This morning I listened to a sermon from a pretty large church that had invited a guest speaker to deliver the Sunday sermon. Overall I think he did a fantastic job and I believe that his intentions were met and the audience, definitely including myself, experienced the message that the Father wanted us to hear. In the beginning of his homily he touched on a practice that, in previous generations, was a go-to practice for Christians wanting to exercise their "evangelism muscles" without too much risk. He told a cute story of going on vacation with his wife and taking an afternoon to walk out to the beach and hand out tracts.
I have handed out one tract in my life - I was in third grade and my Sunday School class encouraged us to give it to someone. I had become friends with a fifth grader who rode the same bus and could think of no one better to be the recipient of my good-will. From what I can remember, my relationship with that guy ended on that day. I don't remember details - but I remember that he was very, very reluctant to take it - but I kept asking him to, knowing that on Sunday I would be asked who I had given it to - and I wanted to be able to give a good answer.
*****
I see the whole concept of a "Gospel Tract" as being locked in the generations of my parents and grandparents. A generation sold out to the idea of evangelism, dedications, and "salvations". Having spoken with many such folk - I truly believe that their hearts are fantastic. But for the past few years, and even more recently as I'm reading books like "Lived Theology," I'm starting to believe that we have painted the picture all wrong.
When Christ began his ministry - he didn't just call his listeners to believe that he was their savior - he spoke some provocative and costly things. He called his listeners to accept suffering, to lay their lives down for the sake of others, and to bring the Kingdom of Heaven into their daily surroundings. No wonder our culture is reflecting despair more than anything else right now - when you strip out the difficulty, the pain, the sacrifice of following Christ - when you remove the call to change the world - you remove the power and leave only a shell.
Romans 12v1f calls us to present ourselves as living sacrifices - - too often we read eschatology into this passage. The setting of this sacrifice isn't eternity - it is today. I'm just starting to ask what this means, what this looks like - and I beseech you to join me. I am sure that the good and acceptable and perfect will of God includes getting a little dirty and requires more than handing someone a sheet of paper with some "right thinking" printed on it.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
A Look at "Jihad"
Actions may speak louder than words - but in a day when most people spend more time on their phones than actually living - words carry great weight, and great power.
Jihad is a powerful word. For me it elicits thoughts of burning buildings, funerals, and anger - a lot of anger. I think of guys who are misguided - hurting people for the hopes of some far-off religious paradise. These thoughts are shaped not by anyone whose home culture uses the term, not by anyone who has invoked the word for themselves - but by news sources and pastors who are trying to make sense of why tragedies like terrorist attacks happen. And this is perfectly legitimate - but that doesn't make it true.
In my typical, recent quest for honesty in the words I use and pre-conceived notions that I maintain - I began to look into whether I have been doing a disservice to the true originators and owners of "Jihad". What I found would have been more shocking if our entire culture didn't only support sources that reinforced their pre-accepted biases.
As it turns out, jihad almost exclusively refers to an internal "holy war" - the spiritual battle that each of us wage on a daily basis. Mohammed himself reiterates this when, on returning from a physically militant battle he says, "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," referring to the struggle for self discipline and internal peace. The Islamic Supreme Council provides further details as to what qualifies as acceptable physical violence (militant jihad) and what doesn't. I strongly encourage you to follow the link and check it out before continuing.
There are an estimated 1.8 billion (That's 1,800,000,000) Muslims in the world based on a Pew Research survey that was updated in May of 2017. To help paint a picture of how they view extremism, 86% say that violence in the name of Islam is rarely or never justified; 7% say suicide bombings are sometimes justified and just 1% say that suicide bombings are often justified. Even with these numbers strongly supporting the idea that most Muslims abhor violence in the name of their religion - they may seem somewhat high (14% say violence in the name of Islam is often justified = 252 million people). But lets keep honest in mind and ask - how many Christians around the world (or even just in the USA for that matter) would argue that violence in the name of Christianity is okay?
Names like the Aryan Republican Army (Associated with a Nordicist interpretation of Christianity), the (graphic images warning if following the link) Army of God (focusing on anti-abortion violence), the Phineas Priesthood (Remember Numbers 25v7?), "the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord," and the Aryan Nations come to mind. Hopefully you didn't do too much research on these groups because it is disgusting that such beliefs exist - and in the name of Christianity nevertheless.
