Newsletter: Christmas Decorations

Now is the time to put out the Christmas decorations. You probably won’t have to drag all of them out of the attic or storage shed. If your family is like many families, you have a few decorations already on display. In fact, those strays have been up all year. You might have an orphan Rudolf on that shelf, Frosty the Snowman on a dresser, or a tree ornament that resembles the star of Bethlehem hanging on a string. In that initial sweep of the house in January, perhaps something was left behind. When you finally discover it, that little Santa figurine has celebrated Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Why deprive it of the fireworks on the fourth of July? Perhaps, some of the decorations remain because we choose to leave them. They were given by a dear friend, or they inspire such wonderful memories.

It’s not a bad idea to keep reminders of Christmas around. On that day we celebrate God’s love that was revealed in Jesus Christ. God came to dwell among us and redeem us from sin and death. Nonetheless, life becomes unbearable if we relegate hope to a corner of the calendar. When we encounter hurt or loneliness, we shouldn’t have to wait till Christmas to hear again the words of the prophet: “Comfort, comfort, my people…”

The people of Israel were oppressed, dominated by powers greater than their own. They cherished the reminders of the coming of the Messiah, and we celebrate with the shepherds the joy of his advent.

The Lord has come, yet we eagerly await his second advent. In these days, our experiences of loss and sorrow are overwhelming. We know all too well that the victory that was won is not finished.

This Christmas surround yourselves with reminders of God’s love. Listen again to the words of Scripture. Hear the praises of God’s people. Eat the bread, and drink the cup. Act in compassion and mercy.

Merry Christmas.

Newsletter: Fear God, Honor the Emperor

“…fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17)

The headlines are screaming. We watch the devaluing of retirement funds. We hear about our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. We read about Russians marching in Georgia, Iran seeking nuclear weapons, and terrorism still threatening.

As of this writing, I don’t know who will be the next president of the United States. The job is a thankless one, and true leaders are rare. While wrestling with the tempest, even good intentions can lead to unintended consequences. The person who will serve in the Oval Office needs wisdom and humility. The next president needs our prayers. Regardless of party, pray for our political leaders. Be charitable.

Nonetheless, in these difficult times, we need to remember that our hope and faith does not lie in political leaders, military might, or stock markets. Uncertainty should not lead us to despair. We have a Savior who has defeated all the powers of this world including death. Some think our faith is merely “whistling in the dark,” but the faith which has sustained the Church is not a naïve opiate which dulls the pain. As the problems of this world swirl around us, we can face the next day because we know that Christ’s victory is assured.

At the end of November we will celebrate Thanksgiving. In darkest days of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln himself declared a “day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” With casualties mounting and property destroyed, Lincoln’s declaration seems ironic or even sick. Nonetheless, our hope in God, not our current circumstances, leads us to live lives of gratitude.

Our faith in Christ is a clarion call to action. As Jesus Christ declared, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). We carry the good news of God into the world. We live it out in our relationships, teach it to our children, and share it with the hurting. We work for justice and peace precisely because the world is too important to leave to the politicians. Instead of shrugging at the weight of the world, let us joyfully serve--loving both God and our neighbor.

Newsletter: Go and Repair My House

Francesco Bernadone was the son of a wealthy merchant, and he was comfortable among the rich. In fact, he was a bit spoiled. In the Middle Ages, children of privilege were often trained in courtesy and the manners of the court, and Francesco was no exception. He enjoyed luxury, music, and dance. The young man had an attractive personality and often became the life of the party.

As a follower of the ideals of chivalry, the young man also tried his hands at soldiering. In a minor skirmish, Francesco was captured. For one year, he was held in prison. There, his health deteriorated. After his father finally paid a ransom, he returned home and rebuilt his strength. A second time he went out to seek glory as a war hero, but something stopped him short. In a dream, God told Francesco to return home. God took the ideals of the court that Francesco embraced, and God redirected them to service in the name of Jesus Christ.

One day, Francesco sat in prayer before a crucifix in a small chapel near Assisi. God spoke to him, “Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruins.” St. Francis of Assisi didn’t carry a diploma from a prestigious seminary. He was a layman. Francis simply tried to embody the way of Jesus Christ. He practiced forgiveness and love. He preached the good news. He suffered. He even prayed with arms outstretched like Christ on the cross. Legend suggests that Francis followed Christ so closely that he received the wounds of our Savior in his own flesh. This man rejected riches, honor, and comfort—anything which distracted him from his calling to repair the Church.

