Stuff Christians Like... and Don't

Jonathan Acuff writes a blog that I read with semi-regularity called “Stuff Christians Like,” some of which has just been published in a book by Zondervan with the clever title “Stuff Christians Like.” He writes “Christian satire” using humor to expose some of the places where Christians tend to take themselves too seriously. Sometimes his “stuff” is mildly amusing; often it is hysterically funny. It usually points to some things that we need to think about.

Today, Jonathan was a guest blogger on the CNN webpage. As Jonathan would point out, I shouldn't be reading CNN’s webpage, but I do. Most evangelical Christians (at least most white evangelical Christians) tend to be Republican and tend to watch Fox. So Jonathan was asked by CNN why many evangelical Christians treat the secular media (and CNN in particular) as if it were “Satan’s newspaper.” Jonathan suggests three things:

1. The loudest Christians get the most attention. [Anderson] Cooper did the disaster story, but often the Christians who make the news are the ones who are doing things like protesting military funerals with signs that scream hate. We understand that sensational Christians create sensational news, but it also makes us weary. You can only see so many reports on snake handlers before you start to feel a little trigger shy about the big news networks approach to Christians.
   
   
2. We’re pretty sure Fox News is baptizing people in their lobby. I’ve never been to their station, but I have to believe that Fox News has a lobby fountain that they dunk people in. And Bill O’Reilly makes each guest take communion. And “Fox” is actually a Hebrew word that means, “Station that cares more about redemption than ratings.” Not really, but in Christian culture, it’s clear which side we tend to side with. And even though I’m a conservative guy who digs Fox, they’re a news station just like CNN. They’re not a ministry. Glenn Beck isn’t a priest and watching "Fox & Friends" isn’t like “tithing your time.”
   
   
3. Being “in” the world, but not “of” the world is tough. I wish there was a verse in Proverbs that said, “It’s OK to watch the show, ‘Sex & the City,’ but only if it is the edited version on TBS.” Or maybe we could get an official ruling on R-rated movies. It appears that if the rating is due to violence, like "Braveheart" or "Gladiator," not only can we watch it, but we can do an entire sermon series on it. If a single nipple makes a cameo in the film however, you’re a sweaty heathen for watching it. Figuring out what it means for us Christians to be “in” the world, but not “of” the world, is quite the challenge.

The last point is the real point. It is tough being in the world and not of the world. We tend to pick out certain things to be holy about (like being for free trade and against gun control and other things stressed on Fox News). And we are shocked when someone suggests that often the things we insist are important aren’t even close to the things God sees as important-- like “justice love” or “social justice” (things that get more air on CNN). Jonathan is right—being in the world and not of the world is hard, and we don’t like to be faced with our inconsistencies. It is a lot easier being against homosexuality (with which most of us will never be tempted) and abortion (which half of us couldn’t do even if it was subsidized by the government). But then there is that materialism thing (“greed, which is as idolatry”) which goes largely unchallenged.

Oh, why do I read CNN rather than FoxNews? Simple. I can type it twice as fast! When you type as slowly as I do, every little bit helps!

How Can You Believe?

Lynn and I go to the gym every day, Monday through Friday. Lynn has been going for 3-4 years; I started last October when a new gym opened near our house with memberships of $10 a month. Apparently, being healthy is important to me… unless it is too inconvenient or expensive. After 45 minutes on the treadmill and 20-30 minutes on weights, I’m pretty much whipped. I asked someone, “So when do you feel energized after working out rather than just spent?” They answered, “When you are 18.”

Our gym uses the slogan, “The Judgment-Free Zone.” You just go and do your thing and don’t worry about how you compare to others. No one is going to judge you if you are doing curls with no weight on the bar or are barely moving on the elliptical. Yeah, right! I’ve seen people sneaking a peak over at my treadmill to see what speed setting I’m running at, “How can he be huffing and puffing going that slow?” The other day I got on a machine after a young lady who could not have been much out of high school… and had to reduce the weight setting! No judgment zone? Right! I looked around to make sure no one was watching!

We do compare ourselves with others. It’s a lot easier to hang around fat people than to get in shape. That way, we look better by comparison! And it is much easier to point to the sin we see in the world and say, “Hey, I'm not perfect, but I am certainly better than most.” Rather than looking at God and seeking his presence and perfection, we just make sure that we are at least a step ahead of the world around us. Paul warns us, “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12).

