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I think it's absolutely amazing how Jesus Christ simplifies authentic, Christian ministry. Please read Matthew 25:31-46. "I was hungry, thirsty, naked, lonely, and without shelter . . . and you acknowledged as much and did something about it!" (paraphrased)
Talk is cheap and we Christians in North America are "all talk," with reference to Christian ministry . . . shame on us. It's time to mourn and the less said the better.
"It's time for change" is more than a political slogan . . . it's a necessary mandate for voters with regards to the upcoming presidential election in the United States. Where, oh where did we ever get the idea that North Americans are ENTITLED to EVERYTHING?! Perhaps it's time to elect someone from from another country; we desperately need a fresh perspective in too many areas to mention!
September 21st 2011 13:12
I contend that a "political solution" is an oxymoron. If the term politics is defined as the art of compromise, then a logical, coherent, and substantial solution to a problem is not the main objective; the objective becomes a subsidiary covenant (compromise agreement?) acceptable to all parties, which is no authentic solution at all. Politicians and ordinary citizens used to state their ideas and views, and subsequently, "take the heat" for as much, but such a phenomenon has all but vanished from public view. Actually "the art of compromise" has degenerated to the art of preservation (or electability). Where is the spirit of Winston Churchill (or countless others), who stated their position, paid a heavy price for it, and subsequently, were brought back from "political exile" (by demand) to the market place of free ideas, critical analysis, and sound decision making?
It's commonly known that politics is "the art of compromise," and I suppose that's a good and basic definition. Ironically, if politics is the art of compromise, then why is there such a lack of compromise (i.e., patience, forbearance, the ability to listen to carefully and thoughtfully to opinions and positions we detest) in most conversations about the subject?! Perhaps some proper distinctions need to be made. The term "compromise" is loaded with ambiguity because it can be weighed down with virtue, or vice. For example, I must compromise in relationships lest I become too selfish and self-seeking to entertain the rights, views, opinions, and privileges of others. On the other hand, I would be perceived as a villain if I compromise my integrity by going against conscience and sacrificing fundamental principles that should be maintained, due mainly to a perception of what is "right" and what is "wrong." So perhaps our problem (at least in dialog and conversations about all things political) is a faulty understanding of (and/or, the ability to distinguish between) the difference between "noble" and "evil" compromise. I suspect we are taught to avoid the subjects of politics and religion for a definite reason, and perhaps that reason is: both disciplines presuppose a sense of "right and wrong," of "good and evil." People become passionate when they believe something is right or wrong. Show me a person who can maintain the "razor's edge" between healthy compromise (the maturity and ability to recognize that not everyone thinks the way I do), and destructive compromise (the willingness to sacrifice conscience and principles that must be maintained), and I'll show you a good politician. Perhaps we can't talk about politics and religion because they are so closely related, and so inextricably bound together.
Is America a "Christian Nation"? I think not. The United States was/is founded upon the principle of freedom (e.g., freedom of speech, thought, expression, to peacefully assemble, and yes, freedom of religion). True, North America is a nation that, at one time, was heavily influenced by Christian Thought. The founding of our greatest institutions for hiring learning is largely due to the influence of Christianity (e.g., Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, etc.). Nevertheless, the Evangelical Faith that spawned and developed the aforementioned universities has all but vanished. When will we learn the hard lesson that influence is intangible and fleeting, and conversely, that the concept does not lead to personal rights or entitlements! The United States is NOT a Christian Nation any more than it is an Islamic, or Hindu, or Jewish Nation . . . it is a nation that will be led and conditioned by the prevailing ideas in a free market place at any given time. The reason Christianity doesn't "hold sway" in North America anymore is NOT because of all "those dirty sinners out there!" It is because of all we dirty sinners in here (i.e., We professing Christians in all the local, legitimate expressions of the Church of Jesus Christ). We Christians would do well to stop living with a sense of nostalgia for "the good ole' days." Our influence is anemic and insipid because of our own sins of apathy and indifference! Let's stop whining about life not being what it used to be. Further, let's terminate our sinful tendency of blaming sinners for sinning (what a concept!), and let's start living out the supernatural life we claim lives inside of us! When people live in "darkness," they don't curse the darkness . . . they say, "Where is the light?" When the meat is rotten, and/or, tasteless, people don't curse the meat . . . they say, "Where is the salt?" Salt and light are the two basic metaphors the Lord Jesus used to describe his followers, and unfortunately, we have not lived up to his expectations. Shame on us . . . not the world!
