He is Not Here…Or There…
Posted on March 21, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 5 Comments
“So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him… John 19:16-18 (ESV)
In 1884, General Charles Gordon, visiting friends in Jerusalem, arose one morning to see a “skull” etched into a cliff just outside the city wall. Thinking this could be the “Place of 
the Skull” or “Golgotha” there ensued an archeological search of the surrounding area. Next to the “skull”, they uncovered the evidence of an extensive garden, a wealthy man’s estate…and a tomb, hewn out of the rock, unfinished. It seemed to match John’s description: “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” (John 19:41) On the ground, along the front of the tomb, was a track cut into the rock, apparently to guide a large stone which could be rolled in front of the tomb entrance, sealing it from predators. Our maps today label it “Gordon’s Tomb” or the “Garden Tomb”.
But it is Christ’s tomb?
In Colorado Springs, we have an area that is called “Kissing Camels”. It is not because we have a herd of camels here that are quite affectionate. It is because there is a rock formation at the top of one of the outcroppings that looks like two camels with their lips pressed together. If camels kiss, I suppose that is exactly what it would look like.
Gordon wondered if the “place of the skull” in Jesus’ day was called that because of the image formed by the caves and outcroppings on the side of this particular hill. The Damascus Road had run right beside it…a perfect place for the Romans to plant their crucified so that as many people as possible would understand what the power of Rome could do to you if you chose to oppose it. The Scripture says that “those who passed by hurled insults at him…” (Matt 27:39)
About a half a mile away, in the midst of the bustling Old City of Jerusalem today, stands the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial—the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. In Jesus’ day, it too, was outside the city gates and near a road. The church was built in 330 AD by Constantine’s mother. The Persians destroyed it in 614. It was rebuilt but then destroyed by the Egyptian caliph al-Hakim in 1009. He not only 
destroyed the church, but had the tomb chiseled out down to the bedrock. Later, the Crusaders rebuilt the church that essentially exists today.
Is this the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and arose?
Does it matter?
It seems so.
It didn’t take long for this holy site to be contested by various Christian factions as to who owned the church. The bickering became so contentious that Saladin, in 1192, assigned 
control of the church key to a Muslim family, who have passed the key and the practice down through generations to the present. Twice each day, a member of the Joudeh family brings the key to a member of the Nuseibeh family who unlocks the church in the morning and locks the door in the evening.
That, however, wasn’t sufficient to quell the squabbles. After several edicts, a final “firman” from the Sublime Porte was issued in 1852, dividing the church into little “domains” for each faction. That edict remains in force, and the Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Syriac, Ethiopian and Coptic each guard their territory jealously. In 2002, a Coptic Monk, sitting in a designated spot on the roof to lay claim to territory there, moved his chair out of the sun into the shade. That was immediately seen as a hostile action and the ensuing fight hospitalized eleven people.
An interesting situation arose when a light bulb burned out in a ceiling owned by one faction who didn’t control the floor on which the feet of a ladder would need to rest in order to replace the bulb. A fierce squabble broke out and the police had to finally intervene.
Areas designated as “common ground” may not be disturbed without the consent of all factions. There is a ladder positioned on a second story ledge that has been there since 
the 1800’s when the status quo edict was delivered. It remains untouched because moving it would be considered “grabbing control” of a common area.
All of this is taking place on a proposed site where Jesus died and rose again from the grave; the Jesus who prayed to His Father that we might be one as He and the Father were one…that by our “unity” the world might know that He had sent His Son into the world; the Jesus who said that the world would know that we were His disciples by our love for one another.
In our recent trip to Israel, we spent time at both of these sites. I am sorry to say so, but the Church of the Holy Sepulcher depressed me. The “Garden Tomb”, on the other hand, was inspirational. But, which is the right spot? Maybe neither. The Romans utterly destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD. Hadrian’s reconstruction of Jerusalem was extensive, building a temple to Venus over the area. Al-Hakim obliterated much of it. How can we know for sure?
But…does it really matter?
Does it matter if we know the exact place? I don’t think so. What matters is that Jesus was really crucified…He really died…and He really did rise from the dead, exactly as the Scriptures record. I know it happened, but maybe I’m not supposed to be terribly concerned over the exact place—the exact spot—where He was horribly killed, where His body was temporarily laid.
The tomb is empty. There are no bones. Here, or there.
When the women came to the garden early Sunday morning and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, two angels appeared to them and said: “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”
He has risen, indeed!
Maybe we should ponder the angel’s question.
“…may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me…” Jesus, John 17:23
Oh, Father! Please give us this unity. In the midst of our preferences for music, for colors, for the details that you have given us freedom in…please bring us into this unity—a unity that unites despite our differences; a oneness though we are many; a unity of diversity—so that our love for one another will become a testimony to the world. “…one body and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:4-5)
May it be so, Lord Jesus!
