Matthew 24:37, "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."
By now all of us have seen the horror that unfolded in Florida on Wednesday. 13 students gunned down by a former classmate. Whether it be this shooting, or Las Vegas, Ft. Hood, Orlando, San Bernardino, Sandy Hook, Columbine, or any other of a growing list, the result is always the same. Innocent people dead, and unanswered questions as to why.
As I've engaged on social media, in conversations, listened to the radio and watched the news reports, almost everyone keeps asking that question. Why? I've heard many accounts of how when folks went to school, parking lots were full of pick ups with gun racks, and guns, in the back, yet no one shot up the school. I grew up in such a time in suburban Greenville, SC. We carried knives, in the school, in to class, yet no one was stabbed. Sure, we had fights, what high school doesn't, but nothing like this. That was just a generation ago. This phenomenon is something that has really emerged over the last 25 years. Sure, there was Austin, Texas in the late sixties, but that was an isolated incident then. Now, this is so commonplace, they just seem to run together. So why?
Many say it's guns. There are over 300 million legal guns in the United States, almost one for every citizen. Now, I'm all for the Second Amendment, but do I think there could be some changes to our gun laws. Yes, I do. When an 18 year old can legally buy an assault rifle, but can't legally drink a beer, I think that's insane. I'm not a gun owner, though I know multitudes who do own, some own private arsenals. Personally, I'm not sure what other purpose an assault rifle has than to kill another person, but that can be said of handguns as well. But friends, the United States has ALWAYS been a well armed nation, so why this regular occurrence of mass shootings now? Guns have always been accessible. Why this proliferation of mass shootings over these last 25 years?
Some say it's the video game culture that mandates violence and death to win the games. That these games have created a numbing to actual death. We didn't have these games when I grew up. We went in to the woods and played Army and shot BB and pellet guns at each other. Is it really much different? Heck, our play games were far more dangerous in reality. So why this now?
Some are saying it's mental illness. Is mental illness a new thing? We could probably list many, many things that could contribute to these mass shootings, but none will answer the question as to why?
The verse from Matthew 24 at the top of this blog is a part of what is called the Olivet Discourse, covering Matthew 24-25. Here Jesus is teaching about His return, and one of the things He says is before He comes, it will be like it was in the time of Noah. We don't have much detail from the bible of this time, but we do have God's opinion of these times. In Genesis 6:5-6, the bible tells us; "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." Yikes! That was, well, I'm not sure how long ago, but a LONG time ago! And you want to know what hasn't changed? The heart of man! Since the fall of man in the garden at Eden we read about in Genesis 3, this has been humanity. Jeremiah the prophet, speaking for God in Jeremiah 17:9. tells us that the heart of man is "deceitfully wicked." That only God can know it, the good it is capable of doing, and the astonishing wickedness.
The purpose of this blog, for the most part, is to try to apply the bible, God's word, to the world we live in. As I look at scripture, this is the answer to that question......why? You see, all of the things that have been mentioned repeatedly these last 25 years have always been present for the most part, in some form. What hasn't changed is the human heart. If a person is intent on killing masses, he doesn't need a gun. Terrorists killed nearly 3000 citizens on 9/11 with box cutters to commandeer jet liners. The last church I pastored was in a small town named Chesterfield, SC, population 1500. There a student was arrested with enough explosives to level the local high school, and that was his plan. He could have killed hundreds had he not been caught. You know what was happening right before he was caught? Christians from all the local Southern Baptist churches were prayer walking the high school in preparation for a county wide revival we were to be conducting in the gymnasium. Coincidence? I think you could guess where I land on that! Evil people are going to do evil things, regardless. They will find a way.
And you know what else Jesus said in Matthew 24? In Matthew 24:8, after giving a partial list of things we can expect to see before He returns, Jesus says; "All these are just the beginning of sorrows." That phrase literally translates to "birth pangs," what we would call labor pains. In other words, when you see these things, when the world begins to resemble the "days of Noah," where evil was rampant, think of it as labor pains. What happens with labor pains? The contractions begin lightly, but as birth grows closer, they grow stronger, more painful, and more frequent. Is that what we're seeing?
I don't have a concrete answer for that, as Jesus also told us in this discourse no one knows exactly when He will return. But I do know before His return, evil will grow worse and worse, because He tells us that.
There really are no words to comfort the families of these victims, or any of the other countless acts of evil we seem to witness on a regular basis. My prayer is we'll see it for what it really is, and not focus on secondary causes. These mass shootings happen because there is a heart problem. It's called sin. Evil. If you want to know the root cause of why, look no further than that. And there is only one way to defeat evil, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness that He alone offers, "by grace, through faith." Those who knew Him that were killed on Wednesday have now overcome this wicked world through Him. They have victory. Do you?
In the end, that's the only answer to the evil of this world.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Monday, February 5, 2018
Political Toxicity, the Media, and the Church
Recently, a famous talk radio host was asked an interesting question. Syndicated conservative talker Rush Limbaugh was asked by a self identified liberal caller, "is there any objective media source from which I can get news?" Limbaugh's answer was obvious to anyone with a TV, radio or internet access. "No."
We live in an age where everything from the media and government comes from a particular perspective, a distinct ideology. This is nothing new. Partisanship is as old as life itself. People have always taken sides, and always will. It's just today, with the emergence of alternative media through the internet, we are flooded with more sources for "news" and opinion than ever before. Our natural tendency to lean one way or another is reinforced more stridently than ever, and according to Limbaugh's opinion on the matter, there really is no place we can go to find information not tainted by an ideological leaning. I agree with that opinion. So how do we as the church proceed in a world where presented truth is almost certainly coming from a distinct ideological perspective? To me this is one of the most important questions we have to answer. Because if we become drawn in to partisan political battles and allow those to override our true mission, we become "of the world," and our witness to all people becomes as tainted as the political climate in which we live.
I've been a member of four churches since I was saved at age 39 in 2003. The first in lay leadership, the second as bi-vocational staff, and the third and fourth as pastor. The first three were monolithic in their political leanings. Like most conservative Christians, those that profess and believe the word of God is our final authority, those leanings were distinctly conservative, and thus Republican. Politics really wasn't a controversial subject as nearly everyone leaned the same direction. Then in 2011 I came to my fourth church, one in a highly culturally diverse community with an equally diverse political perspective. The difference in the church was astounding. Political discussions became highly divisive. I found myself in a position where I had to examine how we handled things as a church. Our mission is to reach all people, but political opinion stood in the way of that, as when conversation turned to that subject, the body of Christ became divided.
It's a tricky situation, as all of us come with ideological leanings. But one thing is crystal clear from scripture; God desires us to be united, not divided. How can this be accomplished in such a toxic and divided cultural and political climate? As always, the bible does have the answer.
One of the rather obscure apostles was named Simon the Zealot. The term zealot, according to many scholars, was associated with the Jewish freedom movement of Jesus' day. These were people who sought political freedom from the oppression of Rome. For Israel to become an independent nation again, something it had not been since the Babylonian Captivity in 586 B.C. From that point forward, Israel was always under the rule of a foreign nation politically.
Many scholars believe that several of the apostles belonged to this movement. Yet Simon alone is tagged with the name "Zealot." Perhaps he was the most zealous in these beliefs. Yet these beliefs did not align with the message of Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32 that true freedom comes from abiding in His word and knowing truth, and that truth "shall make you free." We may not have much information on Simon, but one thing we can be sure of is that he followed Jesus, denied himself, and turned from his cultural and political view of freedom and to Jesus' view of what freedom truly is. Simon the Zealot can teach us a lot.
Before Jesus's ascension to heaven, the apostles asked Him a question in Acts 1:6. They asked, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" For Jesus to establish His kingdom would mean freedom from the oppression of Rome. It was of keen interest to all of them. Jesus' answer is telling, and instructive for us. In Acts 1:7 he tells them it is not their place to know the "times or seasons" of the Father, then in Acts 1:8 Jesus repeats their mission on earth, the Great Commission. While on earth they are not to concern themselves with "political," issues. We are to serve His kingdom, not an earthly one. The apostles went on to establish His church that was divorced from the politics of the day, an incredible achievement. You simply do not find evidence in scripture of the apostles or the early church becoming entangled in the political battles of the day, and like today, they were plentiful. It's a real balancing act!
You see, the political battles of then, and now, involve issues we must engage in. Israel was oppressed by Rome, and the bible teaches us we as God's people are to minister to the oppressed. To stand up for them. It's how we minister to them that is important. Our focus must be on His heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one. No nation, or political party, has the answer for what all people desperately need. Jesus! Micah 6:8 tells us that we are to "seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." We must do this! But we can never do it if we allow ourselves to be overcome with our personal political ideology, and allow that to permeate the church. When we do, we alienate many whom we are called to reach with the gospel and love of God. We create a worldly stumbling block to the mission we are called to carry out.
Our works to minister in areas such as race, immigration, the poor, and many others must be kingdom focused, not driven by political ideology. If they are not, we cannot sow the seeds we are called to. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each one's work will become clear, for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so, as through the fire."
It is extremely challenging to block out the noise created by the politically toxic climate, tainted by a biased media, in which we live. It requires a full submission to the cause of Christ, denying ourselves and our own ideological leanings. But it is possible.
Simon the Zealot shows us this!
We live in an age where everything from the media and government comes from a particular perspective, a distinct ideology. This is nothing new. Partisanship is as old as life itself. People have always taken sides, and always will. It's just today, with the emergence of alternative media through the internet, we are flooded with more sources for "news" and opinion than ever before. Our natural tendency to lean one way or another is reinforced more stridently than ever, and according to Limbaugh's opinion on the matter, there really is no place we can go to find information not tainted by an ideological leaning. I agree with that opinion. So how do we as the church proceed in a world where presented truth is almost certainly coming from a distinct ideological perspective? To me this is one of the most important questions we have to answer. Because if we become drawn in to partisan political battles and allow those to override our true mission, we become "of the world," and our witness to all people becomes as tainted as the political climate in which we live.
I've been a member of four churches since I was saved at age 39 in 2003. The first in lay leadership, the second as bi-vocational staff, and the third and fourth as pastor. The first three were monolithic in their political leanings. Like most conservative Christians, those that profess and believe the word of God is our final authority, those leanings were distinctly conservative, and thus Republican. Politics really wasn't a controversial subject as nearly everyone leaned the same direction. Then in 2011 I came to my fourth church, one in a highly culturally diverse community with an equally diverse political perspective. The difference in the church was astounding. Political discussions became highly divisive. I found myself in a position where I had to examine how we handled things as a church. Our mission is to reach all people, but political opinion stood in the way of that, as when conversation turned to that subject, the body of Christ became divided.
It's a tricky situation, as all of us come with ideological leanings. But one thing is crystal clear from scripture; God desires us to be united, not divided. How can this be accomplished in such a toxic and divided cultural and political climate? As always, the bible does have the answer.
One of the rather obscure apostles was named Simon the Zealot. The term zealot, according to many scholars, was associated with the Jewish freedom movement of Jesus' day. These were people who sought political freedom from the oppression of Rome. For Israel to become an independent nation again, something it had not been since the Babylonian Captivity in 586 B.C. From that point forward, Israel was always under the rule of a foreign nation politically.
Many scholars believe that several of the apostles belonged to this movement. Yet Simon alone is tagged with the name "Zealot." Perhaps he was the most zealous in these beliefs. Yet these beliefs did not align with the message of Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32 that true freedom comes from abiding in His word and knowing truth, and that truth "shall make you free." We may not have much information on Simon, but one thing we can be sure of is that he followed Jesus, denied himself, and turned from his cultural and political view of freedom and to Jesus' view of what freedom truly is. Simon the Zealot can teach us a lot.
Before Jesus's ascension to heaven, the apostles asked Him a question in Acts 1:6. They asked, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" For Jesus to establish His kingdom would mean freedom from the oppression of Rome. It was of keen interest to all of them. Jesus' answer is telling, and instructive for us. In Acts 1:7 he tells them it is not their place to know the "times or seasons" of the Father, then in Acts 1:8 Jesus repeats their mission on earth, the Great Commission. While on earth they are not to concern themselves with "political," issues. We are to serve His kingdom, not an earthly one. The apostles went on to establish His church that was divorced from the politics of the day, an incredible achievement. You simply do not find evidence in scripture of the apostles or the early church becoming entangled in the political battles of the day, and like today, they were plentiful. It's a real balancing act!
You see, the political battles of then, and now, involve issues we must engage in. Israel was oppressed by Rome, and the bible teaches us we as God's people are to minister to the oppressed. To stand up for them. It's how we minister to them that is important. Our focus must be on His heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one. No nation, or political party, has the answer for what all people desperately need. Jesus! Micah 6:8 tells us that we are to "seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." We must do this! But we can never do it if we allow ourselves to be overcome with our personal political ideology, and allow that to permeate the church. When we do, we alienate many whom we are called to reach with the gospel and love of God. We create a worldly stumbling block to the mission we are called to carry out.
Our works to minister in areas such as race, immigration, the poor, and many others must be kingdom focused, not driven by political ideology. If they are not, we cannot sow the seeds we are called to. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each one's work will become clear, for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so, as through the fire."
It is extremely challenging to block out the noise created by the politically toxic climate, tainted by a biased media, in which we live. It requires a full submission to the cause of Christ, denying ourselves and our own ideological leanings. But it is possible.
Simon the Zealot shows us this!
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
What the Heck Just Happened? Election 2016
In August of 2015, I must say I saw this coming. That's not to pat myself on the back or declare myself some modern day prophet, but to me, the frustration, and yes, anger, of much of what is often described as "middle America" was painfully obvious, and I really didn't understand why more did not see it. Maybe most didn't want to see it. I wrote a few blogs on it and after the debates critiqued them on Facebook. I reached the conclusion in the fall of 2015 that it would come down to Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton and that Trump would be the eventual President. He now is. So what the heck happened?
Evangelicals turned out for a morally challenged, many times lewd, crude and obscene candidate in numbers not seen since 2004. They saw no other choice. With the most openly hostile candidate to the unborn in the history of our nation as the opponent, and the Supreme Court on the line, Evangelicals held their collective noses and voted for the vile man who in the last debate gave the most impassioned defense of the unborn of any Republican candidate ever. Last night was a victory for those who view abortion as the greatest national sin in our history. May Donald Trump be a man of his word on it.
The political and media establishment was laid bare like never before with it's corrupt, elitist underbelly exposed and rebuked. I said this long ago, Donald Trump is not a Republican. He was a third party candidate who was smart enough to realize that apart from our corrupt two party system, you cannot win the Presidency. Through Trump's antagonism with both major political parties and the media, he began to reveal the utter mess that our system was through the primaries. How money had corrupted seemingly all involved. How the media instead of reporting the news attempted to shape it and make it depending upon their ideology. Through the providence, and I do believe that's what it was, of leaked emails, we saw behind the tattered curtain of the ruling elite and their willing minions in the media exactly how broken, and far from it's intended ways, our system has become. Yesterday America said no more. Whether true reforms in our system take place is still in question. They are desperately needed. It is time for term limits. It is time to remove the graft from political office where people go to Washington broke and return home millionaires. At no point since 1994 has this had a better chance of happening. It needs to happen.
Republicans are not the winners here. As I watch Paul Ryan as I write this, I still don't think he understands. Republicans were rejected just as much as Democrats. It is all of Washington that was rejected. These people DID NOT want Trump as President. They still don't. But they have little choice now. I'm sure over the next few months and year we'll hear of Republican unity on several issues where it is possible. But make no mistake, the Republican Party of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and the neoconservative, is officially dead, and Lazarus isn't walking out of the tomb. If this really is a movement as Trump declares, conflict within the Republican Party is coming and it will be intense.
The Clinton era of sleaze, lust for power, and the politics of personal destruction is mercifully over. As much as many consider Trump unfit to be President, and there are legitimate reasons that is so, Hillary Clinton is equally repulsive. The lack of honor and integrity, and the legacy of corruption and scandal has been a blight for many years. The very fact that this sleaze has been swept under the rug for political expediency and election results by the Democratic Party for 25 years is emblematic of how far from our moorings our system has drifted.
There is an insurgency in our nation and the world around us. Across the globe people are standing up, voting, and screaming that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Bernie Sanders, whom the Democratic political machine basically rigged the system against, led an insurgency from the left, just as Trump did from the center-right. Ideologies may differ, but the message is the same. How we are doing things is not working and is no longer acceptable. The problem with insurgencies is while they more often than not can identify the problem, enacting the repairs is a far different challenge. This is the dilemna that faces President Donald Trump.
The system is rigged, and guess what, it always has been. The rich and powerful have always ruled and they will not release their grasp on the levers of power without an all out war. There is an entitlement mentality among this ruling class that disdains the exact message that has been clearly communicated from the masses in this election. Last night was a revolution without muskets, but holding the ground gained will not be easy. In our nation, while independence was gained in the Revolutionary War, it was almost lost just a short time later in the War of 1812. The battle has just begun, and there is no limit to what those who lust for power and wealth will do to swing back the pendulum to the what they believe is their rightful place. For all who truly desire "equality and justice for all," know that revolutions are not events, but marathons. And they are bloody.
