Hobby Lobby.  Contraception.  Health care reform.  Abortion.  The death penalty.  Welfare.  Wars.  Drones.  Prayer in schools.  Gun control.  Gay marriage.

Do I have your attention yet?

Chances are, you have strong opinions about the above topics, which have been at the forefront of public conversation in recent days and months.  Is there a “correct” Christian perspective on these issues?  Is it possible that well-meaning followers of Jesus can have differing opinions?  How should we vote, speak out, or defend our beliefs?

We live in a time of increased polarization within our country and around the world.  Republicans and Democrats in the US are being pulled toward their ideological extremes.  Sunnis and Shiites in the Middle East are engaging in bloody conflicts against each other.  Conservative and liberal Christians are separating from each other in congregational life, public discussion, and even geographical location.

When it comes to any of the issues that divide us, I too have my own opinions.  I believe some stances are morally appropriate, and others aren’t.  But I also believe in a more important truth, one that guides my conversations with people about these issues:

It’s complicated.

Should Hobby Lobby be required to provide its employees with full insurance coverage for contraceptives?  Regardless of whether you say “yes” or “no,” the truth is that it’s complicated.

Should our nation legalize same-sex marriage, or use drones to eliminate enemies in other nations, or pass tighter gun control laws?  It’s complicated.

These issues are complicated because they impact different people in different ways.  They are complicated because my opinions, wisdom, and experiences on any given topic do not equal the sum total of all people’s opinions, wisdom, and experiences on that topic.  They are complicated because life is complicated.  The world is not black and white (there are many different shades!); Christianity cannot be boiled down to heaven or hell (there’s so much more to faith than that!); ethical questions do not always have nice, clean answers.

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap [Jesus] in his words.  They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.  “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.  Tell us then, what is your opinion?  Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”  But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Show me the coin used for paying the tax.”  They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this?  And whose inscription?”  “Caesar’s,” they replied.  Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  When they heard this, they were amazed.  So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22 NIV)

Should the ancient Jews pay their required taxes to Caesar, whose Roman Empire occupied their God-given inheritance?  Or should they revolt against Rome and trust God for the victory?  (Historical note: the Jews tried the latter, and their revolt ended in Rome’s utter destruction of the capital city Jerusalem in AD 70.)

In this passage, Jesus proclaims an astounding truth:  the kingdom of God is not the kingdom of this world.  And we are to be citizens of God’s kingdom – even while we live as citizens of this world.

In short, life is supposed to be complicated.

So build your opinions about Hobby Lobby and gay marriage and gun control, and be sure your opinions are founded in the truth of scripture.  But listen carefully to the opinions of those who disagree with you, especially when their opinions are founded in scripture as well.  Listen to the stories of those affected by major current events, and tell your story faithfully also.

And always give to God what is God’s – even your very life – as complicated as that is to do.

Matthew Henry, an English Presbyterian minister who died 300 years ago, is well-known for writing lengthy commentaries on every chapter of the Old and New Testaments. His thoughts are often very helpful to Bible students; he provides background information and insights on any passage of scripture you might choose. His commentaries are in the public domain and are free to read electronically; I have downloaded them as part of the Bible study software that I use on a regular basis. Occasionally, but not often, I have read Henry’s thoughts while studying a particular passage.

I’m going to have a much harder time doing that now.

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Joseph: A Good Man

photo by Fergal of Claddagh

The Bible is an amazing book:  the way it points us to God and shows us how to live is unequaled by any other book in human literature.  I’d like to show you something I discovered recently while studying this book; maybe you’ll appreciate it as much as I did!

We often remember Joseph (the Old Testament character) as the boy who was hated by his brothers, given a multi-colored coat by his father Jacob, sold into Egyptian captivity, and eventually the rescuer of his family during a massive famine.  But the book of Genesis paints a picture over the span of several chapters that shows us Joseph’s character very clearly.

  • Abraham and Isaac both tried to pass their wives off as their sisters (Genesis 12 and 26).
  • Joseph’s sister Dinah was raped by a man named Shechem (Genesis 34).
  • Joseph’s brother Reuben slept with Jacob’s concubine, Bilhah (Genesis 35:22).
  • Joseph’s brother Judah had twins with Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38).

