Recently, several people have come up to me and said that they would like to read and understand better the best-selling book the world has ever produced—The Bible. Most novels or non-fiction works are best read starting from the first page, then moving sequentially until you reach the end. However, I have found that is not the best way to read the Bible.  In fact, you might be interested to know that the Bible, inspired by God and written by men, is composed of 66 books written over a 4,000 year period.

Which Bible Translation Should I Read?

If I were to recommend a Bible to read, I would recommend two different Bibles.  One Bible would be designed for reading large portions at one sitting, much like you would read a novel.  I would recommend a paraphrase translation of the Bible’s original languages and the best one, by far, is the Message Bible by Eugene Peterson.  His introductory notes on the individual books within the Bible alone are worth the price, and that part is not even inspired by God!

The second Bible I would consider purchasing for readings of one chapter at a time reading is a study Bible.  There are many study Bibles to select from, and they can be rather confusing to those who are getting started.  Choosing one type over another is usually based on personal preference.  If I were a new believer or just getting started with my Bible reading, I would choose The Life Application Study Bible in the New International Version.

The highest rated Study Bible for maturing Christians is the ESV Study Bible. Anglican J. I. Packer was instrumental in developing this study Bible with a team of evangelical scholars. However, if you have a great interest in biblical archaeology and culture, the best study Bible is the Archaeological Study Bible.

Where Would I Start Reading?

The early Church, the Apostolic period through the Patristic period, believed that the Old Testament and the New Testament pointed to Jesus Christ.  The only Bible Jesus ever read was the Old Testament, and Jesus himself stated that the Scriptures spoke of him (Luke 24:27).  Because the Bible was designed as divine revelation for us to know God, I would start with one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.  If it were me, I would start with the Gospel of Luke, then move to the Book of Acts.  Luke wrote these books as two volumes; it would be good to read them in this way as well.

After Luke and Acts, I would begin reading the Gospel of John, followed by Matthew and Mark.  By then the reader has been saturated with the focus of our Christian life, Jesus Christ.  Then, I would begin reading the first two books in the Bible, the Book of Genesis and the Book of Exodus.  After that, call me and we can discuss the next steps in your reading plan.

How Should I Read?

I know the question sounds strange, but it is really is a serious question.  And you are right…I am not saying you should read the Bible with a notepad in one hand and a “Grande Decaf Non-Fat Mocha with No Whip” in the other.  Find a place with limited distractions, just like when you read a novel, so you can get ‘lost’ in the Book.

If you are inclined to do enjoyable readings, like reading a love letter or a good novel, take your Message Bible and read away.  Get the big picture and don’t get lost in the detail right away; you can use your study Bible for that purpose. If you are inclined to read as a student of God’s Word, take your study Bible and read only one chapter.  Then go back and take a look at the notes within that chapter.  Of course, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you do all your readings.  Holy Spirit thoughts may come your way that you need to explore.

The ancient Christian scholars and mystics used many methods in reading God’s Holy Word.  In my next post, I will explore those for you, including Lectio Divina. But for now, enjoy the adventure in reading and studying the Word of God.

The time to read is really based on your internal alarm clock.  For me, I usually choose early morning for enjoyable readings and prayer.  Later, in the day, for a half-hour, I would choose a short study time.   Because I prepare sermons, that study time is usually absorbed in understanding the Scripture at a deeper scale and often takes longer than 30 minutes.  But, for now, take 15-30 minutes in the evening to study before bed.  It would be a good time, if married, to study the passage with your spouse.

Is That It?

Yep, that’s it!  The key is to get started and do it.  Keep the Bible near you, in your car, and at your favorite place in the house so you will see it.  That way, you can pick it up when you have a moment.

Enjoy your reading.  I have found the Bible to be captivating, and I have found myself captivated by the lead actor in the story, God.

Blessings,

Fr. Tony

I was going to title this blog, “The Good Life.”  But I realized quite quickly that the good life, for most of the world, is often defined by personal wealth or at least, ease of living.  The theologian in me also remembered the Gospel account of Jesus saying,  “No one is good except God alone.”  So on monetary and moral grounds, I decided to entitle this blog “The Beautiful Life.”

I have always been interested in living the beautiful life. Now, you might be saying, “Tony has really lost it this time.  All he wants to do is dance in the tulips, smell the flowers, sing “Kumbaya” with total strangers, and make sure he has completed everything on his “bucket” list.  We are really going to miss him.”  Well, maybe I have lost it or maybe I haven’t, – but I am definitely not telling! Besides dancing, singing, and smelling the aromas of life have to be part of living the beautiful life.

What does the beautiful life look like for me?  Before I share what I think it is, I certainly know what it is not.  The beautiful life is not judgment, anger, fear, retaliation, pride, worry, lust, distrust, busyness, acquiring power, or protecting power.  The beautiful life doesn’t compare self with others, doesn’t compete for others’ adulation, and doesn’t keep hidden agendas and long lasting grudges.

It seems to me that the beautiful life must include a lot of laughter. Not laughter filled with angry sarcasm, but laughter filled with something truly funny or touching.  People living the beautiful life see humor in many things, including enjoyment of laughing at themselves.  Yes, a beautiful life has to include laughter.