Racism and sexism were not what was in play. Hillary Clinton was not rejected because she was a woman. She was rejected for all I've cited above and many other things. Barack Obama was not rejected because he was black. Far more people voted for him, many of whom voted for Trump last night, than either of these candidates. His agenda was rejected on many levels, especially in regards to the sky rocketing health care premiums under Obamacare and his embrace of social liberalism. Immigrants either from war torn areas of the world or across our southern border were not rejected because they are Muslim or Mexican. People see what's going on in Europe through unfettered, open immigration, and want to do everything possible to keep that from here. People want the laws of the land as far as illegal immigration enforced. Those who seek to rule by division trumpet those things, but they simply are not the case. Do some undesirable elements fall under the Trump tent. Yes, no doubt. Are they what drove this? Not even close. This was not a race war that happened last night, or a gender war. It was a culture and class war.
I could go in to many other things. We'll definitely see the continued battle between liberalism and conservatism; big and small government; what to do about immigration, terrorism, health care, and multitudes of other issues. But those are the minutia. What happened last night was bigger than all those things.
Is Donald Trump the right man for the job? Can he be a providential wrecking ball that God uses like many unlikely figures in the bible? Is he King Saul, or Cyrus, or something in the middle? Is he in over his head? Is our nation ripe for judgment? No one knows except God.
As Christians we've allowed this election to divide us, and that is sinful. I've long felt Christianity is to politicized, that we look to Washington, the Supreme Court, and the things and ways of the world for change instead of the only One who can truly change, Jesus Christ. Our nation's and world's problems were not solved last night, only revival in God's church and a spiritual awakening in the land can heal and truly lead to a better world. Can we surrender to that, humble ourselves, pray as never before, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways from within ourselves, through the power of the Holy Sprit, apart from God's rod? I pray so. I fear not.
This world is far from God, and we alone stand as salt and light to it. O' church, hear the Lord's plea! Be transformed instead of conformed, and unite as one body for Him, not behind failed human ideology that can never succeed. Our hope is not in any of this, but in Christ alone. Last night didn't change that one wit.
Evangelicals turned out for a morally challenged, many times lewd, crude and obscene candidate in numbers not seen since 2004. They saw no other choice. With the most openly hostile candidate to the unborn in the history of our nation as the opponent, and the Supreme Court on the line, Evangelicals held their collective noses and voted for the vile man who in the last debate gave the most impassioned defense of the unborn of any Republican candidate ever. Last night was a victory for those who view abortion as the greatest national sin in our history. May Donald Trump be a man of his word on it.
The political and media establishment was laid bare like never before with it's corrupt, elitist underbelly exposed and rebuked. I said this long ago, Donald Trump is not a Republican. He was a third party candidate who was smart enough to realize that apart from our corrupt two party system, you cannot win the Presidency. Through Trump's antagonism with both major political parties and the media, he began to reveal the utter mess that our system was through the primaries. How money had corrupted seemingly all involved. How the media instead of reporting the news attempted to shape it and make it depending upon their ideology. Through the providence, and I do believe that's what it was, of leaked emails, we saw behind the tattered curtain of the ruling elite and their willing minions in the media exactly how broken, and far from it's intended ways, our system has become. Yesterday America said no more. Whether true reforms in our system take place is still in question. They are desperately needed. It is time for term limits. It is time to remove the graft from political office where people go to Washington broke and return home millionaires. At no point since 1994 has this had a better chance of happening. It needs to happen.
Republicans are not the winners here. As I watch Paul Ryan as I write this, I still don't think he understands. Republicans were rejected just as much as Democrats. It is all of Washington that was rejected. These people DID NOT want Trump as President. They still don't. But they have little choice now. I'm sure over the next few months and year we'll hear of Republican unity on several issues where it is possible. But make no mistake, the Republican Party of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and the neoconservative, is officially dead, and Lazarus isn't walking out of the tomb. If this really is a movement as Trump declares, conflict within the Republican Party is coming and it will be intense.
The Clinton era of sleaze, lust for power, and the politics of personal destruction is mercifully over. As much as many consider Trump unfit to be President, and there are legitimate reasons that is so, Hillary Clinton is equally repulsive. The lack of honor and integrity, and the legacy of corruption and scandal has been a blight for many years. The very fact that this sleaze has been swept under the rug for political expediency and election results by the Democratic Party for 25 years is emblematic of how far from our moorings our system has drifted.
There is an insurgency in our nation and the world around us. Across the globe people are standing up, voting, and screaming that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Bernie Sanders, whom the Democratic political machine basically rigged the system against, led an insurgency from the left, just as Trump did from the center-right. Ideologies may differ, but the message is the same. How we are doing things is not working and is no longer acceptable. The problem with insurgencies is while they more often than not can identify the problem, enacting the repairs is a far different challenge. This is the dilemna that faces President Donald Trump.
The system is rigged, and guess what, it always has been. The rich and powerful have always ruled and they will not release their grasp on the levers of power without an all out war. There is an entitlement mentality among this ruling class that disdains the exact message that has been clearly communicated from the masses in this election. Last night was a revolution without muskets, but holding the ground gained will not be easy. In our nation, while independence was gained in the Revolutionary War, it was almost lost just a short time later in the War of 1812. The battle has just begun, and there is no limit to what those who lust for power and wealth will do to swing back the pendulum to the what they believe is their rightful place. For all who truly desire "equality and justice for all," know that revolutions are not events, but marathons. And they are bloody.
Racism and sexism were not what was in play. Hillary Clinton was not rejected because she was a woman. She was rejected for all I've cited above and many other things. Barack Obama was not rejected because he was black. Far more people voted for him, many of whom voted for Trump last night, than either of these candidates. His agenda was rejected on many levels, especially in regards to the sky rocketing health care premiums under Obamacare and his embrace of social liberalism. Immigrants either from war torn areas of the world or across our southern border were not rejected because they are Muslim or Mexican. People see what's going on in Europe through unfettered, open immigration, and want to do everything possible to keep that from here. People want the laws of the land as far as illegal immigration enforced. Those who seek to rule by division trumpet those things, but they simply are not the case. Do some undesirable elements fall under the Trump tent. Yes, no doubt. Are they what drove this? Not even close. This was not a race war that happened last night, or a gender war. It was a culture and class war.
I could go in to many other things. We'll definitely see the continued battle between liberalism and conservatism; big and small government; what to do about immigration, terrorism, health care, and multitudes of other issues. But those are the minutia. What happened last night was bigger than all those things.
Is Donald Trump the right man for the job? Can he be a providential wrecking ball that God uses like many unlikely figures in the bible? Is he King Saul, or Cyrus, or something in the middle? Is he in over his head? Is our nation ripe for judgment? No one knows except God.
As Christians we've allowed this election to divide us, and that is sinful. I've long felt Christianity is to politicized, that we look to Washington, the Supreme Court, and the things and ways of the world for change instead of the only One who can truly change, Jesus Christ. Our nation's and world's problems were not solved last night, only revival in God's church and a spiritual awakening in the land can heal and truly lead to a better world. Can we surrender to that, humble ourselves, pray as never before, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways from within ourselves, through the power of the Holy Sprit, apart from God's rod? I pray so. I fear not.
This world is far from God, and we alone stand as salt and light to it. O' church, hear the Lord's plea! Be transformed instead of conformed, and unite as one body for Him, not behind failed human ideology that can never succeed. Our hope is not in any of this, but in Christ alone. Last night didn't change that one wit.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Election 2016: Lady and the Trump
As the news came in tonight that Ted Cruz was officially suspending his campaign, clinching what was already basically clinched, that Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee for President, an old baseball quote ran through my mind. Multiple time, former Yankees manager Billy Martin was once asked about comments made about him by former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and former star outfielder Reggie Jackson. Martin, with his usual eloquence, on whether he believed the two said, "Well, one's a born liar, and the other is convicted." Welcome to our 2016 Presidential election!
On the surface, this will be a tremendously significant election. Hillary Clinton will be the first woman ever to be a major party nominee for President. Donald Trump will be the first true political outsider, a non-politician, to be a party nominee since Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the first ever business person. That's important on many levels. But let's face it, neither of those things mean squat when it comes to being President. To be honest, I'm not really sure what really matters when it comes to being a credible President, but I know this. Character, and particularly, honesty, has to be a part of the make-up of someone who serves in the office honorably and effectively.
Both candidates have been in the public eye for decades, and so very little is not known in regards to either of them. Both are controversial and polarizing, generating strong emotions both positive and negative. Both have been ruthless in climbing the ladder of their respective professions. Both have been highly successful. And both have a long history of as Patty Loveless once sang, "trouble with the truth."
I am unsure if there is such a thing anymore as an honest politician, at least on the national level. The mere task of the rings that need to be kissed and promises made to become an elected official can easily overcome honesty. Not to mention the cash that flows to influence opinion and win an election. Our political system is a broken mess, and we the people are the ones ultimately accountable, as we are the ones who have cast the ballots for continuous corruption. The bible tells us that "you reap what you sow," and so here we are, faced with an election choice between two of the most truth challenged candidates of all time. We've brought it on ourselves.
On the Democratic side, not one credible candidate to oppose Clinton even decided to run. Hillary was anointed by the Democratic machine to be the nominee after falling in line behind Barack Obama in 2008. And in spite of this, she is still losing primaries to an avowed Socialist in Bernie Sanders. Voters under the age of 35 loathe her in her own party. Exit polls in contests that Sanders eventually lost showed the Democratic electorate trusted Sanders by margins of 80-90% over her. Hardly an endorsement of her perceived honesty.
On the Republican side, Trump is the product of the total lack of trust in the Republican party as a whole. The voters feel betrayed, and have staged a revolt. They have been lied to one to many times by those they have cast their votes for, and have decided #neveragain! So they cast their votes, in what will be record numbers, for a man who literally says whatever pops in to his head. Trump could say one thing definitively, and then ten minutes later, say the exact opposite, and it doesn't matter. The message is now received, better the liar we don't know than the ones we do.
As we look towards November, I don't think there is any doubt that we will be witness to perhaps the must dishonest, underhanded, dirty, vicious campaign in most of our lifetimes. It will be one that fits our culture perfectly, six months of reality TV on the nightly news and Internet. It will probably be highly entertaining in a morbid way, but that's not exactly what we should be looking for when it comes to a Presidential election.
And so it begins, Election 2016, Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump. Our nation, on an economic, moral and spiritual slippery slope at stake. In my mind we have one hope, reflected in the writings of the Apostle Paul in "One" Corinthians. Paul states here that "God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." We are faced with a choice between two "foolish things," let us pray God has mercy upon us.
On the surface, this will be a tremendously significant election. Hillary Clinton will be the first woman ever to be a major party nominee for President. Donald Trump will be the first true political outsider, a non-politician, to be a party nominee since Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the first ever business person. That's important on many levels. But let's face it, neither of those things mean squat when it comes to being President. To be honest, I'm not really sure what really matters when it comes to being a credible President, but I know this. Character, and particularly, honesty, has to be a part of the make-up of someone who serves in the office honorably and effectively.
Both candidates have been in the public eye for decades, and so very little is not known in regards to either of them. Both are controversial and polarizing, generating strong emotions both positive and negative. Both have been ruthless in climbing the ladder of their respective professions. Both have been highly successful. And both have a long history of as Patty Loveless once sang, "trouble with the truth."
I am unsure if there is such a thing anymore as an honest politician, at least on the national level. The mere task of the rings that need to be kissed and promises made to become an elected official can easily overcome honesty. Not to mention the cash that flows to influence opinion and win an election. Our political system is a broken mess, and we the people are the ones ultimately accountable, as we are the ones who have cast the ballots for continuous corruption. The bible tells us that "you reap what you sow," and so here we are, faced with an election choice between two of the most truth challenged candidates of all time. We've brought it on ourselves.
On the Democratic side, not one credible candidate to oppose Clinton even decided to run. Hillary was anointed by the Democratic machine to be the nominee after falling in line behind Barack Obama in 2008. And in spite of this, she is still losing primaries to an avowed Socialist in Bernie Sanders. Voters under the age of 35 loathe her in her own party. Exit polls in contests that Sanders eventually lost showed the Democratic electorate trusted Sanders by margins of 80-90% over her. Hardly an endorsement of her perceived honesty.
On the Republican side, Trump is the product of the total lack of trust in the Republican party as a whole. The voters feel betrayed, and have staged a revolt. They have been lied to one to many times by those they have cast their votes for, and have decided #neveragain! So they cast their votes, in what will be record numbers, for a man who literally says whatever pops in to his head. Trump could say one thing definitively, and then ten minutes later, say the exact opposite, and it doesn't matter. The message is now received, better the liar we don't know than the ones we do.
As we look towards November, I don't think there is any doubt that we will be witness to perhaps the must dishonest, underhanded, dirty, vicious campaign in most of our lifetimes. It will be one that fits our culture perfectly, six months of reality TV on the nightly news and Internet. It will probably be highly entertaining in a morbid way, but that's not exactly what we should be looking for when it comes to a Presidential election.
And so it begins, Election 2016, Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump. Our nation, on an economic, moral and spiritual slippery slope at stake. In my mind we have one hope, reflected in the writings of the Apostle Paul in "One" Corinthians. Paul states here that "God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." We are faced with a choice between two "foolish things," let us pray God has mercy upon us.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Reflecting on the Tabernacle-What a Building Project has Shown Me
At the church I pastor we have been in the midst of building challenges. During the flood of October, 2015, we had a structure that housed our fellowship hall, children's ministry area and nursery severely damaged by the record setting waters. Since then we have been wading through the process of what to do and how to do it. At the end of that process, we had clear choices before us, but none of them were easy. Buildings, church facilities, can be an emotional topic. People become attached to buildings. In many cases their names are on plaques, bricks, rows of pews; stained glass windows; their relatives were involved in construction; they grew up there. This is my first journey through a "building" issue as a pastor, and I've often struggled with it. It's been frustrating at times, especially in how the loss of facilities has affected our ministry and outreach. Their is tension involved when large sums of money will be involved in rectifying the problems. Their is uncertainty. During this process I've come to reflect upon the original house of God, the tabernacle, for perspective in viewing these issues.
For those unfamiliar with the tabernacle, this was the place, designed by God Himself, for His chosen people, Israel, to come to worship Him. Contrary to the modern view of buildings, which tends towards bigger; fancier; more comfortable; modern; the more extravagant the better, God didn't seem to care for these niceties when He considered where He desired to be worshipped. Instead of a grandiose house built to cater to those who attended, God told His people to worship Him in a tent!
Wherever the children of Israel wandered, they carried His tent with them. The priests were charged with it's care and for assembling and disassembling it. God gave very specific instructions for how His tent was to be designed, handled and treated. He took His tent seriously, and expected the Israelites to do so as well. But in the end, we cannot escape the reality that for Himself; God; Creator of the universe; Savior of the world; did not instruct Israel to build Him a grand "house." He didn't design it for their comfort. He declared His tent; functional; portable; efficient; simple; would suffice.
Why? God most certainly is deserving of glory! He alone is worthy! Later in the life of Israel God would relent to the desire of King David to build Him a grand house to be worshipped in. God approved of David's desire to do so. When David's son, King Solomon, finally finished the ornate, glorious temple, God blessed the event. But even with this new, glorious temple, Solomon knew God did not need it. In 1 Chronicles 6:18, in his prayer of dedication, Solomon says; "But will God indeed dwell with men on earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple that I have built."
In this age of huge church structures with every bell and whistle, why do I think we need to remember this?
You see, God met with His people in the tabernacle, and later continued to do so in the temple. He was never concerned with how ornate the structure, or how appealing it was to man. God's concern has always been for the heart of the people who gathered to worship Him. God would later abandon meeting with His people in that ornate temple due to the hardness of their hearts. The building became nothing more than a fancy, expensive, hunk of rock, as His glory departed it. He later judged Israel and the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. We saw this same thing happen again as a later temple was destroyed by Rome in 67 AD. It was never about the building for God!
Yet today, we seem fixated on having a bigger and better building. For many, this is the standard of whether God is present with His people. It is the thing many look at when considering where to attend church. In many cases it looks like an arms race to top the church up the street. Countless tens of millions of dollars are poured in to buildings. Beautiful, ornate, fancy structures we call the "house of God." Many seem to hold the opinion this is what God desires. What He will use for His glory.
Yet nowhere in scripture do we find this expressed by God. God has always valued people far more than brick and mortar. It is hearts for which He is jealous, not whether He has a nicer house than Allah, Buddha, the church up the street, or the Carolina Panthers. He declares you and I are the "temple of the Holy Spirit," not some address for our "church" on the mailbox. Without people loving Him without all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, their is no church, just a building.
