Introduction
“Jesus loves me when I’m good, when I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I’m bad, even though it makes him sad.” McClung (2006) made it clear in his book, The Father Heart of God, that although God’s love is unconditional one’s personal posture before God affects one’s ability to draw close in relation and receive the blessings God has freely given. This paper seeks to explore theological concepts presented in McClung’s book and the teachings in CS 100, Christian Discipleship lectures. It will demonstrate how engagement with the concepts has resulted in growth and transformation, in many ways including but not limited to personal relationship with God, self and others.
Beginning with a presentation of selected issues from unit CS 100, this paper will identify portions of McClung’s text that address the selected issues. Subsequently, this paper will present a critical analysis of the general implications presented by McClung alongside similar and alternative views from other sources and the perceived overall message of McClung’s book. Finally, this paper will outline and describe personal resonance and response in reflection to, interaction with and application of the principles of Christian perspectives.
Identify the key themes
This section of the paper presents the three selected issues in CS 100 teachings and McClung’s interpretation and answers. The three issues are, firstly, formation of a worldview and its impact on one’s life (CS 100 lecture one and two). Secondly, what are the characteristics of the Christian triune God (CS 100 lecture three, four and five). Thirdly, what causes transformation (CS 100 lecture eight, nine and ten). This paper will now present the issues in detail followed by citing the part(s) of The Father Heart of God that addresses the issues raised. This paper will also attempt to examine McClung’s work for how he has addressed the issues.
The first issue chosen is the formation of worldview, how an individual forms their worldview and how the individual’s worldview affects his or her life. A worldview, as presented in lecture one notes of Stoodley, is “philosophy of life, conception of the world, interpretation of world history or civilisation, system of belief” (2013, Worldview : A Definition. p. 1) and answers ultimate questions such as what is; reality, nature, truth, right and wrong, happens after death, the purpose and basis of human society (Holmes 1983, p. 55ff; Sire 2004, pp. 17-18). Worldviews are “inherently religious” because they respond in a certain manner to the ultimate questions (Walsh & Middleton, 1984, pp. 32-33). They are accumulated through a period of time with interactions and experiences from significant people in one’s life, such as parents, family, teachers, friends, readings and emotional experiences (Stoodley, 2013, p. 1). One of the areas listed in David Noebel’s ten areas of life affected by worldview, is the view of God, theology (p. 52). McClung’s book primarily addresses this part of an individual’s worldview.
There is a sense from McClung’s book that he believes one’s view of God is paramount to one’s wellbeing or success in life. This view if accurate and biblical, would bring about healing to self and others. Along with this view is a posture and responsibility towards God, the Father. McClung started with stories and explanations of why individuals hold the views they have of the world, others, self and God. Chapter one illustrated stories of Steve and Michal, hurt individuals who were self-dependant and distrusted God, others and perhaps even themselves (p. 13 – 19). In chapter two, McClung continued to provide examples of seven ways earthly parents can fail and misrepresent God as Father and how their failings can affect their children’s view of God (p. 22). Chapter three stated God’s character, chapter four, God’s heart towards sin and man’s rejection of Him, chapter five, God’s fathering nature. McClung might have enumerated and expounded on the nature, qualities and characteristics of God in an attempt to present a pleasant and enduring way to view God. And perhaps in the hope that readers would acknowledge their personal experiences of authoritative figures, father or mother, that affected their worldview, with special focus on theology.
The second issue focuses on Christian triune God’s characteristics, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Several lectures in CS 100 explored the characteristics, qualities and nature of the Holy Trinity. Lecture three covered the characteristics of God, who He is, what He does, and what is His nature and posture towards us. But this posture, as of a Father, is perhaps not fathomable without Christ the promised sacrifice lamb, as explored lecture four. Lecture five discussed the attributes of God’s spirit, the Holy Spirit, an essential entity of God. All three aspects of the Holy Trinity is pivotal in the Christian worldview, separate but closely intertwined.
