Breaking Joyful

Tags

Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Religion and Spirituality, theology

The Book of Zephaniah starts out pretty grim. It is a smiting book. It is about how God is going to smite everyone. It is doom and gloom and the End is Near. Then, the book takes an unexpected turn toward the end. There in the midst of all of this judgment and wrath we find this stunning image of God.

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”    Zephaniah 3:17

Who knew the book would end this way? Who knew it would end so full of love and joy? Who knew Zephaniah would be breaking joyful in the end?

Maybe I can describe it this way;

A soldier makes his way down a narrow street in Iraq. There has been gunfire, a small skirmish just ended (if you can call any skirmish small.) He hears the cry of a small child. He goes there to find an infant alone, scared, crying. Another soldier tells him the place is clear.

“What’s with the child?”

“I don’t know. He seems to be alone.”

He decides to stay with the child while the others look for the parents. He kneels down and takes the infant in his arms. The child is afraid. He continues to cry. He is so very tired. The soldier is also a father. He has two small children at home. He takes the infant in his arms, holds him gently against his Kevlar and rocks back and forth. And then he sings, he sings the song he remembered his mother singing to him when he was small and afraid, the song he sings to his own children back home.

“Sleep my child and peace attend thee,

All through the night

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and dale in slumber sleeping

I my loving vigil keeping,

All through the night.

He looked down and the infant was asleep. He was safe in his arms.

Did you hear what Zephaniah said, “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

God, our mighty warrior, who takes us in his arms in the midst of our fear and the danger of our world and holds us and sings over us. He celebrates us and loves us more than we can imagine. That is the picture of God I want you to carry with you today. The Almighty God, holding you, in love with you, singing over you.

This is the only place in the entire Bible that says that God sings over us. What a tender, beautiful picture. Who would have thought that old hard shell Zephaniah would be the one to give it to us

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Tags

Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Prayer, Religion and Spirituality, The Book of Common Prayer, theology

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night . . .”

That is the beginning petition of an evening prayer from The Book of Common Prayer. I am not Episcopalian, but for decades now I have used The Book of Common Prayer as a vital part of my prayer life. It never fails to inspire or sometimes disturb me, like this opening petition.

To begin with it reminds me that the world does not revolve around me. Not everyone sleeps when I do. Every night when I lay my head down after a long day, many are just getting started. There are those who work. I live in central Florida. It is typically hot here during the day. By hot I mean sometimes your flip-flops melt to the sidewalk. What we lack in heat we make up for in humidity. It is pretty easy to work up a sweat outside. Open the door and step out on the porch. That will do it. For those reasons many road projects are done at night under portable lights. Not only is it safer (less traffic) but also it is far more humane to work in the night heat than the day heat. There are others who work in factories and services that require an overnight shift. While I sleep they will be toiling away providing goods and services that make my life better, maybe even possible. Lord, watch over them.

Some watch while we sleep. When I read that phrase I think of the military. While I am sleeping some soldier, most likely a young adult, stays awake in various posts and places. Lord protect them and bring them home soon. I think of those in law enforcement. Men and women with badges stay awake to keep our cities and communities safe. They stay awake so they can be there when we need them. While I sleep they patrol. Keep them safe. Give them good judgment. I also think of those in the medical profession, from first responders to surgeons. While I sleep they are awake in case we need them. They are there in ambulances and they keep the hospitals running for those who are there and those who might need to be. Of course there are also the firefighters. They watch too. Spending the night away from family ready to respond to our emergencies. Lord watch over all them. Guide their decisions. Give them abundant compassion.

And some will weep. As I lay down to sleep many will not. Some are worrying about an adult son or daughter. The situation they are in keeps them awake. They may lie in bed, but they do not sleep. They can’t sleep. In the dark tears fall. Some have lost someone they love. They do not lie down. They sit. They walk around. They mostly feel lost and empty. Someone has a loved one who is sick. They pray for them and they cry as they pray. For some the pain is their own. They cannot sleep. The possible situations are too numerous to mention. But, I am aware that as I give thanks for my day, there are others who are praying for strength to get through theirs. When I lay down to sleep there are many who will not, because they are in pain. Lord, watch over them. Comfort them. Heal them. Help them as only you can.

