The God Of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & More
Several years ago, while attending a Biblical training school with YWAM, I read through the entire Bible in just over two months. As I reached some of the Old Testament geneaologies, I was tempted to skim. However, rather than take the easy way out, I read every line, then spent some time waiting on God in prayer for understanding. Frankly, I didn’t expect much, which is why I was surprised that it turned into one of the more important lessons of my faith journey.
Consider Exodus 3, as Moses approaches the burning bush. Here we have a classic and powerful example of God revealing Himself in power. He begins by calling Moses by name, then commands him to take off his sandals, as he was standing on holy ground. It is here that God identifies Himself:
He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”
-Exodus 3:6 (NASB)
In one of the most dramatic and powerful displays of His presence that we find in Scripture, in a moment of calling one the most important leaders in history into his missional vocation, God chooses to identify Himself by the relationships He had established throughout generations before. Of course, it is an affirmation of the continuity of the covenant God made with Abraham. However, I think there is more to it than that. Here are a few things I’ve learned:
First, God identifies first with being the God of Moses’ father. After revealing Himself in power, inviting Moses into His holy presence, He identifies with Moses’ father, Amram (which means “friend of the most high God”). While never diminishing His holiness, His power and His authority, God identifies with us very personally. We should never forget that the very foundation of human value, the seed bed of human rights and the healthy celebration of individuality were are all born out of the richness of the Judeo-Christian tradition. God values each of us. (Note: For more on this topic, I highly recommend Thomas Cahill’s “The Gifts Of The Jews”).
Second, He identifies with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs of Judaism, of the great faith. As I already said, this reflects a foundation in His covenant with His people. More than this, however, is revealed that God related to each of these men as representatives of their people in their time. He related to them as men representing very specific and unique generations and circumstances. God, while being holy and eternal, and while relating to us where we are today, does not forget (nor does He want us to forget) the very unique relationship He had with those who have come before. He values them, recognizing that which each generation brings to the great narrative.
Third, God neither ignores nor tolerates the failures of each generation, but rather, while He clearly brings punishment when needed, He does not dissolve the covenantal relationship. His commitment to His people is as constant as His love. Even in the face of great judgment, such as exile in a pagan land, God makes way for His people to return to His purposes for them, as well as to relationship with Him. Each generation is intentionally made aware of the failures of previous generations as reminders not only of the consequences for disobedience, but also about God’s unfailing grace.
So what can we learn from these lessons? More specifically, what does this say to those of us involved in the emerging/missional church movement?
First, in an age where individualism has so rampantly swept through our culture (the church culture included), leaving a wake of devastating consequences, we must be so intentional and cautious not to swing to an opposite extreme. While we need to rediscover our shared identity as a missional community, now more than ever, we must never underplay the significance of a God who deems individuals worthy of not only relating to us, but identifying Himself in terms of that relationship.
Second, we must remember that as we seek to follow God, we must recognize that He chooses to relate to us uniquely as a people in a specific time and place in history. This is a significant aspect of what the emerging/missional movement is all about. However, we cannot forget that, as true as this point is for us, it also stands true for previous generations. Whether we are referring to the Medieval or the Modern expression, God was (and is) in active, covenantal relationship with them. As we relate to those from different traditions and expressions of the faith, we must do so as God does, with grace and love.
Third, without question each of these expressions are fraught with failures (as is and will be the emergent/missional/postmodern expressions), but this does not dissolve the eternal connection between God and His people. Each generation brings unique dynamics to the people of God- some are specific to their era, while others are universal that following generations would do well to respect. The emerging church conversation has in fair part been made up of a critique of the negative impact of an uncitical embrace of aspects of modernity, etc. No matter how valid these concerns may be (and I believe they are VERY valid), we cannot forget or diminish that, if God is the God of both the established and emerging church, then we are inexplicably connected- one Body, one Church.
I would love to hear your thoughts. What do those of you who identify with the emerging church most appreciate about the established church? And what do those of you who identify with the established church most appreciate about the emerging church?
Great observations.
John,
Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
I am one of those from the established church. The established church has always had its internal critics. Yet the emerging movement has given sharper teeth to the criticism.
Instead of dismissing the internal critics as cynical or as malcontents, their has been a healthy part of the emergent church that has be to be reckoned with. They’ve come out of the establishes church and they speak from experience.
As you deftly write here, may the both churches learn from one another.
