Readers of my blog and the comments might have caught an anynonomous post the other day on the entry entitled "Why I Will not Celebrate the Death of bin Laden."
The comment read, "I've read other posts online that those of us who say "love your enemy" are arrogant. We quote Jesus Christ. Is Christ then arrogant as well? They say let us have our vengence because it's complicated."
The other post being referenced is a blog entry on the website http://www.livinglutheran.com/ : The website used my blog and another Lutheran pastor's blog to offer a comparison.
http://www.livinglutheran.com/blog/2011/05/on-celebrating-the-death-of-our-enemy.html
I'll admit, when I first read Pastor Joelle's blog my initial reaction was one of anger. I had it for about six seconds before I took a deep breath and chuckled. Yep. I laughed. Why? Well, it's complicated, but I'll put it out there straight foward.
1. My initial burst of anger came from being called arrogant in that I am one who is spouting off "Love your enemies." This anger came essentially from being called a name. Fortunately, I have grown a pretty thick skin when it comes to name calling. Just about anyone with a German or Czech name who grows up in South Texas can have their name mispronounced on a regular basis. In my case, the mispronunciation was not flattering. Haug somehow easily rolls off the tongue as Hog. Imagine the teacher in elementary school mispronouncing your name every year and having your classmates laugh at you each and every time. Furthermore, those same kids know a very easy way to insult you, and they used it quite often. Frankly, it ticked me off, and it hurt me at the time. But through the encouraging words of my parents and the passage of time, I have gotten to the point where it doesn't bother me too much to be called names. There is usually a little burst of anger and then a sharp reversal to the point at which I just don't give a d@mn. Call me what you will, I'm secure enough in my own self and ability to be thwarted by what you call me. Instead of attacking me with names, attack my ideas. Then, we might have a conversation.
2. The other reason I chuckled is because I do the exact same thing when it comes to faith and the interpretation of the Bible. Yep. I'm being totally and completely honest, and I think if every Christian actually took the time to examine themselves, they would find they do so as well. How so?
Well, let's just take one small example of Jesus' teachings. Here's a good one placed in the context of the entire teaching. Please note the bold and underlined text:
25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. 34“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” --Luke 14:25-35
I do not know of a single Christian in my realm of influence who follows this teaching of Jesus. I know I certainly do not. Do I believe Jesus meant it when He said it? You bet. But I don't do it. Why?
It's complicated.
You see, I am married. I have three children. I need a home to provide them shelter. I need vehicles to transport them to school and bring groceries home. I need to buy them clothing so they do not run around naked. I need clothing myself because not too many people are going to take a naked pastor seriously in this day and age. I need a car to visit the sick and shut in of my congregation. I need gardening tools to grow vegetables for my family. I need refrigerators and freezers to preserve food and insure it doesn't go bad. Oh, and the list goes on.
It's complicated.
I need such things.
I need possessions.
But....
Jesus says...
Give them up or you can't be His disciple.
While I don't approve of Pastor Joelle calling myself or anyone else arrogant in her blog, her point does stand.
And I'll quote, "...they need to show a little love and forgiveness for those sinners who relish a little revenge."
Yep. We all need to show a little love and forgiveness to everyone because God shows it to us. None of us follow the Law completely. We like to make it complicated. Even when it isn't. Even when Jesus' teachings are straightforward and easy to understand--we still don't do them.
So, hopefully, when I and others are saying, "Love your enemies..."
And when we read that we are supposed to give up all our possessions...
And when we see others sinning and breaking God's law...
We can be humble knowing we are right along there with everyone else.
In this complicated business we call life.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Humor Part 2
Breaking news from the church office:
We have finally found a way to insure that we will never have a shortage of council members or congregation presidents!
The back story:
Our neighbor has his home for sale. This directly impacts the church since he has an ice machine and has graciously allowed the church to get ice anytime we have a need. If and when he sells his house and moves, well...there goes our free ice.
A few conversations about the need for an ice machine have surfaced from time to time, but there have been some very legitimate reasons to question the need for one--namely: space and continued usage to prevent slime.
A congregation member a few moments ago entered the church office (which resides in a refurbished house) and said, "Couldn't we put an ice machine over here?"
I replied, "Of course!"
And then, from the other room a voice says, "I vote for a Margarita machine too!"
The congregation member says, "You have to work your way up to these things, you know."
And then I replied, "I like the idea, a lot. We could have some awfully fun council meetings if we put one of those things in!"
Congregation member: "They'd probably be pretty long."
Me: "And we probably won't get much work done, but can you imagine the line of those standing up to serve if we did such a thing?"
And I'm sure if we offered doubles for the congregation president, we'd have a whole lot of folks willing to serve in that capacity as well.
Now, please don't talk to me about liablity issues and other such things at this time, I'm enjoying the moment. :-)
We have finally found a way to insure that we will never have a shortage of council members or congregation presidents!