Our witness to the world is not our real estate, but our love for one another. To many times we seem to have forgotten that.
As for us, we're nearing an end to our building issues, and my prayer is simple. I pray we have God honoring tent, and our heart is set upon people, just as His is. For no matter how spectacular the structure may be, it is His people living His way that make it His house.
Or should I say His tent.
For those unfamiliar with the tabernacle, this was the place, designed by God Himself, for His chosen people, Israel, to come to worship Him. Contrary to the modern view of buildings, which tends towards bigger; fancier; more comfortable; modern; the more extravagant the better, God didn't seem to care for these niceties when He considered where He desired to be worshipped. Instead of a grandiose house built to cater to those who attended, God told His people to worship Him in a tent!
Wherever the children of Israel wandered, they carried His tent with them. The priests were charged with it's care and for assembling and disassembling it. God gave very specific instructions for how His tent was to be designed, handled and treated. He took His tent seriously, and expected the Israelites to do so as well. But in the end, we cannot escape the reality that for Himself; God; Creator of the universe; Savior of the world; did not instruct Israel to build Him a grand "house." He didn't design it for their comfort. He declared His tent; functional; portable; efficient; simple; would suffice.
Why? God most certainly is deserving of glory! He alone is worthy! Later in the life of Israel God would relent to the desire of King David to build Him a grand house to be worshipped in. God approved of David's desire to do so. When David's son, King Solomon, finally finished the ornate, glorious temple, God blessed the event. But even with this new, glorious temple, Solomon knew God did not need it. In 1 Chronicles 6:18, in his prayer of dedication, Solomon says; "But will God indeed dwell with men on earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple that I have built."
In this age of huge church structures with every bell and whistle, why do I think we need to remember this?
You see, God met with His people in the tabernacle, and later continued to do so in the temple. He was never concerned with how ornate the structure, or how appealing it was to man. God's concern has always been for the heart of the people who gathered to worship Him. God would later abandon meeting with His people in that ornate temple due to the hardness of their hearts. The building became nothing more than a fancy, expensive, hunk of rock, as His glory departed it. He later judged Israel and the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. We saw this same thing happen again as a later temple was destroyed by Rome in 67 AD. It was never about the building for God!
Yet today, we seem fixated on having a bigger and better building. For many, this is the standard of whether God is present with His people. It is the thing many look at when considering where to attend church. In many cases it looks like an arms race to top the church up the street. Countless tens of millions of dollars are poured in to buildings. Beautiful, ornate, fancy structures we call the "house of God." Many seem to hold the opinion this is what God desires. What He will use for His glory.
Yet nowhere in scripture do we find this expressed by God. God has always valued people far more than brick and mortar. It is hearts for which He is jealous, not whether He has a nicer house than Allah, Buddha, the church up the street, or the Carolina Panthers. He declares you and I are the "temple of the Holy Spirit," not some address for our "church" on the mailbox. Without people loving Him without all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, their is no church, just a building.
Our witness to the world is not our real estate, but our love for one another. To many times we seem to have forgotten that.
As for us, we're nearing an end to our building issues, and my prayer is simple. I pray we have God honoring tent, and our heart is set upon people, just as His is. For no matter how spectacular the structure may be, it is His people living His way that make it His house.
Or should I say His tent.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Looking for Reagan in a Reality TV World
I was a sophomore in High School when Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory during the 1980 Presidential campaign. I didn't follow politics then. I do remember my parents, staunch Republicans, were elated that the Carter years were finally done. I remember school getting out early when an assassins bullet struck him. I remember "there he goes again," the commercials in 1984 of a great Russian bear stalking, star wars missile defense, "tear down this wall," Iran-Contra, Grenada, and a few other things. I didn't start really following politics until Bush v. Clinton and Perot in 1992.
Reagan has become the symbol of what it is to be a Republican. It's been 27 years since he left office, yet his name is revered today like he was just leaving office next year. He's become an icon, and every Republican candidate since, except maybe an insurgent like Ron Paul, has invoked his name and legacy stating they are the one to return us to the days of Reagan. Today whether it be Cruz, or Rubio, or any of the others apart from Trump, they still make his legacy a central part of their campaigns. Cruz and Rubio are 45, meaning they were 13 when Reagan was elected. Call me a cynic, but I knew very few 13 years olds who were political wonks. Yet they claim more than the others that only they can return the country to the glory days of Ronald Reagan.
But is that really possible?
I look back to those days when I was a teen, and I see a country that doesn't exist anymore. No internet; cable TV was a new thing; no cable news; no talk radio; people got their news from Walter Cronkite, not Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly or Chris Matthews. People went to church, little league games and practices weren't scheduled on Wednesday or Sunday out of respect for this. During this era people watched Cheers, The Cosby Show, and 60 Minutes. Well, we still watch that.
In those days we had a clear enemy, the Soviet Union. No one knew what AIDS was, or Trans-genders. Kids weren't shooting each other in schools, never even thought about it. Teachers could still spank a child, parents did as well. Billy Graham crusades were aired on Saturday nights. Bob Hope still visited the troops and announced the All-American football team. Bear Bryant still roamed the sidelines. People still wrote letters, and used encyclopedias.
It was a different world.
Everyone has a recollection of their "good ol' days." When examined, they are usually found as rife with problems as any other point in history. But things do change. The world has changed immensely since those heady days of the "era of Reagan." It happens. Fifty years before Reagan, the nation was in the midst of the Great Depression, few owned a car, or a house, or even a phone. Radio was entertainment; newspapers were king; airlines didn't exist; marriage was by and large for life; abortion wasn't even a blip on the radar, let alone Gay marriage.
Today is as different from the days of Reagan as the 1930's were the 1980's.
We cannot go back in time. Those days are never coming back, in fact, more radical changes to our lives are on the way. It's the way of mankind, and the world. Central themes traverse time. Evil still exists, sin still swallows the world. The "heart of man" is still as "deceitfully wicked" as when Jeremiah penned those words 2600 years ago. As Jesus said we'll always have the poor with us, and there will always be rich and poor here on earth. A sucker is still born every minute, politicians will still say anything to get elected, and promise a "chicken in every pot," maybe today a Big Mac. A few things never change, but most change dramatically over the course of a generation.
The days of Ronald Reagan are gone. We live in a reality TV world where coarseness and provocative behavior draws the limited attention spans we hold. We communicate in 140 characters or less on Twitter; base our opinions on sound bites instead of context; talk on Facebook instead of face-to-face; look at our phones instead of each other; download our music and movies; attend church to watch a preacher on a big screen. Reagan was a product of his generation, who survived the depression and World War II. We are a product of Vietnam; the Civil Rights movement; feminism; free love; "Greed is good;" a fetus isn't human; White House sex scandals; and parsing the meaning of the word "is."
For us as Christians, this election should be a lesson. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, "and to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law, to those whom are without the law, as without the law (not being without the law towards God, but under the law towards Christ), that I might win those who are without the law; to the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospels sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you."
As Christians, in this reality TV world, maybe we'd be better purposed to be looking at what this election has revealed of the world that we live in, and how to relate to it, instead of looking for the next Ronald Reagan. Those days are as different from today as winter is from summer. Instead of filling our minds with the political squabbles of the day, and seeking a return to our "good ol' days," maybe we should heed the words of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 8:20, "the harvest is past, the summer is gone, and we are not saved!" That has not changed.
Reagan has become the symbol of what it is to be a Republican. It's been 27 years since he left office, yet his name is revered today like he was just leaving office next year. He's become an icon, and every Republican candidate since, except maybe an insurgent like Ron Paul, has invoked his name and legacy stating they are the one to return us to the days of Reagan. Today whether it be Cruz, or Rubio, or any of the others apart from Trump, they still make his legacy a central part of their campaigns. Cruz and Rubio are 45, meaning they were 13 when Reagan was elected. Call me a cynic, but I knew very few 13 years olds who were political wonks. Yet they claim more than the others that only they can return the country to the glory days of Ronald Reagan.
But is that really possible?
I look back to those days when I was a teen, and I see a country that doesn't exist anymore. No internet; cable TV was a new thing; no cable news; no talk radio; people got their news from Walter Cronkite, not Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly or Chris Matthews. People went to church, little league games and practices weren't scheduled on Wednesday or Sunday out of respect for this. During this era people watched Cheers, The Cosby Show, and 60 Minutes. Well, we still watch that.
In those days we had a clear enemy, the Soviet Union. No one knew what AIDS was, or Trans-genders. Kids weren't shooting each other in schools, never even thought about it. Teachers could still spank a child, parents did as well. Billy Graham crusades were aired on Saturday nights. Bob Hope still visited the troops and announced the All-American football team. Bear Bryant still roamed the sidelines. People still wrote letters, and used encyclopedias.
It was a different world.
Everyone has a recollection of their "good ol' days." When examined, they are usually found as rife with problems as any other point in history. But things do change. The world has changed immensely since those heady days of the "era of Reagan." It happens. Fifty years before Reagan, the nation was in the midst of the Great Depression, few owned a car, or a house, or even a phone. Radio was entertainment; newspapers were king; airlines didn't exist; marriage was by and large for life; abortion wasn't even a blip on the radar, let alone Gay marriage.
Today is as different from the days of Reagan as the 1930's were the 1980's.
We cannot go back in time. Those days are never coming back, in fact, more radical changes to our lives are on the way. It's the way of mankind, and the world. Central themes traverse time. Evil still exists, sin still swallows the world. The "heart of man" is still as "deceitfully wicked" as when Jeremiah penned those words 2600 years ago. As Jesus said we'll always have the poor with us, and there will always be rich and poor here on earth. A sucker is still born every minute, politicians will still say anything to get elected, and promise a "chicken in every pot," maybe today a Big Mac. A few things never change, but most change dramatically over the course of a generation.
The days of Ronald Reagan are gone. We live in a reality TV world where coarseness and provocative behavior draws the limited attention spans we hold. We communicate in 140 characters or less on Twitter; base our opinions on sound bites instead of context; talk on Facebook instead of face-to-face; look at our phones instead of each other; download our music and movies; attend church to watch a preacher on a big screen. Reagan was a product of his generation, who survived the depression and World War II. We are a product of Vietnam; the Civil Rights movement; feminism; free love; "Greed is good;" a fetus isn't human; White House sex scandals; and parsing the meaning of the word "is."
For us as Christians, this election should be a lesson. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, "and to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law, to those whom are without the law, as without the law (not being without the law towards God, but under the law towards Christ), that I might win those who are without the law; to the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospels sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you."
As Christians, in this reality TV world, maybe we'd be better purposed to be looking at what this election has revealed of the world that we live in, and how to relate to it, instead of looking for the next Ronald Reagan. Those days are as different from today as winter is from summer. Instead of filling our minds with the political squabbles of the day, and seeking a return to our "good ol' days," maybe we should heed the words of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 8:20, "the harvest is past, the summer is gone, and we are not saved!" That has not changed.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
For the Christian in Politics, Does the End Justify the Means?
Ahhhhhh, it's political season in full force here in South Carolina. New Hampshire is in the rear view mirror and my home state is now in the crosshairs of the remaining candidates in the race for President. Our roads will be littered with signs, our airwaves overrun with ads on radio and TV, our Facebook feeds full of venom from those heinous Super PAC's, and so it is for the next few weeks.
South Carolina is an interesting animal politically. Conservative yet independent, known for underhanded and bare knuckled political brawls. Over 60% of the voters are self declared Evangelicals, as we are still most definitely a religious state. Yet when it comes to politics, it seems we are often far to willing to ignore dirty, cheap and frankly dishonest tactics, overlook them in spite of their un-Christian tenor, under the mantra, "well, that's politics." But, should this be the mindset for the Christian voter or the candidate running under the banner of faith?
That's a question that has really bothered me this election cycle. As we watch a hotly contested Republican primary, we've seen the typical politics of our generation. Anything goes. Of the candidates remaining, only one is not really running with his faith as a centerpiece of his campaign, and that is Donald Trump. Yes, Trump has appealed to the evangelical vote, what Republican candidate doesn't? He's received the endorsement of some religious leaders like Dr. Robert Jeffress and Jerry Falwell, Jr. But he most certainly is not out there trumpeting his faith. When he has spoken of it he's been visibly hesitant and awkward. I do not consider him a religious candidate in the least. The rest however are running with a bible in hand and their faith prominent as part of their appeal to voters. And that will especially be on display here in South Carolina.
Ben Carson speaks of his Seventh Day Adventist faith eloquently and sincerely. By all accounts he seems to be as honorable a man as their is in the contest. He's simply not a good politician. By that I mean, he's way to nice and has not resorted to an anything goes approach, which means he has no prayer of being elected. It doesn't help he appears to be napping most of the time. Still, I respect his candidacy and his integrity.
Former Florida Governor Jeb! Bush does not speak of his Catholic faith as often as his brother George did of his Episcopal beliefs. Still, when he does, he does so comfortably and seemingly sincerely. Bush is in a desperate position as he enters South Carolina and it will be interesting to watch how his campaign proceeds here. How low will he be willing to go? Brother George went pretty low here in 2000 in his match-up with John McCain, even so far that rumors of McCain having an illegitimate black child, was a traitor, was crazy, his wife was a drug addict, were widely circulated via flyers and push polls. Bush went on to win the nomination and Presidency, did the "end justify the means" for an avowed born again Christian?
Ohio Governor John Kasich is an avowed conservative Anglican. He also is comfortable when speaking of his faith, though it's not a centerpiece of his candidacy. Kasich has so far run a very positive campaign and avoided the trap of the anything goes politics that are so prevalent today. With little to no organization in South Carolina, he's not a factor. I really don't even expect him to compete here, so if he does resort to politics as usual, it won't be here.
That brings us to Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, the two most prominent faith based candidates.
Rubio is Roman Catholic and has a riveting testimony in regards to his faith in Jesus Christ. Over the course of his life, Rubio has been Catholic, then Mormon as a teen, later an Evangelical who attended an SBC megachurch, and now has returned to his Catholic roots of which he says says he fully embraces all Roman Catholic doctrine. Rubio's political journey is as muddled as his journey in faith. He was elected Senator in Florida as a Tea Party Constitutionalist running on a strict anti-immigration amnesty platform, but almost immediately reversed course when elected when he emerged as a co-sponsor of the doomed "Gang of Eight" amnesty bill. Now, he says he no longer backs the bill he was a primary proponent of. He also is on the record as first saying in hindsight he would not have gone to war in Iraq, but later saying it was not a mistake, and has changed his positions on defense spending several times. He's had to revise the story of his parents flight from Cuba due to inaccuracies. Now, everyone is entitled to change their minds. But for one running on their faith as visibly as Rubio is, it seems the words of the bible "let your yay mean yay and your nay mean nay" should have some bearing. He comes off as one who will say what he believes will get him elected. For Rubio, will the "end justify the means?"
No candidate is running as strongly on his faith as Southern Baptist Ted Cruz. Cruz, Senator from Texas and son of Pentecostal Pastor Rafael Cruz, has garnered the backing of such conservative Christian stalwarts as James Dobson and Tony Perkins along with some questionable characters like Kenneth Copeland, Mike Bickle and David Barton. In South Carolina nearly 150 pastors have endorsed Cruz, including former President of the SCBC Tommy Kelly of FBC Varnville. Cruz has cultivated networks of pastors to organize Christian voters is several states, including here, and is counting on as he so boldly claims in stump speeches for "the body of Christ to rise up and restore this nation!"
This type language obviously plays well with religious conservatives. Cruz has also publically shown a willingness to stand up to the powers that be, the "Washington Cartel," as he has labeled them, further endearing him to those with conservative political views who see D.C. and the political elites as corrupt. With Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum now gone, Cruz is by far the most openly religious candidate left. Has his campaign reflected the bold statement of faith he so openly is running on?
In Iowa, Cruz was responsible for a clearly deceptive mailer that "shamed" voters by comparing their voting records to their neighbors. Now understand, this is not a tactic foreign to elections in Iowa. Barack Obama used the same tactic in 2008 and the Iowa Republican Party has used the tactic as well. It is accepted politics as usual. But is deception a tactic a candidate running on a faith centered platform should be using? The Ben Carson episode on Caucus night clearly was mishandled by the Cruz campaign, infuriating the ever docile and honorable Carson. Ben clearly felt wronged. Now, in politics, one looks for every advantage, and clearly in Iowa, a state also with a large Evangelical voting block, any vote that could be won from Carson, who was appealing to the same voter block, was an advantage. And their is no doubt some were swayed. There was nothing illegal here, it was indeed politics as usual. But was it ethical, and do ethics matter for the candidate running as "the" conservative Christian candidate?