The early days of the Bible are full of stories that make us blush, either with shame or anger, about how certain men treated certain women.  Now take a few minutes to read Genesis 39, the story of Joseph’s encounters with Potiphar’s wife in Egypt.  Look at how careful Joseph is to maintain his sexual purity, even though his actions resulted in his imprisonment.  Joseph – unlike Abraham, Isaac, Shechem, Reuben, and Judah – was careful to avoid sexual misconduct (having an affair with Potiphar’s wife).  And what was his stated reason?  He could not fathom “do[ing] such a wicked thing and sin[ning] against God” (Genesis 39:9, NIV).

So may it be among us:  that our everyday choices, in all areas of life, may be in clear contrast with the actions taken by the world around us.  Friends, let us follow the way of the Lord, no matter the cost!

–Pastor David

“Jesus Makes All Sad Things Untrue”

photo by Paul Nicholson

I enjoy reading church signs.   When I drive from place to place, I watch for churches, because the words on a roadside marquee often tell quite a bit about what’s important to a church.  Sometimes a church (like ours) will give a preview of the coming Sunday’s sermon; other churches will advertise upcoming events and programs.  Frequently, a church will put an encouraging phrase on its sign, and these are often the most interesting to me.

Recently, I passed by a church with this saying on its sign:  “Jesus Makes All Sad Things Untrue.”  In all fairness, I did not call or stop in at this church to ask what the sign meant.  So I don’t know how the church’s pastor has explained this statement or what the church people think of it.  But I wonder… does Jesus really make all sad things untrue?

Jesus certainly doesn’t make all our painful experiences unimportant.  No, life is hard – sometimes quite hard – and God never promised us that belief in him would turn into a carefree life.  In my own devotional Bible reading, I am going through the book of Job.  Often, I am struck by how human Job’s emotions are.  He experienced incredible loss and suffering, and if I were in his shoes, I might say words similar to his.  Faith is no magic rescue from hardship, even though our painful experiences can be redeemed by God to make us whole, strong, and able to help others through similar situations.

Jesus certainly doesn’t make our problems suddenly disappear.  If a loved one passes away, there is no going back; this sad thing will always be true.  If someone in our family or community experiences abuse or neglect of any form, a relationship with Jesus may not immediately fix everything.  If you are struggling to pay the bills and keep the lights on, God has promised that he will provide for all your needs (2 Corinthians 9:8), but you probably won’t win the lottery next week after praying about it.  Our problems are our own, and often they are very, very true.

So what could this sign mean?  Here are a few ideas:

  • Jesus can correct our self-image.  You may not like who you are; you may not think you are valuable to anyone or to God.  Jesus makes that sad thing untrue!
  • Jesus can provide hope.  You may not feel like the future is worth living for.  Jesus makes that sad thing untrue!
  • Jesus can help us love and be loved.  You may feel very alone, even if you are around people all the time.  Jesus makes that sad thing untrue!

Following Jesus is about redemption, hope, and transformation of life.  What sad things in your life can Jesus make untrue?

–Pastor David

Should Christian Christmas be automatic?

photo by Alkelda

I read a story online today about a traditional nativity display in Santa Monica, California, that will not have its customary space along a street in a city park.  The city uses a lottery system to give different groups the opportunity to set up their own displays in the park.  This year, the Christian group that sets up the nativity scene – which usually includes fourteen different displays related to Jesus’s birth – was given only three spaces, apparently thanks to several atheists who entered the lottery for their own displays.  The Christian group expressed their dismay at the atheists’ attempt to push them out of the park.  They feel that their inability to express their religious beliefs is an infringement on their First Amendment rights.

That got me to thinking.  Should the Christian version of Christmas be automatic in our culture?  Should we always expect our traditional public nativity scenes to be accepted and allowed?  Should the message of the birth of Jesus Christ become part and parcel of our cultural experiences?

These questions are related to a broader discussion in Christian circles:  How should Christians interact with our culture?  In his 1951 book Christ and Culture, Richard Niebuhr describes five possibilities:

  1. Christ against culture:  The Christian church and secular culture have nothing to do with each other, and the good church will ultimately grow while the evil world fades away.
  2. Christ of culture:  God works in and through our culture to fulfill his purposes.  We find connections between the church and the best parts of culture.
  3. Christ above culture:  There may be some similarities between the church and the world, but there are also many differences; the Christian way is often higher or better than the worldly way.
  4. Christ and culture in paradox:  There is a tension between the church and the world, and that tension cannot be resolved.
  5. Christ transforming culture:  The world is sinful, but Christ can transform culture so that it can serve his purposes.

