Fjords, glaciers, bears, and other features of the Nordic landscape are anything but silent. They are part of a choir that gives unceasing praise to the Architect of the cosmological cathedral we inhabit. They are preachers who will not be silenced.
But what is the aim of the creation’s pedagogy and to what end do fjords and forests preach? Psalm 19 asserts that the content of the created order’s teaching is the glory of God.
The secular and social dogma of the West is materialism. In this philosophy matter is the sole explanatory cause of all things, and so there is little love for the divine or tolerance for the transcendent. But if we are good, consistent materialists, why are we mourning with those who are suffering? What is cruel and unjust about violence if all things are merely matter and devoid of transcendently infused meaning?
Since the dawn of God’s story, his symphonic mastery over every note has not waned, but the pitch of its perfection resonates with echoes of brilliance. What is mysterious to us is manifest to him; where we are confounded, he is informed; where our love is slack with sin, he is perennially steadfast with holiness.
These truths are what feed our understanding of the questions previously addressed in my earlier posts, ‘Where is God in COVID-19?’ and ‘Why would he allow such an awful thing to occur?’ These truths are also what allow us to move on with confidence to another question, ‘What is the Christian’s response to COVID-19?’
Jesus may be sovereign and always with us, but if he allows and ordains catastrophes – both those we experience personally and collectively – can we trust him? Does he actually act in our best interest? If Jesus genuinely cared for us, wouldn’t that mean he should be a preventative force of COVID-19 rather than the causal agent behind it?
Since the outbreak of this virus, the world seems to have been catapulted into a narrative that seems more akin to thrilling fiction than our sobering reality. We’ve never seen anything quite like what we are witnessing – the cessation of normal life in almost all nations across the globe. Governments, either by appeal or force, enact quarantines in a bid to stem the tide of a virus, that unless slowed or stopped, has the likely potential to kill and hospitalize millions of people. Unlike the typical westerner who subscribes to a materialist worldview, or in some cases may retain some sense of an impersonal spiritual realm, the Christian is under obligation to think deeply about the COVID-19 outbreak.
FIBC's 'Practices of the Christian Faith' returns this month, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Café Cadeau (dinner is served at 7pm, discussion / course to follow).
In this interactive, 9-part course on being a C.H.R.I.S.T.I.A.N. you'll learn the basic disciplines and practices of the Christian life. It is free and open to all, but we ask that you RSVP to let us know if you will join (write to Bruno at bkbainy@hotmail.com).
FIBC's 'Foundations of Faith: 9 Conversations About Christianity' returns this month, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Café Cadeau (dinner is served at 7pm, FOF discussion / course to follow).
The interactive, 9-part Foundations course is free and open to all, but we ask that you RSVP to let us know if you will join (write to Jeroen at jjbunck@gmail.com).
Discipleship is a common word, used often in the church, that many people (even many members and leaders in the church) do not understand fully. This summer, FIBC is embarking on a nine part summer sermon series called The Living Mission: A Practical Guide to Discipleship that will help to clarify, demystify, and 'de-churchify' this essential Christian doctrine.
Over this summer series, we will look to the life of Jesus Christ, his New Testament teachings, and the ways in which he impacted the world through his direct influence on individuals. Our goal will be to demonstrate how, in nine areas of life, we can each take the next right steps of faith - to “move the dial” of faith - and therefore actively grow as disciples of Jesus, and experience the spirit-led, abundant life that Christ promised to those who trust in and follow him.
Join us this summer as we explore what it means to be a 21st-century disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.
Summer Sermon Series dates are July 3, 2016 - August 28, 2016, all worship services begin at 13:00 with a time of fellowship to follow each service.
Join us this Sunday, from 10:00 - 12:00 for the 'What's Next' workshop: a discipleship training on faith, trust, and risk with Dr. Gene Selander.
This workshop is intended for anyone looking for encouragement and equipping to help them lead in the home, business, and Christian ministry. All are welcome, but please RSVP with austin@fibc.dk before Friday, May 13.
The workshop will take place on the 2nd floor at Kristuskirken (aka 'the fireplace room').
Email austin@fibc.dk to sign up today!