by Joel V Webb | Jan 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Growing up I never really knew there was such thing as the liturgical calendar. Being from a low-liturgy, low-tradition background, I could recognize different churches having colorful “flair” in their sanctuaries, but had no idea they changed, or even what they stood for. Over the last several years I have been on a journey, that has been for me full of joy and wonder at the riches of the variety of traditions that the Church offers. One of these that I have begun to look at is the church calendar.
We are all use to the normal flow of holidays. Whenever Halloween is over, the stores change over their stock in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then after the New Year, promptly switch to Valentine’s Day. So on and so forth we see the changing signs of the seasons and upcoming holidays. In a similar, but much more profound way, the Church follows a calendar with changing colors, liturgies and practices that take the believer not just through 365 days, but has them participate in the story of the Gospel.
From Advent where we expectantly wait for the birth of Christ, to Lent where we solemnly prepare for Holy Week, and Good Friday, while also knowing the joy and victory of Easter is on the precipice.
Something that I feel much of contemporary evangelicalism is missing out on is the annual participation in the Gospel story. Being constantly reminded of Christ’s work through the story of Scripture is a powerful way that we are also reminded of the work He is doing in our lives, and thus by living as apart of that story we can be shown how to live in light of that in our secular age.
As I, and many others have said before, humans are creatures of story. You can spit off a bunch of facts that are true and correct, but if they don’t connect with someone, you might as well be talking to a brick wall. But engage someone in a story, where they become invested in what takes place, and they understand the stakes, the resolution…that can change everything. This is where the liturgical calendar can come in. More than just a thing that tells us what color decorations to hang in a sanctuary, it is participation in the story of the Gospel. As we go through the ebbs and flows of the year, every part of our being is touched. We feel the highs of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and are also brought low during Lent & Good Friday. The entirety of human emotion is encapsulated through the Gospel story, and it speaks to the truth of how God worked, and is now working.
For more in-depth information on the Liturgical Calendar, and how to use it, check out Holy Joys, and their fantastic resources.
by Joel V Webb | Jan 7, 2025 | Orthodoxy Matters
Well…it finally happened. Wes Huff’s interview on the Rogan Experience podcast aired tonight. Since the beginning of the situation between Wes and Bill Carson (you can read my take HERE), the internet exploded with people calling for Wes to appear on Rogan’s podcast.
After a post last week showing the episode finally was recorded, I was estatic to be able to listen to it. And boy, can I say I am excited.
For a bit of background, Joe Rogan has not always been the most friendly to Chrisitanity, and the Bible. In the past, he has described it as no more than gibberish that has been mistranslated over and over again. But over the last two or so years there has seemingly been a subtle shift. Every once in a while a guest will be on the show that is a Chrisitan, and when discussions surrounding Chrisitanity comes up, Rogan has been much more friendly to yes religion in general, but also more positive about Christianity specifically.
Wes Huff appearing on the podcast marks a distinct difference from the past I highly recommend checking our Huff’s website, Youtube and resources. Wes is a legitimate scholar, academic, and authority on the text of the New Testament. Wes, even before I listened to the episode presented one of the biggest opportunities for Rogan to have his questions answered on the reliability of the Gospel text, and even more important, a direct conversation on the historicity and claims of Christ.
Over the course of three hours, the conversation covered a wide range of topics (most connected with the topic at hand). But once it entered the third hour, that is when the conversation more specifically became directed at the historicity of the Gospels, and towards the end a direct conversation about Jesus, the Gospel message, and what it means for our lives.
The payoff was just awesome in my book. Wes made a clear and concise case for the Christian faith on th 2 fronts that impact our culture. The first is the historic reality of the resurrection of Christ, and the second is the individual transformation that takes place when we encounter Jesus.
One side note, Wes’ comments about Jordan Peterson were spot on. Something I have noted for the last couple years is that Peterson certainly recognizes the importance of Jesus, but always comes up and short of the line of recognizing who He truly is. While there is “benefit” to the teachings of Christ, when we pass into simple moralism, we then enter the very territory He condemned during His ministry.
The Gospel, as Wes went to point on, is about more than just being better. It is about recognizing that we can never recover from sin, and it takes the work of Christ on the cross to change us into His image.
I hope that people who listen to this episode of Rogan will be intrigued by what was said, and the Holy Spirit does His work in drawing them to the loving arms of their creator.
by Joel V Webb | Jan 6, 2025 | Orthodoxy Matters
Yesterday I preached my last sermon at Blue Water Free Methodist being on staff before I move on to what is next. (More to come on this in the near future). I felt to write down, and expand on what I spoke on in a blog post. You can listen to the sermon HERE.
