New Life New Love

By Noel Due

New Life New Love will enable you to encounter the God who offers new life to all people. You will appreciate who you are as you discover who God is. The significance of the Bible for your life will become apparent. New possibilities will emerge for greater peace of mind and well-being. It will draw you deeper into an understanding of God’

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lutheran Church of Australia
• Release date: May 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9780987623508

Noel Due

Dr Noel Due is a Lutheran pastor, author and theological educator with extensive experience in Australia, Scotland, India and elsewhere.

Book preview

Acknowledgements

This work is the result of the ongoing missional vision of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand, along with the generous assistance of the Lutheran Laypeople’s League.

Dedication For Kirsten, who also brought me new life and new love.

Endorsements

Are you curious about Christianity? Are you interested in finding out about what Christians believe? Then New Life New Love is the book for you. Noel Due has managed to achieve what many attempt to do and fail. He has distilled into two texts a great snapshot of what it means to be a Christian. And the book (well it’s actually two books for the price of one!) presents the key themes and ideas of the Christian faith in a logical and engaging manner. What a joy it is to read that ‘You are more wonderful than you realise’ in chapter one, and what a challenge it is to come to grips with ‘You are more dangerous than you imagine’ in chapter two. Grab the book and grab a Christian who can support you through the book. The journey will bring new life and new love.

Dr Tania Nelson Executive Officer Local Mission, Lutheran Church of Australia

‘New Life, New Love’ is an excellent, biblically based discussion resource which explores God’s invitation to individuals to participate in new life and new love in Christ as the Holy Spirit creates faith and helps that faith to grow. ‘New Life, New Love’ leads the reader deeply into the biblical texts in language, metaphors and imagery which speak simply and clearly to our current generation. The book anticipates important questions which may be asked by participants and then addresses them directly in clarifying metaphors and examples. It also provides space for reflecting personally on the text, sharing in discussion and then, most importantly, praying together. Valuable footnotes explain some of the information which may be unfamiliar to readers. Interesting and very helpful insights from the writings of Martin Luther are also included. In all of this, the emphasis is on the action of God in the life of faith and love of the participant.

‘New Life, New Love’ is also an excellent resource for those who may have drifted away from their relationship with God, or for practicing Christians who may gain important new insights into what the Bible says about a life of faith in Christ as they are led by the Spirit.

Rev Dr Malcolm Bartsch Emeritus lecturer and former Head of the School of Educational Theology, Lutheran Church of Australia.

When an esteemed biblical scholar and teacher like the Rev. Dr Noel Due decides to write a biblical study on the invitation and implications of the Gospel for unchurched or de-churched people living in the 21st Century, what you get is his new two part book New Life and New Love.

This one snuck up on me. It leads you to the edge of a vast ocean and tempts you to do more that pick up shells on the shore. On my first reading of it I experienced that most rare of emotions these days - fresh hope - as I was immersed by the author in a new sense of self-discovery through seeing who God really is. Then as I reflected upon it with others, I started to realise its incredible implications; the adventure and possibilities that only a new life in God can bring. Highly recommended for one-on-one or small group study.

Dean Eaton Mission Facilitator and Church Planting Mentor, Lutheran Church of Australia, author of Sent Seeking the Orphans of God.

Category: Christian Faith, Christian Living.

Copyright © 2017 Lutheran Church of Australia

The Lutheran Church of Australia gives permission for this book and bible studies to be used, adapted and reproduced free of charge, on the condition that they are attributed to the author and publisher. No part of this book or bible studies may be sold or contracted to any third party without the prior written permission of the Lutheran Church of Australia, 197 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia. Email [e-mail] for information.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the following version of the Holy Bible:

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) Copyright 1985 - Darton, Longman and Todd.

New Interpreters Bible (NIB) Copyright 2013 - Abingdon Press; Revised ed. edition

New Living Translation (NLT), copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. Used with Permission. All rights reserved.

New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with Permission. All rights reserved.

Graphic design and layout by Sarah Lelliott of openbookhowden.com.au and Anna Schubert from the Lutheran Church of Australia Communications department.

ISBN: 9780987623508 (e-book)

How to use this resource

This book and course explores what the Bible presents as God’s invitation to every person to embark upon a new life. The three elements of this resource are the book, the end of chapter Bible studies, and the introduction videos for each chapter - www.lca.org.au/nlnl. The videos are, on average, five minute interviews with Dr Noel Due, covering the main points in each chapter.

Small Group or Study Partner Gatherings

The end of chapter Bible studies can be used in a small group or one on one.

Gather regularly for at least 60 minutes.