Where have you been?
Posted on March 17, 2008
Filed Under Personal | 10 Comments
My deep apologies for being so absent. I haven’t been home much this year.
The first week in January, I was at Sea Island, Georgia, debating Michael Novak on the “Secularization of America”. Next, I was in Vero Beach, Florida at King’s Baptist Church where the pastor and leadership have taken the entire church through the Truth Project. What amazing testimonies we heard! Then to Phoenix where we held a Truth Project training conference, spoke at the Center for Arizona Policy, met with the Pastor & leadership of Scottsdale Bible Church, Q&A with the congregation who were also going through the Truth Project. Then, Tuscon and ditto at Catalina Foothills Church. Then Fellowship Community Church–another Q&A with a congregation that had been going through the Truth Project and preaching twice on Sunday.
Well throw in several other trips to Atlanta and Naples, Florida (I just returned from there late last night) and it has been a whirlwind year so far.
But the absolute ‘biggie’ was our trip to Israel. We got back Wednesday, washed our clothes, repacked, got a few hours sleep, and then left at 6am to catch the plane to Naples. I think my body is still on Jerusalem time, so it is entirely possible that this blog is somewhere south of incoherent. 
I know that many of you have been to Israel, but this was the first time for me. It was amazing, awesome, sobering, eye-opening, etc. etc. etc. I want to…no, I need to write about it. So, beware, it is coming.
Thank you for all of your notes of encouragement and prayers.
P.S. I took this picture on the top of Mount Arbel…which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. It was a deeply moving moment for me…one of many.
The Institute…Trends
Posted on March 1, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 16 Comments
One of the greater joys that God has granted to me at this time in my life is the privilege of teaching college students. Each semester, 88 of them make their way from all over the U.S. and internationally to attend the semester-long Institute at Focus on the Family.
I know that the word “transformed” is grossly overused today, but that is the best way to describe what happens to them while they are here. God does an amazing work within them and among them. It is not an emotional experience, though the semester is full of that. Emotional experiences are usually more fleeting in their impact. What happens here is much more permanent—a change in perspective, a worldview shift, a new pair of glasses. Our purpose is to “equip today’s student leaders to impact culture for Christ…to give each student the inspiration and ability to change lives while shaping culture.”
It is a remarkable program. The student’s propagate the saying: “God roams the halls of the Institute”. One student put it this way: “I now see the world in color.”
They are bright Christian students with proven leadership potential. Their grade point average is usually around 3.5 and they are loaded with talent and energy and charisma.
However…they are not immune from the shaping forces of our culture. They love the Lord, but they, too, just like all of us, are bombarded by the incessant attempt of the world, the flesh and the devil to squeeze all of us into its mold…in terms of how we act, how we think, and how we feel. The consequences are huge and we see it in student after student. One would think that this time of their life should be so free and joyful. But for many, it isn’t. Some come with a lot of baggage…baggage that is so heavy and so burdensome. It would make your heart break.
One of the things I enjoy most is the personal interaction that I get with the students. I usually follow class with an hour of “open forum” when students as a group can ask or discuss anything that is on their mind. However, my favorite is the “one-on-one” time when each student comes into my office for a private chat. Each professor at the Institute makes this a priority. Often, it is here that eyes tear up (both mine and theirs) as we get a chance to talk about their families, their struggles, and their hopes & dreams.
It is this very direct and personal involvement that I believe makes the Institute rather unique—personal involvement between students & staff, personal involvement between students & professors, and personal involvement among the students (which they are doing right now on the ski slopes of the Rocky Mountains). There is an amazing bond that develops within each class—lifelong relationships.
This involvement, then, gives us a privileged look into the heart of today’s college student. It also gives us the opportunity to witness trends and shifts. Each semester, a new group of 88 arrive, and though each class has its own personality and set of gifts & talents, over time they present a picture of what is happening—in them, and indirectly, in our culture.
I would like to address three of these trends with you—starting next time. See you then.
Soli Deo Gloria!
P.S. For those who are interested or have friends/children who might be interested, there are a few slots left for the Summer semester and registration for the fall ends mid-March. They will never regret it!
A Rockwell Moment
Posted on February 7, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 29 Comments
I found myself in the middle of a Norman Rockwell painting Tuesday night. He had the artistic gift of taking the common and making it something profound. Unfortunately, I am afraid that we often miss the profound in the commonality of life.
However, that didn’t happen Tuesday night. We all got it.
About a hundred of our neighbors gathered together to participate in the lowest level of grass-roots politics this country has to offer. It is called a “caucus”. I’ve had the privilege to participate in these election-year meetings for nearly 20 years. Most of it is fairly routine, but people get a chance to speak for their candidates, submit resolutions that can become planks in the party’s platform, and possibly get elected to participate in the higher conventions where those party platforms are fashioned and candidates are selected for placement on the ballot.
