Greek Gods

I saw Clash of the Titans last night. Although not as good as Avatar in terms of 3D cinematography (I feel slightly pretentious having used that word, sorry), CGI effects, and story line it was none the less an enjoyable experience and an unexpectedly thought provoking one at that. The story is all about the interplay between the gods on Mt Olympus and the humans down below. The contrast between the Greek gods and the God couldn't be more striking. Zeus, the king of the gods created mankind to love him and is in fact reliant on their love to sustain his immortality. He acts in human history to manipulate people into loving him and worshiping him, first by being nice, then by letting his bad brother be nasty. It struck me in the car on the way back home how the real God is so different. He needs nothing from us yet gives us everything. His love isn't manipulative, its self sacrificing.

Then there is Perseus, a demi-god, half human and half God. His relationship with his father Zeus is decidedly dysfunctional. How far removed from the incarnation where Jesus is both fully human and fully God knowing such unity and love with his father.

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Twittering on

Well, today I went to the doctors to see what's wrong with my back. Something in my spine seems to have moved out of place. Then had a great chat with an Elder from Canterbury church about small groups. Went to a school governors meeting and tried to understand our budget. Did a lot of running around with one of our children who has just learnt to ride her bike but I'm not sure if she can stop ok yet. Felt like a presidential body guard running alongside the presidential car. Found a much better place to invest my savings than the bank - a local church! Took kids swimming. Watched the first part of the miracle maker with them (great film, felt quite emotional at times at how great Jesus is). Had a delicious tea cooked by my gorgeous wife. And now, have just revisited my twitter account and resolved to use it a bit more. I've tried to write the first part of this blog entry in a twitter style (short 'tweets') to get the hang of it. I feel under pressure to twitter a book recommendation or pass on some great quote so I've not said much on twitter yet. My mind is blank at the moment though. Think I will just have to say what I'm up to. I think that's supposed to be part of the charm of twitter. You get to hear about the little unimportant details of someone's life.

I joined about nine months ago but never twittered anything. A few people tried to follow me but I was embarrassed at how I had not twittered anything so have not accepted anyone yet. Oh, except the person who encouraged me to try it out (thanks Ed). The thing that prompted me to give it another go was hearing about the massive effect social networking sites are having on the election campaign. I suddenly realised that things like twitter were not "time wasters" but increasingly important and powerful means of communication. A lot of New Frontiers churches even twitter to let people know what's going on. Does King's in Norwich? I don't even know. Anyway my twitter name is @dmarcust. See you in cyberspace. 

Small group, Big blessing

I love my small group. Had a great time tonight worshiping and praying together. I don't want to overdo it or get all mushy but you know when you are married it's hard to remember what life was like before, or when you have kids it's hard to remember what life was like before them, well, as I think about it I find it hard to imagine church life without my small group and the people in it. They are such a blessing to me! But just in case you think I've gone all soppy, let me tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing Clash of the Titans in 3D this week with some of the guys. Grrrr. Kill javascript:void(0)that giant scorpion thing.

A journey of discovery from Bedford to southern California

Always in the look out for things that will inspire and build my faith for supernatural healing I was excited to stumble upon the "Heaven touches earth" conference at Bedford recently. I just went to their web site today to find out more about it and read that the main speakers are Julian Adams and a man called James Maloney. Not having heard of the later before I listened to one of his talks on you tube. He's a great story teller and an engaging speaking. He told of a man with a hand but no arm whose got healed in the he name of Jesus. His hand shot out from his shoulder with an brand new arm behind it!

Another of his stores was about a man who came to speak to them at bible collage. He was freckled, had no teeth and so sprayed saliva all over the from row where he was sitting. He didn't give the name but said he was one of the original "Little rascals" (not the 1994 remake). Well google led me to a man named "Holy Hubert Linsey" who was indeed one of the original little rascals. He has been threatened, stabbed, blinded and had his teeth kicked out, all for preaching the gospel. I've just watched a video of him preaching in a 1987 outreach at Bowling Green State University. I can see why he got into trouble. He's very "in your face"; challenging, even rude and aggressive. His style is definitely what you would call "hell fire and brimstone" but he clearly holds out the gospel to people. The many students who gather round him alternate between mocking and anger in their response.