The back story:
Our neighbor has his home for sale. This directly impacts the church since he has an ice machine and has graciously allowed the church to get ice anytime we have a need. If and when he sells his house and moves, well...there goes our free ice.
A few conversations about the need for an ice machine have surfaced from time to time, but there have been some very legitimate reasons to question the need for one--namely: space and continued usage to prevent slime.
A congregation member a few moments ago entered the church office (which resides in a refurbished house) and said, "Couldn't we put an ice machine over here?"
I replied, "Of course!"
And then, from the other room a voice says, "I vote for a Margarita machine too!"
The congregation member says, "You have to work your way up to these things, you know."
And then I replied, "I like the idea, a lot. We could have some awfully fun council meetings if we put one of those things in!"
Congregation member: "They'd probably be pretty long."
Me: "And we probably won't get much work done, but can you imagine the line of those standing up to serve if we did such a thing?"
And I'm sure if we offered doubles for the congregation president, we'd have a whole lot of folks willing to serve in that capacity as well.
Now, please don't talk to me about liablity issues and other such things at this time, I'm enjoying the moment. :-)
Time for Some Humor
Things seem to be all too serious in our world today, so for today's blog, I'm going to retell a joke I read in last month's Reader's Digest. Probably won't get it word for word, but you'll get the gist.
One day, Eve confronted Adam, "You've been messing around on me. I think you are seeing another woman."
Adam replied, "How is that even possible? You are the only woman around. There is no one else."
After a long day, the couple retires to bed.
Adam awakes in the middle of the night to a constant poking in his side. Of course, Eve is the guilty party.
"What in the heck are you doing?" Adam asks.
Eve replies, "Counting your ribs!"
One day, Eve confronted Adam, "You've been messing around on me. I think you are seeing another woman."
Adam replied, "How is that even possible? You are the only woman around. There is no one else."
After a long day, the couple retires to bed.
Adam awakes in the middle of the night to a constant poking in his side. Of course, Eve is the guilty party.
"What in the heck are you doing?" Adam asks.
Eve replies, "Counting your ribs!"
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A Culture of Distrust
It didn't take long, did it?
It didn't take long for folks to begin demanding absolute proof that Osama bin Laden was dead.
"Where are the pictures?"
"Why did it take so long for the DNA evidence to be confirmed?"
"Are we really sure it was him?"
There are more than a few interesting conspiracy theories flying around as well regarding the al Qaida leader's death as well.
Why?
Put it bluntly, there is a nasty strain of distrust which runs through the populace of the United States of America. Whether this is something placed in us inherently when our nation was founded or if it has been a learned behavior over time, I am not sure. What I do know is it's there, and it's strong.
I wish I could point to the time when it started. Perhaps it was when the Founding Fathers had a distrust of the authority of the English Monarchy. Perhaps it was inherent in the waves of Protestant immigrants escaping religious persecution and their distrust of ecclesial authority. Perhaps it's just part of our human nature, and living in the comparative freedom of the U.S. has allowed it to blossom, grow, and thrive like no other place. I just don't know.
But what I do know is it seems to have gotten worse over the past couple of decades. I think technology has a lot to do with it as well as a cultural move toward relativity. Some call the cultural move "post-modernity", and one of its main traits is a focus on the individual as the sole and final arbiter of truth.
I know my college learning tilted me in such a direction. A mantra repeated over and over was, "Question everything!" Of course, I found out a little later that this meant I was to question everything EXCEPT the point of view of my professors. What they spoke was the truth-- at least from their perspective. :-) God forbid that someone either question them or have the audacity to attempt to think independently!
Ah, but even thinking "independently" presents its own challenge. For in order to ascertain information, one must come into contact with others or information filtered through others. One simply cannot independently verify every single piece of information one is presented with.
For instance, most people who have some sort of scientific learning will tell you atoms exist. But how do they know? How many folks have actually worked to measure and "see" an atom? And how many rely upon such information disseminated through text books, professors, and others? One of these is first hand information, and the other is second, third, or even fourth hand information! Do you trust your sources?
And that is the rub, I think. If we spend time questioning everything, we will come to distrust our sources. Why?
Because our sources will make mistakes. Human error will occur. Bias will happen. No source is fully trustworthy. Promises will be broken. The shortcomings of everyone and everything will eventually be exposed.
Therefore, it's not surprising folks are questioning whether or not bin Laden is dead. It's not surprising folks are questioning whether or not President Obama is a natural born citizen. It's not surprising folks are questioning the reasons behind gas prices spiking. It's not surprising folks question religious authority.
There is no consensus on who we can and cannot trust.
There is no agreed upon, reliable source of authority.
And so we turn to ourselves, and those of us who know ourselves better shudder in horror. We realize too our own short comings.
And so we yearn for someone or something we can trust. We yearn and desire (and I think fear a little too) someone or something who will convey to us the truth.
But even if that truth were to smack us in the face; even if someone were to rise up and tell us the truth, we'd probably try to silence them.
I remember a very powerful governor once asking a simple question, "What is truth?"