Preparation & Format:

Personal Preparation: During the week prior to each small group gathering read the next chapter of the book, then watch the next introduction video - www.lca.org.au/nlnl.Reflect on the main ideas, biblical passages and concepts described. Think about issues or questions you would like to raise with the person or small group with whom you are doing this study.

When you gather do the following:

Indwelling God’s Word: Listen to God in his Word and to one another’s reflections through the suggested Indwelling the Word session.

Video: Watch together the introduction video interview for the session.

Book: Read the introduction to the bible study. Discuss the main ideas, biblical passages and concepts described in the chapter and summarised in the introduction video for this session.

Prayer:

• Ask one another for any specific prayer requests.

• Thank God for the refreshing of God’s Word and the invitation of Jesus to enter new life.

• Finish by saying together the Lord’s Prayer. There are a few versions to choose from.

The traditional one often read in church worship is as follows:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us to the time of trial,

but rescue us from the evil one.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.

Amen.

(Matthew 6.9-13 NRSV)

Alternatively, you can use a more modern translation:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13 NLT)

Contents

CHAPTER 1. You are more wonderful than you realise

CHAPTER 2. You are more dangerous than you imagine

CHAPTER 3. You are searching but never finding

CHAPTER 4. Your need is beyond you

CHAPTER 5. Your God is too small

CHAPTER 6. Your God is Jesus

CHAPTER 7. You are dead, but alive

CHAPTER 8. You are a new creation

Chapter 1

You Are More Wonderful Than You Realise

Welcome!

If you’re reading this it’s probably because you are part of a New Life course, or you’re interested in joining one.

It’s a good course to be part of, since the whole course is about you.

Which also means to say, it’s about God.

Why?

Because you can’t understand who you are without understanding who God is.

And in saying that, you’ve already come to face to face with an inescapable truth: everybody has a worldview which informs the way they think and act. It shapes everything: the way they see themselves, their priorities, their relationships, and the world around them. It even gives rise to their anxieties and fears, and provides the benchmark for assessing good or evil.

So, when we say you can’t understand who you are without understanding who God is we’re speaking about a world view. Big time.

Literally, there is a world of worldviews out there. These may be somewhat alike (e.g. the worldviews of a Hindu and a Buddhist share many assumptions) or radically different (e.g. there won’t be a lot of common ground between a secular atheist and an Islamic terrorist).

Yet, every person has a worldview—even if they don’t understand fully where their worldview comes from.

you can't understand who you are without understanding who God is

In the journey you’re on you’ll come face to face with a worldview that is probably very different from your own. The Christian¹ worldview, based on that of the Bible², may be like yours in some ways, but it’s profoundly different in others.

Perhaps you’ve just read that sentence and thought something like this: A Christian worldview? The worldview of the Bible? Isn’t that impossible? Weren’t the books of the Bible written across thousands of years by dozens of different authors? Aren’t there many Christian churches and don’t they all disagree with one another? How can you talk about the worldview of the Bible? Or a Christian worldview?

Good questions.

Yes, the Bible was written across thousands of years by dozens of different authors. Yes, every author left his fingerprints on the page; each part of the Bible has unique characteristics, historical circumstances and cultural conditions. Yet, across the millennia the Bible shows remarkable connectedness; the foundational issues are the same all the way through. For this reason, Christian churches have far more in common than divides them.

In this course, you’ll be exploring the common ground of the Bible’s worldview. It will raise many questions. It may not answer them all. But it will give you a new way of seeing the world, and yourself.

It may be truly life-changing.

God and You

Look at what we said earlier: It’s a good course to be part of, since the whole course is about you. Which also means to say, it’s about God. Why? Because you can’t understand who you are without understanding who God is.

Let’s unpack that a bit:

The Bible’s most fundamental assumption is that God is.

biblically, you can't think of a human being'-or humanity as a whole'-separately from God

The second most fundamental assumption is that we are, because he is.

It doesn’t try to prove either point.

That means that, biblically, you can’t think of a human being—or humanity as a whole—separately from God.

The Bible views every aspect of human nature, all human relationships, and even our relationship with the world in which we live, from the same perspective: this is God’s world and we all exist—whether we like it or not and whether we believe it or not—in relation to him.

We are not self-defining creatures.

We can’t understand the majesty and mystery of humanity by constantly comparing ourselves to others, by navel gazing, or by becoming fascinated with our own reflection. We’re defined by the God before whom we stand, and through whom we exist.

We stand before God? But what if I don’t believe in him? Isn’t it just Christians or religious people who live their life as if God were interested, or even cared?

No. The Bible sees everything as standing before the face of God.