Apparently he's been doing this sort of things for years. In the 60s he preached to the radical hippies in Berkley California, some of whom got saved and went to southern California to tell their hippy friends. They in turn got saved and pitched up to a church called Calvary Chapel run by Chuck Smith (who had been the campaign manager for Paul Cain - but that's another story). Chuck Smith Had been praying for hippies and his church became the centre of the Jesus movement. Their preaching was bible based, simple but expository and their informal style and worship has apparent had a big influence on contemporary Christian music.

Going to his web site I discovered that he has preached through the whole bible! Wow. It looks like he does several chapters at once. I'm just listening to his preach on the bit I am speaking on this Sunday; Matthew 8:17. In contrast to Dr Martin Lloyd Jones verse by verse, even word by word preaching he preaches on whole paragraphs at a time. It's actually quite a refreshing style. Read a short passage, make a few observations, then move on. Here we go he's reading out the Isaiah quote now.

"'He took up our infirmities and carried out sorrows' There are those bible scholars today who want that to make that apply only to spiritual healing. But really the finest commentary you have on the old testament is not always those who declare themselves to be bible scholars today. The finest commentary you have on the OT is the inspired NT. And here Matthew writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares that the physical healing upon all of these people that were brought to Jesus as he was there in Peters house in the evening, and as Jesus healed them all he was doing that that the prophecy of Isaiah might be fulfilled. So Matthew extends the prophecy of Isaiah to include physical haling as well as spiritual healing."

I think he's right. He goes on to say some things I'm not so sure about but I'm going to explore this verse more in the next few days. Its been an interesting journey so far.

A good holiday and a great book (2000 years of Charismatic Christianity part 1)

I've Just come back from short break away. Great to spend time with Sarah and the Children away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Played games, went for walks, fed the ducks, drove round safari parks. Perfect. And in the evenings I relaxed with a great book: 2000 years of Charismatic Christianity by Eddie L Hyatt. The book seeks to answer the challenge of historical legitimacy sometimes levelled against the charismatic church. Hyatt writes:

"The argument goes something like this; The church has been in existence for 2000 years, but Pentecostals and Charismatics have been around for less than 100 years. This purported lack of history would seem to indicate that the movement is, at best, peripheral to orthodox Christianity.

This challenge of historical legitimacy is usually answered in one of two ways by proponents of the movement. Classical Pentecostals have taken a restorationist approach, commonly looking upon themselves as representing a restoration of the purity and power of the first century apostolic church. From this perspective, the 1800 intervening years are regarded as years of corruption and spiritual demise. More recently some Pentecostals and Charismatics have been unwilling to skip 1800 years of church history and have taken a traditionalist approach. They seek to fill the perceived historical vacuum by forming traditional, ecclesiastical offices in the structure of their churches and by instituting traditional liturgies into their worship services. Such measures are motivated, in part, by attempts to establish a continuity with the past through identifying with the traditional, institutional churches.

Neither the restorationist approach nor the traditionalist approach, however, adequately answers the historical question. The fact is that Pentecostals and Charismatics do have a legitimate history. It is a history found in the various revival and renewal movements that have emerged constantly in the life of the church. Because these were often condemned or marginalised by the institutional church, the history has been submerged or misconstrued. It is, therefore, a history in need of discovery and full recovery."

Can you imagine my excitement at reading this at the beginning of my holiday. The next few days would be a journey through the attic of church history discovering long lost treasures and testimonies of God's glorious supernatural power. Let me give you some of the highlights form AD 100-325:

Justin Martyr (A.D. 100 -265), a wondering philosopher who was converted by a beach evangelist (well by a man on a beach anyway).

"For the prophetic gifts remain with us even to the present time" Dialogue with Trypho

"For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exercising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving of possessing devils out of the men." The second apology of Justin

Hyatt writes " never does he suggest that he expects these gifts to cease at some point in time".