And the Truth was standing right before him soon to be led away and crucified.
Maybe it's just human nature.
Maybe we are simply born into such a condition.
Maybe it is our nature to arrive at the point where we will question everything and trust nothing.
For when we finally arrive at the point of realizing the hopelessness of such a situation, we will turn to the One who offers us hope--who offers us the truth--who breaks through the culture of distrust and leads us on a different path--a path that seeks the truth in love of God and love of neighbor instead of distrust.
It didn't take long for folks to begin demanding absolute proof that Osama bin Laden was dead.
"Where are the pictures?"
"Why did it take so long for the DNA evidence to be confirmed?"
"Are we really sure it was him?"
There are more than a few interesting conspiracy theories flying around as well regarding the al Qaida leader's death as well.
Why?
Put it bluntly, there is a nasty strain of distrust which runs through the populace of the United States of America. Whether this is something placed in us inherently when our nation was founded or if it has been a learned behavior over time, I am not sure. What I do know is it's there, and it's strong.
I wish I could point to the time when it started. Perhaps it was when the Founding Fathers had a distrust of the authority of the English Monarchy. Perhaps it was inherent in the waves of Protestant immigrants escaping religious persecution and their distrust of ecclesial authority. Perhaps it's just part of our human nature, and living in the comparative freedom of the U.S. has allowed it to blossom, grow, and thrive like no other place. I just don't know.
But what I do know is it seems to have gotten worse over the past couple of decades. I think technology has a lot to do with it as well as a cultural move toward relativity. Some call the cultural move "post-modernity", and one of its main traits is a focus on the individual as the sole and final arbiter of truth.
I know my college learning tilted me in such a direction. A mantra repeated over and over was, "Question everything!" Of course, I found out a little later that this meant I was to question everything EXCEPT the point of view of my professors. What they spoke was the truth-- at least from their perspective. :-) God forbid that someone either question them or have the audacity to attempt to think independently!
Ah, but even thinking "independently" presents its own challenge. For in order to ascertain information, one must come into contact with others or information filtered through others. One simply cannot independently verify every single piece of information one is presented with.
For instance, most people who have some sort of scientific learning will tell you atoms exist. But how do they know? How many folks have actually worked to measure and "see" an atom? And how many rely upon such information disseminated through text books, professors, and others? One of these is first hand information, and the other is second, third, or even fourth hand information! Do you trust your sources?
And that is the rub, I think. If we spend time questioning everything, we will come to distrust our sources. Why?
Because our sources will make mistakes. Human error will occur. Bias will happen. No source is fully trustworthy. Promises will be broken. The shortcomings of everyone and everything will eventually be exposed.
Therefore, it's not surprising folks are questioning whether or not bin Laden is dead. It's not surprising folks are questioning whether or not President Obama is a natural born citizen. It's not surprising folks are questioning the reasons behind gas prices spiking. It's not surprising folks question religious authority.
There is no consensus on who we can and cannot trust.
There is no agreed upon, reliable source of authority.
And so we turn to ourselves, and those of us who know ourselves better shudder in horror. We realize too our own short comings.
And so we yearn for someone or something we can trust. We yearn and desire (and I think fear a little too) someone or something who will convey to us the truth.
But even if that truth were to smack us in the face; even if someone were to rise up and tell us the truth, we'd probably try to silence them.
I remember a very powerful governor once asking a simple question, "What is truth?"
And the Truth was standing right before him soon to be led away and crucified.
Maybe it's just human nature.
Maybe we are simply born into such a condition.
Maybe it is our nature to arrive at the point where we will question everything and trust nothing.
For when we finally arrive at the point of realizing the hopelessness of such a situation, we will turn to the One who offers us hope--who offers us the truth--who breaks through the culture of distrust and leads us on a different path--a path that seeks the truth in love of God and love of neighbor instead of distrust.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Why I Will Not Celebrate the Death of bin Laden
This morning I logged onto the internet and found the headlines blaring "Osama bin Laden is Dead".
Below the headline was a picture of a crowd gathered in front of the White House in jubilant celebration waving flags and smiling from ear to ear. Within me, something died a little.
"How could that be?" you might ask.
After all, I am an American citizen. The mastermind behind the attack which killed nearly 3,000 Americans on 9/11 was now brought to justice with a bullet in his head. The person who caused suffering for thousands of families was now dead, killed by a Navy Seal bullet. The person whose cunning drastically altered the landscape of the U.S. when it comes to safety and human rights now lies buried at the bottom of the sea where no shrine can be built up around his grave. Shouldn't my heart have given a leap? Shouldn't my immediate response have been one of rejoicing?
I remember that day those many years ago when those planes flew into the World Trade Center towers. I remember bodies falling from those towers and seeing the towers collapse upon first responders and others who were trying to rescue the wounded and dying.
And I remember scenes from countries around the world of people who hated us. I remember seeing their celebrations. I remember seeing them waving their flags and grinning ear to ear as the U.S. had been dealt a significant blow. I remember seeing them celebrating our pain. And I didn't like it. One bit.
