I'm not going to name names, but there will be links so you can find out all the information.
Recently a North Carolina student-pastor from Duke had a mutual agreement with his congregation that he would step down as pastor. He claims that it was related to a blog post where he said something to the effect that Hell doesn't exist and that all souls will be saved. He took the "Universalist Theology" approach. I'll post some links to the bottom of this, but I want to clarify some rumors that I've heard (or anticipate hearing).
RUMOR: Duke Divinity School is a liberal (as in "anything goes") seminary.
FACT: Nothing is further from the truth. Of course at almost any seminary, there will be pockets of that, I have not come into contact at all with those who deviate from orthodox (i.e. traditional) Christianity (Check comments on any of my term papers and you will see that if we even allude to a deviation from orthodoxy, it is caught). In our assignments, we are challenged by alternative beliefs and condemned heresies, but the school promotes an traditional protestant theology. Christ is Savior, Holy Spirit works in people, God the Father, authority of Scriptures, etc.
RUMOR: This person was fired because he is a Universalist (one who believes all will go to Heaven despite beliefs or how they lived their lives).
FACT: That was only one issue among many. I do not know this person, but from the reports, he has used the Divinity School in an unethical way. He had interviews with various news media in our Chapel. While he didn't say that this is a Duke belief, he used Duke property to promote his agenda. He has also had problems in the past with his church on other issues which you can find in links at the bottom.
RUMOR: Rob Bell's book Love Wins (proves there is no Hell).
FACT: I have not read this book, but from trusted people who have read it, it is an emotional plea rather than a fact based book. Of course as Christians we'd love to see everyone saved, but that is only something God can decide...we don't get a vote. We can only spread the Gospel as we know it. How God deals with others who haven't heard the Gospel or the chance to understand it, I don't know.
FACT: Rob Bell also said he is NOT a Universalist. He said he's just challenging what he sees as misunderstandings of Hell.
FACT: Rob Bell is an author and a pastor. Authors (for the most part) write to make money. That doesn't confirm nor deny their positions, but it has to be taken into account.
RUMOR: This NC pastor appealed to Rob Bell's Book Love Wins for his blog post.
FACT: From what I understand, this may be true. Judge that for yourself by reading related links.
RUMOR: Methodist Pastors cannot speak their minds.
FACT: Not true. We can speak our minds, but always remembering that we represent Christ. That is not oppression, but a job we were called to do. When we accepted the call, we accepted all that went with it.
RUMOR: Methodists are a bunch of liberals and not a "real church."
FACT: Methodists are diverse. Of course (as in any religion and denomination), there are liberals, moderates, and conservatives. While we have an efficient system to keep our message on point and about Christ, there are bound to be people who "slip through."
FACT: I also reject the terms "liberal," "conservative," and "moderate." Also, I reject terms like "fundamentalist," "progressive," and other such terms. WHY? There are too many stereotypes involved with each term. Here's an example of a hypothetical person: Pacifist, Pro-Life, Bible has authority, patriotic, pro-universal health care (this again is not a real person...just a set of issues). How would one characterize that person? Can't be "Liberal" because they're pro-life and believe in Biblical Authority. Can't be conservative because they are pacifist and pro-universal health care. Dividing people into Liberal/Conservative are POLITICAL distinctions, NOT RELIGIOUS distinctions. What makes a fundamentalist a fundamentalist? If the person believes in Christ, is that not fundamental to the faith? If the person also interprets books such as Daniel and Jeremiah to be about the Babylonian exile and not the Second Coming of Christ, is that not fundamental because that was the original understanding? Labels divide and we need to stop using them.
RUMOR: God saves people through Christ.
FACT: True. How God works in areas of the world where the Gospel can't be preached (i.e. Saudi Arabia, parts of India, parts of China, etc.) I don't know. BUT, to assume that God isn't working there shows a lack of faith in God and in Christ. That's not a Universalist statement, but rather a statement that God cares about all creation.
RUMOR: This blog poster is exceptionally handsome.
FACT: Very true! In fact, I'm a former body builder champion. Believe that one????
Here is the most balanced link I could find about this story: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=9260313&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+umnsheadlines+%28United+Methodist+News+Service+Headlines%29
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
The (2nd) Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I make no apologies...I am a New York Yankee Fan! The "Evil Empire" is 'my team.'
I also admit the following: I'm a frontrunner! I chose the Yankees because they're good. More so (or maybe how I justify it), the Yankees is probably the most historically significant sports team in the world. Yes, Boston wouldn't be the same without the Red Sox, Chicago has the Cubs and the White Sox, but there's something about those Yankees. Maybe I'm a Yankee fan because of who I am. I'm a yankee...a northerner. A foreigner in a foreign land.
