The Quest Blog

Welcome to the Quest blog. Below you will find blog posts from the pastors of the Quest on a variety of topics. We hope you enjoy these blogs and grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you have any suggestions, send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org and share your thoughts.

Consumer Christianity

July 5, 2010

We live in a society today that fundamentally lacks commitment and loyalty. Unfortunately, this lack of commitment also applies to God’s church. Parishioners jump around from church to church looking for new experiences and thrills. They approach church like choosing a restaurant where the only real decision is what they feel like eating that particular night.

Attending a church is not a matter of “feeling” but rather commitment to one another in a local fellowship. The Apostle Paul explains that “we are a body of Christ” with each member playing an invaluable role. God has put us together to encourage and serve one another. So instead of asking yourself, “What can church do for me?” Ask yourself, "what can I do for church?”

What gifts and talents do you have? Do you use those gifts to serve God by ministering to His children? Are you committed to a local church where you serve? Or is church a place you go to consume rather than participate?

The Problem with the World Today is Religion!

May 5, 2010

The other day I was listening to a renowned atheist on a popular radio station lamenting how religion is the single, biggest problem in the world today. As he blasted religion for causing most of the problems, he went on to say that he envisions a better world in which religion is eradicated because that would result in fewer wars and greater unity and cooperation.

So is it true that wars would stop and the world would evolve into a virtual utopia without religion? Let’s consider the 20th Century that was historically the bloodiest century known to mankind – two world wars and the Cold War – in which hundreds of millions died. Were those wars the product of religion and religious strife? Hitler, for example, embraced Darwin’s view of the “survival of the fittest” and believed that the Arian race was superior to all others. This is hardly a religious belief. And following Darwin’s theory, Hitler killed millions because he embraced secularism; not religion.

Three of the greatest butchers in history were Mao Tse Tung, Joseph Stalin, and Vladimir Lenin. All of these men embraced communism rather than religion. Together they attributed to more than 100,000,000 cold-blooded murders as they carried out their secular beliefs.

It is ludicrous to blame religion for the ills of society. And it is unequivocally false. In fact, most of the humanitarian organizations in the world today have a religious foundation. In the name of Jesus Christ, hundreds of charities raise millions of dollars and send out foot soldiers into impoverished countries and communities to help the poor. I don’t see many atheists doing that!

Atheists and others opposed to religion would have us believe that religion is the problem rather than the cure, but they are deluded and misinformed. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist remarked, “The fool says in his heart that there is no God.” Just as true today as it was when it was written thousands of years ago – rejection of God inevitably leads to foolish thinking and brutal, savage acts against humanity.

If you disagree or would like to make a comment, please send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

The Bible has extraordinarily little practical value for the modern human being

April 16, 2010

“ The Bible has extraordinarily little practical value for the modern human being, beyond knowing some trivia to successfully do crosswords or answer questions on game shows”.

That statement was made by a skeptic in a debate on the relevancy of the Bible to our modern society. This type of statement is commonly made by those who fail to understand ancient writing properly.

They fail to realize that many authors in the Bible spoke using literary devises. One of these literary devices was typology. When an author of the Bible used a typology he used an occurrence in his day that pointed forward to a future event. That future event quite often has application in our personal lives today.

Take for example, Leviticus 11:7, 8. This text tells us that we are not to eat pig because it is considered ceremonially unclean.

Leviticus 11:7,8 (NASB) and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. 'You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.

Leviticus 11 makes distinction between animals that are considered clean and others that are considered unclean. It is significant to note that the lamb was a clean animal. In the New Testament Jesus is typified as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). It is significant to note that Jesus was typified by a clean animal that was accepted by God as a sacrifice for sin.

This means that when we believe in Him that our sins are forgiven because He was the perfect Lamb of God. This brings total relevance to Leviticus 11 and other similar passages.

In fact, one commentator stated: “Every meal the Israelites ate was preaching the atonement of Calvary”.

Please comment with your feelings on this blog. Send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

No Such Thing as an Agnostic

April 14, 2010

Many people claim to be agnostic concerning belief in God. According to this view, agnostics don’t necessarily dismiss the existence of God but feel that that there is not enough evidence for his existence.