It seems to me that the beautiful life must also include crying.  Tears come easily in the beautiful life.  A beautiful life is touched deeply when there is human hurt, a tender word, or a long embrace.

A beautiful life must also include joy and happiness.  Not the kind of happiness that brings temporary pleasure, but a real and lasting kind.  I am reminded what C.S. Lewis wrote, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.”  Therefore, a beautiful life must include soul training with the first lesson to learn being is that you don’t have a soul, but you are a soul!

A beautiful life must also include learning and connecting.  Learning about life, people, and facts through books and experiences is to me a beautiful life.   A beautiful life must be aware that we are all connected, knowing that we must not harm or exploit others because we will be only harming and exploiting ourselves.

A beautiful life is loving and being loved.  A beautiful life needs a community, especially a small one that not only knows your name but bears your name.  A beautiful life is filled with wonder and play.  Someone living a beautiful life loves his or her work, for it is a vocation and a passion.  A beautiful life must enjoy moderation and boundaries.  A beautiful life is filled with the classic virtues of faith, hope, and love.

A beautiful life is . . . well, you know.  You really do.  I want to invite you to share with me what a beautiful life is to you.  You can write me back on the blog or email me, Fr. Tony Baron at tbaron@dtwc.com.  After all, everyone I have ever met really does want a beautiful life.

I.          The Historical Marks of the Early Church (Early Followers of Jesus)

1. Inescapably Ritualistic

1. Uncompromisingly Moral

1. Unmistakably Intellectual

1. Unapologetically Trinitarian

1. Unquestionably Scriptural

1. Impressively Loving

1. Undeniably Eucharistic

The Eucharist was the central act of Christian worship, and its communal celebration each Sunday set the rhythm of Christian life.  In the early church there was no Christianity without an altar!

II.         A Detailed Description of Christian Worship (Eucharistic Service, 150 A.D.)

1. The Two Key Parts of the Eucharistic Worship

1. Liturgy of the Word:  Centered on the Bible (series of biblical readings interspersed with prayers and psalms, followed by the exposition of the text) – Deacon Kirsten will teach on the Liturgy of the Word next week.

The early Christian writings and thoughts centered on the Bible.  Their writings were scriptural in language and inspiration.  The goal for all followers of Christ was not only for understanding but love!  Faithfulness, not originality, was the distinctive mark of a good teacher of God’s Word.

Evagrius “A theologian is one who prays, and one who prays is a theologian”

1. Liturgy of Holy Communion (Great Thanksgiving)

1. The Distinctives of Holy Communion

1. A Distinctive Narrative Biblical Structure that Praises God for His Mighty Deeds in the Past, Present, and Future

The biblical story is from creation, through the giving of the Law to the people of Israel to the Coming of Christ, his death and Resurrection, and the expectation of His coming again.  The liturgy kept intact the biblical narrative by recounting the story of Israel and Christ in ritual form.  God’s fullest revelation came through historical events.

1. A Distinctive Liturgy that is explicitly Trinitarian

Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (190—210 A.D. approx..)

1. A Distinctive “Remembrance” of Christ life-giving Sufferings

Anamnesis (Gk): Usually translated “remembrance,” which in this context means “recall by making present.”  The past becomes a present presence that opens a new future.

In the Mishnah, the collection of Jewish law from the early third century, it is reported that Rabbi Gamaliel (teacher of St. Paul) used to say, “Whosoever has not said these three things at Passover has not fulfilled his obligation.  And they are these: Passover, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs.

Passover because God passed over the houses of our father in Egypt, bitter herbs because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our father in Egypt.

“In every generation you must so regard himself as if he came forth himself out of Egypt, for it is written, And you shall tell your son on that day saying, “It is because of that which the Lord did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.”  Those who celebrate Pesach are not spectators, they are participants.  It is I who came forth out of Egypt.

John Chrysostom “Do we not offer the sacrifice daily?  Indeed we do offer it daily, re-presenting his death.  How then is it one sacrifice and not many?…  We offer the same person, not one sheep one day and tomorrow a different one, but always the same offering . . . . There is one sacrifice and one high priest who offered the sacrifice that cleanses us.  Today we offer that which was once offered a sacrifice that is inexhaustible.  This is done as a remembrance (anamnesis) of that which was done then, for he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We do not offer another sacrifice as the priest offered of old, but we always offer the same sacrifice.  Or rather we re-present the sacrifice.(Homily on Hebrews 9:24-26).

1. A Distinctive Belief in the “Real Presence” of Christ

Bishop Ignatius of Antioch (martyred between 98 A.D.-110 A.D.) “The Eucharist is the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ who suffered for us”

Ireaneus, Bishop of Lyon (martyred 202 A.D.) “the bread over which thanks given is the body of the Lord and the cup is the blood”have been

Justin Marytr, 150 A.D. This food we call Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake except one who believes that the things we teach are true, and has received the washing for forgiveness of sins for rebirth, and who lives as Christ taught us.  For we do not receive these things as common bread or common drink, but as Jesus Christ our Savior who became incarnation by God’s word and took flesh and blood for our salvation.  So also we have been taught that the food consecrated by the word of prayer which comes from him, from which our flesh and blood are nourished by being renewed, is the flesh and blood of that incarnate Jesus.

Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. (sermon on Psalm 22):  Makes present what took place in time past, and in this way it moves us as if we were actually watching our Lord hanging on the cross.

How is this possible?  The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity and the moment of truth: here we see the world in Christ, as it really is.

Heaven is the immediate presence of God’s glory and can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere on earth.  Since Jesus is in heaven, the risen Jesus continues to work on this earth in the Church and through the Holy Spirit.  Heaven transcends us as a greater, truer, more splendid reality.  The distance between God and humanity is fully and finally spanned in Christ.

In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that we presently possess eternal life, although we await its full experience at the consummation.  In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is available everywhere, although we await the time when we will see him face to face.  In the Holy Spirit, matter is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is experienced in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, although we await the final marriage feast of the Lamb.

Views                          Christian Body             Is Christ Present?                     How?

Transubstantiation       Catholic, Orthodox                 Real Presence         Change Substance

Pious Silence              Anglican, Orthodox              Real Presence           Unknown

Consubstantiation        Lutherans (Luther)                Real Presence           Substance Remain

Body/Blood Present

Spiritual Presence        Presbyterians (Calvin)           Real Presence            Substance Remain

Spiritual feeding

Mere Symbolism          Zwingli/Baptist/Evangelicals  Not Present                    Memorial

Non-literal                   Quakers/Salvation Army        Not Present                    No celebration

Leo the Great, bishop of Rome in the fifth century:  “Everything the Son of God did and taught for the reconciliation of the world, we know not only as an historical account of things now past, but we also experience them in the power of the works that are present.”

August 14, 2011, The Way Anglican Fellowship, www.findtheway.org.

A.        The Anglican Way of Life is WORSHIP (Living in Christ and Living Out                          Christ in a World God Loves) – Apostolic Celtic Faith Tradition

B.        The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian religious body in                             the world behind the Roman Catholics and the Orthodox Churches (80                                   million plus in the Anglican Communion)

C.        The Anglican Communion is the largest Protestant denomination in the                               world.

D.        The Bare Bones Belief of Anglicanism (Reductionistic View)

1.         Whole Bible:  Anglicanism believes the Holy Scriptures of the Old                          and New Testament as the revealed Word of God and as being the                                         rule and ultimate standard of faith.

2.         The Creeds:  Anglicanism believes in the Apostles’ Creed and the                                       Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

3.         The Sacraments:  Anglicans believe in the Baptism and the Lord’s                                       Supper as the two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself.

4.         The Servant Leaders: Anglicanism believes in the historic                                                     episcopate (Bishops) as locally adapted to the varying needs of the                                                 people of God into the unity of His Church.

II.        The Spirit of Anglicanism as a Way of Life to Worship God (How being an

Anglican deepens our faith?)

1. We are incarnational in our theology more than systematic
2. We are sacramental in our spiritual formation more than we are secular

A sacrament is a promise of God joined to a visible sign of that inward reality.  In the Book of Common Prayer (857), “the sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.”

1. The Sacrament of Baptism: A Covenant to live in the newness of    life

“The whole of the Christian life, in time and in eternity is, in a sense, encapsulated in baptism.  The Christian life is a baptismal life, and it is all about dying and rising with Christ, in this world and hereafter.” – Dr. Michael Green, Canon and Oxford professor

In our baptism, we renounce all that is not from God, we reach out for all that is from God, we journey together toward Christlikeness, and we promise to live our baptism in real life!

1. The Sacrament of the Eucharist:  The Body and Blood of Christ as             the Nourishment for the New Life (John 6:25-59; I Cor. 11:17-34)

The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity and the moment of truth:  here we see the world in Christ, as it really is.  Intercession begins here, in the glory of the messianic banquet, and this is the only true beginning for Christ’s mission.  It is when having put aside all earthly care, we seem to have left this world, that we, in fact recover its reality.

We are encountering Jesus in the Eucharist.  Jesus is the host who is also the feast!

Views                          Christian Body                        Is Christ present?                    How?

Transubstantiation       Roman Catholic                      Real Presence        Change Substance

Pious Silence               Anglican                                  Real Presence        Unknown

Consubstantiation       Lutherans (Luther)                  Real Presence        Substance Remain

Body/Blood present

Spiritual Presence        Calvin/Presbyterians              Real Presence        Substance Remain

Spiritual feeding

Mere Symbolism         Zwingli, Baptist, Evangelical   Not present         Memorial, symbol

Non-literal                  Quakers/Salvation Army          Not present         No celebration

Heaven is the immediate presence of God’s glory and can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere on earth.  Since Jesus is in heaven, the risen Jesus continues to work on this earth in the Church and through the Spirit.  Heaven transcends us as a greater, truer, more splendid reality.  The distance between God and humanity is fully and finally spanned in Christ.

In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that we presently possess eternal life, although we await its full experience at the consummation.   In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is available everywhere, although we await the time when we will see him face to face.  In the Holy Spirit, matter is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is experienced in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, although we await the final marriage feast of the Lamb.

1. We are apostolic in history more than contemporary in culture

Eusebius (early church historian) stated that oral tradition indicated that Joseph of Arimathea traveled to Britain.  Roman soldiers, converted to Christ, share the Gospel.

Celtic Christianity joins the Roman Church and the Orthodox Church as Apostolic Expressions of the Faith.  Three British bishops were at the Council of Nicaea.