In our reading today, Jesus makes this statement, “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God" (John 5:44). The Pharisees were pretty good comparing themselves with others and congratulating themselves on how well they were doing. Remember the Pharisee in Luke 18:10, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” He was focused on how good he was in comparison to others. His Pharisees buddies did the same thing. And they congratulated themselves on making it into the “Holy One Club.” Jesus says that they really didn't even have faith when they compared themselves to themselves and accepted praise from one another other RATHER than seeking the praise that comes only from God. John will point to some Jewish leaders who believe in Christ but refused to confess faith because of their fear of the Pharisees (John 12:42). He says, “They loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:43).

The church is a faith community, a spiritual family, a circle of friends to walk with you and bear your burdens. And yet, there is also a sense in which faith can be a very lonesome and lonely quest. We cannot even believe if we seek the praise of others. We cannot believe if we are content with comparing ourselves with one another. Faith drives us to seek the praise of God even when that is not very popular with the people around us. Who are you trying to please?

A Born-Again Born-Againer

Communication is always difficult, even when using extremely familiar terms. Maybe especially when using extremely familiar terms. Maybe no Bible term is more familiar to us than is “born again." This term is so familiar that our culture applies it to just anything that has been made new. A quick look at Google reveals several different blogs that use "Born Again" in their title...

• Bird watchers (http://www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com)
• Musicians (http://www.bornagainfloozies.com)
• Mormons (http://www.bornagainmormon.com)
• Surfboards (http://www.bornagainboards.com)

There is even a web site enitled “Born Again American” with a catchy little anthem.

OK, I'm not comfortable with the song's linkage of "my Bible and the Bill of Rights" as if the U.S. Constitution were the 67th book of the Bible. Christians did just fine for centuries before there was a Bill of Rights, thank you very much. Maybe we did better when we weren't so focused on our rights!

Of course, the metaphor of new birth is straight from scripture. The new birth is the basis of our hope in Jesus Christ, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Pet 1:3). Later, Peter assures us that this new birth is based on the living word of God, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet 1:23). And the best known verse on new birth is our reading for today-- "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Jesus goes on to say, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:5-6).

I'm going to preach Sunday on this text... so if you want the last word on John 3, you'll have to show up early and sit on the front row (like wither of those ever happens). This verse has been something of a battlefield text for many through the years. For some, this suggests that unless you have some sort of born-again conversion experience, then you aren't really a Christian. So this divides "Born Again Christians" from other so-called Christians. In my religious tribe, this text divides so-called Christians (including the Born-Againers) from true Christians who are really born again "of water and the Spirit." True Christians are those who have been baptized in the right way (immersion) for the right reason (remission of sins) in the right church (ours).

Evidently, we want to think that Jesus us somehow discussing entrance requirements into the kingdom of God and how we can tell the contenders from the pretenders. And in doing so, we seem to ignore or at least downplay what comes next in Jesus' teaching--

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” ” (John 3:7–8)

The new birth is a movement of God's Spirit that we can't define or contain; it is like the wind that blows where it will. I'm not suggesting that baptismal theology isn't important. Let me give you a hint-- our worship songs on Sunday all revolve around the theme of water ("Jesus Flow Like a River," "The River is Here," "Down in the River to Pray," etc). I have written before why I believe that baptism is important, and I certainly haven't changed my mind.

But when we limit the moving of the Spirit of God to someone's formulation of baptismal theology, we do err not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. Surely if imprecision in theological understandings keeps people from the new birth, then none of us will ever be born again. Surely we can't think that the Spirit is stiffled when we don't get wet enough in baptism. And surely we don't think that the Spirit is done with us once we get wet.

May God birth us anew and afresh daily as we seek to live in His Spirit! May we be ever open to the Spirit's leading as we keep step with Him! And may we never quench His influence and His moving in our lives!

Spring Cleaning

Our reading today contains the strange and intriguing story of Jesus clearing out the temple. All four of the gospels tell this story, but there big difference in the context. In John, the cleansing of the temple is the first public act in public ministry of Jesus. In the synoptic gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke), this story takes place in the last week of Jesus’ life. So does John (or the other three) rearrange the chronological order (something that often happens). Or does Jesus clear the Temple twice— both at the beginning and the end of His public ministry! I believe the latter, though I probably would pick a fist fight over the question.

Wasn’t Jesus is supposed to be “meek and gentle?” Wasn't he so easy going that he wouldn't even break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick? (See Matt 12:20). Can we really imagine an indignant Jesus throwing around tables and cracking whips? Well, we’d better imagine it! Phrases like “the fear of the Lord” and “the wrath of God” are pretty common in scripture. A God who can never become angry in the face of injustice is not really God! How would we expect God to act when His house is being misused?