I could be wrong, but I firmly believe that Hell will be overly populated with ministers! Too many of my colleagues will find themselves saying, "But Lord, we prophesied in your name, we cast out demons, and we performed many miracles," only to hear the reply of the Lord Jesus, "Depart from me . . . I never knew you" (Matthew 7). It's not what a minister says that's so important . . . but why he says it (i.e., the motive, the intention behind the action). Of course, content is essential as a true minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ MUST preach the Scriptures; nevertheless, the Apostle Paul made it clear that some preach Christ with wrong motives (Philippians 1). This is precisely why James (the younger, half-brother of Jesus) made it clear that those who teach, preach, and profess to offer spiritual leadership will "incur a stricter judgment" (James 3). Jesus said, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first," and I firmly believe he had more than the salvation of tax collectors and sinners in mind. Based on all I've seen, I would imagine that some who appear to be "first" (i.e., ministers), will in fact be "last" when it comes to the day when no man can hide from the powerful, all-seeing eye of God. Indeed, pray for those in ministry, as (oddly enough) we may be fooling ourselves right into hell via the practice of erroneous, phony ministry not built on the solid foundation, which is Christ.
When engaged in a discussion of religion, it is important to make proper distinctions lest you find yourself in an argument, discussion, etc., with little to no meaning. A "religion" is different than a particular "tradition" inside of a religion. For example, Christianity is a major world religion, but there are many different traditions (or expressions), such as Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. These particular "traditions" are not religions, but simply expressions of the one Faith known as Christianity. I suppose other world religions (e.g., Muslims, Jews, Hindus, etc.) contain the same phenomenon, but I am not familiar enough to say this with certainty.
Recently, the Westboro Baptist Church arrived in our city to protest several chosen schools, churches, military funerals, etc. What a pity. The God of Sacred Scripture has NOTHING to do with the misguided agenda of these ignorant, thoughtless, phony, and self-righteous individuals. The hatred of Jews, Catholics, Gays, and anyone else, is not the religion of Jesus. Jesus came to save US from our sin, and "All have sinned and fall short of God's glory," (Romans 3:23), a text W.B.C. should have memorized during vacation bible school! This so-called "church" is no church at all, but a "Synagogue of Satan." The Apostle Paul is clear in his second letter to the Corinthians, "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." Indeed, if these self-proclaimed zealots want to deal with sin, then they better begin their campaign by looking in the mirror . . . Jesus said as much to the Pharisees in his day.
O.K. I've gone AWOL for a while, but I'll try to do better in the future. The life of a pastor is a busy one, and only God knows what we do (and do not) have time for. At any rate, I'll leave my time spending habits to my critics for review, etc. For now, I need to get back to living, thinking, and writing.
I spent time with a family who lost a loved one today. The man was a husband for 54 years, as well as a father and grandfather. He died today at the age of 84, and when I asked, "what time did he die?", his teenage grandson informed me that it was 2:46 p.m. (not 2:45 as I had speculated). It's amazing what a difference a minute can make. We never fully appreciate the people closest to us until they're gone, and subsequently, we mull over the years, months, days, hours, and yes, the precious minutes we had the privilege of knowing them. I imagine 2:46 p.m. will be seared in this young man's mind as long as he lives. Would that all of us would mark (and make use of) the precious minutes we have with those we love . . . don't wait until it's too late to do so.
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