I don't know who first coined the phrase I used in the title, but the longer I live the more certain I am of its truth. Here's how I would paraphrase it. There is no circumstance or state of being attainable in the human existence that produces lasting happiness and fulfillment. No matter how sweet the momentary sense of accomplishment may be at the realization of a goal, it is always displaced by the need for a new goal. What one may think will be the ultimate arrival point always turns out to be illusory and unsatisfying.
Like everyone, I've dreamed dreams that did not come to pass (yet). I've also had the experience of dreaming dreams that became reality. It is one thing to have one's sights set upon a lofty goal that is never realized. It is quite another to get to some dreamed of destination only to discover it didn't offer any of the magical happiness you thought it would.
The writer of Ecclesiastes understood this very well and wrote, "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:10-11.
I'm guessing that the current economic crisis is driving home the truth of those words to many. Some have fallen victim to suicidal despair as they see the fruit of their life's work vanish in the wind. Chasing after wealth and the consumerism that define so much of our culture have once again been shown to be what they are. What the teacher told us centuries ago, "that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:4). I wonder if we'll learn the lesson?
I gave up making new year resolutions decades ago, but I am hoping to bring a mindset into sharper focus in the coming year. To paraphrase St. Paul, life isn't about happiness it is about contentment. And contentment has nothing to do with circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). Rather, it is rooted in how we partner with God in life. The teacher of Ecclesiastes put it this way, "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This, too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can find enjoyment?" Ecclesiastes 2:24-25.
Reducing life to such a simple formula will require me to throttle way back and live life with far less complexity. Always striving for bigger, better and more is chasing the mirage.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A GIFT FOR YOU (click here)
Eight and a half years ago Sally and I bid farewell to Missoula, Montana (without a doubt one of the best places on earth to live) to return to the land of our roots--Des Moines, Iowa. There seems to be some controversy as to whether any place in Iowa falls into the best places to live category. There were an assortment of reasons we chose to do so; the first of which was to get closer to my parents and assist my Dad in writing a book he wanted to write. I truly felt it was a divine assignment, not to mention a great privilege.
This past October Dad's dream of writing a book was fulfilled. Other than urging him on and some minor editorial work, my role was insignificant. Once he got in the writing mode he poured his heart into the project. While serving full time as a chaplain to a large retirement complex, he devoted countless hours to research and getting his thoughts on paper. As Mom would attest, he lived in the book project for several years until he felt it was just the way he wanted it. Now it has been published and the positive reviews are pouring in. I can honestly say that I have not read a more inspirational and encouraging book than Dad's. Anyone who has ever struggled with a sense of failure, whether it be letting yourself down or thinking you had failed God, could give no better gift to his/herself this holiday season than to pick up and read a copy of Dad's book. I promise you will be astonished at the insights this book brings out and gain a whole new appreciation for God's grace extended to us all through Jesus Christ.
The book's title is JUDAS ISCARIOT: REVISITED AND RESTORED, Discovering Grace in an Unlikely Place, Ivan Rogers, Xulon Press, 2008. Just click on the A GIFT FOR YOU blog title above. It is also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders.
Merry Christmas.
This past October Dad's dream of writing a book was fulfilled. Other than urging him on and some minor editorial work, my role was insignificant. Once he got in the writing mode he poured his heart into the project. While serving full time as a chaplain to a large retirement complex, he devoted countless hours to research and getting his thoughts on paper. As Mom would attest, he lived in the book project for several years until he felt it was just the way he wanted it. Now it has been published and the positive reviews are pouring in. I can honestly say that I have not read a more inspirational and encouraging book than Dad's. Anyone who has ever struggled with a sense of failure, whether it be letting yourself down or thinking you had failed God, could give no better gift to his/herself this holiday season than to pick up and read a copy of Dad's book. I promise you will be astonished at the insights this book brings out and gain a whole new appreciation for God's grace extended to us all through Jesus Christ.
The book's title is JUDAS ISCARIOT: REVISITED AND RESTORED, Discovering Grace in an Unlikely Place, Ivan Rogers, Xulon Press, 2008. Just click on the A GIFT FOR YOU blog title above. It is also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders.
Merry Christmas.
Monday, November 24, 2008
WILL I NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE?
In the days preceding the election, I found myself in conversation with some folks who were nearing the point of panic at the prospect that the evil empire was predicted to win the White House. A couple of guys from a southern state spoke of how their church held an all night prayer meeting to invoke the mercy of God on America so that McCain would carry the election. Another guy from a western state claimed God had told him that he should fast for several days so victory could be seized from the clutches of the "enemy."
The question I posed in both of these conversations was, "Do you expect that the outcome of the election will be God's answer to your prayer?" In both cases the answer was, "yes." One even cited the passage from Romans 13 that seems to suggest that political polls mean nothing, it is God who ultimately appoints governing authorities to carry out his purposes. That begged a follow up question which I offered. "So, if Barack Obama, is the winner you believe God's will is being done?"
The guy who had fasted stuttered and muttered for a moment and then said, "I believe the election of Obama will mean that God has turned his back on America."
So there you have it folks. All the evidence of God's "blessing" on America that the outgoing administration is leaving in its wake is going to be removed and replaced with judgment. I wonder if I'll notice the difference?
The question I posed in both of these conversations was, "Do you expect that the outcome of the election will be God's answer to your prayer?" In both cases the answer was, "yes." One even cited the passage from Romans 13 that seems to suggest that political polls mean nothing, it is God who ultimately appoints governing authorities to carry out his purposes. That begged a follow up question which I offered. "So, if Barack Obama, is the winner you believe God's will is being done?"
The guy who had fasted stuttered and muttered for a moment and then said, "I believe the election of Obama will mean that God has turned his back on America."
So there you have it folks. All the evidence of God's "blessing" on America that the outgoing administration is leaving in its wake is going to be removed and replaced with judgment. I wonder if I'll notice the difference?
Friday, October 10, 2008
But the grass is still green...
I've been on a road trip and have not had the opportunity to marinate in the abyssmal news out of Wall Street like many are these days. One guy summed it up as he passed me in a lobby having just watched a breaking news report about the financial crisis on the lobby TV. "F***in' Armageddon!" he muttered.
His crude remark was something of an unwelcome intrusion to my train of thought. I had just driven down a stretch of highway on a crisp, sunny morning in southern Iowa. The trees were beginning to take on the hues of their full autumn splendor. It was a warm enough day that I even cracked open the driver's side window on my pickup. I felt as if Mother Nature was giving me a hug. Had I not had a schedule to keep, I might have driven on for the sheer joy of it.
I couldn't help contrasting the tranquil beauty I was experiencing with the anguish I'm seeing on the faces of bankers, fund managers and politicians whose reckless, perhaps even criminal, shennanigans have caught up with them. It reminded me again that Jesus knew what he was talking about when he told his followers that earthly treasures are subject to theft, decline and loss. Better to seek first all that God is about. Invest in the heavenly agenda, so to speak--spiritually, emotionally and literally.
My little pension fund has taken a huge hit like everyone else's. I could get upset about it if I allowed that to take over my thoughts. But the reality that captured my heart today is that here in the heartland the sun still shines, the birds still sing and the grass is still green and growing. Thanks for the reassurance, God.
His crude remark was something of an unwelcome intrusion to my train of thought. I had just driven down a stretch of highway on a crisp, sunny morning in southern Iowa. The trees were beginning to take on the hues of their full autumn splendor. It was a warm enough day that I even cracked open the driver's side window on my pickup. I felt as if Mother Nature was giving me a hug. Had I not had a schedule to keep, I might have driven on for the sheer joy of it.
I couldn't help contrasting the tranquil beauty I was experiencing with the anguish I'm seeing on the faces of bankers, fund managers and politicians whose reckless, perhaps even criminal, shennanigans have caught up with them. It reminded me again that Jesus knew what he was talking about when he told his followers that earthly treasures are subject to theft, decline and loss. Better to seek first all that God is about. Invest in the heavenly agenda, so to speak--spiritually, emotionally and literally.
