Let's talk about what makes a "bad" theology and why it's important to discern things through the lens of Jesus and the finished work of the cross. *Bad theology is an understanding of scripture that limits Gods true good nature to a retributive, punishing God instead of a loving Father who only acts out of love. A Jesus that had to come and die because your Dad in heaven would torture you forever if He didn't. That if you don't love Him enough you're dead meat, you rotten, born evil sinner! Bad theology is any theology that enables you to limit God and His eternal love to only the things you think are right. Bad theology cancels itself out with things like penal substitutionary atonement theories that don't make sense in light of who God really is. Bad theology is holding onto understandings of God that are broken, old, and simply not true just because the bible says so. Bad theology is an over-literalistic approach- an over-internalized personalization of the bible. Bad theology is bible worship and bible idolatry instead of Jesus worship. Bad theology is SINship instead of SONship. Bad theology makes you feel like you're never, ever good enough- that you won't ever be good enough and that you're not worthy of love till you behave and "repent". Jesus says otherwise when He lays down His life willingly and testifies to the forgiveness and life of all mankind. Bad theology weaponizes the bible and encourages division instead of unity. Bad theology compromises what Jesus did and gives authority to law, religion and power. In Christ, the law has already been fulfilled! Bad theology enables you to pit yourself against or above other humans instead of with them and for them in love. Bad theology isn't inherently bad, and the people who believe these things are not bad either- all of it is well intentioned through study and hand-me-down religion, but, nonetheless broken as it refutes Gods love in place of something else that doesn't have power over God and His love to begin with.
Hey! Let’s get real today… Let’s go deeper. Please read with an open mind and ask Holy Spirit to reveal what's good. Allow yourself to be challenged by what you read, it's healthy for all of us to see from new vantage points and different perspectives. It's how we grow. I'm not claiming to know it all- these are my thoughts and opinions and it's what has become true and life giving to me. I hope it blesses you!
Let’s study a bit and explore some things. Things that churches and Christians have meant well in, or tried really hard to grasp about God and the bible- but somehow never come away with anything more than hairs pulled out from heads when at the heart of what we really desire is deeper revelations of Gods love. Ted talks with concerts and feel good speeches aren't cutting it. Moments of sweet victory and light bulbs going off that just eventually turn into "not enough"... again. Studying the same things the same way from the same perspectives is not going to be conducive to growth or spiritual maturity. That's insanity. We can't perceive "holy" inside of "insanity"- especially without the SPIRIT. We are blinded and veiled at best. It can feel like we're stuck. In a rut we never get out of. In a box we choose to stay chained inside of. Hearing all the same things and voices over, and over, and over. With doctrine we refuse to question. Who came up with "doctrine" anyway? Who says that doctrine Lords over you instead of the ever constant, all loving Lord Jesus? Should we question things? God LOVES our questions and He answers them with beautiful truths if we open ourselves to them. We can't let fear Lord over us. Questions lead to answers- fear leads to paralyzation. We cannot limit God to mere words on a page or the things we have always believed, because what if we are wrong about some things? I started asking questions and thinking for myself over the last 21 months and have put nearly 700 hours of prayer, listening, watching, seeing, discovering, discerning... I'm so free! Can you imagine putting God in a box and making stark judgments about who He is and then never allowing yourself to go any further or ever see differently- which ultimately creates a prideful religious construct that you could never be wrong about anything you believe, that you could never question "certain" things and that everyone else is wrong!? People do it all the time. It's sad. I used to be one. BUT- with an open mind and heart ready to listen and learn- with historical context, understanding biblical language and the truth about bible translations, new perspectives, deeper understandings of true intent in cultural writings in those times and places- With Christ in me, Holy Spirit leading- I'm able to really REST in the love of God and Jesus' finished work. It's literally changed my life and whole perspective in all of the best ways. I am CONTENT. Content to love and to rest in who I am because I know who's in me and that I can't possibly be loved more than I am right now.
I'm on a beautiful journey that only keeps getting better- you're on one too- and it doesn't have to look the same. I'm not here to police your beliefs, I don't have that authority. And quite frankly, that's extremely arrogant. I'm here to encourage you with where I am right now as it has really blessed my life.
We don’t have to be STUCK- Revolving in theological circles of manufactured emotional experiences- caught up in the breakdown of religious laws from different angles, speaking of the exact same gospel that has the world trying to strive to earn it. Something is wrong. However well intentioned- enough is enough. It’s a never ending rat race of misunderstood contexts that never lead us to REAL life to the FULL. We can't put our hope in church services, bible words and books, or nice buildings. None of that will suffice in place of Jesus and our identity in Him. Only temporary feel good moments of accomplishment and dopamine trips from boxes we check off that we made in our heads and hearts, because we were indoctrinated with them over the last 200 years in America- Understandings that never really leads us to the peace and life we desire and so hope for in Christ. The brokenness and division of churches and life everywhere prove it. Because there is no “rest” in that stuff. There's no contentment in that cycle. There’s not rest when you’re in a hurry to believe better, behave better, earn more “GOD”. But in Jesus, the real Jesus where you don't have to earn or climb to anything- not Moses or religion, law or denomination, works or bible idolatry- in HIM we can REST and flourish in His love. We were made for it! In His presence I am HOME. HE is home. We find rest at home in His loving embrace.
