If you are looking for me to jump in with my "solution" to the current debt ceiling debate, you will be highly disappointed. There are enough pundits to go around on that one. Depending upon one's particular political persuasion or deeply held assumptions, one is either blaming Democrats, Republicans, or both parties for the impasse.
I have personally found it intriguing the tenor of negotiations at this point. Words like "heated", "walked away", "angry", "uncompromising" and "blame" are thrown around more and more as the deadline approaches.
I guess it's not too surprising considering the rhetoric each side has used in the past several years. Over time, as such rhetoric is used over and over and over, anger and resentment builds up inside. I don't care who you are, such words take their toll, until one snaps.
Perhaps one see such snapping in this debate over the debt ceiling. Neither side is really willing to budge. Neither side wants to give the other the benefit of the doubt. Each side is looking to win--in the legislation and in the public spin job. Their actions and rhetoric indicates a win at all cost attitude.
One need only to look at the actions of our elected officials to see just how far away we are from truly being a Christian nation. I challenge anyone to read the following words of Jesus, apply them to our elected officals and then call the U.S. a Christian nation:
But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. --Matthew 5:22
35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” --Mark 10:35-45
And from St. Paul:
25So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not make room for the devil. 28Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. --Ephesians 4:25-29
Do you think if we were truly a Christian nation we would have such issues among our elected leaders? And I say truly in the sense that our leaders truly acted in a Christ-like fashion.
Unfortunately, a "win at all costs" mentality along with seeing one's neighbor as an opponent and "enemy" does not allow one to seek the greater good. Self-centeredness reigns, and it is a detriment not only in the church but in society as well.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Using Fish to Catch Fish
I'm not much of a fisherman. I don't quite have enough patience, especially when three little kids have even less patience than I do and are running around screaming for attention while I'm trying to concentrate on being lazy with my line in the river...
But I digress.
While fishing on the Medina River I think I got a little insight into evangelism.
Numerous perch swam in the shallows as we fished for our main desire: catfish. We were using stink bait to attract the cats, but with no luck what-so-ever. That's when my father-in-law began talking about how nice it would be to use some of those perch as bait. Apparently, using fish to catch fish is a better strategy.
I undertook the task and within a few minutes had caught a couple of perch. Baiting our hooks with our new bait, we waited once again. Unfortunately, luck wasn't quite with us this go round. I think the noisiness of my children had something to do with it.
But it did get me thinking about fish catching fish.
Especially in light of Jesus' admonition to His followers to be "fishers of men."
For even as we fish for men, aren't we those who have been "caught" already?
Are we not fish who have been caught by the Great Fisherman?
And are our lives "bait" as we wade in the water of the world?
Do our lives attract other fish? Do our lives scare them away?
If we are fish catching fish, how does it behoove us to live and move and have our being?
(I realize the weakness of this analogy is trapping another person/fish unwillingly and luring them into a place they might not want to go. As Christians, I do not believe we are called to twist arms and catch folks coercively. Yet, I still think the analogy does bear some thought.)
But I digress.
While fishing on the Medina River I think I got a little insight into evangelism.
Numerous perch swam in the shallows as we fished for our main desire: catfish. We were using stink bait to attract the cats, but with no luck what-so-ever. That's when my father-in-law began talking about how nice it would be to use some of those perch as bait. Apparently, using fish to catch fish is a better strategy.
I undertook the task and within a few minutes had caught a couple of perch. Baiting our hooks with our new bait, we waited once again. Unfortunately, luck wasn't quite with us this go round. I think the noisiness of my children had something to do with it.
But it did get me thinking about fish catching fish.
Especially in light of Jesus' admonition to His followers to be "fishers of men."
For even as we fish for men, aren't we those who have been "caught" already?
Are we not fish who have been caught by the Great Fisherman?
And are our lives "bait" as we wade in the water of the world?
Do our lives attract other fish? Do our lives scare them away?
If we are fish catching fish, how does it behoove us to live and move and have our being?
(I realize the weakness of this analogy is trapping another person/fish unwillingly and luring them into a place they might not want to go. As Christians, I do not believe we are called to twist arms and catch folks coercively. Yet, I still think the analogy does bear some thought.)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Why Build Sand Castles?
Last week while visiting my parents, we headed out to the beach--to the Padre Island National Seashore to be exact. Of course, my eldest daughter asks, "Dad, will you help me build a sand castle?"
