The Young Wesleyan

Do What is Right // Walk Humbly with Your God // Love Mercy

[youngwesleyan]

Traveling Across Europe: Reflections on England

Greetings from the other side of the world! For the next few weeks, my family and I will be exploring different parts of Europe, and I hope to give some reflections on each area I have gone to. Currently, I am in London, and it is quite different in what I expected.

First, after 5 days, today was the first day that I really have been able to fully adjust to the time change. For several days, it would be 2p while it felt like 6a, leaving me exhausted during the day, and wide awake at night. But I am glad that I have adjusted.

As a devout Wesleyan (hence, the title of the blog), I had to complete a pilgrimage to Wesley’s Chapel. This was essentially John Wesley’s headquarters. At Wesley’s Chapel, there was his Church, his home, and his grave. Although, in the past, there was a home for families in need, and his home had guest lodging for his preachers. As I got to listen to our guide about Wesley, I realized a few things about the man. He seemed to not handle finances well. Our tour guide explained that, when Wesley wanted a new project to happen, he would often have to sell different things such as his books, but would often have to go to the point of knocking door to door for donations. At the same time, I began to understand the story behind the term methodist, and how methodical or practical Wesley was in his christian faith. He was an outgoing man, and, if he were to come back to life today, he would’ve probably walked out on the streets and began interacting with everyone he would come across. Truly, the world was his parish. In comparison to me, a christian from the 21st Century, I have to say I admire Wesley’s sense of discipline. When exploring his home, we learned he always opened his residence to traveling preachers, but with some expectations. One expectation was that all guests ought to wake up for morning prayer at 5 in the morning everyday. I can hardly get up at 8 in the morning, and yet, I understand and have somewhat a desire to have that discipline in my own life. Finally, the last thing I realized about John Wesley was that he was very short in today’s terms. He was 5 feet, 2 inches, short even by female standards. As someone who is 6 feet, 2 inches, I can now only imagine myself towering over him in heaven! Overall, is was enlightening to be able to visit the home of the founder of the methodist movement in Downtown London.

Often when I go through the United States, I will find on a bar or restaurant door a sign which states “No Alcohol Beyond this Point”. However, I have not found that in England on any pub doors, and the rule is not essentially implied, either. In fact, when walking by a pub, there are so many people with beer that they are often drinking on the sidewalks. Perhaps in the United States, we find taboo to alcohol being drunk in public, and it is especially a taboo to drink alcohol from the American Christian perspective. However, on the other side of the pond, it is quite a normal phenomenon, and doesn’t cause trouble at all. No one is stumbling around drunk, nor have I seen anything close to a fight occurring. It is just regular British Citizens having a relaxing drink at the end of the day. I am beginning to ponder if Americans should take up this attitude a little bit more as well…

For years, I have dreamed of seeing Westminster Abbey. It is considered the most important Church in British history, considering that every King or Queen for the past millennia has been anointed in the abbey. I was not able to go inside, but I was just marveled by the structure and designs on the outside. However, one thing stood out to me. Over the main doorway to the abbey, there are statues of saints. If you look the statues over carefully, you will notice Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as many saints from the past century. It seems to give a clear message to both christians and non-christians: The Church is Ancient, yet Modern. While we have over 2000 years of history, every moment and step in the journey of faith counts. How we should take this message to heart!

I leave England tomorrow, and set off to my next destination, Paris. To be quite honest, I am not as familiar in my studies with French history or culture, but I expect to be able to write just as much about the next chapter of my adventure. Many blessings to you all back home.

[youngwesleyan]

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

For the past two years, I have been an intern at my local congregation, Coast Community Church of the Nazarene. Not really sure what a Nazarene is? In a very basic understanding, we are a denomination which emerged by the Holiness Movement of the 19th century. Not sure what the Holiness Movement was? It was an early Methodist movement. Not sure who the Methodists were? They were essentially followers of 18th Century Anglican priest John Wesley. Not sure who John Wesley was?