Each of these ways of considering the relationship between Christ and culture has been used throughout history, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Should the Christian emphasis on Christmas be automatic in culture?  If you say “yes” to that question, then you may be thinking in the “Christ of culture” way.  I personally tend to fall toward the “Christ and culture in paradox” mindset.

My response to the Santa Monica nativity situation is to say this:  The world might not understand or appreciate the Christian message of Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, and that’s all right.  Our task as believers is to be faithful to the message of Christ and to share it with those around us.  If our communities do not accept that message, then so be it.  That does not detract from the power of the gospel to change lives!  In fact, it reminds us that our work is not complete.  There are many who have not truly heard and understood the good news, that Jesus Christ is born – and that the rest of his story is true, as well!

Be encouraged, friends.  We do not have to put Christ back into Christmas, because he has been there all along, calling us to be transformed and to leave behind the ways of the world, all for his name’s sake.

–Pastor David

Thoughts on Veterans Day

Veteran Flag
photo by Dustin C. Oliver

This Friday is November 11, our national holiday for honoring our veterans, both living and deceased.  We do well as a nation to remember those who have participated in military exercises on our behalf.  We enjoy so many freedoms and privileges that we often take for granted, and our military, over the years, has done much to preserve those freedoms and privileges.  Several veterans are members of our congregation, and nearly all of us know of or are related to veterans of one war or another.  In this season of giving thanks, please do take the time to thank veterans in person for the gift of their time and resources.

Today, I find myself drawn to the reason Veterans Day came to be observed on November 11 each year.  The name “Veterans Day” has been in use since the end of World War II, and the same holiday was observed prior to that war under the label “Armistice Day.”  The first World War officially ended on November 11, 1918 – ninety-three years ago this week – and many nations around the world continue to remember the end of this great conflict on the same day.

Why am I drawn to this?  Well, you know I enjoy history and the stories that shape who we are today.  But my interest here has more to do with the reason for celebrating this holiday.  Culturally, we (as Americans) are in a position in our collective history in which we applaud, support, and give thanks for our military forces on a regular basis.  For instance, at the beginning of every Great Lakes Loons game, a veteran asks the crowd to rise and sing the national anthem.  That is who we are, culturally speaking.

As Christians, however, we should celebrate the historical reasons behind Armistice Day:  we should rejoice when nations lay down arms against each other and come, finally, to peace.  That’s because our identity as disciples of Jesus is modeled after the life of this Prince of Peace.  True, he said that he came not “to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34 NIV).  However, he also encouraged us to “be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50 NIV).  The overwhelming biblical call is for God’s faithful children to live peacefully: see, for example, James 3:17-18; Hebrews 12:10-14; Ephesians 4:3; and Romans 14:17-19.

Peace is related to righteousness; peace is the way of Christ.  True, scripture often speaks of us living peacefully within the church, but it also speaks of living peacefully with everyone.  Scripture often speaks of an angry, vengeful God, but it also speaks of the same God applauding the peaceful way of life.  Christian history has often applied scripture to justify violent actions, but the higher road, whenever it is possible to be traveled, is peaceful.

This Armistice Day, remember to give thanks for the gift of peace.  Then take a few minutes to pray for peace around the world, in war-torn nations (just check the daily news for examples!), in our own nation and cities.  As Jeremiah called the Israelites in Babylonian captivity to do, “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7 NIV).

–Pastor David

All Hallows’ Eve

Today, of course, is Halloween – the time when many people put candles inside pumpkins, wear elaborate costumes, and go from house to house collecting candy from neighbors.  (We do some pretty strange things sometimes, don’t we?)  This is a festive time of year; it’s the last outdoor celebration we will have before the weather turns cold for the season.  It’s a time for neighbors to talk, laugh, share, and enjoy each other’s company.  It’s a time for children to put more sugar into their bodies than their parents usually allow.  All in all, everyone has a good time!

The name “Halloween” reminds me that this is also a time for spiritual reflection.  Halloween certainly isn’t a religious holiday, but it does have ties to a religious theme.  “Halloween” is thought to be a contraction of the name “All Hallows’ Eve,” which is the night before “All Hallows’ Day” or “All Saints’ Day.”  On November 1 (or, for some Christians, another day in the year), the vast majority of Christians around the world pause to remember those believers who have died in the past year and are now entrusted fully to the Lord’s care.  The night before All Saints’ Day is, in a sense, a time of preparation for the remembrance to occur on the following day.