My little pension fund has taken a huge hit like everyone else's. I could get upset about it if I allowed that to take over my thoughts. But the reality that captured my heart today is that here in the heartland the sun still shines, the birds still sing and the grass is still green and growing. Thanks for the reassurance, God.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
We Have All Lost... Again!
Like many of you, I suspect, I have grown weary of the political season we are in. The incessant sniping and nitpicking over relatively trivial issues for the purpose of diminishing the other guy has caused my enthusiasm for this contest to sag. I don't care that Sarah Palin has a tanning bed in her governor's mansion. Neither do I care what Barack Obama eats for a snack.
Of course, there are issues I do care about, but it seems that it is becoming increasingly rare to get any substantive coverage on these matters from the media. I have had all I can take of the tabloid mentality of this campaign. It has left me agitated and annoyed with the whole process. Both camps have conspired with the media to contribute to this silliness. There are matters of extreme importance on the line and most of what we're getting from the respective campaigns is an unending game of "gotcha". Each camp has highly paid consultants whose job is to do nothing more than cherry pick out of context remarks and unguarded moments of the opposing candidate they can spin to the media or throw up on a political add so we all can be reminded what a terrible person the other guy is. It is utter nonsense and an insult to any voter who longs for thoughtful dialogue and intelligent debate.
Personal attacks on the opposition are at an all time high while real solutions offered are at an all time low. We could save millions of dollars and lots of time if we simply put the candidates face to face sticking their tongues out at each other and declared whichever one blinked first to be the winner.
So far, I think Simon and Garfunkel offered the most astute commentary on the current political process when they wrote "Mrs. Robinson" 40 years ago:
Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
Going to the candidate's debate.
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose.
That pretty much summarizes how I'm feeling about the Republican and Democrat campaigns this year.
Of course, there are issues I do care about, but it seems that it is becoming increasingly rare to get any substantive coverage on these matters from the media. I have had all I can take of the tabloid mentality of this campaign. It has left me agitated and annoyed with the whole process. Both camps have conspired with the media to contribute to this silliness. There are matters of extreme importance on the line and most of what we're getting from the respective campaigns is an unending game of "gotcha". Each camp has highly paid consultants whose job is to do nothing more than cherry pick out of context remarks and unguarded moments of the opposing candidate they can spin to the media or throw up on a political add so we all can be reminded what a terrible person the other guy is. It is utter nonsense and an insult to any voter who longs for thoughtful dialogue and intelligent debate.
Personal attacks on the opposition are at an all time high while real solutions offered are at an all time low. We could save millions of dollars and lots of time if we simply put the candidates face to face sticking their tongues out at each other and declared whichever one blinked first to be the winner.
So far, I think Simon and Garfunkel offered the most astute commentary on the current political process when they wrote "Mrs. Robinson" 40 years ago:
Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
Going to the candidate's debate.
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose.
That pretty much summarizes how I'm feeling about the Republican and Democrat campaigns this year.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Dominators Lose
I'll never forget an incident that happened to me when I was in Spanish language school in Guadalajara, Mexico back in the early '90's. For an assignment to prepare an oral report, I selected an article from Reader's Digest that was a celebration of American values. Being a patriotic American, I was inspired by the American "can do" spirit and opportunities described in that particular article. It never occurred to me that fellow class members from Germany, France and Canada might see the world through a different lens.
Employing my best oratory skills, I built the speech to an emotional climax extolling the greatness of America. At the conclusion of my speech, one of the students angrily criticized what I'd had to say and in very hostile tones let me and the class know that she and the other non-American classmates resented the arrogant boastfulness of Americans like me. What I assumed everyone felt about America came across to them as a pushy insensitivity toward the rest of the world.
As I watched the Republican National Convention the other day I remembered that exchange back in language school. Maybe you saw it during one of the speeches. A young delegate wearing a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat was chanting passionately, "USA! USA! USA!" His face was twisted in an expression of scorn and aggression against anything or anyone who didn't share his idolization of America. More than once I heard statements that conveyed the message loud and clear to the rest of the world that we think we're the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful and most special nation in the world. To people from other countries, like my classmate in language school, it sends the message that Americans believe the rest of the world is inferior to and answers to us.
Put yourself in their shoes. Many people in other countries have been paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline since the late '70's, when we were paying less than a dollar. Like the spoiled people we are, we are outraged that our fuel prices have only recently gotten so high. How would you feel if you lived in a country where you've been paying $5 or $6 a gallon for years to learn that the USA, which consumes 25% of the world's oil and gasoline while having only 5% of the world's population, is having a hissy fit over $4 a gallon gas?
We are bitter that manufacturers and major corporations are closing factories here and opening them in China, India and Latin America because their labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, folks in those countries are elated that companies with better jobs with better pay than they ever could have hoped for have come to their shores. Shouldn't there be something in our attitude that indicates we feel good about a better standard of living being enjoyed by others rather than the resentment some express because impoverished, developing nations have taken something from us?
And, while our politicians carry on about the superiority of our military and the importance of "winning", to much of the rest of the world we come across as a menacing, muscle-flexing super power that once again stands ready to invade and bomb other countries at will. It was comments about our military power and readiness to use it that evoked the response of the delegate in the Uncle Sam hat that I mentioned earlier.
Jesus said greatness is found in serving others rather than dominating them. "Relationships of domination are forbidden in the kingdom of God," wrote Jerry Cook, and I agree. In fact, Jesus said that at the end of the day the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Dominators lose. I'm looking for leaders who will take the harsh and threatening rhetoric out of our communication with the rest of the world and show some humility.
Employing my best oratory skills, I built the speech to an emotional climax extolling the greatness of America. At the conclusion of my speech, one of the students angrily criticized what I'd had to say and in very hostile tones let me and the class know that she and the other non-American classmates resented the arrogant boastfulness of Americans like me. What I assumed everyone felt about America came across to them as a pushy insensitivity toward the rest of the world.
As I watched the Republican National Convention the other day I remembered that exchange back in language school. Maybe you saw it during one of the speeches. A young delegate wearing a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat was chanting passionately, "USA! USA! USA!" His face was twisted in an expression of scorn and aggression against anything or anyone who didn't share his idolization of America. More than once I heard statements that conveyed the message loud and clear to the rest of the world that we think we're the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful and most special nation in the world. To people from other countries, like my classmate in language school, it sends the message that Americans believe the rest of the world is inferior to and answers to us.
Put yourself in their shoes. Many people in other countries have been paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline since the late '70's, when we were paying less than a dollar. Like the spoiled people we are, we are outraged that our fuel prices have only recently gotten so high. How would you feel if you lived in a country where you've been paying $5 or $6 a gallon for years to learn that the USA, which consumes 25% of the world's oil and gasoline while having only 5% of the world's population, is having a hissy fit over $4 a gallon gas?
We are bitter that manufacturers and major corporations are closing factories here and opening them in China, India and Latin America because their labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, folks in those countries are elated that companies with better jobs with better pay than they ever could have hoped for have come to their shores. Shouldn't there be something in our attitude that indicates we feel good about a better standard of living being enjoyed by others rather than the resentment some express because impoverished, developing nations have taken something from us?
And, while our politicians carry on about the superiority of our military and the importance of "winning", to much of the rest of the world we come across as a menacing, muscle-flexing super power that once again stands ready to invade and bomb other countries at will. It was comments about our military power and readiness to use it that evoked the response of the delegate in the Uncle Sam hat that I mentioned earlier.
Jesus said greatness is found in serving others rather than dominating them. "Relationships of domination are forbidden in the kingdom of God," wrote Jerry Cook, and I agree. In fact, Jesus said that at the end of the day the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Dominators lose. I'm looking for leaders who will take the harsh and threatening rhetoric out of our communication with the rest of the world and show some humility.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Tardy Wrath?