I was reflecting upon my faith and my church when I asked myself these questions, which kept resulting in more and more questions. Most of my knowledge was from either discussions with my mentors, who happen to be my pastors, or from extended personal research on my church’s history. After all, if I am called to serve the Church, shouldn’t I know her history?

But, then I began to ask myself another question: Could a regular congregate at our church be able to tell the difference between a Nazarene Church and a Methodist Church? Or, how many members of our congregation are able to recognize differences in our doctrine from, say, a Presbyterian Church? If people were assigned to different denominational & nondenominational churches by their individual beliefs on Christianity, how many of our congregates would still be a part of our church? How many even know who John Wesley was? How many would care?

If that is the case, then one could argue “What’s the point of denominations, anyway?” There could be several people who align with the methodist church who are members of the presbyterian, and same the other way around. Why not just have non-denominational churches everywhere?

Perhaps when discussing this, we ought to keep in mind and heart the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed holds the most essential statements of beliefs in the Christian Faith, including the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. However, in the end of the statement is this: “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” This might be one of the rare occasions in which you will hear a protestant advocate for everyone to be a catholic! Although there is the Roman Catholic Church, who have a pretty cool pope at the moment, the word catholic derives from the greek word καθολικός, or katholikos. katholikos is often translated as “Universal”. So, rereading the Nicene Creed, we can understand it now as “I believe in one, holy, universal and apostolic Church.”

Why is this important? What does it mean to be universal? I believe Saint Paul gives a very clear understanding in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12. "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” Each local church, each local congregation, is a part of this body Paul speaks of. They have a special place in the communities around them, to be servants to the local level. However, they are only one part of the body, a body with a universal mission, that of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven. Why unite? Because we have all been baptized, and perhaps ordained, by the same spirit for this mission.

The body is often where nondenominational churches are flawed, they often lack the unity of Spirit, the unity of mission, that is commanded by God. While many mainline protestant churches are united by this mission well, I have to admit, I must give a hand of applause to our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters for the strongest sense of unity. Perhaps someday, we can all return to the Roman Catholic Church with a sense of even greater unity in the universal church. But, for now, let’s hold to heart our mission and join together as brother and sister believers to live to see it fulfilled as God calls us to.

[youngwesleyan]

School’s Out, Research In

Over the past few weeks, I was spending each day pulling my hair out over finals. No matter what your major is, if you want to have good grades for your classes, you will be stressing out over this time of the semester. A funny note, I discovered that during this time of the semester, atheist students pray to God the most while christian students tend to doubt God the most! I am now out of class, completing finals this past week, and was able to raise my GPA to a 3.40, praise God! I want my GPA to continue rising, so always pray that I stay focused as much as God wants me to on my studies. And, while I am glad to say that school is out, I am one of the kind of people who find the break from May to September quite numbing of my senses. While many people can spend each day in the summer partying or playing video games, I need some of work in order to stay sane. So, I am thinking about working on a research project on a theological topic. That said, I will tell you what ideas I have so far.

My first is the topic of purgatory. As you could probably guess from my username, I am not a roman catholic, or eastern orthodox. However, I have always had a great love for both the higher liturgy of my more traditional brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as many writers and theologians of those traditions. Personally, I enjoy reading Saint Augustine of Hippo, and am also about to start reading The Little Flowers of Saint Francis. One topic that catholics and (majority) of protestants disagree on is the concept of purgatory. Some questions I would want answer are this: What is purgatory? What is the history of the concept of purgatory in the Church? Where did the concept of purgatory come from? What are scriptural arguments for/against? What are some philosophical arguments for/against? My second idea actually came from one of my pastors, and that is the idea of post-mortem salvation. In essence, it would basically be asking the question Can one attain salvation after their death? This one, I am leaning more towards, due to it being more open-ended than the topic of purgatory (purgatory can be an included topic within this topic). I hope to look at the history of this concept in the church, as well as any scriptural and philosophical arguments surrounding this question.

