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If the first step in learning to speak human is working to frame a biblical view of humanity, then the second key element is the necessity of becoming a student of human culture.

The basis for this second strategy is rooted in the command “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is the basis for studying culture. My colleague, Dr. Robert Tuttle suggests that followers of Christ pray that God would give them eyes to see others as though they were their children. I love my children, and I seek daily to engage them at their level so that I can build my relationship with them.

Most of my friends, colleagues, and students know that I am an avid race fan. I am a frequent attendee at local short tracks and I enjoy watching NASCAR events on television. Most however do not realize how I became a fan. When I was in graduate school in Richmond Virginia, I served a small congregation. I am an Ohioan by birth “a Yankee” as my friends in Virginia often reminded me. There were many cultural divides between me and this congregation — age, education, place of birth, etc. I had to be intentional about building relationships within the congregation. NASCAR proved to be the doorway for me. Every Sunday after church many of the men (and a few of their wives) would gather together to watch the weekend’s race on TV. I started attending out of a desire merely to get to know those who attended the worship services and ended up becoming a race fan. Much of the limited success that I had in that setting was built on the relationships that I developed with this core group. We need to love others enough to enter into their world.

How can we learn the language of humanity? Specifically, as a precursor to missional activity, what are some steps that can facilitate learning about the culture that we wish to reach.

1) Take time to observe and converse with new people. Go to a Mall. Take a walk in a park. Frequent coffee shops and night clubs. Walk and greet persons in your neighborhood.

2) Listen attentively. Don’t be out to save the world immediately. Don’t try to serve as the “Bible Answer Woman (or Man).” Don’t feign interest in another human being merely as an avenue to download some prepackaged Gospel presentation at the earliest opportunity. Truly learn to listen to others. I am always struck by dreams, struggles, longings, and hurts in the lives of those around us. People are craving the things that only God can give, but we need to become the type of persons who truly listen so that we can build the sort of relationship in which the good news about Jesus can be shared in an atmosphere conducive to conversion.

3) Read widely. It is essential to read a wide variety of literature beyond the scope of the biblical/theological/leadership resources that the typical pastor/teacher digests. Read a variety of newspapers and magazines (many are also available via the Web).

4) Watch Movies/Listen to Popular Music. Movies and music are the media of choice for the masses. Both interpret life and may have more influence on issues of culture and worldview than any other source. Movies and music create new worlds for people. The savvy follower of Christ needs to understand these new worlds in order to invite persons to the ultimate New World.

5) Cultivate a Curiosity about the Topics and Interests of the Culture that You are Seeking to Reach. We need to be willing to enter the worlds of the people whom we are seeking to reach with the Gospel. More about this next time.

Reflections:
1) How much do I know about those who live around me?
2) How well do I comprehend the wider trends and culture around?
3) How do I need to live differently in order to become a better missionary?

Let me know what you think.

© 2006 Brian D. Russell

As we seek to live missional lifestyles and to shape, form, and lead communities of faith that embody mission as their raison d’etre, it is crucial for us to think about how we communicate the Gospel. As we seek earnestly to follow Jesus’ imperative of Making disciples, we need to learn to speak in a language that can be understood by those whom we work to share the Gospel. In this essay, I want to reflect on “Learning to Speak Human.”

I think that there are at least three elements that interface with learning the human language.

First, we need to understand humanity from the perspective of the sacred Scriptures. I believe that the Bible’s view of women and men best explains the pitfalls and potential of every human being.

The Bible has an extraordinarily high view of the potential of every person. Genesis 1:26-31 records that God created women and men in His image. God created people to reflect His character to the world and to serve as His represents while living together in authentic intimacy. Psalm 8 likewise reflects a high view of humanity:

NIV Psalm 8:1 For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

These verses (especially vv. 4-8) clearly echo Genesis 1 and it is noteworthy that there is no hint of the reality of the effect of sin on humanity. I don’t want to overstate this case, but it is clear that in Ps 8 the psalmist clearly sees real potential for humanity to accomplish the divine will.

