Stephen W. Hiemstra's Blog, page 10

Promise: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 23, 2025

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on the God’s Promise to Abram. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Promise: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 23, 2025
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Newsletter: https://bit.ly/bugs_25, Signup

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Kinnaman and Lyon Research Faithful Living, Part 3

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. 2016. Good Faith: Being A Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks. (Goto part 1; goto part 2)

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

In their book, Good Faith, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons divided their argument into three sections:

Understanding Our Times.Living Good Faith.The Church and Our Future (7-8).

Part one of this review focused on the first section. Part two of this review, focused on this second section. In part three of this review, I will address this third section.

The Church and Our Future.

In section three, Kinnaman and Lyons remind us that atheists, agnostics, and religiously unaffiliated only account for about a quarter of the U.S. population (222), which means:

“the vast majority of Americans are informed by faith in some way and Christianity is far and away the dominant player on the U.S. religious scene.” (221)

Statistical Realities

Don’t take comfort in this summary. Kinnaman and Lyons see underlying challenges behind these statistics.

Legacy Christians Declining

First, the number of Christians is declining, especially among “legacy” or cultural Christians. The good news is that the number of practicing Christians seems reasonably stable (45% of boomers, 42% of Gen-Xers, and 36% of Millennials; 224). Kinnaman and Lyons treat this subject gingerly, but the numbers suggest that “Christianity lite” is not a good strategy for long-term church vitality or growth.

Problem of Biblical Illiteracy

Second, biblical literacy has declined making it harder for people to apply the Christian message to their lives. Remove the foundation; watch the building crumble (226). Kinnaman and Lyons observe:

“secularism shouldn’t be our greatest concern. In other words, secularism’s advance is downstream from anemic Bible engagement and thin theological thinking.” (227)

The storyline here seems to be simple—give people thin soup and they start checking out other restaurants. People want an adult faith to believe in and provide a lens for interpreting a crazy world.

Narcissism

Third, we have become increasingly individualistic, to the point of narcissism. Kinnaman and Lyons report:

“Eight-four percent of U.S. adults and 66 percent of practicing Christians agree that the highest goal for life is to enjoy it much as possible.”“Ninety-one percent of adults and 76 percent of practicing Christians believe that the best way to find yourself is to look inside yourself.” (228)

These trends suggest that a large portion of U.S. Christians have bought into “New Age” dogma, which reveals a pervasion influence of pagan ideas. That is, the substitution of self for God in our worship, a consequence as old as original sin.

Three Lessons from Daniel

Rather than go away cynical, Kinnaman and Lyons offer three familiar lessons for good faith drawn from the book of Daniel: love well, maintain an orthodox faith, and act consistent your beliefs (256-260).  Daniel took a chance to interpret the king’s dreams, arguing to save the lives of those who did not (257). Daniel cites scripture in advising his peers to:

“… seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jer 29:7 ESV)

Daniel applies the advice of Jeremiah in continuing his government service, in spite of the pagan nature of that government. We, as Christians, face this very same problem today living and working in a secular society, the new Babylon.

Assessment

In their new book, Good Faith, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons explore why Christian faith is considered irrelevant and extreme. They employ empirical studies and data to make their case. Their analysis bears examination and discussion by practicing Christians, seminary students, pastors, and researchers.

Footnotes

https://www.barna.com, @BarnaGroup, www.GoodFaithBook.org, @DavidKinnaman, http://QIdeas.org, @GabeLyons

Kinnaman and Lyon Research Faithful Living, Part 3Also see:Books, Films, and MinistryOther ways to engage online:Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/bugs_25, Signup

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Prayer for Promised Presence

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty Father,

All praise and honor, power and dominion, truth and justice are yours because walk with us through the wilderness, shield us from harm, and mentor us when life’s challenges seem overwhelming. Do not leave us to our own devices.

We confess that we are not always paying attention, heed your promptings, or listen to your advice. Do not leave us to our own devices.

Thank you for the gift of scripture, the calming presence of your Holy Spirit, and the guidance of spiritual companions.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, open our hearts, illumine our thoughts, and strengthen our hands in your service.

In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayer for Promised Presence
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com
Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/bugs_25, Signup
 

 

 

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Oración de la Presencia Prometida

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

Padre Todopoderoso,

Toda la alabanza y el honor, el poder y el dominio, la verdad y la justicia son tuyos porque caminas con nosotros a través del desierto, nos proteges del daño y nos guías cuando los desafíos de la vida parecen abrumadores. No nos dejes a nuestros propios deseos.

Confesamos que no siempre estamos prestando atención, atendiendo a tus indicaciones o escuchando tus consejos. No nos dejes a nuestros propios deseos.

