Terri Shiavo and Human Dignity

The Terri Shiavo case has been dominating the news for the past several days. I have been frustrated by those who have suggested that her life should be dependent on the potentiality of recovery. The fact is Terri will not recover, barring some miracle. (For the record, I do believe in miracles.) She may improve slightly with increased therapy and better care, but she will remain severely incapacitated. Doctors suggest that less than 20% of her brain is functioning. Still, her situation is not terminal. She is not brain dead, and she responds to outside stimuli. Accepting that there is no potentiality of recovery, does she deserve to die?

One of the better articles that I have read has been by Eric Cohen, a scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. In How Liberalism Failed Terri Shiavo, Cohen offers a fair reporting of the facts of the case, and then explores the ethical issues involved. He suggests that we have framed the ethical dilemma inappropriately. Instead of focusing on Terri’s wishes, as interpreted by her husband and family, we should ask what obligation does humanity have for those severely handicapped.

But the real lesson of the Schiavo case is not that we all need living wills; it is that our dignity does not reside in our will alone, and that it is foolish to believe that the competent person I am now can establish, in advance, how I should be cared for if I become incapacitated and incompetent. The real lesson is that we are not mere creatures of the will: We still possess dignity and rights even when our capacity to make free choices is gone; and we do not possess the right to demand that others treat us as less worthy of care than we really are.

I find it fascinating that Christianity grew so rapidly in its beginning partly because Christians valued life. They would not kill babies by exposure. They would care for orphans, the sick, and the elderly. When a plague would hit a town, the Christians would stay behind and care for the dying. New converts were attracted by their compassion.

Our faith teaches us that people are not statistics, puppets, or nuisances. Each person has dignity. With that in mind, I was amazed to read about one of the protestors for Terri Shiavo in Florida. Eleanor Smith is an activist, a self-professed lesbian and liberal, confined to a wheelchair because of polio. A few days ago she stated, "At this point I would rather have a right-wing Christian decide my fate than an ACLU member."

Recommeded Reading

Another article from a former professor. This one is a devotional by Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes, pastor of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, entitled the Judas Chromosome written for the Christian Century. I heartily recommend his writings and sermons. I also freely admit his influence on my understanding of ministry and the gospel.

Here’s an excerpt…

Could it be that the real reason we show betrayers so little compassion is that we’re afraid there is some Judas chromosome within all of us? We hate the thought that we too are capable of betraying trust. When Jesus claimed that one of the Twelve would betray him, the anxiety within all of their souls rushed to the surface. “Surely not I, Lord?” They might as well have said, “I’ve been worried about that, but I thought I had it under control.”

Recommeded Reading

I found a great article in the Presbyterian Outlook by a former professor, Dr. Richard Ray. He gives a moving introduction to The Rule of Benedict. I certainly recommend it, and also appreciate his comments on our church’s unity.

Scripture provides communal adhesion. To wear nametags at a new member reception is not enough. We only become reconciled across our differences into authentic Christian community as we absorb Scripture into our souls. Perhaps our heartfelt hunger for Scripture, an aching illiteracy of the heart, leaves us demanding more than we should of one another.

We should never underestimate the cost of true community. Nor should we overestimate its general appeal. It is a hard won act of supernatural grace. It is hard won at the Cross, hard won through the Spirit’s intellectual claims, and hard won even through fear of the Lord’s commands. Benedict, in his quiet way, said that as we enter into such processes, Christ becomes personally present and miracles occur. He understood that personal sanctity is one of the fibers out of which the whole tapestry of the church is woven. The Reformed theologians knew that and urged it.

Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Ray.

Sidestepping the Resurrection?

In The Significance of the Resurrection, Cynthia Rigby warns her students to avoid "litmus test" theology.

"If you find yourself getting backed into a corner on a doctrinal issue, with someone pressing you merely to ‘check "yes"’ or ‘check "no,"’do your best to redirect the conversation."

I find Dr. Rigby’s advice more than a little disingenuous. If the issue was about God’s goodness or the loving quality of God, I don’t seriously believe she would advise students "to redirect the conversation."

"Is God loving? I want a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer."
"uh...hmm...How ‘bout them Red Sox?"

However, Rigby is not dealing with those questions. Instead, she encourages her students to avoid questions concerning the nature of Christ’s resurrection.