We remember St. Francis for his kindness toward animals and the environment, but that love was rooted in a sense of our being created by God. Hence, he declared “All creatures of our God and King,/Lift up your voice and with us sing, /Alleluia.” Our spiritual obligation cannot be separated from our physical existence. The life of discipleship is practiced in a world of people and things.

God’s church faces multiple challenges in our own day. She faces division and disunity. She often lacks a sense of purpose. She is burdened with error and distraction. She fails to love. The calling of Francis is our calling: “Go and repair my house.” The man from Assisi even shows us the way. Live out your faith in the world. Hold to the truth. Be peacemakers. Love radically. Follow Jesus.

Newsletter: Inheritance

The various committees of the church are thinking about the future. As we do every year, we are planning ahead. We are writing down goals and objectives, developing calendars, and haggling about who will do what. Sometimes the task is exciting as we anticipate all the possibilities. Sometimes the preparation seems a bit more tedious. Either way, the work we do is necessary. We are merely exercising good stewardship over the inheritance we have received from God.

Our inheritance is large. We have a wonderful building and facilities which are now enhanced by the remodeling of the sanctuary and the new organ. We have some financial resources entrusted to the church by friends past and present. We have the talents of members and staff. We have the hard work of individuals seeking to give their best to God.

Our inheritance is even larger than we realize. We have a good name. Granted, denominations are not as important as they once were, but historically, being Presbyterian meant something. A Presbyterian knew the Scriptures and supported the programs which promoted that knowledge. Whether through Sunday Schools, colleges, or seminaries, Presbyterians have always supported educational opportunities for children and adults. Presbyterians have been compassionate as well. Our parents in the faith built hospitals and orphanages, and they cared for the sick, the poor, and the lonely. Presbyterians have also been on the forefront of reaching the world for Jesus Christ. Thanks to missionaries and indigenous congregations, the Presbyterian church is most vibrant and alive in those areas which were once mission fields.

Even beyond these things, we have a greater inheritance. We have the gospel. God has entrusted the good news of Jesus Christ to us. We have the Scriptures. and the Sacraments. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Many of us remember the story of Esau who sold his inheritance for a bit of lentil stew. That story should remain as a warning to us all. Encourage the elders of our church to be good stewards of our inheritance, but don’t wait for them. Each member of our congregation has a share in this inheritance. We all pray for the church. We offer our talents and gifts to the mission of the church. We are present in the life of the congregation.

What will do with the inheritance? Let’s put our blessings to work.

Batman and Christ

Again and again, I have noticed how popular culture gives us the messiah we want. The latest Batman movie, the Dark Knight, shows us another glimpse at that messiah. Batman fights the demons that threaten civilized society. In this case, Batman must challenge the Joker who represents nihilism and the dark nature which lies just beneath the surface of civilization.

Batman simply understood is a messiah figure. He is a savior who mercilessly destroys the forces of evil through intelligence, brawn and superior firepower. Where the police, National Guard, and average citizens cannot defeat the bad guys, a figure from above saves the day with an arsenal from Wayne Industries.

Note that this messiah is not a Christ figure. In fact, Batman is the messiah that we have always wanted. Unlike the Jesus who died at the hands of the occupying Roman forces, the messiah that we desire would kick those Roman bastards out of the Holy Land.

What is exciting about this new movie is that the Joker forces Batman to explore the darker side of his nature. What is the difference between Batman and the Joker? Both utilize violence effectively. Both have faces which are hidden. Both stand outside of societal norms. One is a defender, and the other a destroyer. Again and again, the Joker attempts to provoke Batman to reveal that the difference is ever so slight.

Batman sees the danger himself. That’s why he “believes in Harvey Dent.” Batman wants to empower Harvey, the District Attorney, to be the hero who plays by the rules. Likewise, near the end of the movie, there is a moral dilemma of using incredible power to locate the Joker. Batman puts the power in the hands of another to protect himself from temptation. Even Batman realizes that he must be careful less he becomes what he fights. That’s the problem with our worldly messiahs. The defender again and again becomes the destroyer.