She's only six, so I knew who would actually be doing most of the building, but I didn't mind that. "Of course, I will," I replied.
Shovel and buckets in hand, I began with my daughter joining in when she felt like it.
As I dug and sculpted and shaped, I began to think. "Why? Why do we build sand castles?"
Those of us who have jumped into this process know that in a matter of mere hours, our creations will be reduced to nothing by wind and wave and tide. There will be absolutely nothing to show for the toils of labor we put into them.
In fact, if we are totally and completely rational about building sand castles, we would realize they are almost a complete waste of time and energy. All that toil comes to nothing in the long run.
Kind of like life in some ways. Toil, work, and slave. Build bank account. Accumulate possessions. Work to garner status and position. And what becomes of it in the long run? What happens after years of toil and sweat and tears and blood? What becomes of us?
We die. Our possessions become the possessions of someone else. We turn to dust. Our work in a few decades is forgotten by most.
If we are completely rational about our lives, we see they are almost worthless. Kind of like building a sand castle.
But, I still kept building. I still kept "wasting" my time to put together a masterpiece of sand and water. I piled the sand, filled buckets and dumped them to make turrets, and sculpted walls and gates. Something within me drove me to create, to build, to leave a mark no matter how short lived.
And I wouldn't have it any other way. My daughter asked me to help her build a sand castle. I love her. I'd do almost anything to see her smile.
It is so worth it.
And I have come to understand the toil and labor I do in my own life isn't for my benefit. I have come to see that I toil and labor for my Heavenly Father.
I have come to understand these words written in the book of Colossians:
24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.
And in my toil, I hope I make my Heavenly Father smile. Even in my weakness, in my frailties and failings, in my inability to live up to the life He truly calls me, I know He loves me. And I work for Him. Though everything I do may one day end up forgotten or washed or blown away, I still press on.
It's worth it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tackling Some Evangelism Issues (Part 3)
I may get in trouble for this one, but I think I'm right. I hope I'm dead wrong. I hope I'm as far away from the truth as possible.
But I think, at least in the ELCA, we have set up a system of professional clergy/Bible interpreters/scholars who become the biblical/theological experts while our folks in the pews flounder. I also believe this has an awfully detrimental effect on our efforts to evangelize.
Let me begin by saying I appreciate biblical scholarship. I appreciate those who delve into Hebrew and Greek word studies. I appreciate those who dig into the historical situations in which these texts were read, heard, and created. I appreciate those who offer perspectives grounded and rooted in life experiences and communal life experiences. I appreciate those who jump into literary criticism, reader response criticism, etc., etc. Expanding the mind is a good thing for the most part. Even in the Church, heresy must exist so that orthodoxy can be defined.
(O.K., that last comment probably was a little over the top. :-) )
But, and it's an awfully big but...
90% of the people in the pews of churches do not engage these types of studies. 90% of the people in the pews could care less about exegeting the Greek word charis. In the U.S. nearly all the folks read the Bible in whatever English form it is presented to them, and they interpret these words plainly with (hopefully) the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They garner insights and understandings based upon their reading. We pastors encourage our folks to read the Bible to come to understand who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is and how They engaged the world and taught us how to live. Yes, this is what we tell them.
And when they come to us with insights or to share something they read, what do we do then?
If for instance, a congregation member comes up to us and says excitedly, "I read that Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Is that true?"
What is our response (aside from the initial panic wondering if this person is upset by Jesus' statement or excited about it)?
"Hmm. Well, first, we have to understand the nuances of the orignial Greek in which the Bible was written. Then, we must try to hear this text as those in the first century heard it. Then, we must understand that these scholars say this and those scholars say that."
Before you know it, we've taken a simple question and turned it topsy-turvy with all our references to scholars, the Koine Greek, and the orignial context of the message! And, instead of truly dealing with the plain reading, we have left our poor congregation member wondering exactly what in the world this text really means. Furthermore, they begin wondering if this text doesn't really mean what it seems to mean, how many other texts don't really mean what they mean. And if there are a whole bunch more that don't really mean what they seem to mean, what do I really know about the Bible anyway, and why do I want to spend more time trying to figure it all out if it really doesn't say what it seems to say.
Well, this is one possible reaction. The other possible reaction is, "Pastor, I can't believe you just said that. Don't you even know what's in the Bible you claim to preach?"
Most folks are too respectful to say such a thing...at least to your face. They will, however tell others.
