21. The Idolatry of the Church

It is with some reluctance that I write this post.  My reputation for enjoying controversy is well earned – I admit that.  However, I really do not like controversy, and when I started writing this blog I wanted to shy away from it.  However, there is something within me that always demands or compels me to call bullshit when I see it.  In the following blog, I do not seek to enter the controversy over homosexuality as being a sin, rather I focus on how we the body of Christ fail to extend our love, compassion and grace to others – regardless of whether we view them as being unrepentant sinners.  For the sake of this entry I will simply assume that homosexual acts are sinful. 

I have finally figured out why I mistrust the sentiment of the mainstream church in regards to homosexuality.  For the sake of brevity, I would include those other queer folk such as my transgendered friends.

Back when I was a drunken Charismatic Lutheran, I had been given a picture of Jesus.  I should point out that it was not a photograph, rather an artist’s rendering of Christ.  At the time my roommate and I had furniture that had no legs, and the picture hung from a hook in the ceiling.  It was rather an odd effect.  The picture of Jesus, and you have seen it, shows him with his face upturned, hair neat coifed, his beard nicely trimmed, and he is white, middle class and he is straight.  God himself is also male, white, middle class and straight.  Yes, I did see Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty, but that was a movie. 

It is for this reason that I mistrust the sentiment within the churches.  The image of God, a graven image, is of a white, middle class man.  To participate in the wholesale condemnation of others strikes me as an act of idolatry. I feel this way because I am doubtful that our stance as a church is based on scripture as much as it is in our desire to project an image of what it means to be a Christian, and that image is a reflection of what we think of God.

Allow me to digress.  At one point in time, the term Christian was synonymous with white – Caucasian.  Many of the arguments that kept Black churches black and White churches white parallel our antigay arguments.  If you doubt me, google “Bible Verses Supporting Segregation.”  The same tactic of taking verses out of context; social, cultural and biblical were used in the entire reluctance to let people of colour integrate into our churches.  I don’t think we have come that far.

Consider that in 2010 a national survey of American churches showed 90% had no racial diversity.  We have integrated races into the mosaic of our culture but not into our houses of worship.

I believe that we, the church, have singled out homosexuality for special treatment.  Yes, I am aware that the bible states that it is a sin.  In those verses in the New Testament where homosexuality is condemned it is at least put into the context of, if not viewed the same as, lying, coveting, disrespecting your parents, gossiping, and being greedy as well as others.  So my question is, if we are taking a stand against homosexuality based on scripture, should we not take as active a stand against gossip as well?

What is it about homosexuality that sets it apart from other sins?  I have been told that sexual sin is special, and yes there is a bible verse for that, but consider the scripture below. 

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

So, my friends, I wonder about all the attention to homosexuality.  I wonder what God thinks about this, that we have chosen one specific sin to focus on. I believe it is Idolatry.  A gay couple can show up and be unrepentant of their sin, and I could chose not to have them in my church.  But the millionaire who cuts ethical corners in doing business is welcome. The person who makes the coffee, and sets the chairs, who tells you that this person is doing that or that person is doing this, is welcome. 

I must admit, that I fall into the above group.  I am as repentant as I can muster, at other times I am not, but I fall into the above group.  I look porn, I lust after women other than my wife, I lie, on occasion I gossip, and I will when I can get away with it cut corners at work.  I am amongst those people who you should not eat with.

I am also aware what Paul had to say to us about judging.  It is curious, it comes right after his list of sins that include homosexuality.  So at least I try not to judge. 

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

I think it is in our hypocrisy where the truth of idolatry can be found.  A minster that I know of has taken multiple tropical vacations with his family while there are those in his church struggling just to put food on the table.  Is his celebration of his wealth any less repugnant than the unrepentant gay minister?  And if so, why?

In my desire to keep the blog short, I will continue next week.  Until then let me close with my belief that we all fall short of the glory of God.  And, if you are looking for somewhere to eat during the next Church pot luck dinner, feel free to pull up a chair at my table.