1. We are liturgical in spiritual community expression more than spontaneous (Anglicans participant in the Worship experience more than be spectators)

Acts 13:2 the word, “liturgy” is first used for the early church.  The early church was liturgical patterning themselves to the Jewish synagogue.  The early church was also Eucharistic in expression.  Our current Book of Common prayer serves us in this way.

Dogmatics (authoritative belief/doctrine) in Anglicanism is valued chiefly as a guide to leading the Christian life.  The early church was first called in Acts 9:2 as “The Way.”  The Book of Common Prayer is the foundational resource for spiritual formation.  According to BCP 219, Christian spiritual formation is the process of allowing God to bring our “unruly wills and affections” into order with what is healthful to our spirits and to the spirits and lives of those around us.

The ancient rhythms and routines tell the biblical story and deepens our spiritual formation, i.e. liturgical calendar, lectionary, daily prayers.

Lex orandi, lex credenda “the law of prayer is the law of belief”:  Right praying leads to right believing and these lead to right practices and right living.  Hence, the Book of Common Prayer.

1. We value moderation as an attribute of comprehensiveness in our Christianity more than separating ourselves into doctrinal excesses.

Anglicanism grounds me into a broad, historic faith with no need to judge any part of the Body of Christ.  The distinctive characteristic of Anglicanism is via media (moderation).

Preface of the 1662 Prayer Book (also used in the first Prayer Book of the American Church):  It hath been the wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of her Publick Liturgy, to keep the mean between two extremes, of too much stiffness in refusing, and of too much easiness in admitting any variation from it.”

Rome (tradition abuse at times); Geneva (Scripture misuse at times); and Anglican/Richard Hooker (Reason).  We are “reforming Catholics.”  George Herbert, John Donne, and other Caroline divines “manifest intention was to steer a middle course between the excesses of Romanist and Radical Protestant.  Clearly also such a middle course was not in the nature of a compromise or of hesitation to commit themselves to conviction, but was governed by a positive determination to preserve the just balance between fundamentalism and accessories which were threatened by an authority vested in the infallibility where of Tradition or of Scripture.

The Rev’d Canon Dr. Tony Baron, Rector. The Way Christian Fellowship, Vista, Ca. July 17, 2011.  Check out our website at www.findtheway.org or contact Pastor Steve Matson for more information on our community.

The Anglican Way of Life:

How Being an Anglican Deepens Our Faith

I.          Briefly Reviewing Last Week’s Message on the Anglican Way of Life

A.        The Anglican Way of Life is WORSHIP (Living in Christ and Living Out                          Christ in a World God Loves) – Apostolic Celtic Faith Tradition

B.        The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian religious body in                             the world behind the Roman Catholics and the Orthodox Churches (80                                   million plus in the Anglican Communion)

C.        The Anglican Communion is the largest Protestant denomination in the                               world.

D.        The Bare Bones Belief of Anglicanism (Reductionistic View)

1.         Whole Bible:  Anglicanism believes the Holy Scriptures of the Old                          and New Testament as the revealed Word of God and as being the                                         rule and ultimate standard of faith.

2.         The Creeds:  Anglicanism believes in the Apostles’ Creed and the                                       Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

3.         The Sacraments:  Anglicans believe in the Baptism and the Lord’s                                       Supper as the two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself.

4.         The Servant Leaders: Anglicanism believes in the historic                                                     episcopate (Bishops) as locally adapted to the varying needs of the                                                 people of God into the unity of His Church.

II.        The Spirit of Anglicanism as a Way of Life to Worship God (How being an

Anglican deepens our faith?)

1. We are incarnational in our theology more than systematic
2. We are sacramental in our spiritual formation more than we are secular

A sacrament is a promise of God joined to a visible sign of that inward reality.  In the Book of Common Prayer (857), “the sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.”

1. The Sacrament of Baptism: A Covenant to live in the newness of    life

“The whole of the Christian life, in time and in eternity is, in a sense, encapsulated in baptism.  The Christian life is a baptismal life, and it is all about dying and rising with Christ, in this world and hereafter.” – Dr. Michael Green, Canon and Oxford professor

In our baptism, we renounce all that is not from God, we reach out for all that is from God, we journey together toward Christlikeness, and we promise to live our baptism in real life!

1. The Sacrament of the Eucharist:  The Body and Blood of Christ as             the Nourishment for the New Life (John 6:25-59; I Cor. 11:17-34)

The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity and the moment of truth:  here we see the world in Christ, as it really is.  Intercession begins here, in the glory of the messianic banquet, and this is the only true beginning for Christ’s mission.  It is when having put aside all earthly care, we seem to have left this world, that we, in fact recover its reality.

We are encountering Jesus in the Eucharist.  Jesus is the host who is also the feast!

Views                          Christian Body                        Is Christ present?                    How?

Transubstantiation       Roman Catholic                      Real Presence        Change Substance

Pious Silence               Anglican                                  Real Presence        Unknown

Consubstantiation       Lutherans (Luther)                  Real Presence        Substance Remain

Body/Blood present

Spiritual Presence        Calvin/Presbyterians              Real Presence        Substance Remain

Spiritual feeding

Mere Symbolism         Zwingli, Baptist, Evangelical   Not present         Memorial, symbol

Non-literal                  Quakers/Salvation Army          Not present         No celebration

Heaven is the immediate presence of God’s glory and can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere on earth.  Since Jesus is in heaven, the risen Jesus continues to work on this earth in the Church and through the Spirit.  Heaven transcends us as a greater, truer, more splendid reality.  The distance between God and humanity is fully and finally spanned in Christ.