Interestingly, agnostics claim they are not opposed to God and religion. But let’s be honest. Most agnostics are practicing atheists. They don’t go to church and rarely if ever read religious books such as the Bible. A person who is not sure whether God exists – it seems to me – would be involved in some religious experience and study. But this is rarely the case for agnostics.

Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “You are either for me or against me.” There is no middle ground with God as Jesus stated. On the Day of Judgment, according to the Bible, God will separate the sheep from the goats. You either believe or you do not. And all those who believe will be saved. Those that do not believe will perish.

If you feel differently or want to comment on this blog send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

Environmentalism: The New "Old" Religion

March 30, 2010

I read an article the other day reporting that millions of poor children in Africa are dying every year because of the disease malaria. “Malaria,” I thought, “is easily prevented, right?” Reading on I learned that malaria is easily prevented through the use of DDT that kills malaria carrying mosquitoes. So why aren’t they using DDT to kill the mosquitoes?

That article concluded that environmental groups have successfully blocked the use of DDT to kill malaria carrying mosquitoes in certain parts of Africa. But why? Well, it turns out that there is a concern that DDT may be deleterious to certain bird populations. Yes, millions of children are dying so that some birds will not be impacted. Unfortunately, for the environmentalist, this actually makes perfectly good moral sense!

This is where “environmentalism” turns tragic in my view. When the lives and health of human beings are no more special than birds or animals it is safe to conclude that our moral compass is completely broken. Yes, billions of dollars are being spent right now attempting to stop the supposed “global warming” threat. Of course, this money could be used to feed millions of children who are dying from malnutrition or paying for medicine and vaccines to treat easily curable diseases that kill millions. But today’s environmental culture is more concerned with pouring time and resources to try and keep the polar bear population from declining because ice caps are melting rather than saving precious human beings.

But why is this happening? The answer is simple yet alarming. The other day, I was driving behind someone who was obviously an ardent environmentalist. On her car was a bumper-sticker that read, “The earth wasn’t created for us; we were created for the earth.” This sums up our current situation in a simple, yet poignant moniker. Environmentalism isn’t just a concern for the environment, it is a religion. As the bumper-sticker states, we were created for the earth!

According to this type of world view, the earth is more important than human beings.

Carrying for and protecting God’s beautiful creation is important, but not more important than saving valuable human lives. We are called, as Christians, to be “good stewards” of God’s creation. But we are required, more importantly, to care for and love human beings; especially those people that are weak, injured, or poor. Our primary concern should be for people, not the environment. And when we put more emphasis on “saving” the environment rather than caring for people we have forgotten the clear biblical teaching that man was created in the image of God.

If you feel differently or want to comment on this blog send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

"My Lord and my God!"

March 29, 2010

A neighbor of mine is a Christian and attends a Bible believing Church but he is somewhat confused about who Jesus is. My neighbor, Bob, seems to think that Jesus was merely a man and not God, second person of the Trinity. A couple of weeks ago I was talking with Bob about this and I brought up John 20:28 where Thomas sees the risen Christ and calls Him God. The text reads:

John 20:28 ”Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"”

I asked Bob how Thomas could address Jesus as “…my God” if Jesus were not God. Bob responded by saying “Well, you see, Thomas was taken by surprise. He was not expecting to see the risen Christ…after all, Thomas was the doubter. When he saw Christ he blurted out this reaction in surprise.”

“Bob”, I said, “Do you really believe that?” “Yes”, he affirmed. “Okay”, I said, “Then let’s look at this a little more carefully. Thomas was a Jew, right?” I asked Bob. “Yes”, he agreed. “What did the Jews think of the name of God?” I asked. There was a long pause. “The Jews thought the name of God was so sacred that they wouldn’t even write it”. I interjected. “Thomas was in a culture that was very different from America where we throw the name of God around like it is nothing. Thomas would be very careful about how he used the name of God. For Thomas to blurt out the name of God would be cursing or blasphemy.”

I asked Bob another question. “Jesus was a rabbi right?” “Well…yes he was.” Bob replied. “What is the duty of a rabbi in the presence of blasphemy?” I asked. There was another pause. “He was responsible to rebuke it. Wasn’t he?” I asked. “Well…yes he was.” Bob replied. “But look at what happens in the next verse”. I pointed out.