Don't get me wrong, I love North Carolina. I like grits, I even make sweet tea in the summer, I go to church regularly (ok, I'm the pastor, so I kind of have to, but even if I weren't the pastor, I'd still go). But, I'll never be a southerner. I like collards, but I like them best with bacon (not ham hock). But, if you're cooking them with ham hock I'll eat them...and even like them! I've added "y'all" to my vocabulary, and I even use it regularly, but there's something "fake" about it when people hear me say it. No matter what I do or how long I live here, I'll always be a yankee. But, I'm fine with that.
So, maybe that's why I chose the Yankees. To be honest, I used to HATE baseball! Then, one day, my son was having a teething tantrum (he was 2), so I took him for a walk. By our house was a baseball field, and there was a Church League Softball game going on. Once he heard the bat hit the ball, he was amazed. Tantrum stopped and he was fixated. UGH!! Now I have to watch that boring sport??? So, I found a game later that week on ESPN and actually liked it. Then I started reading up on the strategy and was even more hooked. Finally, I had to pick a team...and the rest is history.
Ok, A-Rod used steroids...I don't advocate or even defend that. But, is there a better sportsperson than Derek Jeter? He beat Lou Gehrig's record for the most hits. Now, if I beat Lou Gehrig's record for ANYTHING, I'd be dancing and jumping and screaming (sorry for putting that picture in your head). But did Jeter do that???? No! All he did was take off his hat for the screaming audience and wave with a smile. Or, what about Nick Swisher??? He brought the fun of the game back. Practical jokes, pies in the face. He made it fun.
Yes, they are overpaid. I think most (if not all) professional athletes are overpaid. But, on the other hand, if people are willing to pay as much as they do to see them, then I guess there's an argument on their side. Just don't ask me to be the attorney for the athletes (well, technically you wouldn't want me as your attorney for any matter, but that's not the point here).
I even read a very successful and devout theologian (Stanley Hauerwas) who wrote an article answering questions. One was something to the effect of "How do I teach my child to be a Christian?" I don't remember the exact answer, but it was something like "Teach them bible stories and how to play baseball." There's a lot of truth in that. Some of the best bonding my son and I have done has been playing baseball (well, we've done a lot of bonding -- making up a bedtime story that picks up where we left off the night before, camping in the living room where I fell asleep in the tiny little tent and he went to his bed, and a lot more). I can't wait till my daughter is old enough to join us!
And here we are...it's the end of March, and a new season is about to begin! Go Yankees!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
I Was in Prison and You Came to Me...
Surfing the web today, I looked at the Dayton Daily News. That is the main newspaper of Dayton, Ohio. A place where I lived and worked for 6 years. It was where my son was born, and where my wife and I bought our first house. We were both teachers in the city schools there. Most of our kids came from broken homes and broken lives.
On that website, you can find mugshots of those in the Montgomery County Jail (Dayton is in Mont. County). For some reason, and I truly regret this for reasons I'll explain later, I decided to click on this and see if I knew anyone in jail.
It turns out at least 3 of my former students are on that site. 1 for probation violations, 1 for robbery, and 1 for robbery and murder. I know I alone couldn't have changed their lives, but what if we as a society came together and said "enough is enough?" What if we as Christians went to these people (adults AND kids) and acted like Christians among them rather than putting them in housing projects where we can just "avoid that side of town?" What if we took Jesus' words seriously to reach out to ALL PEOPLE?
Does that mean we may be in danger? Of course it does! Does that mean we'll fail? Definitely! Does that mean people will hate us? Yes! Does that mean our feelings will get hurt? Yes they will, more than once! But, as Christians, why should we expect anything less? Why should we expect to live in our happy little world and ignore the suffering around us as long as it stays out of our lives?
So, why do I feel guilty for looking? The faces of these people (not just my students but all of the 700+ just in that jail alone) show years of pain and suffering. Yes, they did bad things. They may even deserve punishment. But, they also deserve mercy and love. They deserve to be shown the right way to go. My guilt comes from all of the above statements, but most of all because they are put out there for public view just the same way we would look at animals in the zoo. And, the last time I checked, people may be animals (in the biological sense), but we don't belong in a zoo.
Could I have done anything to prevent these 3 former students of mine from being where they are? Probably not. I'm not even blaming myself, but I'm wondering what we all could have done? And more importantly, what can we do in the future? It takes all of us. It's time to wake up and live the faith, not just wear it on our shoulders. It's time to take our faith and wear it like a glove as we dig into the real issues!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Not understanding the words...
As I prepare for this Sunday's sermon, I realize that we Christians (as probably with any group of humans) have our own "buzz words" that sound important and meaningful, but do we really understand them?
This week's sermon is on "Faith." At first, I thought this would be an easy topic. But what is faith? I has to be more than just "believing in something (in this case Christ)." There are a lot of things I believe in, but do I have faith in them? I believe in peace and nonviolence, but but I don't have faith in it. If you break into my house, one of us is going to the hospital! (Probably I'll be the one in the hospital because I can't fight, but I'll kick and scratch anyway in defense of my family). So, what is "Faith?" It's more than just believing....