In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that we presently possess eternal life, although we await its full experience at the consummation.   In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is available everywhere, although we await the time when we will see him face to face.  In the Holy Spirit, matter is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is experienced in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, although we await the final marriage feast of the Lamb.

1. We are apostolic in history more than contemporary in culture

Eusebius (early church historian) stated that oral tradition indicated that Joseph of Arimathea traveled to Britain.  Roman soldiers, converted to Christ, share the Gospel.

Celtic Christianity joins the Roman Church and the Orthodox Church as Apostolic Expressions of the Faith.  Three British bishops were at the Council of Nicaea.

1. We are liturgical in spiritual community expression more than spontaneous (Anglicans participant in the Worship experience more than be spectators)

Acts 13:2 the word, “liturgy” is first used for the early church.  The early church was liturgical patterning themselves to the Jewish synagogue.  The early church was also Eucharistic in expression.  Our current Book of Common prayer serves us in this way.

Dogmatics (authoritative belief/doctrine) in Anglicanism is valued chiefly as a guide to leading the Christian life.  The early church was first called in Acts 9:2 as “The Way.”  The Book of Common Prayer is the foundational resource for spiritual formation.  According to BCP 219, Christian spiritual formation is the process of allowing God to bring our “unruly wills and affections” into order with what is healthful to our spirits and to the spirits and lives of those around us.

The ancient rhythms and routines tell the biblical story and deepens our spiritual formation, i.e. liturgical calendar, lectionary, daily prayers.

Lex orandi, lex credenda “the law of prayer is the law of belief”:  Right praying leads to right believing and these lead to right practices and right living.  Hence, the Book of Common Prayer.

1. We value moderation as an attribute of comprehensiveness in our Christianity more than separating ourselves into doctrinal excesses.

Anglicanism grounds me into a broad, historic faith with no need to judge any part of the Body of Christ.  The distinctive characteristic of Anglicanism is via media (moderation).

Preface of the 1662 Prayer Book (also used in the first Prayer Book of the American Church):  It hath been the wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of her Publick Liturgy, to keep the mean between two extremes, of too much stiffness in refusing, and of too much easiness in admitting any variation from it.”

Rome (tradition abuse at times); Geneva (Scripture misuse at times); and Anglican/Richard Hooker (Reason).  We are “reforming Catholics.”  George Herbert, John Donne, and other Caroline divines “manifest intention was to steer a middle course between the excesses of Romanist and Radical Protestant.  Clearly also such a middle course was not in the nature of a compromise or of hesitation to commit themselves to conviction, but was governed by a positive determination to preserve the just balance between fundamentalism and accessories which were threatened by an authority vested in the infallibility where of Tradition or of Scripture.

The Rev’d Canon Dr. Tony Baron, Rector. The Way Christian Fellowship, Vista, Ca. July 17, 2011.  Check out our website at www.findtheway.org or contact Pastor Steve Matson for more information on our community.

Living in Christ, Living Out Christ

(Part I of II)

“Catholic we are; Protestant and Reformed we are.  Yet also the Renaissance is in our blood, and this made for a saving dose of skeptism, for an openness of mind, for a willingness to suspend judgment until we have more data . . . More important than any formal statement of that consensus of the faithful, more significant than any kind of confessional declaration, is the appearance of a type of human being the world doesn’t otherwise see.  He is an Anglican.  He creatively synthesizes within his own being the best that is in Catholicism, the best that is in Evangelicalism or Protestantism, the best that is in Liberalism” – Canon Howard Johnson, Anglican Congress, Toronto, 1963.

I.          Understanding our Identity as Human Beings

1. We are born with a need to be loved and to love
2. We are gifted by God for power (influence: we have choice, i.e. limited self-determination)
   1. Combative power with God:  Dating Jesus
   2. Cooperative power with God: Engaged to Jesus
   3. Collaborative power with God: Married to Jesus (The Bride of Christ)

“Power is good, power is evil, power needs to be redeemed” – Walter Wink

1. We are all addicted with attachments and idolatries
   1. Which often leads to consumerism
   2. Which often leads to celebrities
   3. Which often leads to individualism
   4. Which often leads to rights, instead of responsibilities
   5. Which often are driven by feelings, than duty
2. We are all spiritual beings made in the image of God (intellect, emotions, and will)
3. We all have a way of life that is consistent with our character, choices, and circumstances (we develop rituals, we live in images/symbols, and encourage relationships that are consistent with our way of life)

II.         The Reason Religion is So Confusing for Human Beings

1. There are so many (pluralism)
2. They have been so abusive (power)
3. They are so convincing (persuasion)
4. They have so many code words and rituals (perplexing)

So here we are at The Way:

*Some of us have been Anglican/Episcopalian all our lives

*Some of us have been Roman Catholic, then left to become Evangelical

*Some of us have been Protestant and married a Catholic (or vice-versa) – decided to           compromise and become an Anglican

*Some of us are non-liturgical Protestants learning about Anglicanism

*Some of us have been de-churches, re-entering Church, and don’t have a clue what an Anglican    is all about and some of us are just seeking and trying to figure it all out!