Once again New Orleans and the gulf coast have been hit by a major hurricane. My heart goes out to all whose lives and property are threatened by the storm.
A recurring theme in the news coverage is the comparison drawn between FEMA's response this time and it's pathetic response after Katrina 3 years ago. Early indications are that the Federal Emergency Management Administration may have learned a thing or two. We certainly hope so.
I wonder if there will be similar comparisons made by those who subscribe to the notion that such natural disasters are orchestrated by God in response to sin and wickedness. Perhaps you will recall the rhetoric of judgment upon New Orleans' sinful legacy that was offered up by the late Jerry Falwell and numerous others after Katrina. Many in the ranks of the religious fundamentalists agreed with him and were cheering God on for bringing his wrath down upon a city so tolerant of sin.
In a strange twist of irony we have learned that Hurricane Gustav is wreaking havoc with the Republican National convention. Today's opening agenda has been scuttled as keynote speakers have cancelled their appearances and the nation's attention is drawn to the Gulf Coast. If we follow the logic that God sends such disasters to punish evil, it begs the question. Why is God upset with the Republicans? After all, the Democratic National Convention went off without a hitch just last week.
I predict that from the same ranks of those who blamed Katrina on God will come statements attributing Gustav to a satanic plot to thwart the "righteousness agenda" of the Republicans.
A recurring theme in the news coverage is the comparison drawn between FEMA's response this time and it's pathetic response after Katrina 3 years ago. Early indications are that the Federal Emergency Management Administration may have learned a thing or two. We certainly hope so.
I wonder if there will be similar comparisons made by those who subscribe to the notion that such natural disasters are orchestrated by God in response to sin and wickedness. Perhaps you will recall the rhetoric of judgment upon New Orleans' sinful legacy that was offered up by the late Jerry Falwell and numerous others after Katrina. Many in the ranks of the religious fundamentalists agreed with him and were cheering God on for bringing his wrath down upon a city so tolerant of sin.
In a strange twist of irony we have learned that Hurricane Gustav is wreaking havoc with the Republican National convention. Today's opening agenda has been scuttled as keynote speakers have cancelled their appearances and the nation's attention is drawn to the Gulf Coast. If we follow the logic that God sends such disasters to punish evil, it begs the question. Why is God upset with the Republicans? After all, the Democratic National Convention went off without a hitch just last week.
I predict that from the same ranks of those who blamed Katrina on God will come statements attributing Gustav to a satanic plot to thwart the "righteousness agenda" of the Republicans.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Obama Fumbled the Faith Forum
It is old news now, but I want to weigh in on the Faith Forum hosted by pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church that both John McCain and Barack Obama participated in this past Saturday. Being one who cares deeply about matters of faith, I watched the entire event very carefully. I agree with the consensus that in terms of overall impact McCain kicked butt. Word is out today that he was not in a so-called "cone of silence" while Obama was being questioned as we had been told. I don't know if that is true or not, but he certainly made Obama look like an amateur in comparison as he fielded the same basic questions that Warren had first asked Obama.
Words the pundits have used to characterize McCain's performance are "clear" and "concise." McCain gave direct, "black and white" answers to questions about abortion and defeating evil among others, with but one exception. When Warren queried about what is rich, asking for a specific number, McCain gave a speech on prosperity ideals and then wisecracked that it is having $5 million or more. It was obvious he quickly wished he hadn't said that and tried to back pedal and make light of it. But he did say it, and in so doing he exposed his hand. His administration will continue the policies that favor the wealthy.
Obama gave a very troubling response when the question of abortion was raised. It was the one issue about which he made a clear and concise statement. He supports Roe vs. Wade. That's not news, but to so bluntly state it in that particular forum is a tough pill to swallow for many. One point Obama did make is worth noting. After 8 years of Republican administration, several of which with Republican majorities in Congress, the number of abortions being performed annually has not diminished. Being pro-life has to mean more than saying you philosophically oppose abortions. Could it be that Obama's stated objective of decreasing the number of abortions by means of education, better health care and strengthening the family (while not undoing Roe vs. Wade) could ultimately be more effective in reducing the number of abortions than the pro-life lip service approach of the Republicans?
My overall impression at the end of this particular event is that McCain came across as a man in charge. Obama did not. Stay tuned...
Words the pundits have used to characterize McCain's performance are "clear" and "concise." McCain gave direct, "black and white" answers to questions about abortion and defeating evil among others, with but one exception. When Warren queried about what is rich, asking for a specific number, McCain gave a speech on prosperity ideals and then wisecracked that it is having $5 million or more. It was obvious he quickly wished he hadn't said that and tried to back pedal and make light of it. But he did say it, and in so doing he exposed his hand. His administration will continue the policies that favor the wealthy.
Obama gave a very troubling response when the question of abortion was raised. It was the one issue about which he made a clear and concise statement. He supports Roe vs. Wade. That's not news, but to so bluntly state it in that particular forum is a tough pill to swallow for many. One point Obama did make is worth noting. After 8 years of Republican administration, several of which with Republican majorities in Congress, the number of abortions being performed annually has not diminished. Being pro-life has to mean more than saying you philosophically oppose abortions. Could it be that Obama's stated objective of decreasing the number of abortions by means of education, better health care and strengthening the family (while not undoing Roe vs. Wade) could ultimately be more effective in reducing the number of abortions than the pro-life lip service approach of the Republicans?
My overall impression at the end of this particular event is that McCain came across as a man in charge. Obama did not. Stay tuned...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Celebrity Envy
I think I may know why the Republicans and John McCain are so obsessed with Barack Obama's celebrity status. There was a very telling incident just this week at the Iowa State Fair. On Thursday, August 7, the state fair (one of the biggest in the country) opened with a local radio sponsored corn dog eating contest. Everyone arriving at the fair before 8:30 AM that day was promised free admission to the fair in exchange for their willingness to join with the others who showed up to eat corn dogs simultaneously. They hoped to set a Guinness World Record for people eating corn dogs at the same time. The station planned for 8000, but 42,000 people created traffic snarls and long lines at the gates! The entire east side of Des Moines,Iowa was in gridlock during the morning commute.
The following day, with much hoopla and local media coverage, it had been announced that John McCain would visit the fair and make a speech. Estimates were that only about 200 diehards huddled together to hear what he had to say. The remaining more than 100,000 fair attendees that day ignored him. That's right. The Republican nominee for president of the United States could only get about 200 people to pay attention to what he had to say when he visited the Iowa State Fair. In comparison, Barack Obama has had hundreds of thousands show up for some of his recent speeches.
I guess we can forgive McCain for a little celebrity envy.
I think we can also say with certainty that, like many voters, Iowa State Fair goers are pushovers for free lunches and pork.
The following day, with much hoopla and local media coverage, it had been announced that John McCain would visit the fair and make a speech. Estimates were that only about 200 diehards huddled together to hear what he had to say. The remaining more than 100,000 fair attendees that day ignored him. That's right. The Republican nominee for president of the United States could only get about 200 people to pay attention to what he had to say when he visited the Iowa State Fair. In comparison, Barack Obama has had hundreds of thousands show up for some of his recent speeches.
I guess we can forgive McCain for a little celebrity envy.
I think we can also say with certainty that, like many voters, Iowa State Fair goers are pushovers for free lunches and pork.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
On Whose Authority?
Recently, I've been reading books from authors with divergent views on how the teachings of Jesus Christ are to be understood and applied to our lives in the 21st Century. (Some reading this are probably thinking I need to get a life. They could be right.) A couple of the books (which ones doesn't matter for the purpose of this blog) state their case based upon the authority of the Bible as the ultimate determiner of how we should believe and live. The problem is, however, that on some key issues the authors draw very different, even conflicting, conclusions as to what the Bible is saying. Which raises a couple of intersting questions.