Gracias por el don de las Escrituras, la presencia tranquilizadora de tu Espíritu Santo y la guía de compañeros espirituales.

En el poder de tu Espíritu Santo, abre nuestros corazones, ilumina nuestros pensamientos y fortalece nuestras manos en tu servicio.

En el precioso nombre de Jesús, Amén.

Oración de la Presencia Prometida
Vea También:
Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Vida en Tensión
Otras Formas de Interactuar en Línea:



Sitio Web del Autor:  http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Sitio Web del Editor:  http://www.T2Pneuma.com




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Oración de la Promesa Prometida

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

Padre Todopoderoso,

Toda la alabanza y el honor, el poder y el dominio, la verdad y la justicia son tuyos porque caminas con nosotros a través del desierto, nos proteges del daño y nos guías cuando los desafíos de la vida parecen abrumadores. No nos dejes a nuestros propios deseos.

Confesamos que no siempre estamos prestando atención, atendiendo a tus indicaciones o escuchando tus consejos. No nos dejes a nuestros propios deseos.

Gracias por el don de las Escrituras, la presencia tranquilizadora de tu Espíritu Santo y la guía de compañeros espirituales.

En el poder de tu Espíritu Santo, abre nuestros corazones, ilumina nuestros pensamientos y fortalece nuestras manos en tu servicio.

En el precioso nombre de Jesús, Amén.

Oración de la Promesa Prometida
Vea También:
Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Vida en Tensión
Otras Formas de Interactuar en Línea:



Sitio Web del Autor:  http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Sitio Web del Editor:  http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Boletín Informativo en:  https://bit.ly/bugs_25 ,  Signup

 

 

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God’s Promise to Abram

Now the LORD said to Abram, 

Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house 

to the land that I will show you.

(Gen 12:1)

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

God’s promise to Abram starts with a command—Lek Leka (לֶךְ־לְךָ֛)—which the King James version translates as: “Get thee out.” The modern translation of “Go” neglects the social context and spirit of the text. For those of modest means, a familiar social image emerges: A kid comes of age and gets kicked out of the house. The text leads us to believe that Abram is encouraged, not kicked, to leave the comfort and security of home with a series of inducements:

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen 12:2-3)

Because Abram was already seventy-five years old at this point (Gen 12:4), we do not normally think of this as a coming of age story. However, because his father Terah died at age 205 (Gen 11:32), compared with his father Abram is not yet middle age.

Ruminations

A coming of age context here is important because Abram must learn to lead his family in a stressful and unfamiliar context. His father, Terah, sets out to leave “Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan” (Gen 11:31) with son, Abram, and grandson, Lot, (and their wives) after Abram’s brother Haran died in Ur. When they traveled to Haran, presumably Haran’s home, Terah also died.

We are not told how or why the two men in the family died—Was it war, disease, famine?—but we can surmise that Abram’s role as leader of the family is both sudden and mixed with tragedy. No one in their right mind would abandon the securities of family, tribe, and country without a strong inducement. Did God approach Abram as he struggled with a context of loss and anxiety? We are not told, but if Abram were leading a refugee family out of a war-torn land, then the social context here would make more sense, much like the kid kicked out of the house. One way or another, Abram’s heart is open to the Holy Spirit’s leanings and he goes.

Destination More Than a Place

If we try to intuit the role of the Holy Spirit in Abram’s life, two condition need to be met. First, the Holy Spirit needs to be an active agent, like the Apostle John’s vision of the Paraclete (John 14:26). Second, Abram’s life needs to be challenging, if a helper is to be any use.

What we see in the Genesis account is that Abram’s life is full of challenges. Abram’s story begins with the command to go to Canaan (Gen 12:1). The seventeen-hundred-mile journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to Jerusalem by foot would take around three months. Once he arrives, he finds the land inhabited by Canaanites. Abram builds alters at Shechem and Bethel, and, then, on account of a famine, he departs for Egypt (Gen 12:5-10).

What we see is a long journey marred by outward and inward obstacles. Outwardly, Abram cannot take possession of the Promise Land because it is already occupied by previous tenants. Inwardly, Abram’s wife, Sarah, is barren, which the text discloses even as she introduced (Gen 11:30)—How can Abram’s children increase to become a great nation? Abram’s faith needs to grow, if God’s blessing is to come within reach. This is why it is helpful to interpret Abram’s story as a coming of age narrative mentored by the Holy Spirit.

God’s Promise to Abram
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/bugs_25, Signup
 


 

 

 

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La Promesa de Dios a Abram

Y el SEÑOR dijo a Abram: Vete de tu tierra, 

de entre tus parientes y de la casa de tu padre, 

A la tierra que Yo te mostraré. 