Jesus Christ suggests another way. When facing the principalities and powers, he refuses to fight by their rules. In fact, he dies as a criminal on a cross charged with blasphemy and sedition. What he did makes no sense to us. It certainly is not the stuff of a summer blockbuster hit. As Paul writes, “But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Somehow through that very act of sacrifice and suffering, Christ becomes triumphant. As Paul also states,

[Jesus Christ], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Jesus accepts the burden of our sins to succeed over them. He pays the price because only he can. Jesus triumphs over the principalities and powers precisely because he is not seduced by them. Joker’s temptation is to play the game. Once you play, you have already lost.

Dark Knight and Joker

I saw the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight. It was incredible. It actually transcended the genre of superhero movie. Clearly, Heath Ledger’s Joker is the star of the movie and is the movie’s most intriguing character. Jack Nicholson’s 1989 portrayal of the Joker was funny and macabre. This new Joker is twisted, dark and nihilistic.

The movie plays on the tension between civilization and barbarism. It basically accepts a psychology in which human beings are inherently sinful. Society establishes structures and procedures which keep our sinful nature in check. Without the veneer of civilization, our lives, in the words of Thomas Hobbes, are “nasty, brutish, and short.” One of the ironies of civilized life is that controlled violence (in the form of police, the military, or a superhero) keeps the barbaric forces at bay.

The Joker sees the inherent contradiction and concludes that civilization is simply a sick joke. We wear a painted face with a smile that hides the dark truth about our nature. He spends the rest of the movie chipping away at the façade. He goads the District Attorney, the police, and Batman to show their true colors. Standing in front of a burning pile of money, the Joker states, “This town deserves a better class of criminals, and I’m going to give it to ‘em.” Even the criminal who is motivated by greed is inferior to the one who realizes that civil society is farce. After all, the money desired by the petty criminal is in fact a product of civilization. As Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred, observes, “Some men aren’t looking for anything logical. He can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.”

The Dark Knight explores the same issues that many war movies, police dramas, and even some westerns take up. How can the civilizing forces of violence fight the bad guys without becoming the bad guys themselves?

Friday Funnies: Garfield Minus Garfield

Check out Garfield Minus Garfield. Someone had the bright idea of removing Garfield from every Garfield comic. The result is a disturbing look at the pitiful soul of Jon Arbuckle.

Okay, I guess it shows my warped sense of humor.

Newsletter: Time Travel

If you could travel through time, where and when would you go?

This is one of those questions families might ponder on a multi-state car trip after the i-pod batteries die. The question has been the source of some great stories by authors as diverse as H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, and even Charles Dickens. The idea of zipping away in a time machine presents exciting possibilities. For some, time travel might mean going back to interact with figures from the past like Abraham Lincoln or your great-grandmother. Others want a chance to fix past mistakes. A few even want to escape into some utopian future.

In a sense, however, the premise is wrong. All of us are time travelers. We are traveling forward in time one second, one hour, and one day at a time. Time is a precious commodity, and sometimes we try to hoard it. Nevertheless, no matter what we try, we cannot stop its relentless march. Instead of saving time, we must learn to invest it. We invest it in families, friends, and the community of faith. We invest time in the people God calls us to love--the children, the poor, and the infirm. The time we have should be met with courage. As Mordecai told his cousin Esther, "Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Since you are traveling through time, where and when will you go?

Friday Funnies: Font Conference

I realize now that it's time to dust off this blog. We certainly are living in interesting times, and I guess that I should make some comments. I realize that I am coming late to the conversation, but I never said that I would be original.

Starting today, I intend to offer some humor on Fridays. I promise you that it won't be mine. I wouldn't subject you to that. This first funnies was suggested to me by my wife. What if all the fonts got together for a conference?

Newsletter: Summer Recreation

Summer is here. It is true that official beginning, the summer solstice, doesn’t occur until June 21st, and school remains in session for one more week. Nonetheless, one can sense that the season is already in the air. People are planning vacations, trips to the lake, and visits with family. Children are looking forward to time at the swimming pool, summer camps, and a few more video games in air-conditioned comfort. We are thinking about summer foods—a glass of sun tea, lemonade, or an ice cream cone that melts faster that we can lick.

We associate summer with recreation, and many use the hotter months to rest and to play. We work hard, and ironically, we are very serious about our recreation. We invest our money to make our time off more relaxing and more fun. We use our precious minutes searching the internet for the best prices on flights, hotel rooms, and cruises. Something in our souls begs for time-off or just a little break. The word recreation itself literally means “re”-creation. We are rejuvenated, refreshed and renewed by our down-time.