McClung addressed the question of what is God like by enumerating scriptures that referred to the character of God, in chapter three. And in chapter four he discussed God’s justice, hatred of sin and broken heart over man’s rejection of His authority. In chapter five, McClung established that God looks like Jesus and made reference to the characteristics of Jesus through biblical parables.
The third issue selected addresses the question of what are the causes of transformation. CS 100 continued the progressive discussion on causes of transformation with the question of identity in lecture six. The question of identity asks, “Who am I?” When an individual endeavours to answer this question, another question arise inevitably, am I happy with the answer of who I think I am? Horton (1994) suggested that human beings are “created in order to take pleasure in God…” (p. 39). This suggestion has the connotation that human beings will not be happy unless they become aware and acknowledge that their identity and existence cannot be separated from God. Then CS 100 proceeded to discuss, in lecture seven, the need for change. CS 100 asserts that human beings are intrinsically inclined to mistakes (evil) though they may perform good at times (Jer. 17:9 NKJV; Eccl. 9: 3 NKJV; Matt. 12:35; Rom. 7:20-23 Msg). This assertion establishes the need to seek external help to be good, to lead a successful life. Hopefully at this point, a person would look to the good, loving, patient Holy Trinity presented before, as the one to turn to. In lecture eight, the unit explored transformation, its definition and the posture before God to receive transformation. In lecture nine; Grace was presented as the cause of salvation; that transformation is received through surrender, the right posture before God, not right behaviour.
In chapter seven, McClung listed seven steps for one to attain a posture of obedience, love response, to God. In chapter eight, he also named the importance to avoid Saul syndrome to continue to receive healing and transformation. McClung suggested humility, repentance and prayer as a key to release from Saul syndrome.
Do a critical analysis
McClung’s book addressed the first issue of formation of part of one’s worldview by listing the environmental and circumstantial factors. It pivoted one’s wellbeing (ability to receive emotional and physical healing) around one’s view of God. McClung’s suggestions seemed to be aimed at empowering individuals to take control of their worldview by showing them how prior influences might have possibly warped their view of holy and loving father God of the Bible.
In the second issue, the perceived message is that one can draw close and, with the recommended steps from McClung, receive emotional healing from God. There are implications that one can do different things that will help them draw close to God. The recommendations were borne from years of experience working with wounded people and probably hold much truth and inspiration for many. At the same instance, many might feel that the steps took them away from focusing on God to focusing on self.
McClung did not mention the role of the Holy Spirit in revelation. Apostle Paul stated in the bible,
Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:3 Amp)
According to the bible, the role of the Holy Spirit is instrumental in one’s understanding of Jesus Christ, of God. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 KJV). Every aspect of God is equally important in our walk with Jesus. McClung also mentioned that God is like Jesus and can been seen through Jesus’s actions and character. However, McClung did not expound the role of Jesus in reconciliation of the human’s severed relationship with God. The perfection of the finished work at the cross where noone longer has to do anything to secure salvation except to acknowledge God’s rule over their lives in Jesus’s name.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice that reconciled man with God. Through the meditation of how perfect the sacrifice, an overpayment of sin debt, and how perfect the redemption work, covering all grounds, perhaps man can grow boldness to draw close to God. If one pauses to examine the above assertion, one may have gratitude for God’s sacrifice and perhaps a posture of “suffering obligation to obedience” toward God. But meditating more deeply, one can have a revelation of the depth of love that drove God to set up the sacrifice of His son for man. This will leave a person not in a posture of “suffering obedience” but in a posture of wonderment at the depth of God’s love … a very empowering posture indeed.
McClung seemed to presume that a person will have strength to draw close, come out of darkness or stop the futility in thoughts and by their own self-effort or a sense of obligation in recognition of Christ’s suffering, they will be able to assume a posture of obedience. One needs to be careful that McClung’s assertion on the importance of developing a posture of obedience does not disqualify anyone from God’s grace if they don’t have strength to consistently adopt the posture of obedience.
