The Rambling Disciple

Last week we examined the roots of the tree. These are the foundational issues of the faith that anchor all other doctrines and practices without which there would be no Christianity. This week we examine the next part of  the Christmas tree analogy, the trunk. From the roots grows the trunk of the tree. The trunk stands tall and gives the tree its height and girth. A strong trunk means resistance to the wind and other forces of nature. It also means there can be many branches that grow from it, each able to fan out and cover a lot of ground. If the roots of our tree are issues directly pertaining to who God is and what God has done, then the trunk is what grows directly out of that. God has revealed himself to us. This leads directly to the Bible and our definitions of authority, inspiration, and so on. God made human beings. This goes into the concept of being made in God's image. God is our savior, which naturally means that there is something that God is saving us from. The tru...

Last week we discussed the analogy of a Christmas tree for discussing Christian theology and doctrine. In brief a living, growing Christmas tree has four parts: roots, a trunk, branches, and ornaments. When thinking about our beliefs and how important they are in relation to one another and living the Christian life, this analogy can be helpful. Today we are going to talk about the first part of the analogy, the roots. Every system of belief is built on something. There is always a foundational principle that anchors the rest of the beliefs, even if it is not readily seen. These are the beliefs so central and core to the rest that without them the whole system falls apart. The roots of tree serve much the same purpose. They are what keeps the tree alive and secure on the ground. The roots collect water and nutrients, feeding the rest of the tree so it may grow big and tall. The roots are also the thing that keep the tree in place during storms and massive winds. If the roots are weak a...

What are the most important Christian beliefs? We deal with all sorts of questions all the time as Christians concerning our faith and practice, often from inside the church. We debate all sorts of issues, study all manner of topics, and sometimes even draw battle lines over specific practices or beliefs. The question I asked right at the start is always relevant and important. What we define as the center of the Christian faith is going to have dramatic effects on the rest of our beliefs and practices. The problem comes when we all try to answer the question. While I'm sure there would be a measure of similarities in our answers I am entirely confident that there would also be a wide array of differences. One of the major issues when it comes to disagreements among Christians concerning matters of faith and practice is that we honestly don't agree about what the most important issues are, though we often don't realize it. The reality is that some Christian beliefs are more...

I don't have much to say today. The country is in the throes of multiple crises. The old cry from the prophets seems to ring true, "There is no justice in the land!" Buildings burn. Innocents are dying. Corruption is rampant. The prayer of Habakkuk seems to be on many people's lips.  How long, O LORD, shall I cry for help,  and you will not hear?  Or cry to you "Violence!"  and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. Come, Lord Jesus! The government has shown itself inept to deal with the deep infection of sin that runs through our whole society. We see it all around us in racism, sexism, and other prejudices that poison mind and soul. Instead of uniting in solidarity we have divided along the old, tribal lines and prep...