The Scriptures teach us that we keep Sabbath because God rested after creating the world. They also teach us that creation was corrupted, and “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17 ). We are “re”-created by God, and we find rest finally in him. This summer, as you are frantically looking for times of recreation, don’t forget the opportunity to be re-created. We’ll see you on the Lord’s Day in worship.

(photo via freefoto.com)

Love, Forgiveness, and Wasting Your Time

As a teenager, I was invited by some of my elementary school teachers to be a clown at a school carnival. I’m not sure why I was asked. Perhaps, my teachers assumed that I would be just the person to wear heavy make-up and bright colorful clothing. No matter the reason, I showed up at the carnival painted for the occasion.

I knew almost nothing of clowning. My skills fell quite short. My balloon animals were primarily snakes, and my magic tricks always failed. Still, I came armed with one piece of knowledge: There are some children who are deathly afraid of clowns. I quickly learned who were the most horrified. Their eyes would grow larger, and their lips quivered. If I did not back away, the wailing and screaming would begin. I was usually far away by then. I am not conflict-averse. I just have no desire to force my rubber nose into a situation where I am not wanted. Amazingly, parents praised my behavior. They thanked me for my gentleness and consideration.

Recently, I thought about this situation while reading some of the blogs on the Harvard Business Review’s website. Marshall Goldsmith writes the “Ask the Coach” blog, and he recently received the question, “Your job is to help people achieve positive, lasting change in behavior. How do you deal with people who have no desire to change?” His answer: “I don’t.”

He states further…

“If they do not care, do not waste your time.

Research on coaching is clear and consistent. Coaching is most successful when applied to people with potential who want to improve -- not when applied to people who have no interest in changing. This is true whether you are acting as a professional coach, a manager, a family member, or a friend.

Your time is very limited. The time you waste coaching people who do not care is time stolen from people who want to change.”

I’m a pastor, and I have thought long and hard about this piece of advice. As pastors, often we are teaching, coaching and serving some stiff-necked people. Is it a waste of time? I remember the story of the prophet Hosea who takes a wife of ill repute. The prophet’s marriage was a living parable of God’s continual love to his people in the midst of infidelity. God was not willing to give up. I remember Peter’s question to Jesus:

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)

I also remember Jesus’ answer:

“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)

I am certainly glad that God never gave up on me.

Still, prophets are killed. Pastors receive hostility. Some shun the gift of Christian fellowship. At those times, you want to simply dust off your sandals and quote Jesus’ other words:

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

Nonetheless, we have moved far from the original question. “How do we help people make positive changes when they are unwilling to change?” Surprisingly, I believe that the answer remains, “We don’t.” We do not control what other people say or do. We do not own the outcomes. We should not force our love and teaching on people unwilling to listen. We must simply work hard to remain faithful in our witness.

Teaching, coaching and serving take great discernment. Pastors should examine themselves. We need to search our own motives. There are several things that may motivate a coach, but a pastor should be motivated by love—love for God and love for neighbor. Are we helping others out of a sense of self-righteousness? Are we ourselves living with hypocrisy? Humility and repentance can break down barriers between pastors and parishioners. As the exchange between Jesus and Peter suggests, we are to love and forgive those we are trying to help. That does not mean condone everything that they do, but that does mean that we should continue to walk alongside them. In a climate of hostility, we are not to return evil for evil. Our integrity must be worth more than that. A pastor who is being abused needs to get help. We should continue to love and forgive, but abuse should not be tolerated.

There is a question of stewardship. Do we continue to offer time and talents on those unwilling to respond? I tend to agree with the Harvard Business coach that we should focus our efforts on those who desire to grow. However, the danger for a pastor is that we spend all our time with people that we like or like us. Sometimes God calls us to engage in what we might believe is “wasted time.” I know many examples of curmudgeons whose faith deepened as a result of a pastor unwilling to walk away. A pastor shouldn’t abandon a pastorate for light and transient reasons. Nonetheless, there are times to move on: when a ministry has been completed, when skills no longer match the needs, etc. These decisions should be based upon God’s timing and calling. In fact, a ministry can sometimes be damaged by sticking around. There are many clowns who overstay their welcome.

Newsletter: Reminder

Several months ago, I became aware of a Presbyterian church. It’s in a small town, and it’s not the largest church in town. But interestingly, they are unwilling to define themselves by size. Instead, they define themselves by the fact they wish to make disciples.