I know no one who would agree with any of the groups listed above. But how many Christians would say that there are circumstances in which violence in the name of Christianity is sometimes justified? I'm legitimately asking - because I'm not sure. I would think at least 14% - but I would very much like to hear your thoughts. Again - the pursuit is truth, and if this whole post is off-base - I want to hear what logic and what sources you use to determine it to be so.
Jihad is a powerful word. For me it elicits thoughts of burning buildings, funerals, and anger - a lot of anger. I think of guys who are misguided - hurting people for the hopes of some far-off religious paradise. These thoughts are shaped not by anyone whose home culture uses the term, not by anyone who has invoked the word for themselves - but by news sources and pastors who are trying to make sense of why tragedies like terrorist attacks happen. And this is perfectly legitimate - but that doesn't make it true.
In my typical, recent quest for honesty in the words I use and pre-conceived notions that I maintain - I began to look into whether I have been doing a disservice to the true originators and owners of "Jihad". What I found would have been more shocking if our entire culture didn't only support sources that reinforced their pre-accepted biases.
As it turns out, jihad almost exclusively refers to an internal "holy war" - the spiritual battle that each of us wage on a daily basis. Mohammed himself reiterates this when, on returning from a physically militant battle he says, "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," referring to the struggle for self discipline and internal peace. The Islamic Supreme Council provides further details as to what qualifies as acceptable physical violence (militant jihad) and what doesn't. I strongly encourage you to follow the link and check it out before continuing.
There are an estimated 1.8 billion (That's 1,800,000,000) Muslims in the world based on a Pew Research survey that was updated in May of 2017. To help paint a picture of how they view extremism, 86% say that violence in the name of Islam is rarely or never justified; 7% say suicide bombings are sometimes justified and just 1% say that suicide bombings are often justified. Even with these numbers strongly supporting the idea that most Muslims abhor violence in the name of their religion - they may seem somewhat high (14% say violence in the name of Islam is often justified = 252 million people). But lets keep honest in mind and ask - how many Christians around the world (or even just in the USA for that matter) would argue that violence in the name of Christianity is okay?
Names like the Aryan Republican Army (Associated with a Nordicist interpretation of Christianity), the (graphic images warning if following the link) Army of God (focusing on anti-abortion violence), the Phineas Priesthood (Remember Numbers 25v7?), "the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord," and the Aryan Nations come to mind. Hopefully you didn't do too much research on these groups because it is disgusting that such beliefs exist - and in the name of Christianity nevertheless.
I know no one who would agree with any of the groups listed above. But how many Christians would say that there are circumstances in which violence in the name of Christianity is sometimes justified? I'm legitimately asking - because I'm not sure. I would think at least 14% - but I would very much like to hear your thoughts. Again - the pursuit is truth, and if this whole post is off-base - I want to hear what logic and what sources you use to determine it to be so.
I'm certainly not arguing that Islam isn't responsible for the recent atrocities that are becoming more frequent. What I am saying is that these acts done in the name of jihad are condemned by the vast majority of those claiming Islam, most importantly by the religious leaders. This rebuke of perverted theopraxis isn't just a media ploy to subvert public opinion; it is supported logically and by their hermeneutic study of their religious texts. Typically this is where readers will "write-off" this post as being liberal, terrorist-sympathizing nonsense - but I'm hoping that if you have read the past few posts, you will be able to step outside of what's comfortable and be able to take an honest look at all sides of the argument - which is the only way we can hold opinions that have stood the test of critical thought and honesty.
If we hold before us the times where people have performed atrocities in the name of Christianity - perhaps we would more easily be able to extend grace to the whole Islamic religion - realizing that only a minute fraction are distorting the beliefs of the religion. We must link arms together to fight against extremism from all sides - and the only way to do this begins by opposing the narrative that Islam is a religion of terrorism - just as we strongly oppose anyone who would attempt to argue that Christianity is a religion of terrorists.
In the spirit of Jihad - join me in fighting for the self-discipline of rational thought and discussion based on truth and research. Help me to arrive there by enlightening facets of the conversation that I have missed.
Thoughts are encouraged in the comment section! Also - Plus 1 this post - I don't really know what that means, but it seems like a good idea.
If we hold before us the times where people have performed atrocities in the name of Christianity - perhaps we would more easily be able to extend grace to the whole Islamic religion - realizing that only a minute fraction are distorting the beliefs of the religion. We must link arms together to fight against extremism from all sides - and the only way to do this begins by opposing the narrative that Islam is a religion of terrorism - just as we strongly oppose anyone who would attempt to argue that Christianity is a religion of terrorists.
