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Christian History Institute

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Pieter Stok

While reflecting on Reformation day and the contribution of Martin Luther I was reminded of the fantastic resource that the Christian History Institute is. Over the years I have used their resources in my teaching, both in churches and schools. One of my favourite resources has been their “Reformation Overview” which uses clips from films to look at key players in the Reformation.

If you have not explored their material I encourage you to do so. They have a wealth of valuable information on the history of the church – people and events. Their website has links to magazines, articles and films from the apostles to current times.

For example: this is an article on Luther’s early years. http://www.chinstitute.org/index.php/chm/sixteenth-century/early-luther/

There is material for all ages. In an age when we have tended to lose sight of those who have gone before us CHI keeps alive the marvelous work done by the saints who have paved the way.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, History, Luther, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Church, Devotion, Faith, history | 3 Comments

Good Bye – Again

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Pieter Stok

As a teacher of older high school students, one of the relentless realities is that every year I must farewell another cohort as they enter into the “big” world. It is never easy. As it is with your own children, you always want them to be a bit more prepared, a bit more equipped and a bit more worldly wise. But alas, you have to let them go. You can’t hold on forever.

Yet even with those going there are mixed feelings. For those students who have reflected a growing and active faith there is the assurance that whatever happens, these students will know and depend on the relationship they have with God. However, for those who have exhibited, little or no faith, we have to hope that God will reveal Himself through people and circumstances in the times to come. For me, academic success without a faith anchor is ultimately not a real success.

So as each cohort leaves it is a reminder, that my words and actions, demeanour and values must be a constant witness to the qualities that I want my students to possess – spiritual and academic. It is a sobering question to ask: Has my life assisted or hindered my students’ faith as they leave school?

Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christian Education, Christianity | 4 Comments

Psalms – A Doorway To Worship

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100: 1&2

One of the amazing characteristics of the Psalms is the passion that leaps from the words and phrases. The Psalms are not cold, calculated and remote. They are heartfelt. Filled with joyous, desperate, angry, exhausted, amazed and yearning cries , pleas and exaltations.

To put it differently, the writers have a living and engaged relationship with God. There is nothing distant or clinical. We see similar expressions in slaves yearning for freedom “I wants to go where Moses trod,/O de dying Lamb !/For Moses gone to de promised land,/ O de dying Lamb !) These songs are personal and immediate. During WW2 no one under the boot of the oppressors sang or read Psalm 91 (“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.”) without the words coming from the very depths of their being. Years later in the safety of a new country, I know from my own family, those words in Psalm 91 still brought up the tremors of dark memories as well as the overwhelming realisation that God had been with the family through those dark times.

The Psalms are a clue to the relationship that God wants with us – a living, ongoing and thirsting connection between Him and the very core of our beings. We also see in the Psalms honesty and vulnerability. Pretence and self-aggrandisement are put aside. The Psalmist is completely open with God with all his feelings.

I fell in love with the Psalms during one of the tougher times of my life and in the process I came to realise how close God was all the time. His comfort, challenge and direction were never far away. The Psalms became, for me, a gateway to worship – a worship that is founded upon an utter and helpless dependence on a living God.

Immerse yourself in the Psalms and be amazed how near God is!

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Psalms, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, Psalms | 3 Comments

Throw The Minister Off The Plane

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Many years ago when I was a minister in a small country town one of our daughters was nominated as a contestant in a Lion’s Club Young Public Speakers’ event. On the big night they had to give a speech and also make impromptu speeches on topics given by the judges. There were quite a few people present on the evening of the finals.

For one of the impromptu topics our daughter was asked the question (something like): If You are the pilot on a plane carrying a doctor, lawyer, survival expert, a pregnant mother and a pastor, and the pilot must stay with the plane, because with one engine it can carry one person back to the airport, but there are only 4 parachutes for the other 5 people, who would have to miss out when they jumped off the plane and why? My daughter, without any hesitation, said,”The pastor.” There was an audible gasp among the people in the room as everyone knew I was a pastor. Some may have wondered if there were family issues that needed resolving in the Stok household.