III.       The Anglican Way of Life:  Living in Christ and Living Out Christ in a World God    Loves

THE ANGLICAN WAY OF LIFE IS WORSHIP!

John 17:3

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,

and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”

Whereas the unifying identity for the Roman Catholic is the historic Papacy and the unifying identity for the Orthodox Church is the historic Divine Liturgy; and the unifying identity for the reformational Evangelical Church is the Bible; for the Anglican, the unifying historical Celtic identity is Worship.

1. The Reductionistic View of Anglicanism (Lambeth Quadilateral, 1886, 1888) – Book of Common Prayer, 876-877
   1. Whole Bible:  Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the revealed Word of God and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith (containing all things necessary for salvation)
   2. The Apostles’ Creed, as the Baptismal symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith
   3. The two Sacraments ordained by Christ himself – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
   4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted to the varying needs of the people of God into the unity of His Church

1. The Theologians’ View of Anglicanism (James I. Packer, 2005)
   1. Anglicanism is Catholic Christianity (worldwide fellowship, fullness of the historic faith that is Bible-based, Cross-centered, Conversion-oriented, and Mission-focused)
   2. Anglicanism is Canonical Christianity (our faith and practice is based wholly on the Bible)

Bishop Stephen Neill “if you can show anything in the Bible that we do not teach, we will teach it; and if you can show that we are teaching something that is not in the Bible, we will drop it”

39 Articles of Faith, 1562 (Book of Common Prayer)

“for the avoiding of diversities of opinions, and for the establishing of consent touching true religion” and the Church as a “witness and a keeper of holy writ” and “it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another”

1. Anglicanism is Creedal Christianity (Apostles’ and Nicene Creed)

1. Anglicanism is Comprehensive Christianity (distinction is recognized between what is primary and essential, on the one hand, and what is secondary and non-essential on the other.  The former category is the ground of Anglican unity)

Next week, Fr. Tony will share with you the “Spirit of Anglicanism” as a way of life to worship God.

I.          We All Have Secrets in Our Hearts

A.     A Personal Secret:  All of my life I have longed to give myself completely

to something or someone Ultimate (self-surrender)

1. Image Problem: It did not fit the image I wanted to present to others and myself (independent, self-sufficient, admired)
2. Thanks very much, my destiny, seek mastery.
3. Trust Problem: My life trusted in the wrong thing/tools:  learn enough and
   1. strengthen my will enough so I can determine my destiny and seek mastery of my own life.
4. Hypocrisy Problem: People acted like they knew what life was all about and how it should be lived.

B.        A Personal Dis-ease was Created because of Battling with My Secret

1. Dis-ease of saying “yes” versus “no” to people
2. Dis-ease of mastery and mystery of life
3. Dis-ease of self-determination and self-surrender

“Surrender does not come easily.  It has been treated as a noxious concept in our society. We are taught never to give up, never to allow ourselves to be determined by anyone or anything other than our own self-will.  We have been so well taught to say no that when we do say yes we are liable to feel spineless and unassertive.  Our confusion is deepened by the fact that too often we really are spineless and unassertive.  Too often we go along with the currents of social whim or the desire of other people instead of standing up for what we sense is truly right within us.  Such surrender to other people, institutions, or causes is, in my opinion, the opposite of true spiritual surrender.  The destructiveness of such distortions is likely to make us fear any kind of surrender, spiritual or otherwise.”- Gerald May, MD

• To whom or to what does one surrender? And how?
• What effect does true surrender have on personal freedom and individual will?
• Most surrenders are terribly destructive.  Even if it is God to whom I surrender, how can I trust that this God is true and good and will not abandon me?
• How can I trust that this God is not of my own making?

II.   The Security of Knowing that Our Self-Surrender to Jesus is Safe (The Significance of the Ascension)

1. The Early Church Response:

• It is the Hinge of the Gospel of Luke and Acts
• It is found in every major Creed of the early Church -  “Jesus is Lord”
• It is restated over and over again in the Scriptures (Eph. 1:20; Phil. 1:9-11; I Tim.3:16; Heb. 1:3; I Peter 3:22)

B.  The Theological Response:  The Resurrected Jesus now sits in a position of authority in heaven and on earth (“the Father’s right hand”) – “Jesus is Lord”

1. At the ascension, the Lord Jesus begun His Messianic Reign as the Davidic King: The Messianic Blessings Have Started

What kind of Messiah were the Jewish people waiting for?

• More than a military and/or political leader, they were waiting for the restoration of Israel by a Messiah in a new exodus to deliver them out of bondage

1. The coming of a new Moses, Duet. 18:15-18
2. The making of a new covenant sealed with the blood of sacrifice and concluded by a heavenly banquet, Ex. 4:22-23; 24:5-11; Jeremiah 31:31-33
3. The building of a new Temple where the first tabernacle was a portable temple (75 feet wide and 150 feet long); Haggai 2:6-9; Micah 4:2’ Is. 56:6-7; 60:1-7; I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:21; Rev. 11:19; 21:22
4. The journey to a new promised land, Amos 9:14-15; Hosea 1:10-11; 2:16-23; Jer. 3:15-19; 2 Sam. 7:10: Ez. 36:33-35: Is. 43,49,60; 64:17-18; 65:18,20,22.