In the spirit of Jihad - join me in fighting for the self-discipline of rational thought and discussion based on truth and research. Help me to arrive there by enlightening facets of the conversation that I have missed.
Thoughts are encouraged in the comment section! Also - Plus 1 this post - I don't really know what that means, but it seems like a good idea.
Monday, June 19, 2017
When to Withdraw Respect: a Look at Honest Debating
I've been looking for ways to disagree with people, without seeming dismissive or demeaning. For whatever reason I often see things differently from others which often is quite tiring. For a long time I viewed it as my responsibility to make sure that my "true" opinion was being supplied into the conversation - almost as though I would be doing a disservice to truth if I kept my mouth shut. More times than not, this just led to further arguments and a greater divide.
Originally my biggest concern was with the whole "everyone deserves respect" thing - which made me question whether suggesting someone may be wrong could be done while still respecting them. This obviously led me to separating the person from their ideas - - something that is so rarely maintained publicly. Because we have become so attached to our ideas - when someone disagrees with them, they are disagreeing with us - and therefore attacking us. This isn't just a philosophical conclusion - if you watch people (me included) you can see physical reactions to their ideas being confronted and challenged. Speech quickens, hands fidget, logic blurs.
The thing is - if we are going to honestly pursue truth - we have to foster an environment where it is okay to have wrong ideas - as long as when they are proven as such - we unhitch ourselves from them and pursue truth. Since we are often emotionally tied to our ideas, to the point where they often become part of our self-identity - accepting that the idea is invalid is quite difficult. Few of us have probably never "lost" an argument - - which is a testament to how ineffective our modern approach to dialogue is. Our culture draws thick lines around what we believe. Whenever one of these lines is proven to have been drawn outside of reality - we shame that person - causing them to thicken the line, rather than erase and redraw. This further broadens the divide between individuals - and between our society as a whole.
We no longer have much of a "group identity" - and that's a shame. Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone just hop on board to everything that I think is true (that would probably be tragic) - - but what I am suggesting is that we seek for a group identity founded on the honest pursuit of truth, rather than the pursuit to convince the world that we are right.
The problem is that most of us at this point are probably thinking that we already do this - but we don't, I don't. When someone brings evidence against my position I either dismiss it immediately or challenge the source - I never accept it straight away. These two reactions are opposites regarding the pursuit of truth. Because of the dishonest and logically incoherent approach of so many "news" sources and studies - to honestly pursue truth we must question and challenge the validity of all sources - both those which support us and those which prove us wrong.
I would love to be part of a society that would collectively pursue truth even when the result is the requirement to reevaluate and update our own views. I am a strong supporter of honoring all people. As human beings created in the image of God, we are inherently deserving of honor. I don't believe that respect is inherent. Respect must be earned and can easily be lost (please take a second to review the definition of "respect" if this sounds weird). We must be willing to withdraw respect from those who stand behind positions not founded on fact and truth. If someone is willing to relentlessly hold to positions and ideas that are not able to be supported with truth and that stand in the face of critical thinking and reasoning - we must still honor the person while simultaneously withdrawing respect for them. Be mindful - this is different from disrespecting them, because disrespect is devoid of honor.
So honor - don't respect - but don't disrespect. Fight for truth - fight against dishonest, illogical and unfounded positions.
Originally my biggest concern was with the whole "everyone deserves respect" thing - which made me question whether suggesting someone may be wrong could be done while still respecting them. This obviously led me to separating the person from their ideas - - something that is so rarely maintained publicly. Because we have become so attached to our ideas - when someone disagrees with them, they are disagreeing with us - and therefore attacking us. This isn't just a philosophical conclusion - if you watch people (me included) you can see physical reactions to their ideas being confronted and challenged. Speech quickens, hands fidget, logic blurs.
The thing is - if we are going to honestly pursue truth - we have to foster an environment where it is okay to have wrong ideas - as long as when they are proven as such - we unhitch ourselves from them and pursue truth. Since we are often emotionally tied to our ideas, to the point where they often become part of our self-identity - accepting that the idea is invalid is quite difficult. Few of us have probably never "lost" an argument - - which is a testament to how ineffective our modern approach to dialogue is. Our culture draws thick lines around what we believe. Whenever one of these lines is proven to have been drawn outside of reality - we shame that person - causing them to thicken the line, rather than erase and redraw. This further broadens the divide between individuals - and between our society as a whole.
We no longer have much of a "group identity" - and that's a shame. Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone just hop on board to everything that I think is true (that would probably be tragic) - - but what I am suggesting is that we seek for a group identity founded on the honest pursuit of truth, rather than the pursuit to convince the world that we are right.