But, that is another topic. What is pertinent to evangelism is that by setting ourselves up as the resident theological expert who knows the true meaning of the Bible and the true meaning of the teachings of Jesus, we disempower our folks from discovering it on their own. Their faith no longer rests in the words as those words come out of the text and into their minds and hearts; instead their faith begins to rest upon our interpretation of those words or some scholar's interpretation of those words.
And it's awfully hard to convey a message that isn't yours. It's awfully hard to convey a faith that rests upon someone else's interpretations and understandings. It's awfully hard to convey a faith that isn't internallized and wrestled with and chewed on and nailed into place by the Holy Spirit who gives it in the first place.
At one time in my life, I was convinced that all the church needed to do was have plenty of clergy who would go out into congregations and proclaim the "real" meaning of the texts. If we could only show how these teachings were originally heard and how radical they were, it would change the world.
I've sense changed my mind. I no longer believe such an approach is desirable or helpful. Instead, I believe it is my job to get out of the way and let folks experience the Jesus of the Gospels in the manner He chooses to come to them. Some get hit by the plain reading and fall head over heels in love with Christ. Some want to go deeper. I try to give them the tools to do so. It is not my job to give them the perfect, original, only meaning of these sacred texts. My sinfulness prevents me from doing so anyway. Instead, it is my job to help them grow in their relationship with the Living God.
For instance, in the example above, if someone came to me and said, "Pastor, I read Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Is that true?"
My response would be, "What do you think He means?"
I hope this person would engage me at that level. Because I know the next question, "Pastor, what do you think it means."
And at that point, I'm not going to refer to any scholarship. I'm not going to refer to the Greek or Hebrew. I'm going to tell him or her what I believe--what my faith has led me to.
And that's what is at the heart of evangelism--the willingness to share one's faith story with another. It's not about sharing what scholars say. It's not about sharing what the Greek or Hebrews say. It's not about sharing what liberation theologians, or black theologians, or feminist theologians say. Evangelism is about sharing what the Holy Spirit has put into your heart about faith in Jesus Christ.
As such, there is no true theological expert. As clergy, we are called to equip the saints, share our faith, share church doctrine, throw in something from time to time to stretch folks' brains, make them think and reflect so that as they grow in faith, they are not afraid or ashamed or feel inadequate to share that faith with others.
But I think, at least in the ELCA, we have set up a system of professional clergy/Bible interpreters/scholars who become the biblical/theological experts while our folks in the pews flounder. I also believe this has an awfully detrimental effect on our efforts to evangelize.
Let me begin by saying I appreciate biblical scholarship. I appreciate those who delve into Hebrew and Greek word studies. I appreciate those who dig into the historical situations in which these texts were read, heard, and created. I appreciate those who offer perspectives grounded and rooted in life experiences and communal life experiences. I appreciate those who jump into literary criticism, reader response criticism, etc., etc. Expanding the mind is a good thing for the most part. Even in the Church, heresy must exist so that orthodoxy can be defined.
(O.K., that last comment probably was a little over the top. :-) )
But, and it's an awfully big but...
90% of the people in the pews of churches do not engage these types of studies. 90% of the people in the pews could care less about exegeting the Greek word charis. In the U.S. nearly all the folks read the Bible in whatever English form it is presented to them, and they interpret these words plainly with (hopefully) the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They garner insights and understandings based upon their reading. We pastors encourage our folks to read the Bible to come to understand who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is and how They engaged the world and taught us how to live. Yes, this is what we tell them.
And when they come to us with insights or to share something they read, what do we do then?
If for instance, a congregation member comes up to us and says excitedly, "I read that Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Is that true?"
What is our response (aside from the initial panic wondering if this person is upset by Jesus' statement or excited about it)?
"Hmm. Well, first, we have to understand the nuances of the orignial Greek in which the Bible was written. Then, we must try to hear this text as those in the first century heard it. Then, we must understand that these scholars say this and those scholars say that."
Before you know it, we've taken a simple question and turned it topsy-turvy with all our references to scholars, the Koine Greek, and the orignial context of the message! And, instead of truly dealing with the plain reading, we have left our poor congregation member wondering exactly what in the world this text really means. Furthermore, they begin wondering if this text doesn't really mean what it seems to mean, how many other texts don't really mean what they mean. And if there are a whole bunch more that don't really mean what they seem to mean, what do I really know about the Bible anyway, and why do I want to spend more time trying to figure it all out if it really doesn't say what it seems to say.