Once again I am reminded that I am not the center of the universe. When I check out for the evening, life will go on. People will work at their jobs, people will work to keep others safe, and people will face pain. While I sleep God is still in charge and He will do just fine without my help.

It’s Not Just The Church!

Tags

Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, theology

Okay. I have avoided any pushback for a long time. I didn’t want to be thought of as one of those guys who just doesn’t get it. I think I get it. The church in USAmerica is declining. I have read gut-wrenching articles outlining everything that is wrong with the church. I have read blogs about “why we are leaving church” and “why we don’t go to church.” I have been a pastor for just over 30 years now. (Ouch! I did start very young!) Trust me. I know the church isn’t perfect. I have had an angry church member make the motion to cut my salary during a business conference, because he didn’t like the job I was doing. I have received anonymous hate mail over sermons I have preached. (They were about love and being inclusive. I guess grace isn’t as popular as we have been taught.) My very small list of the meanest, most unethical people I have ever met is compiled of people who have served on church boards. So forgive my lack of sympathy for you being offended because you went to a church once and they served you a cold latte!

I want to tell you why I still believe in the church. Even though it is home to some vile people, it is often haplessly behind and is often self-serving, there is another side of church world. It was because of the people and mission of a church that I became a Christian. I was accepted, embraced, loved and made to feel important by people who had no reason to love me other than because they were followers of Christ. I have seen people in the church with little money give generously to help provide for others in need. I have seen people selflessly give and serve others through ministries of the church and community. When I have hurt, it has been church folks who embraced me and loved me and were the comforting hands of God to me. This is the experience of millions of others as well.

Church isn’t perfect. I know. Neither am I. Neither are you.

I have noticed that a lot of the complaints leveled against the church are the same complaints leveled at just about everything else in society. The church is not alone in facing some of these problems. Church leaders wring their hands over what the church is doing wrong because people aren’t as committed to church as they used to be. Newsflash! Business leaders are wringing their hands wondering why their employees aren’t as committed to work as they used to be. And they pay them to come! Have you seen the divorce rate? Could it be that we live in a culture that just isn’t as committed to anything as it used to be?

Church leaders are as anxious as cats not to challenge or require much from people attending church because they might just leave if you do. At the same time business leaders are struggling with employees who have a lack of conflict resolution skills. That hampers the businesses from keeping employees long term and having an enjoyable work environment. Could it be that we live in a culture where people just leave when something happens that they don’t like. Not as many people are willing to stick around and work things out when things don’t go their way.

We live in a culture where many are entertained to death and think they are entitled to having everything go the way they want it whether they put any effort into it or not. By the way, this is across the board, not just any one generation.

So why do we expect people to flock to a community that would dare try to hold each other accountable? That would focus on us changing and becoming the human beings God created us to be? That would require service and selflessness? That teaches that joy comes through service? And even asked for you to give some of your money! Many people leave when they realize this. The people we convinced to show up for the entertainment, celebrity pastors and the latest coffee that all the cool kids are drinking are often unaware of the cost.

I know the church has issues. I have worked for decades to try to help the local church be what God has called us to be. Sometimes I get discouraged. But, when people ask me, “why are there so many hypocrites in the church?” I answer, “Have you ever seriously tried to follow Jesus? It’s hard. That’s why I’m a hypocrite.”

I really believe that there are some good churches out there. If you really want to find one, I believe you can. Most people I know who want to, do.

The church has its problems. But it is not just the church.

A Cool Thing About Doctrine

Tags

Church, Diana Butler Bass, doctrine, theology

According to Diana Butler Bass, (Christianity after Religion) the word doctrine actually means a “healing teaching.” It derives from the French word for “doctor.” That is one of the coolest things I have read in a while. How ironic that something that is supposed to bring healing has through the centuries been something that has brought about division within the church. Another story for the file “Adventures in Missing the Point.”

I understand the need for correct doctrine. There have been plenty of ridiculous ideas passed off as God’s will. Without a faith that is grounded in the truth we invariably end up with a faith that is more about our comfort, our desires and our will being done than it is about God. Or even worse, we end up creating a god who hates the same people we do. Our history bears this out time and time again.

Earlier today I read (yet another) gut-wrenching article written by a young woman who no longer considers herself a Christian. She was abused by a church that had a false understanding of God. I so wish that I could tell her that I reject the same things she rejects. The stuff she had to deal with were not the things of God. They were the result of bad doctrine combined with arrogance and self-righteousness.