The sermon's text is on Abraham's call to "Go." And without question, he obeys God. Obviously he had to believe in God to obey God. We can't obey anyone we don't believe in. Was it believing the promises of God? Again, we can't stop there. I believe in God's promises, but yet I work for a living...and yes, pastoring is work, and no it's not just a Sunday job. But, didn't Jesus talk about how God will provide all our needs? Am I lacking faith? I don't know.
Maybe faith is trust? But then again, I trust a lot of people, but I may not have faith in them...or at least not the faith I have in God. I share secrets with people and trust they won't share them, but in the back of my mind, my faith in that is not very strong.
Or, is faith a mystery? Is Faith in Christ a mystery? Can we ever fully know what that means? SHOULD we ever fully know what that means? Or, is this just my easy way out of a tough question? Or, is the faith actually God's? Is it God who is faithful? Well, yeah, that's true, but do we play a part in that?
We can "believe in" Jesus, but even the devil believes in Jesus. Many atheists believe in Jesus (that he existed--not the whole God thing). But that's not enough. We can trust in God, but is that enough? What if we discern God's leading wrong? What if we don't stay faithful to the leading? Are we then faithless? I guess that's where grace comes in......hmmm...grace...now what's that mean???
This week's sermon is on "Faith." At first, I thought this would be an easy topic. But what is faith? I has to be more than just "believing in something (in this case Christ)." There are a lot of things I believe in, but do I have faith in them? I believe in peace and nonviolence, but but I don't have faith in it. If you break into my house, one of us is going to the hospital! (Probably I'll be the one in the hospital because I can't fight, but I'll kick and scratch anyway in defense of my family). So, what is "Faith?" It's more than just believing....
The sermon's text is on Abraham's call to "Go." And without question, he obeys God. Obviously he had to believe in God to obey God. We can't obey anyone we don't believe in. Was it believing the promises of God? Again, we can't stop there. I believe in God's promises, but yet I work for a living...and yes, pastoring is work, and no it's not just a Sunday job. But, didn't Jesus talk about how God will provide all our needs? Am I lacking faith? I don't know.
Maybe faith is trust? But then again, I trust a lot of people, but I may not have faith in them...or at least not the faith I have in God. I share secrets with people and trust they won't share them, but in the back of my mind, my faith in that is not very strong.
Or, is faith a mystery? Is Faith in Christ a mystery? Can we ever fully know what that means? SHOULD we ever fully know what that means? Or, is this just my easy way out of a tough question? Or, is the faith actually God's? Is it God who is faithful? Well, yeah, that's true, but do we play a part in that?
We can "believe in" Jesus, but even the devil believes in Jesus. Many atheists believe in Jesus (that he existed--not the whole God thing). But that's not enough. We can trust in God, but is that enough? What if we discern God's leading wrong? What if we don't stay faithful to the leading? Are we then faithless? I guess that's where grace comes in......hmmm...grace...now what's that mean???
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Poverty and a Christian Response
Poverty and a Christian Response
Presented by Tom Hallberg, Pastor of Hickory Grove United Methodist Church
This is from a Presentation I gave on March 10, 2011. Please feel free to use any of this information!
Goals: Understand Causes and Effects of Poverty.
*Begin a conversation on what Christians can do to actively fight poverty.
* Look at Poverty through a sociological and Biblical lens.
What NOT to expect:
*This is not a presentation on World Poverty (That issue needs addressed, but that is not where I have experience)
*There is not 1 way to fight poverty. This is just 1 of MANY ways!
*We won’t save anyone…That’s God’s job. We just point them in the right direction.
Matthew 26:11- “The poor you will always have with you…” is NOT a command!
Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Jesus in Nazareth)
Poverty is a great stain on the “fabric” of our country!
Poverty is a disease: Affects people physically, mentally, and spiritually. If untreated it leads to worse problems including addiction, crime, lack of morality.
Assumptions for this presentation:
*Poverty is relative (What is poor in 1 area is rich in another)
*There will be many generalizations (there are ALWAYS exceptions).
*America runs on the “middle class’ model.
*There is no perfect economic model to eliminate poverty.
Economic Poverty- Not having enough money to meet needs.
Mental Poverty- Don’t know how to get out of poverty, “Survival Mode”
Spiritual Poverty- Thinking God can’t/won’t help, hopelessness
Situational Poverty- Temporary (job loss, unexpected bill, etc.)
Generational Poverty- Passed through generations (This will be our focus)
Progression of [Generational] Poverty:
Survival-Apathy-Don’t’ know how to get help-God doesn’t care-Disease
Results of Poverty: (Go “hand in hand” with Causes of Poverty)
*Addiction as “self medication” *Risky Behaviors
*Family Breakdown *No faith in “the system” *lack of self care
How the system fails: *Education becomes a political pawn.