1. At the ascension, the Lord Jesus is enthroned as the Messiah, but His reign is not complete because not all the enemies are subdued.(Acts 2:35; Phil. 2:9-11)

At the ascension, the Lord Jesus has transferred His mission to the Church (Witness to the Salvation Jesus has brought, Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:4-8). “You are my witnesses” – Acts 1:8

1. The “New Physics” Response: Jesus is in heaven (Heaven is the immediate presence of God’s glory and can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere on earth). The risen Jesus is not somewhere in the galaxy far, far, away, but the risen Jesus continues to work on this earth in the church and through the Spirit.  Heaven transcends us as a greater, truer, more splendid reality. The distance between God and humanity is fully and finally spanned in Christ (Eph. 1:3; Col. 3:1-3).

1. In the Holy Spirit, time is collapsed in that we presently possess eternal life, although we await its full experience at the consummation.
2. In the Holy Spirit, space is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is available everywhere, although we await the time when we will see him face to face.
3. In the Holy Spirit, matter is collapsed in that the presence of the risen Christ is experienced in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, although we await the final marriage feast of the lamb.

1. The Pastoral Response: (Ephesians 1:15-23)

1. You are safe because God invested His entire wealth in you

You will gain wisdom and revelation of that power when you di-vest your willfulness and be willing to trust the Spirit and plan of God in self-surrender.

Ascension Day is often overlooked liturgically, but even more sadly, this celebration is underappreciated theologically.  If the death of Christ was for our forgiveness of sins, and the Resurrection of Christ was His victory over death forever for our sake, the Ascension of Christ was His enthronement as King of kings, and Lord of lords.  The servant leader Jesus of Nazareth, at the Ascension, is enthroned as King!  Because of the Ascension and His enthronement as King, all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 29:18; Psalm 110; Acts 1:11).

The early church recognized the significance of the Ascension.  The Ascension is found in every major creed, including the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed:

The Apostles’ Creed:  On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 The Nicene Creed:  On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

 The creeds only confirm what is in the New Testament (see Ephesians 1:20; Philippians 1:9-11; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3).  The Ascension is the climax of the earthly life story of Jesus Christ and THE KEY to understanding the role of the Church.

This Sunday I would like to invite you to be a participant in our community of faith as we open the Word of God to understand the significance of the Ascension for our lives in the 21^st century.  I will be teaching. Then we will join together as we give thanks for Christ being our manna (bread of life) as we celebrate Holy Communion. 

With love and peace,

Fr. Tony

 It is sad because another claimed follower of Christ has confused the average man or woman in thinking that Christianity is only for the losers of life, the mean-spirited, the unintelligent, the power hungry, the rumor monger, and the psychologically challenged.  I know many who intentionally distance themselves from the Christian camp solely because they have experienced leaders (both lay and clergy) within churches who have:

• Lied, slandered, and destroyed people all in the name of God
• Pronounced ego-driven and pride-obsessed statements and lifestyles, justified in the name of God
• Been small-minded, hate-driven, and power-infatuated, all justified in the name of God

These folks use the Bible or their clerical collars as a concealed weapon, misusing Scripture, ignoring Tradition, and mocking Reason, to justify their “ungodly” views and misrepresent Jesus.  It is sad because they think they are not evil, but unfortunately, they are as they destroy lives with slandering shadows under the guise of a self-righteous niceness.

So what can we do about it?  In one sense, nothing!  These folks have existed since the beginning of time, and they will pass their demonic poison to future generations.  We are powerless to change them, but they all will be accountable for their thoughts, words, and actions to the King of kings someday in the future. 

However, there are some things we can do about it!  Let me suggest two ways to walk in THE WAY of Jesus:

One: Learn to love like Jesus.  Read chapters thirteen to seventeen in the Gospel of John to see that love is the ONLY defining mark for the world to see Christ in us.  Take a coffee break and open up a postcard of a message by the Apostle in I John and see the importance of love in action.  Turn to Micah 6:8 and see the importance of kindness, mercy, and humility.  Love is intentionally seeking the greater good of another.  Read I Corinthians 13 and see how love is expressed. 

Two: Live to the Applause of One.  Being a social creature created by God, I have a natural tendency to want people to like me.  But because of their wound-infected sins, people misunderstand my heartfelt intentions, my purity of motives, and my actions.  And because of my sins, I often misunderstand the intention, internal motives, and their outward actions.  And when misunderstanding happens, hurt begets more hurt.  Even if I seek everyone’s applause, it will not happen.  Never did, never will.  We know this truth in sports, and we know it in life. So stop seeking the applause of the many and start seeking the applause of one. Reflect on Matthew 6:33, or better yet, memorize Matthew 22:37-38.  It will change the way you live!

I understand that some of the websites that have proclaimed the end of the world are now selling T-shirts that say, “I have survived the end of the world!”  If Jesus did not know while He was on earth, no one else has a clue to the end of the world!  It probably won’t happen in our lifetime . . . but then again, the Chicago Cubs could win the World Series!  If that happens, all bets are off!

