Christian Unity
John 17: 21a May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. (HCSB)
Home
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
Now permit me to personalize it:
Give thanks to my merciful God,
Amen! Links to this post
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.His love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods.His love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords:His love endures forever.to him who alone does great wonders,His love endures forever.who by his understanding made the heavens,His love endures forever.who spread out the earth upon the waters,His love endures forever.who made the great lights--His love endures forever.the sun to govern the day,His love endures forever.the moon and stars to govern the night;His love endures forever.to him who struck down the firstborn of EgyptHis love endures forever.and brought Israel out from among themHis love endures forever.with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;His love endures forever.to him who divided the Red Sea asunderHis love endures forever.and brought Israel through the midst of it,His love endures forever.but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;His love endures forever.to him who led his people through the desert,His love endures forever.who struck down great kings,His love endures forever.and killed mighty kings--His love endures forever.Sihon king of the AmoritesHis love endures forever.and Og king of Bashan--His love endures forever.and gave their land as an inheritance,His love endures forever.an inheritance to his servant Israel;His love endures forever.to the One who remembered us in our low estateHis love endures forever.and freed us from our enemies,His love endures forever.and who gives food to every creature.His love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of heaven.His love endures forever.
Now permit me to personalize it:
Give thanks to my merciful God,
His love endures forever.Who forgave all my sins
His love endures forever.Who gives me everything I need, and more.
His love endures forever.Who adopted me as his son,
His love endures forever.Give thanks to God my Father,
His love endures forever!
Amen! Links to this post
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Living for God
Most Christians live our lives serving ourselves. And most of us carry an additional burden -- the costly addiction to a lifestyle we really cannot afford. As a result, we have little or nothing left over to serve God and our brothers and sisters. That needs to change.
I'm afraid that too many Christians are not doing so well at it. Most of our days are spent earning money (both husband and wife) so we can pay for all the things that make us feel successful -- the house, the cars, the furniture, the wide-screen TV, the clothes, the cell phones, the vacations, the luxuries for our children... We are spending our lives accumulating stuff. We are slaves to consumption. That is living for ourselves, not for him who died for us and was raised again.
In many cases, the standard of living we pursue is one that we can scarcely attain. The pursuit leaves us exhausted and stressed out at the end of the day, and leaves us broke at the end of each month. We are earning money as fast as we can, and are spending it faster than we earn it. Our habit of material consumption is an addiction every bit as enslaving as an addiction to drugs. And just like addiction to drugs, this addiction leads us to a miserable place. While seeking joy and fulfillment, we find instead anxiety and emptiness.
Is this what God had in mind when he called us to live for him?
The early Christians had a different perspective on life, and particularly on material things:
Our pursuit of material things has lured us far afield from the model of the family presented in scripture. Today, in most families, both husband and wife work outside the home to earn enough money to pay for the standard of living they have chosen. But in the biblical model, the wife managed the home while the husband earned a living for the family. Paul wrote to Titus that the older women were to teach the younger women as follows:
Paul also wrote to Timothy describing the kind of life that Christian women were called to live:
Adding to the frustration is that these families tend to be getting deeper and deeper into the financial hole. Instead of being comfortably well off with a second income, the family has become addicted to every dollar the two parents can earn. There is no room for error. Every dollar is spoken for. Whenever an unexpected expense comes along, or when one of them loses a job, the stress skyrockets as they desperately seek some way to meet their obligations.
At the end of the workday, the parents struggle to catch up with household and parenting responsibilities. But there is neither time nor energy for it. Tempers are short. Relationships are strained. So the couples reap what they have sown. In too many cases that includes screaming fights with rebellious teenagers, strained relations with the spouse, and even divorces.
And, of course, there is no room in such a life to "live for God." Every nickel, every minute, and every ounce of energy is spent living for ourselves, trying in vain to deal with all the family issues that were caused by our choice of lifestyle. This is living for ourselves, not for God -- and it is not working out very well! As Paul said, those who live like this are piercing themselves with many griefs.