Several years ago, I was worshiping with a United Methodist congregation while I was in graduate school.  On All Saints’ Day (or the nearest Sunday to it), we gathered for a regular worship service.  During the course of this service, there came a time when the pastor read the names of church members who had died in the previous year.  After each name was read, someone rang the large bell in the church tower.  Although I didn’t know any of these individuals because I had just moved to their town, I felt grateful to be part of a worship experience in which believers gathered to give thanks for the lives of their loved ones.

On this year’s All Saints’ Day – and today, on All Hallows’ Eve – I hope you can take a few moments to pause and give thanks for the gift of life, the ability to buy candy, the opportunity to wear costumes, the enjoyment of neighborly company.  And I hope you take a moment or two to reflect on the mystery of life and death:  that those who die in the Lord are entrusted to his care and will be raised to new life when Christ returns.  We as a congregation are well aware of those to whom we have said goodbye in the past few months.  Remember them as well, and give thanks that they are among the millions throughout history who have finished this earthly race in the faith.

Then be sure to enjoy this secular holiday and all its festivities, too!  For what it’s worth, my favorite part of Halloween is how the price of Halloween candy plummets on the next day.  Enjoy this introspective yet joyous season, church!

–Pastor David

Murder in Midland?

As you may have heard in the local news, a man was murdered outside the Burger King near the Midland Mall this week.  Is this an anomaly, or is this to be expected in today’s world?  Are we comfortable thinking this kind of thing happens in Saginaw but not in Midland?  Should we avoid that restaurant for the time being for our own safety, or should we continue going about our everyday lives?

It surely is tragic when one person takes another person’s life.  The ramifications of such an action are very broad, affecting more than just the two people involved.  In this case, there are two school-aged children who will grow up with their mother in prison.  The Burger King employees who were present at the time will remember this event forever.  Lives are changed tremendously when one person kills another.

What should our response be as Christians who live in this community?  I believe situations like this are opportunities for us to serve as community leaders who bring order, meaning, comfort, and peace to those affected by tragedy.  As ambassadors for Christ, we can share the blessings of a relationship with the Lord with those who are hurting.  In the next few weeks, if you find yourself near the Midland Mall around lunchtime or dinnertime, I encourage you to eat at the Burger King and say something encouraging or compassionate to the people who are working there.  If you hear someone talking about this story in the grocery store, strike up a conversation and be an agent of peace and reconciliation.

Remember that most murders involve people who know each other; random acts of violence are much less common.  We do not need to fear other people in our town because a murder has taken place in a public location.  On the contrary, this event is more reason for us to be involved in community, to bring the message of forgiveness and salvation and healing through Christ to a world that is desperately in need.

Friends, remember that we belong to the Lord and that this life is fleeting – especially when compared to the eternal relationship with the Lord which is promised to us who believe in him.  Do not be afraid; use every opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and to help others to do the same.

–Pastor David

Jesus and the Legal System

Yesterday came the long-awaited and somewhat startling news: Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her daughter, Caylee Anthony.  For weeks and months, our media have been obsessed with this story, and now hopefully that obsession will begin to subside.  I think it’s unhealthy for a society to focus so intently on the outcome of one murder trial when we can’t do anything to affect its outcome.  Instead, society should focus on things that we can influence, such as preventing future murders by teaching children the value of life, teaching adults how to resolve conflicts peacefully, providing medication for those who need it, and so forth.

To be honest, I have avoided the bulk of the media attention around this case.  Once the verdict was announced, however, I watched a little more carefully, especially to the groundswell of emotional reactions that came from the American public through social media websites like Twitter and Facebook.  The most frequently voiced opinions, by far, were along these lines:  Casey Anthony should have been found guilty; the evidence was overwhelming against her; justice was not served; little Caylee deserves justice; some day Casey will have to answer to God for her crime.

That final opinion is what really struck me.  To be sure, our scriptures teach that each of us will eventually have to give an account of our lives to God (Romans 14:12, Hebrews 4:13, 1 Peter 4:3-5).  However, by applying this to the Casey Anthony situation, are we short-circuiting our own legal system by stepping in as judge and jury ourselves?  If we are, then the task of filling an impartial jury must be incredibly difficult.  Even worse, are we suggesting that our system of justice functions as an arm of God’s system of justice?  If we are, then we have taken the dangerous step of forming God after our own image.  Finally, are we claiming that there is no possibility for forgiveness and redemption between a sinner and the Lord?  If we are, then we have strayed from the message of Christ altogether.