They believe that the Christian life is meant to be lived. So, they prepare people to live it. They are very intentional. They don’t just assume people will understand. From the little ones to the seasoned citizens, they work hard to teach and prepare people to live out their ministry.

Although they believe the faith, they are unwilling to leave the issue there. They are constantly asking questions. To paraphrase Socrates, they believe that the unexamined faith is not worth living. They are not afraid. They have serious conversations about parenting, relationships, work, money and politics. They want to know how their faith impacts these areas. They want their faith in God to be deeper and richer. I find that refreshing.

They aren’t perfect. They do have conflicts. They disagree. On occasion, the vehemently disagree. Still they continue to look at the person across the table as a brother or sister in Christ. Everyone in room is seeking what is best for the church. I find that refreshing as well.

They work hard to love God and to love their neighbor. And they realize that the whole deal is resting on the grace found in Jesus Christ. We don’t deserve it but God still loves us. Even when we want to hate ourselves or hate others, God continues to love us.

That church is not that far away, but you won’t find it on a map. Instead, it is the church that we said that God wanted us to be.

Calling and Commitment of
First Presbyterian ChurcH

Our Calling:
We are equipping the Church for the life of faith.

Our Commitment:
Relying on the grace found in Jesus Christ,
we glorify and enjoy God in all things.

Holding closely to the truth of God’s Word,
we ask with courage difficult questions of our faith and life.

Loved by God,
we show compassion respecting each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Guided by Christ’s commands,
we strive to love God, to love our neighbor, and to make disciples.

Newsletter: April Fool

The time for jokes and jesting is almost upon us. April Fools’ Day is just around the corner. No one knows for sure the origins of the special day. Some have suggested that changing from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in the 1500s created some confusion concerning the beginning of the new year. Others believe that some ancient king or emperor decided that political humor was born out of ignorance. As a result, the ruler made some jester king-for-a-day to teach the weight of the office. A few even believe that the fickle weather this time of year “fools” us thinking that winter or spring is here.

No matter the origin, I agree with Mark Twain on the purpose of April Fools’ Day. “This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four.” In life, we are constantly given opportunities to look foolish, and we rarely avoid them. Being a fool for an outdated fashion sense is one thing, but being a fool for prejudice or pride is another. In the Scriptures, Paul gives us another reason to be the fool.

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughtsof the wise, that they are futile." (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)

The follower of Jesus Christ who holds to the truth, loves and forgives will look foolish to the rest of the world. Those thinking themselves to be wise act out of arrogance. Ironically, greater wisdom is found among those who know that they are fools. The poignant question remains for me: If I am a fool, for what reason am I foolish? For Christ or for the world?

Newsletter: Waiting for Easter

In 2008, Easter falls on March 23^rd. The holiday is coming earlier this year causing candy retailers much consternation. The National Confectioners Association expects a 6% drop in Easter sales due to the early date. Apparently folks will still be enjoying Valentines candy instead of marshmallow peeps this year. Thankfully for those Willy Wonkas, early Easters don’t happen too often. The next time Easter will fall on March 23^rd will be in 2160.

The dates for Easter vary from year to year. This variety causes some consternation, but it’s better than in the early days of the Church. Back then different congregations would celebrate Easter at different times. In fact, some congregations even celebrated Easter on a weekday. To promote Christian unity, the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 standardized the date to the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Despite the attempt to have one date, the Eastern Orthodox Church calculates the date for Easter a bit differently. They will have plenty of time to buy candy since they will be celebrating on April 27.

If you are like me, all this talk of calendars and dates is a bit confusing. To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ doesn’t require waiting for an annual date on the calendar. In fact, Christians celebrate Jesus’ victory over death every week. Very early, Christians replaced the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday, with the Lord’s Day, Sunday. Rather than waiting for a holy day, Christ redeemed all of time. Instead of waiting for the right moment, God will love us now. Chocolate bunnies cannot compare to the sweetness of God’s grace.

Pride, Humilty and Accountability

In 1976, then candidate Jimmy Carter gave a famous interview with Playboy magazine. In the interview, the soon-to-be president admitted, “I've looked on a lot of women with lust.” Over the subsequent years, many have giggled at Carter’s confession, but I was impressed with his refreshing humility. I had never read the interview, and frankly, I didn’t particularly care. Nonetheless, James Taranto at the Wall Street Journal’s opinion website (here and here) referenced the interview twice this week. The first was a poor attempt at humor. The second was an attempt to criticize Carter’s views on foreign policy.