Irenaeus (AD 125-200), a student of Polycarp who was a disciple of the apostle John.

"For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have been thus cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and utter prophetic expressions. Others still heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole". Against Heresies

"Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remain among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of gifts which the church [scattered] throughout the whole world has received from God in the name of Jesus Christ." Against Heresies

"In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the church who possess prophetic gifts and do through the spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God". Against Heresies

Hyatt writes "as with Justin Martyr, Irenaeus in no way indicated that he expected the charismata to cease"

Tertullian (AD 160-240), an influential leader and apologist of the Western Church.

"For seeing that we acknowledge the spiritual charismata, or gifts, we too have merited the attainment of the prophetic gift." Treaties on the Soul

"And heaven knows how many distinguished men, to say nothing of the common people, have been cured either of devils or of their sicknesses" To Scapula

"Not that in the water we obtain the spirits; at in the water we are cleansed and prepared for the holy spirit... The hand is laid on us, invoking an inviting the holy spirit through benediction." On baptism

Origen (AD 185-284) son of a martyred believer and the first "Wayne Grudem" (ie systematic theologian).

"Some give evidence of their having received through this faith a marvellous power by the cures which they perform, invoking no other name over those who need their help than that of the God of all things, and of Jesus, along with a mention of his history. For by these means we too have seen many persons freed from grievous calamities, and from distractions of mind, and madness, and countless other ills, which could not be cured neither by men nor devils". Against Celsus

Hyatt writes

"Origen was the first early church father to indicate that supernatural ministry was becoming less common. He points to the abundance of supernatural signs in the ministries of Christ and the apostolic church. Any remarks,' but since that time the signs have diminished'. He cites the lack of holiness and purity among the Christians of his day is the reason"

Novatian (AD 210-280) a devout and compassionate leader and theologian in the church in Rome. His split with Cornelius Bishop of Rome and became a rival bishop of Rome over Cornelius is lenient treatment of those who had "lapsed" during persecution. He set up a movements who called themselves Cathari ("pure ones") to distinguish themselves from other professing Christians whom they considered part of an impure. Others in church history have taken on this title and the holiness movements maintain similar priorities.

"This is he [the holy spirit] that places prophets in the church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, offers discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests councils, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus making the Lord's church everywhere, and in all, perfect and completed." The Trinity

Hyatt writes

"Novatian's emphasis on moral purity, coupled with the testimony of Origen, indicates that moral decline among Christians was a trend in both Eastern and Western sectors of the church. This moral decline produced contention and strife in the church, and eventually the official institutions sided against those who advocated strict moral purity. Succeeding generations will interpret this stance on morality as a primary cause of the church's loss of spiritual power."

Cyprian (AD 195-258), a wealthy and well-educated Carthaginian and avid reader of Tertullian, was Bishop of Carthage until he was martyred in 258.

"For beside the visions of the night, even in the daytime, the innocent age of boys [ innocent children] is among us filled with the holy spirit, seeing in an ecstasy with their eyes, and hearing and speaking of those things whereby the Lord condescends to warn and instruct us." The epistles of Cyprian volume 5 of the anti-Nicene Christian library.

"For he who has been sanctified, his sins being put away in baptism, and has been spiritually reformed into a new man, has become fitted for receiving the holy spirit". The epistles of Cyprian

Again Hyatt writes

"like other writers of his era, Cyprian expresses no awareness of a theory of cessation."

I find reading these historical Testament is very helpful and encouraging as they remind me that God's supernatural power was not limited to the time of Jesus and his apostles, nor can find to the testimony of Scripture but continued on in the life of the early church. It's interesting to see not only the continuation of the gifts but an awareness of receiving the spirit subsequent conversion and I was all so reminded of the link between holiness and power as bouncers spoke on Sunday about the link between getting rid of sin and reaching for fruit reaching for fruit.

In a subsequent blog I shall summarise the next chapter of the book that describes the detrimental effect of institutionalism on the gifts of the spirit.