Romans 9 - an Introduction

Hello friends and welcome to the wonderful world of Romans 9. I intend to break down the chapter verse by verse sporadically over the ensuing weeks. However I feel in order to do this with success, I must first give a little introduction into the context in which the Letter of Romans was written.

 The quandary in which Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome was a complicated one. For that matter Rome was a complicated situation. The 16 year old Nero has just gained the emperorship in Rome, succeeding the assassinated Claudius. Claudius, who mostly likely was poisoned by Nero’s mother Agripinna, had previously issued an expulsion of all Jews from the great city in 41AD. This meant that those messianic believers who had been preaching the gospel and raising up a church there in Rome were forced to leave it to the young gentile remnant. Nero in his youth was much calmer in his leadership, which is in contrast to the tyrannical madman he would latter grow into. He reversed the expulsion, and the Jews were allowed to return. This created quite a conflict in the Roman church. The previous leadership came back to continue to lead the fledging church they had left. Only now the church was competently being lead by the remnant gentiles. As you can imagine, this made church and relational dynamics among them a complicated situation. They rested in the oneness of the gospel, but were weathering divisiveness and many power struggles. Jewish believers were claiming their leadership out ranked that of the gentile believers because of their heritage. While Gentiles claimed the Jews didn’t matter. Paul hears of this situation from his friends Pricilla and Aquilla, and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit pens the most carefully crafted document in scripture. To say Paul had to be diplomatic to both sides would be putting it lightly. The primary purpose of his letter was to address the issue of Jew and gentile and bring them together under the message of Christ. There are many doctrines that can be legitimately created from the contents of this letter, but that was not primarily Paul’s intention in writing it. For this reason I am of the opinion that the letter needs to be looked at as one complete document more than compartmentalized dogma. Again to be clear, the fruits that have come from this book outside of Jew and gentile premise are just as important. Without them we don’t fully get the idea of justification by faith or “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Still knowing the context in which they are said is so important, so we know how far to go with them. So we know when to use them independently of the original premise, and when to use them with in the context of the letter itself.

 Romans 9 is one chapter I think should be primarily looked at within the context of which the letter was written. As the letter was written to a gentile church Paul makes probably one of the clearest and bold statements I’ve ever seen in the New Testament concerning how he feels about Israel. He boldly proclaims that he would gladly be cut off from Christ and burn in hell if it meant that Israel would be saved from that very fate. He then goes on to outline what Israel has been promised, how God in is sovereignty elected Israel, why the gentiles should have more respect, and how the Jews should back off as the gentiles have just as much access because of their faith in Christ. Again, Paul is formulating his arguments very carefully though as to address the situation without starting an upheaval with either camp.

 As I conclude my mini-introduction I want to be clear that I don’t care about being right, I care about knowing the heart of God. I’m 25 years old and admittedly an adolescent when it comes to theology and doctrine. My ambition in writing on these subjects is not so much to for the purpose of presentation as much as formulation. There are times when I’m admittedly making a point, in this matter however I believe I only am scratching the surface in my ability to understand the Word and this letter. I hope to go on a journey to understanding the word, and bring my readership along with me. So tell me you thoughts.

much love

.::zack

DJ again? hmmmmmm

Well folks jump in on the Divine election post. drewB has helped get the convo going. When I’m not on the run (later tonight) I plan on answering some of his questions, and expounding on where I agree.

But in other news… Last night Carrie and I went to the wonderful wedding of Nate and Katty Wood. A wedding that I was asked to DJ (shocker) but declined. (whoa even bigger shocker). Now it would be false humility for me to say I’m an ok DJ, because truth be known, I’m actually one of the best. But in my current status of not listening to secular music and the like, I decided 2 months ago to hang up my headphones for good.

Then there was Sliker Dave Sliker. He was at the wedding along with a barrage of IHOP faithful. As the reception started he and everyone else was looking at me with the same face. “Why aren’t you running this thing?” Dave came over and gave me the 3 bullet points as to why I should pick the headphones back up.

1.Leadership, He said I lead the reception in a non intrusive but very smooth flowing way.

2. Service to the people. He said my DJing for people helps them have the fun reception they’ve dreamed of and can be my way to serve those friends of mine on their big day.

3. I keep it clean but fun. He said I keep the party hopping but without it ever crossing that ever-so-hard-to-toe- moral line. He said at the receptions I’ve DJed he has had tons of fun and walks away feeling clean, not defiled. (something I exert alot of mental energy in running a show to make sure it stays clean)

I agree with him on all these points. Plus, having run receptions, and DJed for so long, watching from the sidelines is torture!

So per Dave’s persuasion, I’m picking the headphones back up. Therefore it’s official! I will be returning your phone calls, but I’m only doing it as a service to those I know and love.