When discussing the doctrine of the resurrection, we tend to fall into the trap of "litmus testing" one another. "Do you believe that Jesus Christ bodily arose?" "Do you believe in the resurrection, I mean, literally?"

Dr. Rigby suggests that no matter what we truly believe about the resurrection, we should avoid answering the question. Despite protests to the contrary, Dr. Rigby is not speaking to someone who believes the traditional teachings of the church. Those who believe that Christ arose bodily, literally, and historically have little trouble with questions about the resurrection. Dr. Rigby’s inclusivity is merely a rhetorical device to make those who must answer "no" or at best "maybe" feel better about their answer.

I understand the desire to make Christianity more attractive to the "cultured despisers." Still, what is so wrong with holding the orthodox position that the tomb was empty? To be fair, Dr. Rigby is right that we should look beyond the confession that "He is risen" for the significance of the resurrection. In fact, I would argue that all Christian theology ultimately answers, "So what?" to the reality of the resurrection.

In the article, Dr. Rigby suggests three important conclusions drawn from the resurrection. Her observations are intelligent and cogent. However, as helpful as her observations are, they are meaningless, if the resurrection isn’t reality. She seems to suggest that we can ignore this messy resurrection by focusing on the significance of it. She reminds me of cranky conservatives who boil the Scriptures down to "biblical principles" and then are no longer able to be surprised by the actual text.

Something happened that first Easter morning. The meaning of that morning is derived from the actual events of that morning. The question is essential. It should not be sidestepped.

Condemned to hell

Some may be surprised to discover that I agree with Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojourners, when he proclaims that budgets are “moral documents.” Moreover, I welcome a moral audit of the budget recently presented to Congress by President Bush. A vigorous debate concerning the spending priorities of the federal government would be helpful. What should be the moral priorities of government? What is the proper relationship between government and civil society? Answering these questions would provide a valuable civic education. However, I am amused by some of the moral and religious language used to bludgeon the President.

A few days ago, a group of mainline protestants released a statement recalling the Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man. When the poor Lazarus died, he joined Abraham in comfort. When the rich man died, he received fiery torment in hell. These mainline leaders compare proponents of the Bush budget to the rich man.

Like many Americans, we read our daily newspaper through the lens of faith, and when we see injustice, it is our duty to say so. The 2006 Federal Budget that President Bush has sent to Capitol Hill is unjust. It has much for the rich man and little for Lazarus.

Although the mainline leaders don’t say so directly, by analogy, they condemn to hell those who support the President’s budget.

In principle, I don’t object to speaking about divine condemnation and specific evils. The Old Testament prophets certainly had no difficulty with that rhetoric. Nonetheless, in practice, I am more than a little reticent to condemn particular folks to hell. Where I’m wimpy, these mainline church leaders are willing to call down God’s wrath on supply-siders. Still, there remains a nagging irony. What if someone used the same rhetoric of eternal punishment about those who violate marriage vows, advocate heretical teachings, or celebrate particular moral failings? These same religious leaders would be the first to cast the charge of judgmentalism or self-righteousness. They would preach eloquently on logs and specks. Somehow they want it both ways. Sadly, the cause of the poor is too important, morally and biblically, to cheapen by overblown rhetoric.

Newsletter: WIJD

On my bookshelf I have a dusty old volume of Charles Sheldon’s novel, "In His Steps." The book was written in 1896 by Sheldon for his youth group in Topeka, Kansas. The novel tells the story of a pastor who challenges his congregation to live for one year asking the question, "What would Jesus do?" The rest of the book outlines the transformed lives of the parishioners as they tackle the problems of poverty, economic exploitation, graft, and the like. The story epitomized the social gospel movement and its optimism in human efforts solving human problems.

The book is not great literature, but amazingly it continues to make an impact. Just a few years ago, the book spawned a line of merchandising. One found WWJD everywhere, emblazoned on bracelets, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. The question became a credo for an entire subculture of Christians. But the fad faded. No one any more seems interested in asking, "What would Jesus do?" Part of me is relieved.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m entirely in favor of promoting ethics based on the teachings of Jesus. The world would be a better place if more people patterned their lives after our Savior. However, the question itself is troublesome. "What would Jesus do?" is conditional. "Would" implies an "if" clause. "If Jesus was here, what would he do?" As Christians who live in the sunlight of Easter, we no longer can speak conditionally.

"Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed."

The resurrection refuses to allow Jesus to slip into the sands of time. Instead, we believe in his reality and his continued actions on our behalf. His teachings remain valid because his kingdom remains an actuality. Perhaps, with all respect to Rev. Sheldon, this Easter we should take on a new challenge. Because Jesus is alive, let us ask, "What is Jesus doing right now?" Let’s live the next year asking, "What is Jesus doing in our congregation, in our families, in our lives?"

Hat tip: The first time I encountered the question, "What is Jesus doing?" was in a sermon by Leonard Sweet.

Newsletter: Yes, Virginia, There is a St. Nicholas

Last December, Thomas and I caught the end of a Christmas animation special on television. When I think of animation and Christmas, I usually think of islands of misfit toys and boys with blankets quoting the gospel of Luke. However, this cartoon was different. Santa Claus rode a rocket sleigh propelled at dizzying speed by eight robot reindeer. Although there was no discernable plot, there were plenty of explosions and battle scenes. It’s as if the Power Rangers were given the opportunity to rewrite "A Visit from St. Nick." What a long strange trip it has been.

Long before being a pop culture icon, before being a huckster for rampant commercialism, before being "a jolly old elf," Santa Claus was simply Nicholas. The boy grew up in the third century in Patara, a small village in what is now modern Turkey. Born and baptized into the Church, his parents raised him to be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. While still young, his parents died during an epidemic, and left him a small fortune. Moved by his faith, Nicholas used his entire inheritance in a ministry of compassion. In the name of Jesus Christ, he helped the needy, the sick, and the suffering. While still young, he became a leader in the church and was made Bishop of Myra. He was a leader of steady convictions which drew him into conflict with Roman authorities. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned for his faith. In better times, Nicholas attended the Council at Nicaea in 325. There he and the other bishops hammered out a statement of faith accepted universally by the Church that Jesus Christ is fully human, fully divine.

Over the years, Nicholas’ story has become encrusted with fantasy, hype and cultural baggage. Much of it is harmless fun, like stories of giants and beanstalks. In the process, however, we lost a great man of compassion, faith and conviction. Nicholas belongs to the Church, he belongs to us, and his example is a witness to Jesus Christ. Tell Nicholas’ story. Share it with your children and grandchildren. Receive this Christmas season a visit from old St. Nick.

Grace & Peace,
James

Newsletter: Interesting Times

I am told that there is a curse used by the Chinese, "May you live in interesting times." No one can doubt that we are living in interesting times. In my adult lifetime, the Berlin Wall fell, the Soviet Union crumbled, terrorists attacked, and now we face another close presidential election. All this has happened in just the last two decades. If you’re older, your list of "interesting" events could fill this newsletter. It’s easy to be overwhelmed. It’s easy to be frustrated by events. Sometimes it appears as if we play only a walk-on part in the drama of history.

In college, a philosophy professor of mine spoke of our desperation this way: "Think of a dog tied to a cart. The cart is rolling down a hill. The dog can choose to trot alongside the cart or be dragged by it. That’s free will." Instead of being Masters of the Universe, modern philosophy posits an anxiety-ridden life where the Triumph of the Will is to be crushed by history.

However, as Christians, we live an alternative. God calls us to enter history. To stand and witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We proclaim a God who binds up the brokenhearted that provides release for the captives. Although history may try to crush the Church, she cannot be overcome. After all, she believes in resurrection. In the Great Commission, Jesus tells his disciples that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matt 28:18). As a result, we do not live in constant anxiety. We do not need to be consumed by the "interesting times" around us. God remains God.

In this last election, some are pleased by the outcome. Others are disappointed. Nevertheless, one thing is clear. "Interesting times" are here to stay. As Christians, we can stand without fear. We remain united in the Christ who is victorious.

Grace & Peace,
James

Newsletter: Stewardship Without Fear

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

God’s first words to humanity are about stewardship. While the creation was still good, before it was tainted by human sinfulness, God commissions humanity to be stewards of his creation.
God’s command associates stewardship with words like “multiply,” “subdue,” and “dominion.” These words suggest that God has granted us incredible power over his creation. Some are understandably fearful of such power. They see the corruption of that power, and the desolation and destruction that follows. Their timidity, however comprehensible, leads to inaction. Stewardship becomes small-minded.