Well, this is one possible reaction. The other possible reaction is, "Pastor, I can't believe you just said that. Don't you even know what's in the Bible you claim to preach?"
Most folks are too respectful to say such a thing...at least to your face. They will, however tell others.
But, that is another topic. What is pertinent to evangelism is that by setting ourselves up as the resident theological expert who knows the true meaning of the Bible and the true meaning of the teachings of Jesus, we disempower our folks from discovering it on their own. Their faith no longer rests in the words as those words come out of the text and into their minds and hearts; instead their faith begins to rest upon our interpretation of those words or some scholar's interpretation of those words.
And it's awfully hard to convey a message that isn't yours. It's awfully hard to convey a faith that rests upon someone else's interpretations and understandings. It's awfully hard to convey a faith that isn't internallized and wrestled with and chewed on and nailed into place by the Holy Spirit who gives it in the first place.
At one time in my life, I was convinced that all the church needed to do was have plenty of clergy who would go out into congregations and proclaim the "real" meaning of the texts. If we could only show how these teachings were originally heard and how radical they were, it would change the world.
I've sense changed my mind. I no longer believe such an approach is desirable or helpful. Instead, I believe it is my job to get out of the way and let folks experience the Jesus of the Gospels in the manner He chooses to come to them. Some get hit by the plain reading and fall head over heels in love with Christ. Some want to go deeper. I try to give them the tools to do so. It is not my job to give them the perfect, original, only meaning of these sacred texts. My sinfulness prevents me from doing so anyway. Instead, it is my job to help them grow in their relationship with the Living God.
For instance, in the example above, if someone came to me and said, "Pastor, I read Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Is that true?"
My response would be, "What do you think He means?"
I hope this person would engage me at that level. Because I know the next question, "Pastor, what do you think it means."
And at that point, I'm not going to refer to any scholarship. I'm not going to refer to the Greek or Hebrew. I'm going to tell him or her what I believe--what my faith has led me to.
And that's what is at the heart of evangelism--the willingness to share one's faith story with another. It's not about sharing what scholars say. It's not about sharing what the Greek or Hebrews say. It's not about sharing what liberation theologians, or black theologians, or feminist theologians say. Evangelism is about sharing what the Holy Spirit has put into your heart about faith in Jesus Christ.
As such, there is no true theological expert. As clergy, we are called to equip the saints, share our faith, share church doctrine, throw in something from time to time to stretch folks' brains, make them think and reflect so that as they grow in faith, they are not afraid or ashamed or feel inadequate to share that faith with others.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tackling Some Issues of Evangelism (Part 2)
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. --Ephesians 2:8-9
Such commentary is also found in the book of Romans.
It is the foundational lens of the Lutheran tradition. Our salvation does not hinge upon the works that we do. Our salvation does not hinge upon living a holy and moral life. If it did, none of us would accomplish it. We'd fail for God demands perfection. We Lutherans know this deep down, and we rejoice in it.
But I think it also makes us complacent.
I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith...
Martin Luther penned those words in his Small Catechism under the explanation of the third article of the Apostles' Creed. It is only the Holy Spirit's action which can bring me or anyone else to faith. As Lutherans, we know this deep down.
And I think it makes us complacent.
Let the Holy Spirit do the work of evangelism. I'll be content to sit in my pew on Sunday, put in my donation, sing a few hymns, endure a sermon or two, and leave my faith sitting there in the pew until next Sunday. The Spirit can blow where it may. It can bring people to faith without me.
No. It. Can't.
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? --Romans 10:14
But isn't that the pastor's job? (We'll get into that one in much more depth in another post.)
Short answer: no.
Jesus told his followers, not just Peter who He had designated as leader to make disciples. Jesus told his followers, not just the leaders to be His witnesses. The Holy Spirit uses us on a daily basis to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit uses our words, our deeds, our facial expressions, our entire being to help others come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
But can't I be content to know I am saved by grace?
Are you really content? Are you really satisfied in simply knowing that you yourself are saved by this grace? Are you really satisfied, sitting content in your knowledge and understanding while there is a world outside your door hungering and thirsting for a better worldview? Are you content to sit in your knowledge that you are saved by grace through faith while others are wondering if there is a God, wondering if that God loves them, wondering if all there is in this life is suffering and heart ache, wondering if anyone anywhere care enough about them? Are you content to hear that you are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, but deaf to the remainder of what Paul says in Ephesians in the very next verse:
10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. --Ephesians 2:10
We are made for good works, including the spread of the gospel. Some of our best witnessing is done without the use of words. But we must also be ready to use them when the time is ripe.