For the first time, I read the quote in context. Carter’s words are less about lust and more about the sin of pride.

"Because I'm just human and I'm tempted and Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. The Bible says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Christ said, I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery. I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times.... This is something that God recognizes, that I will do and have done, and God forgives me for it. But that doesn't mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. Christ says, don't consider yourself better than someone else because one guy screws a whole bunch of women while the other guy is loyal to his wife. The guy who's loyal to his wife ought not to be condescending or proud because of the relative degree of sinfulness."

Carter is a devout Christian. He clearly loves his wife, his church and his Lord. I am not criticizing the man nor his faith. Instead, his words in 1976 got me thinking about the sin of pride.

Carter mentions Jesus’ words on adultery from Matthew 5:27-30. The man who looks at a woman in lust has already committed adultery in his heart. Jesus has already used a similar analogy on murder. “You have heard it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:21ff). Jesus declares that the law of Moses does not merely apply to outward action alone, but it also applies to our motivation and intent. Jesus’ words should drive us to humility. Any honest self-examination will lead us to echo the Apostle Paul: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:1).

Carter says more than a healthy appraisal of our sinfulness makes us humble. He gives the example of two men who act upon their lust. The first man leaves his wife and lives with his mistress. The second man has a series of sexual relationships. In both cases, enacted sin has greater repercussions than a sin of the heart—a broken marriage and family, women objectified and then thrown away. Moreover, Carter seeks forgiveness for his sins of the heart. These two men with their willful disobedience do not. Nonetheless, Carter says that he cannot look upon those two men in judgment. According to Carter, the faithful husband cannot rebuke the actions of the unfaithful husband. By this understanding, the community of faith must tolerate all sin in the name of humility.

Although Carter does not quote the Scripture, he probably would apply it here--“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). In discussing this passage, John Calvin writes,

“These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease, which appears to be natural to us all. We see how all flatter themselves, and every man passes a severe censure on others. This vice is attended by some strange enjoyment: for there is hardly any person who is not tickled with the desire of inquiring into other people’s faults. All acknowledge, indeed, that it is an intolerable evil, that those who overlook their own vices are so inveterate against their brethren…

“This depraved eagerness for biting, censuring, and slandering, is restrained by Christ, when he says, Judge not. It is not necessary that believers should become blind, and perceive nothing, but only that they should refrain from an undue eagerness to judge: for otherwise the proper bounds of rigor will be exceeded by every man who desires to pass sentence on his brethren.”

Holding brothers and sisters accountable is not antithetical to the gospel. Instead, Christ gives us guidance as to how we hold each other accountable. He states,

“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:2-5)

This is not a witch-hunt. Instead, we examine our own lives first and come to our brother in humility. Our humility leads us to treat others as we would want to be treated—with sensitivity and respect. We seek reconciliation rather than condemnation. We come not in hate but in love.

Galileo, The Inquisition and Us

Our good friend, Pope Benedict XVI, is in trouble again. Recently, he canceled a trip to La Sapienza University after protests by faculty and students. The protestors declared that the pontiff was backward and anti-science. The controversy centered on a speech given in 1990 by then Cardinal Ratzinger. In the speech entitled, “The Crisis of Faith in Science”, critics claim that Ratzinger justified the Inquisition’s condemnation of Galileo in 1633. In fact, Ratzinger was quoting the philosopher of science, Paul Feyerabend:

“The church at the time of Galileo was much more faithful to reason than Galileo himself, and also took into consideration the ethical and social consequences of Galileo’s doctrine. Its verdict against Gaileo was rational and just, and revisionism can be legitimized solely for motives of political opportunism.”

Benedict’s habit of quoting people in scholarly lectures seems to cause all sorts of problems. Last year some Muslims took offense when Benedict quoted a 14^th Century Byzantine emperor who claimed that Islam was violent. Some then went and showed their offense by being violent themselves. This time around the defenders of free inquiry wanted Benedict to be silenced. Irony is a funny thing.

Anyway, I have looked everywhere for Ratzinger’s 1990 speech. Sadly, I can only find excerpts. Still, I don’t think that Ratzinger is contradicting the current position of the Roman Catholic Church. After a thirteen year investigation, Pope John Paul II in 1992 actually declared that Galileo was wrongly accused (a little late). According to the pontiff, those who condemned Galileo did not make a distinction between the Scriptures and their interpretations. Pope John Paul stated, “This led them unduly to transpose into the realm of the doctrine of the faith, a question which in fact pertained to scientific investigation.”