There really is a better way. Downsize your life! Simplify! That may mean selling the house and buying a smaller one. It may mean letting someone like Dave Ramsey help you get out of debt and gain control of your financial situation. It probably means budgeting to live on the husband's income, so the wife can fulfill her biblical role at home. It certainly means saying "No" to a lot of urges to buy, to consume, to possess. Peace and happiness really do follow from self denial and serving others. You can map out a plan to get there, and spend your remaining blessed days serving the creator of the universe!
In your old age, sitting in a rocking chair at the old folks home, you won't be wishing you had worked longer hours in your job. You won't be wishing you had lived in a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood. You won't be wishing you had bought a bigger TV screen.
Instead, you might be wishing you were still on speaking terms with your children. Or your spouse. You might wish you had spent your time helping others instead of chasing the wind. You might wish you had stored your treasure in heaven.
Or maybe you will be glad you lived your life serving God. It's your choice. Make room for God in your life. Links to this post
2Co 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.The above passage is one that most Christians know, one that we love to sing. But many of us do not think about it in sufficient depth. It tells us that the cross compels us to live for Christ, and not for ourselves. Living for God is not just a good idea. It is not optional. We are compelled to live for Christ. Do we even know what it looks like to live for Christ? How are we are doing at that?
2Co 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
I'm afraid that too many Christians are not doing so well at it. Most of our days are spent earning money (both husband and wife) so we can pay for all the things that make us feel successful -- the house, the cars, the furniture, the wide-screen TV, the clothes, the cell phones, the vacations, the luxuries for our children... We are spending our lives accumulating stuff. We are slaves to consumption. That is living for ourselves, not for him who died for us and was raised again.
In many cases, the standard of living we pursue is one that we can scarcely attain. The pursuit leaves us exhausted and stressed out at the end of the day, and leaves us broke at the end of each month. We are earning money as fast as we can, and are spending it faster than we earn it. Our habit of material consumption is an addiction every bit as enslaving as an addiction to drugs. And just like addiction to drugs, this addiction leads us to a miserable place. While seeking joy and fulfillment, we find instead anxiety and emptiness.
Is this what God had in mind when he called us to live for him?
The early Christians had a different perspective on life, and particularly on material things:
Act 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.The early Christians were expected to have a different attitude toward material possessions:
Act 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Act 4:34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
Act 4:35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.Are we content with food and clothing? Or do we really have to have that big house in the best school district?
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
1Ti 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1Ti 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Our pursuit of material things has lured us far afield from the model of the family presented in scripture. Today, in most families, both husband and wife work outside the home to earn enough money to pay for the standard of living they have chosen. But in the biblical model, the wife managed the home while the husband earned a living for the family. Paul wrote to Titus that the older women were to teach the younger women as follows:
Tit 2:4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,Women "busy at home?" Our culture absolutely hates that teaching! But as Christians, those who call Jesus our Lord, we are obligated to live according to God's will. Yet we also struggle with this biblical teaching. And we suffer as a result.
Tit 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Paul also wrote to Timothy describing the kind of life that Christian women were called to live:
1Ti 5:9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,Women "bringing up children?" Women "showing hospitality?" Our contemporary western culture rejects that model of the family. It sounds so "sexist" to modern ears. Today, women are encouraged to work outside the home to find fulfillment and to reach their potential. But that hasn't been working out too well. Combining a career, household management, and motherhood is producing stress, fatigue, and frustration in millions of households. How fulfilling is a life in which you are always frustrated and exhausted? Too many women are at the end of their rope all the time, never really satisfied with the results on any of their various battlefields. For many, the ultimate frustration is that after all the sacrifice, instead of receiving gratitude at home, the children are rebellious and disrespectful, and the marriage is on the rocks. This was not how these mothers envisioned it turning out.