Cruz also has his flip flops. The campaign commercials have already begun here and the tenor of some are highly questionable to me, including an on-line ad from a Super PAC supporting Cruz, playing to the Confederate flag issue here against Donald Trump. This issue is clearly divisive, and more importantly, of no bearing on this election. It's a play to the lowest common denominator of some of the voting public. Is it politically effective? Maybe it will be. Is it the way "the" conservative Christian candidate should be campaigning? For Cruz, will the "end justify the means?"
Now, I'm not leaving the Donald out of this. He's flip-flopped on more things than an Olympic gymnast, uses language that would shame a sailor, and also appeals to the "baser" instincts of many. But as I stated, he's not running with his faith front and center of his campaign. Except when asked about it, he rarely mentions it. My question surrounding all of this is should the candidate clearly running with faith as a central part of their campaign be held to a higher standard by the Christian voter?
Men like Huckabee and Santorum certainly had their faith front and center, ran honorable campaigns, and were out of the race after the first contest getting less than 3% of the vote between them. Many say someone running this type of campaign, Carson being another example, cannot win. I'm actually convinced of that. Politics is a cutthroat proposition. But what type of testimony is it for the Christian to adopt the ways of the world simply to get elected? The Christian is supposed to be about Christ first and foremost, and abstain from the ways of the world. We are to be "salt" and "light" to influence the corrupted culture we live in, but as Jesus says, when salt "loses it's flavor," it becomes useless.
It's clearly a difficult thing to process. I firmly believe we need more Christian influence in our government. More faithful, committed people of integrity whose "yay means yay." But we live in a world where the game apparently has to be played the "game's" way. Does that match up with our faith? For me, it doesn't. For the Christian, you see, the "means" are every bit as important as the "end." If they are not, we may be elected, but we lose credibility in the thing that should matter most, our testimony of Jesus Christ.
South Carolina is an interesting animal politically. Conservative yet independent, known for underhanded and bare knuckled political brawls. Over 60% of the voters are self declared Evangelicals, as we are still most definitely a religious state. Yet when it comes to politics, it seems we are often far to willing to ignore dirty, cheap and frankly dishonest tactics, overlook them in spite of their un-Christian tenor, under the mantra, "well, that's politics." But, should this be the mindset for the Christian voter or the candidate running under the banner of faith?
That's a question that has really bothered me this election cycle. As we watch a hotly contested Republican primary, we've seen the typical politics of our generation. Anything goes. Of the candidates remaining, only one is not really running with his faith as a centerpiece of his campaign, and that is Donald Trump. Yes, Trump has appealed to the evangelical vote, what Republican candidate doesn't? He's received the endorsement of some religious leaders like Dr. Robert Jeffress and Jerry Falwell, Jr. But he most certainly is not out there trumpeting his faith. When he has spoken of it he's been visibly hesitant and awkward. I do not consider him a religious candidate in the least. The rest however are running with a bible in hand and their faith prominent as part of their appeal to voters. And that will especially be on display here in South Carolina.
Ben Carson speaks of his Seventh Day Adventist faith eloquently and sincerely. By all accounts he seems to be as honorable a man as their is in the contest. He's simply not a good politician. By that I mean, he's way to nice and has not resorted to an anything goes approach, which means he has no prayer of being elected. It doesn't help he appears to be napping most of the time. Still, I respect his candidacy and his integrity.
Former Florida Governor Jeb! Bush does not speak of his Catholic faith as often as his brother George did of his Episcopal beliefs. Still, when he does, he does so comfortably and seemingly sincerely. Bush is in a desperate position as he enters South Carolina and it will be interesting to watch how his campaign proceeds here. How low will he be willing to go? Brother George went pretty low here in 2000 in his match-up with John McCain, even so far that rumors of McCain having an illegitimate black child, was a traitor, was crazy, his wife was a drug addict, were widely circulated via flyers and push polls. Bush went on to win the nomination and Presidency, did the "end justify the means" for an avowed born again Christian?
Ohio Governor John Kasich is an avowed conservative Anglican. He also is comfortable when speaking of his faith, though it's not a centerpiece of his candidacy. Kasich has so far run a very positive campaign and avoided the trap of the anything goes politics that are so prevalent today. With little to no organization in South Carolina, he's not a factor. I really don't even expect him to compete here, so if he does resort to politics as usual, it won't be here.
That brings us to Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, the two most prominent faith based candidates.
Rubio is Roman Catholic and has a riveting testimony in regards to his faith in Jesus Christ. Over the course of his life, Rubio has been Catholic, then Mormon as a teen, later an Evangelical who attended an SBC megachurch, and now has returned to his Catholic roots of which he says says he fully embraces all Roman Catholic doctrine. Rubio's political journey is as muddled as his journey in faith. He was elected Senator in Florida as a Tea Party Constitutionalist running on a strict anti-immigration amnesty platform, but almost immediately reversed course when elected when he emerged as a co-sponsor of the doomed "Gang of Eight" amnesty bill. Now, he says he no longer backs the bill he was a primary proponent of. He also is on the record as first saying in hindsight he would not have gone to war in Iraq, but later saying it was not a mistake, and has changed his positions on defense spending several times. He's had to revise the story of his parents flight from Cuba due to inaccuracies. Now, everyone is entitled to change their minds. But for one running on their faith as visibly as Rubio is, it seems the words of the bible "let your yay mean yay and your nay mean nay" should have some bearing. He comes off as one who will say what he believes will get him elected. For Rubio, will the "end justify the means?"
No candidate is running as strongly on his faith as Southern Baptist Ted Cruz. Cruz, Senator from Texas and son of Pentecostal Pastor Rafael Cruz, has garnered the backing of such conservative Christian stalwarts as James Dobson and Tony Perkins along with some questionable characters like Kenneth Copeland, Mike Bickle and David Barton. In South Carolina nearly 150 pastors have endorsed Cruz, including former President of the SCBC Tommy Kelly of FBC Varnville. Cruz has cultivated networks of pastors to organize Christian voters is several states, including here, and is counting on as he so boldly claims in stump speeches for "the body of Christ to rise up and restore this nation!"
This type language obviously plays well with religious conservatives. Cruz has also publically shown a willingness to stand up to the powers that be, the "Washington Cartel," as he has labeled them, further endearing him to those with conservative political views who see D.C. and the political elites as corrupt. With Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum now gone, Cruz is by far the most openly religious candidate left. Has his campaign reflected the bold statement of faith he so openly is running on?
In Iowa, Cruz was responsible for a clearly deceptive mailer that "shamed" voters by comparing their voting records to their neighbors. Now understand, this is not a tactic foreign to elections in Iowa. Barack Obama used the same tactic in 2008 and the Iowa Republican Party has used the tactic as well. It is accepted politics as usual. But is deception a tactic a candidate running on a faith centered platform should be using? The Ben Carson episode on Caucus night clearly was mishandled by the Cruz campaign, infuriating the ever docile and honorable Carson. Ben clearly felt wronged. Now, in politics, one looks for every advantage, and clearly in Iowa, a state also with a large Evangelical voting block, any vote that could be won from Carson, who was appealing to the same voter block, was an advantage. And their is no doubt some were swayed. There was nothing illegal here, it was indeed politics as usual. But was it ethical, and do ethics matter for the candidate running as "the" conservative Christian candidate?
Cruz also has his flip flops. The campaign commercials have already begun here and the tenor of some are highly questionable to me, including an on-line ad from a Super PAC supporting Cruz, playing to the Confederate flag issue here against Donald Trump. This issue is clearly divisive, and more importantly, of no bearing on this election. It's a play to the lowest common denominator of some of the voting public. Is it politically effective? Maybe it will be. Is it the way "the" conservative Christian candidate should be campaigning? For Cruz, will the "end justify the means?"
Now, I'm not leaving the Donald out of this. He's flip-flopped on more things than an Olympic gymnast, uses language that would shame a sailor, and also appeals to the "baser" instincts of many. But as I stated, he's not running with his faith front and center of his campaign. Except when asked about it, he rarely mentions it. My question surrounding all of this is should the candidate clearly running with faith as a central part of their campaign be held to a higher standard by the Christian voter?
Men like Huckabee and Santorum certainly had their faith front and center, ran honorable campaigns, and were out of the race after the first contest getting less than 3% of the vote between them. Many say someone running this type of campaign, Carson being another example, cannot win. I'm actually convinced of that. Politics is a cutthroat proposition. But what type of testimony is it for the Christian to adopt the ways of the world simply to get elected? The Christian is supposed to be about Christ first and foremost, and abstain from the ways of the world. We are to be "salt" and "light" to influence the corrupted culture we live in, but as Jesus says, when salt "loses it's flavor," it becomes useless.
It's clearly a difficult thing to process. I firmly believe we need more Christian influence in our government. More faithful, committed people of integrity whose "yay means yay." But we live in a world where the game apparently has to be played the "game's" way. Does that match up with our faith? For me, it doesn't. For the Christian, you see, the "means" are every bit as important as the "end." If they are not, we may be elected, but we lose credibility in the thing that should matter most, our testimony of Jesus Christ.
Friday, January 29, 2016
The Roles of Government and the Church
As the Republican debate reached it's closing statements round the other night, Dr. Ben Carson closed his rather uneventful night in a unique way. He recited the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
You know what? I memorized that in the third grade as part of my 48th ranked, South Carolina public school education, and can still recite it to this day. In this short paragraph the Founding Fathers of our nation very simply and concisely defined what they felt the role of government should be. While there is no doubt the role of government has expanded well beyond this definition, I found it refreshing to hear in a political debate in this age of HUMONGOUS government exactly what the original intent was. And I got to thinking, how does God define the role of the church?
First let's look at the Founding Fathers definition of government.
"We the People of the United States" It is we the people who are to rule this nation through elected representatives. We exercise our rule through elections, very poorly sometimes. But ultimately the responsibility of what our government is rests at our feet. You don't like the government? Look in the mirror!
"in order to form a more perfect Union" We are united together in a common purpose to make our nation the best it can be. Not perfect, as that is impossible, but more perfect. Striving for the best. This is also a "perfect" definition for how the Christian should strive to live their life, be "more perfect" everyday.
"establish Justice" To establish justice is to establish a fair system of treatment for all under a rule of law. God alone is just and He alone knows perfect justice, and as flawed as our system is, it is still the best man has ever come up with. Judged by our peers.
"insure domestic Tranquility" Tranquility is a word we don't use much anymore. It means peace, calm. The government is to insure peace among the citizens, meaning I believe guarding against physical, armed conflict from within. We've had mixed results with this.
"provide for the common Defense" Perhaps the most understood and accepted role of government, to protect the citizenry from outside enemies.
"promote the general Welfare" To promote the well being of it's citizens. Provide equal opportunity, safety, the opportunity to improve oneself. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
"secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" We are free people, free to do as we wish so long as laws are not broken or no harm comes to another. It's the government's role to secure this right that comes not from man, but from God. And we do this with an emphasis on our posterity, those who come after us, insuring they will enjoy the same freedoms we do!
Notice some things here. It does not say establish a national religion, as freedom of religion is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the constitution that follows. It also does not say limit religion, which is also guaranteed by that same First Amendment. The government is to stay out of religion, and any religion has the freedom to practice it's beliefs within the confines of the freedom we are all granted. The Founders were pretty smart dudes. They stayed out of the business of the church.
So what is the role of the church?
Like our Founding Fathers, God did not give us difficult instruction in regards to this. Like our government today, I believe many Christians have complicated and added to the role of the church making it really incomprehensible. It is not. The role of the church is this:
Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind, this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."'
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
You know what? I memorized that in the third grade as part of my 48th ranked, South Carolina public school education, and can still recite it to this day. In this short paragraph the Founding Fathers of our nation very simply and concisely defined what they felt the role of government should be. While there is no doubt the role of government has expanded well beyond this definition, I found it refreshing to hear in a political debate in this age of HUMONGOUS government exactly what the original intent was. And I got to thinking, how does God define the role of the church?
First let's look at the Founding Fathers definition of government.
"We the People of the United States" It is we the people who are to rule this nation through elected representatives. We exercise our rule through elections, very poorly sometimes. But ultimately the responsibility of what our government is rests at our feet. You don't like the government? Look in the mirror!
"in order to form a more perfect Union" We are united together in a common purpose to make our nation the best it can be. Not perfect, as that is impossible, but more perfect. Striving for the best. This is also a "perfect" definition for how the Christian should strive to live their life, be "more perfect" everyday.
"establish Justice" To establish justice is to establish a fair system of treatment for all under a rule of law. God alone is just and He alone knows perfect justice, and as flawed as our system is, it is still the best man has ever come up with. Judged by our peers.
"insure domestic Tranquility" Tranquility is a word we don't use much anymore. It means peace, calm. The government is to insure peace among the citizens, meaning I believe guarding against physical, armed conflict from within. We've had mixed results with this.
"provide for the common Defense" Perhaps the most understood and accepted role of government, to protect the citizenry from outside enemies.
"promote the general Welfare" To promote the well being of it's citizens. Provide equal opportunity, safety, the opportunity to improve oneself. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
"secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" We are free people, free to do as we wish so long as laws are not broken or no harm comes to another. It's the government's role to secure this right that comes not from man, but from God. And we do this with an emphasis on our posterity, those who come after us, insuring they will enjoy the same freedoms we do!
Notice some things here. It does not say establish a national religion, as freedom of religion is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the constitution that follows. It also does not say limit religion, which is also guaranteed by that same First Amendment. The government is to stay out of religion, and any religion has the freedom to practice it's beliefs within the confines of the freedom we are all granted. The Founders were pretty smart dudes. They stayed out of the business of the church.
So what is the role of the church?
Like our Founding Fathers, God did not give us difficult instruction in regards to this. Like our government today, I believe many Christians have complicated and added to the role of the church making it really incomprehensible. It is not. The role of the church is this:
Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind, this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."'
It's not rocket science!!! In doing the "Greatest Commandment," we are "salt and light" in this world! That is the role of the church! Yet somehow, today, it feels as though the church feels part of it's role is to win elections. I don't find that command in the bible!
Does this mean a Christian should not participate in the government? Run for office? Vote? Of course not! In doing this we can be "salt" in the culture we live in. But the government, and elections, are not to be the focus of the church. These are things of man, and while we can influence them as Christians living out the "Greatest Commandment," they are not a means to see the gospel spread and our nation turn to God. There is only one way this happens, through our faithful witness and the power of the Holy Spirit! The only way we can be "salt" is to continually point to THE "light", Jesus Christ. Government and elections point to man.
Do we as citizens have the right and freedom to defend the religious liberty granted to us by our constitution so eloquently written many years ago? You bet we do!!! But I'll ask you this. Does, should, the church need the government to share Jesus, practice the "Greatest Commandment," and be "salt and light?"
Something to ponder in this explosive election year.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
The Curious Case of Donald Trump and Christianity
Earlier tonight Donald Trump, Republican frontrunner in every poll for the 2016 Presidential nomination, withdrew from the last scheduled debate on FOX News before the Iowa Caucus on February 1. It is the latest occurrence instigated by Trump in this most unusual of election years that has the media up in arms exclaiming "THIS" is the mistake that could lead to his downfall. Trump has brought dynamics to this race, some very positive, some in my opinion not, more than any candidate in my lifetime. He's tapped in to the furor from grassroots America against politics as it has been, often referred to as the "establishment." He's dominated media coverage with an in your face, take no prisoners, downright crass style that has offended many. In the latest polling he leads among Evangelical voters by 17 points in spite of an inability to articulate his faith, and garnered the endorsement of such noted conservative Christian leaders as Jerry Falwell, Jr. To some he is grotesque, to others a hero. To all he is an enigma, balking every conventional political method yet still garnering apparent huge support.
As a Christian, I adhere to a biblical worldview. I support candidates who also have that worldview. Most Christians have, though in recent years those lines have been blurred. In 2012 Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee, and in spite of his Mormon faith, which most of conservative Christianity does not consider Christian, still collected most of the Evangelical vote cast. In 2008 John McCain, who like Trump this year, has profession of faith that is "light," also garnered most of the Evangelical vote. Evangelical is a term that really has no meaning anymore, as it is used to describe such varying degrees of Christianity, it is literally undefinable. For the conservative Christian who believes the bible the literal word of God, this election seems to carry a significance beyond any I can remember. How is that?
I believe this will either be the year that conservative Christianity either reclaims some relevance as a voting block, or loses it completely. For many it is a dilemma with no easy answer, tired of having to choose between two candidates, neither of whom really represent their worldview adequately. They are frustrated, and Donald Trump has ignited debate in this rather large voting block like no one ever.
I see both sides of the Trump debate. Politically he is not a conservative. But he's not running as a conservative, even though he claims to have changed past views on social/moral issues important to conservative Christians. He's running as an America first populist that is as tired of the "stupid" politicians as much of America is. I agree with what he says in regards to politicians, as I view the system as corrupted and one in desperate need of an overhaul. People are ready for an option other than the same vote they've been casting for years that has reaped little to no real effect on the status quo. Trump, although running as a Republican, I believe can rightly be called a Third Party Candidate. I see the voter angst clearly as I too wish for more options than we currently are presented with in our rigid two party system. I think we need radical change.
