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Whose Side are You On?

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (0)
Monday, April 29th, 2013

I would like to think that after leaving the religious system I no longer have any identity issues. There are no organizations, pet doctrines, or ways of doing things that define who I am. My identity is not rooted to my U.S. citizenship, Western lifestyle or any political party, etc, etc. Yet I’m finding that I’m still prejudiced, and prejudice is always rooted in what we identify with.

Part of my identity is that of a non-conformist and an out-of-the-box follower of Christ. As such, I hate religion, especially religion that wears the cloak of Christianity. Hating religion is not the problem. But identifying as a non-religionist causes me to look through colored glasses at those who embrace it.

Recently a good friend recommended a book that explores the subject of Christian brotherhood. It is a deeply thoughtful and insightful writing, and at times, quite inspiring. It speaks directly to an issue that is of paramount importance if authentic Christian community is to exist. Yet I had to work through my prejudice toward the author to receive the message. You may not recognize the name Joseph Ratzinger. How about Pope Benedict XVI? Yep. He wrote Christian Brotherhood many years before becoming pope, but his depth as a theologian contributed to his rise to popedom. Is that a word?

Anyway, my encounter with the little book underlined the fact that my identity as being out of the box put people in one. Prejudice causes one to take sides. It can be in or out, for or against, but always on one side or the other. God sees only the heart and deals with the inward only. The exterior may reveal interior problems, but is of itself, totally unimportant.

When Joshua was preparing to attack Jericho, he encountered the Angel of the Lord. Not recognizing him, Joshua asked him whose side he was on. The Angel answered, “Neither, but as captain of the Lord of hosts I have come.” God doesn’t take sides. He is. Our identity is to be Christ alone. If we take sides, no matter which side we choose, we’ll be coming against him in some area or another.

David Fredrickson

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Know Them by Their Love

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (0)
Saturday, April 20th, 2013

“Suicide happens after your stupid enough to read ‘The Purpose Driven Life.”

“Poor Matthew denies God’s love with suicide.”

“God is judging Rick Warren for being a false prophet.”

Matthew Warren’s tragic suicide has triggered a variety of vitriolic responses from those who don’t know Christ. Among these hate-mongers are professing Christians. Their comments underline the stark contrast between those who adhere to religious Christianity and those who actually follow Jesus.

I haven’t listened to Rick Warren preach, nor have I read The Purpose Driven Life. I only know that a brother in Christ has suffered the loss of his son. The last thing he and his family need to deal with is venomous remarks launched from withered souls who relate to an angry god.

While wondering how people could be so cruel and insensitive, I am convicted by the realization that I have more compassion for those who don’t know Christ than those who profess to and act otherwise, or misrepresent Christ in any way. So I don’t write these words in the false assumption that I have it together in this area. I need a lot more compassion for the folks I’m addressing here. But it’s astounding to me that people who claim to know Christ often behave in ways that many “unbelievers” would not.

I have friends who espouse new age philosophy, ancient wisdom and Wicca, and others who practice no religion. They respond to tragedies like this with compassion. How is it that some professing Christians are so mean spirited? Jesus said that his followers would be known by their love for one another.

A Pole conducted by the Barna Group asking young people 16-29 years old what they think of Christians reveals that a majority of young adults see them as hypocritical and noted for what they stand against. What do they stand for? Certainly not for one another if the ‘other’ is in a different ‘camp.’ Those whose religion hinges on pet doctrines or philosophical dogma have empathy only with others who believe the way they do about things that are peripheral to what really matters.

People who make comments like the ones mentioned at the beginning of this blog must put aside the self righteous cloak that covers their insecurity and ask themselves what spirit moves them. Fortunately for them, God won’t judge them according to the standards of the vengeful god they worship. God loves them and is longing for them to know him. He’s ready to teach them the way of love if they’re willing to give him the slightest opportunity.

David Fredrickson

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Virtual Christianity

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (0)
Monday, December 10th, 2012

My wife and I just got home from a vacation in Disneyland with our daughter, her husband and a friend. As you know, attractions that simulate real life adventures are a favorite at the popular resort. Star Tours uses “state-of-the-art technology – including a flight motion simulator vehicle, digital 3-D video, Audio Animatronics character and in-cockpit special effects – to transport you to a galaxy far, far away.” Recently, the ride’s been re-tooled and now includes multiple story lines and locations. The effect is so stunning that I’m sure if someone who had lapsed into a coma before technology had advanced to this level awoke and got on this ride they would have no doubt that they were experiencing the real thing.