What is going on here that is so bad? Jews traveled to Temple from all over the world to sacrifice to God. If you were traveling from Toledo or Timbuktu, you would need two things-- an animal to sacrifice (you wouldn’t carry one with you) and the correct currency with which to buy it (they don’t tale American Express at the Temple). So a cottage industry was developed to sell sacrifices and exchange money.

So what was the problem? In the Synoptics, the problem seems to be dishonesty (Matt 21:13). What was meant to be a “house of prayer” had been transformed into a “den of robbers.” The “den of robbers” is a quotation of Jeremiah’s temple speech (Jer 7:11). The those who sold sacrifices and exchanged money had a monopoly—only one temple! Why do movie theaters charge $6 for popcorn and coke? Because they can! People were overcharging for animals and then sticking hefty service fees on the currency exchange. But in John, the problem is not their dishonesty, but the temple merchandising itself (John 2:16). “How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” (or “place of business” in NASB). People had come to God’s house for worship, and they got a shopping mall. The sounds of worship were drowned out by money clanging and sheep bleating. The temple had become a merchandise bazaar, and that made worship bizarre! People could not come into the presence of God with all that distraction!

When Jesus challenges this lucrative and distracting system, the people with the golden goose immediately want to know who died and made him God, “What gives you the authority to do this?” Jesus then comments in his authority in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Jesus goes from clearing the temple to destroying it! The Temple complex of Herod the Great had begun 46 years before—and Jesus will rebuild it in 3 days? Of course, Jesus was talking about his death and resurrection, a point his apostles would not understand until after the fact. They asked for His authority to clear the temple— His authority was the cross! You see, clearing temples was exactly what Jesus came to earth to do! Jesus came to show us God, but first he had to clear away all our distractions. His authority to clear temples is His Temple— the cross and empty tomb! When Jesus cleared the temple, he cleared away caused by two things.

• FIRST, he cleared the distractions of a RELIGIOUS SYSTEM. God designed temple worship to point people to His presence among them. To go to the Temple was to “come before the Lord.” (Lev 15:14). When Temple was dedicated, God’s glory (shekinah) filled it to the point where it had to be evaculated (1 Ki 8:10). How did Temple go from shekinah to a shopping mall with a chapel? They allowed a system to replace God’s presence as goal of religion. Maybe that is a warning for us. We can’t allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in our system we stop seeking God’s presence. That means rethinking what we thought we knew… and even changing things! A friend suggested that this may be why there is such tension in the church these days. We feel pulled to justify ourselves, to demonstrate that we are the (only?) saved ones . We know we can’t be perfect before God in either our character or our obedience. So we want to be part of a perfect church system. We aren’t perfect, but our church is. Any change to that threatens how we see ourselves as part of the saved. But that means that our faith is ultimately in our system and not in our God. Until you allow Jesus to turn over that table, it will distract you from God
  
  
• SECOND, Jesus also cleared the distraction of MATERIALISM. The big distraction at the Temple Jesus cleared was money; God’s house became a marketplace, and people were no longer able to see Him. In the same way, people can be distracted from God today by money. Sometimes, the church itself can wrapped up in money and distort God. Churches can become big business, and big business always needs more and more money. Many are turned off to God because of what they see in a church always in pursuit of money. More to the point, many Christians allow themselves to be lost in pursuing money. Jesus warn that spiritual life is choked out by a desire for money (Mark 4:19). Paul warns many Christians will loose themselves seeking money (2 Tim 6:10). Money is important; we must work to make money to provide for ourselves and to be able help others (Eph 4:28). When we get too focused on money, it becomes a false idol that draws us away from God.

This story forces us to face some very personal and important questions. What exactly is the clutter, chaos or confusion that keeps us from God? Remember, Jews selling sacrifices and changing money was not wrong. In fact, those things were necessary to support Old Testament worship. But Jesus condemned them because they distracted people from God. He turned over the tables, chased out the merchants, and reclaimed God’s house. Good things can become clutter; evil things sheer chaos—both can distract us. And when they become distracting, we need to do some spring cleaning. Any table that gets in the way of God must be turned over and swept away.

Prayer, Physicians and the Great Physician

Sixteen year old Neil Beagley died from complications of a urinary tract blockage, a condition easily treatable and rarely fatal, and his parents, Jeffrey and Marci Beagley, have been charged with criminally-negligent homicide. The family belongs to a religious sect (as in cult?) called “Followers of Christ Church” which believes in the power of prayer and rejects all medical treatment. When Neil got sick, he refused to go to a doctor and the family and their church simply prayed. The toxins that gradually built up in his body caused kidney and heart failure, and Neil eventually died. The state of Oregon believe that Beagley's are responsible for Neil's death.