1 Cor. 1:28 & 29 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

20. Salvation is an Inside Job

Revelations 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

What is it that Jesus wants?  At some point, I think, that question must be asked.  What does he want?  After all, he has taken a beating on my behalf.  (Just cause I don’t think God was the architect of his torture and death does not mean I don’t think I deserved it). He is offering me better accommodation in the afterlife than what I seemed to originally have reserved.

But what does he want from me?

Maybe it is the remnants of my fallen nature when I doubt the everything-for-nothing exchange.  After all, I do get the inconvenience I have caused him, well, as much as I can get it.  But really, what does he want?

Am I really free to get up from the Lord’s table and wander away and do whatever I want and in the end still not go to that nasty place that has been described as being filled with the gnashing of teeth, the biting of tongues, the wailing of sorrow and regret, and the eternal roasting of my flesh?

Have I not been ransomed from hell so that I can become one of his minions taking away the fun of others?  Have I not be conscripted into the army of heaven to wage battle with the forces of evil and darkness?

These are the questions that run through my mind when I lay awake at night after being elbowed in the head by Wanna.  These are the questions that make it tough to go back to sleep.  Should I divorce my wife, sell my house, and go to lower Mongolia to spread the gospel?  Should I take all my worldly wealth and go into the ghetto of some foreign or not-so foreign city and buy everyone lunch?

Is not the very least I can do, for the God who has done so much for me, is to stop having fun?

When I quiet my soul, okay, my out of control mind, the answer is a resounding “NO!”

Jesus wants to eat with me.  I get that.  I love having those I love over for dinner.  It is more than just ensuring that they eat well.  For our wedding Wanna and I had our guests come back to our home for dinner.  There is something about sharing a meal, especially inside one’s home that makes kindred out of each other.

Jesus simply wants to be with me, for me to experience the love and companionship that he always wanted to have with me, and you, and all of humanity.

I also think he wants me to love him, with all my heart, with all my mind, and all my strength.  I also think he wants me to love those around me.

I think he would like me to stop giving people the finger as I drive.

The rest, it seems to be what I want to do.  I want to tell you about the love that I have experienced.  I want to share in that love.  I find myself compelled, and I know a few things about compulsions, to give what has been so freely given to me.

I am of the ilk that believes that we are saved by grace alone.  I am aware of the discussion of justification by faith or works.  I do not think that the original authors presented those arguments as means of instilling a sense of either/or.  If I go out to the garden and the rose bush is barren of leaves and flowers and it is summer there is something wrong.  I side with Paul when he says, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8) 

For me it boils down to what is Salvation?  There are many that believe, and I don’t think they are wrong, that Salvation is being rescued from the fiery pits of hell.  However, I think that rescue is secondary.  I think Salvation is primarily being restored into the relationship that God had intended for me.  As well, for my way of being to be transformed back to its intended innocence.

I agree with the Reformed Church, Calvinists, and the doctrine of Total Depravity.  There is not one aspect of my being that has not been affected by the fall in the Garden.  

I draw a parallel with the love I have for my wife and kid.  With my wife, whom I love dearly, I have a way of showing my love for her.  It is a natural response to the affection that I feel.  There are things I do, and there are things that I do not do, all out of the profound love that I have for her.  As for my kid, there are things that I do, that I would rather not do, all for the love of him.

Some of the spiritual growth I have had is simply my gratitude for Christ expressed in how I go about my daily life.  A new found generosity for others.  A desire not to be as confrontation and contentious as I have been in the past.  It is a natural expression of my love and affection for Christ.

The other aspect of my spiritual growth, my salvation is simply maturing in the Lord.  That which I have found I wanted, needed, liked to do previously simply seems stupid and petty.  Thus, I am not as likely to pout in the bathroom for as long.

Yet, other growth, change and development is the Holy Spirit running amok inside me.  I credit my abstinence from drugs and alcohol to the work of the Holy Spirit within me.  