Yet, now many Americans are doing the exact same thing. They are rejoicing in death. Even if that death was justified in the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" sense. And I ask, "Are we no better than those who struck us in the first place?"
I ask that in light of my deeply held faith and convictions as a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus had a word or two for us who follow Him in regard to the whole eye for an eye thing.
"38You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" --Matthew 5:38-46
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." --Luke 6: 27-32
Jesus urges his followers to respond differently to those who dole out hatred.
Jesus urges his followers to break out of the vicious cycle of retribution and revenge.
Jesus urges his followers to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us.
It is neither easy nor popular. It's much easier to celebrate and become joyful when our enemies get what we feel they deserve. But that's not the way of Christ. "What credit is it to you if you do this?" Jesus asks. "Don't sinners do the same?" In other words: don't sinners love those who love them and hate those who hate them? Don't sinners practice and eye for an eye or a gift for a gift?
Jesus calls us toward a different kind of life; a different kind of reality. It is a reality where doing good to someone is not based upon what that person has or hasn't done to or for us. It is a reality where doing good is done for the sake of God. Why?
Because I believe Jesus is trying to teach us a very important lesson. I believe Jesus is trying to get us to step out of our limited perspective and see things from God's perspective. And what might that be?
Just this: even our enemies are made in the image of God. God created them too. God loves them too--even if we don't.
This day, I cannot celebrate the death of bin Laden. It reminds me too much of our fallen condition. It reminds me too much of the cycle of pain and hatred. Knowing al-Qaida, it's just a matter of time before they strike again. Then we will go after another "mastermind." The cycle won't end.
But I will live in hope. I will pray for my country's enemies. I will pray for my country. I will pray that the cycle of violence and hatred will cease. It will probably not happen in my lifetime, but I will do what I can in my own, small way to make it stop.
Below the headline was a picture of a crowd gathered in front of the White House in jubilant celebration waving flags and smiling from ear to ear. Within me, something died a little.
"How could that be?" you might ask.
After all, I am an American citizen. The mastermind behind the attack which killed nearly 3,000 Americans on 9/11 was now brought to justice with a bullet in his head. The person who caused suffering for thousands of families was now dead, killed by a Navy Seal bullet. The person whose cunning drastically altered the landscape of the U.S. when it comes to safety and human rights now lies buried at the bottom of the sea where no shrine can be built up around his grave. Shouldn't my heart have given a leap? Shouldn't my immediate response have been one of rejoicing?
I remember that day those many years ago when those planes flew into the World Trade Center towers. I remember bodies falling from those towers and seeing the towers collapse upon first responders and others who were trying to rescue the wounded and dying.
And I remember scenes from countries around the world of people who hated us. I remember seeing their celebrations. I remember seeing them waving their flags and grinning ear to ear as the U.S. had been dealt a significant blow. I remember seeing them celebrating our pain. And I didn't like it. One bit.
Yet, now many Americans are doing the exact same thing. They are rejoicing in death. Even if that death was justified in the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" sense. And I ask, "Are we no better than those who struck us in the first place?"
I ask that in light of my deeply held faith and convictions as a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus had a word or two for us who follow Him in regard to the whole eye for an eye thing.
"38You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 43You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" --Matthew 5:38-46
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." --Luke 6: 27-32
Jesus urges his followers to respond differently to those who dole out hatred.
Jesus urges his followers to break out of the vicious cycle of retribution and revenge.
Jesus urges his followers to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us.
It is neither easy nor popular. It's much easier to celebrate and become joyful when our enemies get what we feel they deserve. But that's not the way of Christ. "What credit is it to you if you do this?" Jesus asks. "Don't sinners do the same?" In other words: don't sinners love those who love them and hate those who hate them? Don't sinners practice and eye for an eye or a gift for a gift?
Jesus calls us toward a different kind of life; a different kind of reality. It is a reality where doing good to someone is not based upon what that person has or hasn't done to or for us. It is a reality where doing good is done for the sake of God. Why?
Because I believe Jesus is trying to teach us a very important lesson. I believe Jesus is trying to get us to step out of our limited perspective and see things from God's perspective. And what might that be?
Just this: even our enemies are made in the image of God. God created them too. God loves them too--even if we don't.
This day, I cannot celebrate the death of bin Laden. It reminds me too much of our fallen condition. It reminds me too much of the cycle of pain and hatred. Knowing al-Qaida, it's just a matter of time before they strike again. Then we will go after another "mastermind." The cycle won't end.
But I will live in hope. I will pray for my country's enemies. I will pray for my country. I will pray that the cycle of violence and hatred will cease. It will probably not happen in my lifetime, but I will do what I can in my own, small way to make it stop.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Lesson In Evangelism: Sermon Delivered May 1, 2011
Gospel: John 20: 19-31
19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
When I was in junior high and high school, I loved to go hunting. Every winter, my family and I would head out to my grandparent’s ranch in South Texas, and we’d hunt. I remember many a cold and many a hot afternoon sitting in a deer blind waiting for a buck to present itself so that I could take a shot at it. I’d enjoy listening to tales about deer taken and missed, and, of course, all of us who hunted dreamed of getting the big one.
