Divinity of Christ

Just a thought to posit to anyone who cares. As some of you may know, the Presbyterian Church (USA) recently decided that an ordaining body within the church (i.e., the Presbytery in the case of ordaining ministers, the session in the case of ordaining elders or deacons) may allow a candidate for ordination to express a "scruple" to any particular part of the ordination requirements. In other words, if someone who is a candidate for ordination says that they simply cannot accept one of the beliefs in the church Constitution that ministers, elders or deacons are supposed to believe, the ordaining body has the discretion to ordain them anyway.

My question is this: Should any ordaining body allow the ordination of someone who does not accept the full humanity and the full divinity of Christ? My answer is "no". This is one belief that absolutely must be held beyond scruple. There have to be some basic provisions that identify what is a "Christian Church".

You can use any other religion for the purpose of this illustration, but I will use Islam. Suppose a Muslim comes into your church and says, "I want to become a member, but I don't accept Christ as my Lord and Savior and I want to continue in my Islamic beliefs." Are you going to allow that person membership in the church? I would hope the answer is "no", but once you say that, you are acknowledging that there must be certain fundamental truths that distinguish what is a "Christian" church and that those truths are "beyond scruple."

I understand not wanting to make a "laundry list" of "essential tenets" so that we are welcoming Christ's children into the church instead of dividing ourselves based upon small details (on which people could have honest theological differences). But there are a few basic truths that we cannot be afraid to acknowledge. Even Christ said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He was very exclusive when it comes to how we can come to the Father.

If the divinity of Christ is one belief that defines what it means to be "Christian", and I believe it is, then the people who are shepherding God's flock must not only personally acknowledge it to be true, but must also acknowledge that it is beyond scruple so that they will not compromise on this point in their teaching. After all, they are responsible for sending God's people out into the world to bring others to Christ. If those people do not believe Christ was wholly man and wholly God, are they really bringing people to the true Christ?

God bless.

It's a boy!

I previously told you all about the new addition we are expecting on May 22. Well, we found out on Friday that it will be a boy. My daughter was a little bit disappointed (she had insisted it was going to be a girl), but she says she's love her baby brother just as much as if she'd had a baby sister.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! This time of year people always seem to re-evaluate their lives and make "resolutions" for some way in which they intend to improve their lives over the next year. Yet in most cases these resolutions fall by the wayside within a week or two. Why is that? My personal feeling is that people make grand pledges and then rely upon their own strength to achieve them. Inevitably, when we try to "go it on our own" our batteries run out. Instead of trying to fly solo, ask yourself this year what God wants you to do. Then ask Him for his help in achieving whatever goal that may be. You'll find that you stand a much better chance of success with a divine helping hand! God bless.

Christmas and Radio Appearance update

First of all, allow me to apologize to anyone who was listening for me on the radio last Tuesday (December 26). Due to an unforseen problem on the station's end, the interview had to be rescheduled. I will be appearing this coming Tuesday, January 2, 2007, between 9:30 and 10:00 am. There is a link on the Ten Minas site for you to listen live online.

Second, I am standing here with my daughter who wanted me to write a new post on the blog. I had just read to her the entry about the nativity scene under our tree, and she asked me to explain to everyone that Santa also puts baby Jesus in the nativity when he comes to drop off the presents on Christmas Eve. In our family, this is a good way to connect the "secular" perceptions of Christmas that surround us with the true meaning. Santa has chosen Christmas to deliver presents because it is the holiest day of the year and because the wise men brough presents to baby Jesus.

Finally, my daughter asked me to tell you all that "It's gonna be the best Christmas ever with baby Jesus in the nativity under the Christmas tree" (she's four). I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and will have a happy new year. God bless. Stay tuned for more Ten Minas news.

Merry Christmas!

And unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given...

And hence, Jesus was born, and God came to Earth. Thanks be to God.

No matter what you get under the Christmas tree this year, never forget the best Christmas gift you've ever received, the gift of Jesus. This is why in my family we have a nativity scene under the tree in addition to the other presents. Its a reminder to us of what Christmas is all about.

Merry Christmas to you all. God bless.

Ten Minas Radio Appearance

Hello all! If you are available (and those of you who are off work really shouldn't have much of an excuse), please tune in to 95.1 WRBS out of Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday morning, December 26, 2006, between 9:30 am and 10:00 am. If you are not in the Baltimore listening area, you can listen online. There is a link on the Ten Minas Ministries home page (www.tenminasministries.org). Ten Minas Ministries President Ken Coughlan will be appearing for a brief (3 minute) interview with morning show hostess Tracey Tiernan to discuss the Ten Minas Talent Pool and to drum up support (and ask people to sign up for the pool).

We'll be pre-recording the interview at 9:30 am, but it should air before 10:00 am (considering the show ends at 10:00 am). I hope you all can listen, and tell your friends and family to tune in too. We can't get this Talent Pool to work without the volunteers. Plus, this is an excellent radio station that I support wholeheartedly.

Thank you and God bless!

Ten Minas Talent Pool

Ten Minas Ministries is really excited about our new program, the Ten Minas Talent Pool! There is a tab on our home page that will take you to more information about this program (www.tenminasministries.org). If you have any talents whatsoever (and the Bible is clear that we all do), you can help. And if you are a person in need of help, let us know and we may just be able to hook you up with someone who can help you. Please check it out! God bless.