19. Is faith a personal matter?

Matt 5: 14 – 16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

At one point in our lives my wife, who is Buddhist, and I sold women’s dresses; men’s dresses are called Kilts.  We would sell at festivals, and events. It was a great job.  One time we set up shop at a fair in the Fraser Valley.  We arrived, and set up our booth, and then I went home to get changed and pick up a few more things.  When I arrived back, my wife came up to me, and with a concerned look on her face and said. “The woman next to us thinks that God lives in her heart.”

          At that time I also worked with kids with psychiatric illnesses, so my wife was curious as to what was up with this woman.  I walked to the booth next door to find that it was a Pro-Life presentation.  I chuckled and walked back, and explained that the woman was a Christian, and that by saying that God lived in her heart, she meant that she tried to keep Christ in the centre of her life.  My wife looked at me, one of those Canadians are weird looks, and went back to arranging dresses. 

          The woman next to us had no idea how odd or arrogant she had come across.  To my wife it was preposterous that God would live inside of a person.  To me it seems not that we bring God into our lives so much, but we are brought into relationship with him.  While it is he who reaches out to us, it is us who moves.  I don’t think we invite Jesus into our lives, as much as we surrender to his presence.

          While there are those that may think I am protesting too much about mere semantics, I think it is an important difference.  It seems to me that there is something a bit off about Christianity.  I would include myself in this.  There is a focus on a self-centred personal relationship with Jesus.  And I don’t trust our, my, ego-centric view of my faith.

          I am struck that as I sit with my Monday Night Coffee Confusion and Conflict group – also known as a community group – that my focus is on what is happening in my life.  I reflect on how things have been in my life, my company, my wife, my kid, and my concerns.  While I think self-reflection and introspection are important spiritual practices, I believe I am called beyond the concerns of what is occurring in my own life.      

          Yes, in asking for me to be brought into God’s grace, I have invited him into my life.  But in a very real sense I have invited him into your life. And into my family’s life.  And my neighbour’s.  And my community’s. 

          We have gotten carried away with concept of the individual.  Yes, I think this has come as a backlash against the systems of filial loyalty that saw obedience to the family, to the church and even our countries taking precedence over morality.  It has led to some rather horrific practices.  And it was Jesus who said “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”  But it could it be that he was calling people to adhere to different principles than obedience to family?

          Much to the credit of my Monday night community group, we involve ourselves in community outside of the church.  We also work on being supportive with each other.  And I, every so often manage to have a less myopic view of the world and ask for prayers regarding others.

          It is the aspect of self-centredness that most bothers me.  It is within that self-centredness that evil flourishes.  It is when I view myself as being separate and more important than you that I can do nasty things to you.  And yet I see, and I include myself in this, so many of us continuing our self-interest into our faith.  I believe so that I can reap the benefits of a life with the Lord.

          St. Paul would believe that it is through my faith that my family is saved. 1 Cor 7:12 – 14 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

          We are called, you and I, not to have individual lives in the Lord.  We, you and I, are called to be the body of Christ.  Our faith is a communal effort.  The early Christians were a riot – they were known as Atheists - because they were without the gods of the roman empire.  They were also known for their profound love of each other and the community around them.  They were known for their overwhelming concern with the world around them.

          Jesus also warned that “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

          To me this is more than just an admonition not to lose faith, but to realize that it is through our faith that the world is made a better place.  We are called the salt of the earth – salt at that time was not only used to preserve food, it was used as currency – salt protected and gave value. Could it be, that by our faith, we lend value to the world, that just by nature of having Jesus in our lives that we make our world more liveable?

          Jesus also told us, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

          Of course this is a call to be missional, but not as the one who announces the condemnation of the world, but rather those who bear the grace, mercy and love of our Lord Jesus to those around us.  As well, the call is more for my benefit, and you who get to view the inside workings of my faith are invited to ponder such as I have this week.

18. Why playing Tag at Church should be Encouraged

Last year I began attending two churches.  This was after years of not gracing churches except for weddings and funerals.  I had been invited to both of these churches by friends of mine. 