When I got married, we moved a few too many miles away for me to go hunting at our ranch. I’m still a little too far away, and I’d love to do some hunting, but I don’t really have a place nearby to go. But that’s beside the point. I’ll get to the point rather quickly. I remember one December day sitting in our apartment at my computer talking to my mom and dad. They would call once a week so we could catch up on things. I remember how my dad started the conversation.
He said, "Now, Kevin, take your hands and put them about two feet apart."
"O.K." I said.
"Got that picture?"
"Yep."
"Now, take and make a circle with your thumb and pointer finger. Don’t let them close. Keep them about an inch from touching."
"Did it," I said.
Dad answered, "That’s how big he was."
What I said at that point, I cannot repeat to you now. However, I will say this. I didn’t believe my dad. I didn’t believe he had shot a deer with a two foot spread and horns which were that thick. I thought he was telling a good yarn.
And even though my mom was there acknowledging and confirming my dad’s story, I still wouldn’t bite. I figured I was getting my leg pulled royally. Eventually, seminary let out for Christmas break, and Dawna and I went down to see my folks. Well, my dad wasn’t lying. The darn thing was that big. There was no exaggeration. At all. But I still find it amazing that I wouldn’t believe what my parents said–even though they are very trustworthy people.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation? Have you found yourself not believing what someone is telling you for one reason or another? Or, have you stood on the other end and tried to convince someone of something only to be rebuffed time and again because of that other person’s unbelief? It can be extremely frustrating for both parties involved.
And it’s one thing to get into such a discussion as my dad and I had which was eventually settled by him bringing out that rack of horns, but it’s another thing to get involved in such a discussion where there is not visible, tangible proof of existence. When you get into those kind of arguments, Katy, bar the door. You can spend hours upon hours debating such issues without coming to any sort of resolution what-so-ever. In fact, at the end of such conversations, also known as arguments, you leave feeling more frustrated than ever.
I have no doubt that’s how most of those disciples felt when they were trying to convince Thomas they had seen Jesus. I have no doubt they had raised and elevated their voices to no avail trying to convince Thomas they had indeed seen Jesus alive and in their midst. But to Thomas, the story was unbelievable. There was no way people were raised from the dead–at least by God.
Sure, Thomas had seen Lazarus raised from the dead. He had seen the woman’s son raised on the road to Nain. The dead could come back to life. He’d seen Jesus perform such a thing, but that was God working through Jesus. Jesus was gone. No one else had that power. No one else could bring Jesus back. John the Baptist was dead too, and no one else was going around claiming to be God’s spokesperson. No. Jesus was dead. The story was just too fantastic. I’m sure Thomas wanted to believe, but every rational bone in his body was saying it couldn’t be.
And I’m sure that drove the rest of those gathered in that room absolutely nuts. They probably said more than once, "Thomas, are you calling us liars?" "Thomas, why don’t you believe us, haven’t we gone through enough with you? Don’t you trust us?" "Thomas, why are you so stubborn and pig-headed? Can’t you see that we are no longer grieving? Can’t you see the change in our lives and in our demeanor? What else could have caused this? Do you think we just flipped a switch and have gotten over Jesus’ death that fast?"
Yet despite these powerful arguments, Thomas held fast. He wouldn’t; he couldn’t believe. "Unless I place my fingers in the marks of His hands..." Thomas said.
Is there a lesson to be learned here? Is there an important item to be grasped by you and by me as we get to this part of the text?
Perhaps there is, and perhaps it is a lesson for us in Evangelism. Oh, yes, that dreaded "e" word for Lutherans. You can give most Lutherans the choice between doing evangelism and series of painful vaccinations, and 90% will respond, "How many shots?" Most Lutherans just don’t like evangelism, and the reasons are many. First, many feel ill equipped to articulate their faith. They feel like they don’t have enough knowledge or understanding. Second, most don’t want to get into an argument. " What if I get asked a really tough question and have to defend myself?" is a question many ask, and they just don’t want to go there. Third, many don’t want to feel the sting of rejection. "What if I tell someone about my faith or invite them to church, and they blow me off?" No one wants to experience that. Put all of those things together, and you find a tremendous reluctance to even broach the topic of faith with many who sit in the pews.
However, let’s take a moment to look at this text and the evangelistic efforts of those disciples who tried to convince Thomas. How did they fare? How successful were they in convincing Jesus was raised from the dead?
I’m waiting.
How did they do?
Did they have enough knowledge?
Did they have enough understanding?
Did they have enough chutzpah to bring Thomas around to their point of view?
Nope. In fact, if we were to measure their ability to be evangelists by the results, we see that room was full of a bunch of abject failures. They were not able to convince one of their very own that Jesus was raised from the dead.
But...