I was reminded that many Christians today are living in an illusion that’s as convincing as Star Tours would be to the awakened coma patient. The ride first began immediately after they repeated “the sinner’s prayer.” They were taught that the Bible is their road map and that attending church is essential to their spiritual journey. At church they would learn correct doctrine which would keep them on the road of righteousness. At times they become inspired by motivational speakers on Sunday morning, and since they agree with the principles, they think they’re living accordingly. Occasionally they may experience an emotional high during the worship service and tears may even come to their eyes when a touching testimony is shared. They believe this reflects their heart for God. Faithful church attendance and tithing demonstrate their commitment. Learning more about the Bible tells them they’re growing spiritually. If they achieve a leadership position, they know they’re going places fast.

The sad truth is that these people are living in a kingdom that has absolutely no relationship to the kingdom of God. It’s simply a worldly system that seeks to simulate a reality that is far, far away from the religious world in which they live. Fundamental truths of discipleship that Jesus set before his followers are a completely foreign concept to most Western Christians. And how could any of us “abandon all to follow” Christ if we don’t’ know him? Who would be willing to “lose their life” for his sake? Why would we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow one who invites us to die with him unless we’ve experienced resurrection?

The rich young ruler knew about him and his miracles, but he hadn’t experienced his love. He probably knew what Jesus taught and gave intellectual assent to it, but he had no relationship with the Person. Yet, as he went away with a sad heart, Jesus looked at him and loved him. And that’s the bottom line. Responding to the love of God is the only reality that has the power to transfer one from virtual Christianity into the kingdom of the son of his love.

In Disneyland we walked back toward our hotel on a brisk evening after a day filled with good food and tantalizing illusions. We were surprised to come upon a candlelight ceremony featuring a 500 voice choir singing “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!” After the narrator read the story of the nativity from the Bible and emphasized the true meaning of Christmas the choir broke into the Halleluiah Chorus. For a moment, illusion was swallowed up by reality. Jesus.

David Fredrickson

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Religion Tree

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (2)
Sunday, October 7th, 2012

A novel I’ve been reading in which most of the main characters are Muslim got me to thinking about how religion often spawns adherents who are at once very passionate and extremely misguided. Having ministered in Islamic republics and worked with missionaries to those countries I’ve been impressed at the lengths Muslims will go to carry out their beliefs. Yet here in the U.S. I know of Christians who nearly come to blows over differences in doctrinal persuasion. There are those who seem as dedicated to Luther or Calvin as Muslims are to Allah. In both cases, their worship of doctrine leads to behavior inspired by a deity that one could serve only out of fear of punishment and hate of detractors.

Religion reduces understanding to that which can be grasped intellectually and relationship to that which can be satisfied by following rules and staying out of trouble. Bottom line, it substitutes the integration of spirit, soul and body with the Creator for an intellectual pursuit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Dead facts are thought to be truth and “correct doctrine” is confused for revelation born out of relationship.

The end result can’t be anything but really ugly. Either fear, hate and pride grow a religious monster or all passion dies and leaves disillusionment and hopelessness. Martin Luther, for instance, seemed to live in both of those worlds. He railed at and persecuted Jews and all others who disagreed with him. He suffered depression and finally decided that becoming like Christ was not important, that only right doctrine mattered.

Yet every one of us eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil at times. We may hate religion, love freedom and spurn doctrinal disputes. But the human mind is always  wanting to know. We’ve all been raised with certain prejudices, whether religious, cultural, political, academic, economical, etc., and we can’t just shed them by choice. The only cure is to eat of the Tree of Life. The more Christ becomes our only identity and one true source, the less power the other tree has in our lives.

David Fredrickson

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Love + Nothing

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (1)
Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

Give your money if you want God to bless you. Pray more and harder if you need answers from him. Make friends with sinners to win them to Christ. Forgive others so that your heavenly Father will forgive you. Oh, wait; that one’s in the Bible! Yes, but Jesus said that before his death, burial and resurrection. Later we’re exhorted to forgive as we have been forgiven. Why? Because we love as we are loved. We give because that’s the nature of love. We pray because we enjoy getting to know better the one we love. We befriend sinners because we love people.

A few months ago I joined a business networking group. I had an agenda. I felt I needed more clients as my ad in the yellow pages is costing more than it produces. I was fascinated to discover that this particular network is based on relationship. The idea is that people need to know you, like you and trust you before they’ll refer you. The m.o. is to make one on ones with other members and engage in chats with 3 or 4 in a booth or around a table in the back room of the restaurant where we meet.

