"I AM who I AM"

Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM."


Anybody who has spent time with me knows I enjoy having my mind blown. I love to appreciate the amazing things in this world as well as the thoughts that we just can't wrap our minds around as finite beings. For example, when the topic of the vastness of the universe comes up, I can space out (pun intended) for several minutes. I allow my mind to wander as it tries to grasp the seeming infinitude of outer space. Similarly, the complexity and amazing cooperation of trillions of living cells in the human body. I could close my eyes and try to grasp the concept of literal eternity for a figurative eternity. I love it.

One such thought that has crossed my mind brought about by reading philosophers and discussing with friends is the idea of the present. When you really stop to think about it, everything that is happening has already happened. You may think you are reading this sentence in the present, but it's already past. In the same way, everything else is in the future until it is in the past. The present is as small as the line that the future crosses to become the past. In fact, even you are not. You were and you hopefully will be. But you cannot pin point the moment when you are, because instantaneously that will become when you were. Is your mind blown yet? If not, I hope soon it will be.

When Moses is trembling before the Burning Bush, he asks God, "What is your name?" A name is the single most important identifier of who you are. Picture all of the people you've met and never gotten a name. It's pretty difficult to do, right? So Moses wants to know, whom have my forefathers had as their God? With whom am I speaking right now? This is God's chance to really blow Moses away with the most amazing name imaginable. "My name is Awesome, King, The Man, Incredible, Epic, The Legend, The Great One." He could have given Moses the most complex name known to man. He could have given him a very simple name, "My name is Joe." But instead He gave Moses a sentence, "I AM who I AM," translated from the Hebrew Yahweh asher Yahweh. This is where we get the all caps "LORD" in the Bible as well as the Latinized form "Jehovah."

This name means that only God can describe God, only the I AM can describe who is the I AM. It means that God is self-sustaining. There is absolutely no living thing in this world that can claim that. Everything must be fed. But the I AM sustains the I AM. But what I find the most astounding about this name of God is the fact that in a world where everything was or will be, God is the only one who is always present. If we named ourselves, we might be called "I WAS who I WILL BE" or "I WILL BE who I WAS." But never "I AM who I AM." That name is reserved for God alone.

Even Jesus bends the rules of grammar to express the always presentness of God in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I am." Before creation, God is. In the days of Israel, God is. During Christ's time on earth, God is. Yesterday, God is. Today, God is. Tomorrow, God is. When this earth is destroyed and Christ is forever enthroned as King, God is.

As we begin the study of the Doctrine of God at BPSM, I have found it essential that we are studying and knowing I AM, not a god of our own making. As Christians, we must give the respect and worship that a being of God's transcendance merits. Dwell on God and allow your mind to be blown. Do not create god, instead know God and worship Him as your Creator.

The Infallibility of Scripture

As I am sitting in a math class, I am inspired by a fantastic teacher to write a book on an equation that has befuddled many for years: 2 + 2. After hours of research and study and days sitting before a computer screen trying to put together my first draft, I am finally able to send it to a publisher with the title, "The G-Book of Mathematics." My work comes to fruition as the book is published and thousands of copies fly off the shelves. On the one page contained in my book are the sole characters: 2 + 2 = 4.

Is my book inspired? For sure, by my math teacher. Is my book inerrant? I certainly find no errors in those five characters. Is my book authoritative? I don't see any better authority on all equations of 2 + 2. Is my book sufficient? While I hope to make money from the sequel some day, the G-Book is certainly sufficient to know how to solve all 2 + 2 equations.

If you have ever heard the Bible described in the evangelical church, most likely you have heard it described with the same adjectives used on the G-Book above. The Word of God is inspired, inerrant, authoritative and sufficient. However, there is one more adjective that is used fairly often that I believe sets the Bible apart from every other book: infallible. As we have been going through the study of Scripture in our BPSM Encounter lessons, my research has taken me to many different verses in the Bible and many different books of theologians. But when I stepped up to the plate to study and teach infallibility, many theologians fell short. So after hours of research, the Bible finally explained itself to me in a way that I believe is lacking in the church. Before I delve into the Biblical view of Scriptural infallibility, let me first describe two inadequate views I came across in my research.

1. Infallibility = Inerrancy. This first view is very common and the one I was taught growing up. This view equates infallibility to inerrancy as a synonym. Some scholars would admit there has to be a little bit of difference between the two terms, but they only go as far as distinguishing them like such: inerrancy means the Bible does not err, infallibility means the Bible cannot err. This doesn't mean much for Scripture. Although some theologians argue that this recognizes the timelessness of Biblical truths, I believe infallibility is a bit more unique than that. In the end, if infallibility is the same thing as inerrancy and the G-Book is inerrant, then the G-Book is also infallible and can be placed on the same shelf as God's Word.