But they did manage to plant some seeds, didn’t they?
They did manage to get Thomas thinking about Jesus being raised from the dead.
And we know what happened next. Jesus appeared in the room once more. This time, Thomas was there. And Jesus went up to Thomas and took Thomas by the hand. Jesus had Thomas feel the nail holes. Thomas, then, had no choice. When Jesus appeared to him, he believed.
Which brings me to the most important lesson in evangelism–we don’t need to get into any sort of debate. We don’t need to worry about convincing others they need to believe just like we do. We don’t need to strong arm them into coming to church. We simply need to plant seeds. By our words and by our deeds we can announce our faith to others, and we can invite them to join in what we have.
And if they refuse? Well, we just have to wait for Jesus to do His work. You see what Jesus did to Thomas. He’ll do the same for those we share the good news with. Just plant the seeds, and then stand back and watch. Amen.
19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
When I was in junior high and high school, I loved to go hunting. Every winter, my family and I would head out to my grandparent’s ranch in South Texas, and we’d hunt. I remember many a cold and many a hot afternoon sitting in a deer blind waiting for a buck to present itself so that I could take a shot at it. I’d enjoy listening to tales about deer taken and missed, and, of course, all of us who hunted dreamed of getting the big one.
When I got married, we moved a few too many miles away for me to go hunting at our ranch. I’m still a little too far away, and I’d love to do some hunting, but I don’t really have a place nearby to go. But that’s beside the point. I’ll get to the point rather quickly. I remember one December day sitting in our apartment at my computer talking to my mom and dad. They would call once a week so we could catch up on things. I remember how my dad started the conversation.
He said, "Now, Kevin, take your hands and put them about two feet apart."
"O.K." I said.
"Got that picture?"
"Yep."
"Now, take and make a circle with your thumb and pointer finger. Don’t let them close. Keep them about an inch from touching."
"Did it," I said.
Dad answered, "That’s how big he was."
What I said at that point, I cannot repeat to you now. However, I will say this. I didn’t believe my dad. I didn’t believe he had shot a deer with a two foot spread and horns which were that thick. I thought he was telling a good yarn.
And even though my mom was there acknowledging and confirming my dad’s story, I still wouldn’t bite. I figured I was getting my leg pulled royally. Eventually, seminary let out for Christmas break, and Dawna and I went down to see my folks. Well, my dad wasn’t lying. The darn thing was that big. There was no exaggeration. At all. But I still find it amazing that I wouldn’t believe what my parents said–even though they are very trustworthy people.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation? Have you found yourself not believing what someone is telling you for one reason or another? Or, have you stood on the other end and tried to convince someone of something only to be rebuffed time and again because of that other person’s unbelief? It can be extremely frustrating for both parties involved.
And it’s one thing to get into such a discussion as my dad and I had which was eventually settled by him bringing out that rack of horns, but it’s another thing to get involved in such a discussion where there is not visible, tangible proof of existence. When you get into those kind of arguments, Katy, bar the door. You can spend hours upon hours debating such issues without coming to any sort of resolution what-so-ever. In fact, at the end of such conversations, also known as arguments, you leave feeling more frustrated than ever.
I have no doubt that’s how most of those disciples felt when they were trying to convince Thomas they had seen Jesus. I have no doubt they had raised and elevated their voices to no avail trying to convince Thomas they had indeed seen Jesus alive and in their midst. But to Thomas, the story was unbelievable. There was no way people were raised from the dead–at least by God.
Sure, Thomas had seen Lazarus raised from the dead. He had seen the woman’s son raised on the road to Nain. The dead could come back to life. He’d seen Jesus perform such a thing, but that was God working through Jesus. Jesus was gone. No one else had that power. No one else could bring Jesus back. John the Baptist was dead too, and no one else was going around claiming to be God’s spokesperson. No. Jesus was dead. The story was just too fantastic. I’m sure Thomas wanted to believe, but every rational bone in his body was saying it couldn’t be.
And I’m sure that drove the rest of those gathered in that room absolutely nuts. They probably said more than once, "Thomas, are you calling us liars?" "Thomas, why don’t you believe us, haven’t we gone through enough with you? Don’t you trust us?" "Thomas, why are you so stubborn and pig-headed? Can’t you see that we are no longer grieving? Can’t you see the change in our lives and in our demeanor? What else could have caused this? Do you think we just flipped a switch and have gotten over Jesus’ death that fast?"
Yet despite these powerful arguments, Thomas held fast. He wouldn’t; he couldn’t believe. "Unless I place my fingers in the marks of His hands..." Thomas said.
Is there a lesson to be learned here? Is there an important item to be grasped by you and by me as we get to this part of the text?