If anything, knowing we are saved by grace should not make us content; it should not make us satisfied; it should instill within us a hunger that the rest of the world may know the life changing power of God's love. It should instill within us a desire to share that peace that passes all understanding with a world that yearns to know it.
Grace leads to evangelism.
Such commentary is also found in the book of Romans.
It is the foundational lens of the Lutheran tradition. Our salvation does not hinge upon the works that we do. Our salvation does not hinge upon living a holy and moral life. If it did, none of us would accomplish it. We'd fail for God demands perfection. We Lutherans know this deep down, and we rejoice in it.
But I think it also makes us complacent.
I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith...
Martin Luther penned those words in his Small Catechism under the explanation of the third article of the Apostles' Creed. It is only the Holy Spirit's action which can bring me or anyone else to faith. As Lutherans, we know this deep down.
And I think it makes us complacent.
Let the Holy Spirit do the work of evangelism. I'll be content to sit in my pew on Sunday, put in my donation, sing a few hymns, endure a sermon or two, and leave my faith sitting there in the pew until next Sunday. The Spirit can blow where it may. It can bring people to faith without me.
No. It. Can't.
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? --Romans 10:14
But isn't that the pastor's job? (We'll get into that one in much more depth in another post.)
Short answer: no.
Jesus told his followers, not just Peter who He had designated as leader to make disciples. Jesus told his followers, not just the leaders to be His witnesses. The Holy Spirit uses us on a daily basis to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit uses our words, our deeds, our facial expressions, our entire being to help others come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
But can't I be content to know I am saved by grace?
Are you really content? Are you really satisfied in simply knowing that you yourself are saved by this grace? Are you really satisfied, sitting content in your knowledge and understanding while there is a world outside your door hungering and thirsting for a better worldview? Are you content to sit in your knowledge that you are saved by grace through faith while others are wondering if there is a God, wondering if that God loves them, wondering if all there is in this life is suffering and heart ache, wondering if anyone anywhere care enough about them? Are you content to hear that you are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, but deaf to the remainder of what Paul says in Ephesians in the very next verse:
10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. --Ephesians 2:10
We are made for good works, including the spread of the gospel. Some of our best witnessing is done without the use of words. But we must also be ready to use them when the time is ripe.
If anything, knowing we are saved by grace should not make us content; it should not make us satisfied; it should instill within us a hunger that the rest of the world may know the life changing power of God's love. It should instill within us a desire to share that peace that passes all understanding with a world that yearns to know it.
Grace leads to evangelism.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tackling Some Evangelism Issues (Part 1)
There is still a part of me which is reeling from reading the latest Lutheran magazine and seeing the lack of attention given to evangelism at the ELCA synod assemblies.
(see article: http://countrypreacherscorner.blogspot.com/2011/06/and-we-wonder-why.html)
I know we Lutherans haven't exactly been at the forefront of the evangelism issue. We're not exactly the best at sharing our faith stories. Neither do we generally have a sense of urgency when it comes to "saving the lost". Part of this is our cultural heritage. Part of it is our tenacious articulation of being saved by grace and God's action alone--God saves, so we don't need to worry about it. Part of it is our hesitancy of engaging others who may have difficult questions. I'd personally also argue we have set up a system dependent upon "experts" (a.k.a. clergy) who know the ins and outs of the faith better and are better able to convince others to become Christian.
Some of these issues are easily addressed. Others, not so much. But I'd like to give some thought and attention to some things which I see underlying my denomination's reluctance to truly engage evangelism in this day and age.
For the focus of this post, I'd like to turn to the difficult questions portion of our reasons for failing to engage in evangelism. In our "post modern" context, many folks are very reluctant to make definitive statements about truth. It seems truth can become very exclusivistic, and if you exclude anyone now a days, well, you've just set yourself up as the bad guy.
For instance, when proclaiming the Christian faith, it is not unheard of for someone to ask, "How can you say Jesus is the only way to God? Isn't that exclusive? Isn't that arrogant?"
Indeed, I know all too well the nature of such questions and thought. It was very much alive as I attended college. Professors and students alike challenged the statement of Jesus that He was "the way, the truth, and the life." Surely the truth was bigger than Jesus. Surely He wasn't that exclusivisic. (Hey, after all, that was just John's point of view in his gospel account. John may have been wrong.)