2. Infallibility < Inerrancy. This view is increasingly common and has been growing in popularity since the 1960s. It places infallibility as the weaker cousin to inerrancy. It is for those that don't want to commit to the complete inerrancy of Scripture. The proponents of this view argue that the Bible was not meant to be true in every little detail. It is only true and authoritative in the big stuff, what they call "matters of faith and practice." However, I hope you immediately see the danger of this view. The danger lies in the fact that if we hold to this view then we are the sole determiners of what we want to believe in Scripture. It is evidenced by many denominations and churches that hold to this view of infallibility by their terrible decisions on what is considered a "matter of faith and practice." Through endless arguments, they are able to convince themselves and congregations that issues such as homosexuality, the virginity of Mary, the deity of Christ, the full atonement, or the existence of hell, are only minor details on which the Bible can err. Even the G-Book would be far too inerrant to be considered infallible in this view.

3. Infallibility > Inerrancy. This view places higher importance on the infallibility of Scripture, stating that the inerrant Word of God will never fail in accomplishing its purpose. This is the Biblical definition of Scriptural infallibility, taken straight from Isaiah 55:11-

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Infallible by definition means "to never fail," which is where Isaiah 55 steps in to declare that God's Word "shall accomplish" and "shall succeed." So then we must ask what is the Bible's purpose and "the thing for which [God] sent it." Certainly, Scripture was given to reveal God to mankind, to make us wise for salvation, to teach, rebuke, correct, and train (II Timothy 3:15-17). As well, we find in Psalm 19 that Scripture is a source of great blessing for Christians; it is better than fine gold and delicious honey. But all of these benefits of Scripture find their aim in God's great purpose on earth: to glorify Christ. Indeed, that is the purpose of Scripture. 

What confidence we find in knowing that God's Word will never fail in its purpose of glorifying Christ in this world. Although many people have tried to stop the Bible from succeeding (Rome, popes, Voltaire, Hitler, etc.), we know that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and shall accomplish its purpose of glorifying Christ. This is the power of God's Word alive in you. It is the only book with life-changing power and the backing of an all-powerful and infallible God. Let the best book ever consume and grip your life and prove its infallibility as it transforms your ultimate purpose on this planet to glorify Christ.

Be sure to look for the G-Book on Kindle and Nook devices shortly...

Independent Christian: A Heretical Oxymoron

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail."
-Isaiah 58:10-11

This issue was brought to my attention by a friend who texts me often with an honest struggle to find joy in God. I'm writing about this issue because I've been finding out how many Christians struggle with it (including myself). Indeed, we are commanded in Psalm 37:4 to "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." So why is it that so many of us struggle to find joy in the LORD?

There is an emphasis stemming from American culture creeping into the church toward individualism or independence. We wrongly believe our Christian lives are most important and most effective when practiced in private. Certainly, there is an aspect of our walk with God that should be done in private (Matthew 6:6). However, if we believe that we will find our full joy in God in private, then we are woefully mistaken. We worship on Sundays as a gathered body because it delights God and it grows our joy in Him. We fellowship with the redeemed because our unity "makes our joy complete" (Philippians 2:2). Trying to go at it alone as an independent Christian is by definition an oxymoron that is dangerous to our faith. We must fellowship with the body, but Isaiah also takes us one step further.

Our joy is also fostered in sharing the love of Christ with those in need. Isaiah describes our responsibility as "pouring yourself out for the hungry and satisfying the desire of the afflicted." That sounds like hard work. That sounds like it would require our time and money, and a lot of it. It could be dangerous and we could be taken advantage of. Certainly this is not something that would make us happy. It will only add more stress to our lives and darken our days. But God through Isaiah says otherwise! When you pour yourself out to those in need, without stipulations, conditions, requirements, hesitations, or inhibitions, "your gloom will be as the noonday"!

Are you depressed? Are you struggling to find joy in God? Are you trapped in trying to find joy in worldly pleasures? Are you going through a tough time? Are you in a "scorched place"? Serve! Share! And feel the joy of God satisfy your desires and strengthen your bones. Do NOT wait for joy to arrive in your private worship before you pour yourself out to others. Pour yourself out because of the love and grace you have already received, and joy will arrive in abundance! Go ahead, try it. I dare you.

Highways and Hedges

"A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses...  So the servant came and reported these things to the master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame... Go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in that my house may be filled.'" 
-Luke 14:16-23

I've heard this parable many times in different contexts. It has encouraged me to get rid of excuses and follow Christ. It has encouraged me to share the Gospel with everyone, not just those whom I prefer. It has taught me that God through Christ has reached out beyond His chosen people of Israel to Gentiles like myself. It has also showed me God's great love in reaching down to mankind to save them in their poor condition. As John MacArthur puts it, "God is more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved." However, lately this passage among others has emphasized a different view of the Church.