Perhaps there is, and perhaps it is a lesson for us in Evangelism. Oh, yes, that dreaded "e" word for Lutherans. You can give most Lutherans the choice between doing evangelism and series of painful vaccinations, and 90% will respond, "How many shots?" Most Lutherans just don’t like evangelism, and the reasons are many. First, many feel ill equipped to articulate their faith. They feel like they don’t have enough knowledge or understanding. Second, most don’t want to get into an argument. " What if I get asked a really tough question and have to defend myself?" is a question many ask, and they just don’t want to go there. Third, many don’t want to feel the sting of rejection. "What if I tell someone about my faith or invite them to church, and they blow me off?" No one wants to experience that. Put all of those things together, and you find a tremendous reluctance to even broach the topic of faith with many who sit in the pews.
However, let’s take a moment to look at this text and the evangelistic efforts of those disciples who tried to convince Thomas. How did they fare? How successful were they in convincing Jesus was raised from the dead?
I’m waiting.
How did they do?
Did they have enough knowledge?
Did they have enough understanding?
Did they have enough chutzpah to bring Thomas around to their point of view?
Nope. In fact, if we were to measure their ability to be evangelists by the results, we see that room was full of a bunch of abject failures. They were not able to convince one of their very own that Jesus was raised from the dead.
But...
But they did manage to plant some seeds, didn’t they?
They did manage to get Thomas thinking about Jesus being raised from the dead.
And we know what happened next. Jesus appeared in the room once more. This time, Thomas was there. And Jesus went up to Thomas and took Thomas by the hand. Jesus had Thomas feel the nail holes. Thomas, then, had no choice. When Jesus appeared to him, he believed.
Which brings me to the most important lesson in evangelism–we don’t need to get into any sort of debate. We don’t need to worry about convincing others they need to believe just like we do. We don’t need to strong arm them into coming to church. We simply need to plant seeds. By our words and by our deeds we can announce our faith to others, and we can invite them to join in what we have.
And if they refuse? Well, we just have to wait for Jesus to do His work. You see what Jesus did to Thomas. He’ll do the same for those we share the good news with. Just plant the seeds, and then stand back and watch. Amen.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Are "Birthers" Welcome?
This post is triggered by a recent discussion in an ELCA Clergy group on Facebook.
One of the posters asked how this Sunday's upcoming Gospel reading might be applied to the "irrational and even racist" doubts over President Obama's birth certificate and addressing the issue. For those who would like to read the Gospel text, please do so, otherwise, scroll down past the italics:
John 20: 19-29
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin*), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Of course, most folks talked about being prophetic, taking a stand against racism, or making fun of Donald Trump's hair.
I took a different approach and asked, "Just for the fun of it, pretend a 'birther' comes to visit your congregation this Sunday and hears what you have to say. How have you represented God, Christ's earthly body: the Church, your congregation, etc. If that "birther" is a seeker who is looking to find a faith home, what would be the odds of that person feeling welcome in your congregation?"
Most ELCA clergy are squarely left to far left on the political spectrum in the U.S. I intentionally asked this question knowing many of these same clergy often and forcefully speak about Jesus' "radical inclusiveness." Most of these same clergy agree with the original comment that "birthers" are irrational and racist. So, will such clergy offer words of welcome to those whom they vehemently disagree?
There are those who believe Thomas was being perfectly rational in the Gospel for this Sunday. I would argue this is mostly the case. People don't just spring up from the grave. Although, Thomas probably should have known better. He did see Jesus raise Lazarus. He was there when Jesus raised the widow's son on the road to Nain. He did hear Jesus say that He would rise again. Further, Thomas had the witness of his closest friends and companions. In the Jewish custom, if two eyewitnesses agree on something, it is generally considered to be true. Yet, Thomas dismisses all such arguments. One could argue on this basis that Thomas was being irrational.
Yet, how did Jesus handle Thomas? Did Jesus call him names? Did Jesus question Thomas' mental state?
Read again for yourself.
No.
Jesus made no such commentary. Instead, Jesus came to Thomas and revealed to him the truth. Jesus took hold of Thomas' hand and placed it in the nail marks. And it was only after revealing himself that he dared utter the words, "Do not doubt, but believe."
Contrast that with how this whole "birther" issue has been handled. Do you or did you see action to quell this movement right away? Rumors are best squashed early before they take a life of their own, and the best antidote is the truth. Was such a thing done?
No. Instead, those whom it affected tried to laugh it off, call people crazy, etc. etc.
The God honest truth is there is nothing wrong with doubting. Healthy doubt is...well, healthy. My college professors tried to teach me to be open minded by questioning everything. I was taught I shouldn't become absolutely certain about anything until I had spent quite a bit of time thinking, reflecting, and studying over it. This included my theology professors.
Yep, went through an awful lot of doubt in what they taught and the things they offered up to us theology students. Many things caused some deep, internal wrestling.
But I've had a few Thomas moments. I've had times when Jesus came and directly moved in my life. I'll even dare to say, I've heard His voice speak to me. (Ask me about the call I received to be a pastor when I was 18.) Always, it was with compassion, with a sense of peace, and with a sense of empowerment to follow Him and remain convicted as His disciple.
