Generating a Controversy

Enough of the Law/Gospel wrestling for at least a day.

This morning, as I brought up my internet browser the following story glared back at me:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_alabama_governor_christians

Governor Robert Bently is apparently not politically correct enough when he, while speaking at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church after the official inaugural ceremony said, "Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."

Now, I do not share the same outlook on who is my brother and sister.  Jesus had a slightly different take on who was His brother and sister in Matthew chapter 12 (as well as in other places):

⁴⁶While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” ⁴⁸But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

For Jesus, anyone who did the will of God the Father in heaven was His brother and sister and mother.  Does this mean that an atheist who does justice, loves kindness, and offers mercy is Jesus' brother or sister or mother?  Take a look at what Jesus says, and you tell me.

I'd have to answer in the affirmative because Jesus isn't talking about what one believes.  Instead, He is talking about what one does, and there are numerous instances where those who do not believe in Christ act more Christian than Christians.

This actually is not a problem for Christians because 1. We realize we are sinners and fall far short of what God expects of us.  Healthy people don't need a doctor. And 2. As the book of James tells us, every good deed and gift comes from God. 

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1: 17

But there are those within the Christian tradition who are more limiting.  They reserve brotherhood and sisterhood for those who they consider the family of God--those who not only act according to the will of God but for those who also believe in Jesus Christ. 

I never gave much thought to such a thing until I attended numerous worship services with a girlfriend while I attended High School.  She was Baptist, and when we got to church, she went around introducing me to Brother such and such and Sister so and so.  They really believed all Christians, when they set foot inside a church became a family.  In addition to this, they believe very strongly that God wants all folks to be a part of that family as well. 

(Incidentally, I agree as this is part of Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28.  The big difference, I think, between their understanding of the faith and the Lutheran tradition is they believe they are personally responsible to make such a thing happen.  We, however, believe we are called to bear witness to Jesus in word and in deed, and the Holy Spirit takes it from there.) 

If you are not a believer in Christ and are not baptized, you are not considered a part of the family of God.  It is their theology.  It is their belief.  It is their strongly held conviction.  And there's not a darn thing wrong with it!  Governor Bently is living out his personal theology as he says what he believes at a church gathering, and he is taking flack for it--just because someone disagrees with him.

It's a manufactured controversy.  Plain and simple.

Folks are wondering, "Will he treat all folks equally?"  "Will he try to use his governorship to convert everyone?" 

Um.  Hello.  Stop speculating and let the guy do his job.  You will see soon enough.  You can gather evidence if you see interference between Church and State.

Honestly, such a story is as bad as those who were convinced if JFK was elected President of the U.S., the Pope would somehow be in control of the United States.  Again, a manufactured controversy.

You would think with all the issues our country is facing, folks in the news business would be more interested in helping find solutions to problems instead of manufacturing new ones.

Unfortunately, we can't control such things.  But we can make sure we don't get worked up about them ourselves.