There were so many more topics that I have considered as well, but are not worth writing too much about: evolution and genesis, scriptural responses to mega churches, concept of entire sanctification, American politics and the Church, etc. However, all these topics are popularly covered and discussed in the modern American Church today, and I feel that it wouldn’t be as much use to do research on something almost everyone has repeatedly heard already. Either way, I hope you pray for me so that I may do research on something which would enlighten me to God’s will, not just for myself, but for His church overall.

Many blessings, Young Wesleyan

[youngwesleyan]

Spiritual formation, without regard to any specifically religious context or tradition, is the process by which the human spirit or will is given a definete "form" or character.

Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

[youngwesleyan]

I came to Him because I did not know which way to turn. I remained with Him because there is no other way I wish to turn.

Ravi Zacharias

[youngwesleyan]

Movie Review: La La Land

I am not much of one for movie reviews, let alone giving a review on a blog designated for theology and outreach to a younger audience. However, I could not allow this movie to pass by without expressing my thoughts. What’s more, I am not even a big musical fan (I have always been a nerd for Star Wars and for 2001 Space Odyssey), however, La La Land impressed me to the point where I walked out of the theater with an emotional connection to the characters, and, to the story as well.

This review will hopefully not give any spoilers. I encourage each of you to go and watch the movie yourself, especially while in it is in theaters. This review will, however, talk about the themes of the plot.

The pursuit of your dreams is not something to be gained without dilemma. But, that does not mean you should give up on your dreams. You want to be an actress? Go for it! You want to be the owner of a jazz club in downtown Los Angeles? Keep your eyes set on it. You want to be a theologian who teaches God’s Word in a depth and enlightening way? I will cheer you on. But, the movie La La Land shows in realistic situations, it will not be something overnight, and it will not be something that will be earned on a smooth road. People with other dreams might help you on the way, or get in your way, or sometimes be a bit of both. There will be those who say what you are trying to do will only result in failure, and there will be those who will support you and let you cry on their shoulder when the others boo. Or, there will simply be physical dilemmas to your end goal. But, take heart! You have an end goal, and that is what you must pursue.

What made me walk out of the movie with an emotional attachment to the two main characters, Sebastian and Mia, was that they were portrayed as both contemporary and traditional. They were in a traditional musical because the songs had very traditional instruments and song structure, however, they were modern in their story. When you watch the stages of their relationship and how they interact with each other, it is very believable and realistic. They have the honeymoon stage that almost every relationship has, where the two cannot keep their eyes off each other. When there is a moment that they can dance together, they dance together. But, as you see them go into the later stages of a relationship, it is where true love is truly put to the test. The whole time you watch them go through struggle, you ask yourself if they are going to make it? The first message that La La Land teaches is that in a loving relationship, true love is not when you love someone after they simply do something kind for you, but when, after a day of struggle, after an evening of tears and pulling hair and screaming at one another, you can still be able to say, “I love you and I forgive you” to one another. True love does not come from receiving kindness from someone, but when you show love without expecting it back.

The last message combines the two previous, and it left me with a question: Does love get in the way of one’s dream? At the ending of the movie, I can only imagine this to be a question left on the hearts of many young people and college students such as myself. But, once you complete the ending of the movie, you seem to have an answer to think on as well. Without giving spoilers, the ending teaches that love does not compete with an individual’s dreams, but can only make it oh so much greater. However, to many in the short run, love can make it seem like your dreams cannot be achieved at the same time. Love may prolong the dream, love may make it more difficult to achieve the dream, but it is what completes it.

Overall, without giving too many spoilers, the movie was great in both plot and everything. It blew my mind, and I am a Star Wars nerd.

[youngwesleyan]

I want to know one thing, the way to heaven-how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri (A man of one book).

John Wesley

[youngwesleyan]

O Lord, the house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that thou mayest enter in. It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases thy sight; I confess it, I know. But who shall cleanse it, or to whom shall I cry but unto thee? Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord, and spare thy servant from strange sins.