My daughter added quickly, “The pastor knows where he is going when he dies. His salvation is assured, but I don’t know if the others have that relationship with God. They still have an opportunity to come to the Lord” It was a wonderful witness of the power of the gospel to the people present. But I also remember thinking at the time that there is a challenge for each one of us – me included. We all need to be ready when the Lord calls because we don’t don’t know the day or the hour of our passing.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith | 5 Comments

Where Have the Servant Leaders Gone?

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Pieter Stok

What ever happened to servant leadership – that amazing leadership modelled by Christ? Where are the leaders that give of themselves altruistically for the good of the people they lead? If we reflect on history, some of the most incredible leaders were those with a humble sense of servanthood. Gandhi, Mandela … you fill in the gaps with people who come to mind.

I see Servant leadership in some church leaders, business and school leaders but it seems a quality that modern politics has squeezed out of its participants. In recent years there has been a scandal in the UK in which more than a few MPs used the system to feather their own nests. Australia has seen its fair share of arrogant and obnoxious behaviour where the good of the people being served has hardly been considered. The current election fervor in the US is anchored in hubris, arrogance and self aggrandisement.

No one event (outside of the cross) highlights the opposite of this attitude more than Jesus washing his disciples feet in John 13. Jesus challenges his disciples, and us, by saying,”I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” This humble act is a metaphor for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice but also for the attitude he calls us to take. To be Christ like has no room for arrogance, self service, pretension and conceit

The question that I am left with, is, how do we encourage servant leadership in our narcissistic age? The people Jesus left behind, the church – that is the body of Christians (I am not speaking of denominations etc.) – are called to be Christ modellers. The world around us needs to see what it looks like. So where does it start? With us.

PS If there is a servant leader who has inspired you (local, national or international – past or present), I would love to hear about them.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, leadership, servant leadership | 4 Comments

For Whom Would Calvin Vote in the US Election?

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Pieter Stok

The other day I reflected how it must be difficult for committed Christians to vote in the US election (and in most other countries) as neither candidate has a well developed biblical worldview. ( See “Rulers Beware”). So I thought, who would John Calvin vote for if he could?

While living in the city of Geneva (now in Switzerland), Calvin made sure the poor didn’t starve or get turned away from hospitals. He promoted job growth and interest-free charitable loans, and taught the wealthy to lead humble lifestyles and avoid expensive jewellery so they could use their money to give generously to poor refugees fleeing religious persecution.
Calvin’s system worked so well that there were no beggars on the streets, and in 1554 one observer called Geneva “the most perfect school of Christ that ever was in the earth since the days of the apostles.’

From: Crossfield.com Charity and the Protestant Reformation

From a social justice perspective Calvin may have been attracted to the Democrat point of view. “Obamacare” may have been a positive measure in his eyes and even investing in jobs growth would have received a warm response. (I’m sorry, American brothers and sisters, Calvin had a definite socialist slant!)

However I am also sure that “gay marriage” and the right to abortion would have horrified him.

This highlights the dilemma for the conservative evangelical Christian. The polarisation of policies in which there is good and bad on both sides makes voting such a treacherous issue. Each way I turn there is a nasty compromise. My vote may save a child from abortion but if the social policies are absent he may be left to a life of unemployed crime with minimal healthcare. I know that that is facetious but I am trying to make a point: to vote in a God honouring way is nigh on impossible if there is not a God honouring candidate for whom to vote. That means men and women need to stand up as candidates for the whole counsel of God – not just the ear tickling policies. This would give Christians someone to vote for – even if they weren’t elected.

Categories: Calvin, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Two More Teresa Quotes

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Pieter Stok

I have two more quotes from the amazing Counter Reformation reformer, Teresa of Avila – a most unusual source for a Calvinist!

If I were to give advice, I would say to parents that they ought to be very careful whom they allow to mix with their children when young; for much mischief thence ensues, and our natural inclinations are unto evil rather than unto good.

She understood sin. The other quote which really puts our brokenness into perspective:

I am quite certain that great evils would be avoided if we clearly understood that what we have to do is, not to be on our guard against men, but on our guard against displeasing Thee.