Is one or the other of these authors more in line with what the Bible is saying? How would we know? Both cite Greek and Hebrew original language constructions. Both quote famous theologians from Christian history. Both were published by recognized and respected "Christian" publishers. Both present solid academic pedigrees. Yet, the Bible speaks a different message to each of them.
Of course, drawing divergent messages out of the Bible is nothing new. All one needs to do is look at the roster of denominations and affiliations of churches in the phone directory to realize people pick up a smorgasbord of "truths" from the Bible. There are even jokes about it. One old jest says, "Put two Baptists (or whatever affiliation you choose) in a room and you'll have three opinions."
I was raised in a tradition that boasted openly of its reliance upon biblical authority. And I confess that I have employed the language of biblicism for many years. Anyone who reads my writings knows that I seldom stray too far from quoting a Bible verse to give weight to points I hope to drive home. The difference for me lately is I'm now willing to admit that I and all the other Bible quoters are in reality appealing to our understanding at the moment of what we think the Bible says as the authority. Clear away all the theological modisms and jargon and what we end up with is little more than perspective--opinions. We quote the Bible to reinforce our conclusions.
Think about it. In the first place, everyone who ventures into biblicism looks to various teachers to expound upon and explain it. No one comes to the Bible with a "clean slate" only to be imprinted by the words of scripture. Nowdays so many of the Bibles have study notes incorporated right within their pages. Furthermore, I don't know of anyone who studies the Bible with any seriousness who hasn't changed their mind about what this or that portion of the Bible means along the way. Many of us have argued various points of interpretation vehemently only to later realize we were off in some way. Someone may point out that the Bible didn't change. That's true, but our understanding of it did; and that is all we ever have to rely upon when talking about the Bible. Some have boasted that they only rely on the Bible, but that is simply not true. They read it, form ideas about what it means, maybe make application to their own life and circumstances and in some way or another compare their thoughts with others'. What they end up with is an interpretation just like the rest of.
So what's the point? Although it sounds good and pious, it simply isn't honest to claim that the Bible is one's final authority for faith and practice. The FINAL authority that everyone employs is themself as developed by their study methods, traditional background and congnitive processes and expressed as their opinion. Ones opinion may be informed by the Bible but the Bible is not and cannot be the final authority for any of us. Once we have formed an opinion about what it is saying, that opinion is the authority that we defer to.
That said, I still prefer the Bible over any other book as the best written source for getting wisdom and insight on who God is and how we are to live. In my opinion the words of God are in its pages.
Is one or the other of these authors more in line with what the Bible is saying? How would we know? Both cite Greek and Hebrew original language constructions. Both quote famous theologians from Christian history. Both were published by recognized and respected "Christian" publishers. Both present solid academic pedigrees. Yet, the Bible speaks a different message to each of them.
Of course, drawing divergent messages out of the Bible is nothing new. All one needs to do is look at the roster of denominations and affiliations of churches in the phone directory to realize people pick up a smorgasbord of "truths" from the Bible. There are even jokes about it. One old jest says, "Put two Baptists (or whatever affiliation you choose) in a room and you'll have three opinions."
I was raised in a tradition that boasted openly of its reliance upon biblical authority. And I confess that I have employed the language of biblicism for many years. Anyone who reads my writings knows that I seldom stray too far from quoting a Bible verse to give weight to points I hope to drive home. The difference for me lately is I'm now willing to admit that I and all the other Bible quoters are in reality appealing to our understanding at the moment of what we think the Bible says as the authority. Clear away all the theological modisms and jargon and what we end up with is little more than perspective--opinions. We quote the Bible to reinforce our conclusions.
Think about it. In the first place, everyone who ventures into biblicism looks to various teachers to expound upon and explain it. No one comes to the Bible with a "clean slate" only to be imprinted by the words of scripture. Nowdays so many of the Bibles have study notes incorporated right within their pages. Furthermore, I don't know of anyone who studies the Bible with any seriousness who hasn't changed their mind about what this or that portion of the Bible means along the way. Many of us have argued various points of interpretation vehemently only to later realize we were off in some way. Someone may point out that the Bible didn't change. That's true, but our understanding of it did; and that is all we ever have to rely upon when talking about the Bible. Some have boasted that they only rely on the Bible, but that is simply not true. They read it, form ideas about what it means, maybe make application to their own life and circumstances and in some way or another compare their thoughts with others'. What they end up with is an interpretation just like the rest of.
So what's the point? Although it sounds good and pious, it simply isn't honest to claim that the Bible is one's final authority for faith and practice. The FINAL authority that everyone employs is themself as developed by their study methods, traditional background and congnitive processes and expressed as their opinion. Ones opinion may be informed by the Bible but the Bible is not and cannot be the final authority for any of us. Once we have formed an opinion about what it is saying, that opinion is the authority that we defer to.
That said, I still prefer the Bible over any other book as the best written source for getting wisdom and insight on who God is and how we are to live. In my opinion the words of God are in its pages.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Talk Radio Stinks!
Right up front I'll admit to a certain level of hypocrisy in writing this blog. I've certainly offered my share of negative opinion in some of my writings. Although it is a true reflection of what I am thinking and feeling at the time, some of what I write fails the sniff test for being "gracious" and "edifying" as the scriptures encourage our conversations to be (eg. Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6).
My schedule does not allow me to spend much time listening to the radio, but from time to time I tune in to a couple different talk shows to get a sense of what is on the hosts' minds. Almost without exception I end up turning them off. The level of discourse, it seems to me, has become so befouled with anger, mudslinging, innuendo, name calling and polarization that I find these programs degrading and mood destroying.
I've heard advocates on both sides of the political spectrum piling on with insults and labels such as "stupid", "idiot", and more. Do we really need to hear some know it all say things like, "No Christian can vote for John McCain?" Or, "Barack Obama is demonic." (Both of these quotes came from the same guest on one of these shows.) The host was egging him on. In continuation of my own hypocrisy...I don't know how any Christian can listen to this crap, let alone sit behind the microphone.
I find the whole business offensive and very unhelpful. The political and religious discourse in this country has devolved into a character assassinating, eye gouging, take no prisoners, destroy all who disagree free for all. It is mean and it is ugly on both sides.
I don't know about you, but I'd like to tune in and hear dialogue that addresses the key issues respectfully, with maturity and with graciousness.
My schedule does not allow me to spend much time listening to the radio, but from time to time I tune in to a couple different talk shows to get a sense of what is on the hosts' minds. Almost without exception I end up turning them off. The level of discourse, it seems to me, has become so befouled with anger, mudslinging, innuendo, name calling and polarization that I find these programs degrading and mood destroying.
I've heard advocates on both sides of the political spectrum piling on with insults and labels such as "stupid", "idiot", and more. Do we really need to hear some know it all say things like, "No Christian can vote for John McCain?" Or, "Barack Obama is demonic." (Both of these quotes came from the same guest on one of these shows.) The host was egging him on. In continuation of my own hypocrisy...I don't know how any Christian can listen to this crap, let alone sit behind the microphone.
I find the whole business offensive and very unhelpful. The political and religious discourse in this country has devolved into a character assassinating, eye gouging, take no prisoners, destroy all who disagree free for all. It is mean and it is ugly on both sides.
I don't know about you, but I'd like to tune in and hear dialogue that addresses the key issues respectfully, with maturity and with graciousness.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
FLOODS!
Last Friday afternoon Sally and I took a short drive to observe the incredible flooding that was taking place in our area. Less than 12 hours later a levee gave way and flood water submerged one of the streets we had been on swallowing up scores of homes and businesses in that neighborhood. Nationwide news coverage is telling us that in places like Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and now farther south along the Mississippi drainage the flooding is unprecedented. As of this morning there have been more than 20 levee breaches reported. My heart goes out to those who are suffering in the aftermath. Of course you have seen the news coverage. I really don't need to add to it.