The problem is that most of us at this point are probably thinking that we already do this - but we don't, I don't. When someone brings evidence against my position I either dismiss it immediately or challenge the source - I never accept it straight away. These two reactions are opposites regarding the pursuit of truth. Because of the dishonest and logically incoherent approach of so many "news" sources and studies - to honestly pursue truth we must question and challenge the validity of all sources - both those which support us and those which prove us wrong.
I would love to be part of a society that would collectively pursue truth even when the result is the requirement to reevaluate and update our own views. I am a strong supporter of honoring all people. As human beings created in the image of God, we are inherently deserving of honor. I don't believe that respect is inherent. Respect must be earned and can easily be lost (please take a second to review the definition of "respect" if this sounds weird). We must be willing to withdraw respect from those who stand behind positions not founded on fact and truth. If someone is willing to relentlessly hold to positions and ideas that are not able to be supported with truth and that stand in the face of critical thinking and reasoning - we must still honor the person while simultaneously withdrawing respect for them. Be mindful - this is different from disrespecting them, because disrespect is devoid of honor.
So honor - don't respect - but don't disrespect. Fight for truth - fight against dishonest, illogical and unfounded positions.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
The Sermon on the Mount
Reading through Matthew 5-7 this morning I couldn't help but think about how far we have come from the seemingly clear message that Christ taught. Just some examples:
"Do not resist the one who is evil" has become, "If we as Christians do not resist evil people, they will take over the world and we will lose all of our freedoms."
"But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" has become, "If anyone attacks you either verbally or physically you must stand up for yourself. As Christians we must have respect for ourselves. Christ didn't mean not to protect yourself if someone attacks you, this was just a cultural commandment. He really meant to show how crazy it would be for us to respond this way, no one would ever really expect you to allow someone to beat you up."
"If anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" has become "If anyone sues me I am going to counter-sue and show them what happens if they mess with the big dog. Jesus definitely didn't actually mean for us to just suffer wrongs and give away all that we have when accused."
"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you" has become "I would give, but I know they will just use the money for alcohol and the only thing that I would even be a little comfortable giving is money because that guy is dirty and smells and I'm really busy so there is no way that I am going to sit down next to him and have a conversation or pray for him or go buy him a burger or rent him a hotel room."
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" has become "They threaten my freedom and my land, they must die."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heave, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" has become "I know that there are hungry people in my neighborhood, a church in Equador that has members dying because of disease that is easily cured with medication, a college student that I am friends with on Facebook who is trying to raise enough money so that he can live in a dirt hut in Guana to live out the gospel, and a mother that I pass on the walk to work who is working three jobs to take care of her six kids (which is just irresponsible so I don't even feel bad about that one), but if I don't save up for retirement I will be a drain on society and so I am just going to fill my 401k, it's really the only responsible thing to do."
"If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." has become "It's just looking, I'll be fine. I'm not doing anything"
"Do not be anxious about your life" has become "I can't eat, sleep, or think because I have so much to do and nothing is working out right"
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them" has become "I wouldn't normally be this mean, but it's only because of how he treated me that I'm acting this way"
Now, I am speaking to myself here just as much as to the next guy. I just find it crazy how simple so many of Jesus' commands in this passage are clear and simple, yet we change them to be almost exactly the opposite of what he said. And most of the bigger ones, the ones that might hurt a little to accept, are typically the one's that we have heard others defend for years and we have never stopped to question whether Jesus' words mean what he said or whether the teaching that we are hearing actually makes sense and can be argued from Scripture.
In the end, Christ gives us the only formula that we need, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Put yourself in the shoes of everyone in front of you and act accordingly.
"Do not resist the one who is evil" has become, "If we as Christians do not resist evil people, they will take over the world and we will lose all of our freedoms."
"But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" has become, "If anyone attacks you either verbally or physically you must stand up for yourself. As Christians we must have respect for ourselves. Christ didn't mean not to protect yourself if someone attacks you, this was just a cultural commandment. He really meant to show how crazy it would be for us to respond this way, no one would ever really expect you to allow someone to beat you up."
"If anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" has become "If anyone sues me I am going to counter-sue and show them what happens if they mess with the big dog. Jesus definitely didn't actually mean for us to just suffer wrongs and give away all that we have when accused."