I think that we need to recapture something of this understanding of people. I will discuss below the reality of sin, but it is not an affront to Scripture or to God to affirm that humanity remains capable of doing good, of creating beauty, of acting justly, of reflecting something of God in our actions.

Of course, the full potential of every person may now only be reached through God’s gift of Jesus. It is only through trust in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that humanity can be reshaped and unleashed to live fully for God (Romans 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5; etc.). The reason for the necessity of Jesus Christ is that the Bible is clear that humanity is deeply flawed. This is true of every single person on earth today. If Genesis 1-2 depict a perfect Creation, the narratives of Genesis 3-11 report the undoing of Creation through the persistent presence of sin in every human being and institution. In Romans 1-3, Paul depicts all of humanity lost in sin. His summary in Romans 3:23 is chilling, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

As we seek to speak human to the world about the Gospel, we need to understand grasp deeply the biblical view of humanity. People are indeed lost and in need of a deliverance from evil that only God can provide through Jesus Christ, but we can still see vestiges of God’s creational intentions for humanity present and the wise evangelist will use these to her or his advantage.

(To be continued)

Reflection:
1) What do you think about the Bible’s view of humanity?
2) What do you make of the positive view of humanity present in the Scriptures? Does this contrast with your traditional understanding? Am I missing something?
3) How should this affect how we share the Gospel with others?

© 2006 Brian D. Russell

I have been asked to answer some questions submitted by a reader to Asbury Seminary’s publication the Asbury Herald. I was limited to about 450 words so these answers are merely sketches. Would appreciate hearing any feedback or questions that my “answers” raise for you.

1) In what way/ways could one person’s sanctification be important to someone else?

The sanctification of an individual is never an end in itself. To put a new twist on an old line from E. Stanley Jones “[Sanctification] that doesn’t begin with the individual doesn’t begin; [sanctification] that ends with the individual ends.” We need to help people to recapture the biblical truth that mission is central to personal sanctification. Sanctification is about remaking an individual in the image of Christ so that she or he may be unleashed fully to live for God in the world by reflecting God’s character through a lifestyle of evangelism and acts of mercy. In the past, there has been too much emphasis on freedom from sin and not enough emphasis on freedom for service to others. If sanctification involves empowering persons to become fully the human beings whom God created them to be, then it will always drive the sanctified to live for purposes greater than their own. This is the essence of a life shaped by God’s vision for humanity. Jesus summarized such a lifestyle in Matthew 22:37-40 – “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

2) How are some practical ways that the holiness message can be taught to people who live in the inner cities of America?

This is a great question. First of all, we need to learn to speak human. We must commit to using language that is relevant and sensitive to the contexts in which we serve. Second, I think that we can begin to rearticulate the holiness message for the 21st century in the inner cites (and around the world) by committing to speaking about holiness in positive terms rather than primarily in the negative. Holiness is not merely about the elimination of sin. It is about the unleashing of redeemed individuals to become all that God created them to be. In other words, perhaps we should teach holiness to persons by inviting them to experience their own humanity. As I reflect on various representative passages in Scripture (Genesis 1:26-31; Exodus 19:3-6; Romans 12; Colossians 3:1-4:6; and 1 Peter 2:1-12), I see three interrelated themes: mission, holiness, and community. God created people to participate in God’s wider mission for creation by reflecting His character in their lives and by relating to one another in authentic intimacy. Intrinsically, people long for these three elements, but typically under a non-religious rubric. Human beings long to be loved authentically (community), to live for a greater purpose (mission), and to become something better than they are (holiness). The discerning preacher/teacher will invite persons to experience these in Jesus Christ.

© 2006 Brian D. Russell

I have been added to the 2007 Faculty of the International Mentoring Network. Above is my “faculty picture.” The IMN is the brain child of innovative church leader Alex McManus. Alex is one of the most creative and inspiring followers of Jesus whom I have met. He is also a good friend. Below is a photo of us during a break in the action at Origins/Ethos.