But I also believe character matters, and this is where I struggle with Trump. Trump has some admirable qualities. His children, unlike many of the offspring of the rich and famous, all are upstanding, hard working, respectful people. That does speak to him as a father. I actually believe Trump would be a great negotiator, as that is what he does. But as a Christian, with that Christian worldview, I also see a man who has lived a life that is far from one that represents Christ. One that for us who claim the mantle Christian we all should be seeking to live. Trump claims to be a Christian, as do 99.9% of all politicians, even the Mormon Romney. I don't expect perfection at all. If that were the case, no one but Christ is worthy of anything. I do wish to see someone who claims to be Christian, have a life that reflects that. That cannot be said of much of Trump's life.
The dilemma for the Christian is where do we draw the line in regards to something that is purely secular like politics, and our faith? Can the Christian with a biblical worldview knowingly cast a vote for someone who has displayed such un-Christian behaviors? I don't believe there is a concrete answer for that, and because of that we see extremes on either side of the debate. Some claim they could never vote for a man like Trump. But the character of past President's is hardly exemplary in most cases. Others say it doesn't matter, I'm not voting for a pastor, but for President. Both have a point. So what is the answer?
The bible tells us in Philippians 2:12 that we should "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." We do need to be consistent that our faith translates to all areas of our lives. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 22:21 that we should "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." Politics are not our faith or church. The bible also says we have "liberty in Christ" in regards to non-essentials of the faith. Politics are most definitely a non-essential when it comes to faith. How we approach things such as politics are a matter of our own personal conscience, as is anything the bible does not specifically call sin.
So why do I feel this is such a crucial election for Christians with a biblical worldview? Well, it's not for the reasons many espouse. You see, me, personally, feels as though politics has become a "golden calf" in many Christians lives. Instead of seeking to see the world changed through the proclamation of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have turned to politics and men to attempt to spread our biblical worldview. The bible tells us we should be "salt and light," yet through this faith we've placed in
As an American, I love this country. As a Christian, I know the only thing that can save our nation from ruin is a movement of the Holy Spirit, not any political candidate or party. We should participate in the process as salt, but we have to repent and abandon the idol that politics is the means to the change that so desperately needs to occur. And I fear that if a Christian worldview does win out, our dependence upon the political realm will only grow. Does that mean I openly root for an ungodly government? Not at all! It does mean that I believe our nation needs, must have, a change of heart. And only God can give us a "new heart."
The early church faced an ungodly government, and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. He moved because they were not focused upon overthrowing Caesar, but sharing Christ. That's what we must get back to as the church. With a win of the Christian worldview, I can see that inevitably delayed. With a loss, however that is defined, quite possibly we stop looking to men and instead cast our attention once again to our true, "blessed hope," Jesus Christ. If an even worse and hostile America means a revived body of Christ, but an America that is more in line with our worldview means a continuing absence of the power of the Holy Spirit, which should we desire? This earth is not our home.
I pray one day abortion is illegal. It is murder and sin. No nation can truly prosper flouting God with such abomination. I pray one day our government can once again not endorse the sin of homosexuality and gay marriage. I pray our nation can turn from it's obsession with money, materialism, culture of celebrity, me first appetites, all of which the bible calls sin. I do want, as Donald Trump says, for America to be great. But the only way that happens is through a heaven sent movement of God, not who we vote for. Whatever it takes for the church to get that, understand that..........that is my prayer to happen.
As a Christian, I adhere to a biblical worldview. I support candidates who also have that worldview. Most Christians have, though in recent years those lines have been blurred. In 2012 Mitt Romney was the Republican nominee, and in spite of his Mormon faith, which most of conservative Christianity does not consider Christian, still collected most of the Evangelical vote cast. In 2008 John McCain, who like Trump this year, has profession of faith that is "light," also garnered most of the Evangelical vote. Evangelical is a term that really has no meaning anymore, as it is used to describe such varying degrees of Christianity, it is literally undefinable. For the conservative Christian who believes the bible the literal word of God, this election seems to carry a significance beyond any I can remember. How is that?
I believe this will either be the year that conservative Christianity either reclaims some relevance as a voting block, or loses it completely. For many it is a dilemma with no easy answer, tired of having to choose between two candidates, neither of whom really represent their worldview adequately. They are frustrated, and Donald Trump has ignited debate in this rather large voting block like no one ever.
I see both sides of the Trump debate. Politically he is not a conservative. But he's not running as a conservative, even though he claims to have changed past views on social/moral issues important to conservative Christians. He's running as an America first populist that is as tired of the "stupid" politicians as much of America is. I agree with what he says in regards to politicians, as I view the system as corrupted and one in desperate need of an overhaul. People are ready for an option other than the same vote they've been casting for years that has reaped little to no real effect on the status quo. Trump, although running as a Republican, I believe can rightly be called a Third Party Candidate. I see the voter angst clearly as I too wish for more options than we currently are presented with in our rigid two party system. I think we need radical change.
But I also believe character matters, and this is where I struggle with Trump. Trump has some admirable qualities. His children, unlike many of the offspring of the rich and famous, all are upstanding, hard working, respectful people. That does speak to him as a father. I actually believe Trump would be a great negotiator, as that is what he does. But as a Christian, with that Christian worldview, I also see a man who has lived a life that is far from one that represents Christ. One that for us who claim the mantle Christian we all should be seeking to live. Trump claims to be a Christian, as do 99.9% of all politicians, even the Mormon Romney. I don't expect perfection at all. If that were the case, no one but Christ is worthy of anything. I do wish to see someone who claims to be Christian, have a life that reflects that. That cannot be said of much of Trump's life.
The dilemma for the Christian is where do we draw the line in regards to something that is purely secular like politics, and our faith? Can the Christian with a biblical worldview knowingly cast a vote for someone who has displayed such un-Christian behaviors? I don't believe there is a concrete answer for that, and because of that we see extremes on either side of the debate. Some claim they could never vote for a man like Trump. But the character of past President's is hardly exemplary in most cases. Others say it doesn't matter, I'm not voting for a pastor, but for President. Both have a point. So what is the answer?
The bible tells us in Philippians 2:12 that we should "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." We do need to be consistent that our faith translates to all areas of our lives. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 22:21 that we should "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." Politics are not our faith or church. The bible also says we have "liberty in Christ" in regards to non-essentials of the faith. Politics are most definitely a non-essential when it comes to faith. How we approach things such as politics are a matter of our own personal conscience, as is anything the bible does not specifically call sin.
So why do I feel this is such a crucial election for Christians with a biblical worldview? Well, it's not for the reasons many espouse. You see, me, personally, feels as though politics has become a "golden calf" in many Christians lives. Instead of seeking to see the world changed through the proclamation of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have turned to politics and men to attempt to spread our biblical worldview. The bible tells us we should be "salt and light," yet through this faith we've placed in
As an American, I love this country. As a Christian, I know the only thing that can save our nation from ruin is a movement of the Holy Spirit, not any political candidate or party. We should participate in the process as salt, but we have to repent and abandon the idol that politics is the means to the change that so desperately needs to occur. And I fear that if a Christian worldview does win out, our dependence upon the political realm will only grow. Does that mean I openly root for an ungodly government? Not at all! It does mean that I believe our nation needs, must have, a change of heart. And only God can give us a "new heart."
The early church faced an ungodly government, and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. He moved because they were not focused upon overthrowing Caesar, but sharing Christ. That's what we must get back to as the church. With a win of the Christian worldview, I can see that inevitably delayed. With a loss, however that is defined, quite possibly we stop looking to men and instead cast our attention once again to our true, "blessed hope," Jesus Christ. If an even worse and hostile America means a revived body of Christ, but an America that is more in line with our worldview means a continuing absence of the power of the Holy Spirit, which should we desire? This earth is not our home.
I pray one day abortion is illegal. It is murder and sin. No nation can truly prosper flouting God with such abomination. I pray one day our government can once again not endorse the sin of homosexuality and gay marriage. I pray our nation can turn from it's obsession with money, materialism, culture of celebrity, me first appetites, all of which the bible calls sin. I do want, as Donald Trump says, for America to be great. But the only way that happens is through a heaven sent movement of God, not who we vote for. Whatever it takes for the church to get that, understand that..........that is my prayer to happen.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Donald Trump is Mad As Hell and He's Not Going to Take It Anymore
In 1976 one of the finest movie satires ever was made, it was called Network. With an all-star cast led by William Holden and Faye Dunaway, and including Robert Duvall and Ned Beatty, it centered around a network news anchor who was about to be fired. Peter Finch played the newscaster, Howard Beale, and took home the Oscar that year for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The film garnered Best Picture in 1977. In the film, Beale is given his two weeks notice, and after threatening suicide on air, is given one last show to say goodbye with dignity. Instead, he speaks candidly, emotionally and profanely about what he is feeling, and his ratings go through the roof. He yells at the end, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
As I've watched the rise of Donald Trump to front runner status in the Republican Party Presidential Race, I've been trying to make sense as to why this billionaire, former reality TV star, has connected with so many people. Even his opponents acknowledge he's hit on a nerve in our culture. Tonight, it came to me as to why Trump is so popular. Donald Trump is Howard Beale.
He speaks from with no filter in utter bluntness; emotionally with little detail and often illogically; he hurls insults at any who oppose him; and people love him. Donald Trump is screaming the mantle that so many in our nation feel, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," and Trump has become their voice.
People are angry with Washington, with elected leaders who stand for nothing and get rich. With leaders who say one thing in the election cycle and do another when they take office and vote. People are angry we have a sieve for a Southern border, and Donald Trump says he'll build a wall. Heck, he could pay for it! People are angry their wages are stuck in neutral and Trump trumps his "art" of making the deal as a businessman and says he'll beat China and others in trade negotiations which suppress wages. People are angry that third rate nations like Iran seemingly squeeze us at the negotiating table; angry we can't call a terrorist a terrorist; angry that freedom of speech is being squelched by political correctness; angry that baby parts are being sold for profit; and you know what? People have a right to be angry about many if not all these things! Donald Trump has come out with the attitude that these politicians are all stupid and you need a guy like me to fix these things, and people are eating it up.
His latest dust up with FOX anchor Megyn Kelly has led Trump to his crudest level yet. He feels FOX targeted him unfairly, and he may be right, and he's lashed out on Twitter and in interviews with his usual, filter less banter. FOX apparently was flooded with tweets, Facebook responses and emails trashing them for their unfairness to Trump, and Trump is playing to that, and might actually gain in the polls, even acting like a 12 year old who had their cell phone taken away for the weekend. The debate itself drew the largest ratings of any political debate ever, any non-sports cable show ever, as 24 million people tuned in. They tuned because of Trump! People watched to see just what he would say, just as they did Howard Beale in Network. It was theatre at it's finest, and Trump didn't disappoint.
Network was a satire, but this is playing out in real life! I'm not sure that's a good thing, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Trump, crass and boorish as he is, speaks the truth in at least one regard, maybe more. When he says one of our nations biggest problems is political correctness, he's absolutely right! The First Amendment guarantees us freedom of speech, it does not guarantee us the right not to be offended by another persons words. Now words have consequences, and in the past, society policed that by correcting or ignoring the offender. Nowadays, we run playing the victim card crying we've been offended, and freedom of speech is limited if not erased. That is most definitely not a good thing! Maybe through this Trump candidacy the oppression of political correctness can be lifted, at least for a while.
In Network, Howard Beale struck that chord with a fed up public. Donald Trump is doing exactly the same thing. Things didn't end to well for Beale in the movie, and my suspicion is they won't for Trump either. Now, I pray he doesn't meet Beale's fate(he was murdered on air), and hope that's not morbid even to mention. But eventually, if this continues, Trump will go to far. Beale was known as the "Mad Prophet of the Airwaves," and Trump certainly could be called the "Mad Prophet of the 2016 Election." He's speaking to peoples frustrations and they are responding with remarkable loyalty. They are fed up! They aren't going to take it anymore! And until someone else learns that and Trump's mantle is passed to them, they aren't likely going anywhere soon.
I'm not a Trump supporter, but I do hope this nerve that he has so vividly exposed is responded to. We need truth and we need honesty, and people are craving that from their leaders and they do not feel they are getting it. If our leaders were to respond to that, Trump will have done a great good for the country.
As I've watched the rise of Donald Trump to front runner status in the Republican Party Presidential Race, I've been trying to make sense as to why this billionaire, former reality TV star, has connected with so many people. Even his opponents acknowledge he's hit on a nerve in our culture. Tonight, it came to me as to why Trump is so popular. Donald Trump is Howard Beale.
He speaks from with no filter in utter bluntness; emotionally with little detail and often illogically; he hurls insults at any who oppose him; and people love him. Donald Trump is screaming the mantle that so many in our nation feel, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," and Trump has become their voice.
People are angry with Washington, with elected leaders who stand for nothing and get rich. With leaders who say one thing in the election cycle and do another when they take office and vote. People are angry we have a sieve for a Southern border, and Donald Trump says he'll build a wall. Heck, he could pay for it! People are angry their wages are stuck in neutral and Trump trumps his "art" of making the deal as a businessman and says he'll beat China and others in trade negotiations which suppress wages. People are angry that third rate nations like Iran seemingly squeeze us at the negotiating table; angry we can't call a terrorist a terrorist; angry that freedom of speech is being squelched by political correctness; angry that baby parts are being sold for profit; and you know what? People have a right to be angry about many if not all these things! Donald Trump has come out with the attitude that these politicians are all stupid and you need a guy like me to fix these things, and people are eating it up.
His latest dust up with FOX anchor Megyn Kelly has led Trump to his crudest level yet. He feels FOX targeted him unfairly, and he may be right, and he's lashed out on Twitter and in interviews with his usual, filter less banter. FOX apparently was flooded with tweets, Facebook responses and emails trashing them for their unfairness to Trump, and Trump is playing to that, and might actually gain in the polls, even acting like a 12 year old who had their cell phone taken away for the weekend. The debate itself drew the largest ratings of any political debate ever, any non-sports cable show ever, as 24 million people tuned in. They tuned because of Trump! People watched to see just what he would say, just as they did Howard Beale in Network. It was theatre at it's finest, and Trump didn't disappoint.
Network was a satire, but this is playing out in real life! I'm not sure that's a good thing, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. Trump, crass and boorish as he is, speaks the truth in at least one regard, maybe more. When he says one of our nations biggest problems is political correctness, he's absolutely right! The First Amendment guarantees us freedom of speech, it does not guarantee us the right not to be offended by another persons words. Now words have consequences, and in the past, society policed that by correcting or ignoring the offender. Nowadays, we run playing the victim card crying we've been offended, and freedom of speech is limited if not erased. That is most definitely not a good thing! Maybe through this Trump candidacy the oppression of political correctness can be lifted, at least for a while.
In Network, Howard Beale struck that chord with a fed up public. Donald Trump is doing exactly the same thing. Things didn't end to well for Beale in the movie, and my suspicion is they won't for Trump either. Now, I pray he doesn't meet Beale's fate(he was murdered on air), and hope that's not morbid even to mention. But eventually, if this continues, Trump will go to far. Beale was known as the "Mad Prophet of the Airwaves," and Trump certainly could be called the "Mad Prophet of the 2016 Election." He's speaking to peoples frustrations and they are responding with remarkable loyalty. They are fed up! They aren't going to take it anymore! And until someone else learns that and Trump's mantle is passed to them, they aren't likely going anywhere soon.
I'm not a Trump supporter, but I do hope this nerve that he has so vividly exposed is responded to. We need truth and we need honesty, and people are craving that from their leaders and they do not feel they are getting it. If our leaders were to respond to that, Trump will have done a great good for the country.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Things That Have Irritated Me Lately
OK, maybe that's not the best title for a blog from a pastor. Let's call it "Things That Have Troubled Me Lately." Nah, I'm not really troubled by them. They don't cost me sleep at night. Maybe, "Things That Confuse Me Lately." Nope, I don't think I'm confused. Is it OK for a pastor to get irritated? I hope so. Being irritated doesn't mean I dislike someone or don't respect them. It simply means I strongly disagree with many things I've seen lately and they get under my skin. So long as I don't lash out, I feel that's OK. So here goes, hopefully in the proper spirit.
It irritates me when I see people say the Confederate flag has been banned. It has not been banned, it was removed from statehouse grounds. You still have the freedom to fly it wherever you want personally. If that freedom is ever challenged, I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
It irritates me when I see Christians share anything on social media as if it's the gospel truth. Where is our discernment? Every time we share a half truth we share an untruth. Every time we share something that is misrepresentative, we promote a lie. There will be plenty of truth to share in the coming days, let's make sure what we share can be backed up by facts and scripture. We destroy our credibility when we share things that have no basis in truth.
