ChurchApplied

I Am Thankful

On this Thanksgiving weekend, amidst the gravy, dressing and pie, I am grateful for the hope that Jesus brings to my heart. Recent violence in various parts of the world reminds me that there are people out there who do not value freedom of belief and expression. Their views of God are dogmatic and absolute. You either see things their way or you are deemed as evil and deserving of death. Unfortunately, this intolerance is not just confined to a few middle eastern religious fanatics. These same attitudes can be found in many religious groups throughout the world, including the U.S.

Thanksgiving Meal - Studiomill. All rights reserved.

Last year I attended a seminar in Altadena, CA where the presenter defined Modernism (from the Industrial Revolution to the mid 1980's) and Post-Modernism (from the mid 1980's to now) and detailed its impact on our present age. Particularly in the West, we enjoy a high level of tolerance that includes the acceptance of different beliefs and lifestyles. Even though I don't buy into the cultural attitudes and choices of many around me, I value our shared freedom of choice and support everyone's right to choose how they want to live (as long as they are not violating the rights of others).

At one point I asked the presenter what we can expect to see next. What comes after post-modernism? Without hesitation he said, Fundamentalism! Once society fully experiences the negative aspects of post-modern thinking and realizes that it cannot solve the world's pressing challenges it will swing hard back to the right and embrace Fundamentalism. I can see this already happening.

Fundamental thinking is less tolerant, more exacting and driven by prescribed authorities. Fundamentalist Christians and Muslims may differ in their specific beliefs, but they are very similar when it comes to their attitudes toward those they view as "unbelievers."

Trust me, you don't want to be on the receiving end of those who view themselves as God's emissaries of justice and truth. History is replete with examples of the disastrous impact such people have had on their communities.

Today, I am thankful that we still have religious freedom and that I can write about it. I am thankful for the quiet revolution of the heart that Jesus modeled and called His people to experience. I am thankful that Jesus is patient with me and others and that He does not use coercion and force to enlarge His kingdom. 

I am thankful that Jesus is not political and self-serving, and that He leads His followers to the higher path of service and humility. As one of Jesus' followers I am thankful that it is not my job to try and clean up the evil in the world, but rather my role is to be a loving, caring influence wherever I go.

Through the power of Jesus I am thankful that I can be the salt of the earth and make people thirsty for the Water of Life.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Is God Political?

Political parties are made up of individuals who share common values and goals. The unique heritage of the United States is based upon its ability to allow for a wide spectrum of opinions and beliefs to coexist.

In recent years some "Christians" have become unhappy with this arrangement. These individuals, who once set their hearts and minds on spiritual goals, now make it their mission to sanitize society through enforced legislation. Some religious organizations have become so political they've lost their non-profit status and have morphed into campaign action groups for politicians. Their mantra is "everyone should live, act and think as we do." They believe God is on their side and that He expects them to remove anyone from public office who opposes their beliefs. Their end-goal is to enact laws that force society to adhere to their version of "Christian values."

The inevitable conclusion of such a course is that our country will eventually lose the one thing that has made it a bastion of free speech and religious practice. If this happens, we will be like those countries where civil authority is used to enforce religious law. We will be a theocracy instead of a democracy.

Tired of God's Way

So what prompts Christians to take their focus off of God's agenda to pursue their own? On one occasion when the Pharisees demanded that Christ show them when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Christ's first coming (as a baby) was missed by the existing religious system because they believed the Messiah would come to establish an earthly kingdom (complete with its own system of government). Instead Christ came as a baby wrapped in rags and lying in a manger.

Today, many Christians believe Christ is calling them to establish a church/state government (theocracy) that practices and enforces biblical principles. They believe Christ's Second Coming will be to establish an earthly kingdom (in this present age) where all evil is banished.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Even though He was greatly opposed to many of the actions of the Roman government during His earthly sojourn, Jesus did not make it His mission to unseat the government or even incite protest against their authority. He took the higher road of seeking to bring about transformation within people's hearts.

The moment a church or religious organization enters the political fray, they become an extension of someone's political campaign and lose credibility with some of the very people God calls them to reach.

Christians should express their views on moral and ethical issues! But in no way does Scripture support the idea of Christians waging a "holy war" to force culture to accept their views! Jesus said we are to be the "salt of the earth" within our communities and homes. When used correctly, salt enhances the taste of a good meal. Too much destroys it!