I am acutely aware of this whenever I hear anyone say that such and such a group or such and such a person should not be welcomed in church. I am also acutely aware of this when folks use labels or name calling when presenting an argument. Such things are never helpful in conveying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For this reason, I have worked diligently in the past few years to proclaim a message: Christianity isn't about hanging out with people who are like you, look like you, and agree with everything you say. Christianity is about sitting down with even those who you disagree with, sometimes on the most fundamental issues, and still be able to follow Jesus' command to love them.
I have stuck my neck out on several occasions in my congregation to convey this message, and I will continue to do so because I think it's how Jesus acted: radical inclusivity. He wants everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE to be a part of the family of God--birther, 911 truther, homosexual, heterosexual, male, female, transvestite, liberal, conservative, independent, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian; you label it, God wants that person to find His life changing and life saving love in Jesus Christ.
I believe in such a fashion, the Church sets itself up to be a truly counter-cultural place. In the midst of a society driven by ideology and separation, the Church proclaims: set that crap aside and remember you are a Child of God! All are indeed welcome!
One of the posters asked how this Sunday's upcoming Gospel reading might be applied to the "irrational and even racist" doubts over President Obama's birth certificate and addressing the issue. For those who would like to read the Gospel text, please do so, otherwise, scroll down past the italics:
John 20: 19-29
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin*), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Of course, most folks talked about being prophetic, taking a stand against racism, or making fun of Donald Trump's hair.
I took a different approach and asked, "Just for the fun of it, pretend a 'birther' comes to visit your congregation this Sunday and hears what you have to say. How have you represented God, Christ's earthly body: the Church, your congregation, etc. If that "birther" is a seeker who is looking to find a faith home, what would be the odds of that person feeling welcome in your congregation?"
Most ELCA clergy are squarely left to far left on the political spectrum in the U.S. I intentionally asked this question knowing many of these same clergy often and forcefully speak about Jesus' "radical inclusiveness." Most of these same clergy agree with the original comment that "birthers" are irrational and racist. So, will such clergy offer words of welcome to those whom they vehemently disagree?
There are those who believe Thomas was being perfectly rational in the Gospel for this Sunday. I would argue this is mostly the case. People don't just spring up from the grave. Although, Thomas probably should have known better. He did see Jesus raise Lazarus. He was there when Jesus raised the widow's son on the road to Nain. He did hear Jesus say that He would rise again. Further, Thomas had the witness of his closest friends and companions. In the Jewish custom, if two eyewitnesses agree on something, it is generally considered to be true. Yet, Thomas dismisses all such arguments. One could argue on this basis that Thomas was being irrational.
Yet, how did Jesus handle Thomas? Did Jesus call him names? Did Jesus question Thomas' mental state?
Read again for yourself.
No.
Jesus made no such commentary. Instead, Jesus came to Thomas and revealed to him the truth. Jesus took hold of Thomas' hand and placed it in the nail marks. And it was only after revealing himself that he dared utter the words, "Do not doubt, but believe."
Contrast that with how this whole "birther" issue has been handled. Do you or did you see action to quell this movement right away? Rumors are best squashed early before they take a life of their own, and the best antidote is the truth. Was such a thing done?
No. Instead, those whom it affected tried to laugh it off, call people crazy, etc. etc.
The God honest truth is there is nothing wrong with doubting. Healthy doubt is...well, healthy. My college professors tried to teach me to be open minded by questioning everything. I was taught I shouldn't become absolutely certain about anything until I had spent quite a bit of time thinking, reflecting, and studying over it. This included my theology professors.
Yep, went through an awful lot of doubt in what they taught and the things they offered up to us theology students. Many things caused some deep, internal wrestling.
But I've had a few Thomas moments. I've had times when Jesus came and directly moved in my life. I'll even dare to say, I've heard His voice speak to me. (Ask me about the call I received to be a pastor when I was 18.) Always, it was with compassion, with a sense of peace, and with a sense of empowerment to follow Him and remain convicted as His disciple.
I am acutely aware of this whenever I hear anyone say that such and such a group or such and such a person should not be welcomed in church. I am also acutely aware of this when folks use labels or name calling when presenting an argument. Such things are never helpful in conveying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For this reason, I have worked diligently in the past few years to proclaim a message: Christianity isn't about hanging out with people who are like you, look like you, and agree with everything you say. Christianity is about sitting down with even those who you disagree with, sometimes on the most fundamental issues, and still be able to follow Jesus' command to love them.
I have stuck my neck out on several occasions in my congregation to convey this message, and I will continue to do so because I think it's how Jesus acted: radical inclusivity. He wants everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE to be a part of the family of God--birther, 911 truther, homosexual, heterosexual, male, female, transvestite, liberal, conservative, independent, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian; you label it, God wants that person to find His life changing and life saving love in Jesus Christ.
I believe in such a fashion, the Church sets itself up to be a truly counter-cultural place. In the midst of a society driven by ideology and separation, the Church proclaims: set that crap aside and remember you are a Child of God! All are indeed welcome!
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