This paper proposes that the posture of obedience may come as a natural result of a deep heart revelation of the personal love of God, of His amazing grace. The grace that speaks of Jesus’s willingness to endure great suffering at the cross for each individual count of sin. The grace that reveals and enables the individual to see his or her sin imposed on the perfect sinless body of Christ, stripe by stripe. The grace that resurrected Jesus as each individual’s victory over death. The grace that is a display of pure love undeserved by the receiver and the assurance that God remembers sin no more because it has all been adequately and overpaid through the perfect redemption work.
Self-reflection
This assignment has given me invaluable opportunity to explore how important it is to consider and study why I believe what I believe. In studying and reflecting on the aspects of my worldview, I am now capable of verbalising, hopefully with humility and Godly wisdom, why I believe what I believe. It is of paramount importance that I am able to articulate my Christian worldview, as I believe God has called me to both leadership and submission. I might not be able to fully submit to leaders and mentors that God has placed in my life if I do not recognise my belief system and develop the ability to constructively compare and contrast it with the belief systems of others. And if I do not understand my worldview, how then can I lead, where then can I lead His sheep to?
A few of the stories in McClung’s book moved me deeply. The story of the business man with a posture of “My will, my way” until he was convicted and his posture became one of “Please God, your will.” God replied gently with love, “Yes, and you may have it your way too.” (p. 40 – 41). That is a beautiful story that spoke of my image of God, most gently compelling.
Another story was told of Sawat and his father, how the father welcomed his prodigal son back with such enthusiasm. And of the parable of the prodigal son, the waiting father according to McClung, both these stories spoke of God’s generousity, His forgiveness and greatly encouraged me to come boldly, no matter how smelly, how lowly I have fallen, He would always have more than enough grace for my return.
I wonder aloud how can I apply this assignment to my life? Have I become so familiar with His love that I have lost the “first-love” passion for Him and His? Am I still so smitten by Him that I do not have excess energy and time to criticise others?
I pray for deepening of the precious gifts of revelations He has already given me. May those seeds of revelation be resurrected and continue to grow into trees beside rivers of living water. And may these trees continuously bear fruit that are fit for consumption both by myself and by others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, McClung is accurate in asserting that one’s posture before God affects one’s ability to have a deep relationship with God. However, McClung might have missed the point in establishing that the seven steps of self-effort can bring about a posture that can lead to relationship with God. There have been numerous instances in my life where I attempted to “do the right things” such as the seven steps listed. These instances were moments where I failed utterly. And it is when failure hit, and I assume a posture of surrender to God that I received deepening revelation of how much he loved me. Out of that place of total surrender to God and understanding of his personal love for me, there came a heart condition within me, which the “seven steps” arose naturally and I was able to engage in relationship with Him.
References
Holmes, A.F. (1983) Contours of a worldview. Leicester : Intervarsity Press.
Horton, M. (1991) Putting amazing back into grace. Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Books.
McClung, F. (2006) The father heart of god. USA : David C Cook Kingsway Communications.
Noebel, D. (2001) The battle for the truth : Defending the Christian worldview in the marketplace of ideas. Harvest House.
Sire, J.W. (2004) The universe next door : A basic worldview catalog. (4th ed.) Downers Grove, IL : Intervarsity Press.
Stoodley, C. (2013). Week 1 lecture notes. CS 100 Lecture, Christian Heritage College. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013 from Moodle.
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Stoodley, C. (2013). Week 2 lecture notes. CS 100 Lecture, Christian Heritage College. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013 from Moodle.
Stoodley, C. (2013). Week 3 lecture notes. CS 100 Lecture, Christian Heritage College. 05 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013 from Moodle.
Stoodley, C. (2013). Week 4 lecture notes. CS 100 Lecture, Christian Heritage College. 05 March 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013 from Moodle.
Stoodley, C. (2013). Week 5 lecture notes. CS 100 Lecture, Christian Heritage College. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013 from Moodle.
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Walsh, B. J. & Middleton, J. R. (1984) The transforming vision : Shaping a Christian worldview. Downers Grove, IL : Intervarsity Press.
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