Dale Cresap's blog

Do you see yourself as the member of a tribe? Do you think this term applies only to indigenous peoples? You belong to a tribe whether you realize it or not. Do you prefer to receive instruction from members of your own race, culture, denomination, educational and economic level? If so, this indicates the tribe that you belong to. There were 12 tribes in ancient Israel but they all belonged to one nation. Each had their own unique value and purpose. The same principle applies today. Do you want the Spirit to lead you into all truth?

Do you know the difference between patriotism and nationalism? These are related concepts, but patriotism has a positive connotation and nationalism has a negative one. Patriotism is based in sacrifice. There is a cost to being a patriot and only those who have paid it can claim the term. You have seen this in practice. Nationalism is based in entitlement and anyone can claim it but it is not admirable. You have seen this also. You are a citizen of a country here on earth, but you are also a citizen of my heavenly Kingdom above.

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘consider the source’? This is one way of evaluating the validity of a statement, but it is based on a fallacy, and how often have you heard this phrase used as a compliment? The truth of a statement does not depend on the one stating it. It is intrinsically true or false whether spoken by a reputable person or a scoundrel. Do you accept as truth whatever is spoken by those in your tradition, and reject what is spoken by those without? But there is truth outside of your tradition. Don’t cut yourself off from the bigger picture that I would show you.

Do you believe the Bible? Do you take the Great Commission seriously? You may use the Bible in carrying out the Great Commission, but is it reasonable to expect prospective converts to believe the Bible? If not, then how to proceed? This is similar to the task faced by early Christians, before the Bible was written, and the non-Jewish population did not consider the Old Testament to be scripture, but with creative ingenuity the gospel message went forth. I authorize you to do the same and use everything available to you to declare me.

Do you consider yourself to be normal? Do you know anyone who doesn’t? Do you find it easy to use yourself as a reference point, and judge everything and everyone else in comparison to you? This subjective approach to evaluating everything is normal, but it isn’t right. You are prone to exaggerate the importance of your strengths and minimize the importance of your weaknesses. Are you perplexed and amazed at how people could struggle in areas that you do not? They feel the same way about you. Righteous judgment isn’t subjective or judgmental. It is OK to be abnormal in this way.

When you disagree strongly with someone, are you tempted to say that they are crazy? Isn’t this one of the most common insults you hear? It very rarely applies in context, but what could cut to the core of identity more quickly in a culture that prides itself on rational intellect? The premise of the insult is that no reasonable person with access to the same facts could come to a different conclusion, but they are as entitled to draw their own conclusions as you are. I gave you strong admonition not to call your brother a vain fellow or a fool.

Does your  church welcome visitors and new members? What about those who depart? Do you confer a blessing on them as they go, or do you consider them as traitors and expect them to slip out the back door? Do you feel a greater sense of alienation from those who were never affiliated with your church or from those who once were and left? Do you view this as betrayal? Is it a reasonable expectation that one church will be the best fit for someone through the whole arc of their spiritual journey? There are enough divisions within my body as it is.

Do you think of me as wild or tame? If you go to church you may think of me as tame and fully domesticated if every question about my nature has a definite answer and it seems that I am confined within their structure. But those who encounter me in the wilderness have a different experience. The manner of perception is according to the one doing the perceiving. This is not to discourage you from going to church but don’t let it give you the wrong impression. You should gather together with others in pursuit of the transcendent ineffable mystery and be prepared to find that I am wild.

I promised that if you seek you would find. Do you claim this when you need to find your car keys? It refers to much more than that. A quest for transcendent truth is far different from a search for an inanimate object, but both are searches. The object is passive and does not take part in the search, but I am active and if you look for me I will find you. You also have my promise that everyone who seeks the truth will hear my voice. Have you encountered people who are looking for truth in all the wrong places? Let not your heart be troubled on their behalf.

Have you sinned a great deal, or very little? If it is the latter, are you proud of having been forgiven little? Yet he who has been forgiven little loves little. On the other hand, Paul has no patience with those who sin that grace may abound. Do you find this confusing or contradictory? Paul considered himself to be the chief of sinners. Would he be your first choice for this title from all you would consider? This all makes sense if your consider it from the perspective of humility rather than self-righteousness. Judge yourself and do not judge others.