The story that keeps coming to my mind is that of the woman caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus by the Pharisees as a trap for the Lord (John 7:53-8:11).  This story is very complicated, at the very least because its origin is questionable – your Bible probably includes a note about this passage not appearing in the earliest or oldest manuscripts of John’s gospel.  And the story can be misconstrued to suggest that Jesus doesn’t care about adultery or that there will be no condemnation for sin; the rest of scripture says otherwise to each of those suggestions.  In the end, this story is one of grace:  in the heat of the moment, Jesus spares the life of a guilty woman – and he challenges her to “go now and leave [her] life of sin” (NIV).  (Of course, the story is also about how Jesus once again avoids a trap by the Pharisees!)

I think the reason Casey Anthony’s trial keeps bringing this story to my mind is simple:  God’s system of justice is not the same as the American system of justice.  Our system is punitive, punishing the guilty; God’s system is gracious, forgiving the repentant.  Our system is myopic, focusing on one person or one crime at a time; God’s system applies equally to all people, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV).  Our legal system is based purely on our actions, motives, and evidence; God’s justice is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ:  our sins are covered and washed away by his blood.

Church, remember this:  we are citizens of the United States, but our greater allegiance is to the kingdom of God.  We should constantly strive to see the world as the Lord sees it; we should interact with others on behalf of Christ and out of gratitude for our own relationship with him.  Be encouraged: a relationship with Jesus is worth infinitely more than any “not guilty” verdict from a human courtroom!  Shouldn’t we joyfully share that relationship with everyone around us?

–Pastor David

Any good news?

Here are a few recent headlines from our local newspaper: “Midland Public Schools Approves Layoffs”; “Meridian Board Considers Revamping Education Philosophy”; “Meth Lab Found in Mills Twp. Home”

What a world we live in! Problems abound in every culture, in every nation, in every neighborhood – and even our own county faces economic, social, and material struggles on a daily basis. Perhaps this comes as no surprise to you, but there always seems to be a lack of good news in our community. These headlines are really not that surprising to me, but they cause me to think: why is our world so full of bad news all the time?

“Midland Public Schools Approves Layoffs”: This is not the first time (and it might not be the last) that we have read about teachers in our community losing their jobs due to decreased enrollment and decreased funding for schools. One of the strongest signs of a community’s hopes for the future is how well its schools are doing. Will this recession end any time soon? How will the unemployed find jobs? What should we as believers do in the meantime? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

“Meridian Board Considers Revamping Education Philosophy”: If you saw this in the paper, it may have sounded like a good idea. The Meridian Public School system is considering becoming a “new technology” school – a label shared by only a handful of Michigan school systems. This could be a wonderful development for the Meridian school district; New Tech is a novel and exciting approach to education. But the article admitted that such a transition would be costly in terms of dollars, jobs, and perhaps student enrollment. At what cost comes progress? How do we as believers deal with a society that can be deeply divided and unwilling to negotiate on nearly any topic of discussion? “…and lean not on your own understanding…”

“Meth Lab Found in Mills Twp. Home”: The person who posted this article on the newspaper’s website commented, “some scary news – a little too close to home!” Friends, we should not be surprised or scared by the presence of drug activity in our community. The world is never too far from us, nor should it be. Drug use and trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, homelessness, poverty – all of these can be found in our county if we simply open our eyes. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, and in my understanding Christ defined “neighbor” as “anyone near you who is in need.” How do we engage a culture which wants to cast a blind eye toward the real problems in our society? “…in all your ways acknowledge him…”

In our Sunday evening services of late, we have been discussing many important issues, such as how we as a small church in Mt. Haley Township can impact our community for the sake of Christ. If you haven’t made a habit of coming on Sunday evenings, I invite you to give it a shot – the services are more informal, personal, and discussion-based. Where do we go from here? How do we join ideas, energies, and forces around the task of spreading Christ and his love to people in our community? How do we participate in transforming our culture by being the body of Christ? These are questions that we are dealing with as a church more and more frequently. As your pastor, I am glad to see these conversations take place! “…and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Friends, do not be discouraged by the daily news. Be encouraged by the word of God: the Lord will direct our paths when we trust in him with all our heart. Commit your ways to him this week, and let’s see what he will do in our midst in the days to come!

–Pastor David