What was Benedict trying to say back in 1990? Although more of the speech would be helpful, I believe that he was speaking to our post-modern skepticism of reason and science. The Enlightenment worked hard to displace the authority of faith and tradition with the authority of reason. During the Enlightenment, Galileo’s condemnation became the quintessential narrative about the evils of superstition against the goodness of science.

According to Benedict, “Today things have changed.” The world is not as confident in reason as we once were. Nuclear annihilation, genetic manipulation, and environmental degradation indicate that there may be a downside to technological advancement. Our faith in science is not what it was. Benedict basically suggests that when the skeptic and agnostic Feyerabend defends the Inquisition, something strange is going on, and we should take note.

Frankly, we should not reject science, but we should be willing to be critical of it. Science is a tool which could be used for good or ill. Our moral decisions sit outside of science and offer direction. Our faith and our traditions can help us here. They can guide us. Benedict is looking for a restoration of both faith and reason. The two must work in concert. For Benedict, this is the crisis of Western Civilization.

Conan Meets Jesus

In the past year, I have gained a greater appreciation of the pulp writer, Robert E. Howard. It’s clear that this appreciation is based solely on my friendship with a Howard aficionado who has written a biography of the author. In fact, this whole post is based on some correspondence with him. To the uninformed, Robert Howard was an author of fantasy, horror, western and detective literature in the 1920s and 1930s. He is also the creator of Conan the Barbarian.

I must admit that I haven’t read anything by Howard. (That will soon change when Amazon delivers a collection of short stories.) Still, every time that I see his name, I read a bit further. A few months ago, John J. Miller had an interview with Rusty Burk who has edited some Howard anthologies. I certainly have no way of judging whether he portrays Howard or his books accurately. Still, I was intrigued.

Howard also saw that violence was the inevitable result of breakdowns in “civilized” societies. In his view, humans are really just apes who learned how to build things: when our societies begin to break down, we revert to our innate savagery. I’ve just been re-reading Leo Grin’s essay “The Reign of Blood” and I think he’s right that Howard sees man’s primal emotion as hate, and so when confronted with forces we see as hostile we see them as “something not only to be battled but to be hated.” I think anyone who has looked at what happens on the frontiers between societies in conflict would have to agree that Howard’s views were pretty dead-on. Even when the initial contacts are not hostile, man’s tendency to turn hatred on perceived threats frequently serves to escalate into conflict and ultimately violence. At the end of the Turlogh O’Brien story “The Dark Man,” a priest asks “Almighty God, when will the reign of blood cease?” “Turlogh shook his head. ‘Not so long as the race lasts.’” It seems a bleak and pessimistic view, but on the basis of our history to date, it also seems a realistic one.

Now this is where it gets weird. As a pastor, lots of folks tell me that they find concept of “blood atonement” horrific and barbaric--Jesus pouring out his blood on the cross for my sins. Frankly it offends my modern sensibilities as well. However, this insight into human nature, whether Howard’s or not, might provide some guidance.

Human beings at their core are savages. Humanity’s primal emotion is hatred. The kingdom of this world is built on death and the spilling of blood. Ultimately, this kingdom is fleeting. We are just waiting to be overthrown by another set of barbarians. Jesus Christ, representing the kingdom of God, enters the world challenges it, and threatens it. Rather than hatred, Jesus teaches that love of God and love of neighbor is a better foundation. The kingdom of man, threatened, attempts to destroy Christ, to kill him, and to spill his blood. This is only natural since the world has only one playbook. Ironically, God uses the spilling of blood to defeat hate. The innocence of Christ reveals the ultimate failure of hatred. Christ pours out his own blood in love to destroy a world based on blood spilled in hatred. Jesus plays by the world’s rules and wins. By winning he changes the game forever. The resurrection shows the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom over this human world.

Clearly this is not well thought-out. I still wonder if Howard’s world-view (if it is accurately depicted) might help us understand the fallen world absent Jesus Christ.

Fully Human

In seminary, a professor and some students were chatting about the miracles of Jesus. Someone was babbling on about a Buddhist monk who could do incredible feats of human endurance. The professor wondered out loud if some of Jesus’ miracles could be attributed to his human nature, rather than his divine one. Although I had grown up watching “In Search Of” hosted by Leonard Nimoy, skepticism had long ago dismissed ESP and bigfoot. At the time, the conversation held no particular interest for me.