*Churches refuse to minister to the needy. *Broken Welfare system
Causes of Poverty: *Generational Poverty (doing what you know)
*Family breakdown *Poor choices *Addiction *Location *Age
*Workers not making livable wages *Individualism vs. Brother’s Keeper
*Ignoring the poor *Mental/Physical illness *Economy * “Bad Luck”
God puts us in Communities: *We depend on each other
*The Church is Christ’s Community *Communities solve problems
Misconceptions of the poor: *They are fat *They are Lazy *They abuse the system
*They act inappropriately *They don’t want help *Gangs *Race
(Think WHY the poor are conceived these ways.)
Statistics: *35.9 Million in US below the Poverty Line
*In 27298 (Liberty NC) Zip Code in year 2000 6.8% below poverty line (13+% in 2011) (http://factfinder.census.gov)
National Graduation Rate: 71-75% (25-30% DO NOT Graduate)- That equals the amount of people in the city of Chicago every year (Pedro Noguera, Prof. NYU)
Christian Call: Mark 8- “…take up your cross and follow me [Jesus]…”
Also: Isaiah, Amos, James, and many others!
Please Know: We won’t end poverty, we won’t save anyone, but we can guide!
To re-form our own attitudes: Genesis 1: All are created in God’s image.
Deut. 6 and Mark 12: “Love your Neighbor as yourself”
“There but by the grace of God, go I” – John Bradford (England 1510-1555)
Behind the Scenes Work Christians can do:
*Support Charities, communicate w/ civic leaders, donate
ACTIVE ministry: *Form Relationships (this is most important!) (Meet people where they are, set boundaries, speak truth in love)
*Be Vulnerable, and educate your children to be compassionate
*Teach Life skills (budgeting, parenting, cooking, etc.)
*Keep this a relationship of equals
*Lead them to Christ!
*Encourage self-care
*Love!
*Remind them they are made “in God’s image.”
Reading: *A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne
*There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz
*Star Teachers of Children in Poverty by Martin Haberman
*Fear of Beggars by Kelly S. Johnson
Friday, March 11, 2011
Interview With a Christian Pacifist
Ok, this may be "self-indulgent." But, I'm going to "interview" myself. Hey, it's my blog, so I make up the rules!
Q: Hi Tom, So, I understand you're a Christian Pacifist. Can you explain that for us?
A: Of course. The short version is that for a long time I've been a Christian, and even before I knew the reality of what that meant, I also felt violence was wrong. It was so deep inside me that when I was a kid in school and other kids wanted to fight me, I wouldn't. People thought I was a wimp, but I just couldn't justify hitting. As life went on, I put the 2 together, and that's where I am today.
Q: So, you're saying you oppose violence of all sorts?
A: Yes. Violence rarely solves anything, and if it does, it just breeds hostility. And second, Jesus taught us not to be violent, most notably in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.
Q: You mean if someone broke into your house, you would just "turn the other cheek?"
A: Well, to be honest, probably not. One of us would be going to the hospital. Probably me because I've never really been in a fight, but if the person won't get out or tries to hurt me or a member of my family, there will be a fight.
Q: So you're contradicting yourself?
A: Yes, that's true. Pacifists and Christians aren't perfect. I would like to say I wouldn't do violence to the other person, but in a chaotic situation, no one knows how they will act.
Q: Then you're not a true Pacifist.
A: Not true. I would not shoot the person, I would only defend myself and my family. I wouldn't try to kill the person...just get him/her out of my house or incapacitated enough for the police or ambulance to get him/her.
Q: So, you support the "Just War Theory?" (The "JWT" says that wars are acceptable only as a last resort, with specific goals, not to destroy the "enemy," but to make them comply to some sort of pre-stated goal, etc.)
A: No, I really don't. I can see how others may see this acceptable, but I would ask if we have a policy such as a "Just Sin" policy. Is it ok to do sinful things as long as they're proportionate to the reason you're doing them?
Q: Then you must not support our military or our country.
A: Again, that's not true. People in the military have to make moral decisions on this issue everyday. I have no way of knowing their hearts or their decision processes. Do I hate our country? Of course I don't. I'd like to see things happen differently sometimes, but I don't hate the USA.
Q: How can you support our troops if you're a Pacifist?
A: It's tough. But just like everyone else, our troops were created by God. I may not always support what they do, but I support them as fellow humans. Also, one of my Grandfathers was in the Army during WWII. My Grandfather was a good man. He joined the military out of a moral conviction that he had. I don't share that conviction, but I loved him just the same. Also, our troops (including my now deceased Grandfather) saw (and probably did) things that will stay with them the rest of their lives. I don't wish that stress on anyone. But the reality is that it is there. To say I don't support these people through their struggles is wrong. I don't think they "deserve" to suffer after their military days are over.