Jeremiah 31:10-14 NET, Listen to the Lord’s message, O nations. Proclaim it in the faraway lands along the sea. Say, “The one who scattered Israel will regather them. He will watch over his people like a shepherd watches over his flock.” For the Lord will rescue the descendants of Jacob. He will secure their release from those who had overpowered them. They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion. They will be radiant with joy over the good things the Lord provides, the grain, the fresh wine, the olive oil, the young sheep, and the calves he has given to them. They will be like a well-watered garden and will not grow faint or weary any more. The Lord says, “At that time young women will dance and be glad. Young men and old men will rejoice. I will turn their grief into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy in place of their sorrow. I will provide the priests with abundant provisions. My people will be filled to the full with the good things I provide.”
The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the nation of Judah just before they go into exile because of their idolatry. The Northern Kingdom of Israel has already been dispersed and destroyed as every since they split from Judah their legacy was filled with idolatry, oppression and evil. And while Judah had some high moments, they also trended towards idolatry and worshiping the demonic gods of their pagan neighbors, forsaking the worship of the One True God.
This was quickly heading for Judah to be judged, and sent into exile. And Jeremiah had the distinct honor of proclaiming the coming judgment to a people who refused to listen. Amidst the declarations of judgment, Jeremiah 30 starts what’s called the “Book of Consolation”. Contained in it are words of encouragement. That despite the coming judgment, God’s plans were not done for His people, and that there was hope in future restoration of both Judah and of Israel, who make up the descendants of Jacob.
But the question must be asked, how can a loving God judge? How can one who;s most know attribute is love do something like send His special people into exile?
We must first start with what does love mean. The best definition I have found for love is “willing the best for the other”, or “the desire for the other to be” When we separate the word love from the emotionally charged, sexually explicit usage our current culture often associates with this word, we begin the see the deep abiding will for the best of that other person when we use the word love.
When God called Abraham in Genesis 12, it was for his descendants to represent, or image who God was to the nations of the earth. This role became more defined as the generations continued on, ultimately launching in earnest with Moses and the establishment of the law. Now, God’s people had well defined boundaries and knew how to represent the One True God.By not imaging the fallen spiritual powers that ruled over the surrounding nations, there was hope that creation could be restored through God’s people working in the world.
But most of us know the story. This began a continual cycle of obedience and rebellion. One generation following God, and then seemingly the next choosing to worship and participate in the demonic pagan idolatry of the surrounding Ancient Near East. This then brings us back to Jeremiah, prophesying about judgment, but also hope of future regathering.
So why does God judge?
It is ultimately to bring us back to Him. Everything is for our repentance.
All of us, like Israel are predisposed because of the fall to reject God. In fact Scripture says we are at enmity (or opposed) to God (Romans 8). Between that and the influence of the “spirits of the air”, who are solely concerned with the destruction of humanity, we all in different ways opposed God and work for the other side. It is because God loves us that exile happens. You see, God plays the long game. He ultimately knows what will show us that we cannot do it in an of ourselves, and what it will take to have us realize it is only through Him that things will be different.
And then there’s a catch. None of us can ever bring ourselves back from exile. The hopeful future that Jeremiah spoke of was not going to just happen if Israel got their act together. We have the story up to that point showing that no matter how hard they tried, they could never cut it. And we are the same. No matter how hard or intentionally we try, none of us are able to order our lives as God wants us to.
And just as Israel would never return from exile without someone else, the same is for us as well. Thankfully the answer to returning from exile is Jesus.
John 1:14-18 NET, Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. John testified about him and shouted out, “This one was the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’” For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.
The law that none of us can keep was fulfilled and completed through Christ. What we are never able to do for ourselves was accomplished by Jesus. And while we may all be in exile in different ways, it is Jesus who brings us back from that exile, into the land that He intended for us. For each of us personally that means His Holy Spirit begin the work of transforming us into His image, and making us the people He originally created us to be.
The Gospel message is what affirms to us that we cannot do it, and because of Christ He already has. When we place our faith (allegiance) in Him, His Spirit does the work that we can never do.
So do you feel like you are in exile? You are in the perfect place to experience the love and transformation of the Gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Make Jesus the true King of your life. OR if you are already a Christian and still feel you are in exile, actually let go, and let Him do the work you have been trying to do.
by Joel V Webb | Jan 1, 2025 | Orthodoxy Matters
“If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world: – St. Athanasius
Something that I have been reflecting on the last couple weeks is how we in the Church try to interact with the world. There have been in recent years strong currents seeking to have the culture look favorably at the Church. From what I have heard the logic goes this way, “if we are kind and nice, then people will listen to us.”…or something along those lines.
I understand the tension that people are trying to bridge here. As follower of Christ we are to be loving, as Christ was. And that should be a goal for all of us. But what I have been seeing is a desire to be lauded and seen positively by the culture. This does not work. Something that we have forgotten in our attempts to be seen and accepted is the reality that before salvation we are at enmity or opposed to God (Romans 8:7). In fact, the book of James has even stronger words to say, “do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God?” (James 4:4 NET).