It irritates me how little people know about history, and even current events. We seem to read only opinion we agree with, and again take what is said as absolute truth. Their are two sides to every story, and this includes history. The truth is almost always found somewhere in the middle.
It irritates me how many Christians are biblically illiterate or simply don't care what the bible actually says. It is not your preacher's fault if you know nothing of the bible. We are to feed ourselves the word. If we do that, we'll quickly realize if we are in a church that proclaims the truth, or does not. Then we face the decision, stay or leave. If the only "bread" you receive is on Sunday morning, you are probably biblically illiterate. "Study to show yourself approved." Question everything you are taught compared to scripture. Leave room for disagreement on non-essential matters, but stand firm on the primary things. We can't do this unless we know the primary things.
It irritates me that football season is still seven weeks away. My how I long for some harmless entertainment and good natured ribbing.
It irritates me when I see Christians in America say how persecuted we are. Seriously? We can watch ISIS beheading any who disagree with them, read of Christian pastors held captive and facing death for standing in their faith, know the factual history of the black person or American Indian in our country, know the history of the Holocaust, and seriously claim we are currently being persecuted? It grieves me how unprepared many Christians are for real persecution, and it is almost certainly coming. If any of the disciples or Jesus responded the way some do to the world being against them or not getting their way, we would have no basis for a faith to live our lives by. And when it does come, realize we were told we must endure these things. Told to take joy in them. I don't see much joy from Christians in many things these days. I see fear. We're told to "fear God," and nothing else. "Consider it pure joy." We are not victims. "The servant is not greater than the Master."
It irritates me that the "Dukes of Hazzard" HAS been banned from TV Land. Now that folks is overreaction. It does not irritate me Walmart no longer sells the Confederate flag. I rejoice for the small business owners who will reap the benefits of this. Walmart has run to many small businesses out of business. That said, everything else about Walmart irritates me ;-)
It irritates me how freely we throw around terms like racist, bigot, hater. Like heretic or false teacher in Christian circles. Are their people who are racist, or bigots, or who truly hate? You bet there are. Are there people who deny the faith and are true heretics and false teachers? Absolutely. But because we disagree about something does not make me or you one of these things. Racists are easy to spot, as are people who are bigots or who hate. Heretics and false teachers are as well if we know the essentials of the faith. Labeling people with false claims only divides and stirs unrest.
It irritates me I fall short as a pastor, as a husband, as a brother, as a friend. That I fall short as a Christian.
You see, that's the thing about irritation. It should be two-fold. If we think we won't be irritated by things from the outside, that things will always be as WE want them, well, we set ourselves up to be miserable. We'll find little joy or comfort. What we must do however is deal with those "planks" in our own eyes. Irritation means we pay attention to something. We scratch a mosquito bite. I think it would do all of us good, and most certainly myself, to pay more attention to those things in my life that are an irritant on the inside. This won't mean things on the outside won't irritate me, that they are unimportant, but I have little to no control over those things. I can scratch those bites I personally feel.
Paul tells us to "examine yourselves." You know what, that irritates me. But that's not a bad thing.
It irritates me when I see people say the Confederate flag has been banned. It has not been banned, it was removed from statehouse grounds. You still have the freedom to fly it wherever you want personally. If that freedom is ever challenged, I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
It irritates me when I see Christians share anything on social media as if it's the gospel truth. Where is our discernment? Every time we share a half truth we share an untruth. Every time we share something that is misrepresentative, we promote a lie. There will be plenty of truth to share in the coming days, let's make sure what we share can be backed up by facts and scripture. We destroy our credibility when we share things that have no basis in truth.
It irritates me how little people know about history, and even current events. We seem to read only opinion we agree with, and again take what is said as absolute truth. Their are two sides to every story, and this includes history. The truth is almost always found somewhere in the middle.
It irritates me how many Christians are biblically illiterate or simply don't care what the bible actually says. It is not your preacher's fault if you know nothing of the bible. We are to feed ourselves the word. If we do that, we'll quickly realize if we are in a church that proclaims the truth, or does not. Then we face the decision, stay or leave. If the only "bread" you receive is on Sunday morning, you are probably biblically illiterate. "Study to show yourself approved." Question everything you are taught compared to scripture. Leave room for disagreement on non-essential matters, but stand firm on the primary things. We can't do this unless we know the primary things.
It irritates me that football season is still seven weeks away. My how I long for some harmless entertainment and good natured ribbing.
It irritates me when I see Christians in America say how persecuted we are. Seriously? We can watch ISIS beheading any who disagree with them, read of Christian pastors held captive and facing death for standing in their faith, know the factual history of the black person or American Indian in our country, know the history of the Holocaust, and seriously claim we are currently being persecuted? It grieves me how unprepared many Christians are for real persecution, and it is almost certainly coming. If any of the disciples or Jesus responded the way some do to the world being against them or not getting their way, we would have no basis for a faith to live our lives by. And when it does come, realize we were told we must endure these things. Told to take joy in them. I don't see much joy from Christians in many things these days. I see fear. We're told to "fear God," and nothing else. "Consider it pure joy." We are not victims. "The servant is not greater than the Master."
It irritates me that the "Dukes of Hazzard" HAS been banned from TV Land. Now that folks is overreaction. It does not irritate me Walmart no longer sells the Confederate flag. I rejoice for the small business owners who will reap the benefits of this. Walmart has run to many small businesses out of business. That said, everything else about Walmart irritates me ;-)
It irritates me how freely we throw around terms like racist, bigot, hater. Like heretic or false teacher in Christian circles. Are their people who are racist, or bigots, or who truly hate? You bet there are. Are there people who deny the faith and are true heretics and false teachers? Absolutely. But because we disagree about something does not make me or you one of these things. Racists are easy to spot, as are people who are bigots or who hate. Heretics and false teachers are as well if we know the essentials of the faith. Labeling people with false claims only divides and stirs unrest.
It irritates me I fall short as a pastor, as a husband, as a brother, as a friend. That I fall short as a Christian.
You see, that's the thing about irritation. It should be two-fold. If we think we won't be irritated by things from the outside, that things will always be as WE want them, well, we set ourselves up to be miserable. We'll find little joy or comfort. What we must do however is deal with those "planks" in our own eyes. Irritation means we pay attention to something. We scratch a mosquito bite. I think it would do all of us good, and most certainly myself, to pay more attention to those things in my life that are an irritant on the inside. This won't mean things on the outside won't irritate me, that they are unimportant, but I have little to no control over those things. I can scratch those bites I personally feel.
Paul tells us to "examine yourselves." You know what, that irritates me. But that's not a bad thing.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Let's Talk About the Flag
Romans 14:19, "Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."
I'll state from the beginning here this blog is meant in particular for those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
In the wake of the mass murder of nine our our brothers and sisters in Christ last Wednesday in Charleston, what we have seen is nothing short of miraculous. Here in South Carolina, the body of Christ has come together in the unifying power of the Holy Spirit like no other time I can recall. Yes, after 9/11, we saw our churches filled, but that was an American thing. The attacks on our nation that day unified our nation for a short while, but within weeks of the attacks, our churches were back to normal, and the unity we shared shortly thereafter vanished.
And while these nine lives that were lost on Wednesday were definitely blood shed over racist motives, it was also, importantly, an attack upon the church. And the church has responded as only the church can. The church is not of itself, it is of Christ. And when we see the unity we have seen since last Wednesday, we know that it is a work of the Spirit. This work of the Holy Spirit was given an exclamation point by the inspiring denial of self by the victims of the families themselves. In the most God honoring display of Christian love, grace and mercy I have ever witnessed, these families looked the murderer of their loved ones in the eyes, and told him they love him and forgive him. Friends, only the Holy Spirit inside of us can do that!
This week has been a roller coaster of emotions that has left me drained. But in spite of the senseless violence that started this, its is the work of God through His people that has left an indelible impression. This is what Christ's church is supposed to look like, and it has been beautiful.
But I fear, much like 9/11, the unity could be fleeting. The question for us as believers here in South Carolina is this: Will we allow a flag to divide us, and thus quickly snuff out the work of the Holy Spirit we have seen?
I'm not going to get in to the points that are made in regards to the Confederate Battle Flag of Northern Virginia representing heritage, the standing for states rights that many see it representing, or any of the other things that have been bandied about for countless years in our state. I will concede all of them. I respect your view and what the flag represents to you.
But what if this flag means something else to another? And it does. Of that there is no doubt. As a believer in Christ, is it worth it to hold to your strongly held feelings and appreciation of heritage, yet offend your brother and sister in Christ? Is that the path Christ would have us take? Will that in any way further the kingdom of God?
Unity is something we see far to little of in the church. Instead of edifying, building each other up, as scripture compels us to do, we seem incapable of getting out of our own way, and in the process we tear down each other, and quench the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of the peace that should define us, we quibble over things that have no bearing on the work of the church on this earth.
Unity is maintained through a basic scriptural principle, and that principle is humility. Christ is our model in humility, the One who "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Humility is the essence of denying ourselves, something Jesus tells us all of His disciples will do. Are those of us who hold the flag as something we value in regards to our heritage willing to humble ourselves for the sake of unity and the greater good of the body of Christ at large?
If we cannot see that this flag issue that has hung over our state for years and years is about to reach a defining moment, then I believe we are hiding from reality. Criticism of the flag is about to erupt from all sides of the political and religious spectrum, and it is already dividing us. It may be knocked off the front pages of the news when the gay marriage ruling from the Supreme Court comes down, or another story captures the interest of the media, but when legislation is presented late this year to remove the Confederate Battle Flag, it will surely rise up like a gasoline fueled fire. Judging by conversations I've seen on social media, the emotions in regards to the flag are still at a fever pitch. Emotions like that will crush the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Those emotions are not based in the Holy Spirit, but rather the flesh. And the bible tells us that those two are contrary, are opposed, to one another.
This, for us Christians, cannot be a political issue. We cannot look at those who we agree or disagree with politically for our basis in how we proceed here. This is a matter of what is best for the body of Christ! It is a time for humility! And we, the church, are the one's who should be leading in this.
We really only have two choices. We can embrace the things we say we hold so dear; grace, and mercy and love, and humble ourselves so as not to offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. Or, we can dig our heels in and watch this unifying movement of the Holy Spirit I believe we have all rejoiced in quickly disappear.
To you. my brothers and sisters, who value the flag and what it means to you, I ask you consider this. Consider the humility exhibited by those families when they gazed upon the one who murdered their loved ones. The strength that took. The denying of self. Can we do that for those who do not see things as we do?
Removing the flag from our statehouse grounds will not end racism. Racism is sin, and will be with us until Jesus returns. It will not end murder, or hatred, or even divisions in the church. They are all sin. But Jesus tells us; "Blessed are the peacemakers." We have the opportunity to be just that right now.
I'll be honest with you. I'd really like to see what God would do in our state if that were to happen.
I'll state from the beginning here this blog is meant in particular for those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
In the wake of the mass murder of nine our our brothers and sisters in Christ last Wednesday in Charleston, what we have seen is nothing short of miraculous. Here in South Carolina, the body of Christ has come together in the unifying power of the Holy Spirit like no other time I can recall. Yes, after 9/11, we saw our churches filled, but that was an American thing. The attacks on our nation that day unified our nation for a short while, but within weeks of the attacks, our churches were back to normal, and the unity we shared shortly thereafter vanished.
And while these nine lives that were lost on Wednesday were definitely blood shed over racist motives, it was also, importantly, an attack upon the church. And the church has responded as only the church can. The church is not of itself, it is of Christ. And when we see the unity we have seen since last Wednesday, we know that it is a work of the Spirit. This work of the Holy Spirit was given an exclamation point by the inspiring denial of self by the victims of the families themselves. In the most God honoring display of Christian love, grace and mercy I have ever witnessed, these families looked the murderer of their loved ones in the eyes, and told him they love him and forgive him. Friends, only the Holy Spirit inside of us can do that!
This week has been a roller coaster of emotions that has left me drained. But in spite of the senseless violence that started this, its is the work of God through His people that has left an indelible impression. This is what Christ's church is supposed to look like, and it has been beautiful.
But I fear, much like 9/11, the unity could be fleeting. The question for us as believers here in South Carolina is this: Will we allow a flag to divide us, and thus quickly snuff out the work of the Holy Spirit we have seen?
I'm not going to get in to the points that are made in regards to the Confederate Battle Flag of Northern Virginia representing heritage, the standing for states rights that many see it representing, or any of the other things that have been bandied about for countless years in our state. I will concede all of them. I respect your view and what the flag represents to you.
But what if this flag means something else to another? And it does. Of that there is no doubt. As a believer in Christ, is it worth it to hold to your strongly held feelings and appreciation of heritage, yet offend your brother and sister in Christ? Is that the path Christ would have us take? Will that in any way further the kingdom of God?
Unity is something we see far to little of in the church. Instead of edifying, building each other up, as scripture compels us to do, we seem incapable of getting out of our own way, and in the process we tear down each other, and quench the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of the peace that should define us, we quibble over things that have no bearing on the work of the church on this earth.
Unity is maintained through a basic scriptural principle, and that principle is humility. Christ is our model in humility, the One who "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Humility is the essence of denying ourselves, something Jesus tells us all of His disciples will do. Are those of us who hold the flag as something we value in regards to our heritage willing to humble ourselves for the sake of unity and the greater good of the body of Christ at large?
If we cannot see that this flag issue that has hung over our state for years and years is about to reach a defining moment, then I believe we are hiding from reality. Criticism of the flag is about to erupt from all sides of the political and religious spectrum, and it is already dividing us. It may be knocked off the front pages of the news when the gay marriage ruling from the Supreme Court comes down, or another story captures the interest of the media, but when legislation is presented late this year to remove the Confederate Battle Flag, it will surely rise up like a gasoline fueled fire. Judging by conversations I've seen on social media, the emotions in regards to the flag are still at a fever pitch. Emotions like that will crush the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Those emotions are not based in the Holy Spirit, but rather the flesh. And the bible tells us that those two are contrary, are opposed, to one another.
This, for us Christians, cannot be a political issue. We cannot look at those who we agree or disagree with politically for our basis in how we proceed here. This is a matter of what is best for the body of Christ! It is a time for humility! And we, the church, are the one's who should be leading in this.
We really only have two choices. We can embrace the things we say we hold so dear; grace, and mercy and love, and humble ourselves so as not to offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. Or, we can dig our heels in and watch this unifying movement of the Holy Spirit I believe we have all rejoiced in quickly disappear.
To you. my brothers and sisters, who value the flag and what it means to you, I ask you consider this. Consider the humility exhibited by those families when they gazed upon the one who murdered their loved ones. The strength that took. The denying of self. Can we do that for those who do not see things as we do?
Removing the flag from our statehouse grounds will not end racism. Racism is sin, and will be with us until Jesus returns. It will not end murder, or hatred, or even divisions in the church. They are all sin. But Jesus tells us; "Blessed are the peacemakers." We have the opportunity to be just that right now.
I'll be honest with you. I'd really like to see what God would do in our state if that were to happen.
Friday, June 19, 2015
I'm Proud of My State
Romans 12:19, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord."
By now the whole nation knows the name Dylann Roof and the senseless, evil act he perpetrated upon nine innocent people who had gathered to pray and study the bible in Charleston, SC on Wednesday night. These eight church members and their pastor most certainly welcomed him in to their midst and he reportedly sat with them for close to an hour before raining down a hail of bullets that ended their lives. We've seen this type of scene repeated in our nation many times in the last twenty five years; in schools, theatres, on army bases, at shopping centers. It's never easy to digest. The human soul is indeed capable of despicable wickedness.
But at Emanuel AMC Church on Wednesday a different component was thrown in to the mix. The shooter was a young white male and all of the victims were black. Some news reports are stating that those who did survive are saying racial comments were made by the shooter. A picture in the news of Dylann Roof wearing a jacket with flags from Rhodesia and South Africa's apartheid era seems to confirm his racial bigotry. The crime was pursued from the outset as a hate crime. In this time of stirring racial unrest, the worst atrocity yet had been committed. And this in a state where a police officer in the same area was recently videoed gunning down an unarmed black male. A state with a long, troubled history in race relations.
If the rest of our nation is a barometer for how this type situation should play out, we should be seeing a city on fire with riots and looting being met by heavily armed police forces in riot gear. Tensions and division should be overflowing and the aftermath should be dominating the twenty four hour news cycle. We've seen this scene play out to many times in the last year; in Ferguson, MO; in New York; and most recently in Baltimore. Crimes perceived as racially motivated are responded to by civil unrest and further tragedy results. But here, in South Carolina, where the Civil War began and the Confederate battle flag still flies on state house grounds, the seemingly normal script has not played out. Here, in South Carolina, another script is being written. One that I pray others will see and learn from.