Q: What would you do if one of your children wanted to join the military?
A: First of all, by that time, they'd know how I feel about it. I would try to steer them into a different direction (Peace Corps, Missions, etc.). If that doesn't work, then I would reluctantly support their decision and pray for them and love them.
Q: How can we rid the world of evil if everyone were a Pacifist?
A: The same way we could if everyone weren't Pacifists. Has war stopped violence? It may "solve" a situation...Hitler isn't slaughtering innocent people, Saddam Hussein isn't killing his own people, etc., but people are still suffering because of war. The Jewish people will suffer for hundreds of years to come because of Hitler. People in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across Africa and the Middle East (and I'm sure in other places) are suffering because of war. War hasn't gotten rid of evil. Pacifism won't rid the world of evil, but that isn't our job. That's God's job. Our job is to remain faithful and to pray. Either God is God or not. If we believe in God, then we must believe in God's promises as we understand them.
Q: So, the Bible says "An eye for an eye..." and there are even provisions for stoning and killing outlined in the Law of Moses. The Bible condones violence!
A: At the surface level, you're right, but we have to understand how to interpret these scriptures. I don't claim to have a monopoly on understanding. But, in some rabbinic traditions, these scriptures meant that compensation had to be proportional to the crime. It did not justify killing (in those traditions). I'm not against punishment, but punishment has to be accompanied by rehabilitation. Yes, we will fail sometimes, but that's life. Even if we were violent, we would fail. Look how many innocent people have been killed in wars and by the death penalty. Yes, most were guilty, but even 1 innocent person is too many.
Q: But it's not realistic to believe in Pacifism....It can't work all the time.
A: It is realistic to believe, and you're right, it won't work all the time. But neither will war. In every war, someone loses (and they thought their cause was the right one). And winning or making something work is not why I'm a Pacifist. I'm a Pacifist because I believe that Jesus taught us to be. I understand there are other view points and I respect them. I don't agree with them, but I respect them. So, I'm not a Pacifist to accomplish something, but rather to live in discipleship.
Q: What about innocent people? Don't they get hurt if someone isn't willing to be violent against the one hurting them?
A: That is true. One of my favorite theologians (a professor at Duke Divinity School), Stanley Hauerwas said something to the effect that to be faithful to our convictions may mean that innocent people may have to suffer. Of course I don't want innocent people to suffer, but they suffer in war too (even if someone is fighting "for" them).
Q: Is Pacifism realistic?
A: Not as the world sees it, and that's the point. If Jesus isn't real, then it makes no sense at all. If God isn't real, then it makes no sense. Even to me, it doesn't always make sense or seem realistic. I watch the situation in Libya, and part of me wants someone just to assassinate Quaddafi and get the whole thing over. But, what will that solve? It'll get rid of one dictator, but it doesn't prevent another from rising up. Pacifism doesn't guarantee that either, and it doesn't mean sitting back and putting up with evil. It means non-violently standing up against it. Yes, people will be hurt and may even die, but their souls will live. So, is it realistic for me? Again, another Stanley Hauerwas paraphrase that fits into my own thinking: I have to sometimes remind myself that I'm a Pacifist because I can be a violent son of a bitch. I want to hurt people...I want evil dictators to pay for what they did...I want to hurt murderers and rapists...But, either God meant "Vengeance is Mine" or not. I go with the thought that God meant it.
Q: Hi Tom, So, I understand you're a Christian Pacifist. Can you explain that for us?
A: Of course. The short version is that for a long time I've been a Christian, and even before I knew the reality of what that meant, I also felt violence was wrong. It was so deep inside me that when I was a kid in school and other kids wanted to fight me, I wouldn't. People thought I was a wimp, but I just couldn't justify hitting. As life went on, I put the 2 together, and that's where I am today.
Q: So, you're saying you oppose violence of all sorts?
A: Yes. Violence rarely solves anything, and if it does, it just breeds hostility. And second, Jesus taught us not to be violent, most notably in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.
Q: You mean if someone broke into your house, you would just "turn the other cheek?"
A: Well, to be honest, probably not. One of us would be going to the hospital. Probably me because I've never really been in a fight, but if the person won't get out or tries to hurt me or a member of my family, there will be a fight.
Q: So you're contradicting yourself?
A: Yes, that's true. Pacifists and Christians aren't perfect. I would like to say I wouldn't do violence to the other person, but in a chaotic situation, no one knows how they will act.
Q: Then you're not a true Pacifist.
A: Not true. I would not shoot the person, I would only defend myself and my family. I wouldn't try to kill the person...just get him/her out of my house or incapacitated enough for the police or ambulance to get him/her.