Too often, we limit our discussion of stewardship to budgets and financial receipts. We see stewardship as a struggle to preserve the status quo. However, our calling is not merely to maintain the church and her ministries, preserving them as they were decades ago. Our work is more than dusting and cleaning spills. We are called to stand with God against the chaos. We become co-creators with God.

As individuals and as a congregation, we should evaluate our calling to be God’s stewards. Is it marked by timidity? Is it an effort merely to maintain the status quo? Instead, our stewardship should always be measured by faithfulness and fruitfulness. Let us use God’s blessings to be a blessing and a witness to the world.

Grace & Peace,
James

Newsletter: A Passion for Evangelism

Do you remember the controversy du jour from just a few months ago? Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, dominated movie theaters, talk radio, and late night cable talk shows. In spite of the controversy or maybe because of it, the movie became the eighth-highest-grossing domestic film of all time. According to the Barna Research Group, almost one-third of adults in the United States actually saw the movie, and film viewers generally praise the movie.
However, the movie did not become the great evangelistic tool which many hoped it would become. Marketing surrounding the movie suggested as much, and Christians across the country invited un-churched friends to see it. The Barna Group, a polling organization which follows cultural trends and Christianity, suggests that the movie only made a modest impact. The study concludes, “less than one-tenth of one percent of those who saw the film stated that they made a profession of faith or accepted Jesus Christ as their savior in reaction to the film’s content.”

Mel Gibson’s film will probably set the standard for biblical epics for years to come. It certainly raises questions about one’s faith. It may even shape how this generation of Christians will view the suffering of Jesus. However, the movie will not accomplish the hard work of evangelism on its own. Jesus Christ has chosen his people to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). Rather than a movie or a tract, we are the clay jars which carry the treasure of the good news of Christ (2 Cor 4:7). We are the ones with a cup of cool water to quench our neighbors’ thirst. We are the ones who visibly and tangibly show God’s love to a hurting world. We are the instruments of the Holy Spirit trumpeting God’s praises.

I could have guessed the statistics discovered by the Barna study. Movies can entertain, enlighten, and provoke. Unfortunately, they can’t touch. Evangelism is hard work that requires the human touch.

Grace & Peace,
James

Move On

Recently, someone handed me an article which appeared in the Abilene Paper entitled “Jesus Kept Moving On; We Need to do the Same” by an Episcopal priest, Tom Ehrich.

Excerpts:

Nothing stands still.

Moving on is one of life’s great survival skills. Fall out of love? Move on. Lose a treasure? Move on. Fail at something? Move on. Want more from life? Move on…

Religion has the hardest time moving on. Our current battles over homosexuality are just the latest outbreak of self-imprisonment in fear of change…

We cannot find a shrine where time stands still and ultimate truth is always manifest and always the same…

Where will Jesus be found? In the present, not the past. Moving on to someplace new, a new land, a new day in a familiar land, alongside a self straining to be new. Moving on to someplace else--not the tried and true, but onward, toward a promise,
dreaming of wholeness in the midst of brokenness and life in the midst of death.

If you would seek Jesus, hear the angel at the tomb: “He is not here.” He has moved on. So must we.

Instead of moving on, our Savior lingered. Now that he has ascended, we can cling to him. We are the New Jerusalem where there is no Temple. Instead, God dwells with his people. Instead of moving on, we need to linger, to dwell. We need to dwell with the Scriptures and the traditions of the church to hear the whole counsel of the whole Church. Instead of moving on from the controversial issues of the day, we need to dwell with those who are broken by those issues.

“Moving on” is just a cheap rhetorical device. Concern about the poor? Nah, Let’s move on. Concern about concentrated power in the hands of the few? Let’s move on. Jesus moved on. Let us do the same.

The church has two problems. Sometimes, we major in the minors. We have arguments about silly stuff. We make idols out of programs, style, and buildings. At other times, we make idols out of the current fad or even change itself. In either case, idolatry remains idolatry. “Reformed and always reformed” has been our battle cry, but we quickly forget that we are reformed “according to the Word of God.”

Newsletter: Is the Honeymoon Over?