My counseling business still isn’t growing, but I’ve fallen in love with the people involved in the network. Whether my new friends are into New Age philosophy, agnosticism or scientology really doesn’t matter. There’s also a Jew and a couple of Christians among them, but bottom line, they’re all people made in God’s image. Because we want to know all about one another, they learn of my relationship with God through Christ in answer to their questions. If I have the joy of helping them to connect with my best Friend, that will be wonderful. But if not, our friendship will remain unchanged.

Religion is agenda driven. Conversely, love, by its very nature, can have no agenda and needs none to be the most powerful and creative force in the universe. God is love. Love is what he is and does.

David Fredrickson

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Seeking God’s Will?

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (1)
Monday, June 25th, 2012

Recently I’ve talked with several people seeking counsel on finding the will of God for their lives. Some have expressed a deep concern and others a downright fear that they may be missing what God has planned for them regarding a major issue.

Religion leads us to believe that we must diligently seek Gods will, yet you won’t find that exhortation anywhere in the scriptures. There are a number of verses that mention God’s will, but none tell us to seek it.

There’s a simple test that quickly reveals the origination of any concern you might have. A concern stemming from religious thinking will feed your anxiety. You will feel the need to pray harder, read the Bible more or become “more spiritual” in some way to be worthy to hear his voice or otherwise to discover his will for you.

But according to scripture God’s will for us was already established when we received the sacrifice of Christ. It’s proved out in our lives as we offer ourselves to him daily in response to his mercy while refusing the world’s way of thinking. The world’s way of thinking promotes self effort. The mind renewed in Christ receives what he’s already done. As those made holy by his death and empowered by his life we are his will. The particulars of his will are revealed as we follow our heart.

David Fredrickson

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Know Thyself

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (2)
Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Every once in a while I run across something that really makes me stop say, “Wow!” You know, the kind of thing Father places in your path that you’ll be mauling over in your brain and heart for a while.  Today I ran across such a thing.  I really enjoy listening to the podcasts put out by The Free Believer’s Network featuring Darrin Hufford, author of The Misunderstood God.  They have great discussions with more of a Gen X flare than typically surrounds out of the box conversations.  This morning I listened to a podcast Darrin Hufford and Robert Ramos recorded titled, “Wading Through Shame.”  In a word…Fantastic!  Darrin and Robert blew up some major sacred cows as they discussed the importance of knowing your own heart.  Religion has taught us our hearts are evil and to be ignored and avoided.  Yet when Christ is in your life your heart is magnificent!  It’s a beauty to behold.  People often confuse their hearts with the actions of their flesh so they overlook the fact that they are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made.  Darrin and Robert made a bold statement that made every religious bone in my body scream.  “To really know God you need to know your own heart.”  I think of what Paul wrote about Christ in us being our hope of glory.  It’s not this little Jesus renting out a room in our evil hearts.  It’s Christ so connected with us that our heart beat is the same as His.  But shame has come in and so messed us up that it has made us afraid of our hearts.  Its made us afraid to see what is really in there.  Yet if we take the time to look, we’d be shocked by what we see!  Who we truly are within is beautiful.

Darrin used the analogy of when he took art classes and the students would work on various projects that came out really nice.  But from time to time the teacher would step up and create one.  He said the whole class would gather with excitement.  “This is going to be truly amazing!”  They would all be thinking.  And sure enough, the project the teacher made was simply awesome.  We so often rag on ourselves and think we’re scum.  Running ourselves down is what religion has trained us to do.  Yet, when we were made, THE ARTIST stepped up and all heaven stopped to see, “What is He going to make?”  He made you.  He made me.  And we’re amazing.

We have been so lied to.  Years of lies have caused us to miss who we truly are in our hearts.  Religion has taught us to be afraid of our hearts.  But there’s a reason for that.  The devil is afraid of our hearts.  He knows that if we lived from our hearts we would be knit so tightly with Christ that His church would be revealing Him to people all over the place.  Why, they may even have to call us Christ – ians.

Loren

http://freebelievers.com/podcast/into-the-wild

BTW – Our movie Jeff’s World that is currently in production takes on this topic.

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Character or Caricature?

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (2)
Monday, May 7th, 2012

Yesterday we finished another segment of Jeff’s World in which I play the senior pastor, Bruce Carlyle. As this was my first major acting role, I had to learn that in order to portray the heart of any character the actor must study his background and understand his personality, conflicts, motives, etc. Once you’re able to “get into character” the lines come naturally and the character is more believable.