Q: So, you support the "Just War Theory?" (The "JWT" says that wars are acceptable only as a last resort, with specific goals, not to destroy the "enemy," but to make them comply to some sort of pre-stated goal, etc.)
A: No, I really don't. I can see how others may see this acceptable, but I would ask if we have a policy such as a "Just Sin" policy. Is it ok to do sinful things as long as they're proportionate to the reason you're doing them?
Q: Then you must not support our military or our country.
A: Again, that's not true. People in the military have to make moral decisions on this issue everyday. I have no way of knowing their hearts or their decision processes. Do I hate our country? Of course I don't. I'd like to see things happen differently sometimes, but I don't hate the USA.
Q: How can you support our troops if you're a Pacifist?
A: It's tough. But just like everyone else, our troops were created by God. I may not always support what they do, but I support them as fellow humans. Also, one of my Grandfathers was in the Army during WWII. My Grandfather was a good man. He joined the military out of a moral conviction that he had. I don't share that conviction, but I loved him just the same. Also, our troops (including my now deceased Grandfather) saw (and probably did) things that will stay with them the rest of their lives. I don't wish that stress on anyone. But the reality is that it is there. To say I don't support these people through their struggles is wrong. I don't think they "deserve" to suffer after their military days are over.
Q: What would you do if one of your children wanted to join the military?
A: First of all, by that time, they'd know how I feel about it. I would try to steer them into a different direction (Peace Corps, Missions, etc.). If that doesn't work, then I would reluctantly support their decision and pray for them and love them.
Q: How can we rid the world of evil if everyone were a Pacifist?
A: The same way we could if everyone weren't Pacifists. Has war stopped violence? It may "solve" a situation...Hitler isn't slaughtering innocent people, Saddam Hussein isn't killing his own people, etc., but people are still suffering because of war. The Jewish people will suffer for hundreds of years to come because of Hitler. People in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across Africa and the Middle East (and I'm sure in other places) are suffering because of war. War hasn't gotten rid of evil. Pacifism won't rid the world of evil, but that isn't our job. That's God's job. Our job is to remain faithful and to pray. Either God is God or not. If we believe in God, then we must believe in God's promises as we understand them.
Q: So, the Bible says "An eye for an eye..." and there are even provisions for stoning and killing outlined in the Law of Moses. The Bible condones violence!
A: At the surface level, you're right, but we have to understand how to interpret these scriptures. I don't claim to have a monopoly on understanding. But, in some rabbinic traditions, these scriptures meant that compensation had to be proportional to the crime. It did not justify killing (in those traditions). I'm not against punishment, but punishment has to be accompanied by rehabilitation. Yes, we will fail sometimes, but that's life. Even if we were violent, we would fail. Look how many innocent people have been killed in wars and by the death penalty. Yes, most were guilty, but even 1 innocent person is too many.
Q: But it's not realistic to believe in Pacifism....It can't work all the time.
A: It is realistic to believe, and you're right, it won't work all the time. But neither will war. In every war, someone loses (and they thought their cause was the right one). And winning or making something work is not why I'm a Pacifist. I'm a Pacifist because I believe that Jesus taught us to be. I understand there are other view points and I respect them. I don't agree with them, but I respect them. So, I'm not a Pacifist to accomplish something, but rather to live in discipleship.
Q: What about innocent people? Don't they get hurt if someone isn't willing to be violent against the one hurting them?
A: That is true. One of my favorite theologians (a professor at Duke Divinity School), Stanley Hauerwas said something to the effect that to be faithful to our convictions may mean that innocent people may have to suffer. Of course I don't want innocent people to suffer, but they suffer in war too (even if someone is fighting "for" them).
Q: Is Pacifism realistic?
A: Not as the world sees it, and that's the point. If Jesus isn't real, then it makes no sense at all. If God isn't real, then it makes no sense. Even to me, it doesn't always make sense or seem realistic. I watch the situation in Libya, and part of me wants someone just to assassinate Quaddafi and get the whole thing over. But, what will that solve? It'll get rid of one dictator, but it doesn't prevent another from rising up. Pacifism doesn't guarantee that either, and it doesn't mean sitting back and putting up with evil. It means non-violently standing up against it. Yes, people will be hurt and may even die, but their souls will live. So, is it realistic for me? Again, another Stanley Hauerwas paraphrase that fits into my own thinking: I have to sometimes remind myself that I'm a Pacifist because I can be a violent son of a bitch. I want to hurt people...I want evil dictators to pay for what they did...I want to hurt murderers and rapists...But, either God meant "Vengeance is Mine" or not. I go with the thought that God meant it.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
I Don't Get It!
Easter season always seems to bring "bad vibes" in certain sections of the religious community.
While we should be joyous in Christ's resurrection and victory over death, there are those who take this joyous season to turn it into something negative and hateful. Rather than rejoicing, the blame starts. Namely, they blame the Jewish people for being "Christ Killers."