So while these intentions have been seeking to do something positive (having an opportunity to hose Christ), it is ultimately misguided because it will not work. The world is not just full of people who are opposed to God, there is more going on than we often recognize. There are as well spiritual forces that are at play, influencing and directing people against God (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Again, this must be balanced an in proper tension. This is not permission for Christians to go in a bull in a china shop, and just be a jerk. No! We are called to love those who are in need of love. We are called to show that we are apart of a different Kingdom by imitating what Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount. But we also must be understanding in how all of this goes down in reality. No amount of being cozy with the world, and trying to make good will work. There will always be opposition to the true preaching of the Gospel, because it gets to the heart of humanities opposition to God.
This does mean that then, at times we will have to be against the world. Maybe more often than we think. This is the wisdom that St. Athanasius shares in the quote above. His life exemplified this truth. He was exiled numerous times for standing for the truth of Scripture as to the nature of Christ. But he counted all those things as loss, because the knowledge of Christ as He truly is was worth it. And in that he had to be in opposition to something that seemed popular.
For Athanasius the issue was the deity and nature of Christ. I believe that there are issues the Church is contending with in our day that are certainly uncomfortable to address, but are essential because they speak to core issues of the Gospel, and it’s transformative power in our lives. Being a city on a hill, as Christ called us to be means that we will stand out in the darkness.
by Joel V Webb | Dec 31, 2024 | Orthodoxy Matters
Revelation 13:15-18 NET, The second beast was empowered to give life to the image of the first beast so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He also caused everyone (small and great, rich and poor, free and slave) to obtain a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. Thus no one was allowed to buy or sell things unless he bore the mark of the beast—that is, his name or his number. This calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the beast’s number, for it is man’s number, and his number is 666.
The Mark of the Beast is one of those things that pervades the mind of many Christians, and is even a recognizable reference in secular culture. Throughout even my lifetime there has always been a buzz every couple years with the question being asked, “is this the mark!?” Before my time is was MasterCard, or Monster Energy drinks. More recently it has been things like RFID chips, the covid shot, or any number of things that people are trying to convince other that this particular thing is the mark.
But do we have it all wrong? Are we looking for something that in reality isn’t what we think it is?
Over the last several years I have had major shifts in my eschatology. Instead of looking at the book of Revelation as a step-by-step guide of everything that happens before Christ comes again (as is very popular in American Christianity in particular), I have begun to ask, “what was the purpose of the book to the original recipients, and how does that apply to me?” We have to remember the cardinal presupposition of understanding Scripture: it was written FOR US, but not TO US.
So with that in mind, what on earth could this mark even be, if it is not a literal mark that people will get in the future when the Antichrist takes over? Well…if we ask the 1st Century Christian who is like a Jew who we need sitting in our heads when we read the New Testament. So where else do we find Scripture speaking of something to do with arms & foreheads?
For this let’s go all the way back to Deuteronomy, to the famous Shema prayer.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NET, Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength. These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.
The most recognizable outgrowth from this verse is something called phylacteries, which are small boxes that contain Scripture that Jews wrap around their arms and their head as they pray. It is a physical representation of having God’s law on their head and hands. What this speaks to (both the verse and the phylacteries), is that God’s people are to keep God’s law as the primary mover, or foundation for all their thoughts (head) and actions (hands).
This makes sense, doesn’t it? We know that the Gospel is supposed to renew and transform our minds, and also that is demonstrated by our actions and works. So now lets extend this as we should to what John is talking about in Revelation.
This means that when John is speaking about the Mark of the Beast, he is not giving the 1st Century Christians a glimpse into the future thousands of years later. What good would that be for persecuted believers in the Roman Empire. Instead, John is encouraging the Christians of his day, and our day that through our thoughts and actions we are either going to image God, or image the dark spiritual forces of this age.
Is how we think, and what we do representative of God? Or is it representative of the culture that is around us? The number 666 reinforces this, as a likely explanation is that is pointing to Nero, who was Caesar of Rome at the time. The Roman Empire worshiped the Emperor as a god, and it was by and through the Emperor that people prospered, had peace and could live a good life. But for those who follower Christ, they would be exempt from that. They would be persecuted and killed for the declaration of Christ as King. As so John here reminds and encourages Christians that those who do what they need to do to fit in to life a comfortable life are really imaging demons, rather than imaging God. They are holding the world above Christ.
So for us in our day. My encouragement is that we stop trying to ferret out what might be the mark of the beast. I think if we go with what John is getting it, then what he wrote is just as applicable then as it is now. Represent Christ in all things. Don’t be concerned if the culture rejects you, because it is fallen and of the world. Christ is our hope in life and death, and we should hold strong in our faithfulness to Him. To the end.