The IMN works through a cohort system and involves online courses and a seven day immersion experience. For 2007, the IMN will hold immersions in Orlando (Feb) and Los Angeles (May). I participated as a guest speaker this past May. The 2006 cohort was an impressive group of young (and young at heart) leaders. These folks are dead serious about following Jesus into the world on mission. The enthusiam is contagious. As I addressed the group, I sensed that I was looking at the men and women whom God would use to usher in the next Great Awakening.

The IMN is all about unleashing followers of Jesus Christ into the world to establish new communities of faith. If you are interested in preparing (or retooling) for kingdom advancing ministry for the 21st century, you need to check out the International Mentoring Network.

I will be teaching on site in Los Angeles and Orlando during the immersion times. I will also teach an online module and conduct several online conversations with the IMN cohorts. The focus of my teaching will be on helping the cohort to interpret the Bible missionally.

Check out the IMN faculty page.

Let me know if you have any questions.

As I continue to reflect on my experience at Origins last month, I want to turn specifically to the leadership lessons that I learned. The principal focus of the leadership talk was ethos. Erwin Raphael McManus carries the title “Lead Pastor and Cultural Architect”. As Cultural Architect at Mosaic, Erwin’s main responsibility involves setting the tone and establishing the ethos of Mosaic. In fact, his nickname at Mosaic is Ethos.

What is ethos?
Here is a definition:
The character, sentiment, or disposition of a community or people, considered as a natural endowment; the spirit which actuates manners and customs; also, the characteristic tone or genius of an institution or social organization.

Why ethos?
It is simple — every community has one. The question becomes this: Does my community of faith reflect the heart of God? This is not a question merely of intent but of reality. Pastors and teachers have the opportunity to dream and shape the ethos of their communities of faith.

How do we shape ethos?
1) Teaching/Preaching
This involves proclaiming the Scriptures as an invitation to the life that God created us to live.

2) Lifestyle
Our preaching and teaching has to be backed up with a life in the real world that embodies the ethos that we seek to create. Leaders lead. We must live lives that will lead others to embrace the heart of God.

Let me close with one of the most profound quotations that I heard regarding biblical leadership. Erwin was talking about how Mosaic operates and different sorts of leadership gifts. In the midst of this conversation, he delivered this gem:

“The leader with the most structural power must be most gracious.”

This gets to the heart of a lifestyle that backs up our proclamation of the word. Let this one sink in for a bit.

Reflection:
1) What is the default ethos of my community of faith?
2) How must I change to allow God to shape an ethos that reflects His heart and character?
3) Does my life reflect the ethos that I proclaim publicly?

© 2006 Brian D. Russell

The consistency of language is striking in Deuteronomy and Joshua surrounding the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua. Joshua is repeatedly and consistently exhorted by various witnesses to “be strong and courageous.” In Deuteronomy 3:28, God tells Moses to invest strength and courage in Joshua. In Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:7, Moses in the presence of all Israel exhorts Joshua to “be strong and courageous” because God will be present with him and because Joshua is the one chosen to lead God’s people into the promised land of Canaan. Later in the same chapter (Deut 31:23), God echoes the same words directly to Joshua.

The densest concentration of these words occurs in Joshua 1:1-9

NIV Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them– to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates– all the Hittite country– to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

An Incredible Future
At some point, every single one of us is going to face a situation in which we know that we are in over our heads. Consider Joshua and the task to which he was called. In verses 1-5a, God calls Joshua to experience an incredible future.

Moses, the dominant human figure in the Pentateuch – Israel’s mediator, is dead. Across the river Jordan is the land which God had promised to Israel’s ancestors. God appears to Joshua and sends him forth on a mission. Joshua is to lead the Israelites into the land. There are two promises made in this context: 1) territory – God will give to Joshua/Israel every place where they set their feet and 2) victory – no one will be able to stand against Joshua all the days of his life.