It’s what Jesus was trying to tell people His entire ministry, especially the Pharisees, religious leaders in charge of leading others (and His own disciples- the ones that followed Him)- but they were so clouded by the “law” and man made religion, thoughts, and delusion, that so few were able to grasp the completeness of what Jesus came to do. (that’s why they killed Him) He revealed the Fathers heart to the fullest. He is the perfect revelation of Gods heart towards humanity. Jesus is what God has to say about Himself and Jesus is perfect theology. Jesus, and His nature, character, Spirit- it trumps everything.
Sounds like maybe you’re one of those “NEW TESTAMENT” guys - But what about the “law”? - the God of the old testament- isn’t He the same? Yes, He is, but humanity and even those God “used” - their perspectives were deeply wrong, flawed, diluted, and misunderstood for such a long time and Jesus FULLY reveals those fallacies of man and proves it. (Never stands for violence, hate, murder, or anything that contradicts love. God is love) Jesus came to set the record straight of who God really was and what He was really about. LOVE, LIFE, REDEMPTION - by way of a transformed and renewed mind.
Children of God
Galatians 3:23 Before the coming of this faith, (JESUS) we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian (not our savior, not our final say) until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. (It is the faith of JESUS that has saved humanity, not our own. It’s amazing to have faith, but know that you couldn’t muster up enough on your own- that was the point to the “mustard seed” parable. It was Christ’s faith that did it and does it)
26 So in Christ Jesus (which we all are, you’ll see scriptural references to that later on) you are all children of God through faith, (through Jesus and His faith) 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ (not by water or some symbolic expression, but by spirit, by Christ’s doing-being aware of who’s you are and how you have life, knowing your identity that Jesus made the way so you could understand) have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (There is no muslim or christian, no republican or democrat, no other label or point of reference we claim to identify with that will ever overcome the love of Jesus- Humanity is ONE) 29 If you belong to Christ, (this is not implying you have a choice to make- it’s implying that you do belong and this verse is responding matter of factly to the entirety of the text) then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
But why would we count Jesus words MORE than other words in the bible? Why would we allow Jesus to have the most authority in His nature and character throughout the Bible than other people- isn’t God in it all? God inspired it all, but Jesus makes it clear that HE is the FINAL word of GOD, HE is THEE Word of God. He and the Father, God, are ONE. God’s economy has never changed- it’s always been the same. He’s never desired blood sacrifices or the killing of our firstborn. JESUS makes that clear and I trust JESUS!!!!
What about Abraham and Isaac- didn’t God test Abrahams faith by seeing if Abraham would kill his own son? NO. God didn’t test Abrahams faith. He made an example out of Abraham. Our understanding of this has been wrong over the years because it was passed down wrong- Let me paraphrase a bunch of scriptures tied to this idea: God says: “I’ve never wanted you to kill your own kids! Stop that!!! STOP!! Here’s a ram, if you want to give me blood, which by the way, I do not require or desire blood from you- go ahead and do what you want though- you’ve got that freedom.” Abraham was not aware of the future true revelations that others like Paul would understand later down the line- and not because they weren’t already true, because they were- it was because at that time in history, they believed differently. God wasn’t different. Humans were. God put Abraham on display so the world would know how bogus that really was and how our thoughts were not right about God in that way. Even with Jesus, Though humans spilled His blood- His blood wasn’t required- there’s many scriptures that testify to that, but let’s save that for another day. I wish Abraham would have REALLY known that He was already predestined as a SON of God and didn’t have to prove it by doing anything. I wish Paul could have had a word with him to help him see that.
John 14:8-10
8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. (This day already came when Jesus was killed, buried, and then resurrected- this is not a future event, it’s a past event- making the reality of the future Jesus talks about OURS RIGHT NOW)
He is in humanity. He is in you and He is in me. He’s in every human.
Romans 8 begins with “No condemnation” and ends with “no separation”.
Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours. THAT’S cool!
1st Corinthians 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (All are included in Christ, humanity as a whole- it’s not based on a decision, magic prayer, or just the right theology and never has been. Jesus tried to show us!)