What do you think?

Random Rantings Friday - late night edition

Happy Friday one and all!!!!! It’s been a crazy few weeks, with falling in love with Carrie, to my beautiful Mom coming to visit my sister and and I here in K.C.. To the studying I’ve been in the last few weeks. I intend to jump back into the regular flow this week. But now for randomness!!

I’m a big fan of old hymns. sure I love the worship music being produced today. But there is something about those old Wesley hymns like “In Christ Alone” or other hymns like “It is Well” that cause my soul to remember my justification, as well as the coming glorification.

I’ve been a drummer since ‘96, and played on teams and quite regularly at the House of prayer the last 5 years. I’ve played with just about every stick out there and have concluded that the Vic Firth “Dave Weckel” signature series sticks are the best sticks ever made.

Apparently according to one scientist, the human race will “regress” and split off in to 2 different species come the year 3000. All I got to say about that is good things Jesus is coming back soon.

Speaking of Jesus returning, and the world ending. Did you know that if the world were to come near end and all technology was wiped out, that one of the top commodities would be salt? Apparently according to a report I was reading it’s really important. And I thought it just raised your blood pressure!

So I own a house. I’m finding that just when you think you have fixed one thing, another thing breaks. However it’s getting cold, and that fireplace in the living room is looking lonely!

This week I was finishing “The American Theocracy” by Kevin Phillips. Phillips doesn’t like Christianity, and despises the church’s presence in politics. But what made me mostly angry about the book was that his depiction of the church in the U.S. becoming more like a “self help shopping mall” loosing it’s religious integrity (I would change religious integrity to preaching the Gospel) was frighteningly true. Which reminds me, I’m glad I pray!

Yo TED! Randy Bohlender and I want our invites. We are brilliant minds, hook us up!

Putin calls the U.S. missile defense shield going up in Poland, the”Cuban missile Crisis” Then quickly backed down from the pointed comment. I think Vlady needs to decide whether or not he wants to pick a fight or not. Fish or cut bait dude.

In Highschool I never wore a back pack. I however had a wonderful purple, pink, and orange, man purse with a picture of a house on it. I bought it in El Salvador, when I was there for a mission trip. No joke. Not sure why, I just liked it, so I wore it.

The Phoenix Suns are going to win it all this year. Steve Nash MVP, Grant Hill Most Improved player, Amare Stoutemire wins the scoring title.

Ok speaking of random and missions. Carrie is from a small town in Minnesota called Montevideo. Growing up she just happened to be best friends with a girl named Liz. I grew up in Phoenix, far away from Minnesota. When I was 14 I went to Costa Rica with Ywam, on a team of 16 people. Two of whom happen to be from Montevideo, one was Carrie’s friend Liz, the other a guy named Matt. You can imagine Carrie’s surprise when she was looking through my photo album and found Liz and Matt’s pictures.

Brent Steeno beat me this week in Fantasy Football! Lame, I hung my head all week long… ok not really… still though!!

I wear white tennis shoes. In fact I almost always wear white tennis shoes. Doesn’t matter if I have a suit coat on, or nice pants. For that matter I almost always seem to wear suit coats as well. Often I’ll wear a T-shirt and jeans, and a nice suit coat. what can I say, that’s just how I roll!

Favorite movie candy: good and plenties

Favorite movie of the last year: Freedom Writers

Favorite ending to this post: priceless…

Divine Election Pt. 1

Divine Election, an Introduction
With Calvinist views on the rise the last 10 years, the doctrine of divine election has resurfaced as a relevant theological debate. I will say that I greatly appreciate Calvinists. I appreciate John Calvin (though I’m not sure John Calvin would have been Calvinist as it’s known today); I love Jonathan Edwards; and fully enjoy reading and listening to John Piper, Wayne Grudem and Sam Storms. However I differ with Calvinists on the idea of election, or predestination. I do not see anywhere in scripture where one individual is destined for salvation over another. It’s simply just not in the text.

This post is going to be in 3 parts. At least it will be as long as there is interest. This first post being a general overview, with a plan to expand in the days to come.

The way I see it

I don’t like to make decisions on doctrine based on doctrine. If you ask me doctrine based on doctrine moves us into glorified philosophy. As opposed to biblical and spiritual revelation. (Eph 1:17-19) I believe doctrine is a great compass to help guide us through scripture. But it’s only a means to an end. Despite the controversy, my belief is that the Bible is absolute. Only in scripture can the true answers be found. Because it’s living, it’s active; it’s Christ. (John 1) Therefore though I’ve read through many ideas on election, what matters most to me in this debate is what the word has to say.