1Ti 5:10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
Adding to the frustration is that these families tend to be getting deeper and deeper into the financial hole. Instead of being comfortably well off with a second income, the family has become addicted to every dollar the two parents can earn. There is no room for error. Every dollar is spoken for. Whenever an unexpected expense comes along, or when one of them loses a job, the stress skyrockets as they desperately seek some way to meet their obligations.
At the end of the workday, the parents struggle to catch up with household and parenting responsibilities. But there is neither time nor energy for it. Tempers are short. Relationships are strained. So the couples reap what they have sown. In too many cases that includes screaming fights with rebellious teenagers, strained relations with the spouse, and even divorces.
And, of course, there is no room in such a life to "live for God." Every nickel, every minute, and every ounce of energy is spent living for ourselves, trying in vain to deal with all the family issues that were caused by our choice of lifestyle. This is living for ourselves, not for God -- and it is not working out very well! As Paul said, those who live like this are piercing themselves with many griefs.
There really is a better way. Downsize your life! Simplify! That may mean selling the house and buying a smaller one. It may mean letting someone like Dave Ramsey help you get out of debt and gain control of your financial situation. It probably means budgeting to live on the husband's income, so the wife can fulfill her biblical role at home. It certainly means saying "No" to a lot of urges to buy, to consume, to possess. Peace and happiness really do follow from self denial and serving others. You can map out a plan to get there, and spend your remaining blessed days serving the creator of the universe!
1Pe 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.How will you spend the rest of your earthly life?
1Pe 4:2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
In your old age, sitting in a rocking chair at the old folks home, you won't be wishing you had worked longer hours in your job. You won't be wishing you had lived in a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood. You won't be wishing you had bought a bigger TV screen.
Instead, you might be wishing you were still on speaking terms with your children. Or your spouse. You might wish you had spent your time helping others instead of chasing the wind. You might wish you had stored your treasure in heaven.
Or maybe you will be glad you lived your life serving God. It's your choice. Make room for God in your life. Links to this post
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Getting It All Done
So much to do, and so little time!
How can a Christian fulfill all his or her responsibilities in this modern world? Everyone wants a piece of our time: the day job, the household chores, the children, the spouse, the neighbors, the relatives.
Oh, yes, also the church. Sunday service, midweek service, small group meetings, Bible study, prayer, evangelism, feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, taking meals to the bereaved, children's classes to be prepared and taught, adult classes, newsletters to be written, struggling members to be helped, and relationships with other congregations to be maintained. There are conferences and retreats. There are budgets and facilities requiring attention. All that, and more.
How can anyone do all of that and stay sane?
The answer, I think, is that we cannot. We have to specialize. That's the message of 1 Cor 12. Not everyone does everything. Each member finds a place to serve and does it to the best of their ability.
There are a few things we cannot delegate.
Every Christian is responsible to love his neighbor, through meeting physical needs as well as sharing the gospel. But those are things we do as we go about doing all the things we do in life. They are not scheduled slots on the calendar.
Every Christian needs to meditate on the scriptures and pray. We cannot call Jesus Lord if we do not learn and obey his will.
Specialization is even more important for leaders. The apostles demonstrated that when they selected the seven to take care of the Grecian widows:
No one can do everything. That is why we need the other parts of the body. We need to let them do their parts.
But the truth is that most of us are far too busy with things of this world. Two income families have little time left for all the other responsibilities. After a long day at work, the kids and the household demand all the remaining time and energy. Who has time to go to a small group meeting? Who has the energy to serve?
There is a better way -- a way that puts the things of God ahead of our worldly pursuits. The better way runs counter to the culture in which we live. But then, that shouldn't surprise us. God calls us to live a different kind of life.
In the next post I'll lay out the basics of that different way of life. Be prepared for a hard teaching. I hope we can accept it. Links to this post
1Co 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
So much to do, and so little time!
How can a Christian fulfill all his or her responsibilities in this modern world? Everyone wants a piece of our time: the day job, the household chores, the children, the spouse, the neighbors, the relatives.