There are a lot issues surrounding this case. Though a minor, isn't 16 old enough for Neil to have made a somewhat informed decision on his medical issues? If he had killed his parents, there is a good chance that the same authorities would have tried him as an adult. Family members told police that Neil chose not to see a doctor and his parents backed up his decision. The legal questions have not been thoroughly determined; Neil died in June of 2008 and his parents were only recently charged. It is taking some time for the authorities to decide how to respond to this difficult case.

What about people who believe so strongly in prayer that they see all human effort and work as a lack of faith? If we really believe that God answers prayer and heals His people, then what purpose would there be in going to a doctor? Wouldn’t that show a lack of faith? Don’t we expect God to act?

In scripture, there is always a relationship between faith and works. James says that faith without works is dead (Jam 2:26). Trusting God to act should lead us act as if we trust him. The apostles prayed for God to give them boldness to preach-- then they went out to preach (Acts 4:31). Nehemiah prayed that God would soft the heart of the king so that he could help Israel-- then he went and spoke to the king (Neh 1:5-10, 2:4-5). To pray for something with folded hands while refusing to act is not faith in prayer; it is presumption. I’m reminded of the old joke of the guy praying for God to save him from a flood while refusing aid from a truck, boat and helicopter. After he drowned, he asked God why he didn’t answer his prayer. God replied, “I sent you a truck, boat and helicopter… you gotta work with me here.” God provided the Beagley’s with a medical system; they needed to pray and then get to a doctor.

But then frankly, the problem that most of us face is not relying on prayer TOO MUCH. For too many of us, prayer is either a formality we go through because we know we should or a last ditch effort after all effort fails. We pray for God “to work through the hands of the doctor” to heal the sick as if working through modern medicine were the ONLY and BEST means God has to heal people today. We pray to God but, if we are honest with ourselves, maybe we have more faith in man. This seems to me to be the opposite problem from the one illustrated in the Beagley case.

Maybe the Biblical view is somewhere between the two extremes. Or maybe rather the Biblical view is at BOTH extremes. I remember an old saw from when I was a kid, “Pray like everything depends on God; work like everything depends on you.” Maybe we should spend more time, like Nehemiah, praying and waiting on God before we act. But acting certainly doesn't devalue prayer; neither does prayer devalue action. Faith and works co-exist quite nicely together; in fact, they must.

Pretty Good People?

Angelynn and I drove home from Searcy yesterday, getting home at might night. So now with the Pepperdine Lectures and Harding's graduation in my rearview mirror, I can now return to the old grind. I love the old grind! Back to the blog from our daily Bible readings--

For the third time in our daily Bible reading, today we come to the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. And it is excruciating (Latin, “of the cross”) every time we read it. In the greatest, most ultimate act of love and sacrifice that the world has ever known, the perfect Son of God choose to die so that his imperfect and rebellious creation might not die. Our sinfulness, rebellion and insistence on going out own way means that we are the ones who deserve to be on that cross.

Of course, we don’t really believe that except in the most general terms. We basically see ourselves as pretty good people; we’re not perfect, of course, but then again, nobody is perfect. Compared to the great unwashed masses in the world today, we are actually pretty good people. Most of us if we are pushed will admit, “Yes, I am a pretty good person.”

The eyes that saw the cross saw something else entirely. Jesus told the women of Jerusalem, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children…” (Luke 23:28). Jesus’ concern was not pointed at himself but at the people he came to save. Why? Harder times were coming, darker times in the human heart. Jesus says, “For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (23:31). If such evil could be generated in human hearts while the Son of God lived on the earth, then what would happen after Jesus returned to heaven?

When left to our own devices, we really aren’t pretty good people. Maybe sometimes we look pretty good in comparison to others. I look pretty tall when standing next to Roger. But then there was that time I met Julius “Dr. J” Erving and I looked pretty not-so-tall. We can declare ourselves as “pretty good people” only as we compare ourselves to others. But that is only a game we play, right?

Jesus didn’t die for pretty good people. He died to save sinners in full rebellion against the Holy God. He died because the only way that we can ever become good and holy is for his goodness and holiness to be applied to us through faith in what happened that day at the cross.

What would you have done had you been in that crowd watching the crucifixion of Jesus? Probably the same things that all those other pretty good people did. But the real question is, "What are you going to do with Jesus NOW?"