God wants His followers to add flavor to the lives of the people they mingle with. His way is to win hearts through subtle influence and acts of compassion. This apolitical approach is far more successful than using coercion and force (Matthew 5:13).

God's Political affiliation

Does God belong to a political party? If so, is He a Republican, Democrat or Independent? Here is what we do know:

1. God does not view the world as we do. He sees beyond our national and political boundaries into the hearts and lives of the people He made.

2. God is no respecter of persons. He doesn't favor one class or group over another, including the people we label as "liberal" or "conservative."

3. God deeply cares about life, justice and mercy.

4. God values authenticity and honesty above performance.

5. God's kingdom is based upon righteousness and love. The ultimate end of God's work on earth is salvation from sin.

How Then Should We Live?

As we pass through life we have an obligation to do what we can to make the world a better place--with heaven as our ultimate goal. Paul sums it up in his letter to the Christians living in Corinth:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

What an incredible mission for Christians everywhere! Far more than any political agenda could ever fulfill--God invites us to expose hearts and lives to His wonderful grace.

Photo by Arker of MorgueFile

Bhutto's Legacy

Whether you agreed with Benazir Bhutto's ideology or not, you had to admire her intense passion to stand up for what she believed was right, and in so doing, exposing herself to danger. She chose not to try and influence her countrymen from afar, but jumped into the fray and attempted to change Pakistan by appealing directly to her people. It cost her her life.

On December 27, 2007, Bhutto was killed by an assassin's bullet as she left a political rally. The man who killed her then detonated several bombs that were strapped to his body, killing another 30 or so people standing nearby.

Some believe the best way to make the world a better place is to kill everyone who doesn't share your views. Just wipe them out! Amazingly, many do it in the name of Allah, or God.

In Old Testament times, God called upon His people to use violent means to inflict judgment upon people who had passed His limits of tolerance. In light of the grace and mercy that we see God extending in the New Testament era, I find it difficult to understand God's thinking and actions in earlier times. What am I missing? This isn't the God I know. Based upon the evidences of His love and mercy extended to me, I have chosen to believe that He will give me answers when the time is right. Someday I will understand.

In light of Bhutto's death, the haunting question I'm wrestling with is, am I as passionate about living for God as she was about winning her people's confidence? And, am I willing to dive into the thick of other people's lives (with all of its messiness) to authenticate my motives?

I cannot change the world or erase the glaring faults from other people's lives, let alone my own. But I can chose to do one thing--write letters to people who are lonely or discouraged, or call someone who needs encouragement. I can use some of the money to make someone else's life a little easier. I can spend time with people who seldom get noticed?

"God, please help me in 2008 to be more like You!" --Rich

Discussion Questions for Small Groups:

1. Do the people in our community know we exist?

2. Do we care enough about our community to address one or more of its urgent needs?

3. Is it possible for our church to fulfill its mission without being passionate?

4. List 3 things we can do to become more community focused?

Photo by Stefan Hermans, with permission by Dreamstime

Worth Dying For?

Recently, the controversial Swedish artist, Lars Vilks, drew a picture that depicted Mohammed with the body of a dog. He did it knowing that he would be criticized and possibly killed. "Vilks knows his defiance could get him killed, but he says his art is worth dying for" (CNN.com, Oct. 16, 2007).

"His crude, sketched caricature shows the head of Prophet Mohammed on the body of a dog. Dogs are considered unclean by conservative Muslims, and any depiction of the prophet is strictly forbidden" (Ibid).

As you can imagine, he has received death threats from all over. One Muslim woman in Sweden has vowed to kill him to collect the $100,000 bounty placed on his head by Al Quaeda.

Lest you think Vilks only offends Muslims, he has offended Christians as well.

"Vilks, a self-described atheist, points out he's an equal opportunity offender who in the past sketched a depiction of Jesus as a pedophile" (Ibid).

In light of this, here are some questions to be considered and discussed:

1. Does freedom of speech and freedom of expression have its limits? At what point, if any, should limits be imposed?

2. Does Mohammad or God need to be defended? Or, can they defend themselves?

3. What motivates a man to deliberately try to offend others?

4. Can democracy and religious belief coexist?

Read CNN article

Photo by Marc Dietrich