Oh, yes, also the church. Sunday service, midweek service, small group meetings, Bible study, prayer, evangelism, feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, taking meals to the bereaved, children's classes to be prepared and taught, adult classes, newsletters to be written, struggling members to be helped, and relationships with other congregations to be maintained. There are conferences and retreats. There are budgets and facilities requiring attention. All that, and more.
How can anyone do all of that and stay sane?
The answer, I think, is that we cannot. We have to specialize. That's the message of 1 Cor 12. Not everyone does everything. Each member finds a place to serve and does it to the best of their ability.
There are a few things we cannot delegate.
Every Christian is responsible to love his neighbor, through meeting physical needs as well as sharing the gospel. But those are things we do as we go about doing all the things we do in life. They are not scheduled slots on the calendar.
Every Christian needs to meditate on the scriptures and pray. We cannot call Jesus Lord if we do not learn and obey his will.
Specialization is even more important for leaders. The apostles demonstrated that when they selected the seven to take care of the Grecian widows:
Act 6:2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
Act 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
Act 6:4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
No one can do everything. That is why we need the other parts of the body. We need to let them do their parts.
But the truth is that most of us are far too busy with things of this world. Two income families have little time left for all the other responsibilities. After a long day at work, the kids and the household demand all the remaining time and energy. Who has time to go to a small group meeting? Who has the energy to serve?
There is a better way -- a way that puts the things of God ahead of our worldly pursuits. The better way runs counter to the culture in which we live. But then, that shouldn't surprise us. God calls us to live a different kind of life.
Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In the next post I'll lay out the basics of that different way of life. Be prepared for a hard teaching. I hope we can accept it. Links to this post
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mortgage Nonsense
CNN money is currently running an article about what Citibank is doing to help people avoid foreclosure on their mortages. Their program is targeted at people who are current on their mortgages but at risk of falling behind, and particularly those whose outstanding balances are higher than the current market value of their houses. Quoting from the article:
It would be hard to overstate my amazement at the above quote. If they are reducing the mortgage amount to 40% of income, what was the percentage before they reduced it? 50%? 60%? What were these people thinking when they signed the contract to borrow that much money?
Let me offer a little perspective. When my wife and I bought our first house, I was making around $20k per year. She had a job but we were budgeting to live on my income alone. So we bought a house that cost $39,000 -- less than 2x my annual salary.
Fifteen years later, we moved to Florida. I was contracting 40 hours a week at $49/hr, giving me approximately $100k in annual income. Again, we budgeted to live on my salary alone. So we bought a house that cost $156,000 -- just over 1.5x my annual income.
When we moved to Atlanta a year later, I took a substantial cut in income to become a "native" employee of a large software firm. We bought a house for $159,000 and put $30,000 down. Still, our starting mortgage balance was much less than 2x my annual salary. Again, we budgeted to live on one salary alone.
We still live in that house. My salary has risen dramatically in the 13 years we've lived here. But the idea of "moving up" to a more expensive house has not even crossed our minds. Instead, we are aggressively working to pay off the mortgage. Once that is done, our plan is to downsize to a smaller house and retire. We are on track to accomplish that in a few years.
We could easily buy a half million dollar house here, or more. Even in today's tight mortgage market, I have no doubt we could qualify for the loan. But why would we do that? Our current mortgage payment is about 12% of my monthly salary. We like it that way.
I'm currently driving a 1995 Toyota Corolla. My wife drives a 1997 Toyota Camry. Of course we could buy newer cars, but why would we do that? These are perfectly good, reliable cars. We like not having to make car payments! Instead of making car payments, we are saving money so that when we do have to replace these cars, we can pay cash.
I am a big advocate of budgeting to live on one income. I fear for those families who have to pay 40% or more of their combined household income on their house payment. Most of them have little or no cash reserves. In this weak economy, some of them are going to lose one of the two jobs in the household, and then they will lose their house and their credit rating. It didn't have to be that way. They could have heeded the instruction Paul gave to Timothy:
1Ti 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Sadly, those griefs are piercing a lot of people these days.