What is on my mind is the fact that since the floods of '93 very little has been done to resolve such high water crises. The epic floods of '93 led to the convening of congressional committees, Army Corps of Engineers studies, numerous commissions and investigations. Many reports offering detailed remedies were presented. And what we have learned so far is that 15 years later, in 2008, very few of the recommendations were carried out. The aforementioned neighborhood, which also flooded in '93, was negligently left with the "protection" of a levee over 60 years old which officials knew could not withstand another big flood!
There are some lessons we can draw from all this.
1) As we saw with Hurricane Katrina and now the floods of '08, don't expect the government to solve problems like these. In addition to mortgaging the future of the nation to China and strapping the next generation with unimaginable debt, the government (local, state and federal) has scandalously neglected our infrastructure. Bridges are collapsing, levees are failing, streets are in disrepair, sewer and drainage systems are obsolete. Our officials have ignored these "unsexy" spending priorities choosing instead to fight questionable and very expensive wars, nation build abroad and give huge tax breaks to those who need them the least.
2) If you have placed your trust in any levee to keep your residence safe, you may want to reconsider where you live.
3) We've had two 500 year floods in 15 years in this area, not to mention the record number of tornadoes this year. What further evidence do we need that climate change is real?
4) If we don't discover and empower the kind of leaders and problem solvers who will get on top of this mess and mobilize the necessary resources to get the job done soon, we're in a heap of trouble. Personally, I'm not in the mood for any more photo ops and rhetoric from our "deciders" and candidates. We need action.
5) The greatest threat to the security of American citizens is not global jihad. It is a collapsing infrastructure. Repairing it and modernizing it for the 21st Century is the war we should be fighting.
What is on my mind is the fact that since the floods of '93 very little has been done to resolve such high water crises. The epic floods of '93 led to the convening of congressional committees, Army Corps of Engineers studies, numerous commissions and investigations. Many reports offering detailed remedies were presented. And what we have learned so far is that 15 years later, in 2008, very few of the recommendations were carried out. The aforementioned neighborhood, which also flooded in '93, was negligently left with the "protection" of a levee over 60 years old which officials knew could not withstand another big flood!
There are some lessons we can draw from all this.
1) As we saw with Hurricane Katrina and now the floods of '08, don't expect the government to solve problems like these. In addition to mortgaging the future of the nation to China and strapping the next generation with unimaginable debt, the government (local, state and federal) has scandalously neglected our infrastructure. Bridges are collapsing, levees are failing, streets are in disrepair, sewer and drainage systems are obsolete. Our officials have ignored these "unsexy" spending priorities choosing instead to fight questionable and very expensive wars, nation build abroad and give huge tax breaks to those who need them the least.
2) If you have placed your trust in any levee to keep your residence safe, you may want to reconsider where you live.
3) We've had two 500 year floods in 15 years in this area, not to mention the record number of tornadoes this year. What further evidence do we need that climate change is real?
4) If we don't discover and empower the kind of leaders and problem solvers who will get on top of this mess and mobilize the necessary resources to get the job done soon, we're in a heap of trouble. Personally, I'm not in the mood for any more photo ops and rhetoric from our "deciders" and candidates. We need action.
5) The greatest threat to the security of American citizens is not global jihad. It is a collapsing infrastructure. Repairing it and modernizing it for the 21st Century is the war we should be fighting.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Such A Long Way...
My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Atlanta, GA. One of the first things we did was tour the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and Museum. We had parked several blocks away and walked through a run down district of crumbling buildings, urine soaked sidewalks, liquor stores and homeless pan handlers to get to the MLK Center adjacent to the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church. The sense of despair and brokenness was heavy and made me acutely aware of the lingering effects of systematized injustice and inequality.
Anyone who has ever visited the MLK memorial and taken the time to read the captions and displays that tell Dr. King's story and the history of the Civil Rights Movement can't help but be deeply moved by the collective journey of African-Americans in the United States--especially in the "Jim Crow" South.
Inconspicuously displayed among the larger exhibits featuring the March to Selma and Dr. King's now immortalized "Letter From the Birmingham Jail" and "I Have a Dream" speech, are books that pictorially tell the story of the plight of the American Negro in a society dominated by bigotry and racial hatred. These books are easily overlooked as one's attention is drawn to screens showing film footage and recordings of key events in Dr. King's life as he led the non-violent outcry against segregation.
As my wife flipped through one of these books, she found a picture which she called me over to view. Although I have been generally aware that there were atrocities, lynchings and murders that occurred along the way in the struggle, I was not prepared for this horrifying image and all that it symbolized. It was a photograph of the body of a black man who had been lynched on a telephone pole with a sign pinned to his clothing that declared, "This N----r voted." The message was clear to all. If another black person tries to vote around here, we will do the same to them. This terrorist incident took place in the USA just a few short decades ago.
Yesterday we learned that the Democratic Party will nominate an African-American, Barack Obama, to be it's candidate for President of the United States. Whatever one may think of his political views, the historical symbolism of this occasion is astounding. Americans have come such a long way toward undoing the evils of racial prejudice. But, we have also learned from exit polls conducted during this primary season that notable percentages of voters in various parts of the country have openly admitted that they voted against Obama because he is black. In these voters' minds the content of his character was not a consideration. It is the color of his skin that was the deciding factor for them.
So, yes, we have come such a long way. But we still have such a long way to go...
Anyone who has ever visited the MLK memorial and taken the time to read the captions and displays that tell Dr. King's story and the history of the Civil Rights Movement can't help but be deeply moved by the collective journey of African-Americans in the United States--especially in the "Jim Crow" South.
Inconspicuously displayed among the larger exhibits featuring the March to Selma and Dr. King's now immortalized "Letter From the Birmingham Jail" and "I Have a Dream" speech, are books that pictorially tell the story of the plight of the American Negro in a society dominated by bigotry and racial hatred. These books are easily overlooked as one's attention is drawn to screens showing film footage and recordings of key events in Dr. King's life as he led the non-violent outcry against segregation.
As my wife flipped through one of these books, she found a picture which she called me over to view. Although I have been generally aware that there were atrocities, lynchings and murders that occurred along the way in the struggle, I was not prepared for this horrifying image and all that it symbolized. It was a photograph of the body of a black man who had been lynched on a telephone pole with a sign pinned to his clothing that declared, "This N----r voted." The message was clear to all. If another black person tries to vote around here, we will do the same to them. This terrorist incident took place in the USA just a few short decades ago.
Yesterday we learned that the Democratic Party will nominate an African-American, Barack Obama, to be it's candidate for President of the United States. Whatever one may think of his political views, the historical symbolism of this occasion is astounding. Americans have come such a long way toward undoing the evils of racial prejudice. But, we have also learned from exit polls conducted during this primary season that notable percentages of voters in various parts of the country have openly admitted that they voted against Obama because he is black. In these voters' minds the content of his character was not a consideration. It is the color of his skin that was the deciding factor for them.
So, yes, we have come such a long way. But we still have such a long way to go...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
How Much Will That Cost?
In a previous blog ("Who is Paying the Price For My Security?" April 30, 2008) I mentioned that the United States' defense budget is greater than what the next 25 nations in rank combined spend on defense. I also noted that the war in Iraq has cost us approximately half a trillion dollars. I offered these statistics to make the point that I believe we would greatly improve our standing internationally and make the world a safer place if we refocused our spending on food for the hungry, medical assistance, education and diplomacy instead of war. Doing so would also align our foreign policy with what Jesus taught about dealing with enemies.
Someone responded with the following comment: "Even a half trillion spent on hunger, education, medical assistance and diplomacy wouldn't be enough to satisfy our critics or our enemies. Do you really believe the U.S., by simply being more charitable, would suddenly be welcomed with open arms by our enemies? If so, then exactly how much is enough to accomplish this? What is the magic number?"