Nonetheless, there was something intriguing in the professor’s response. We Christians affirm that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Often, in our discussions, the humanity of Christ gets short attention. Jesus is treated like a cosmic Clark Kent whose suffering is feigned or faked. I remember someone once being offended by a question posed to Jesus in the lyrics of a Rich Mullins song, “Did You try not to cry when You scraped your knee?” The claim was that Jesus wouldn’t have fallen and hurt himself in the first place.

Even when we speak about the humanity of Christ, the attention is limited to a discussion of weakness, suffering and temptation. This tendency is understandable. However, if Christ is fully human that means not only does he have our weakness but also he has our strength. Jesus was the best that humanity could offer. And humanity in a move that can only be understood as masochistic or suicidal nailed Jesus to a cross. Alexander Schmemann writes, “But while [the world] can be improved, it can never become the place God intended it to be. Christianity does not condemn the world. The world has condemned itself when on Calvary it condemned the One who was its true self.”

The best as well as the worst of humanity is need of redemption.

Party Politics and Theology

According to a recent article, Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, recently told a gathering of Jewish leaders, "This country is not a theocracy."

Although some may disagree, I believe that Dean is stating a non-controversial truth. I wouldn't begin to criticize that statement. However, he continued on...

"There are fundamental differences between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party believes that everybody in this room ought to be comfortable being an American Jew, not just an American; that there are no bars to heaven for anybody; that we are not a one-religion nation; and that no child or member of a football team ought to be able to cringe at the last line of a prayer before going onto the field."

I realize that Howard Dean is not a theologian, but I find the statement curious. In one breath, he proclaims that we are not a theocracy, and then in the next he states that the Democratic Party has a view on who can get into heaven. Religious doctrine and party politics rarely mix well.

Many people believe many different things about God in the United States. We are "not a one-religion nation" in Howard Dean's words. The United States government does not endorse one particular Christian denomination or even one particular religion.

At the American founding, there was a belief that fervent religious faith could be supported and even encouraged when the state took no official position on matters of religious dogma. Government, the argument went, was limited. Religious doctrine was outside of its purview. Over the years, detractors have suggested that no official religion meant an official endorsement of agnosticism or perhaps universalism. Is religious liberty antithetical to a faithful life? I would argue no, but Howard Dean sure likes giving ammunition to the opposition.

I do not begrudge Howard Dean his own personal faith. In fact, I would hope that it influences the political positions he takes. Moreover, I am not even bothered by politicians lecturing me about faith. They have that right. Still, I would argue that the two-party system is not the best place to pick up your theology.

Newsletter: Salt on the Street

Michael Palin, the Monty Python alum, has been traveling the world lately. Since 1998, he has been making documentaries of his wanderings. The travelogues are very human, highlighting the many characters that Michael meets on his trips. Recently, someone told me about a time when the host was in Japan.

Mr. Watanabe is the proprietor of a restaurant in Tokyo. Every morning, the man places three piles of salt in the street in front of his restaurant. Apparently, the practice dates back over a hundred years. When farmers would bring their cows to town, the cows would stop to lick the salt. The farmer, having extra time on his hands, would notice the restaurant. Thus, sales were increased. One hundred years ago, it was a clever marketing tool.

Today, in hyper-urban Tokyo, it is merely habit or a tradition. Call me crazy, but I think such traditions are a good thing. Traditions help us maintain connections to people and places long gone. They suggest that life is more than our moment in time. Most Americans don’t think much about tradition. We are wired to focus on the “new and improved.” Still, for one time a year, our minds turn to habits and patterns long established. During Christmas and Thanksgiving, we don’t mind sharing our lives with the past.

One tradition prevalent at this time of the year is attending worship. We hear ancient stories and sing old songs. For once, we are proud that our worship services look the same as the ones we attended when we were children. I would never trade the tradition of the holidays, but I wonder if we are missing something. Is it possible that we have fallen in love with the things of God, rather than God himself? In the poetry of Luke’s gospel, in the familiarity of Silent Night, and in the pageantry of the candlelight service, we sometimes forget the real purpose. God entered history, and nothing, not even death, could stop him. Our worship does not venerate the dead who remain safely dead. In fact, we worship a living God who claims our very lives. Discipleship is more than putting salt on the streets.