The CNN article closes with another stunning comment:
I hope our government officials are getting better advice than that. How did a senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute forget so quickly about the $750 billion bailout bill... which will be covering the bank's losses on these mortgages? Who did he think is paying for that? And the AIG bailout, which has now reached $150 billion? Not to mention the losses in everyone's 401k portfolios resulting from the economic collapse brought on by the credit crisis, caused by bad mortgage loans? There is no free lunch. The taxpayer ultimately pays the tab.
Meanwhile, I still have food and clothing, and a place to live, two good cars, and a mortgage payment I can afford. That should be enough.
Some people who grossly overextended themselves may still be able to avoid financial disaster. If you are not yet upside down in your house, perhaps you can sell it and buy something with a house payment you can afford -- or rent an apartment. If you are upside down in your house, consider getting the bank to renegotiate your loan. Get some financial counsel from someone who has managed their own finances well. Be prepared to cut way back. You will sleep better at night. Links to this post
For borrowers who have yet to default, Citi will now aim to reduce their monthly mortgage payment, including property taxes and insurance, to 40% or less of their income. To do that, it will freeze or reduce interest rates, extend the lifetime of the loan or even reduce the loan principal.
It would be hard to overstate my amazement at the above quote. If they are reducing the mortgage amount to 40% of income, what was the percentage before they reduced it? 50%? 60%? What were these people thinking when they signed the contract to borrow that much money?
Let me offer a little perspective. When my wife and I bought our first house, I was making around $20k per year. She had a job but we were budgeting to live on my income alone. So we bought a house that cost $39,000 -- less than 2x my annual salary.
Fifteen years later, we moved to Florida. I was contracting 40 hours a week at $49/hr, giving me approximately $100k in annual income. Again, we budgeted to live on my salary alone. So we bought a house that cost $156,000 -- just over 1.5x my annual income.
When we moved to Atlanta a year later, I took a substantial cut in income to become a "native" employee of a large software firm. We bought a house for $159,000 and put $30,000 down. Still, our starting mortgage balance was much less than 2x my annual salary. Again, we budgeted to live on one salary alone.
We still live in that house. My salary has risen dramatically in the 13 years we've lived here. But the idea of "moving up" to a more expensive house has not even crossed our minds. Instead, we are aggressively working to pay off the mortgage. Once that is done, our plan is to downsize to a smaller house and retire. We are on track to accomplish that in a few years.
We could easily buy a half million dollar house here, or more. Even in today's tight mortgage market, I have no doubt we could qualify for the loan. But why would we do that? Our current mortgage payment is about 12% of my monthly salary. We like it that way.
I'm currently driving a 1995 Toyota Corolla. My wife drives a 1997 Toyota Camry. Of course we could buy newer cars, but why would we do that? These are perfectly good, reliable cars. We like not having to make car payments! Instead of making car payments, we are saving money so that when we do have to replace these cars, we can pay cash.
I am a big advocate of budgeting to live on one income. I fear for those families who have to pay 40% or more of their combined household income on their house payment. Most of them have little or no cash reserves. In this weak economy, some of them are going to lose one of the two jobs in the household, and then they will lose their house and their credit rating. It didn't have to be that way. They could have heeded the instruction Paul gave to Timothy:
1Ti 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Sadly, those griefs are piercing a lot of people these days.
The CNN article closes with another stunning comment:
The single best thing about the bank programs, according to Bernstein, is that they don't cost the taxpayers anything. "You have to be happy about that," he said. [ Jared Bernstein, senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute ]
I hope our government officials are getting better advice than that. How did a senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute forget so quickly about the $750 billion bailout bill... which will be covering the bank's losses on these mortgages? Who did he think is paying for that? And the AIG bailout, which has now reached $150 billion? Not to mention the losses in everyone's 401k portfolios resulting from the economic collapse brought on by the credit crisis, caused by bad mortgage loans? There is no free lunch. The taxpayer ultimately pays the tab.