“The honeymoon is over.” A few weeks ago, a colleague in ministry gave me this advice. He noted that beginning in August, I’ve been here at First Presbyterian for one year. He wanted me to know that things will soon be changing. He told me ominously, “They are not going to let you get away with as much as you did before.” I responded, “That may be true, but it also means that I won’t let them get away with as much as they did before.”

I have often heard others use the honeymoon analogy when speaking of pastors and their congregations. Many have noted that the excitement of the wedding day soon gives way to the monotony of married life. Likewise, the novelty of a new pastor and a new congregation wears off. Relationships from time to time grow stale. Conflicts once considered insignificant begin to divide and conquer.

Although many have observed these things, both in marriages and in congregations, I wonder why we should expect them as inevitable. True, sin is pervasive, but our God is stronger than entropy. Healthy relationships in marriages and in congregations grow, develop, and mature.
In the past year, my role has been something of a cheerleader. The world needs to know what a wonderful congregation we have. We are hungry for God, and we desire to show his love to the world. We don’t say this for our benefit, but we say it to give witness to the glory of God. We also don’t say this arrogantly. We realize that we still have much to accomplish. In the coming years, our hope is that our worship will become more vibrant, our knowledge of God will grow, our love for God and each other will become more apparent, and our witness to God’s good news will become more bold.

How do we stay out of a rut? The Scriptures use the analogy of marriage, not to explain the relationship of pastor and congregation, rather to understand Christ’s relationship to the Church. The Church is the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2, Rev 21:2, etc). Our relationship with the living Savior leads to enlivening relationships with each other. As Jesus himself said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). God is not fished with us yet. The honeymoon is far from over.

Grace & Peace,
James

Raising Children in the Faith

Recently I overheard a conversation that bothered me. Perhaps, the remarks were uttered without thought, but it still bothered me. The person began, “I had loving parents. They did not force me to go to church or anything.” Is this attitude particularly loving? Granted, we are unable to force anyone to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, but we certainly can take an active interest in the development of faith. As parents, Sara and I force Thomas to do a lot of things he doesn’t want to do. We make him take baths, do his homework, be respectful to others. We hope that these things will make him a better human being. Why should we treat his faith any differently? I am reminded of the vows that parents take at baptism in the Hungarian Reformed Church.

The Minister:
Before I would administer the Holy Baptism, I address two questions to you, to which you shall reply in audible words:

i) Do you wish that by means of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism this infant be enrolled into the Covenant of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and also be admitted into the holy Christian Church?

Parents and godparents shall say: We do.

(ii) Do you pledge and vow, that from now on you shall raise up this child in the fear and admonition of the Lord and also have him (her) educated, so that in due course of time, in the presence of the congregation he (she) voluntarily will make a profession of faith in the one eternal God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

Parents and godparents shall say: We do.

Those vows suggest the incredible responsibility of the parents for the salvation of their children. Perhaps, forcing someone to go to church isn’t the best way to raise them in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. But indifference should never be called loving.

Sara suggests that I am overreacting. She is probably right. But I think that we are living in a culture that treats the development of faith with indifference. For some reason we call this lack of guidance as loving. In fact, our indifference has become cliché. It is ironic that parents who hope and desire for every good benefit on their children fail to raise them in the faith.

Newsletter: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

In the liturgical calendar, the Sunday after Pentecost is known as Trinity Sunday (June 6). On that Sunday, the Church celebrates the Trinity--God as three persons, yet God being one. Although the word, “trinity,” does not appear anywhere in Scripture, the doctrine has been essential to the Christian faith. Jesus himself commands his disciples to use the formula, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” in baptisms (Matthew 28:19). As a result, as we reflect on the beginnings of our life in Christ, we should be drawn to examine the relationship of these three persons.

We should acknowledge that the Trinity has always been controversial. Early Church history can be seen as a catalogue of the various heresies against the doctrine. Explaining how 1+1+1=1 has caused people a number of headaches. Enlightenment thinkers such as Emmanuel Kant and Thomas Jefferson have rejected the Trinity outright. Even some Christians have wondered, “What’s the big deal?”