For quite some time, I struggled with Jesus' exclusivistic claims. I too wondered the wisdom of claiming Him as the only way to the Father in the midst of a very relativistic culture which celebrated diversity now matter how much on the fringes that diversity was.
But I am troubled by it no longer.
As I read through the book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller, my discomfort with Jesus' truth claims disappeared. Keller's wisdom and arguments settled deep within me and gave me, I believe, firm footing to refute those who have a problem with Christianity's exclusive claims.
What are Keller's thoughts? I will do my best to summarize:
1. All religions are not equal. That should be self evident, but to many it is not. The religions of the world each have different beliefs and understandings about God. Some don't even believe in God (Buddhism, et.al.). Furthermore, not only are their beliefs different, so are the actions they proclaim. Some argue the deity must be appeased by works committed by humans, others argue no amount of works on our part will appease the deity but it is through grace we are saved. Some religious sects believe the taking of life for the cause of faith is justified, others practice pacifism. Is each "pathway" valid? Is each "pathway" equal? Not a chance. Mutually exclusive truth claims must be evaluated and dealt with. Actions must be judged. All faiths are not equal, and we cannot logically or rationally state such a thing with certainty.
2. Truth does exist. Many would like to think it doesn't. Many would like to think that even if it does, we cannot see it. Oftentimes the old analogy of the blind men feeling around on the elephant comes into play. One believes it's like a brick wall, another like a water hose, another like a broom, etc, etc. Folks use the analogy to indicate we are all blind looking around at the same thing. However, the analogy falls flat because it assumes at least someone knows the big picture. Someone knows there is an elephant in the room. Someone has the capability of seeing the truth. Who has that vision? That's where we must engage in argument and dialogue. A further corollary to this argument are those who argue, "All truth is relative." This statement is one of the more oxymoronic statements ever made. It is a statement of truth, presented as fact. But the statement itself says truth doesn't exist, facts don't exist. Relativity relativizes itself. Somewhere the truth exists.
3. Christianity offers some beliefs which set it above and beyond other faith traditions. While we may "see in a mirror dimly," Christianity offers some insights into God which set it apart from other religions. #1. It is the only faith where God creates the universe out of a desire of love for creation. #2. At its heart, it centers on the God who came down to earth to reconcile humankind unto Himself. #3. It centers on a fully human, fully divine man who proclaimed and practiced love for His enemies, praying for them and asking for their forgiveness while He died for them. A faith which practices such principles can, while holding onto exclusivity, change the world through humility. The true Christian faith, therefore, does not lead to arrogance, or violence, or forceful conversion, but following in the footsteps of its founder, leads to humble service, care of creation, and working for justice and peace.
Now, this doesn't mean there haven't been and aren't those who practice a Christianity which demonizes the other. One only need look at the Spanish Inquisition, the 30 Year's War, the Crusades, and some of the militant "Christian" groups around today to show that there are those within Christianity who haven't lived up to the expectations of it's founder. We should duly note such abominations, repent of them, and then seek to live up to the example of Christ Himself. Yet, even these bastardizations of the faith should not prevent us from digging down to the truth which Christ espoused, lived, and then sent His followers out to practice and preach.
Somewhere, I believe some Christians in the U.S. have lost sight of either 1) the Truth Christ gave us in their desire to fit in with culture, or 2) the humility Christ called for and practiced in His life. These two must go together, hand in glove. They are crucial for our ability to carry out our mission to make disciples of the nations. We must not forsake either one for if we do not believe we have the Truth, what do we have? Just one more methodology among many that may or may not work for a given particular person. That's not our claim. That's not Christ's claim. And because we believe we know the Truth, we are called to spread it. Period.
But we cannot do so without humility. For if we come across as arrogant S.O.B.'s who think we've got it all figured out and that we are better than others, then pack it in as well. Humble service to others without compromising the Truth. Such is the basis for evangelism.
(see article: http://countrypreacherscorner.blogspot.com/2011/06/and-we-wonder-why.html)
I know we Lutherans haven't exactly been at the forefront of the evangelism issue. We're not exactly the best at sharing our faith stories. Neither do we generally have a sense of urgency when it comes to "saving the lost". Part of this is our cultural heritage. Part of it is our tenacious articulation of being saved by grace and God's action alone--God saves, so we don't need to worry about it. Part of it is our hesitancy of engaging others who may have difficult questions. I'd personally also argue we have set up a system dependent upon "experts" (a.k.a. clergy) who know the ins and outs of the faith better and are better able to convince others to become Christian.