Meanwhile, I still have food and clothing, and a place to live, two good cars, and a mortgage payment I can afford. That should be enough.
Some people who grossly overextended themselves may still be able to avoid financial disaster. If you are not yet upside down in your house, perhaps you can sell it and buy something with a house payment you can afford -- or rent an apartment. If you are upside down in your house, consider getting the bank to renegotiate your loan. Get some financial counsel from someone who has managed their own finances well. Be prepared to cut way back. You will sleep better at night. Links to this post
Sunday, November 09, 2008
God Bless America
Today our worship service was closed out by singing the song "God Bless America."
When the song was announced, I got a funny feeling. I knew some people present would feel that it was inappropriate to sing a national patriotic song at church. Let's examine the question to see what the scriptures have to say.
Paul instructed the Ephesian church to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So, a song that fits any of those types should be fine in the assembly.
Further, Paul told the Corinthians that everything they did in the assembly must be for the purpose of building up the church. So a song that is appropriate for a church service should build up the church in the way the Holy Spirit had in mind in that passage.
Many of the Psalms are prayers sung to God, and singing of Psalms seems to be unquestionably appropriate. So, singing a prayer to God seems to be quite appropriate in the assembly, assuming the prayer itself is appropriate.
The song "God Bless America" is a prayer of supplication. It requests that God bless our country-- to stand beside her, to guide her through the night with a light from above. When we sing this prayer, we are appealing to God to bless our leaders and the American people in general. That is exactly what Paul instructed Timothy to teach. And as Paul told Timothy, we can be confident that such prayers please God, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There are other familiar patriotic songs ("My Country 'Tis of Thee", "America the Beautiful", etc) which appeal to God for blessings of one sort or another, though sometimes these parts are buried in the more obscure later verses. To me, those songs seem more focused on praising America than on appealing to God for blessings. "God Bless America," on the other hand, puts the appeal to God right up front, even in the title itself.
Growing up, I was a Boy Scout. I remember the scouting pledge to do my duty to God and my country. As I remember my scouting days, "God and country" seemed to be on nearly equal footing. I no longer think that is appropriate. And I think that is in part why singing "God Bless America" at church gave me that funny feeling.
I don't think it gave God a funny feeling. But I do think it felt uncomfortable to some of my brothers and sisters. In cases like this I think we need to help our brothers and sisters with a gentle and reasonable explanation, and to be considerate of their feelings as we ask them to be considerate also. Links to this post
When the song was announced, I got a funny feeling. I knew some people present would feel that it was inappropriate to sing a national patriotic song at church. Let's examine the question to see what the scriptures have to say.
Paul instructed the Ephesian church to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So, a song that fits any of those types should be fine in the assembly.
Further, Paul told the Corinthians that everything they did in the assembly must be for the purpose of building up the church. So a song that is appropriate for a church service should build up the church in the way the Holy Spirit had in mind in that passage.
Many of the Psalms are prayers sung to God, and singing of Psalms seems to be unquestionably appropriate. So, singing a prayer to God seems to be quite appropriate in the assembly, assuming the prayer itself is appropriate.
The song "God Bless America" is a prayer of supplication. It requests that God bless our country-- to stand beside her, to guide her through the night with a light from above. When we sing this prayer, we are appealing to God to bless our leaders and the American people in general. That is exactly what Paul instructed Timothy to teach. And as Paul told Timothy, we can be confident that such prayers please God, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There are other familiar patriotic songs ("My Country 'Tis of Thee", "America the Beautiful", etc) which appeal to God for blessings of one sort or another, though sometimes these parts are buried in the more obscure later verses. To me, those songs seem more focused on praising America than on appealing to God for blessings. "God Bless America," on the other hand, puts the appeal to God right up front, even in the title itself.
Growing up, I was a Boy Scout. I remember the scouting pledge to do my duty to God and my country. As I remember my scouting days, "God and country" seemed to be on nearly equal footing. I no longer think that is appropriate. And I think that is in part why singing "God Bless America" at church gave me that funny feeling.