John 8:29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

“Instead of Jesus rebuking Thomas for blasphemy He pronounces a blessing. Here you have Jesus, a rabbi, blessing blasphemy. How do you explain that?” I asked.

I never did get an answer to the question but I think that I gave my neighbor something to think about. Thomas did not blurt out "My Lord and My God!" as an emotional reaction to seeing the risen Christ. The only acceptable explanation according to the language, the context, the grammar, and the historical setting is that the man Jesus was also God come in the flesh.

If you want to comment on this blog send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

Forgive and Remember

March 13, 2010

I overheard several Christians discussing the concept of forgiveness recently. Listening to their engaging discussion, one Christian said, “Christians are supposed to forgive and forget.” As I thought about this for a moment I have to confess that I am not so sure I agree that Christians are required to both forgive and forget.

Now to be sure, I believe that it is a fundamental tenet of Christianity to forgive. The Lord ’s Prayer, according to Jesus, petitions God to “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” And we are all aware of Christ telling his disciples to “turn the other cheek” and to forgive “seventy times seven” as well as a host of other passages.

But does forgiveness necessarily involve forgetting? Let’s say, for example, who you have a friend that you loaned money to and he promised to pay you back. After a few weeks, you ask if he can pay you back and he says that he cannot. So you forgive him because that is the Christian thing to do. Now let’s say that he asks to borrow money again. Since you have forgiven his sin and forgotten that he did not pay you back you lend him the money again. Just like the previous time he fails to pay you back. So you turn the other cheek and forgive him for a second time as well as forget.

Because you are such a wonderful Christian he keeps coming to you and time and time again he breaks his promise to pay you back. At some point you have to exercise wisdom and STOP lending him money!

I think after the first couple of times I believe that it is possible to forgive your friend but also to be wise. In fact, the next time he asks to borrow money I would say, “I forgive you for breaking your promise to pay back the money I have lent you in the past but I am not going to lend you money again because I cannot trust you.”

Doesn’t this seem to be a perfectly reasonable response? Balancing forgiveness with wisdom strikes me as dutifully Christian and I do not believe that forgiveness requires forgetting as some may believe. But what about Hebrews 8:12 in which God says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” If God forgets our sins shouldn’t we also forget those transgressions committed against us by others? Two points about this passage. First, this scripture is speaking specifically about God and not humans. God’s ways and actions are not the same as ours because we are his creation. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I believe that the phrase “remember no more” does not mean that God forgets but rather he does not hold us responsible for our sins because of Jesus Christ.

If you feel differently or want to comment on this blog send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org

Did Jesus Claim to be God?

February 19, 2010

I was recently challenged by a young man who claimed that Jesus never said, “I am God!” He went on to challenge me to show him a scripture from the Bible where Jesus said, “I am God.” I admitted that the Bible does not record Jesus saying, “I am God.”

This challenge, of course, is really more of a trick question than a valid, legitimate claim. Jesus never used the words “I am God” in the Bible, but he absolutely did claim to be God. In John 10:30 Jesus exclaimed, “I and the Father are one."

After showing this passage to my young challenger, he simply replied, “Yeah, but Jesus only said he was equal to God not that he was God." Okay, fair enough I replied. But what did Jesus' audience understand him to claim when he made this statement? There response to this claim are undeniable: "Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, 'I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?'" They responded, "We are not stoning you for any of these, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." The Jewish leaders understood him clearly. He was claiming to be God. In fact it was the reason he was eventually crucified.

When I showed this Scripture to my young friend he dismissed it because he said that the Jews were just mistaken as they were about a lot of things. Why then, I asked, did Jesus simply not correct them? He seemed to have no problem correcting the Jewish leaders about everything else. I would think that if his life was on the line and they were going to kill him because they were mistaken Jesus would have corrected them, right? Of course.

The Bible is clear about the identity of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, his claims regarding his identity were clear to those who were around him. That identify is none other than God Almighty. Yes, God the Father and God the Son are one.

What are your comments? To respond to this blog, send us an email to info@QuestCulverCity.org