What I believe

I believe in Divine Election. However I believe that Christ was predestined before the foundation of the Earth. (Isaiah 42:1) All those who are in him, who chose to receive his grace, they are elected to salvation, because he is the Elected One. We choose Christ and his grace in faith, then we are predestined as he is predestined because we are in him. (Col 3:1-4; Gal. 2:20)

Eph. 1:4-5: “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

I believe that all have access to the Grace of God to receive salvation. (Titus 2:11) I do not believe, nor see in scripture anywhere God predestined those who are going to be saved, and those who are not.

I do not believe Romans 8-12 is even referring to predestination, but to Israel’s divine election as a nation. I believe God did choose the nation of Israel. They are his chosen people whom we have been grafted into, in Christ.

Discussion

It seems that though my readship has maintained a strong stat showing, the amount of discussion has dwindled. However I would like to open up a discussion on this topic. Do you believe in Divine election as Calvinist circles have defined it? What does it say about God? Does God raise up “vessels of wrath” (Romans 9) completely appointed for wickedness, and are void of the ability to gain salvation? Or are they vessels of wrath by their own means, then God uses them for that purpose? (see Pharaoh and Hitler)

Tell me what you think? I will post an exegesis on Romans 9 if there is interest.  

hmmmm…

Been I little preoccupied lately, as you can imagine. But here is a piture that I thought was a little peculiar. See what I mean?:

I’m in love

That’s right folks. I’m in love with Carrie Blom.

Why share this with my reading public? WHY NOT! I find that though I don’t subscribe to the Hollywood induced notions of love being a swirly twirly thing that you cheese up. I’ve recently found that when you love someone you really do want the whole world to know about it. You know, “shout it from the roof tops” and all that. So this is my roof top… welcome…

I never really knew what it took to love some one. Carrie has taught me how to love. She’s taught my heart how to breathe. She understands me. She is so much fun to hang out with. She is the greatest gift in my life, and a testimony to me of God’s goodness. She is someone I would lay my life down for. She is someone I want to serve with all my energy. I want run with her in this life. I want laugh with her, cry with her, get into fights with her. I want to protect her and be a safe place for her. She is my best friend, someone I can trust with my secrets and heart. She is well, wonderful. And it goes without saying the absolutle most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.

Needles to say I’m the most blessed, or the luckiest (which ever you prefer) guy on the planet that I get to be with some one as incredible as she.

Carrie, I love you

morning after night after morning…or something

Well good morning folks!

Being on a night schedule for the last 5+ years there are somethings that you just don’t get used to. I’ve gotten used to sleeping during the day. I’ve gotten used to going to bed at 8am. I’ve gotten used to missing breakfast at sun rise, and what a noon day sky looks like. However no matter how many years you’re on the night, you never get used to having to travel and switch your sleeping schedule all at once.

The basic idea is to stay up for two days then come 10pm the next day, you are so tired that you fall right asleep and wake up in the morning the next day like the normal world. So I did that last night, I woke up this morning at 8am. However what you don’t get used to is pounding headache, and the intoxicated like feeling that seems to accompany waking up at 8am.  

However it’s morning. My grandma and sister are making breakfast, and my aunt just walked in with a gift from heaven; fresh roasted coffee. The sun is rising, and I’m on the Reservation. Don’t know if that swirling feeling is my head pounding or euphoria from the day. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

through the cities

Well we’ve passed through Minneapolis and are in Wisconson. It’s in the low 40’s and beautiful. Just left a rest stop spent what seemed like an hour looking for an energy drink that didn’t have sugar or the heart stopping Guarana. No luck. I did however just drive under a crop-duster plane fyling about literally 20 feet off the asphalt over the highway. It was rather disconserting. Either way we trudge on.

Road trip to the res

Well folks I’m on the road with my dad and my wonderful sister Sarah. We are currently on our way to the stunning Indian reservation land the United States government allotted for my family and others many years ago. Political sarcasm aside, it actally is quite stunning. We are going to see my beautiful aunt Theresa get married. Currently we are driving through Des Moines Iowa. We just left Starbucks where the lady didn’t what a double Machiatto was. ( I realize I can’t spell it either. I’m on the road no spell check) But she made up for it by pulling it quite well. There a two bussiness guys behind me in line. One was trying shmooze the other. I over heard him say, “No Drake please, let me get this one.” I turned around and piped up, “hey bro you got me too!? he he” Blank stares. I thought it was funny but then again I been awake for a long time now. I’ll check back in with you all come Minneapolis. Till then enjoy the fact that you’ve had more sleep than I.

mind blowing flute beat box…

Being a fan of the beat box art, and a novice myself, this astounded me. Watch it and I’ll pick up your jaw for you later.