I don't think it gave God a funny feeling. But I do think it felt uncomfortable to some of my brothers and sisters. In cases like this I think we need to help our brothers and sisters with a gentle and reasonable explanation, and to be considerate of their feelings as we ask them to be considerate also. Links to this post
Monday, November 03, 2008
Peace
This world could use some peace!
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the source of the peace we need. First, he offers us peace with God.
The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, calls all Christians to be at peace with one another:
The 21st century church of Christ needs to recommit to being a place of peace and reconciliation. The church needs peacemakers!
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born,We live in a world full of conflict. Conflict abounds between nations, between political parties, between races, between rich and poor, between husbands and wives, between parents and children, and most of all between sinful man and the Creator.
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This world could use some peace!
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the source of the peace we need. First, he offers us peace with God.
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus ChristThen he provided a way for those who were in conflict to be reconciled to one another:
Eph 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."In this one body" -- that is, in the church -- God intends to bring people into peace with himself, and therefore with one another. So the church must be a place of peace. Christians must be at peace with one another!
The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle Paul, calls all Christians to be at peace with one another:
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.But this peace does not happen naturally. We have to work at it!
1Th 5:13b Live in peace with each other.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.The present reality is that Christians are not at peace with one another. Our divisions and our controversies stand in the way of the reconciliation of men to God and to one another. We need to quit fighting and make peace with one another.
Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
2Ti 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
The 21st century church of Christ needs to recommit to being a place of peace and reconciliation. The church needs peacemakers!
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,To be a peacemaker for God, first we must be at peace with God. Then we must be at peace with our brothers and sisters. And finally, we need to help others to be reconciled to God. That is God's plan to bring peace to mankind. Let's do our part as peacemakers! Links to this post
for they will be called sons of God.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Separatists
In a comment on my article about the Dave Bercot seminar, Robin suggested that I offer a discussion of separatist groups such as the Amish, Mennonites, and others who similarly reject the modern culture in favor of a simple private lifestyle. While I am not an expert on these groups, I have done some reading on the history of these groups, descended from the Anabaptists in Europe. What I know of them I respect very much. Their lifestyle is a challenge to all of us who would claim to follow Jesus.
There are historical as well as biblical reasons for their choice of lifestyle.
During the Swiss Reformation in the 1500's, Huldrich Zwingli went beyond Luther and Calvin in insisting on the scriptures only as the source of divine authority. He called for the eradication of every practice in the church that was not expressly authorized in the scriptures -- including statues, musical instruments, and for a time even banning vocal singing in the church (based on his hyper-literal interpretation of "making melody in your heart.") However, he did not challenge the appropriateness of the state-sponsored church, and that led to an unwillingness to address the biblically unauthorized practice of infant baptism. When national citizenship is by definition the same as church membership, it becomes problematic if infants are not baptized members of the church.
But a group arose in Zurich that was willing to go even farther, demanding a separation between the church and the state, rejecting infant baptism, and demanding that the church consists only of those who are born again and baptized as adults. They became known derisively as Anabaptists (re-baptizers) by their opponents. Other distinctive beliefs included: church discipline through excommunication (in contrast to the force of the sword of government, which enforced discipline in the state church) ; limiting the partaking of communion to baptized adult believers; keeping separate from worldly fellowship and influences; congregations led by a pastor selected by the members and financially supported by the congregation; pacifism, non-resistance, and non-participation in government; and refusal to take oaths. These distinctives were spelled out in the Schleitheim Confession of 1527.
Zwingli strongly opposed their positions. Conflict escalated between Zwingli and the Anabaptists, leading him to have the Anabaptists banned from the church. He declared re-baptism a capital offense, and began putting Anabaptists to death by drowning. Other Protestant groups as well as the Catholic church joined in the persecution, and thousands of Anabaptists were tortured and executed for their beliefs between 1525 and 1660.