It is a fair and thought provoking question. How much would it cost to make our enemies our friends? After much thought and calculation I think I have the magic number. To make our enemies our friends it will cost each of us everything we've got and the remainder of our time on earth. Nothing short of an 'all in' approach to peacemaking will cut it. Motivated by his great love, Jesus, gave up everything he had to lay down his life for us. He calls us to follow in his steps and do the same. I believe it can be done.
If we reject his teaching and continue thinking that laying it all on the line for peace is too great a price to pay, we can expect more of the same--ongoing conflicts and very costly wars that everyone loses. We'll spend a half trillion dollars here, suffer multiplied thousands of casualties there and endure endless cycles of fear and violence for a false and transcient sense of security we'll only briefly enjoy.
Peacemaking isn't cheap. But, as Jesus said, those who are peacemakers are blessed--they are called sons and daughters of God (Matthew 5:9). I'll leave it up to those who prefer to bomb and shoot their enemies to figure out whose children they are.
Someone responded with the following comment: "Even a half trillion spent on hunger, education, medical assistance and diplomacy wouldn't be enough to satisfy our critics or our enemies. Do you really believe the U.S., by simply being more charitable, would suddenly be welcomed with open arms by our enemies? If so, then exactly how much is enough to accomplish this? What is the magic number?"
It is a fair and thought provoking question. How much would it cost to make our enemies our friends? After much thought and calculation I think I have the magic number. To make our enemies our friends it will cost each of us everything we've got and the remainder of our time on earth. Nothing short of an 'all in' approach to peacemaking will cut it. Motivated by his great love, Jesus, gave up everything he had to lay down his life for us. He calls us to follow in his steps and do the same. I believe it can be done.
If we reject his teaching and continue thinking that laying it all on the line for peace is too great a price to pay, we can expect more of the same--ongoing conflicts and very costly wars that everyone loses. We'll spend a half trillion dollars here, suffer multiplied thousands of casualties there and endure endless cycles of fear and violence for a false and transcient sense of security we'll only briefly enjoy.
Peacemaking isn't cheap. But, as Jesus said, those who are peacemakers are blessed--they are called sons and daughters of God (Matthew 5:9). I'll leave it up to those who prefer to bomb and shoot their enemies to figure out whose children they are.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Illegal is illegal, right?
Illegal is illegal, right? Not always. For example, the Law of Moses which was the guiding social and religious law under which Jesus was raised stipulated that wrongdoers were to be proportionally punished for their crimes. Specifically, the law stated: "If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him" (Leviticus 24:19-20). Jesus, however, took a contrarian position to that law. He countered:"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." Whatever the nuances of interpretation one might read into these verses, it is clear that Jesus took it upon himself to abide by a different law.
Historically, there has been an ongoing discourse concerning the weight of moral law versus civil law. Or, if you prefer, universal law versus regulatory statute. Universal law, it is assumed, is unchanging. Murder, theft and the like are always wrong. Whereas, a 55 mph speed limit can be changed to 60 by a committee, as recently happened in my locale. One day you can be ticketed for going 60. The next day you can't. There are zillions of regulatory laws on the books that are changed and adapted all the time. Often times changes in the law come about because the old law has served its purpose and is no longer in step with current realities. Sometimes society wakes up and discovers that it is being governed by really bad laws. Jim Crow segregation being a case in point.
The news in Iowa has been dominated lately by the "raid" conducted by agents of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) upon Agriprocessors (a kosher meat processing company) in Postville, Iowa. Over 300 workers were arrested and are facing legal proceedings for being undocumented or falsely documented immigrants, mostly of Hispanic heritage. An entire community that has established itself as a welcoming place for workers from south of the border with restaurants, grocery stores and churches has been disrupted. Children returned from school to learn parents were being detained. Families are torn apart and filled with fear of what will happen next. It is an all around sad situation.
Now, obviously, an ordered society cannot allow anyone to blatantly circumvent the law and flaunt authority. (Although, I'm of the opinion that it is the employers and not the employees who bear the greatest share of responsibility in cases like this one.) Most of the workers are merely trying to make a better life for themselves than they could ever hope for in their homelands. Still, laws were broken including serious offenses such as identity theft and falsified social security documents. These crimes must be addressed.
What grieves me, however, is the heartless attitutde of those who angrily insist that the harshest punishments and deportation are the best way to handle these people. "Throw 'em all out of the country and build a big fence so they don't come back," seems to be an all too common outcry. It's an easy thing to say for someone who is either just outright mean spirited or has no clue about the kind of economic and humnitarian hardships that compel thousands to risk being undocumented workers willing to take on miserable jobs such as those available in a meat packing plant.
What has been going on in Postville for many years is happening in many places across the country. Tens of thousands of people with questionable documentation have enthusiastically stood in line to do work that few American citizens will. For many of these desperate, hard working people the laws they have had to get around to get their piece of the pie are like the speed limit. As we all know, everyone ignores the speed limit from time to time. All this ever evolving immigration red tape is an injust and inconvenient obstacle to their making a living.
So, here's my point. Black and white legal absolutism can get in the way of cultural advancement as Jesus demonstrated. Immigration laws from the past are becoming increasingly insensitive to economic and demographic realities in the Western Hemisphere and need to be rewritten. The low wage, immigrant workers are now woven into the fabric of American life. They are here to stay. Our laws should be responsive to that. The force of our law enforcement should be brought against unscrupulous employers who exploit vulnerable workers rather than conducting blitzkrieg raids that result in hundreds of workers being subjected to the indiginity of being handcuffed and marched off to a processing center where they are railroaded through a frightening and confusing legal process. What we are doing now is wrong--just plain wrong.
Historically, there has been an ongoing discourse concerning the weight of moral law versus civil law. Or, if you prefer, universal law versus regulatory statute. Universal law, it is assumed, is unchanging. Murder, theft and the like are always wrong. Whereas, a 55 mph speed limit can be changed to 60 by a committee, as recently happened in my locale. One day you can be ticketed for going 60. The next day you can't. There are zillions of regulatory laws on the books that are changed and adapted all the time. Often times changes in the law come about because the old law has served its purpose and is no longer in step with current realities. Sometimes society wakes up and discovers that it is being governed by really bad laws. Jim Crow segregation being a case in point.
The news in Iowa has been dominated lately by the "raid" conducted by agents of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) upon Agriprocessors (a kosher meat processing company) in Postville, Iowa. Over 300 workers were arrested and are facing legal proceedings for being undocumented or falsely documented immigrants, mostly of Hispanic heritage. An entire community that has established itself as a welcoming place for workers from south of the border with restaurants, grocery stores and churches has been disrupted. Children returned from school to learn parents were being detained. Families are torn apart and filled with fear of what will happen next. It is an all around sad situation.
Now, obviously, an ordered society cannot allow anyone to blatantly circumvent the law and flaunt authority. (Although, I'm of the opinion that it is the employers and not the employees who bear the greatest share of responsibility in cases like this one.) Most of the workers are merely trying to make a better life for themselves than they could ever hope for in their homelands. Still, laws were broken including serious offenses such as identity theft and falsified social security documents. These crimes must be addressed.
What grieves me, however, is the heartless attitutde of those who angrily insist that the harshest punishments and deportation are the best way to handle these people. "Throw 'em all out of the country and build a big fence so they don't come back," seems to be an all too common outcry. It's an easy thing to say for someone who is either just outright mean spirited or has no clue about the kind of economic and humnitarian hardships that compel thousands to risk being undocumented workers willing to take on miserable jobs such as those available in a meat packing plant.
What has been going on in Postville for many years is happening in many places across the country. Tens of thousands of people with questionable documentation have enthusiastically stood in line to do work that few American citizens will. For many of these desperate, hard working people the laws they have had to get around to get their piece of the pie are like the speed limit. As we all know, everyone ignores the speed limit from time to time. All this ever evolving immigration red tape is an injust and inconvenient obstacle to their making a living.