Steve,
Thanks for the affirmation. Are there any specifics you point out? Just curious.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie- I’m going to answer your question in part right now; and, I’ll do that by deferring, somewhat, to a new friend. Cheryl is Eastern Orthodox (Ukrainian to be more specific) and though I’ve only known her since August, she is really helping widen my world view and my view of the church. (There aren’t many Orthodox folks in these parts–the only O. church here is Greek.) I can say with certainty that one of the things she treasures about the Orthodox church is its familiarity- its rootedness. She finds comfort and strength in knowing that the words and music that she participates in during worship have been virtually unchanged for centuries. So much so that her family travels about once a month over 100 miles to the nearest E. Orthodox Church, and that with extenuating circumstances that make it quite difficult to do so.
Her perspective on clergy seems a lot more balanced than most protestant congregations i’ve seen. Priests come and go, but relatively little changes within the church, and virtually <i>nothing</i> about worship changes beyond the meditation/message.
This aspect of unwavering rootedness in the Church has an important place. Sometime when hurting people decide to finally look for solace in the church, finding something that harkens back to their childhood can be a strong reassuring indicator of God’s enduring presence. Likewise, in our eratic lives, constancy in the Church can be God’s messenger of comfort.
Certainly some traditions are less worthwhile than others. But I do find myself occaisionaly envying my friend’s solid grasp on what Church means to her- especially during this time that I grapple with it daily.
Cindy,
My best friend is a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy (though he has increasingly broadened his identification in the Church), so I can appreciate the positive influence she has had in your life.
For me, the richness of Ortho theology has been invaluable. The use of icons has truly influenced my approach to prayer and meditation. The continuity of the faith is a powerful gift.
I do struggle deeply with the Ortho’s general inability to contextualize, thus undermining significantly their ability to be missional. However, I have a great hope that the emerging dialogue will begin to see the beauty of the Ortho tradition impact the rest of the church (and vice versa).
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie
Imagine my surprise to turn to your web page today and see a picture from my town – Antelope Canyon at Page, Arizona. This is a view that people from all over the world come here to see. I gaze upon sights like this everyday. I can understand why the Navajo walk “The Beauty Way” and would prefer to haul water many miles if it means a locating their home in a prettier spot then wherever the water is.
Blessings to you and Kim.
marty
Marty,
I thought of you when I posted it. This picture offers a far holier setting than any cathedral, in my opinion. Nature has always been the place where I felt closest to the divine, something Grandma Helen taught me to appreciate. Thanks for sharing some background on the picture/region.
Peace,
Jamie
Hey, glad to see you’re still reminding people that God is all about relationship and not dogma. I just happened to come across your blog and as usual your words of observation are encouraging as well as thought provoking. Hey have a great Christmas man and take care. Sounds like you’re doing well but what would I know…I’ll try to check back more often. Peace.
Drew (YWAM Vancouver DTS 2000)
Hey Drew,
Small world! Thanks for the kind words. I hope you will drop by again. I’d love to hear where you are at. Feel free to email me.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, Thanks for your thoughts here.
Maybe I’m emerging in an established church, as in some measure many are. I don’t know. But I do appreciate many good things I’ve picked up from missional, emerging people such as yourself. It has been a good education for me, sometimes helping me see where I had moved already, at other times giving me a better place to move and live, in relation to the Story of God.
Good point about not leaving the individual and the individual’s relationship and importance to God behind, in our necessary critique of individualism.
Ted,
Glad it could be helpful. In truth, I am not sure I fit fully in either category either. I deeply influenced by emerging/missional dynamics, but live and serve significantly in the established church world. In the end, I affirm that there is One Body of which I am a part.
Peace,
Jamie
Ok, this (your blog) is a great find. What an excellent post. The worship of self is, as you say, rampant throughout society and the culture and cult of Me seems to be finding its way into the church more than the other way around.
In response to your questions, I would say that I appreciate the established church for teaching me aspects of bible study and the importance of knowing the Word. What I appreciate about what I am learning of the emergent church is that it encourages the same but not with a closed end in mind. All too often the established church seems to be satisfied with its conclusions about faith and the Word and has stopped questioning and growing in its understanding. The emergent church appears to have a better grip on what it means to walk by faith every day rather than resting one’s experiences of what faith is. (This last concept should be fleshed out much more to explain what I mean, but I will stop here to remain a comment rather than posting on your blog.)
Hey Bryan,
Great thoughts. I hope you will keep on investing the conversation here. Perhaps our YWAM paths will cross someday.
Peace,
Jamie