No matter which part of the Bible you read, there’s no such thing as a human being, pure and simple. Humanity—in its goodness and badness, its glory and shame—exists before the face of God. The way we treat our neighbour is before the face of God, every bit as much as it’s in the face of our neighbour. What we do with the world around us is before the face of God. And even the innermost thoughts of our hearts are understood from the viewpoint of God’s relationship with us. God knows us inside out.

From the Bible’s point of view, there’s no such thing as a free-standing, independent, self-directing, human being. We like to think that’s the way we are, but this course is not about what we think of ourselves. It isn’t about our worldview, but God’s. If God were to withdraw his sustaining and creative power, the whole universe would revert to nothingness. Even if we don’t believe in God, he sustains us. He gives us our next breath; he keeps the universe together; he is the not just the beginning of all things, but their goal.

Whether you like the idea or not, you’re a human being in relationship with God. You don’t have to make that relationship happen. It just is. You don’t define yourself, you’re defined by what God has made you to be and what he says about you. You live your life dependent on him for all things—the air you breathe, the sun that warms you and the people you love. You can’t sustain any of them. And, importantly, they can’t sustain you. Only God can, and does.

God’s Story and Yours

So, how does the Bible teach us these things?

When you open it, you quickly find that the Bible is different from other books. As we said, it was written over thousands of years by dozens of different authors, all of whom were real people living in real, historical situations. Many of them wrote in times of crisis. All of them wrote from within their experience of God.

The Bible sees everything as standing before the face of God

So, when the Bible teaches us about who we are and who God is, it doesn’t use textbook formulae. It’s not an instruction manual. Everything is told in a grand story. The Bible is much more an epic saga than a textbook. It’s a narrative. All the stories contained within it—even the very well-known ones like David and Goliath³, or Noah’s Ark⁴—fit within one grand story.

This course aims to help you find your story within God’s story.

How?

By helping you find your place in two ways: On the one hand, it helps you explore what it means to be a human being. What’s true for you is true of all other human beings on the planet. On the other hand, it helps you understand the unique and special purpose you have in God’s plan and to discover your identity in relation to him.

There’s a general, human identity that we all share in; every human being has common characteristics.

That’s what makes you human.

But also, you have unique features, gifts and abilities.

That’s what makes you, you.

You Are God’s Person, Not Your Own

So, you are a human being, sharing in a common humanity. Yet you are a special and unique person, distinguished from all others on the planet.

The Bible speaks about both aspects. For example, we read passages like this, which speak of a person’s unique identity:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hedge me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me…For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.⁵

And we also read this, which speaks of humanity generally:

Then God said, ‘Let us make human kind in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So, God created human kind in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them.⁶

This passage comes from the first book of the Bible, Genesis the story of beginnings. While it is about God creating the world, it’s also about much more. Through a series of sagas, it tells of God’s fierce love, his saving deeds, his judgements and the origins of his Old Testament people, the Jews. Every element of Genesis is important for the rest of the Bible.

Genesis is also important for another reason.

The ancient world was awash with gods and goddesses, and diverse cultural practices which grew out of their worship. Ancient civilizations we’re familiar with from archaeology—the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Persians, to name just three—were living civilizations when the Bible was written. God’s people lived in the real world, with real nations fighting real wars and all of them jostling cheek by jowl for resources, power and empires.

So? What difference does that make?

Simply this: The Bible didn’t come about in a vacuum. Its people lived in a maelstrom of competing worldviews.

Genesis—and this is true of every part of the Bible—took these worldviews head on. It was written to an audience immersed in spiritual realities, but it did not leave those alternative views unchallenged. Each part was written to put forward the truth of God’s story in the public square of many competing worldviews.

In a very real way, that’s what this course is doing. It’s putting the biblical worldview of God, humanity, and the world we live in, in the public square. And one of the main things that worldview says is this: you are not your own person. You belong to God.

Humanity: Image and Likeness

It’s true: lots of people don’t believe that God created the world. Or, that if he did, he didn’t do a very good job. But that’s not the Bible’s worldview. While it’s not a scientific textbook (i.e. it’s not telling us how God created the universe), it does tell us something more important: why.

The why is bound up with the phrase image and likeness.

This is what makes human beings human.

Yes, we share many characteristics with other creatures. For example, we’re mammals, and so, along with dolphins, lions and elephants, we are warm-blooded creatures who suckle their young. We share many physiological characteristics with other animals; the lungs of a pig and a person look almost identical. And we, together with all other things, are utterly dependent upon God to sustain us. If he withdraws his Spirit, we return to the dust from which we came.

Yet, having said all this, we have not said the most important thing about human beings. The emphasis