Not only is this completely unhistorical and wrong, it also doesn't make sense for a variety of reasons which I'll outline.
1. Jesus himself, his disciples, Mary, and Joseph were all Jewish. If we didn't have the Jewish people we would not know this God (YHWH - or Yahweh) at all. God was revealed to the Jewish people long before we Gentiles (non-Jews) knew of God. Jesus came from this lineage of people as did his disciples and the majority of the people to whom he ministered.
2. The Jewish people did not kill Jesus. The Romans did. Yes, the Jewish people saw (and some still see) Jesus as a blasphemer, but they did not kill him. No Jew was involved in any active killing of Jesus.
3. (AFTER READING POINT 3, SEE BELOW FOR FURTHER NOTES) Jesus had to die. That was the nature of his mission. If Jesus didn't die, the Kingdom of Heaven wouldn't be ushered in, and sins would not be forgiven. So, even if the Jewish people killed him (which they didn't), a) it was fulfillment of prophecy, b) it HAD to happen because of God's divine plan, and c) Jesus' death is the great atonement for sin. So, while we don't wish death upon people, in this case it was a "good" death.
4. Even if the Jewish people were against Jesus during his trials, the Romans had the only say in what would happen. It's just like today...any citizen (or group of citizens) can complain or even demand something, but only those in charge can make things happen. The Romans were in charge.
So, ANY blaming for Christ's death is upon ALL of us. Christ died for OUR sins (Jew and Gentile alike). If you really need to blame someone, look in the mirror.
****(MORE ABOUT POINT 3) Yes, Jesus had to die. That's fact. But, as I implied that the killers of Jesus were heroes is wrong. Even though Jesus' death was necessary, killing him was wrong. Look at Judas. In one Gospel he was Satan took over and Judas betrayed Jesus. Judas was not a hero...he just set things into motion. Go back to Genesis and Exodus: Joseph was kidnapped to Egypt, though his life turned out even better (after suffering). Because Joseph went to Egypt, the Hebrew people were held as slaves. If this hadn't happened, there would be no Moses. Even with that being the fact, Pharaoh was evil and sinful. Though this event allowed God's Power to be revealed, the event (slavery) was wrong. So, to clarify what I said above: Jesus' death had to happen. The one(s) who betrayed/killed him were wrong. Even with this fact, the basic premise I made stands. The Jewish People did not kill Jesus.
Not only is this completely unhistorical and wrong, it also doesn't make sense for a variety of reasons which I'll outline.
1. Jesus himself, his disciples, Mary, and Joseph were all Jewish. If we didn't have the Jewish people we would not know this God (YHWH - or Yahweh) at all. God was revealed to the Jewish people long before we Gentiles (non-Jews) knew of God. Jesus came from this lineage of people as did his disciples and the majority of the people to whom he ministered.
2. The Jewish people did not kill Jesus. The Romans did. Yes, the Jewish people saw (and some still see) Jesus as a blasphemer, but they did not kill him. No Jew was involved in any active killing of Jesus.
3. (AFTER READING POINT 3, SEE BELOW FOR FURTHER NOTES) Jesus had to die. That was the nature of his mission. If Jesus didn't die, the Kingdom of Heaven wouldn't be ushered in, and sins would not be forgiven. So, even if the Jewish people killed him (which they didn't), a) it was fulfillment of prophecy, b) it HAD to happen because of God's divine plan, and c) Jesus' death is the great atonement for sin. So, while we don't wish death upon people, in this case it was a "good" death.
4. Even if the Jewish people were against Jesus during his trials, the Romans had the only say in what would happen. It's just like today...any citizen (or group of citizens) can complain or even demand something, but only those in charge can make things happen. The Romans were in charge.
So, ANY blaming for Christ's death is upon ALL of us. Christ died for OUR sins (Jew and Gentile alike). If you really need to blame someone, look in the mirror.
****(MORE ABOUT POINT 3) Yes, Jesus had to die. That's fact. But, as I implied that the killers of Jesus were heroes is wrong. Even though Jesus' death was necessary, killing him was wrong. Look at Judas. In one Gospel he was Satan took over and Judas betrayed Jesus. Judas was not a hero...he just set things into motion. Go back to Genesis and Exodus: Joseph was kidnapped to Egypt, though his life turned out even better (after suffering). Because Joseph went to Egypt, the Hebrew people were held as slaves. If this hadn't happened, there would be no Moses. Even with that being the fact, Pharaoh was evil and sinful. Though this event allowed God's Power to be revealed, the event (slavery) was wrong. So, to clarify what I said above: Jesus' death had to happen. The one(s) who betrayed/killed him were wrong. Even with this fact, the basic premise I made stands. The Jewish People did not kill Jesus.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Are we Cheapening Church?