Instead of riots and looting, with blacks in standoffs with police and racial hatred boiling over like grease unattended on the stove bursting in to flames, we've seen unity in opposition to evil. We've seen white and black joined together in prayer and ministry, We've seen cries from leaders, both faith based and political, to come together, and so far, we have. We've seen God glorified as His people have rejected the need for vengeance and instead come together in His name. We've seen grace and mercy, and yes, even forgiveness, in the face of a seemingly unforgivable act. We've seen the seeds for healing planted that could bear fruit far beyond this current, tragic situation.
What we've seen so far is remarkable, but I have reservations. We know that Satan is "like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour," and we've seen the enemy of all mankind use situations just like this to pit people against each other. We must be vigilant and on guard as he will seek to fan the flames and ignite this in to another Ferguson or Baltimore. I have concerns any time I see racial profiteers such as Al Sharpton are arriving on the scene. I know their are instigators out there who thrive on creating chaos from tragedies just like this. This is not over I fear.
But for right now, instead of holy rage, we have seen a work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of mistrust and hatred, we've seen unity and Christian love. You see, these weren't just African-Americans who were murdered, they were Christians practicing their faith. They were brothers and sisters to millions in this state, and the blood that was senselessly shed Wednesday night was bound together with those millions by the blood of Christ,
In South Carolina, like everywhere, we are far from perfect. Yes, we have racism. We have discrimination. We have a history of judging a person by the color of their skin instead of the content of their character. But South Carolina, for all it's warts, also has a population that is still gathered around Jesus for the most part, certainly far more than many places. Faith is ingrained in our culture, and it is faith that has subdued the accompanying troubles that a scene like this often produces.
I'm proud of my state.
Let us pray we persevere in faith and resist the devil so that he will flee.
By now the whole nation knows the name Dylann Roof and the senseless, evil act he perpetrated upon nine innocent people who had gathered to pray and study the bible in Charleston, SC on Wednesday night. These eight church members and their pastor most certainly welcomed him in to their midst and he reportedly sat with them for close to an hour before raining down a hail of bullets that ended their lives. We've seen this type of scene repeated in our nation many times in the last twenty five years; in schools, theatres, on army bases, at shopping centers. It's never easy to digest. The human soul is indeed capable of despicable wickedness.
But at Emanuel AMC Church on Wednesday a different component was thrown in to the mix. The shooter was a young white male and all of the victims were black. Some news reports are stating that those who did survive are saying racial comments were made by the shooter. A picture in the news of Dylann Roof wearing a jacket with flags from Rhodesia and South Africa's apartheid era seems to confirm his racial bigotry. The crime was pursued from the outset as a hate crime. In this time of stirring racial unrest, the worst atrocity yet had been committed. And this in a state where a police officer in the same area was recently videoed gunning down an unarmed black male. A state with a long, troubled history in race relations.
If the rest of our nation is a barometer for how this type situation should play out, we should be seeing a city on fire with riots and looting being met by heavily armed police forces in riot gear. Tensions and division should be overflowing and the aftermath should be dominating the twenty four hour news cycle. We've seen this scene play out to many times in the last year; in Ferguson, MO; in New York; and most recently in Baltimore. Crimes perceived as racially motivated are responded to by civil unrest and further tragedy results. But here, in South Carolina, where the Civil War began and the Confederate battle flag still flies on state house grounds, the seemingly normal script has not played out. Here, in South Carolina, another script is being written. One that I pray others will see and learn from.
Instead of riots and looting, with blacks in standoffs with police and racial hatred boiling over like grease unattended on the stove bursting in to flames, we've seen unity in opposition to evil. We've seen white and black joined together in prayer and ministry, We've seen cries from leaders, both faith based and political, to come together, and so far, we have. We've seen God glorified as His people have rejected the need for vengeance and instead come together in His name. We've seen grace and mercy, and yes, even forgiveness, in the face of a seemingly unforgivable act. We've seen the seeds for healing planted that could bear fruit far beyond this current, tragic situation.
What we've seen so far is remarkable, but I have reservations. We know that Satan is "like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour," and we've seen the enemy of all mankind use situations just like this to pit people against each other. We must be vigilant and on guard as he will seek to fan the flames and ignite this in to another Ferguson or Baltimore. I have concerns any time I see racial profiteers such as Al Sharpton are arriving on the scene. I know their are instigators out there who thrive on creating chaos from tragedies just like this. This is not over I fear.
But for right now, instead of holy rage, we have seen a work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of mistrust and hatred, we've seen unity and Christian love. You see, these weren't just African-Americans who were murdered, they were Christians practicing their faith. They were brothers and sisters to millions in this state, and the blood that was senselessly shed Wednesday night was bound together with those millions by the blood of Christ,
In South Carolina, like everywhere, we are far from perfect. Yes, we have racism. We have discrimination. We have a history of judging a person by the color of their skin instead of the content of their character. But South Carolina, for all it's warts, also has a population that is still gathered around Jesus for the most part, certainly far more than many places. Faith is ingrained in our culture, and it is faith that has subdued the accompanying troubles that a scene like this often produces.
I'm proud of my state.
Let us pray we persevere in faith and resist the devil so that he will flee.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Should Christians Bake the Cake?
2 Kings 5:18-19, "Yet in this thing may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes in to the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord please pardon your servant in this thing. Then he(Elisha) said to him(Naaman), 'Go in peace.' So he departed from him a short distance."
Anyone who has watched the news over the last few days has heard of the controversy now occurring in Indiana over a state law known as RFRA(Religious Freedom Restoration Act). This sort of law, also present in 20 other states including right here in South Carolina, builds on a federal law passed by a bipartisan congress in 1993 which allows for among other things the right of a business or individual the legal standing to refuse a service to someone on the basis of the right to practice freedom of religion. These state laws allow for a judicial principle known as "strict scrutiny" in regards to state laws not covered by the federal bill. In other words, if charged with something like discrimination, the person charged has a right to have the case reviewed in light of their religious beliefs.
Many times over the years these laws have prevented religious discrimination against individuals in regards to practicing the tenants of their faith, and have been applied to many faiths, not just Christianity. The most famous case in regards to these laws was the Hobby Lobby case where that Christian company was arguing they could choose not to provide some forms of post-conception birth control based upon their religious faith and view that life begins at conception, and to terminate the baby was in fact terminating a child, albeit unborn. The Supreme Court ruled that such closely-held corporations as Hobby Lobby did in fact have the right based upon faith based beliefs to limit forms of birth control issued through the insurance they provided for employees.
But now, the challenge to RFRA's has moved in to the ever intensifying battleground over same sex marriage. In several instances across our nation private businesses owned by Christians have been held guilty of discrimination when refusing to bake a cake for a same sex wedding. These state RFRA's are a response to such judicial decisions to protect the rights of faith based businesses. But is this the wisest way to proceed in such circumstances?
Understand, I believe that a Christian's first duty is to God, even if this means violating the laws of the land. Scripture such as Acts 5:29 clearly instructs us we are to "obey God" and His commands over the laws of man, and when they conflict, we choose God. I certainly understand the reluctance of these Christian bakers to bake these cakes for fear of endorsing a same sex union which we believe scripture clearly teaches is against nature and called sin by God. But is there a better way, and a way in which God approves of our actions, apart from defying a law against discrimination? Does the bible provide another path? I believe so.
In the scripture that begins this blog we see the wonderful story of the Syrian commander Naaman and his healing from leprosy. Leprosy is a stark symbol for sin in the bible. Just as leprosy disfigures the body making one unrecognizable, so sin does to us in the eyes of God. We are disfigured by sin and unrecognizable in regards to humanity which was created in the image of God. While a true account of a miracle from God through Elisha the prophet, the story illustrates the magnificent power of God to cleanse us of our sin, which has made us unrecognizable and an outcast before God, just as the leper was an outcast from the society in which they dwelt in biblical times. The leper was unclean, just as we are in our sin apart from Christ.
Here, after his miraculous healing, Naaman approaches Elisha and asks an interesting question. Being a Syrian and a Gentile, and also a servant to the king of Syria, when Naaman returned to his native land, he would be required to accompany the king to worship of the pagan god Rimmon. With his king at his side, Naaman would be required to bow down to a god he now knew was false(v.15). Being a Syrian there was no way for him to avoid this. Knowing this was against the law of the God of Israel, and the first of the Ten Commandments, to have no other God before Him, Naaman asks Elisha, and in effect God, if God would pardon him for having to bow down to this idol. I think we should pay close attention to the response of Elisha for Naaman to "Go in peace" in verse 19. God here, has basically said, I understand your situation Naaman, and I know your heart, while your body may be bowed to the useless idol, I know your heart is not. I believe this is a scriptural principle that may be the best way to handle the situations these Christian bakers, and surely others, are facing and will face in the future.
As the Supreme Court will take up the gay marriage issue in earnest late this spring, I believe we are on the verge of the issue being declared legal nationwide. While the court may not issue a direct ruling, I personally believe what comes from the court will basically make gay marriage the law of the land, meaning all states would be forced to recognize these unions as legal. Should this happen, businesses such as these bakeries, even though their objection would be based upon their faith, would be legally guilty of discrimination and subject to punishment under the law. I wish the future held something different, but honestly cannot foresee it.
If this happens, Christians may feel the need to act upon the words of the bible such as cited in Acts 5:29, to obey God rather than man. But is baking a cake for a same sex marriage actually condoning the union? In 2 Kings, Naaman was allowed to participate in something that scripture does prohibit as he had no choice. God knew that Naaman was now a true convert in his faith, and allowed for him to bow down to the pagan idol. Naaman in no way was endorsing Rimmon as god in doing so, as his faith now resided in the God of Israel. He was simply following the law of his land.
So how should Christians handle these situations as they most certainly arise in the future? Personally, I'd bake the cake. God knows our heart and knows we in no way condone or endorse something He has called sin, but if this does indeed become law, we would have no choice. I believe we should bake the cake, and witness of Jesus. Tell the couple who desires the cake of God's love for them and His desire to cleanse them of their sin, just as He cleansed Naaman of his leprosy. Reveal the scripture that identifies their lifestyle as sin and share the gospel that through faith and by God's grace, they to can be forgiven, saved and changed. They can be a Holy Spirit indwelt, born again, new creation in Christ with the power to overcome their sin, just as we overcome ours, through Jesus.
The outcome will likely be one of two things: either they will rebuff the word and leave of their own accord, or they will hear the truth of how they can be delivered from their sin and the certain judgment and wrath of God that will greet all apart from the cleansing power of Jesus. While refusing service to someone with a lifestyle we feel violates our faith may become illegal, sharing our faith is still perfectly legal, especially if we own the business. No law can prohibit me from sharing Jesus in a business I own, at least not yet.
Now if the government does one day prohibit sharing the gospel as the Pharisees attempted to do with the disciples in Acts 5:29, we may be required to choose God over man. Until then, is the example of Naaman in 2 Kings a better, biblical choice? I'll leave that up to the individual. I do feel we do have the right under freedom of religion to refuse. But personally, I'd use the opportunity to share with them the only thing that can deliver them from the bondage of their sin, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In my bakery, for my cake, they are a captive audience. If they don't like it, they are free to leave. If they want the cake I will bake, they will hear of Jesus and His love for them He showed on the cross. That they can be delivered from their sin, just as you and I have been.
These are perilous times we live in when it comes to living out our faith, and things are almost certain to grow more troublesome. But we can still share our faith! Just maybe, situations such as these bakers have encountered are an opportunity to proclaim Jesus, and know that God knows our heart and situation. Just as he did with Naaman in 2 Kings.
Anyone who has watched the news over the last few days has heard of the controversy now occurring in Indiana over a state law known as RFRA(Religious Freedom Restoration Act). This sort of law, also present in 20 other states including right here in South Carolina, builds on a federal law passed by a bipartisan congress in 1993 which allows for among other things the right of a business or individual the legal standing to refuse a service to someone on the basis of the right to practice freedom of religion. These state laws allow for a judicial principle known as "strict scrutiny" in regards to state laws not covered by the federal bill. In other words, if charged with something like discrimination, the person charged has a right to have the case reviewed in light of their religious beliefs.
Many times over the years these laws have prevented religious discrimination against individuals in regards to practicing the tenants of their faith, and have been applied to many faiths, not just Christianity. The most famous case in regards to these laws was the Hobby Lobby case where that Christian company was arguing they could choose not to provide some forms of post-conception birth control based upon their religious faith and view that life begins at conception, and to terminate the baby was in fact terminating a child, albeit unborn. The Supreme Court ruled that such closely-held corporations as Hobby Lobby did in fact have the right based upon faith based beliefs to limit forms of birth control issued through the insurance they provided for employees.
But now, the challenge to RFRA's has moved in to the ever intensifying battleground over same sex marriage. In several instances across our nation private businesses owned by Christians have been held guilty of discrimination when refusing to bake a cake for a same sex wedding. These state RFRA's are a response to such judicial decisions to protect the rights of faith based businesses. But is this the wisest way to proceed in such circumstances?
Understand, I believe that a Christian's first duty is to God, even if this means violating the laws of the land. Scripture such as Acts 5:29 clearly instructs us we are to "obey God" and His commands over the laws of man, and when they conflict, we choose God. I certainly understand the reluctance of these Christian bakers to bake these cakes for fear of endorsing a same sex union which we believe scripture clearly teaches is against nature and called sin by God. But is there a better way, and a way in which God approves of our actions, apart from defying a law against discrimination? Does the bible provide another path? I believe so.
In the scripture that begins this blog we see the wonderful story of the Syrian commander Naaman and his healing from leprosy. Leprosy is a stark symbol for sin in the bible. Just as leprosy disfigures the body making one unrecognizable, so sin does to us in the eyes of God. We are disfigured by sin and unrecognizable in regards to humanity which was created in the image of God. While a true account of a miracle from God through Elisha the prophet, the story illustrates the magnificent power of God to cleanse us of our sin, which has made us unrecognizable and an outcast before God, just as the leper was an outcast from the society in which they dwelt in biblical times. The leper was unclean, just as we are in our sin apart from Christ.
Here, after his miraculous healing, Naaman approaches Elisha and asks an interesting question. Being a Syrian and a Gentile, and also a servant to the king of Syria, when Naaman returned to his native land, he would be required to accompany the king to worship of the pagan god Rimmon. With his king at his side, Naaman would be required to bow down to a god he now knew was false(v.15). Being a Syrian there was no way for him to avoid this. Knowing this was against the law of the God of Israel, and the first of the Ten Commandments, to have no other God before Him, Naaman asks Elisha, and in effect God, if God would pardon him for having to bow down to this idol. I think we should pay close attention to the response of Elisha for Naaman to "Go in peace" in verse 19. God here, has basically said, I understand your situation Naaman, and I know your heart, while your body may be bowed to the useless idol, I know your heart is not. I believe this is a scriptural principle that may be the best way to handle the situations these Christian bakers, and surely others, are facing and will face in the future.
As the Supreme Court will take up the gay marriage issue in earnest late this spring, I believe we are on the verge of the issue being declared legal nationwide. While the court may not issue a direct ruling, I personally believe what comes from the court will basically make gay marriage the law of the land, meaning all states would be forced to recognize these unions as legal. Should this happen, businesses such as these bakeries, even though their objection would be based upon their faith, would be legally guilty of discrimination and subject to punishment under the law. I wish the future held something different, but honestly cannot foresee it.
If this happens, Christians may feel the need to act upon the words of the bible such as cited in Acts 5:29, to obey God rather than man. But is baking a cake for a same sex marriage actually condoning the union? In 2 Kings, Naaman was allowed to participate in something that scripture does prohibit as he had no choice. God knew that Naaman was now a true convert in his faith, and allowed for him to bow down to the pagan idol. Naaman in no way was endorsing Rimmon as god in doing so, as his faith now resided in the God of Israel. He was simply following the law of his land.
So how should Christians handle these situations as they most certainly arise in the future? Personally, I'd bake the cake. God knows our heart and knows we in no way condone or endorse something He has called sin, but if this does indeed become law, we would have no choice. I believe we should bake the cake, and witness of Jesus. Tell the couple who desires the cake of God's love for them and His desire to cleanse them of their sin, just as He cleansed Naaman of his leprosy. Reveal the scripture that identifies their lifestyle as sin and share the gospel that through faith and by God's grace, they to can be forgiven, saved and changed. They can be a Holy Spirit indwelt, born again, new creation in Christ with the power to overcome their sin, just as we overcome ours, through Jesus.
The outcome will likely be one of two things: either they will rebuff the word and leave of their own accord, or they will hear the truth of how they can be delivered from their sin and the certain judgment and wrath of God that will greet all apart from the cleansing power of Jesus. While refusing service to someone with a lifestyle we feel violates our faith may become illegal, sharing our faith is still perfectly legal, especially if we own the business. No law can prohibit me from sharing Jesus in a business I own, at least not yet.