(Gen 12:1)

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

La promesa de Dios a Abram comienza con una orden—Lek Leka—que traduce como “vete de”o ¨sal de aquí.¨ El hebreo significa mas que solo vaya que descuida el contexto social y el espíritu del texto. Para aquellos de medios modestos, surge una imagen social familiar: un niño que llega a la mayoría de edad y es expulsado de la casa. El texto nos lleva a creer que a Abram se le anima, no se le patea, a abandonar la comodidad y seguridad del hogar con una serie de incentivos:

¨Haré de ti una nación grande, y te bendeciré, engrandeceré tu nombre, y serás bendición. Bendeciré a los que te bendigan, y al que te maldiga, maldeciré. En ti serán benditas todas las familias de la tierra.” (Gen 12:2-3)

Como Abram ya tenía setenta y cinco años en ese momento (Gén 12:4), normalmente no pensamos en esto como una historia de mayoría de edad. Sin embargo, debido a que su padre Taré murió a la edad de doscientos cinco años (Gén 11:32), comparado con su padre, Abram aún no es de mediana edad.

Reflexiones

Aquí es importante el contexto de la mayoría de edad porque Abram debe aprender a guiar a su familia en un momento estresante y en un lugar desconocido. Su padre, Taré, se dispone a abandonar “Ur de los Caldeos, en dirección a la tierra de Canaán” (Gén 11:31) con su hijo Abram y su nieto Lot (y sus esposas) después de que el hermano de Abram, Harán, muriera en Ur. Cuando viajaron a Harán, presumiblemente la casa de Harán, Taré también murió.

No se nos dice cómo ni por qué murieron los dos hombres de la familia—¿fue por guerra, enfermedad, hambruna?—pero podemos suponer que el papel de Abram como líder de la familia es repentino y está mezclado con tragedia. Nadie en su sano juicio en el mundo antiguo abandonaría las seguridades de la familia, la tribu y el país sin un fuerte incentivo. ¿Se acercó Dios a Abram mientras luchaba en un contexto de pérdida y ansiedad? No se nos dice, pero si Abram estaba guiando a una familia de refugiados fuera de una tierra devastada por la guerra, entonces el contexto social aquí tendría más sentido, muy parecido al del niño expulsado de la casa. De una forma u otra, el corazón de Abram está abierto a las inclinaciones del Espíritu Santo y él va.

El Destino es Más que un Lugar

Si tratamos de intuir el papel del Espíritu Santo en la vida de Abram, se deben cumplir dos condiciones. En primer lugar, el Espíritu Santo debe ser un agente activo, como la visión del Paráclito que tuvo el apóstol Juan (Juan 14:26). En segundo lugar, la vida de Abraham debe ser desafiante para que una ayuda sea de alguna utilidad.

Lo que vemos en el relato de Génesis es que la vida de Abram está llena de desafíos. 

La historia de Abram comienza con la orden de ir a Canaán (Gén 12:1). El viaje de mil setecientas millas a pie desde Ur de los caldeos hasta Jerusalén tomaría alrededor de tres meses. Al llegar, encuentra la tierra habitada por cananeos. Abram construye altares en Siquem y Betel, y luego, a causa de una hambruna, parte hacia Egipto (Gén 12,5-10).

Lo que vemos es un largo viaje plagado de obstáculos externos e internos. Exteriormente, Abram no puede tomar posesión de la Tierra Prometida porque ya está ocupada por inquilinos anteriores. Interiormente, la esposa de Abram, Sarai, es estéril, lo cual el texto revela incluso cuando lo presenta (Gén 11:30): ¿cómo pueden los hijos de Abram aumentar hasta convertirse en una gran nación? Las circunstancias necesitan cambiar y la fe de Abram necesita crecer para que la bendición de Dios esté a su alcance.  Por esta razón es útil interpretar la historia de Abram como una narración de su paso a la edad adulta guiada por el Espíritu Santo.

La Promesa de Dios a Abram
Vea También:
Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Vida en Tensión
Otras Formas de Interactuar en Línea:



Sitio Web del Autor:  http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Sitio Web del Editor:  http://www.T2Pneuma.com





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Kinnaman and Lyon Research Faithful Living, Part 2

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. 2016. Good Faith: Being A Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks. (Goto part 1; goto part 3)

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

The notion that Christianity is irrelevant and extreme feels odd, having grown up at a time when things were different. In the course of one generation, the consensus about how the world worked and our place in it changed dramatically, not only on the street but in the church. Snap, one morning you wake up and, after the coffee kicks in, you realize that the “invasion of the body snatchers” occurred while you slept and pod people now control everything. What do you do now?