Only one church experience was not good. I once attended a church that had an amazing marketing plan, comfortable seats, a lot of leg room, no hymnals you had to thumb your way through, and no dress code. The church also had a coffee shop (and I love my coffee!), and a book store. There were about 2,000 people there. All songs (all contemporary songs) were on PowerPoint as were the Bible readings. The message was good, and quite honestly I liked the music. But still, something wasn't right.
It took me a while before I could put my finger on what was wrong. While I in no way am questioning the faith of the people leading the service, I question some of those attending. Again, I'm not saying that the congregation didn't have faith...that's not my call. I can't know what's in a person's heart.
I had trouble with the "non-personal" nature of the church. I was a number. No one even knew I was a visitor. I wasn't welcomed, No one shook my hand, and honestly, what I got was a show. Yes, there was worship (if the heart was into it), but I wonder if someone off the street who had no knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel would find him there.
In the March 8, 2011 issue of The Christian Century, John M. Buchanan wrote an article called "Living Traditions." In there, he quotes Eugene Peterson, author of The Jesus Way in saying that we in America (and I would suggest other wealthy, mostly Western nations) have developed "consumer congregations." Our worship in churches such as I described are based on "entertainment, satisfaction, action, adventure, problem solving, whatever." He concludes saying, "This is not the way God brings us into conformity with the life of Jesus."
I have to say I agree. Jesus is not a product to be sold, and especially not to be cheapened by sound bites, catchy tunes, or "59 Steps to Be a Better You." Before you hate me (if you don't already hate me), There is room for modern music (even our traditional hymns were new at one point). There is room for entertainment (If we are created in God's image and we like entertainment, then God approves of it to some degree). There is even room for non-traditional worship styles.
But, the Gospel MUST NOT be cheapened. It's fine to bring people in the door (that's the justification people of these types of churches give: it gets people who would never enter a church to come to church). In fact, every church should work to bring people in the doors, but we MUST NOT water down the Gospel (both the commands and the promises). Our goal is to make disciples, not to merely entertain!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Ouch!!!!
Not that anyone cares, but I'm going to write about this anyway....Isn't that what blogs are for??? Write about whatever you want, think people will read it, and basically take up web-space.
It's all about migraines! Yes, as I sit here typing, I can feel one coming on. I think that's the worst. You know it's coming, but can't tell exactly when.
That's the "aura." Mine usually start with a cramp in my shoulders or neck. Right now it feels like one little muscle in my left shoulder is a rock. And I see flashes in my left eye. It's weird. I know they're not real flashes (like lightening or someone turning on and off the lights), and they don't even look like real flashes. If you've never experienced it, I can't really explain it. Plus my eye is watering. Not too bad yet, but sometimes gets worse and sometimes it doesn't.
Normally I don't get nauseous like a lot of people do, but sometimes it happens.
Vision is starting to get blurry, especially in the left eye, and getting sensitive to light.
The worst part of all of this is that I never know if I'll get a full migraine or if it will fizzle off to oblivion. I don't think it's oblivion today.
The actual headache starts slowly. It starts as a small, annoying pain. Nothing serious, and if I didn't get migraines, I'd probably not think of it as worse than a minor annoyance. Then, progressively it gets worse. Sometimes it's not too bad, and I can go on with regular activities with just a little discomfort, and other times it makes me so uncomfortable I have to go to a dark room. The problem is I never know what to expect. I can usually tell what it will be like, but not always.
Well, time to take my medicine to see if I can keep it to a minimum.
So, if you know anyone with migraines, this is probably similar to what they experience.
It's all about migraines! Yes, as I sit here typing, I can feel one coming on. I think that's the worst. You know it's coming, but can't tell exactly when.
That's the "aura." Mine usually start with a cramp in my shoulders or neck. Right now it feels like one little muscle in my left shoulder is a rock. And I see flashes in my left eye. It's weird. I know they're not real flashes (like lightening or someone turning on and off the lights), and they don't even look like real flashes. If you've never experienced it, I can't really explain it. Plus my eye is watering. Not too bad yet, but sometimes gets worse and sometimes it doesn't.
Normally I don't get nauseous like a lot of people do, but sometimes it happens.
Vision is starting to get blurry, especially in the left eye, and getting sensitive to light.
The worst part of all of this is that I never know if I'll get a full migraine or if it will fizzle off to oblivion. I don't think it's oblivion today.
The actual headache starts slowly. It starts as a small, annoying pain. Nothing serious, and if I didn't get migraines, I'd probably not think of it as worse than a minor annoyance. Then, progressively it gets worse. Sometimes it's not too bad, and I can go on with regular activities with just a little discomfort, and other times it makes me so uncomfortable I have to go to a dark room. The problem is I never know what to expect. I can usually tell what it will be like, but not always.
Well, time to take my medicine to see if I can keep it to a minimum.
So, if you know anyone with migraines, this is probably similar to what they experience.
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