So, here's my point. Black and white legal absolutism can get in the way of cultural advancement as Jesus demonstrated. Immigration laws from the past are becoming increasingly insensitive to economic and demographic realities in the Western Hemisphere and need to be rewritten. The low wage, immigrant workers are now woven into the fabric of American life. They are here to stay. Our laws should be responsive to that. The force of our law enforcement should be brought against unscrupulous employers who exploit vulnerable workers rather than conducting blitzkrieg raids that result in hundreds of workers being subjected to the indiginity of being handcuffed and marched off to a processing center where they are railroaded through a frightening and confusing legal process. What we are doing now is wrong--just plain wrong.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Who is paying the price for my security?
Did you know that the United States' military budget exceeds that of the next 25 nations combined? Did you know that the so-called "Christian West" possesses 90% of the nuclear weapons on the planet? "Christian" America is the only country that has ever dropped an atomic bomb.
Now, try to imagine yourself as an impoverished and disenfranchised person in another part of the world who has been taught that Christians are colonialists and crusaders bent on conquest and exploitation of others' vulnerability and natural resources. (How did our oil get under their sand anyway?) Without condoning vicious acts of terrorism that have been carried out by an extremist minority, can we have some empathy for the fear and rejection of our ways that is expressed toward us? If we can find it in our hearts to have some understanding for why they feel the fear and mistrust that they do, then maybe, just maybe, we can agree that a heavy handed, threatening foreign policy is exactly what we don't need in today's world. It only confirms their stereotypes and misunderstandings of us.
Jesus told us to feed our enemies and show kindness to those who mistreat us. However one justifies bluster and threatening the unleashing of our awesome military might as a feature of American foreign policy, it is far from what Jesus taught. It arises from fear and power preservation, not love. If our security and comfort is coming at the expense of people weaker and less fortunate, it is selfish and unjust.
Maybe you think it's a good thing that the U.S. is the most feared nation on the planet; I don't. I'd much prefer we were the most loved nation. These days I find myself longing for leaders who take Jesus' words to heart and display a will for peace rather than a cocky, intimidating readiness for war. How different might the world be today if we had taken the half trillion dollars the war in Iraq has cost us and invested it instead in food for the hungry, education, medical assistance and diplomacy?
Now, try to imagine yourself as an impoverished and disenfranchised person in another part of the world who has been taught that Christians are colonialists and crusaders bent on conquest and exploitation of others' vulnerability and natural resources. (How did our oil get under their sand anyway?) Without condoning vicious acts of terrorism that have been carried out by an extremist minority, can we have some empathy for the fear and rejection of our ways that is expressed toward us? If we can find it in our hearts to have some understanding for why they feel the fear and mistrust that they do, then maybe, just maybe, we can agree that a heavy handed, threatening foreign policy is exactly what we don't need in today's world. It only confirms their stereotypes and misunderstandings of us.
Jesus told us to feed our enemies and show kindness to those who mistreat us. However one justifies bluster and threatening the unleashing of our awesome military might as a feature of American foreign policy, it is far from what Jesus taught. It arises from fear and power preservation, not love. If our security and comfort is coming at the expense of people weaker and less fortunate, it is selfish and unjust.
Maybe you think it's a good thing that the U.S. is the most feared nation on the planet; I don't. I'd much prefer we were the most loved nation. These days I find myself longing for leaders who take Jesus' words to heart and display a will for peace rather than a cocky, intimidating readiness for war. How different might the world be today if we had taken the half trillion dollars the war in Iraq has cost us and invested it instead in food for the hungry, education, medical assistance and diplomacy?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"EXPELLED"...IRONIC, ISN"T IT?
I recently viewed the Ben Stein docu-argument, Expelled. The film leaves one with little doubt that within "accepted" scientific orthodoxy there is an organized and very zealous effort to deny legitimacy to the theory that there may be evidence of intelligent design in nature. Stein compellingly asserts the thought control and censorship that is being carried out by the "mainstream" Darwinian evolutionists is every bit as dangerous as the censorship and thought control that existed in Naziism and Stalinist Soviet Union. My sense of Stein's motive in producing the film is that it was less about defending intelligent design as a theory and more about cautioning us of the dangers of allowing any group to gain a stranglehold on "acceptable" thought and speech within a community.
The priests of Darwinianism, who currently dominate the creeds (textbooks) and temples (lecture halls) of academia pertaining to the origin of the natural world, have declared as heresy any notion that the observable complexity and order in nature indicate a higher intelligence participated in the originating process. Therefore, as far as they are concerned, any member of the scientific community who would dare to speculate otherwise is a heretic. Leading Darwinian atheist, Richard Dawkins, is so adamant in his refusal to even consider the possibility that there may have been some sort of creative influence in the origin of things, that he offers a far fetched speculation from science fiction that maybe once-upon-a-time a more highly evolved extra-terrestrial life form "seeded" the design scientists observe in nature.
At the end of the day, the controversy is more about competing ideologies than hard scientific "facts". No explanation of the origin of the universe can be definitively proven. Both Darwinism and Intelligent Design employ "evidence" from what remains uncertain and unseen (i.e., faith) to explain the mysterious unknowable. So, does anyone see the irony in the fact that advocates of Biblical Creationism (an overtly religious form of Intelligent Design), who historically have been known to execute people who disagreed with them and would probably resort to that again if they could get away with it, are the ones complaining the loudest about the current hegemony of the Darwinists? In either case, whether one is a creationist or a Darwinist, if free thought and free speech are curtailed, truth loses. It is always dangerous when any one group thinks it is authorized to control what everyone else is permitted to learn about and believe.
The priests of Darwinianism, who currently dominate the creeds (textbooks) and temples (lecture halls) of academia pertaining to the origin of the natural world, have declared as heresy any notion that the observable complexity and order in nature indicate a higher intelligence participated in the originating process. Therefore, as far as they are concerned, any member of the scientific community who would dare to speculate otherwise is a heretic. Leading Darwinian atheist, Richard Dawkins, is so adamant in his refusal to even consider the possibility that there may have been some sort of creative influence in the origin of things, that he offers a far fetched speculation from science fiction that maybe once-upon-a-time a more highly evolved extra-terrestrial life form "seeded" the design scientists observe in nature.
At the end of the day, the controversy is more about competing ideologies than hard scientific "facts". No explanation of the origin of the universe can be definitively proven. Both Darwinism and Intelligent Design employ "evidence" from what remains uncertain and unseen (i.e., faith) to explain the mysterious unknowable. So, does anyone see the irony in the fact that advocates of Biblical Creationism (an overtly religious form of Intelligent Design), who historically have been known to execute people who disagreed with them and would probably resort to that again if they could get away with it, are the ones complaining the loudest about the current hegemony of the Darwinists? In either case, whether one is a creationist or a Darwinist, if free thought and free speech are curtailed, truth loses. It is always dangerous when any one group thinks it is authorized to control what everyone else is permitted to learn about and believe.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I Don't Get It
Yesterday Gen. Petraeus brought a report of how things are going in the war in Iraq to the Senate Armed Forces Committee. All 3 presidential candidates (Clinton, McCain, Obama) made statements and posed questions to the good general and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. Patriots all, in my estimation.
The marathon back and forth offered very little in new information. The surge has had some success in some areas as we have already been told, but there remain many problems yet to be solved, which we also already knew. The general fended off many attempts to get him to project some date for completion of our mission in Iraq. One problem being that the mission seems to have evolved over time. What started as a gung-ho, kick butt military operation to depose Saddam Hussein and get control of imagined weapons of mass destruction that was supposed to be over in 6 months, has become a muddled, imprecise, quagmire of nation building, tribal mediation, economic development and law enforcement. Iraqi government officials are milking our presence and largesse to their advantage as much as possible as they drag out the process of solving their big issues. Why should they spend their resources to sustain the country as long as we are willing to foot the bill?