We need scholars. We need serious study of the Scriptures. We need honest, enlightening prayer. We need humility. When we enter a broken world with the Gospel we need to make sure it really it the Good News that we are telling. We need to get it right.

But, I am also weary of the way some Christians fight over doctrine. I am not saying we shouldn’t have doctrinal discussions and debates. I am all for those. But, I am over the fighting. I am over the insinuations and the “zingers” and the unforgiveness. There was a time in my life, when I was much younger, when I was up for a good theological fight. I was armed with a seminary education and I could read enough Greek and Hebrew to be dangerous. I know the feeling of pride and superiority that can come with winning the argument. I know the anger and resentment of not winning. I like to think I have become wiser and more compassionate, at least on my good days.

St. Augustine wrote, “in essential beliefs we have unity. In non-essential beliefs we have freedom. In all our beliefs we show charity.”

That pretty well sums it up for me. Most of the divisions that I have witnessed have been over the non-essential beliefs anyway. They have escalated due to a lack of charity or love.

Isaiah dreamed of a day when we would turn our swords into farming implements. We would have peace instead of war. Maybe one day we will turn our arguments into “healing teachings.” Then we will have doctrine that is a foundation for the church instead of a wrecking ball. I long for that day.

Ideology or Theology?

Tags

faith and politics, fundamentalism, ideology, Mitt Romney, muslim, Paige Patterson, theology

I recently read that Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admitted a Muslim student to study there. This historic precedent came at the request of the seminary President, Dr. Paige Patterson. The move has been applauded by many and condemned by others. I believe there is a story here that is much larger than “Muslim student attends Baptist School.”

In the 70’s Dr. Patterson was a major leader and architect in a movement to gain control of SBC institutions. Many leaders were ousted because their views were too moderate to suit the new leadership in the convention. It was called “The Battle over the Bible.” We were told it was about theology. The new leadership held views that are rightly labeled Christian Fundamentalism. It is the same kind of fundamentalism with which I grew up.

It is policy and practice at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to deny admission to any student who does not hold traditional, orthodox beliefs about the Christian faith. This devout Muslim student obviously does not hold such beliefs. But, here is the interesting thing. Muslim Fundamentalists and Christian Fundamentalists have a lot in common when it comes to Ideology. When I lived in Atlanta I was fortunate enough to have some friends who were devout Muslims. They were opposed to drinking, smoking and all of the same things I was taught were sinful when I was growing up. There is a world of difference between the theology of  fundamentalist Muslims and fundamentalist Christians. However, their ideologies are very similar. For instance, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admitted a Muslim student, but still won’t allow a woman to teach there. I am sure the Muslim student agrees with that policy. Others have pointed out that it seems ideology has triumphed over theology.

I was thinking about this same concept during the last USA Presidential election. Most Christian Fundamentalists in this country voted for Mitt Romney. Early on, the issue was raised that he was a Mormon. Later on, many in Baptist circles on the right described this as prejudice, exactly the same that was practiced against John Kennedy for being a Catholic. (It was a prejudice practiced by a lot of Baptists I might add.)

I grew up in the Southern Baptist tribe. I was taught in both Training Union (I am old!) and Discipleship Training classes on Sunday evenings how to witness to people of other faiths. We were taught to share our faith with people who were Mormon. It is the long held Southern Baptist belief that some of the theological tenants of The Church of Latter Day Saints disqualify it from being considered a sect of the Christian religion. I don’t want to have that debate here. I simple want to point out that Christian Fundamentalists had huge disagreements with Mormon theology. But, when a candidate that had the same political ideology came along, his theology was suddenly unimportant. Or, in many cases, the long history of considering Mormons non-Christians was reversed. Even if you consider Mormons to be Christians, the theological chasm between Mormons and the rest of Christianity is quite large. In my cynical mind it was theology taking a backseat to politics, which is what often happens when we mix our faith too closely with political parties.

Admitting a Muslim student whose social beliefs align with those of Fundamentalist Christians triumphs over his theology, which is vastly different. Voting for a Presidential candidate who agrees with Christian Fundamentalists on social issues triumphs over his theology, which is at best divergent. The lesson I’m learning here is that Ideology may be becoming more important than theology in the current landscape of American Christian Fundamentalism. What do you think?