Years ago when I lived in the bay area I remember visiting a large, well known church where all the associate pastors dressed alike and had the same preaching style. I supposed they reasoned that if they looked and acted like the senior man they might have a shot at being as “successful” as he was. They did a good job studying him, because they could have passed for clones of the guy.

Religion encourages adherents to study the scriptures and do what is written. Christians are taught principles of spiritual life. They read the Bible and other books and learn all about the heroes of the faith both then and now with the goal of trying to be like them. They may imitate Paul’s preaching, but can’t match the demonstration of power through him.

Godly character cannot be taught or copied. There’s no substitute for learning Christ, and those that try to do and speak for him without learning him become caricatures that the whole world recognizes as false.

Of course it’s always easier to perform than to allow the character of Christ to be worked into us through pain and suffering. It’s easier to “put it on” then to put on Christ. But the other side of the coin is that he’s already done the work; our part is only to receive and yield. Then what we do flows naturally as an expression of our life being integrated with his.

David Fredrickson

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Language of Life

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (0)
Monday, April 16th, 2012

Last weekend I enjoyed a major blast from the past. One of my childhood friends had organized a reunion of those of us who spent most of our childhood together on a few acres of country in Southern Arizona. Our folks raised goats, chickens and alfalfa hay on that one horse farm they named Bethel Acres. When we weren’t on mission trips into Mexico with our parents, we found plenty of adventure and opportunities for mischief making on the farm, in the woods or at the Little Red School House where eight grades were taught in one room with a wood burning stove for heat.

Community just happened at Bethel Acres. We worked, played, learned, lost and won together, and today we still refer to each other’s parents as “Uncle Al, Aunt Myrtle, etc. And after more than 50 years since we had all been together at the same time, in some ways it was like picking up where we’d left off. Sure, we’ve all traveled very different paths. A few are involved in traditional churches, several of us are not, a couple are in between. But a common bond was developed in childhood and strengthened in Christ. Through the next few days we shared the journey each of us had traveled and found complete acceptance and understanding. I think that was the case because the bond we shared was deeper than doctrine, philosophical differences or politics. The words that were spoken were the language of the heart rather than the head.

I hear a lot of head talk these days. Many words are said and much energy is expended on nonessentials. Religion creates more ways to avoid spiritual reality than school kids find to avoid homework. Yet the true church is built on the personal and corporate revelation of who Christ is. People who are joined by what their head believes can be separated by a brain fart. Those joined in heart by the Spirit speak the same language even if their words are different. It’s the language of life.

David Fredrickson

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A Day for Daniels

By Beyond Church Walls · Comments (0)
Sunday, January 15th, 2012

My wife and I saw “War Horse” last week. It was so squeaky clean I thought I was watching a Disney film from the 1970’s. But what impressed me most was the relational message focusing on reconciliation, forgiveness and selflessness. It’s been several years since I’ve attended or preached a traditional church service. Still, you’d think I could recall just one in which I was as touched by the message. Or maybe you wouldn’t. And to think I used to believe that nothing godly could spring from the unregenerate, and especially not from Hollywood. My squinting, religious little eyes must have been squeezed almost shut to miss the hand of God all around me through those who claimed no personal knowledge of him.

Anyway, my thoughts turned again to the reality that in the midst of a generation obsessed with self gratification there are those who’ve become weary of it all and are hungering for genuine relationship. They certainly don’t want the god of religion and probably don’t realize that Father’s moving through them to reveal his nature. But every good thing comes from him, and he will use whoever’s available. If they only knew the Source of their inspiration!

Some time ago I read a very good book by Paul Vieira called Jesus Has Left the Building. I liked how Paul compared those who have left religion to Daniel who was an exile of Judah. You know the story. Without compromising himself, Daniel immersed himself in the culture of Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzer got tired of false prophets and powerless religion he decided to destroy the “wise” men who failed to tell him his dream. But Daniel knew his God. He had no relationship with a form of godliness without power. He told the king what he had dreamed as well as the interpretation. He saved the “wise” men and was promoted to a position that gave him great influence in the culture of his exile.

The Daniels of today will be misunderstood and maligned by the religious system. Yet Father loves the people of this evil generation and is calling out of religion those who love as he does. Those who dare to be among them don’t have an easy path, but the benefits are awesome.

David Fredrickson

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