Some of these issues are easily addressed. Others, not so much. But I'd like to give some thought and attention to some things which I see underlying my denomination's reluctance to truly engage evangelism in this day and age.
For the focus of this post, I'd like to turn to the difficult questions portion of our reasons for failing to engage in evangelism. In our "post modern" context, many folks are very reluctant to make definitive statements about truth. It seems truth can become very exclusivistic, and if you exclude anyone now a days, well, you've just set yourself up as the bad guy.
For instance, when proclaiming the Christian faith, it is not unheard of for someone to ask, "How can you say Jesus is the only way to God? Isn't that exclusive? Isn't that arrogant?"
Indeed, I know all too well the nature of such questions and thought. It was very much alive as I attended college. Professors and students alike challenged the statement of Jesus that He was "the way, the truth, and the life." Surely the truth was bigger than Jesus. Surely He wasn't that exclusivisic. (Hey, after all, that was just John's point of view in his gospel account. John may have been wrong.)
For quite some time, I struggled with Jesus' exclusivistic claims. I too wondered the wisdom of claiming Him as the only way to the Father in the midst of a very relativistic culture which celebrated diversity now matter how much on the fringes that diversity was.
But I am troubled by it no longer.
As I read through the book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller, my discomfort with Jesus' truth claims disappeared. Keller's wisdom and arguments settled deep within me and gave me, I believe, firm footing to refute those who have a problem with Christianity's exclusive claims.
What are Keller's thoughts? I will do my best to summarize:
1. All religions are not equal. That should be self evident, but to many it is not. The religions of the world each have different beliefs and understandings about God. Some don't even believe in God (Buddhism, et.al.). Furthermore, not only are their beliefs different, so are the actions they proclaim. Some argue the deity must be appeased by works committed by humans, others argue no amount of works on our part will appease the deity but it is through grace we are saved. Some religious sects believe the taking of life for the cause of faith is justified, others practice pacifism. Is each "pathway" valid? Is each "pathway" equal? Not a chance. Mutually exclusive truth claims must be evaluated and dealt with. Actions must be judged. All faiths are not equal, and we cannot logically or rationally state such a thing with certainty.
2. Truth does exist. Many would like to think it doesn't. Many would like to think that even if it does, we cannot see it. Oftentimes the old analogy of the blind men feeling around on the elephant comes into play. One believes it's like a brick wall, another like a water hose, another like a broom, etc, etc. Folks use the analogy to indicate we are all blind looking around at the same thing. However, the analogy falls flat because it assumes at least someone knows the big picture. Someone knows there is an elephant in the room. Someone has the capability of seeing the truth. Who has that vision? That's where we must engage in argument and dialogue. A further corollary to this argument are those who argue, "All truth is relative." This statement is one of the more oxymoronic statements ever made. It is a statement of truth, presented as fact. But the statement itself says truth doesn't exist, facts don't exist. Relativity relativizes itself. Somewhere the truth exists.
3. Christianity offers some beliefs which set it above and beyond other faith traditions. While we may "see in a mirror dimly," Christianity offers some insights into God which set it apart from other religions. #1. It is the only faith where God creates the universe out of a desire of love for creation. #2. At its heart, it centers on the God who came down to earth to reconcile humankind unto Himself. #3. It centers on a fully human, fully divine man who proclaimed and practiced love for His enemies, praying for them and asking for their forgiveness while He died for them. A faith which practices such principles can, while holding onto exclusivity, change the world through humility. The true Christian faith, therefore, does not lead to arrogance, or violence, or forceful conversion, but following in the footsteps of its founder, leads to humble service, care of creation, and working for justice and peace.
Now, this doesn't mean there haven't been and aren't those who practice a Christianity which demonizes the other. One only need look at the Spanish Inquisition, the 30 Year's War, the Crusades, and some of the militant "Christian" groups around today to show that there are those within Christianity who haven't lived up to the expectations of it's founder. We should duly note such abominations, repent of them, and then seek to live up to the example of Christ Himself. Yet, even these bastardizations of the faith should not prevent us from digging down to the truth which Christ espoused, lived, and then sent His followers out to practice and preach.
Somewhere, I believe some Christians in the U.S. have lost sight of either 1) the Truth Christ gave us in their desire to fit in with culture, or 2) the humility Christ called for and practiced in His life. These two must go together, hand in glove. They are crucial for our ability to carry out our mission to make disciples of the nations. We must not forsake either one for if we do not believe we have the Truth, what do we have? Just one more methodology among many that may or may not work for a given particular person. That's not our claim. That's not Christ's claim. And because we believe we know the Truth, we are called to spread it. Period.
But we cannot do so without humility. For if we come across as arrogant S.O.B.'s who think we've got it all figured out and that we are better than others, then pack it in as well. Humble service to others without compromising the Truth. Such is the basis for evangelism.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
What the Hell Happened to Country Music?
I don't listen to the radio much these days. When I'm in the car with the kids, the DVD player is running, so I know a lot about kids movies. When I'm driving in my Mustang visiting members, I'm playing contemporary Christian music at rather high decibels along with 80's Rock (can't beat that while driving a sports car). So...I don't listen to the music I grew up with much: Country and Western.
Today, when I went to pick up our dogs from the kennel, I got a chance to listen to KILT out of Houston for an extended period of time, and after my foray into listening, I have only one question:
What the hell happened to country music?
A few things jumped out at me as I reflected about CW music when I was growing up:
1. There was no such thing as rapping, even with a southern accent. (Got a great Doug Stone story about that one below.)
2. No one ever asked a country girl to shake it.
3. Getting drunk was especially reserved for when your girl left you or picking your momma up from prison.
4. Life wasn't about partying but love, getting burned by love, hard work, rodeo, and farm life.
5. You had to have a fiddle in the band.
6. A fiddle with a big band sound didn't count.
7. Electric guitars???? Try acoustic and steel.
*sigh*
When did I get old?
And the sad part is realizing my parents said the exact same thing about CW when I was growing up.
Doug Stone Story
Back in the 90's, George Strait held gigantic music festivals in San Antonio at the Alamodome. He would bring in all sorts of acts including Wynonna, Brooks and Dunn, Lee Roy Parnell, McBride and the Ride, Doug Stone, and a whole lot of others. It was well worth the money to go to these things.
I remember vividly Doug Stone's performance. I think he had one or two too many before hitting the stage, especially when he started preaching to everyone in attendance. But now, I understand, he was a prophet.
His hit single at the time was "Why Didn't I Think of That", and he was bemoaning the fact that everyone considered him strictly a ballad singer. Therefore, he introduced us to a new form of music. He was going to combine country music and rap. He blended the two titles to name the music "crap." Then, he gave us a sample of the music by singing "Why Didn't I Think of That" as a rap, and he was right: it was crap.
Now, fast forward to today and listen to Jason Aldean's song "Dirt Road Anthem." Country and rap. Crap. And what's even more crap: it's a huge hit.
Today, when I went to pick up our dogs from the kennel, I got a chance to listen to KILT out of Houston for an extended period of time, and after my foray into listening, I have only one question:
What the hell happened to country music?
A few things jumped out at me as I reflected about CW music when I was growing up:
1. There was no such thing as rapping, even with a southern accent. (Got a great Doug Stone story about that one below.)
2. No one ever asked a country girl to shake it.
3. Getting drunk was especially reserved for when your girl left you or picking your momma up from prison.
4. Life wasn't about partying but love, getting burned by love, hard work, rodeo, and farm life.
5. You had to have a fiddle in the band.
6. A fiddle with a big band sound didn't count.
7. Electric guitars???? Try acoustic and steel.
*sigh*
When did I get old?
And the sad part is realizing my parents said the exact same thing about CW when I was growing up.
Doug Stone Story
Back in the 90's, George Strait held gigantic music festivals in San Antonio at the Alamodome. He would bring in all sorts of acts including Wynonna, Brooks and Dunn, Lee Roy Parnell, McBride and the Ride, Doug Stone, and a whole lot of others. It was well worth the money to go to these things.
I remember vividly Doug Stone's performance. I think he had one or two too many before hitting the stage, especially when he started preaching to everyone in attendance. But now, I understand, he was a prophet.
His hit single at the time was "Why Didn't I Think of That", and he was bemoaning the fact that everyone considered him strictly a ballad singer. Therefore, he introduced us to a new form of music. He was going to combine country music and rap. He blended the two titles to name the music "crap." Then, he gave us a sample of the music by singing "Why Didn't I Think of That" as a rap, and he was right: it was crap.
Now, fast forward to today and listen to Jason Aldean's song "Dirt Road Anthem." Country and rap. Crap. And what's even more crap: it's a huge hit.
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