As I learned about the Trinity in seminary, the debate bored me. We spent most of our time pondering the mathematical equation. However, I did not grasp its implications for our faith until I went on a mission trip to Senegal. On the streets of the West African city of Dakar, I observed a friendly conversation between a Muslim and a Christian. As the older, robed Muslim sipped tea, he challenged the Christian saying, “We say that God is one. It is the heart of our faith.” The Christian countered, “How do you know God?” The Muslim responded, “In creation...we see the Creator in the land, sea and sky.” The Christian responded, “We believe that we see God in the face of Jesus Christ. And I have a personal relationship with this Jesus because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.” In this description, we have Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is by no means an exhaustive definition of the Trinity. However, it does honor a faith that sustained the Church since its beginning.

Newsletter: Left Behind

We all remember Christmas and Easter, but in a few weeks the Church will celebrate a little remembered event--the ascension of Christ. Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus gathered the disciples and commanded them not to leave Jerusalem. He wanted them to wait for what we now know was the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus commissioned his disciples saying, “You shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Then he left. He ascended into heaven and now “sits at the right hand of God.”

As we look around the world that Jesus left behind, we don’t find a pretty picture. Terror, hatred, and greed continue to plague us. Some may wonder, “Why did Jesus leave us behind?” In reality, he didn’t. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ continues to dwell with those who love him. The events of the gospel are not merely memory, but Christ remains as our living Lord. Jesus continues to speak to the Father about us. He is our perpetual high priest still interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 3:1).

As Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples stood staring into the sky. They were so dumb-struck that it took two angels to wake them out of their stupor. We also need to be woken out of our stupor. Christ did not merely leave us behind. He left us with a mission. Christ tells us that we are his witnesses to the world. In a sense, we have been given a time of grace. We have been given an opportunity to help usher others closer to Christ.

Let us celebrate the ascension of Christ and be about God’s mission to the world.

Grace & Peace,
James

Newsletter: A Season of Preparation

I don’t like surprises. Instead of just allowing life to happen, I prefer the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared.” When challenges come, I like to be ready to offer assistance and to help others. I find preparing and planning a useful tool. However, preparation is never an end in itself. When Sara was pregnant, I made preparations. I remember building the crib and painting the baby’s room. I remember taking Lamaze classes, and I remember even trying to read What to Expect When Your Expecting. Through my preparations, I wanted to avoid surprises. Essentially, I wanted to be in control. However, I quickly discovered, as all fathers do, from the very beginning I was never in control. Sara and I realize now that parenting is merely one surprise after another. The experience has been sometimes scary, but we thank God everyday for Thomas and our life together.

Lent is a season of preparation. As Christians we prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter. As early as the fourth and fifth centuries, Lent was the time when adult converts prepared for baptism. Catechumens would be examined to see if their preparations brought forth a repentant life. Today, Lent is a time for penance, sacrifice, and fasting. We plan, and we practice, and we prepare. However, our Lenten preparations must never conceal an attempt to be in control. When we deal with God, we quickly realize that we are never in charge. Our attempts to remove all mystery fail miserably. Instead, God teaches us gratitude as we rely upon him. Following the Christ to Calvary means a life of submission, sacrifice, and humility. This life also means finding victory in the surprise of an empty tomb.

Grace & Peace,
James

A Greater Impact

I must admit that my knowledge of U.S. policies in Columbia is cursory at best. As a result, I will not dispute the position of our moderator and Columbian Presbyterians. Moreover, I accept the moderator's frustration over injustice as heart-felt. I am concerned, however, about the impotence of the PC(USA)'s response.

According to the PNS article "Not so moderate", Susan Andrews pledged to "redouble" our efforts to oppose military aid, "advocate" for more U.S. developmental aid, and "defend" the human rights of the Columbian people. Apparently, the Columbian media was impressed. However, I am not.

Does anyone believe that the Washington Office has any influence with Congress or the Bush Administration? The PC(USA) commands neither the money nor the votes to be effective lobbyists in Washington. I find it shameful that we would falsely raise the hopes of the suffering in Columbia.

The PC(USA) has very little control over the principalities and powers, but Christ does. Therefore, we have something more important to offer the Columbians. We have the gospel. Let's commit to sending more missionaries to Columbia. Let's redouble our efforts to support indigenous churches. Let's offer our resources to directly impact the lives of Columbians.
Perhaps these efforts will not impress the Columbia media, but I believe they will have a greater impact for justice in the kingdom of God.