Now if the government does one day prohibit sharing the gospel as the Pharisees attempted to do with the disciples in Acts 5:29, we may be required to choose God over man. Until then, is the example of Naaman in 2 Kings a better, biblical choice? I'll leave that up to the individual. I do feel we do have the right under freedom of religion to refuse. But personally, I'd use the opportunity to share with them the only thing that can deliver them from the bondage of their sin, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In my bakery, for my cake, they are a captive audience. If they don't like it, they are free to leave. If they want the cake I will bake, they will hear of Jesus and His love for them He showed on the cross. That they can be delivered from their sin, just as you and I have been.
These are perilous times we live in when it comes to living out our faith, and things are almost certain to grow more troublesome. But we can still share our faith! Just maybe, situations such as these bakers have encountered are an opportunity to proclaim Jesus, and know that God knows our heart and situation. Just as he did with Naaman in 2 Kings.
Friday, January 30, 2015
A Friend I've Never Met, or; A Really Great Thing About Social Media
I have a friend I've never met. Several years ago, through the six degrees of Facebook, I was introduced to Joe McKeever. Joe is a retired Baptist preacher and Director of Missions who has had about as active a retirement as anyone I know.
Joe regularly travels across the nation speaking to churches, local Baptist associations, senior groups, youth groups, you name it, and I've heard is available for about anything else except possibly a briss. He started drawing cartoons earlier in life and is now a regular contributor to many publications with his whimsical, sometimes pointed observations, in regards to everyday life and the church. He writes a regular blog that has been picked up and republished by such nationally known publications as Christianity Today. He's a fixture on social media such as Facebook where his "One Minute Bible Studies" are a daily feature and he otherwise engages regularly as most on Facebook do. I just pray one day I'm as productive as Joe is in retirement, heck sometimes, even in the day today.
Being a former pastor Joe has a heart for those of us serving in our unique callings. Many times you will read where a pastor with troubles in their church has contacted Joe and sought advice. Joe never mentions a name, but will use these situations to help edify those of us who any day could face such a challenge. I myself have sought out his wisdom a few times, and he has always been there with honest feedback in a timely manner, in spite of his hectic schedule.
I honestly marvel at Joe's still burning fire to serve God, grace and love for people.
But last Friday, tragedy struck Joe and his family. Joe's wife of around fifty years, Margaret, suffered a massive heart attack while out of the home. Over the last week as he sat patiently in a waiting room, as all pastors have done countless times with their flock, Joe lived out before the world on Facebook what it is to deal with the coming death of one we dearly love. It is something all of us face, but like most things in life, how we face these seasons in our life reveals things about us.
With every post you could literally feel his pain and see his tears. Joe's family is spread out across our fair nation, so it took time for all of them to arrive in New Orleans where Joe and Margaret live, and you could feel the relief when they finally did. Every now and then the vulnerability we all face in these type situations would be seen, the spectre of loss, the reality of "what now?" His humble memories of his wife in a blog brought joy, and tears, and an understanding of their journey together. It was heart wrenching, and inspiring, all at the same time.
During this time, on Facebook, and I am sure in many other areas, the outpouring of prayer, love and support for Joe and his family was overwhelming. You could tell it buoyed him in this hurricane of life, and the true love shown, by many such as me who have never even met Joe, spoke volumes of the type of man he is. You see, for all of the pain, and tears, and doubt that gripped Joe throughout this past week, the one thing that shown through more than anything else was his faith in Jesus Christ. It revealed exactly why he has such a positive influence on so many he's never even met. Like any of us would, I am sure he prayed for a miraculous recovery for his beloved. But I also know with certainty his faith allowed him to never have lost sight of where Margaret would eventually be, in glory with Jesus.
Yesterday, Margaret went to be with her Lord. The storm has finally passed, and the recovery begins. In this snippet of personal tragedy we can learn a few things. One is our faith never shines more brightly before others than when engulfed by the waves of personal trial. I've read the words of Joe McKeever for years now, but in this past week, I saw the man behind the words, and the faith he has preached for many years now came alive before our eyes.
Another is the power of social media. As with any endeavor in life, social media has its good and bad sides. Here we saw the good in vibrant colors. A man's positive influence on others, the response of those across our nation to his time of trouble, the way our world is connected as it never has been before, and the good that can come from that, such as a friend I've never met.
Joe has family in Charlotte, and comes to South Carolina on occasion. One day I hope to meet my friend. But even now, knowing only his words, I can say he's my friend. If you would say a prayer for brother Joe and his family as they prepare for Margaret's funeral on Monday. And in our own lives, as that inevitable storm approaches, let us all seek to live by the faith we profess. In the connected world of today, you never know who it may impact.
Joe regularly travels across the nation speaking to churches, local Baptist associations, senior groups, youth groups, you name it, and I've heard is available for about anything else except possibly a briss. He started drawing cartoons earlier in life and is now a regular contributor to many publications with his whimsical, sometimes pointed observations, in regards to everyday life and the church. He writes a regular blog that has been picked up and republished by such nationally known publications as Christianity Today. He's a fixture on social media such as Facebook where his "One Minute Bible Studies" are a daily feature and he otherwise engages regularly as most on Facebook do. I just pray one day I'm as productive as Joe is in retirement, heck sometimes, even in the day today.
Being a former pastor Joe has a heart for those of us serving in our unique callings. Many times you will read where a pastor with troubles in their church has contacted Joe and sought advice. Joe never mentions a name, but will use these situations to help edify those of us who any day could face such a challenge. I myself have sought out his wisdom a few times, and he has always been there with honest feedback in a timely manner, in spite of his hectic schedule.
I honestly marvel at Joe's still burning fire to serve God, grace and love for people.
But last Friday, tragedy struck Joe and his family. Joe's wife of around fifty years, Margaret, suffered a massive heart attack while out of the home. Over the last week as he sat patiently in a waiting room, as all pastors have done countless times with their flock, Joe lived out before the world on Facebook what it is to deal with the coming death of one we dearly love. It is something all of us face, but like most things in life, how we face these seasons in our life reveals things about us.
With every post you could literally feel his pain and see his tears. Joe's family is spread out across our fair nation, so it took time for all of them to arrive in New Orleans where Joe and Margaret live, and you could feel the relief when they finally did. Every now and then the vulnerability we all face in these type situations would be seen, the spectre of loss, the reality of "what now?" His humble memories of his wife in a blog brought joy, and tears, and an understanding of their journey together. It was heart wrenching, and inspiring, all at the same time.
During this time, on Facebook, and I am sure in many other areas, the outpouring of prayer, love and support for Joe and his family was overwhelming. You could tell it buoyed him in this hurricane of life, and the true love shown, by many such as me who have never even met Joe, spoke volumes of the type of man he is. You see, for all of the pain, and tears, and doubt that gripped Joe throughout this past week, the one thing that shown through more than anything else was his faith in Jesus Christ. It revealed exactly why he has such a positive influence on so many he's never even met. Like any of us would, I am sure he prayed for a miraculous recovery for his beloved. But I also know with certainty his faith allowed him to never have lost sight of where Margaret would eventually be, in glory with Jesus.
Yesterday, Margaret went to be with her Lord. The storm has finally passed, and the recovery begins. In this snippet of personal tragedy we can learn a few things. One is our faith never shines more brightly before others than when engulfed by the waves of personal trial. I've read the words of Joe McKeever for years now, but in this past week, I saw the man behind the words, and the faith he has preached for many years now came alive before our eyes.
Another is the power of social media. As with any endeavor in life, social media has its good and bad sides. Here we saw the good in vibrant colors. A man's positive influence on others, the response of those across our nation to his time of trouble, the way our world is connected as it never has been before, and the good that can come from that, such as a friend I've never met.
Joe has family in Charlotte, and comes to South Carolina on occasion. One day I hope to meet my friend. But even now, knowing only his words, I can say he's my friend. If you would say a prayer for brother Joe and his family as they prepare for Margaret's funeral on Monday. And in our own lives, as that inevitable storm approaches, let us all seek to live by the faith we profess. In the connected world of today, you never know who it may impact.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
What Exactly are Biblical Signs and Wonders?
Recently I've had several people in our church come to me in regards to some prophesy teachings that have become very popular recently. They stem from two books by a Messianic Rabbi named Jonathan Cahn, one from a few years ago named "The Harbinger," and another just released called "The Mystery of the Shemitah." In them Cahn claims new revelation of mysteries revealed to him by God that shed new light on a coming judgment of America. These extraordinarily popular books are coming at a time when there is another current frenzy over the "4 Blood Moons." There is a frenzy as these blood moons will all fall on Jewish feast days over the next year, known as the Blood Moon Tetrad. Many are speculating these events are significant in regards to the rapture of the church, and this has led to an avalanche of prophetical prognostications that has captivated many.
I have to admit I am immediately skeptical when I hear anyone saying they have received a new revelation from God. Hebrews 1:1-2 clearly teaches us that in this age God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and not through present day prophets with foreknowledge of future events. I firmly believe we are not in a time of direct revelation from God as we have His completed word. In times past God did indeed speak through the prophets and look down the passage of time, and in the tribulation period of seven years I believe scripture teaches us in Joel 2 and Acts 2 He will once again directly reveal things to people. It makes sense then as under the rule of Antichrist we can be assured that copies of the bible will be very rare, but it does not make sense now in an age where the word of God is more prolifically available than it has been at any time in history.
As I thought of these prophesy propositions that are so prevalent right now, many things just didn't make sense. Scriptures such as Isaiah 9 and Leviticus 25, which were written specifically in regards to the Jewish people, were being ripped from there context and applied to times and places they had no application to. Now understand me here, I'm not saying the Old Testament has no application to us in this day and age, it most surely does! 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us "all" of God's word is profitable, and we are commanded to teach the whole counsel of God's word. There is much of prophetic relevance in the Old Testament; the Old Testament pictures Jesus for us in many, many places; the lessons of Israel are something we are told we are to learn from(1 Cor 10). But we simply cannot take scripture like Leviticus 25:1-10, which is part of the Mosaic Law given expressly to Israel, and apply it to America, a nation that is not in covenant with God and was never under the law. The so called "mystery" of the Shemitah, which is in regards to the Sabbath year(every seventh year the people of Israel were commanded not to plant as God would provide enough to sustain them) has no application to America as we have never honored a Sabbath year or lived under Mosaic Law. We can't take scripture like Isaiah 9:10, which is in regards to Israel in a time of defiance of God, and say it has application to the United States and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Context is king in the bible and we simply cannot rip scripture from context and make it fit our presuppositions.
With the frenzy over the "4 Blood Moons," I got to thinking, what exactly do miraculous signs of God look like in the bible? Were they something, like these four eclipses, that we could predict to the very second when they would occur? No! There is nothing miraculous in a naturally occurring event. The signs in the heavens in scripture were true miracles that could not be explained or predicted by science. Think of the flood of Noah, could that event have occurred naturally? What of some of the plagues of Egypt, were they naturally occurring? What of when God stopped the sun in the sky for Joshua so that the day would last longer and Israel could win the battle, can that be explained? Or when God moved the sun back several hours and lengthened the day for Hezekiah as a sign, is that something that naturally occurs? Perhaps the most famous sign in the heavens from scripture is the "star of Bethlehem" that led the Magi to Christ. They followed this "star" from the far east and it settled directly over where Jesus was. When was the last time that happened?
Sadly, there are many who devour these wild speculations regarding prophesy that simply cannot be backed up by consistent exegesis of the word of God. We are told to study the scriptures in regards to everything that pertains to God, but when we do so with these type teachings, they simply cannot be reconciled to the bible without wildly twisting scripture to fit our preconceived views. Do I believe there will be miraculous signs in the heavens one day? You bet I do, the bible says there will be. But they won't be something I can mark on my calendar. Do I believe America is ripe for judgment? You better believe it, but I don't need a misapplied view of Leviticus to tell me this. My eyes do every day.
In Acts 17:11, a group from the town of Berea is commended for there diligence in "searching the scriptures" to examine what Paul had told them in regards to Jesus. Friends, this is still the way we need to examine claims that people are saying are from God. If we cannot reconcile them to the consistent teachings of the bible, they are not from God. In my research in these topics I found post after post after post on Google regurgitating these teachings as if they were the gospel themselves. We must have better discernment. I'm not saying that these folks are disingenuous in their faith, but I do believe they are naive. They are looking for signs as the Pharisees were, and they were roundly condemned by Jesus for this. Friends, we're not to be looking for signs, we're to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) For those of us who do believe in the rapture, we believe it is imminent. There is nothing that must occur in order for Jesus to return for His bride, and that includes signs.
For those who would like to read on these things further I'd like to recommend a website I found that carefully examined these teachings and many other things by diligently comparing them to the bible. Take a look at www.biblicalintegrity.org and some of the things they say in regards to these prohetic opinions. But most of all, look to God's word. It is there where God has spoken to us, not the New York Times best seller list.
I have to admit I am immediately skeptical when I hear anyone saying they have received a new revelation from God. Hebrews 1:1-2 clearly teaches us that in this age God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and not through present day prophets with foreknowledge of future events. I firmly believe we are not in a time of direct revelation from God as we have His completed word. In times past God did indeed speak through the prophets and look down the passage of time, and in the tribulation period of seven years I believe scripture teaches us in Joel 2 and Acts 2 He will once again directly reveal things to people. It makes sense then as under the rule of Antichrist we can be assured that copies of the bible will be very rare, but it does not make sense now in an age where the word of God is more prolifically available than it has been at any time in history.
As I thought of these prophesy propositions that are so prevalent right now, many things just didn't make sense. Scriptures such as Isaiah 9 and Leviticus 25, which were written specifically in regards to the Jewish people, were being ripped from there context and applied to times and places they had no application to. Now understand me here, I'm not saying the Old Testament has no application to us in this day and age, it most surely does! 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us "all" of God's word is profitable, and we are commanded to teach the whole counsel of God's word. There is much of prophetic relevance in the Old Testament; the Old Testament pictures Jesus for us in many, many places; the lessons of Israel are something we are told we are to learn from(1 Cor 10). But we simply cannot take scripture like Leviticus 25:1-10, which is part of the Mosaic Law given expressly to Israel, and apply it to America, a nation that is not in covenant with God and was never under the law. The so called "mystery" of the Shemitah, which is in regards to the Sabbath year(every seventh year the people of Israel were commanded not to plant as God would provide enough to sustain them) has no application to America as we have never honored a Sabbath year or lived under Mosaic Law. We can't take scripture like Isaiah 9:10, which is in regards to Israel in a time of defiance of God, and say it has application to the United States and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Context is king in the bible and we simply cannot rip scripture from context and make it fit our presuppositions.
With the frenzy over the "4 Blood Moons," I got to thinking, what exactly do miraculous signs of God look like in the bible? Were they something, like these four eclipses, that we could predict to the very second when they would occur? No! There is nothing miraculous in a naturally occurring event. The signs in the heavens in scripture were true miracles that could not be explained or predicted by science. Think of the flood of Noah, could that event have occurred naturally? What of some of the plagues of Egypt, were they naturally occurring? What of when God stopped the sun in the sky for Joshua so that the day would last longer and Israel could win the battle, can that be explained? Or when God moved the sun back several hours and lengthened the day for Hezekiah as a sign, is that something that naturally occurs? Perhaps the most famous sign in the heavens from scripture is the "star of Bethlehem" that led the Magi to Christ. They followed this "star" from the far east and it settled directly over where Jesus was. When was the last time that happened?
Sadly, there are many who devour these wild speculations regarding prophesy that simply cannot be backed up by consistent exegesis of the word of God. We are told to study the scriptures in regards to everything that pertains to God, but when we do so with these type teachings, they simply cannot be reconciled to the bible without wildly twisting scripture to fit our preconceived views. Do I believe there will be miraculous signs in the heavens one day? You bet I do, the bible says there will be. But they won't be something I can mark on my calendar. Do I believe America is ripe for judgment? You better believe it, but I don't need a misapplied view of Leviticus to tell me this. My eyes do every day.
In Acts 17:11, a group from the town of Berea is commended for there diligence in "searching the scriptures" to examine what Paul had told them in regards to Jesus. Friends, this is still the way we need to examine claims that people are saying are from God. If we cannot reconcile them to the consistent teachings of the bible, they are not from God. In my research in these topics I found post after post after post on Google regurgitating these teachings as if they were the gospel themselves. We must have better discernment. I'm not saying that these folks are disingenuous in their faith, but I do believe they are naive. They are looking for signs as the Pharisees were, and they were roundly condemned by Jesus for this. Friends, we're not to be looking for signs, we're to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) For those of us who do believe in the rapture, we believe it is imminent. There is nothing that must occur in order for Jesus to return for His bride, and that includes signs.
For those who would like to read on these things further I'd like to recommend a website I found that carefully examined these teachings and many other things by diligently comparing them to the bible. Take a look at www.biblicalintegrity.org and some of the things they say in regards to these prohetic opinions. But most of all, look to God's word. It is there where God has spoken to us, not the New York Times best seller list.
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