We meet in our local high school and normally have about 20 or 30 people show up. So, you can imagine our surprise at the large turnout this year…it sent us scrambling to confiscate chairs from every unlocked classroom we could find.
After we stacked the tables in the corner to get enough room to squeeze all the chairs in, we finally got the meeting started. I was privileged to open us in prayer and then we stood together to pledge our allegiance to this great republic. We then opened the floor for people to give their reasons for why they believed one or another presidential candidate should be supported and then we took a straw poll vote which was immediately phoned in to be tallied with the other caucus votes, and, I suppose, displayed on people’s television sets around the country.
We finally made our way to electing those delegates who would represent us at the various higher conventions. Each nominee stood to answer questions about their position on issues and why they should receive our vote. We don’t have a sophisticated voting system at these grass-roots meetings. We just write down the name of one our neighbors that we think would best represent us and put the little piece of paper in a hat or shoe box that we pass around. Then three “tellers”, which we had earlier elected, retire to another classroom to tally the votes.
It was during one of those lulls as we waited for the ballots to be counted that something remarkable happened. There was no motion on the floor, there was no issue that required discussion. But someone then stood, and after a pause, began to speak.
Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists. And one of my favorite paintings is his “Freedom of Speech”. I have often looked at that work and imagined what it would have been like to have been in that grass-roots meeting and to have heard this farmer as he stood to exercise his freedom of speech. I always imagined that it would have been a grand one. Not in the way we think of “grandness” today. Not polished or deeply eloquent, but simple and yet profound. It would have been the halting kind of speech that I remember characterized the farmers among whom I grew up…men I deeply respected for their humble and yet straight-up common sense.
I had the privilege Tuesday night of living inside that painting.
It wasn’t a farmer, though. It wasn’t the calloused hands of a tall rancher that grabbed the back of the pew as this American stood to speak. She was barely five-feet tall. But she stood. And we all turned to look. She introduced herself as a Vietnamese Refugee who had taken a long road to come to this country and to eventually become one of her citizens. This was her first caucus and she told us that she was happy that we began by asking our God to bless us in this meeting. She thanked us for allowing her the privilege to become an American. But she was now standing in order to tell us something. And with her heavy Vietnamese accent, she proceeded to give us a lesson in America 101. She wondered aloud if we really understood the greatness of this country. She wondered if we had bought the constant media picture that defied the reality that millions of people around the world long to come here. She wondered if we understood how much America remained a beacon of hope for the world. She wondered if we really understood what a blessing it was that we could openly express our opinions and yet not fear reprisal from the government or from one another. She then warned us of several dangers to our country and our freedoms and then she sat down. There was a pause as we all began to realize that there was something profound about what we had just heard. There was a sense of guilt, I think, as it struck us that what she had said was true and that it was so easy for us to take it all for granted. She showed us America through the eyes of someone who had paid a great price to become one of us. She expressed a love for this country that we all feel, but seldom state openly…maybe because we think that it is becoming too politically incorrect to do so. I was, quite frankly, both proud and ashamed at the same time.
And then, the silence turned to applause. It was the only speech that night that received an ovation.
It was a Rockwell moment.
I hope I never forget it.
Thank You
Posted on January 30, 2008
Filed Under Personal | 8 Comments
I want to sincerely thank all of you for your gracious comments and condolences that you have given to me following my Dad’s death. Your kind words have come through this blog site as well as through emails, letters and cards. I have greatly appreciated every one of them.
To some extent, it has been a little embarrassing. Under normal circumstances, I would have preferred to keep this somewhat private. In other words, not make a big deal of it. However, something strange has happened with this blogging thing. I find myself sensing an obligation to be rather open and honest with you. If something is happening in my life, I now feel guilty about hiding it. Strange, no?
But, I was deeply blessed in reading your comments. I confess many of them brought tears to my eyes as you recounted your own stories. You have lost your fathers as well, some in the past year, one of you two days before my Dad died. You have recently lost husbands, daughters, mothers, grandchildren and even a son in Iraq. Some of you lost your Dad when you were very young. Some lost your Dad after asking God to heal him, yet God took him anyway. Some were lost without warning; others were caregivers for many years and watched it approaching slowly. Some of you lost unbelieving fathers and I couldn’t imagine your grief; while another shared with their Dad for 39 years and rejoiced to see him accept Christ a few months before he died. Some of you lost your Dad over 20 years ago, and you expressed how you still miss him.
Yet, in the midst of your own grief, you offered your prayers and sorrow and wrote encouraging words. Some wrote poems. And thank you, Todd, for simply sending the words to “I’ll Fly Away”. That was special to me, for I have sung that song many times in my mind in the last four weeks.
Dad passed away one month ago today. Thank you for making it easier. You have become good friends.
Monday, the Lord willing, we will pick up the blogging task again.
Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
Subscribe in a reader
© 2007 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved.