I think Timothy Keller said something similar in his book The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, but it didn't sink in. It did yesterday when I was listening to a lecture by Richard John Neuhaus on Youtube.
Neuhaus tells us he was very much the liberal back in the 1960's and wrote for liberal publications. He said there were two forms of liberalism which surfaced in that time: a liberalism which sought the absolute freedom of the individual, and a liberalism which concerned itself with expanding the definition of who should be included when it came to who was welcome in the public square.
Neuhaus said that when the issue of abortion arose, it was the first group that seized upon the issue making it an issue of individual freedom: the "right" of a woman to choose what happens within her womb. Neuhaus argues the second phase of liberalism made a mistake in allowing this to happen. Why?
Going back to the title of this post, he argues it is because the dignity and sacredness of human life. Neuhaus argues that there is no biologist in the world who argues to the contrary that once a sperm and egg join, the process begins in the formation of a human being. As adults, we can trace our very selves to the moment when that one in 6 million sperm found an egg, fertilized it, and began the process of cell division. All of us arose out of that biological state. You cannot argue that simple fact. Anti-abortion folks extend the sacredness of life all the way back to this starting point. They have a very deeply rooted conviction that God holds the beginnings of this human being as sacred.
In many ways, so do those who support universal health care. Again, you have a group of people who believe that each human being deserves medical attention when in need, and they believe quite strongly that a person should not go broke to extend one's life--particularly if there is the ability to treat a disease. I strongly feel this is rooted and grounded in the care and concern for fellow human beings because life is, again, sacred.
Fundamentally, these two groups view life as sacred, but how often do you see them actually joining together to work for both of these things?
Usually, not so much.
In fact, despite sharing this common ground, usually pro-lifers (as they are often called) are found in more "conservative" camps. Those who support universal health care are usually found in the more liberal camps. Why is this the case?
A failure to carry one's logic all the way through. At least, this is what I think. Why do I think in this fashion?
Let's start with a particular premise: human life is sacred or for those who are more uncomfortable with religious language: valuable.
If human life is sacred/valuable, then what are the consequences of having such a premise?
Well, it would seem as if the common good would want to protect life and extend it to the best of our ability--at least this seems to be a logical consequence. Therefore, one would think that extending that protection would go to the potential for human life as well as human life which has been struck by disease and illness. It should be a both/and, at least logically.
However, oftentimes, pro-life folks are against universal health care, and universal health care folks support a woman's right to choose to abort a baby. The common good seems to travel only so far.
For instance, for many pro-life folks, protecting a potential human is more important than providing food, shelter, an education, and health care for a living human.
For many who support universal health care, providing food, shelter, a education, and health care for a living human being is more important than protecting the life of a potential human being.
What changes the equation?
Individual freedom.
Those who support a woman's right to have an abortion have a particular understanding of individual freedom for that woman. It is the woman's choice and no one else has a say. In a very real way, it's radically individualistic.
Those who do not wish to support universal health care have a radically individualistic view as well--pertaining to wealth. They believe individual freedom to earn and spend money as they choose is paramount.
Interestingly enough, each group has an idea of the sacredness of life; however, they also are (is the right word) infected by a radical individualism. Each group is not willing to carry either one of these positions (sacredness of life/individual freedom) to it's logical consequences, and so fodder is provided for anyone who wishes to exploit this and continue what some call a culture war.
Pope John Paul II repeatedly spoke out against a culture of death--a culture which allows the potential for human life to be prematurely ended AND which devalues the lives of living human beings as it fails to provide basic care to those in need.
It seems to me that if the Universal Church believes that all human beings are created in the image of God, then it will be very protective of those which bear that image--before birth and after birth.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Clearly and Succintly
We also need to be prepared to distinguish between what Scripture actually says and what we think it means. It is Scripture that has the final authority, not our understanding of it. --John Lennox Seven Days that Divide the World (Kindle location 315)
Monday, November 11, 2013
I Know that My Redeemer Lives!
23 ‘O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! 24 O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock for ever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. --Job 19:23-27
These words were uttered by Job as recorded in the book which bears his same name. As we read these words, we may detect a hint of triumph within them. They sound ultimately hopeful! They sound like words we too might utter if we have stumbled upon fortune. Perhaps we got lucky enough to win the lottery. Perhaps we were fortunate enough to be declared cancer free after fighting an arduous battle with cancer. Perhaps we heard our child received a full ride scholarship to his or her preferred university. “I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth!” It is so easy to give God glory and thanks when things are going in our favor.
But there is an interesting twist with these words which were uttered by Job–an interesting twist indeed. Let’s set the background.
Job was a pretty wealthy guy. He was happily married; had several children; large flocks of sheep and goats. He loved the Lord and worshiped Him and only Him. Now, we are told that God and Satan are having an argument, and they decide upon a wager: Satan believes Job’s faith is only skin deep. Satan believes that if calamity were to befall Job, then Job would curse God. God has more trust in Job than Satan does. God believes Job will remain steadfast in His faith. In order to settle the bet, Satan is given reign to torment Job.
Satan is pretty thorough. He afflicts Job mightily. He sends disaster upon Job’s flocks; his crops, and his family. He afflicts Job’s health and covers him with painful sores. Job goes from the top of the world having everything, to the top of the ash heap having nothing. While sitting on the ash heap, Job’s friends come to visit with him. It’s a really interesting conversation which takes up many chapters in the book of Job–it’s particularly fascinating that they continually believe Job must have done something to deserve the calamities which have befallen him. They say God punishes sinners in such a manner, and that Job should repent or curse God and walk away from Him. Job steadfastly refuses to walk away from God, and he says that he has done nothing to deserves such punishment.
Job’s friends are unrelenting. He must have done something to have earned God’s wrath and punishment.
Let’s stop here for just a moment because Job’s situation gives us a chance to talk about grace. Some of you might scratch your heads at this. How in the world does this story about a guy whose family has been taken from him; who has lost his wealth; who has lost his health; whose friends are telling him he is a sinner; and who is now sitting on an ash heap give us an opportunity to talk about grace?
Well, remember what I started this sermon off with? Remember those words, “I know that my redeemer lives!”? Remember how they are often spoken when things are going good? What do we usually say when things are going badly for us? What do we utter when it seems like the world is against us?
Many times, we don’t need friends to sit next to us and tell us. Many times we say it ourselves, “What have I done to deserve this?” You would be surprised how many times I have heard someone say this in the time that I have served as a pastor. Cancer strikes: what have I done to deserve this? A child is stricken with disease: what did we do to have this happen to us? A loved one suffers a debilitating health issue: she doesn’t deserve this. Over and over and over again.
What is behind this? Perhaps not in all circumstances, but I think there is a bit of commonality running through each and every one of these situations: it’s the idea that somehow we can still save ourselves. It’s the idea of works/righteousness. It’s the idea that if I just do the right things; believe the right things; say the right things, then everything will work out for me in the long run. It’s the idea that if I do the right things, then I will be accepted and be blessed. And so when things don’t turn out the way we think they should, we start asking ourselves what we might have done or not done to deserve what has befallen us.
We must stop here and ask: is this the way God, as revealed in Jesus Christ acts? Is this the modus operandi of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Actually, no. Not in the least, because as we see God revealed in Jesus Christ, we do not see this kind of working at all. Instead, we see a God who operates by pure grace. We do not see a God who demands that we work out our own salvation, but we see a God who works out salvation for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. We see a God who literally dies for us so that we might live. There is nothing we have to do to earn this. There is nothing we have to do to make this happen. There is nothing we have to say to earn God’s favor. There is no mountain we have to climb or ocean we have to swim.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” That’s the beauty of grace. And God acted in this manner while we were still sinners.
So, what does that mean in relation to when those bad things start happening? Well, a person functioning under the works/righteousness model says, “Why is this happening to me?” The person who operates under the grace model says something quite different. The person working under the grace model says, “I know that I am a broken person. God has every right to punish me in whatever mode He sees fit. I know that I have sinned against Him in thought word and deed by things that I have done and things that I have left undone. I have not loved Him with my whole heart. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Never-the-less, God has removed the discipline of the law. God no longer punishes me or anyone by sending death, disease, or misfortune. This is not God’s will. I may not know why these things are happening to me, but I do know that God is operating in the midst of this in some way, shape or form. I know God is working to transform this situation. I know that God has promised me hope, and I will have faith in Him no matter what happens.”
How can we know that God has promised such a thing? How do we know God is working in the midst of such turmoil and struggle and pain and suffering? Well, we look to the cross. Yes, the cross. That instrument of death is the focal point of the Christian faith, and there is little wonder why. For if there was anyone who didn’t deserve to die, it was the God incarnate who hung on it. If there was anyone who had actually lived up to the works righteousness end of the bargain, it was Jesus. If there was anyone who should not have suffered, it was him indeed. But that’s not what happened. Jesus was nailed to that cross. Jesus bled. Jesus suffered. Jesus died.
But death was not the end. Suffering did not provide the final answer. Evil did not carry the day. For on the third day, Christ rose from the dead showing the power and desire of God to conquer evil, suffering and death. Christ rose from the dead to show us that the final answer rests with God and will forever be God. Grace leads us right to this spot.
“For I know that my redeemer lives!” Job spoke these words from the top of the ash heap. He spoke these words after his friends tried to convince him that he had done something wrong to anger God, to provoke God’s wrath, to make God send him suffering. But Job would have none of it. He would not blame himself. He would not blame God. Instead, he would put his trust in the one who gave him hope. In the midst of his pain; in the midst of his suffering; in the midst of those who would call him to do otherwise; Job spoke words of faith.
“For I know that my redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives! He lives, who once was dead. He lives my ever living head!” We will sing those words in just a moment, and whatever your situation in life–whether you are struggling mightily with what life has given you or whether you are satisfied and happy with what is going on–sing them not because you believe you have earned your lot, but because you trust that God loves you whatever you may be facing. For that is what we do when we Live God’s Word Daily. Amen.
These words were uttered by Job as recorded in the book which bears his same name. As we read these words, we may detect a hint of triumph within them. They sound ultimately hopeful! They sound like words we too might utter if we have stumbled upon fortune. Perhaps we got lucky enough to win the lottery. Perhaps we were fortunate enough to be declared cancer free after fighting an arduous battle with cancer. Perhaps we heard our child received a full ride scholarship to his or her preferred university. “I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth!” It is so easy to give God glory and thanks when things are going in our favor.
But there is an interesting twist with these words which were uttered by Job–an interesting twist indeed. Let’s set the background.
Job was a pretty wealthy guy. He was happily married; had several children; large flocks of sheep and goats. He loved the Lord and worshiped Him and only Him. Now, we are told that God and Satan are having an argument, and they decide upon a wager: Satan believes Job’s faith is only skin deep. Satan believes that if calamity were to befall Job, then Job would curse God. God has more trust in Job than Satan does. God believes Job will remain steadfast in His faith. In order to settle the bet, Satan is given reign to torment Job.
Satan is pretty thorough. He afflicts Job mightily. He sends disaster upon Job’s flocks; his crops, and his family. He afflicts Job’s health and covers him with painful sores. Job goes from the top of the world having everything, to the top of the ash heap having nothing. While sitting on the ash heap, Job’s friends come to visit with him. It’s a really interesting conversation which takes up many chapters in the book of Job–it’s particularly fascinating that they continually believe Job must have done something to deserve the calamities which have befallen him. They say God punishes sinners in such a manner, and that Job should repent or curse God and walk away from Him. Job steadfastly refuses to walk away from God, and he says that he has done nothing to deserves such punishment.
Job’s friends are unrelenting. He must have done something to have earned God’s wrath and punishment.
Let’s stop here for just a moment because Job’s situation gives us a chance to talk about grace. Some of you might scratch your heads at this. How in the world does this story about a guy whose family has been taken from him; who has lost his wealth; who has lost his health; whose friends are telling him he is a sinner; and who is now sitting on an ash heap give us an opportunity to talk about grace?
Well, remember what I started this sermon off with? Remember those words, “I know that my redeemer lives!”? Remember how they are often spoken when things are going good? What do we usually say when things are going badly for us? What do we utter when it seems like the world is against us?
Many times, we don’t need friends to sit next to us and tell us. Many times we say it ourselves, “What have I done to deserve this?” You would be surprised how many times I have heard someone say this in the time that I have served as a pastor. Cancer strikes: what have I done to deserve this? A child is stricken with disease: what did we do to have this happen to us? A loved one suffers a debilitating health issue: she doesn’t deserve this. Over and over and over again.
What is behind this? Perhaps not in all circumstances, but I think there is a bit of commonality running through each and every one of these situations: it’s the idea that somehow we can still save ourselves. It’s the idea of works/righteousness. It’s the idea that if I just do the right things; believe the right things; say the right things, then everything will work out for me in the long run. It’s the idea that if I do the right things, then I will be accepted and be blessed. And so when things don’t turn out the way we think they should, we start asking ourselves what we might have done or not done to deserve what has befallen us.
We must stop here and ask: is this the way God, as revealed in Jesus Christ acts? Is this the modus operandi of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Actually, no. Not in the least, because as we see God revealed in Jesus Christ, we do not see this kind of working at all. Instead, we see a God who operates by pure grace. We do not see a God who demands that we work out our own salvation, but we see a God who works out salvation for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. We see a God who literally dies for us so that we might live. There is nothing we have to do to earn this. There is nothing we have to do to make this happen. There is nothing we have to say to earn God’s favor. There is no mountain we have to climb or ocean we have to swim.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” That’s the beauty of grace. And God acted in this manner while we were still sinners.
So, what does that mean in relation to when those bad things start happening? Well, a person functioning under the works/righteousness model says, “Why is this happening to me?” The person who operates under the grace model says something quite different. The person working under the grace model says, “I know that I am a broken person. God has every right to punish me in whatever mode He sees fit. I know that I have sinned against Him in thought word and deed by things that I have done and things that I have left undone. I have not loved Him with my whole heart. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Never-the-less, God has removed the discipline of the law. God no longer punishes me or anyone by sending death, disease, or misfortune. This is not God’s will. I may not know why these things are happening to me, but I do know that God is operating in the midst of this in some way, shape or form. I know God is working to transform this situation. I know that God has promised me hope, and I will have faith in Him no matter what happens.”
How can we know that God has promised such a thing? How do we know God is working in the midst of such turmoil and struggle and pain and suffering? Well, we look to the cross. Yes, the cross. That instrument of death is the focal point of the Christian faith, and there is little wonder why. For if there was anyone who didn’t deserve to die, it was the God incarnate who hung on it. If there was anyone who had actually lived up to the works righteousness end of the bargain, it was Jesus. If there was anyone who should not have suffered, it was him indeed. But that’s not what happened. Jesus was nailed to that cross. Jesus bled. Jesus suffered. Jesus died.
But death was not the end. Suffering did not provide the final answer. Evil did not carry the day. For on the third day, Christ rose from the dead showing the power and desire of God to conquer evil, suffering and death. Christ rose from the dead to show us that the final answer rests with God and will forever be God. Grace leads us right to this spot.
“For I know that my redeemer lives!” Job spoke these words from the top of the ash heap. He spoke these words after his friends tried to convince him that he had done something wrong to anger God, to provoke God’s wrath, to make God send him suffering. But Job would have none of it. He would not blame himself. He would not blame God. Instead, he would put his trust in the one who gave him hope. In the midst of his pain; in the midst of his suffering; in the midst of those who would call him to do otherwise; Job spoke words of faith.
“For I know that my redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives! He lives, who once was dead. He lives my ever living head!” We will sing those words in just a moment, and whatever your situation in life–whether you are struggling mightily with what life has given you or whether you are satisfied and happy with what is going on–sing them not because you believe you have earned your lot, but because you trust that God loves you whatever you may be facing. For that is what we do when we Live God’s Word Daily. Amen.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
More Amazing Stuff on Evolution and Life
I found this thought exercise applying Moore's Law for computer science to biology to be fascinating.
If you read this article, you will see that in doing so, the evolution of life as we know it should have taken 10 billion years. The interesting issue is, the earth is only 4.5 billion years old.
Now, this study assumes one can actually apply Moore's law to biology. It's a huge, huge assumption--one that would actually take quite a bit of study to confirm. This is why the researchers themselves call it a thought experiment.
Given this though, the thought experiment actually does confirm something biologists have known--natural selection and genetic mutation are not adequate to describe the evolutionary process. The process has been too fast even given the age of the earth.
See, as a paleontologist described the events on earth:
For 2 billion years, there was no life. None. Zip. Nada.
Then, we had bacteria form. Pond scum was how he described it.
Pond scum reigned for 2 billion years.
Then, in the space of 500 million years--a cosmological blink of an eye, we go from pond scum to human beings. Of course, this leaves out the complexity of the dinosaurs and the 99% of species who once roamed the earth which are now extinct.
Even Moore's Law cannot account for such complexity arising out of, well, nothing.
Cosmic chance evolution is so rapid? Guided evolution?
Chance isn't reasonable.
Perhaps there are other mechanisms at play that science hasn't discovered yet. When they do...if they do...I am sure they will be absolutely amazing and fascinating and give one more display of God's handiwork in creation.
If you read this article, you will see that in doing so, the evolution of life as we know it should have taken 10 billion years. The interesting issue is, the earth is only 4.5 billion years old.
Now, this study assumes one can actually apply Moore's law to biology. It's a huge, huge assumption--one that would actually take quite a bit of study to confirm. This is why the researchers themselves call it a thought experiment.
Given this though, the thought experiment actually does confirm something biologists have known--natural selection and genetic mutation are not adequate to describe the evolutionary process. The process has been too fast even given the age of the earth.
See, as a paleontologist described the events on earth:
For 2 billion years, there was no life. None. Zip. Nada.
Then, we had bacteria form. Pond scum was how he described it.
Pond scum reigned for 2 billion years.
Then, in the space of 500 million years--a cosmological blink of an eye, we go from pond scum to human beings. Of course, this leaves out the complexity of the dinosaurs and the 99% of species who once roamed the earth which are now extinct.
Even Moore's Law cannot account for such complexity arising out of, well, nothing.
Cosmic chance evolution is so rapid? Guided evolution?
Chance isn't reasonable.
Perhaps there are other mechanisms at play that science hasn't discovered yet. When they do...if they do...I am sure they will be absolutely amazing and fascinating and give one more display of God's handiwork in creation.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Incognito Bullying
Incognito: adverb. 1. With one's identity disguised or concealed.
I have been watching with great interest the ongoing situation with the Miami Dolphins.
For those who do not follow the NFL news:
Second year offensive lineman Jonathan Martin walked away from the team last week frustrated after two years of being bullied. The ringleader of those who bullied Martin was teammate Richie Incognito--please see that I am not pointing to Incognito exclusively. From what I read, the incident which broke the camel's back was an entire table getting up and walking away when Martin sat to eat with them. This is not the work of one person, but of an environment which allows bullying.
The team has suspended Incognito indefinitely for his role in the bullying, especially in light of damning voice messages and texts left by Incognito on Martin's phone. These are very graphic and explicit.
There have been some interesting reactions from others concerning this incident, highlighted in the article linked above. No one is defending Incognito's actions--at least that I can see.
However, many are questioning Martin's reactions.
Why didn't he take on Incognito and go mano a mano? Why didn't he physically stand up to the bullying and say "enough is enough."?
Yours truly handled bullies in such fashion when he was younger. I didn't get into many fights when I was a kid. Being taller than most kids had something to do with that, but I also would reach a certain point where I would handle matters for myself. I would not allow a bully to go too far, plain and simple.
I was influenced by family members who told stories of being bullied in their youth. One story had quite the impact as a family member told of being picked on and picked on and picked on. Finally, having had his fill, one day, he turned and punched the bully square in the mouth. End of bullying.
I've prepared my kids for such an eventuality. My eldest was the recipient of bullying behavior at school. A little boy was repeatedly picking on her and putting sand in her hair at recess. We told her to tell the teachers (as we have been conditioned to do these days). She apparently did, but no results were forthcoming. She still came home with sand in her hair. My wife and I then wrote a letter to the teachers, but I also sat down with my daughter.
"Now, sweetie, I want to tell you something. I know __________ is picking on you and bullying you. I know you are tired of it. Mom and I wrote a letter to your teachers, and hopefully this will take care of it. If it does not, I want you to tell me. Then, and only if I tell you to. Again, only if I tell you to, I want you to punch this guy as hard as you can. I want you to slap him around and tell him you will not put up with his bullying anymore."
"But I will get in trouble."
"Yes, you will. And there will be consequences at the school, but I want you to know, you will not get in trouble at home. If I tell you to do it, you will not get in trouble here. It will be okay for you to get in trouble at school, because that will end the bullying. But remember, only if I tell you it's okay."
My daughter nodded.
Fortunately, nothing more happened. The teachers handled the situation, and my daughter did not come home with sand in her hair again.
There is a point and time when standing up to a bully is the right thing to do, but I believe it's after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
I am not prone to violence, but if you push me to it as a last resort, I will.
Again, some wonder why Martin did not resort to such tactics. I submit to you that he was exercising all options before resorting to violence.
You see, Martin is not a simple jock. He went to Stanford University. They are not known for their intellectual laziness at that particular university. In all reality, Martin is probably a pretty smart guy. He may have certain principles and values which lead him to be as non-violent as possible. Handling things violently may not be in his nature, and so he seeks out other alternatives.
His alternative this time was to expose the bullying--bring it to the light of day.
Most bullies don't want their deeds to be noticed. They will only perpetrate them surrounded by those who give the bully his or her power. When exposed to others who have more authority and a better sense of right and wrong, the bully will stop.
This is exactly what happened when we exposed my daughter's being bullied to the teachers. It stopped.
Martin exposed Incognito's bullying--and the bullying by teammates who acquiesced to Incognito's schemes. Bringing them to the light of day has had profound consequences.
It has brought shame on Incognito.
It has brought shame on the Dolphin's organization.
It has brought shame on the NFL.
Is it any wonder why there are those who are saying Martin should have "manned up"?
They are part of this system which has allowed such behavior to continue on unabated.
Martin, in my estimation, has dared to shine a light deep into the recesses of the dark side of the NFL. He has dared to challenge a system which makes allowances for improper behaviors. He has dared to walk away instead of allow that system to continue to take advantage of his nature. He is taking a path of non-violence, but one which will accord him ridicule. He is exhausting all avenues before becoming physical. Perhaps it would have been easier to simply fight it out, but in this manner, it could help bring healing to a system.
How?
By bringing things out into the open. By refusing to let things continue on in secret. By refusing to allow the bully to remain incognito.
I have been watching with great interest the ongoing situation with the Miami Dolphins.
For those who do not follow the NFL news:
Second year offensive lineman Jonathan Martin walked away from the team last week frustrated after two years of being bullied. The ringleader of those who bullied Martin was teammate Richie Incognito--please see that I am not pointing to Incognito exclusively. From what I read, the incident which broke the camel's back was an entire table getting up and walking away when Martin sat to eat with them. This is not the work of one person, but of an environment which allows bullying.
The team has suspended Incognito indefinitely for his role in the bullying, especially in light of damning voice messages and texts left by Incognito on Martin's phone. These are very graphic and explicit.
There have been some interesting reactions from others concerning this incident, highlighted in the article linked above. No one is defending Incognito's actions--at least that I can see.
However, many are questioning Martin's reactions.
Why didn't he take on Incognito and go mano a mano? Why didn't he physically stand up to the bullying and say "enough is enough."?
Yours truly handled bullies in such fashion when he was younger. I didn't get into many fights when I was a kid. Being taller than most kids had something to do with that, but I also would reach a certain point where I would handle matters for myself. I would not allow a bully to go too far, plain and simple.
I was influenced by family members who told stories of being bullied in their youth. One story had quite the impact as a family member told of being picked on and picked on and picked on. Finally, having had his fill, one day, he turned and punched the bully square in the mouth. End of bullying.
I've prepared my kids for such an eventuality. My eldest was the recipient of bullying behavior at school. A little boy was repeatedly picking on her and putting sand in her hair at recess. We told her to tell the teachers (as we have been conditioned to do these days). She apparently did, but no results were forthcoming. She still came home with sand in her hair. My wife and I then wrote a letter to the teachers, but I also sat down with my daughter.
"Now, sweetie, I want to tell you something. I know __________ is picking on you and bullying you. I know you are tired of it. Mom and I wrote a letter to your teachers, and hopefully this will take care of it. If it does not, I want you to tell me. Then, and only if I tell you to. Again, only if I tell you to, I want you to punch this guy as hard as you can. I want you to slap him around and tell him you will not put up with his bullying anymore."
"But I will get in trouble."
"Yes, you will. And there will be consequences at the school, but I want you to know, you will not get in trouble at home. If I tell you to do it, you will not get in trouble here. It will be okay for you to get in trouble at school, because that will end the bullying. But remember, only if I tell you it's okay."
My daughter nodded.
Fortunately, nothing more happened. The teachers handled the situation, and my daughter did not come home with sand in her hair again.
There is a point and time when standing up to a bully is the right thing to do, but I believe it's after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
I am not prone to violence, but if you push me to it as a last resort, I will.
Again, some wonder why Martin did not resort to such tactics. I submit to you that he was exercising all options before resorting to violence.
You see, Martin is not a simple jock. He went to Stanford University. They are not known for their intellectual laziness at that particular university. In all reality, Martin is probably a pretty smart guy. He may have certain principles and values which lead him to be as non-violent as possible. Handling things violently may not be in his nature, and so he seeks out other alternatives.
His alternative this time was to expose the bullying--bring it to the light of day.
Most bullies don't want their deeds to be noticed. They will only perpetrate them surrounded by those who give the bully his or her power. When exposed to others who have more authority and a better sense of right and wrong, the bully will stop.
This is exactly what happened when we exposed my daughter's being bullied to the teachers. It stopped.
Martin exposed Incognito's bullying--and the bullying by teammates who acquiesced to Incognito's schemes. Bringing them to the light of day has had profound consequences.
It has brought shame on Incognito.
It has brought shame on the Dolphin's organization.
It has brought shame on the NFL.
Is it any wonder why there are those who are saying Martin should have "manned up"?
They are part of this system which has allowed such behavior to continue on unabated.
Martin, in my estimation, has dared to shine a light deep into the recesses of the dark side of the NFL. He has dared to challenge a system which makes allowances for improper behaviors. He has dared to walk away instead of allow that system to continue to take advantage of his nature. He is taking a path of non-violence, but one which will accord him ridicule. He is exhausting all avenues before becoming physical. Perhaps it would have been easier to simply fight it out, but in this manner, it could help bring healing to a system.
How?
By bringing things out into the open. By refusing to let things continue on in secret. By refusing to allow the bully to remain incognito.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
What Happens when We Die?
I received the following email this past week:
Since the passing of my father recently the question of what happens when we die is ever on my mothers mind. I might add mine too. I have read a lot on it on the internet and the Bible and I must admit it can be overwhelming for a simple minded person like myself. I wanted to ask you if on your blog did you address the question and if so when. I tried looking in the archives but was unable to find one...After reading a lot of thoughts from other people and their reasoning I always came to the thought of what is Pastor Haug's thoughts.
Heady topic with lots of stuff out there.
Interestingly enough, this week's Living Lutheran: Ask a Pastor section was on this very topic. Answers there vary. Answers with a lot of pastors and professors vary.
Here's my short answer: we don't know exactly. That's the truth.
There's only been one person that I know of who experienced the fullness of death for three days and then returned, and He didn't do too much talking about what was going on when His body lay in the tomb.
Sure, there have been others who have had near death experiences. Some have tried to explain these experiences as the brain going into shut down mode and having a hyper-burst of activity. However, there are some experiences where the brain is completely shut down for days, and yet these experiences still occur. Some have recorded these experiences and sold them on the market. At the recommendation of church members, I have read both:
Heaven is for Real
Proof of Heaven
Both of these books are quite interesting and intriguing. Both have sold thousands of copies, but they are vastly different in what they convey about life after death. Vastly different.
So, what is true?
I don't know, but this is what I trust:
When I die, I believe I will go to be with God.
Yes, I know this doesn't exactly gel with St. Paul's understanding of death: that we fall asleep until the resurrection. But it does gel with other portions of scripture.
For instance, this Sunday's Gospel passage from the book of Luke. Jesus is asked a question about the resurrection by the Sadducees. Of course the Sadducees don't believe in the resurrection of the dead. They believe once a person is dead: that's it.
Yet, Jesus doesn't buy that train of thought. He answers them rather profoundly (bold emphasis mine):
27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28and asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30then the second 31and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32Finally the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’ 34 Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ 39Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’ 40For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
"Now, He is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to Him all of them are alive."
This is quite the interesting statement, is it not? How can Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still be living? Their bones have surely decayed and returned to the dust long sense? How could they be considered living?
Jesus offers more insight when He gives the parable of the rich man and Lazarus:
19 ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” 25But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” 27He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” 29Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” 30He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” 31He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’
While this indeed is a parable; it does tell us something of how Jesus viewed what happened after death.
#1. There is life after it.
#2. Some are taken to be with Abraham wherever he may be (With God?).
#3. Some head to torment.
#4. There is a separation between these two places that cannot be crossed.
Some might like to stop here, but Jesus certainly doesn't. Jesus, as Paul talks about the resurrection.
Some folks like to do an either/or. Either heaven and hell or resurrection to a new heaven and a new earth.
I like to combine them with the both/and. Some part of us goes on living--goes to be with God (or torment) as we await the last judgment. Then, on that day, we are reembodied at the resurrection.
Again, I don't know for sure. Haven't been on the other side to check. One thing is for sure: we'll all find out.
Since the passing of my father recently the question of what happens when we die is ever on my mothers mind. I might add mine too. I have read a lot on it on the internet and the Bible and I must admit it can be overwhelming for a simple minded person like myself. I wanted to ask you if on your blog did you address the question and if so when. I tried looking in the archives but was unable to find one...After reading a lot of thoughts from other people and their reasoning I always came to the thought of what is Pastor Haug's thoughts.
Heady topic with lots of stuff out there.
Interestingly enough, this week's Living Lutheran: Ask a Pastor section was on this very topic. Answers there vary. Answers with a lot of pastors and professors vary.
Here's my short answer: we don't know exactly. That's the truth.
There's only been one person that I know of who experienced the fullness of death for three days and then returned, and He didn't do too much talking about what was going on when His body lay in the tomb.
Sure, there have been others who have had near death experiences. Some have tried to explain these experiences as the brain going into shut down mode and having a hyper-burst of activity. However, there are some experiences where the brain is completely shut down for days, and yet these experiences still occur. Some have recorded these experiences and sold them on the market. At the recommendation of church members, I have read both:
Heaven is for Real
Proof of Heaven
Both of these books are quite interesting and intriguing. Both have sold thousands of copies, but they are vastly different in what they convey about life after death. Vastly different.
So, what is true?
I don't know, but this is what I trust:
When I die, I believe I will go to be with God.
Yes, I know this doesn't exactly gel with St. Paul's understanding of death: that we fall asleep until the resurrection. But it does gel with other portions of scripture.
For instance, this Sunday's Gospel passage from the book of Luke. Jesus is asked a question about the resurrection by the Sadducees. Of course the Sadducees don't believe in the resurrection of the dead. They believe once a person is dead: that's it.
Yet, Jesus doesn't buy that train of thought. He answers them rather profoundly (bold emphasis mine):
27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28and asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30then the second 31and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32Finally the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’ 34 Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ 39Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’ 40For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
"Now, He is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to Him all of them are alive."
This is quite the interesting statement, is it not? How can Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still be living? Their bones have surely decayed and returned to the dust long sense? How could they be considered living?
Jesus offers more insight when He gives the parable of the rich man and Lazarus:
19 ‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” 25But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” 27He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” 29Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” 30He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” 31He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” ’
While this indeed is a parable; it does tell us something of how Jesus viewed what happened after death.
#1. There is life after it.
#2. Some are taken to be with Abraham wherever he may be (With God?).
#3. Some head to torment.
#4. There is a separation between these two places that cannot be crossed.
Some might like to stop here, but Jesus certainly doesn't. Jesus, as Paul talks about the resurrection.
Some folks like to do an either/or. Either heaven and hell or resurrection to a new heaven and a new earth.
I like to combine them with the both/and. Some part of us goes on living--goes to be with God (or torment) as we await the last judgment. Then, on that day, we are reembodied at the resurrection.
Again, I don't know for sure. Haven't been on the other side to check. One thing is for sure: we'll all find out.
Monday, November 4, 2013
We Are God's Children, Now!
I don’t know how many of you have seen the Broadway musical and motion picture, "My Fair Lady." It is based on George Bernard Shaw’s play, "Pygmalion." It is about a brilliant professor, Henry Higgins, who transforms a humble flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into an elegant English lady. In the midst of her brilliant transformation, Eliza falls in love with Henry Higgins, but he treats her only with disdain.
Towards the end of the play, she expresses her complaint to their mutual friend, Colonel Pickering: "You see," she says, "Really and truly apart from the things anyone can pick up (the dressing and the proper way of speaking, and so on), the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not in how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me as a flower girl, and always will; but I know I can be a lady to you, because you always treat me as a lady, and always will."
Think about this story for just a minute as we consider the fact that today we celebrate All Saints Day in the life of the Church. It is the day in the Church year where we remember the saints–those who have gone onto eternal glory and those who are among us now who have profoundly impacted our lives–particularly our lives of faith.
For many, when the term saint is mentioned, they think about a person who has exceptional morals or who had done extraordinary things. They think about a Mother Teresa, a Pope John Paul II, a Peter, a Paul, a miracle worker, a person who volunteers all of their spare time to help out at soup kitchens, food pantries, or other charitable organizations. Rarely do we think of the person sitting right next to us as a saint. No. We know too much about that person. We know too much about his or her past. We know what he or she does on the weekends or how he or she treated us with just a touch of anger at some point and time in our lives. We know how they don’t keep their lawns perfectly manicured; how they spend money frivolously; how they could do so much more to help others but they choose not to. No, that person couldn’t possibly be a saint. She is just a simple flower girl, never a lady: or, in Christian terms, that person is a sinner not a saint.
One might think that with such an attitude, these folks would think more highly of themselves than they should. One might think that those with such an attitude would consider themselves above the people they think about. However, I would submit to you this morning, they probably don’t. They probably look in the mirror and say, “I am no saint either. I do not do enough good things. I am no Mother Teresa. I am no St. John. I am no St. Francis of Assissi. I’m not the most horrible person in the world, but neither am I so great. I get angry. I get frustrated. I say things I shouldn’t say. I do things I shouldn’t do. I know my limitations and my imperfections all too well. I am no saint. I am a sinner.” I am just a simple flower girl, but I really am not a lady to return to the opening illustration..
This is where we get with either/or thinking. This is where we get when we start thinking in terms which are not necessarily Christian. For the orthodox Christian faith proclaims that we are not either a sinner or a saint. The orthodox Christian faith proclaims that we are both a sinner AND a saint. Consider that very, very carefully, and then consider its implications.
And as you consider it, listen once more to the words of 1 John. Words that we heard earlier this morning: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
John holds up this balance very well. We are children of God NOW. Not later. Not when we are finally brought to perfection. We belong to Him NOW. Yet, we have not reached perfection. We have not been fully purified. That will take place slowly and surely in a process called sanctification. We are in the process of being transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. God has claimed us NOW, but we are not there yet.
And that raises and interesting question for me: how am I then called to treat others? How am I called to look at them? What am I called to emphasize about them, and how am I supposed to relate to them? As simple flower girls? As ladies–going back to the original story?
Let me try to shed some light on this question with another story. It is a story I have told before, but it bears repeating again and again and again.
Back in the mountains of Tennessee, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy? Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid
going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. Little Ben had heard good things about this preacher how he was kind and non-judgmental. He heard that he was compassionate and full of the Spirit.
Before long, Ben decided he wanted to check this preacher out. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' Ben liked the things he heard in that church. He liked hearing about a God who loved and forgave. In fact, on one particular Sunday, Ben was so caught up in the message that he forgot to slip out early. Before he knew what was happening he got caught up in the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church
looking at him. This was the question everyone was dying to receive an answer for. Ben expected harsh words, condemnation. But something very different happened.
This new preacher looked deeply into Ben’s eyes. With a great big grin, the preacher said, “Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.” With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, “Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.”
Perhaps I should tell you that little boy went on to become the governor of Tennessee. Perhaps that is relevant to the story. Perhaps it is not. Perhaps what is most important was the way the preacher thought to look at Ben. Whereas many could only see him as an illegitimate son of an unwed mother, this pastor saw him as a child of God–and worthy of love, respect, care, concern, and compassion.
Each of you are worthy of such things as well. Each of you have been adopted in the waters of baptism and have been claimed as God’s children now. No, you are not perfect, but God’s not done with you yet. He loves you dearly. He wants you to know that, and He hopes that you will treat one another with the same love He gives you. For that is what it means to Live God’s Word Daily. Amen.
Towards the end of the play, she expresses her complaint to their mutual friend, Colonel Pickering: "You see," she says, "Really and truly apart from the things anyone can pick up (the dressing and the proper way of speaking, and so on), the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not in how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me as a flower girl, and always will; but I know I can be a lady to you, because you always treat me as a lady, and always will."
Think about this story for just a minute as we consider the fact that today we celebrate All Saints Day in the life of the Church. It is the day in the Church year where we remember the saints–those who have gone onto eternal glory and those who are among us now who have profoundly impacted our lives–particularly our lives of faith.
For many, when the term saint is mentioned, they think about a person who has exceptional morals or who had done extraordinary things. They think about a Mother Teresa, a Pope John Paul II, a Peter, a Paul, a miracle worker, a person who volunteers all of their spare time to help out at soup kitchens, food pantries, or other charitable organizations. Rarely do we think of the person sitting right next to us as a saint. No. We know too much about that person. We know too much about his or her past. We know what he or she does on the weekends or how he or she treated us with just a touch of anger at some point and time in our lives. We know how they don’t keep their lawns perfectly manicured; how they spend money frivolously; how they could do so much more to help others but they choose not to. No, that person couldn’t possibly be a saint. She is just a simple flower girl, never a lady: or, in Christian terms, that person is a sinner not a saint.
One might think that with such an attitude, these folks would think more highly of themselves than they should. One might think that those with such an attitude would consider themselves above the people they think about. However, I would submit to you this morning, they probably don’t. They probably look in the mirror and say, “I am no saint either. I do not do enough good things. I am no Mother Teresa. I am no St. John. I am no St. Francis of Assissi. I’m not the most horrible person in the world, but neither am I so great. I get angry. I get frustrated. I say things I shouldn’t say. I do things I shouldn’t do. I know my limitations and my imperfections all too well. I am no saint. I am a sinner.” I am just a simple flower girl, but I really am not a lady to return to the opening illustration..
This is where we get with either/or thinking. This is where we get when we start thinking in terms which are not necessarily Christian. For the orthodox Christian faith proclaims that we are not either a sinner or a saint. The orthodox Christian faith proclaims that we are both a sinner AND a saint. Consider that very, very carefully, and then consider its implications.
And as you consider it, listen once more to the words of 1 John. Words that we heard earlier this morning: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
John holds up this balance very well. We are children of God NOW. Not later. Not when we are finally brought to perfection. We belong to Him NOW. Yet, we have not reached perfection. We have not been fully purified. That will take place slowly and surely in a process called sanctification. We are in the process of being transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. God has claimed us NOW, but we are not there yet.
And that raises and interesting question for me: how am I then called to treat others? How am I called to look at them? What am I called to emphasize about them, and how am I supposed to relate to them? As simple flower girls? As ladies–going back to the original story?
Let me try to shed some light on this question with another story. It is a story I have told before, but it bears repeating again and again and again.
Back in the mountains of Tennessee, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy? Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid
going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. Little Ben had heard good things about this preacher how he was kind and non-judgmental. He heard that he was compassionate and full of the Spirit.
Before long, Ben decided he wanted to check this preacher out. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' Ben liked the things he heard in that church. He liked hearing about a God who loved and forgave. In fact, on one particular Sunday, Ben was so caught up in the message that he forgot to slip out early. Before he knew what was happening he got caught up in the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?'
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church
looking at him. This was the question everyone was dying to receive an answer for. Ben expected harsh words, condemnation. But something very different happened.
This new preacher looked deeply into Ben’s eyes. With a great big grin, the preacher said, “Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.” With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, “Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.”
Perhaps I should tell you that little boy went on to become the governor of Tennessee. Perhaps that is relevant to the story. Perhaps it is not. Perhaps what is most important was the way the preacher thought to look at Ben. Whereas many could only see him as an illegitimate son of an unwed mother, this pastor saw him as a child of God–and worthy of love, respect, care, concern, and compassion.
Each of you are worthy of such things as well. Each of you have been adopted in the waters of baptism and have been claimed as God’s children now. No, you are not perfect, but God’s not done with you yet. He loves you dearly. He wants you to know that, and He hopes that you will treat one another with the same love He gives you. For that is what it means to Live God’s Word Daily. Amen.
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