Saint Augustine

[youngwesleyan]

US issues federal warning as Isis calls for attacks on churches over Christmas

FBI warning came after a publicly available list of US churches was posted on a militant social media site

My brothers and sisters, I ask that you pray for churches so that any worship services on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day may be carried out in peace and in safety. Also, pray for anyone who may seek to attack a church this Christmas, so that they may hear the Christmas story, and turn their hearts towards Christ, who loves all. God be with you all this Christmas, many blessings.

[youngwesleyan]

Tomi Lahren, American Polarization, and the Christian Perspective

I was scrolling through Facebook the other day when I noticed that a good friend of mine, who I have often engaged in philosophical and political conversations with, posted something about Tomi Lahren to his feed. More specifically, he shared a video of Lahren, a popular conservative voice on the show The Blaze, discussing the recent BET Awards. She expressed her belief that the primarily African-American network’s award show serves as a platform for colored actors to perpetuate racial victimhood rather than celebrate black entertainment. And while Lahren critiqued those who were receiving awards, such as Jesse Williams, I noticed my friend putting her down as well. He was doing the same exact thing he criticized Ms. Lahren for doing.

This consistent bickering from one side to another, from a public platform like Lahren to the individual social media like my friend on facebook, has become numbing to many of us. So numbing, we have not only gotten use to it around us, but we have begun to engage in it as well.Doesn’t this demonstrate how hypocritical we are, how hypocritical we have become? We, and I am no exception, often put the other side down for something while declaring ourselves righteous for the same actions. Isn’t it saddening how this seems to be a repeating behavior in human history?

But, rejoice! Because, in Christ, we are told a completely different message. Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brotherʼs eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brotherʼs eye” (Mt. 7:3-5). In my generation, this passage has become very popular, arguably almost as well-known as John 3:16 became in the latter 20th century. Matthew 7, at first glance, simply tells us not to judge one another. While that is certainly true, the message entails so much more. Jesus proclaims that before we critique others, we must be sure to critique ourselves -- we need to clean the dirt from underneath our own fingernails before we even begin to comment on those of our opponents.

So, how can we go about this today? For those of us in the Christian faith, one of the first things we are called to do is analyze ourselves and ask: Before I accuse this person of something, before I put him or her down for doing something wrong, what have I done wrong? What does God call me to do to change my ways and fix my wrongs? Most importantly, we are to supplement our self-reflection with prayer.

Second, we should strive to sharpen our ability to truly understand other people. We are simply not listening to each other. Amid calling out the other side’s flaws, we forget to listen to their concerns. Do they not perform their actions because of this? Calling out their flaws solves only the temporary problem, which will eventually arise again. On the other hand, sincerely listening to the other’s concerns is the first step towards finding a lasting peace. In his epistle, James writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Yet why do so many people today, including, and sometimes especially Christians, skip through this as though the Bible actually says,“Be quick to become angry”?

My friends, my brothers and sisters, do not be this way. Be quick to listen, be slow to speak and slow to become angry. Pray for this, because I am part of this problem as well.

Overall, as Christians, this is a time and age where these qualities are needed most. This is what God calls each of us to do. The question is, are we willing to calm down and listen to Him?

[youngwesleyan]

Sheep, Goats, and Following God

Can we truly know if we are Children of God? How do we know we are truly following the way of God? What does Scripture say about the Children of God? What does Jesus say about the Children of God? I am not going to copy the entire passage down, but I am going to ask that you read Matthew 25: 31-46. 