"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you" has become "I would give, but I know they will just use the money for alcohol and the only thing that I would even be a little comfortable giving is money because that guy is dirty and smells and I'm really busy so there is no way that I am going to sit down next to him and have a conversation or pray for him or go buy him a burger or rent him a hotel room."
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" has become "They threaten my freedom and my land, they must die."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heave, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" has become "I know that there are hungry people in my neighborhood, a church in Equador that has members dying because of disease that is easily cured with medication, a college student that I am friends with on Facebook who is trying to raise enough money so that he can live in a dirt hut in Guana to live out the gospel, and a mother that I pass on the walk to work who is working three jobs to take care of her six kids (which is just irresponsible so I don't even feel bad about that one), but if I don't save up for retirement I will be a drain on society and so I am just going to fill my 401k, it's really the only responsible thing to do."
"If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." has become "It's just looking, I'll be fine. I'm not doing anything"
"Do not be anxious about your life" has become "I can't eat, sleep, or think because I have so much to do and nothing is working out right"
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them" has become "I wouldn't normally be this mean, but it's only because of how he treated me that I'm acting this way"
Now, I am speaking to myself here just as much as to the next guy. I just find it crazy how simple so many of Jesus' commands in this passage are clear and simple, yet we change them to be almost exactly the opposite of what he said. And most of the bigger ones, the ones that might hurt a little to accept, are typically the one's that we have heard others defend for years and we have never stopped to question whether Jesus' words mean what he said or whether the teaching that we are hearing actually makes sense and can be argued from Scripture.
In the end, Christ gives us the only formula that we need, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Put yourself in the shoes of everyone in front of you and act accordingly.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Who is Church?
The question "What is Church?" has gotten a lot of attention recently. But what if our culture has hijacked the concept of church and driven it straight off of a metaphorical cliff? Nowadays its more like a book club, a gold mine for old single people looking for a date, the only place to get a free concert (often including smoke machines and fancy lights [alright, seriously, when are we going to find something new to rag on contemporary churches about?]), or just another place to subject yourself to an hour and a half of awkward conversations with people that you barely know and who, if you were honest, you don't really know if you're even interested in getting to know.
The above paragraph has been written and read countless times on Facebook article posts and Youtube videos, but really, where do we go from here? Complaining is much more annoying if not followed up with a suggestion of how to make things better. So here's what I've got:
Daily - not weekly. The church is supposed to be a community. A community cannot live healthily if only a community an hour and a half a week. Your church is composed of the believers who are in your life on a day to day basis. Encourage them, edify them, challenge them, worship God with them, know them. Daily.
Foundation and Motivation: The Gospel. The foundation of the church should never be community, it should not be music (even worship music), it should never be service. The foundation of the church is the gospel. What gospel? The gospel of the Kingdom of God. Be children - the only way that the gospel is LIVED is through realizing the reality of this fantastical story of a God who wants to know and love man. Make this the foundation of all you think and do.
Mission. Christ left his body with a very clear, very pointed mission. We are to find those who are not living in the reality of the gospel and imploring them on Christ's behalf to be reconciled to God! (2 Cor 5). People are in bondage and need freedom, freedom that only Christ offers.
Simple on paper, messy in practice. Try it out this week - every day when you know that you will be in the presence of other believers, remember that we are the church, and live out what you know church to be. Bless them, encourage, love. Be the church that you complain about never seeing in the world.
The above paragraph has been written and read countless times on Facebook article posts and Youtube videos, but really, where do we go from here? Complaining is much more annoying if not followed up with a suggestion of how to make things better. So here's what I've got:
Daily - not weekly. The church is supposed to be a community. A community cannot live healthily if only a community an hour and a half a week. Your church is composed of the believers who are in your life on a day to day basis. Encourage them, edify them, challenge them, worship God with them, know them. Daily.
Foundation and Motivation: The Gospel. The foundation of the church should never be community, it should not be music (even worship music), it should never be service. The foundation of the church is the gospel. What gospel? The gospel of the Kingdom of God. Be children - the only way that the gospel is LIVED is through realizing the reality of this fantastical story of a God who wants to know and love man. Make this the foundation of all you think and do.
Mission. Christ left his body with a very clear, very pointed mission. We are to find those who are not living in the reality of the gospel and imploring them on Christ's behalf to be reconciled to God! (2 Cor 5). People are in bondage and need freedom, freedom that only Christ offers.
Simple on paper, messy in practice. Try it out this week - every day when you know that you will be in the presence of other believers, remember that we are the church, and live out what you know church to be. Bless them, encourage, love. Be the church that you complain about never seeing in the world.
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