Who am I?

Our identity is shaped by our history. Who I am today is the product of all I have experienced in the past - my history. Our identity as Australians is shaped by our collective history. What about our identity as Christians? Sure, we are sons and daughters of God adopted into his family through Jesus Christ. But our identity - our perception of who we are - is shaped by our history.

And that is why the Bible - both Old and New Testaments - is so important for Christians; it is the record of our history. Of course, it is so much more than this; but surely this aspect is vitally important. In the Old Testament we read about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, the Israelites. This is our history! These stories are our stories; they shape our identity. Even those parts of the Bible we tend to skim over or even ignore, such as Leviticus and Numbers, are important because they are part of OUR history.

Every part of the Bible is relevant, not because it speaks directly into contemporary situations, but because as our history is shapes our identity, which in turn influences how we approach everyday life. If I know my history, I know who I am, I live who I am. Maybe if we appropriate every part of the Bible as OUR history, we will find it much more engaging and it will actually influence how we live!

What's Missing?

As I read through the book of Acts, I am struck by how contagious the Christianity of the first church was. Every day people were being added to them. I ask myself: why is that not happening in my life and in my church? Is it a problem with us; or is it the world?

A question and a thought occur to me.

Question: are we living a Christianity that is a viable alternative to the life offered by the world? The world (in the West, at any rate) offers a pretty good deal. Work hard; keep your nose clean; build wealth; enjoy. It is possible. And what do we offer? If we offer no more than a great life, then our neighbours may be excused for opting for the one they are already living! Jesus did not come preaching the gospel of a good life. He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God. There is a difference.

Thought: at least in our context, (the affluent West,) it is possible to build a good life without God. The situation in our society reminds me of the builders of the Tower of Babel. With some cooperation and lots of hard work, they will build a society that works for them; they will make a name for themselves. I wonder if we can expect God to confuse their language too, and bring the whole thing tumbling down? And if he does, is the church ready with a viable alternative?