Teresa of Avila The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus . Kindle Edition.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Teresa of Avila, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith | 1 Comment

Worship or Entertainment?

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Music and Worship Picture: Wikipedia

I was listening to some secular music that came from my daughter’s collection. Some of the music had the feel and sound of contemporary worship songs. This led me to thinking how many modern Christian songs have a main stream sound. (Don’t even get me started on the “Jesus is my boy friend” style lyrics!) Now don’t get me wrong. I believe music is a God’s gift to man and has a wide range of functions from worship, education , to entertainment. The question that crossed my mind however was, “Is it appropriate to use worship songs as entertainment or background music (musak) when essentially our minds are engaged elsewhere?” Does this use of Christian music honour God?

To be honest I am very uncomfortable when we use worship songs as part of the background noise of our lives without taking notice of what the words are declaring. Worship is giving God the honour that is His due. We do that with our hearts and lives and with our work and quiet moments. Is it right then to treat music and words so glibly?

Sometimes when I am in my car by myself and there is worship music playing it can be a special moment. God draws me close and my heart is lifted towards Him. That is because I am having time alone with God – nothing is distracting the attention that God deserves. But am I wrong in thinking that there are moments in the hurley-burley of our lives when using worship songs as fill in noise, is not appropriate?

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith | 9 Comments

A Prayer: Dust and Life.

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Pieter Stok

My soul is so easily entertained,

by everyday things:

Amusing titbits,

diverting trivia and

inane time wasters .

My heart can be so shallow

and fickle,

that where treasure

should live

there is dross and detritus –

the dust of life.

Fill me

Oh God with

You.

Your Spirit,

Your Word,

Your Life.

Enliven me

with what is real

and eternal.

Empower me to leave

the dust behind.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Poem, poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, Poem, poems, poetry | Leave a comment

Rulers Beware

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling. Psalm 2:10 & 11

While reading Psalm 2 this morning I was overcome with an overwhelming conviction of the foolishness of leadership in many of our democratic countries.

Currently we have a Humanist/Christian and a Mormon battling it out for the Presidency of the USA. I would suggest that neither position can uphold or honour a Biblical framework. We see the values that are held seep through when one party debates whether God should be mentioned and the other treats the poor as dirt. In the UK God hardly gets a mention. Whereas in Australia the Prime Minister is an atheist and her opponent, a Catholic whose faith does not inform his policies or manner to any large degree.

Biblical wisdom is in short supply or politicians fear to reveal it because it is politically unpopular. Either way, Godly wisdom isn’t used to inform the momentous issues, social, economic and ethical, of our age.

Psalm 2 reminds us who is really sovereign and in control. It also reminds us of the consequences if we fail to recognise God’s sovereignty. Read it and be reminded – it is, frankly, chilling. In the meantime most Christian politicians tiptoe around the controversial issues or limit their ethics to those acceptable to the party – the standard model being, for right wing parties, personal ethics such as abortion and homosexuality, and for left wing parties, social issues such as injustice and the poor. Both ends of the spectrum require an informed input from Christian leaders – not just those that the party deems as acceptable.

The decline of faith and Biblical literacy in the West has a lot to do with the current diabolical state. For many believers the “personalisation” of faith stifles their voice and prevents them speaking out on the big issues.

What is the answer? A beginning, I believe is for pastors to teach Biblical truths – personal and social. They need to speak out for God – not parties. Christians need to be equipped to declare the truth and consequences of Psalm 2. A failure to recognise God’s sovereignty over all things leads to human arrogance, pride and ultimately, judgement. The Christian voice should be a prophetic one. This will seldom be popular (which is a clue as to why we don’t hear it from our politicians). I am not saying the Christian should impose his or her will on an unbelieving society but he or she must declare the consequences and suggest Godly alternatives.

Psalm 2 also speaks of blessing. This was true in King David’s day and was fulfilled in Jesus. For those who have the courage and faith to celebrate God’s claims there is blessing, both now and forever. “Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.”

If ever there was a time for Christians to call out to their societies to take refuge in God and His Word, it is now.

Categories: Bible, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized | Tags: Christianity, Devotion, Faith | 3 Comments