A Book We Can Trust

We've been continuing our study through the book of Acts on Wednesday nights and it's had me thinking about the date that it was written. Some scholars say that Acts was written anytime from AD 80 to AD 100 while others say earlier.

Does it even matter?

The authors of the New Testament claim to be eyewitnesses and contemporaries to the stories and events described in it (Luke 1:1-4, 2 Peter 1:16-18). Of course, the further removed a writing is from the events it claims to describe, the more doubt is cast on its truthfulness, accuracy, and whether it was even written by an eyewitness as it claims.

The dating of the book of Acts is important because it was written after the Gospel of Luke by the same author. The earlier Acts was written, the earlier Luke was written. Roman historian Colin Hemer gives strong evidence that Acts was written around AD 62. Here are a few of his arguments:

1. There is no mention of the destruction of the temple or the fall of Jerusalem that happened in AD 70. This one of the more significant events of the time and surely the author of Acts would've included it had he written it after 70. Jesus predicted the temple's destruction in Luke 21:20 and one would think it would be advantageous to mention fulfilled prophecy in your sequel had it already happened.
2. There is no mention of the horrendous persecution by Emporer Nero in AD 64. A book that records the history of the early Christian church and records other significant persecutions (Acts 8:1) would surely have mentioned this.
3. Acts records the death of Stephen and the disciple James, yet there is no hint of the death of James (the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church) by the hands of the Sanhedrin in AD 62.
4. There is no mention of the death of Paul which happened between AD 62 to AD 68.
5. Acts ends abruptly with Paul under house arrest in Rome. It is written with immediacy and it is also an odd place to end a book if it had been written much later on.
6. Acts seems to predate the arrival of Peter in Rome.

These are just a few arguments of many that suggest that Acts was written around AD 60 to AD 62. This means that the Gospel of Luke was written even earlier and makes it a contemporary to the generation who witnessed the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It means that the author makes good on his claims (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3). Evidence and arguments are obviously necessary and helpful. We base our faith on truth and the facts surrounding Jesus Christ. Either the New Testament is accurate or it's not. God has not asked us to leave our brains behind. He wants us to think and reason (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus himself is called "the Logos", a Greek word meaning reason or word.

I believe the bible is a supernatural book because of the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, yet I'm also glad that God has provided us evidence to base our claims on. The book of Acts tells us that the early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. They bet their lives on it. Should it be any different for Christians today?

Philip

Oaks of Righteousness

We - the brokenhearted, the captives, and the prisoners - will be beautiful, joyful, and full of praise.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

At Outflow, for the past few months, it seems we have been confronting more darkness and chaos than usual. People have been coming during the day, knocking on the door with despair in their eyes. Despair over a number of situations. Drugs. Alcohol. Abuse. Loneliness. Fear. Broken relationships. 

God is working on this city. Our Sovereign Lord is picking up the pieces and welding away in the spiritual atmosphere, something so beautiful, we will never be able to imagine it. Instead we wait, sometimes impatiently, sometimes patiently, for Him to continue to restore this city and the souls in it.

162 Waterloo Street has become a shelter in the evenings and during the day. But its not just the place. One can have their spirits lifted, and comforted, outside of this building. When we walk and talk with people on the streets, at home, at work, at school, at church, we are affecting the atmosphere. God is with us and there is not really a moment to spare. Isaiah 61 reminds me so much of what we try and do at Outflow. We try and comfort those who are mourning and those who are walking around with a spirit of despair. We are promised that there will be joy, freedom, and a release from darkness, even when you are in the middle of the trial.

There is a promise in Romans 8:28 that “...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God, we ask You to continue to move in this city and through us. Please continue to use us and forgive us when we have failed. We pray for this city and for the people that live here.

Laura Duncanson

Community Liaison

Joy, Pleasure and Rich Faith

One day recently, a man came in to Outflow whose circumstances had seemingly been improving, but all of the sudden, things had fallen apart again. He was in complete despair. He was disappointed and seemed very sad. He kept repeating that he was really trying to follow Jesus. Laura prayed with him and a friend of his also happened to be in earshot. The friend burst into prayer right in the middle of Laura's sentence. It was as if he just couldn't help but pray for his friend.

A couple of days later, our despairing friend came back (feeling seemingly a bit better), grabbed a Bible and took it upstairs to read Psalm 16. I wondered why that particular Psalm was on his mind, so I looked it up and read it myself. It says this:

“I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is always right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (7-11)

How comforting this is. I am thankful for this man who sought comfort in scripture and whose example led me to these words, reminding me that the Lord is always right beside me, that he guides me and grants me joy now and pleasures forever. 

The fact that the importance of consistently spending time in the Word and following Jesus when things are hard was reinforced to me by a poor, broken man is not surprising.  After all:

“Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” James 2:5

--Chanelle

Hope for Unsolvable Problems

Yesterday, at 36 years of age, I had a dentist tell me that I needed to get a filling (actually a few fillings). Many would say that this is not a big deal and, in truth, it isn't. It does stand out for me though, because until yesterday I lived my entire life without having a cavity. Not even one. Ever.

I am nervous about getting my first ever filling. It is the drill that makes me nervous. And the needle that comes immediately before it. In spite of the nervousness it is a strange relief to get a filling. I have a problem. There is a hole in my tooth (actually in a few teeth). My problem is a solvable problem. My dentist has filled hundreds of teeth and she will fill mine and things will be good again.*

Solvable problems are good because of the amount of unsolvable problems that I see at Outflow. I know people who have chronic health problems that have no cure. I know people who have suffered years of abuse who still cannot process the evil that happened to them years or decades later because the evil is unfathomable. I know people who have been addicted to alcohol or other drugs since they were children. I know people who are being abused now. These seem like unsolvable problems, at least in the short term. A dentist cannot put a filling in these problems. Nor can I. Nor can Outflow.

People who are interested in knowing about my job often ask one of two questions. First, they ask, “Why doesn't the man you are working with just... and his problem will be solved?” This question always comes from a well-meaning person who is looking to solve a problem that they don't realize does not have a solution. Second, and often after I answer the first question, they ask, “How do you deal with this?”

The first question is hard. The second is easy.

My hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus took the worst that evil can do. Evil killed him. Then Jesus struck back and defeated evil and resurrected. He was dead. Then he was not. I put hope in this because I know how the story will end. The resurrection that Jesus experienced is promised to all who call on him. Grace is a beautiful thing. It solves the unsolvable.

Jesus is unique in this ability. I am reminded of Matthew 9:12 where Jesus tells us who he came to save: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (NIV) This is beautiful. Come May 31 when I have my fillings done, my teeth will again be healthy. Jesus seems quite happy to let my dentist solve that problem and he doesn't need to do it. Instead, Jesus is going to work on the decades of addiction, the damage done by abuse, and the incurable disease. I don't know how Jesus is going to touch the people I meet. I know he works signs and wonders but I also know that he usually doesn't. Even when there is not a miracle, Jesus is still there, however, and he will solve the problem. The Kingdom of God is near. Resurrection is coming.

Until it is here in fullness, I will remind myself of his promise:

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

and put their trust in him. (Psalm 40:1-3, NIV)

*Perhaps they will be great. She said my teeth might stop hurting when I eat gummy bears when the fillings are in.