In their book, Good Faith, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons divide their argument into three sections:

Understanding Our Times.Living Good Faith.The Church and Our Future (7-8).

Part one of this review focused on the first section (the invasion of the space aliens above). In the next review (part three), I will address the third section. In this review (part two), I will focus on this second section.

Living Good Faith.

Kinnaman and Lyons offer an interesting contrast involving six principles, which illustrates why Christian faith feels so out of sync today.

Cultural principle 1:

“To find yourself, look within yourself.” (57)

Christian principle 1:

“To find yourself, discover the truth outside yourself in Jesus.” (60)

Cultural principle 2:

“People should not criticize someone else’s life choices.” (57)

Christian principle 2:   “Loving others does not always mean staying silent.” (60)

Cultural principle 3:

“To be fulfilled in life, pursue the things that you desire most.” (57)

Christian principle 3: “Joy is found not in pursuing our own desires but in giving of ourselves to bless others” (60)

Cultural principle 4:

“Enjoying yourself is the highest goal of life.” (57)

Christian principle 4: “The highest goal of life is giving glory to God.” (60)

Cultural principle 5:  

 “People can believe whatever they want as long as those beliefs don’t affect society.” (57)

Christian principle 5: “God gives people the freedom to believe whatever they want, but those beliefs always affect society.” (60)

Cultural principle 6:   

“Any kind of sexual expression between two consenting adults is fine.” (57)

Christian principle 6: “God designed boundaries for sex and sexuality in order for humans to flourish.” (60)

The scariest part of this observation is that many Christians have bought into the cultural principles, first articulated by Roman philosopher Lucretius one hundred years before Christ, and abandoned the Christian ones (59, 62). People forget that the church has been struggling with pagan philosophies from the very beginning.

How do we live the good faith?

Kinnaman and Lyons write:

 “The secret recipe for good faith boils down to this: how well you love, what you believe, and how you live.” (72)

Double Love Command

This is an old recipe for dealing with an old problem and should come as no surprise to those who spend time with their Bible. The authors point to Matthew 22:37-39, which cites the double love command: Love God; love your neighbor. But most people ignore (or misinterpret) the next verse:

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:40 ESV)

“The Law” is a rabbinic reference to the Books of the Law (of Moses), which are the first five books of the Bible. “The Prophets” is a rabbinic reference to all the other books of the Old Testament. If you understand what Jesus is saying, then what you believe is not up for grabs—you cannot just interpret love anyway you want. The Old Testament context for love is found in Exodus 34:6 where God provides an interpretative key to the giving of the Ten Commandments:

Interpretative Key to Ten Commandments

“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” (Exod 34:6 ESV)

In this context, love (וְרַב־חֶ֥סֶד; rav hesed) is better translated as “covenantal love”—keeping your promises. Keeping your promises is another way of saying living them out, as Jesus’ younger brother James famously says:  “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (Jas 2:17 ESV)

Consequently, Kinnaman and Lyons’ secret recipe for good faith is no secret to practicing Christians, who naturally spend a lot of time with their Bible.

Assessment

In their new book, Good Faith, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons explore the perceptions that Christian faith is both irrelevant and extreme, employing empirical studies and data to make their case. Their analysis bears examination and discussion by practicing Christians, seminary students, pastors, and researchers.

Footnotes

https://www.barna.com, @BarnaGroup, www.GoodFaithBook.org, @DavidKinnaman, http://QIdeas.org, @GabeLyons

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasio....

Kinnaman and Lyon Research Faithful Living, Part 2Also see:Books, Films, and MinistryOther ways to engage online:Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com Newsletter at:  https://bit.ly/Look_25 ,  Signup

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Words: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 16, 2025

 

 

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on the Authors and Words. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

Words: Monday Monologues (podcast), June 16, 2025
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter at:  https://bit.ly/Look_25 ,  Signup


 


 

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Prayer of Words for Words

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty God, Author of Creation, Holy Spirit,

All praise and honor, power and dominion, truth and justice are yours because you have used words to create the universe and taught them to us.

Forgive us when we persist in passivity, preferring darkness to light, and neglect to learn the words of our salvation.

Thank you for the witness of the saints, the gift of holy scripture, and the promise of a bright future with you.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cast us not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with a willing spirit. (Ps 51:10-12)

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Prayer of Words for Word
Also see:
The Face of God in the Parables
The Who Question
Preface to a Life in Tension
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter at:  https://bit.ly/Look_25 ,  Signup


 

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