It is important to avoid spiritualizing this passage prematurely. Joshua is being sent on a dangerous mission. Combat is involved. Implicit in God’s promises is the necessity of Joshua accepting and moving forward with God’s plan. Yes, God has promised land for the people and success in combat, but Joshua still faces the daunting task of leading a group of refugees from Egypt who have been wandering in the wilderness for forty years into Canaan against fortified cities and experienced armies.

Joshua has to act.

The Divine Guarantee
God grounds the above vision and promises of land and military success in the ultimate guarantee – His presence. In verse 5b, God offers to Joshua the same level of presence as he manifested with Moses. Joshua’s leadership will be successful because God will be with him; Israel will be successful entering the land of Canaan because God will be powerfully present with his people.

Exhortation: Be Strong and Courageous

God’s plan for Israel depends on Joshua. Joshua must lead Israel well. He must be strong and courageous.

Here are some of my favorite quotations on Courage:

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.~ ~C.S. Lewis

Courage is… the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.~ ~David Ben-Gurion

Courage is knowing what not to fear.~ ~Plato

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.~ It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.~ ~G.K. Chesterton

In the Hebrew, “be strong and courageous” are two closely related terms. Joshua needs to be a person of strong resolve. Strength and courage in this context point to a resolve to accomplish God’s will. Without the courage to act on God’s will, Joshua’s calling cannot be fulfilled.

Let us examine the threefold repetition of “Be strong and courageous” found in verses 6-9. The first and the last repetitions explain why courage is necessary. The middle repetition (vv. 7-8) describes how one may cultivate and embody courage.

1) Reason (v. 6): Leader for the people in fulfillment of God’s plan. Joshua has been called to live for something profoundly greater than his own self-interest. He has been called to lead God’s people into the promised land – a land which God had promised generations ago to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua’s generation will be the one to enjoy the fulfillment of this promise BUT Joshua must be “strong and courageous.”

God is looking for persons who will lead with resolve.

2) How (vv. 7-8): faithful obedience. Notice the extra emphasis here: “Be strong and very courageous.” These middle two verses describe the key to courage – a personal center shaped by Scripture. Faithful obedience goes hand in hand with courage. Courageous persons without faithful obedience to God live for the wrong mission. Yet note that the opposite is true as well. Persons who seek to live in faithful obedience but lack courage are unable to accomplish fully what God desires. This is the point of danger for many of us today. We seek a personal piety apart from God’s dreams for the whole of the people of God and for the whole of Creation. Apart from the courage to act on God’s will, our piety can become an end in itself rather than a means by which we bring glory to God through our witness in the world.

3) Reason (v. 9): God will be with you – therefore fear not.
Our passage ends with a reaffirmation of God’s presence. The “fear” language here is a warning against being paralyzed or demoralized by fear. I don’t think that these verses are saying that it is wrong to feel fear or dread. They are instead exhorting us to act courageously because we can rest assured that God is present with us. This is important. Courage is not the absence of any fear. Fear is normal. I once heard someone say, “Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the absence of self.” A godly courage unleashes an individual to act on behalf of others. This is a profound insight. This connects courage directly with holiness which involves moving from a life centered on self to a life focused on service to others.

In the New Testament, Jesus the Risen Lord and Messiah promises his presence with his people on mission (Matt 28:16-20). Following Jesus Christ into the world takes courage, but it is a courage bolstered by the assurance that God is not merely with us but goes ahead of us. We simply need to follow Jesus into the world as we seek to fulfill the mission of “Making disciples.”

I suspect that in our day God is looking for women and men who will lead with courage in the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Perhaps you are one such person.

Reflection:
1) Do the words “courage,” “strength”, or “courageous” sound foreign in a religious context?

2) How do you integrate your own understanding of piety with Joshua’s charge “Be strong and courageous”?

3) To what future has God called you? What is keeping you from experiencing the life that God has called you to live?

4) Does your reading of Scripture fuel you to live boldly for God or is it an end in itself for you? Does your appropriation of Scripture propel you into the world as a follower of Christ, or does it become a secret garden in which you hide from the world?

© 2006 Brian D. Russell