Applied Theology

A few weeks ago I started a new job, which required a fresh look at our (somewhat neglected) budget. Being responsible stewards over what we’re given includes having insight into how we spend money, and aligning our spending with our—hopefully biblical—values. Here are four things I learned in the process.

A year or so ago I stumbled upon a blog by A.W., a missionary in Central Asia. I have found his posts about the local culture and Christian missions fascinating and edifying, so I reached out to see if he’d be up for an interview. He graciously accepted!

Remember Jephthah? In exchange for a victory against the Ammonites, he vowed to offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns. That happened to be his daughter, whom he then offered up as a burnt offering.

I love coming across little comments in the bible that are mentioned seemingly in passing, but have huge implications. Like in Exodus 34: “Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.” (Exodus 34:21–24)

Sometimes, when reading the Old Testament, I imagine what it would be like to be a foreigner-turned-proselyte (what the ESV translates as “sojourner”) in Israel at that time, to put in my lot with the God of Israel. I’d be treated exactly like a native (Leviticus 24:22)!1 But with most of native Israel, I would not have close access to God. Only the priests were allowed to get close, and only the high priest at the heart of God’s presence once a year.

The 200 lbs mark on the scale swooshed past sometime in my late teens. I don’t remember when. And I haven’t seen it since. Sure, weight isn’t such a great metric to gauge health, but for me that was mostly an excuse to not do anything about it. “I can outrun plenty of skinny people!”, I thought. And I could, especially in a sprint. But health isn’t a comparison game, and eventually bad habits catch up with you.

Earlier this summer I asked Chuck and Cindy Harper to tell us a bit more about their ministry among the Navajo people, Across Nations. Chuck and Cindy are long-time friends of DSC (they’ve been around much longer than my family and me!) and trusted partners. Here’s the interview.

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” That’s a high standard. Break only the slightest part of it (in this passage in James, the context is partiality), and you’re guilty of breaking it all. So I found it even more surprising that God was willing to let Judah off the hook if they just keep the Sabbath!

For a while, I was doing really well. I woke up at 4:30, made tea, and read my Bible. I prayed for the day. I prayed through our church directory and emailed the brothers and sisters with encouragement. I refreshed my memory verses and spend some time writing articles for this blog. And I was ready for work at 6:00. And then it all collapsed and all I could do on a good day was manage a quiet time.

Earlier this year I had the honor of interviewing Ron Kubsch of the Evangelium21 network in Germany. It’s a network of churches that focuses on the Scriptures and Reformed theology. As a German, I am immensely encouraged by this! I was also blessed by Ron’s answers to my questions. Here is the original German interview. I am working on translating it into English and will publish the translation when it’s done, but I wanted to get the original out there to honor Ron and the time he spent on it.