It is difficult to write much about this passage, because it truly does explain itself. But, I will tell you, it can be frightening. But, it gives the ability to ask many questions in regards to your faith, and to your relationship with God.1. What makes a sheep a sheep? What happens to the sheep? Why does it happen? What do they do that makes the King put them on his right?2. What makes a goat a goat? What happens to the goats? Why does it happen? What do they do that makes the King put them on his left?3. Which do you want to be? Do you want to be a sheep or a goat? Why?4. Which do you think you are? Is it the same as what you want to be? Why?I think it is fair to say we all want to be the sheep in this parable, that we want to be Children of God. But, to be honest, we often act like goats. We ignore the poor, the lost, the broken, and think it is alright to keep living like this, myself included. Spend time in prayer, asking God what He calls you to do so you may be a sheep, so you may be the Child of God that he wants you to be. Pray that when you see someone who is thirsty or hungry or sick or in prison, you will be filled with the compassion of God to serve them. Many blessings.

[youngwesleyan]

Giving Thanks for Our God

It is that time of the year again in the United States, a time of being thankful and of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! It is a wonderful time for families to gather together and be thankful. But, what are we to be thankful for? In Psalm 107, it is written, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” To my American brothers and sisters, as well as my brothers and sisters living in the United States but are from foreign lands, give thanks and pray about three things. First and foremost, just give thanks to God. Give thanks for the great “I AM WHO I AM”. Give thanks for the Creator, for who he is in relationship to us. Give thanks that he is good. The realization that he is good, and that good is God. Give thanks that he has the power to declare what is good, and that we don’t have the power, or the burden, to have to declare what is good. But, because God has declared to us what is good, give thanks that he gives us the calling to declare him to the world. Lastly, give thanks for his enduring love. Your parents may love you, your family and friends may love you, but their love for you is nothing compared to what God’s love is. Give thanks that in even the worst situations possible, God will love you no matter what, because God’s love not only endures forever, but God Himself is love. In 1 John, Saint John writes, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Give thanks that you, brothers and sisters, now know this enduring love. And, because of this enduring love, you can now truly love others.

Many Blessings

[youngwesleyan]

A Christian Response to the Election

Wow, what a week it was last week! Regardless of whom you voted for, the results were quite shocking for many on both sides. Most (if not all) polls and statistics stated that Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton would win with a landslide. However, it is quite ironic to see it be the complete opposite. One thing that stood out to many such as myself was who the Church voted for. According to Christianity Today, over 81% of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump. That is a huge percentage of the American Church. 

So, how do we respond to this? Should we be happy? Should we be sad? Perhaps both. It is saddening to know that the American Church has such faith in a man to make a secular government and a secular nation “great again” and “christian again”. Whether you believe this nation was truly ever christian or not (I do not, but I am open to arguments for it), the fact is that today it is not, nor will it ever be in the future.

But, there is good news! We have a permanent leader, a King named Christ Jesus. He was with us in the early persecution of the Church, He is with us today, and He will be with us tomorrow. So, instead of putting your faith in a human politician, I ask you, my brothers and sisters, to put your faith in your King. It is difficult to, I will admit I have had trouble lately with focusing away from human politics and to Him, but as christians this is what we are called to do.

Many blessings

[youngwesleyan]

What is your life?

In a worship song written by Dustin Kensrue, it asks the question: To you who boast tomorrow’s gain, tell me what is your life?

It is a question I have been asking myself, and the song answers with this: A mist that vanishes at dawn. All Glory be to Christ!

The point is, you can have all these things on Earth. A big house, a lot of money, a perfect town, perfect friends. But, in truth, it will all fade away. But Jesus will never fade. There is something about knowing that that makes me rejoice in being His follower, and hopefully makes you rejoice in being followers of Christ as well.

Many blessings

[youngwesleyan]

Working to Serve God

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

-James 2:14-17

From a surface level approach, this scripture may become very uncomfortable for many protestants. However, if we looks closer into it, we discover how great this is for our faith. It asks us what is the point of our faith if we don’t use it to serve God? See, faith does not only save us, but change us. It changes us to have this attitude to go out and serve God. 

[youngwesleyan]

What shall the we do to honor God?

the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8

This is, in one sentence, the calling of the christian life, the calling of a holy life set apart for God. Many blessings