets, and various televangelists.

Now, if you don’t believe that most atheists lump together all religions, especially those claiming to be Christian, just have a look at their blogs and websites.

While you’re at it, have a look at John Clayton’s article, “Atheists Declare War on Faith“

Is it a sin? Is it evil? First let’s get a definition from our old electronic friend, Mr. Wiki Pedia.

“Jealousy typically refers to the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that occur when a person believes a valued relationship is being threatened by a rival. This rival may or may not know that he or she is perceived as a threat” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jealousy).

We tend to get jealousy mixed up with envy. But they are not really related in the English language. When I envy you, I want what you have. Perhaps I want your stuff. Maybe I want your fame or reputation. Maybe I want your ability or talent. Maybe (not me, I swear!) I want your wife. Oh the shame!

Speaking of wives, when I was dating Brenda I sometimes felt jealous when I sensed a rival might be threatening our relationship. I say that was natural and, had I not felt it, I would have been abnormal. The more secure I felt in our relationship, the less I felt jealous.

So, jealousy concerns a relationship I have and want to keep, but envy concerns something you have that I want. Got it? Good! There’s nothing wrong with the former unless it leads to something sinful (like violence, or self destructive behavior). The latter is always sinful.

I may aspire to be like you and follow your example of hard work and dedication to achieve what you have. Nothing wrong with that. But if you are beautiful and I am ugly, there is not much I can do without surgery. If I hate you or wish to harm you because you have what I don’t, then I need to adjust my attitude.

Now the initial dilemma for Christians is that the words jealousy and envy are used interchangeably in the Old Testament to translate the Hebrew. In the New Testament, a bewildering group of words are translated “envy.” The Greek word “zeloo” (from which we get “zealous”) is translated various ways, including “jealous.” Sometimes it is good, sometimes bad.

So, we have to actually think in order to figure out if the word being translated “jealous” or “jealously” refers to a threatened relationship or to wanting what another has. That requires looking at the context and noticing which is which.

Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14 and many other passages). He certainly does not want what we have. So, the kind of jealousy that God feels must not be sinful. God has loved us to a degree that surpasses understanding. He has been patient with humans for thousands of years…loving, guiding, disciplining, blessing and forgiving. Finally, He has loved us so much that He sacrificed His only earth-born Son, the fleshly expression of Himself, to wipe away sin forever. When Humans turn their back on this love to pursue a rival, God is jealous. Wouldn’t you be?

Today is a kind of milestone for me. This is the day that my gardening blog: In the Charamon Garden surpassed this blog in readership. I never would have expected it! When I started, I would get two or three readers a day if I was fortunate. Now readership has soared to new heights. Of course I am pleased with this new success. Both blogs have always been more popular than my ministry blog because you really have to be interested in missions and evangelism to read Mission South Pacific.

Let me just say to the thousands of readers of this blog (OK, maybe scores) that I thank you for stopping by and occasionally commenting. I look forward to a lot more writing and reading what you have to say.

Trey Morgan, a great blogger (you need to subscribe), has an excellent post on how men need to have deep, spiritual friendships with other men.   It calls to mind a time when I was a “rank and file” member of the North Davis church in Arlington and part of a men’s group that met weekly to discuss their lives and pray for one another.  It was one of the highlights of my Christian walk.  We discussed the ups and downs of our lives and ended with prayer.  It was extremely comforting, encouraging and empowering.

I have a lot of acquaintances, but true men friends are hard to find.  In my case, they must be willing to try to be as open and honest as as I do…no pretense, no facades, everything on the table.  Everything that’s said needs to be held in confidence.

Men (especially West Texas men) are taught to be independent, tough and invulnerable.  And when they are not, to appear as though they are.  It can be a lonely existence.  I am fortunate to have such a friend right here in my town.

A lot of people are turned off by “church.” My premise for this article is that people are repulsed not by the church, but by something else that bears that name but is not the genuine article. Let’s start off with a few basics.

First of all, the word “church” is a wimpy translation of another Greek word, “ekklesia.” Trust me…a better translation would be “assembly” in some contexts, “community” in others. If you don’t trust me, check it out for yourself and you’ll see I’m shooting straight with you. In the New Testament we learn some solid facts about the word we translate “church.”

1. It never refers to a building.
2. It always refers to people.
3. It sometimes refers to a gathered assembly.
4. It sometimes refers to groups or communities in regions.
5. It sometimes refers to all believers in the world.
6. It sometimes refers to the un-gathered community of the saved.
7. There is only one ekklesia or flock belonging to God and all the saved are in it (Acts 2:47).
8. It never refers to a particular denomination (As in, “Which church do you attend?”).
9. It is always a noun and never modifies another noun (As in, church building, church treasury, church property, church members, etc.).
10. Jesus built it (Matthew 16:18).
11. It is God’s household (I Timothy 3:16)
12. Christ is the only head of it, eliminating any other head…(Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:18 et al.).
13. Christ sustains a loving, nurturing relationship to the church (read Ephesians 5).
14. It is His body (Colossians 1:24).
15. He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28).

The monstrosity we so often see today is a corrupted, human-manipulated, man-dominated, misguided version of the church (ekklesia) revealed in God’s word. In many cases institutions called “churches” are merely clubs. They do not resemble the “church” of the New Testament in description or function. But make no mistake, if you are a penitent, immersed believer, God has added you to his community, flock, assembly whether you like it or not.