It is in our nature to think highly of ourselves. Therefore it is natural for us to identify with the rich invited guests of this parable first. But when we realize we are not like them, we would rather identify ourselves with the servant of God's household. But looking at other similar parables, we realize that only Jesus Christ is the servant, the mediator of the relationship between God and man, the "new way" invitation. So that leaves us to identify with the only other characters in the story: the poor, crippled, blind, lame, homeless, helpless, unwanted outcasts. If you are in Christ, then He is describing you as a lowly human being with as many adjectives as possible.

For fear of reading this parable too literally, let me interject that Jesus is not saying all rich people go to hell and all poor people go to heaven. Rather, I believe we can equate the meanings of the word poor in this passage and in the Beatitude of Luke 6:20 ("Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.").

So when next Sunday rolls around, take a look around the members of the church. Here gathered in one place are the poor, crippled, blind, lame, homeless, helpless, unwanted outcasts. We are not the almighty righteous. We are not the holy and blameless. We are not the one with it all together. We are not the best society has to offer. We do not deserve to be together worshipping our Savior. More so, we are the last to deserve salvation.

The church is made up of sinners saved by grace, not religious people once tainted by sin. The church is the result of Christ's most powerful saving work on the cross reaching down to the lowliest of sinners to give them the opportunity to worship Him. The church should be the shining example of extreme grace, not a people who think they are worthy of grace. We should say with Paul, "I do not account my life of any value or precious to myself" and sing with Isaac Watts:

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

God's Wrath and Discipline in Zechariah

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who stands next to me,"
declares the LORD of hosts.
"Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered;
I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land declares the LORD,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, 'They are my people';
and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
-Zechariah 13:7-9

I recently was part of a conversation about this passage at a Bible study. We looked extensively into Zechariah's prophecy in chapters 12 and 13. It was a great study and sweet fellowship. However, the Holy Spirit took its time to work these passages into my mind and then into my heart. I dwelled on the promises written in chapter 13 about the coming shepherd. After rereading them this afternoon, I felt compelled to share a contrast to which my eyes were opened after prayer and meditation.

Here in Zechariah, God refers to the "shepherd" multiple times. After looking at the context, it becomes apparent that the "shepherd" is none other than Jesus Christ. It is confirmed when Jesus himself quotes this prophecy in Mark 14, referring to himself as the shepherd being struck (crucified) and his sheep scattering. If we begin to read this passage using Christ instead of shepherd, it is a little surprising what the LORD of hosts is commanding against His own Son. The Father is awakening His sword to strike the Son. With the Gospels, we realize just how brutal this strike really was. The Father did not simply scratch the Son with His sword, nor did He place on Him a mere flesh wound. The Father struck the Son with such force that no one in the history of man has ever fully felt. The Father struck the Son with every bit of wrath that we deserve. If that thought does not put you and me on our knees in humility and gratitude, then not much else will.

As the passage continues, we see another aspect of God's dealings with man at work. We must first realize that the fullness of God's wrath rested upon the innocent Son. He was "to drink the cup that the Father had given him," the cup of God's wrath against the sin of the elect. As He cried out "It is finished" on the cross, he finished every last drop of that wrath in the cup. There is absolutely no wrath reserved for those that trust in Christ. And yet we see in this passage that God is putting us into the fire. Is this leftover wrath for Christians here on earth?

By no means! God's wrath is completely removed from those who are found in Christ. The refining described in Zechariah 13 is not God's wrath, but His discipline. We must realize this difference as Christians, but also find joy in it! God does not operate on a karma system, rewarding good and punishing bad. If that were the case, our entire lives would be full of punishment. Instead, in an effort to glorify Christ through our lives on earth, God puts us through the fire in order to refine us and remove impurities.

Are you going through a tough time in your life? Think not how God's wrath is leaking through Christ onto you, but rather what impurities God is trying to remove from your life. Have you recently been convicted of sin? Or maybe you've recently been confronted by another with a persistent sin in your life. The anguish and guilt you feel, the defensive posture and the arrogant defiance that follow make you utterly miserable. This is not God's wrath punishing your sin, instead it is God's loving discipline refining your walk in Christ.

We must never believe for a second that God's grace is not evident in His discipline. God's mercy has completely removed the wrath which we rightfully deserve. God's grace refines us everyday for the purpose of glorifying our Savior, which we never deserve the opportunity to do. He disciplines us out of love and grace until we realize that He is doing it because we are His people. Then we will gratefully and humbly cry out, "The LORD is my God!"