There’s so much more that when attributed to the correct context and understanding- historically, culturally, language wise via translation- the Bible speaks LIFE if you’ll let it and see it for what it is. Most of the judgments and future revelations the Bible speaks of are NOT future, they’ve already taken place historically. Yes, I said that. Because I’ve spent many hours studying and learning and listening and watching and reading history from those times. GOD speaks LIFE. Which is what Jesus did, showed us, and tried His very best to get us to understand. He tried telling people that they were so consumed with the “scriptures”, law - that they totally missed the point! (Read John 5:39-47)I would paraphrase some of what Jesus is trying to say to humanity as this:
“People, stop living in sin- (not as in, quit behaving like a naughty boy or girl, that’s not the point! This isn’t behavior modification- let’s address the root of all problems- a false identity and sin consciousness) rather, quit living from a broken place of law and religion that I came to set you free from! Stop believing the lies about yourselves and become like little children! Stop making this so hard- I’m right here in front of you trying to show you and help you understand what my Fathers love is for you, but you keep returning to separation, just like a dog returns to it’s vomit. PLEASE, I’m laying my life down and redemption has come for all of humanity, precious in My sight from the start- Nothing could ever separate you from Gods love! I’m trying to bring about the restoration of all things back to my Fathers true design and intent for life. In fact, I HAVE and I WILL and that’s what makes it true- you don’t have to live in a fallen world with a false identity- YOU are mine and you are dearly loved, sons and daughters! On earth as it is in Heaven- Kingdom living is yours right now, heaven starts now- don’t put yourself through hell, (a living hell based on the consequences of thought and action) you don’t have to go there our through it! Here’s my heart, my body, my blood, poured out so that you might understand the gift of salvation isn’t something you can earn, remember My love. Wake up and go preach the GOOD NEWS that the work is DONE, the delusion is no more, LOVE reigns supreme and sovereign, and has drawn everything back to Father. Here, take my spirit, it’s in you- go and live FROM the abundance of my love (not for it- we don’t have to strive or work towards it, it cannot be earned) and be unified by it with all of creation. In doing so you become the fullness of glory that God intended you to be from the start. You’re loved, known, chosen, and redeemed. Believe these things, dear ones. From your belief, your life is lived and your identity is realized.”
2 Corinthians 5:19
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].
Bro’s and Sis’s - We don’t have to be stuck. We don’t have to be veiled. We don’t have to keep going back to the old ways- the hamster wheel of Jesus. We don’t have to misunderstand or abide by broken theology that leaves us wondering “I thought there was more to this” YOU are the more. Colossians 1:27. Paul wrote it, and it goes, “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” - God didn’t just make it known, they finally understood the reality or who they were in Christ!!! It’s beautiful when you see it, because when you do- you cannot unsee it.
2nd Corinthians 3
13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.
14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Also check this verse out which embodies so much of the problem Paul is talking about, but these are JESUS’ words in John 5:
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.
Going back to 2nd Corinthians 3 - “Turns to the Lord” does not mean pray a prayer and get saved. That’s language us western evangelicals like to use. Please understand this: It means to listen and follow after the heart of Jesus and believe HIS truth. To take upon His sonship and His thoughts about us and humanity- His reality is THEE reality. Choose to see that. To grasp the revelation of Gods heart He revealed instead of clinging to Moses or man made religion, law, or bible worshipping. Jesus is the WORD of God and ironically, the Bible proves it.
12For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [b]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [c]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging (not punishing, but distinguishing, discerning) the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
(Notice in verse 13 it says “His”- This is implying and communicating that JESUS is the WORD of GOD- John says the same thing when He communicates in John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
We have to understand that JESUS gets the final say when it comes to all of scripture- He is God incarnate. Moses is not God. Paul is not God. the Bible is not God. Jesus is. He is the culmination of the entire book of writings- He's realized in some more than others by their authors- but Jesus is IT. It is not Father, Son, Holy bible. It is Father, Son, Holy Spirit. And some of ya'll needed to hear that today.
We can’t keep trying to live in JESUS by preaching condemnation and sin! Did Jesus fulfill the “law”, or didn’t He!? Did He call us to “go and preach sin and separation”- NO. That’s not good news. We cannot keep tying ourselves down to verses that refute Gods love because we don't understand them in their true context- We can’t behold grace when we believe it’s not ours inherently through Christ. We cannot keep trying to live in Christ but believe we aren’t good enough. Sin is GONE. You can’t be free in Christ when you don’t allow yourself to believe that truth! Love covers all, or it covers nothing. The gospel is and has always been good, or it’s not. Grace upon grace for everyone.
If forgiven and free is going to make you mad-
If preaching love and grace, don’t got enough bad-
If it hurts to see the GOOD in everyone, maybe the Jesus that you serve really ain’t Jesus at all.
Let’s wake up to GOOD NEWS. The real gospel of grace. Freedom and love and fullness of life that cannot be earned, only understood through love. Not chained to words on a page, but that transcends thoughts and language and is enveloped into every human soul through Jesus and His incalculable love, which God reveled through Him incarnate. We are magnificent beings with the indwelling of Gods spirit in us! We are a new creation through Jesus- we don’t have to believe otherwise, it’s DONE… <3 Love does win. Every time. And all the fighting you see around the world and over theology- none of it matters in the end because the love of God reaches past our broken thoughts, judgement, pain, and all of it- including death. Through our kicking and screaming and fighting and whining- He “draws” (some root words or translations would suggest “drags”) us to Him like a Good Father who loves His kids always does. Even in our unwillingness to see, think, or believe- He still loves us, sees us, cares for us, and is FOR us. It’s done. Life to the full is OURS, it’s right in front of us, in us- if only we’ll believe it and wake up to our sonship in Him. You’ve been adopted, through Jesus. You didn’t have to have a say in it. God did. You are free and redeemed, chosen and known. Loved from the start and loved to the end…
It’s time to wake up, sleeper. Life is yours TODAY. Take heart. Live NOW in the freedom of Christ!!
-Zachary