Newsletter: "We've Never Done It That Way Before"

Over the years, I’ve noticed something. People like to complain about change. It doesn’t matter the setting--business, government, family, or even the church. Whether you are six or sixty, change never comes easy. People are simply resistant to innovation. That’s human nature. However, complaining about the lack of change is also human nature. In seminary, I remember several student pastors lamenting congregations that seemed devoted to the old ways of doing things. Occasionally, I have heard preachers in the pulpit complain about parishioners who say, “We’ve never done it that way before.” I have even heard of a denominational official who wrote that sentence on a banner declaring them “the seven last words of the church.”

Although traditions from the past can easily become idolatries of the present, I still welcome a congregation with a healthy skepticism about change. We share some very old beliefs. Every Sunday we proclaim Jesus lived, died, and rose again. If someone offered an alternative, I would be the first to say, “We’ve never done it that way before.” Innovation for the sake of innovation is dangerous. We should never forget what God has given and the men and women of faith who came before us.

Nonetheless, I am not arguing for a faith which is stagnant. Traditions worth preserving should equip us for the future. Like the writer of Hebrews, we should see the Church Triumphant as a source of encouragement: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb 12:1).

Making the choice between tradition and innovation takes discernment. We love and respect our children enough to give them the best of the past. We should also love them enough not to give them our stale prejudices. As we enter a new year with new resolutions, my prayer is that we will act with discernment building up the body of Christ. Then, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Grace & Peace,
James

Newsletter: Prepare Him Room

Almost a decade ago, I spent two years teaching in the Mississippi Delta with an organization called Teach for America. Since then, the organization has attempted to stay in contact with me and other alumni. Right around this time of year, TFA, for example, sends its participants Christmas cards. Well, they aren’t really Christmas cards. They are “Winter Holidays” cards.

The competition this time of year is fierce. There is Hanukah, Kwanzaa, and even Winter Solstice. In honor of this multiplicity, Teach for America tries to be inclusive. While living and teaching in the Delta, I attended “Winter Holidays” parties sponsored by Teach for America. As TFA teachers sat around the “Winter Holidays” tree, we would give out “Winter Holidays” presents. Unfortunately, being so inclusive seemed to crowd out the Christ child.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

Actually, I shouldn’t criticize Teach for America’s holiday greetings. They merely acknowledge the reality of living in this world. Whether competing with saccharine sentiments, rampant consumerism, or Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, we usually find ways to crowd out the Christ child. However, I don’t pretend that Christmas in the past has been any different. There has been no glorious time when men were men, and Christmas was celebrated correctly. Often the very things that concern us most figure least in God’s economy. God has always played by a different set of rules.

“The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

One of the most radical things that we can do this Christmas season is heed the words of the hymn - “Let every heart prepare Him room.” Instead of crowding out the Christ child, we should let Him enter our hearts. Let that same Jesus increase in wisdom and stature in our lives. Let Jesus be Lord.

Merry Christmas.

Newsletter: An Offering of Thanksgiving

In my life, there has always been something special about Thanksgiving. There were no cards, presents, costumes, or egg hunts, but still it was one of my favorite times of the year. The family was all there, and everyone joined in the preparations. Sure there was football later, but during the meal, nothing distracted us from our time together. We took a moment of Sabbath in our busy lives to gather together.

Times have changed. Do you remember the Norman Rockwell painting, Freedom from Want? In the picture, a smiling family is gathered around a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Recently, Readers Digest ran a picture which seemed to poke fun at the Norman Rockwell nostalgia. In this picture, a smiling family is gathered in the kitchen pulling a pre-made pumpkin pie and a roasted turkey out of grocery bags. Despite the differences, Thanksgiving still remains one of the least commercialized holidays. Even in our day, Thanksgiving remains as a celebration of family and fellowship.

However, too often our celebrations have forgotten to whom we should be most thankful. We are quick to offer thanks to everyone but God. When I was young, I believed that the first Thanksgiving was given by the Pilgrims to thank the Indians. I’m sure the Pilgrims were thankful to the Indians for teaching them how to survive in the American wilderness, but ultimately those early Puritans believed that they were dependent upon God’s provision. A Thanksgiving Proclamation from Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1676 stated that one purpose of the celebration was “that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him.”

At the end of November, let’s take a moment of Sabbath to gather together to thank God for his provision. As we count our blessings, let us remind one another of how merciful and graceful our God is. Let us live as a people offering praise and thereby glorifying our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
James