          One was a rather well put together affair with a band and entertaining preaching.  The other was a more humble presentation, but I heard Grace and Love being preached.  The first church was well attended, but we sat in the dark – as one would do at a concert.  The second church less well attended, but at least I got to see who was sitting next to me.  Also, I did not have an urge to pull a lighter from my pocket and hold it aloft in respect to the band.

          For someone that strongly dislikes church, love the fellowship but not the politics, it was odd indeed to be attending two at the same time - I alternated Sundays.  Then for no particular reason I felt that I should make a choice - you know two masters and all that.  But which church to choose?

          As a kid I strongly disliked churches.  They were boring, monotonous places that were more than a challenge than I thought was fair, for this ADD kid sitting next to his crazy-making parents.  As a child I wanted to throw myself into the centre aisle while screaming “God! Save me.” Not that I thought I needed saving, but just to liven things up.  It was only my fear of my crazy-making parents arranging a personal audience with God that kept me in my seat.

          During the time of two churches, music became an issue.  My friend with church number one was bothered by the music in his church.  His complaint was that the music was poorly performed, uninspiring, and amounted to the assertion that God is big.  (Sorry John).  In church number two the music was, um, well....made the music in church number one seem polished and professional. (Sorry Pastor Dan) 

          I felt an affinity for the smaller more humble gathering of Christians, and I also was skeptical of the edgy entertaining preaching of the first church.  Yet, the other church had my friend in it, and was closer to home.  But then I got the sign from God.           

          I was at church number two, and as the worship portion of the service was happening - the congregation being led in song by the pastor on guitar - the pastor's youngest kid walked up the centre aisle holding his hands over his ears.

          In that moment I knew that I was standing in the right church.

          The kids in my church form a rather noisy and rambunctious contingent.  Jesus loves kids.  I wonder whether our singing songs – I don't know if they can be called hymns - is as pleasing to the Lord as the laughter, giggling and chatter of children.  After all, though we adults are pleased to make a joyful noise to the Lord, the kids do this with less effort and more joyfully and I think with more integrity.

          On Sunday mornings, at some point in the service, generally between the singing and the announcements, we will be asked to welcome the people sitting next to us.  Usually they are the same people we welcomed last week; for we stick to sitting in the same seats like we bought season tickets for them.  Those who are new also know that they are being welcomed because we have been told to do so.

          Last weekend, the rambunctious contingent got playing a game of tag before the service.  As the worship team got a last minute warm up/rehearsal in, the kids raced down rows of chairs, ran around tables and such while swapping pokes, prods and slaps as being “It” changed from kid to kid.  I sat writing on my tablet as one of the kids came running up to me and touched me saying "You're it."

          I am not sure whether it was the addition of a large man, or if someone had come close to wiping out an innocent bystander, or if there was something else, but we were then told that playing tag was not appropriate.  Something about that this was church, I think.  I found the timing was suspicious - I join in and we get shut down.

          But the message seemed to be, “Hey, we getting ready to make a somewhat joyful if not discordant noise to the Lord, don’t distract us!”

          So my question is....why is it not appropriate to play tag in church? Do you really think it is better to sing songs? Would it not be better to have a game of musical chairs than the halftime stretch, that way you wind up with different neighbours.  A game of tag would raise a joyful noise to the Lord.

          I know this may rub some people the wrong way – but all religion is made up.  I am not debating the divinity of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but what we do on Sunday mornings is what we have decided to do. 

          What if next Sunday church consisted of a large water slide down the side of a hill?  You know the ones where you get the roll of plastic and let it run down hill, then pour soap and water on it.  What if baptism consisted of a slide down that and into a pool?

          I know that this does not sound very reverent.  Um, sort of like Jesus.  But it would be fun, and it would be joyful.  For those of us who claim to have found the joy of the Lord, church still remains a rather stifled affair.  Not being very musical myself, the entire dancing, raising my hands up in the air and singing at the top of my lungs might be a bit much.  But, I am always up for a game of tag.