FROM: Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
ABOUT ME: Living the highs and lows of life in the adventurous pursuit of God Himself and of who I'm meant to be as the Bride of Christ.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013,3:24 a.m.
Asceticism vs. Simplicity
"Asceticism and simplicity are mutually incompatible.... Asceticism renounces possessions. Simplicity sets possessions in proper perspective.... Asceticism finds contentment only when it is abased. Simplicity knows contentment in both abasement and abounding (Phil. 4:2)."
- Richard Foster, 'Celebration of Discipline'
I was reading about the discipline of simplicity this morning, and as the above quote states, reading that asceticism and simplicity are not the same thing. Simplicity is not being tied to material possessions. Asceticism is a renunciation of all possessions. I find that difference interesting and at the same time rather illuminating when I think about the Kingdom of God and about our lives here on this earth (and indeed the eternal life that is coming).
Many people believe that to possess anything like earthly wealth is to be far from God or to have an idol above Him. But I certainly know people who are very blessed financially and have been extremely faithful to use their money as God directs (I would love to bless them here by naming them, but knowing them I don't actually think that they would care for that). They haven't hoarded it or pursued the amassing of it as their primary goal. They have simply followed the Lord and found themselves in possession of employment (usually) that comes with a generous salary. And they have made the conscious choice to hold that money (and also whatever non-monetary possessions they have) loosely, in case the Lord has need of it for something. To tell you the truth, it's beautiful to see in action.
If we think asceticism is the key to the Kingdom, how will we ever accept all of God's blessings in this life and especially the next? How will we manage to deal with the land that flows with milk and honey? How will we learn to live the promised abundant life? Not that the abundant life is about money, but it is about receiving rich blessings of all kinds from God. It's an interesting thought. And added to that thought, if we reject any financial blessing that the Lord wants to bestow upon us, what are the chances that we actually hinder the work of the Kingdom? What if God wants to shower us with blessings so that we can provide for others who are less fortunate in some way? What a thing to have missed out on simply because we lack a deeper biblical understanding of wealth.
Wealth is not evil. The Bible does not say, "Money is the root of all kinds of evil." It says, "Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6:10)" Asceticism says the former. Simplicity says the latter, and that, to my mind, is far more biblical than just believing that to have money is to be counter-Christian.
Interestingly, it would make sense that this train of thought for me would have me thinking along the lines of possessions and where my heart sits in relation to what I physically have in this world. Rather, it sets my mind along the path of doctrine and gives me a desire to challenge what we believe when it seems to come more from a partial understanding of scripture instead of a deep understanding and study of the Word. Even in the parable of the rich young ruler (Matt. 19), Jesus was not telling the young man that his wealth would keep him from the Kingdom of God, but rather that his attachment to his wealth would do so.
I think it imperative that in our belief system we must be careful not to 'throw out the baby with the bath water.' We must know the scriptures, and not just what they say but what they mean. (Which, incidentally, makes an incredibly strong argument for the discipline of study.) When you think of a particular piece of our beliefs as Christians, have you ever stopped to think, "Where does that come from in the Bible?" Critical thinking, even in regards to doctrine, is not heresy. It is wisdom. It guards us from those often slight changes that warp our thinking and give even subtle fallacies the opportunity to take root.
The conclusion from my thoughts about asceticism and simplicity? It, too, is quite simple: Know the Word. Be steeped in it. Recognize where our day-to-day thinking, whether in regards to doctrine or simply our social and cultural standards, deviate from the teachings of Christ and take action to rectify them. Only then will we be truly living the life of Christ-followers.
- Richard Foster, 'Celebration of Discipline'
I was reading about the discipline of simplicity this morning, and as the above quote states, reading that asceticism and simplicity are not the same thing. Simplicity is not being tied to material possessions. Asceticism is a renunciation of all possessions. I find that difference interesting and at the same time rather illuminating when I think about the Kingdom of God and about our lives here on this earth (and indeed the eternal life that is coming).
Many people believe that to possess anything like earthly wealth is to be far from God or to have an idol above Him. But I certainly know people who are very blessed financially and have been extremely faithful to use their money as God directs (I would love to bless them here by naming them, but knowing them I don't actually think that they would care for that). They haven't hoarded it or pursued the amassing of it as their primary goal. They have simply followed the Lord and found themselves in possession of employment (usually) that comes with a generous salary. And they have made the conscious choice to hold that money (and also whatever non-monetary possessions they have) loosely, in case the Lord has need of it for something. To tell you the truth, it's beautiful to see in action.
If we think asceticism is the key to the Kingdom, how will we ever accept all of God's blessings in this life and especially the next? How will we manage to deal with the land that flows with milk and honey? How will we learn to live the promised abundant life? Not that the abundant life is about money, but it is about receiving rich blessings of all kinds from God. It's an interesting thought. And added to that thought, if we reject any financial blessing that the Lord wants to bestow upon us, what are the chances that we actually hinder the work of the Kingdom? What if God wants to shower us with blessings so that we can provide for others who are less fortunate in some way? What a thing to have missed out on simply because we lack a deeper biblical understanding of wealth.
Wealth is not evil. The Bible does not say, "Money is the root of all kinds of evil." It says, "Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6:10)" Asceticism says the former. Simplicity says the latter, and that, to my mind, is far more biblical than just believing that to have money is to be counter-Christian.