The ekklesia Christ built is a perfect concept. We ought to appreciate it for what it is. It is, however, made up of flawed humans (you and me) and will never be perfect in expression. We ought to struggle for what it can be.

Paul, in his second letter to the church at Corinth tells us why we must get out of the pep rally (“church services”) and into the game (the world). Let me invite you to carefully consider this passage:

2 Corinthians 4: 6 - 11 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.[1]

The world does not see Jesus because we stay out of sight. The solution is simple: Get visible! Quit hiding! Let Jesus be manifested and seen in us. If Christ is manifested in our mortal flesh then we’d best get our mortal flesh out there! In Philippians 2:14, 15, Paul says we can do this in FOUR ways:

1. We can do all things without grumbling or disputing,
2. We can prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach.
3. In the middle of our crooked and perverse generation, we can appear as lights in the world
4. We can hold fast to the word of life.

A book by Elton Trueblood, The Company of the Committed, is one of the finest books ever penned on what the church should be. In it he shares the key to understanding the relationship of the church to the gospel message.

The church is intended as a concrete answer to the prayer that laborers be sent forth to the harvest. The Company of Jesus is not people streaming to a shrine; and it is not people making up an audience for a speaker; it is laborers engaged in the harvesting task of reaching their perplexed and seeking brethren with something so vital that, if it is received, it will change their lives.[2]

We not only have the message, we are the message! We, the ekklesia, are the concrete answer to the prayer for laborers. We become salt and light not only when we speak, but also as our fellow-humans outside the meeting room see our light shine in our good works that bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

But, if the salt is kept in the saltshaker, what good is it? If the light is hidden under a basket, what good is it? How else can Christ be seen and heard if not in our deeds and words?

And, what a message! It is the answer to terrorism, war, political corruption, racism and despotism. Our message is not better politics, diplomacy, sanctions, threats, treaties or guns and bombs. Here it is: “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). This is the most powerful, peace-bringing, life-changing, world-transforming force in the universe…it is GOOD NEWS! The world must see and hear it.

I really dig this stuff.

I’ve been using it or something like it for decades, starting in Australia with a similar product. In Adelaide (really, Para Hills) I lived in a double-brick house with the interior walls rendered in plaster over mortar (no straight walls!) and used it to fill holes to put screws in when attaching something to the wall. Just drill the hole, blow the dust out, fill with Bondo or something similar, wait for it to set-up a bit, then screw those suckers in.

Later on, in the sign business (hand-carved and sandblasted wooden signs) I used it to correct defects, mistakes (you can carve it with woodcarving tools) and for installations. You can sand it, prime it and paint it.

Today, I am using it to repair closet doors. We live in an old house and the conman-contractor we used to work on the place prior to moving in hired fellow-idiots and additional untrained, loser-type, cheap labor (caught them smoking weed one day) to repair and paint the place. You can see one of their messes (there were many) made when hanging the closet doors in the first picture. They are adjustable hangers and, being carelessly installed, had become loose and caused the doors to drag on the carpet. The repairs, however are pretty easy thanks to good ole Bondo.

I mixed the putty with the hardener and sqwunched it into the stripped-out screw holes, let it set a few minutes, replaced the hanger, and screwed it in. After it sets up nice and firm, I will re-hang the doors. Not only will the Bondo secure the screws but it will act as an adhesive for the hangers.

And no, in case you were wondering, I’m not getting paid for this endorsement. Pity.

For those who are interested in seeking alternative scientific views regarding the universe, you can find a list of Intelligent Design links by going to the website below and clicking “Websites”. Thanks to John Staiger in Auckland, New Zealand for the tip. In fact the whole website looks good. Have a look.

Sometimes the opposition seems overwhelming. Most of it has been self-inflicted.
History – people doing horrible things in the name of Christ. The world of observers, not knowing any better, makes uninformed assessments and forms terrible opinions of Christianity.
Televangelists – money-grubbing, high-living, charlatans and false teachers giving religion in general and Christianity in particular a bad rap (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
Division & infighting – people who should be loving each other and thus proving to be disciples (John 13:35) fighting and slinging mud in the most unloving ways. Dividing into yet another denomination over the slightest perceived doctrinal error, we assist the world in its dismissal and unbelief (John 17:20-23).

We are our own worst enemy.

Christians are a meeting and talking people. We meet in church buildings, chapels, public halls and classrooms. We meet in those rooms to talk or to listen to someone talk. We make sure someone is talking most of the time. Someone talks to us in assembly twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday. That’s 156 times a year not counting gospel meetings, workshops and seminars. Mostly, we talk to ourselves.

Somehow we must jump from talking to doing from gabbing to going. We must kick ourselves out of the chat rooms and step boldly into the world as the Great Commission demands. We have to get out because few of Christ’s commands are accomplished in some room.

Okay, let’s consider, one more time, the Great Commission:

Mark 16:15, 16 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Now let me give you four reasons why the Great Commission will never be fulfilled.

Won’t it be great if I am wrong? I WANT to be wrong! And, I WILL be wrong if we simply do what Jesus said.