With love and peace,

Fr. Tony

Peter in this chapter is addressing the Christians in the Roman Province (modern day Turkey) as they were beginning to be persecuted for their faith.  He seeks to encourage them to hold steadfast to the example that Jesus gave them: hope in the midst of suffering.

1 Corinthians 1:18  “For the message of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

1. Benefits of persecution
   1. Produces endurance
   2. Persecution further grows the church.
   3. Gives us life

To really live, one must find something worth dying for.

1. Our Reaction.  How do we endure?
   1. Obey God and leave the consequences to Him
   2. Good Pain/Bad Pain
   3. See Him in the mirror
   4. Never let them see you sweat

Personal Application/Reflection

Questions to ask yourself in your time with the Lord

1. Do I share my faith regardless of what people’s reaction might be?
2. Who might the Lord be leading you to speak with despite your fear of persecution or of being mocked?  Begin to pray for that person, pray that the Lord would open a door for you to speak to him/her about Jesus, boldly.

Table Talk

1. Have you ever been persecuted or mocked for your faith in Jesus?  How did you react?  How did it make you feel?
2. 1 Peter 2:21 says, “to this you were called”.  What is your reaction to this verse?
3. Why do you think the world looks at Christians as fools?
4. Have you ever hesitated to share your faith for fear of what someone might think, say or do?
5. How can Jesus’ example (vs 21-23) help you when you are being mistreated?
6. Reflect on the following quotation: “To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus.  The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ.”    –David Platt, Radical

April 10, 2011 * The Way Christian Fellowship * Steve Matson, Teaching Pastor

My ignorance and self-centeredness limits my eyes of faith to see all of the steps that lead to the mystery of the cross and the power of the resurrection.  Some traditions have ignored this entire week called “Holy” and have allowed only one Sunday to speak divine words to them.  Other traditions see only rabbits, eggs, and meals to feed their impoverished souls. Fortunately, many other traditions, both ancient and apostolic, see that our destiny was being transformed over those 168 hours. 

The Church fathers understood the value of taking this walk of faith, a journey so profound, that we would retell the story over and over again to remind us that our walk is not unlike our Savior’s.  Only my death to self will allow me to make space for the redeemer of the world and take in fully all that I need to grasp as a lifelong learner of Jesus.  Only my willingness to live for Jesus and others will allow me to make space for the sacred moments of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Blessed Easter Sunday.  Ever so briefly, allow me to share with you the precious need of your soul to experience Holy Week as millions of Christ followers have done for nearly two thousand years.

Palm Sunday – April 17^th – 10 a.m. at Datron

With only a few days to go before the ultimate Passover, Jesus speaks to his followers about the coming culmination of time and history, a galactic collision of heaven and hell, all for the sake of earth and all who have ever dwelled on this planet.  It is on this Sunday Jesus enters the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and palm branches along His way.  The earthly powers intuitively know there will be a collision of kingdoms and begin preparation to undo what God, before the foundations of the world, has willed.

Maundy Thursday – April 21^th – 6:30 p.m. at Datron

Before Thursday, there was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Within those three days, an unnamed woman anointed Jesus in the house of Simon, the leper at Bethany, drenching the Master with the overpowering scent of ointment that disturbed the moralistic and self-righteous nostrils of several, including Judas of Iscariot.  What they saw was not what Jesus saw.  For this scent was good news; it was an ointment prepared for his burial.

On Maundy Thursday, the night before Jesus suffered; He instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.  On Maundy Thursday, the night before Jesus suffered, Jesus washed the feet of the Twelve.  All claimed to be followers, all eventually turned their backs on him during the most precious hours surrounding his arrest and trial, and all but one was restored to service for the resurrected King.  It is on this night that Jesus our Lord gives a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.  We too must wash one another’s feet.  We can only do this by stripping ourselves of our false images of pride, prestige, position, and power.

Good Friday – April 22^th – Noon, Stations of the Cross at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside

From proclamation and palms only five days earlier to now shouts of “Crucify Him, Crucify Him,” Our Lord takes up His cross.  A cross heavier than the weight of the redesigned tree alone, burdened by the sins of humanity made even heavier by my sins, our Savior carries to Calvary.  It is God’s passion: a suffering servant sent into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  IT IS FINISHED!

“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” (BCP, 281).

Holy Saturday – April 23^th - Silence in the Church, no services

No words, no Eucharist, no preaching— it is a day of silence.  The creed and the Scriptures only speak of our Savior descending into hell.  There are no places where the love of God will not penetrate.  We are silent because of grief and awe.  So great a price and so great a love—for us, for me . . . yes, even for you.

Holy Easter Sunday – April 24^st – 10 a.m. at Datron

The lilies are out, words are spoken, and joy is heard around the world.  Our redeemer lives!  His glorious resurrection delivers us from the power of the enemy.  O Lord, grant us to die daily to self-destructive ways, that we may evermore live with Jesus in the joy of His resurrection.

Concluding Thoughts:

This is the most Holy of Weeks in the life of the Church.  It is a week where we must take the Holy Week journey with Him!  It is a time we say “no” to the busyness of life, and say “yes” to everything that is of God.  This is a journey for community.  I hope to see you there!

With love and peace!

 Fr. Tony