Interestingly, it would make sense that this train of thought for me would have me thinking along the lines of possessions and where my heart sits in relation to what I physically have in this world. Rather, it sets my mind along the path of doctrine and gives me a desire to challenge what we believe when it seems to come more from a partial understanding of scripture instead of a deep understanding and study of the Word. Even in the parable of the rich young ruler (Matt. 19), Jesus was not telling the young man that his wealth would keep him from the Kingdom of God, but rather that his attachment to his wealth would do so.
I think it imperative that in our belief system we must be careful not to 'throw out the baby with the bath water.' We must know the scriptures, and not just what they say but what they mean. (Which, incidentally, makes an incredibly strong argument for the discipline of study.) When you think of a particular piece of our beliefs as Christians, have you ever stopped to think, "Where does that come from in the Bible?" Critical thinking, even in regards to doctrine, is not heresy. It is wisdom. It guards us from those often slight changes that warp our thinking and give even subtle fallacies the opportunity to take root.
The conclusion from my thoughts about asceticism and simplicity? It, too, is quite simple: Know the Word. Be steeped in it. Recognize where our day-to-day thinking, whether in regards to doctrine or simply our social and cultural standards, deviate from the teachings of Christ and take action to rectify them. Only then will we be truly living the life of Christ-followers.
The Jews [in Berea] received Paul’s
message with enthusiasm and met with him daily,
examining the Scriptures
to see if they supported what he said. (Acts 17:11 MSG)
Monday, November 18, 2013,6:25 a.m.
THE ANSWER TO LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING
For those hopeful Douglas Adams' fans, reading this post because of its title, no I am not posting a blog about the number 42 (which is, for those not familiar with it, a reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). Sorry for the false advertising. I do wish the answer to all of life's questions and problems were as simple (though hopefully slightly less nonsensical) as the number 42. Alas, it is not the case.
As I continue to walk through this life and attempt to eradicate old hang-ups and broken perceptions of who I am and who I am expected to be, I find that God - if I listen - is constantly reminding me of the truth in these matters rather than the false ideas and perceptions upon which I have unfortunately based much of my understanding of life.
Today, in my reading through of Romans in The Message, I read this:
I have read that periodically changing the translation of the Bible that you read can help to enhance your worship experience. This has proved true to me for many years, and I often 'change things up.' Recently I decided to read The Message - a translation into 'modern' English from the original language that has in the past given me minor pause regarding the The New Testament, mostly on account of my preferring a different translation. However, I have found that going through Romans in The Message has been eye-opening. Many times I have gone back to my New American Standard to find out what verse it actually was that I just read, since I couldn't immediately think of the more familiar version. The result has been fascinating, and has included a fresh understanding of our basic theology of grace.
Grace is a concept that has always eluded me. I understand it as a concept, intellectually and through faith I accept it, I find it relatively easy to extend grace to others, but when it comes to living life day to day within God's grace, I think I tend to fail miserably. Instead, my tendency is to view God the same way I brokenly view people - as needing to be pleased and to have my acceptance and love - and grace - earned.
The verse above poignantly answers my regular query of how to understand myself and how to live this life well. The answer to understanding who I am is to understand better who God is. This, to me, feels far more reasonable an undertaking. Perhaps understanding God in actuality is more complex than understanding myself, but in my mind it seems a more concrete goal with a generally acknowledged formulae for its accomplishment. Prayer. Study.
Time.
Time with God. Focus on God. These things are the prescribed way not only to understanding Him but also to understanding myself and to understanding life. The only way to do so. Which, in fact, makes great logical sense to me as God's knowledge of me is so far superior to my own. So, teach me, Lord. Both about who You are and, in consequence, who I really am.
Personally, I think that seems a much better answer to the question of life, the universe and everything than Douglas Adams' 42.
As I continue to walk through this life and attempt to eradicate old hang-ups and broken perceptions of who I am and who I am expected to be, I find that God - if I listen - is constantly reminding me of the truth in these matters rather than the false ideas and perceptions upon which I have unfortunately based much of my understanding of life.
Today, in my reading through of Romans in The Message, I read this:
"The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by
what He does for us, not by what we are and what we do for Him."
(Romans 12:3)
I have read that periodically changing the translation of the Bible that you read can help to enhance your worship experience. This has proved true to me for many years, and I often 'change things up.' Recently I decided to read The Message - a translation into 'modern' English from the original language that has in the past given me minor pause regarding the The New Testament, mostly on account of my preferring a different translation. However, I have found that going through Romans in The Message has been eye-opening. Many times I have gone back to my New American Standard to find out what verse it actually was that I just read, since I couldn't immediately think of the more familiar version. The result has been fascinating, and has included a fresh understanding of our basic theology of grace.
Grace is a concept that has always eluded me. I understand it as a concept, intellectually and through faith I accept it, I find it relatively easy to extend grace to others, but when it comes to living life day to day within God's grace, I think I tend to fail miserably. Instead, my tendency is to view God the same way I brokenly view people - as needing to be pleased and to have my acceptance and love - and grace - earned.
The verse above poignantly answers my regular query of how to understand myself and how to live this life well. The answer to understanding who I am is to understand better who God is. This, to me, feels far more reasonable an undertaking. Perhaps understanding God in actuality is more complex than understanding myself, but in my mind it seems a more concrete goal with a generally acknowledged formulae for its accomplishment. Prayer. Study.
Time.
Time with God. Focus on God. These things are the prescribed way not only to understanding Him but also to understanding myself and to understanding life. The only way to do so. Which, in fact, makes great logical sense to me as God's knowledge of me is so far superior to my own. So, teach me, Lord. Both about who You are and, in consequence, who I really am.
Personally, I think that seems a much better answer to the question of life, the universe and everything than Douglas Adams' 42.