It has been said that "Any 16th century man who did not drink to excess, curse, or abuse his workmen or family could be suspected of being an Anabaptist and thus persecuted."
It is not difficult to understand why these people eventually fled from Europe to America, where they hoped to practice their religious beliefs in peace. Their descendents include the Amish, the Mennonites, the Brethren, and a few other groups. In addition, their strong influence can be observed in the Restoration Movement, particularly in the more conservative wing.
A biblical basis for their nonconformity is not difficult to imagine. They choose the narrow road and reject the wide road. They refuse to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. They avoid anything (drugs, alcohol, tobacco...) that would contaminate the temple of the Holy Spirit. They avoid adornment with gold and jewelry in favor of the quiet spirit. An assortment of scriptures supporting their nonconformist views can be found in Article 16 of the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
I think churches of Christ could learn some important lessons from the modern Anabaptists. It is not comforting to admit that we are more like the world than they are. I'm sure that we like the things of the world too much. We undoubtedly enjoy some things in the world that God does not like. And we are undoubtedly influenced by our closeness to the world, often to our own peril.
There are historical as well as biblical reasons for their choice of lifestyle.
During the Swiss Reformation in the 1500's, Huldrich Zwingli went beyond Luther and Calvin in insisting on the scriptures only as the source of divine authority. He called for the eradication of every practice in the church that was not expressly authorized in the scriptures -- including statues, musical instruments, and for a time even banning vocal singing in the church (based on his hyper-literal interpretation of "making melody in your heart.") However, he did not challenge the appropriateness of the state-sponsored church, and that led to an unwillingness to address the biblically unauthorized practice of infant baptism. When national citizenship is by definition the same as church membership, it becomes problematic if infants are not baptized members of the church.
But a group arose in Zurich that was willing to go even farther, demanding a separation between the church and the state, rejecting infant baptism, and demanding that the church consists only of those who are born again and baptized as adults. They became known derisively as Anabaptists (re-baptizers) by their opponents. Other distinctive beliefs included: church discipline through excommunication (in contrast to the force of the sword of government, which enforced discipline in the state church) ; limiting the partaking of communion to baptized adult believers; keeping separate from worldly fellowship and influences; congregations led by a pastor selected by the members and financially supported by the congregation; pacifism, non-resistance, and non-participation in government; and refusal to take oaths. These distinctives were spelled out in the Schleitheim Confession of 1527.
Zwingli strongly opposed their positions. Conflict escalated between Zwingli and the Anabaptists, leading him to have the Anabaptists banned from the church. He declared re-baptism a capital offense, and began putting Anabaptists to death by drowning. Other Protestant groups as well as the Catholic church joined in the persecution, and thousands of Anabaptists were tortured and executed for their beliefs between 1525 and 1660.
It has been said that "Any 16th century man who did not drink to excess, curse, or abuse his workmen or family could be suspected of being an Anabaptist and thus persecuted."
It is not difficult to understand why these people eventually fled from Europe to America, where they hoped to practice their religious beliefs in peace. Their descendents include the Amish, the Mennonites, the Brethren, and a few other groups. In addition, their strong influence can be observed in the Restoration Movement, particularly in the more conservative wing.
A biblical basis for their nonconformity is not difficult to imagine. They choose the narrow road and reject the wide road. They refuse to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. They avoid anything (drugs, alcohol, tobacco...) that would contaminate the temple of the Holy Spirit. They avoid adornment with gold and jewelry in favor of the quiet spirit. An assortment of scriptures supporting their nonconformist views can be found in Article 16 of the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith.
I think churches of Christ could learn some important lessons from the modern Anabaptists. It is not comforting to admit that we are more like the world than they are. I'm sure that we like the things of the world too much. We undoubtedly enjoy some things in the world that God does not like. And we are undoubtedly influenced by our closeness to the world, often to our own peril.
2Co 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?Links to this post
2Co 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2Co 6:17 "Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."
2Co 6:18 "I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