Barack Obama offered parameters that may help us get a sense of how to measure our progress. On one end of the scale is the Bush-Cheney-McCain ideal that Iraq somehow morph into a stable democracy, a beacon of freedom and civil rights in the heart of the middle east, and an oil rich friend of the United States. By any reasonable estimation that will take decades to happen if it is even possible. On the other end of the scale is the situation that exists now which Obama described as: "a messy, sloppy status quo but there's not huge outbreaks of violence, there's still corruption, but the country is struggling along, but it's not a threat to its neighbors and it's not an al-Qaida base."
So there you have it. After more than 5 years during which more than 4000 American service personnel have been killed (not to mention ally losses and many thousands of civilians), at a cost of a half trillion dollars, what we have to show for it is a messy, sloppy status quo with ongoing violence and rampant corruption. And no end is in sight.
Whose idea was this? I don't get it.
The marathon back and forth offered very little in new information. The surge has had some success in some areas as we have already been told, but there remain many problems yet to be solved, which we also already knew. The general fended off many attempts to get him to project some date for completion of our mission in Iraq. One problem being that the mission seems to have evolved over time. What started as a gung-ho, kick butt military operation to depose Saddam Hussein and get control of imagined weapons of mass destruction that was supposed to be over in 6 months, has become a muddled, imprecise, quagmire of nation building, tribal mediation, economic development and law enforcement. Iraqi government officials are milking our presence and largesse to their advantage as much as possible as they drag out the process of solving their big issues. Why should they spend their resources to sustain the country as long as we are willing to foot the bill?
Barack Obama offered parameters that may help us get a sense of how to measure our progress. On one end of the scale is the Bush-Cheney-McCain ideal that Iraq somehow morph into a stable democracy, a beacon of freedom and civil rights in the heart of the middle east, and an oil rich friend of the United States. By any reasonable estimation that will take decades to happen if it is even possible. On the other end of the scale is the situation that exists now which Obama described as: "a messy, sloppy status quo but there's not huge outbreaks of violence, there's still corruption, but the country is struggling along, but it's not a threat to its neighbors and it's not an al-Qaida base."
So there you have it. After more than 5 years during which more than 4000 American service personnel have been killed (not to mention ally losses and many thousands of civilians), at a cost of a half trillion dollars, what we have to show for it is a messy, sloppy status quo with ongoing violence and rampant corruption. And no end is in sight.
Whose idea was this? I don't get it.
Monday, March 31, 2008
...On Second Thought
Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ...Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear... Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:25-32).
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But I have to confess that I struggle to understand how that works in the “real” world. As one who considers Jesus Christ to be the ideal role model, I wrestle with how his referring to some people he encountered as “white-washed tombs,” and, to their faces calling them “You snakes!” and “hypocrites” fits with Paul’s words. Those labels don’t seem particularly helpful or tenderhearted to me. Evidently those on the receiving end of Jesus’ name calling didn’t appreciate it either. They conspired to kill him.
Since I believe Jesus lived a sinless life, I have to conclude that it is possible to be angry and confrontational without crossing the line into inappropriate slander and maliciousness. The truth can hurt, even when it is spoken in love. Sometimes the best and most loving thing we can do for someone is to get in their face, as Jesus did, and tell them they are full of b.s.
That said; I must remember that I ain’t Jesus. My anger, more often than not, does not take me in the direction of building up the recipient. It usually takes me on the slippery slope toward bitterness, slander and malice--winning at another's expense. Being angry without sinning is a state of being few of us master. That’s why it is essential to put one’s energies into cultivating kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. I need to work on that.
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ...Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear... Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:25-32).
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But I have to confess that I struggle to understand how that works in the “real” world. As one who considers Jesus Christ to be the ideal role model, I wrestle with how his referring to some people he encountered as “white-washed tombs,” and, to their faces calling them “You snakes!” and “hypocrites” fits with Paul’s words. Those labels don’t seem particularly helpful or tenderhearted to me. Evidently those on the receiving end of Jesus’ name calling didn’t appreciate it either. They conspired to kill him.
Since I believe Jesus lived a sinless life, I have to conclude that it is possible to be angry and confrontational without crossing the line into inappropriate slander and maliciousness. The truth can hurt, even when it is spoken in love. Sometimes the best and most loving thing we can do for someone is to get in their face, as Jesus did, and tell them they are full of b.s.
That said; I must remember that I ain’t Jesus. My anger, more often than not, does not take me in the direction of building up the recipient. It usually takes me on the slippery slope toward bitterness, slander and malice--winning at another's expense. Being angry without sinning is a state of being few of us master. That’s why it is essential to put one’s energies into cultivating kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. I need to work on that.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
To Be Fair
As a former pastor who, on more than one occasion in moments of irrational exuberance, said things from the pulpit that got me into trouble, I have some sympathy for Reverend Jeremiah Wright and the mess his words have created. Words do matter and, once spoken, can never be retrieved. They often ricochet around and produce all sorts of unintended consequences. Especially is this true when they are spoken in anger and fierce critique. Jeremiah Wright and those associated with him, such as Barak Obama, will not be able to escape the fallout of his inflammatory rhetoric; certainly not when the words provide juicy fodder for partisan politics.
Barak Obama, who I'm sure would have preferred that no one had paid attention to Pastor Wright's controversial commentary, has been smoked out by the media as to where he stands on the seemingly anti-American views of his former pastor. I take Obama at his word that he does not agree with everything Pastor Wright said. After serving in the Illinois legislature and as a U. S. senator, which have put him in the public eye for several years, not to mention his year long run for the presidency, there has been zero evidence in his words and demeanor that he agrees with Jeremiah Wright. It would be as unfair to hold Obama responsible for Jeremiah Wright's bombast as it would to hold Mitt Romney responsible for the racist recent past of Mormonism. Or, to make John McCain responsible for every goofy thing his supporter, Pastor John Hagee has said. Although, it should be noted that the Obama campaign has repudiated and distanced itself from Jeremiah Wright while McCain recently accepted Hagee's endorsement with a hug in full view of the press. President Bush once said he had looked into the soul of former KGB agent Vladimir Putin and considered him to be a friend. Shall we run an endless loop on cable news of all the anti-American things Putin has said and use them to question Bush's patriotism?
If one rejects the Obama candidacy over political philosophy or political party affiliation that is fair. But, if one ignores 400 years of racial history in America and refuses to recognize the reasons behind Pastor Wright's angry rhetoric, and deliberately exploits the controversy for political reasons, that is mean spirited and racist.
Barak Obama, who I'm sure would have preferred that no one had paid attention to Pastor Wright's controversial commentary, has been smoked out by the media as to where he stands on the seemingly anti-American views of his former pastor. I take Obama at his word that he does not agree with everything Pastor Wright said. After serving in the Illinois legislature and as a U. S. senator, which have put him in the public eye for several years, not to mention his year long run for the presidency, there has been zero evidence in his words and demeanor that he agrees with Jeremiah Wright. It would be as unfair to hold Obama responsible for Jeremiah Wright's bombast as it would to hold Mitt Romney responsible for the racist recent past of Mormonism. Or, to make John McCain responsible for every goofy thing his supporter, Pastor John Hagee has said. Although, it should be noted that the Obama campaign has repudiated and distanced itself from Jeremiah Wright while McCain recently accepted Hagee's endorsement with a hug in full view of the press. President Bush once said he had looked into the soul of former KGB agent Vladimir Putin and considered him to be a friend. Shall we run an endless loop on cable news of all the anti-American things Putin has said and use them to question Bush's patriotism?
If one rejects the Obama candidacy over political philosophy or political party affiliation that is fair. But, if one ignores 400 years of racial history in America and refuses to recognize the reasons behind Pastor Wright's angry rhetoric, and deliberately exploits the controversy for political reasons, that is mean spirited and racist.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
John McCain & John Hagee
“Agents of intolerance,” is how he labeled such people in his previous presidential bid. Now, in the hopes of shoring up support from the conservative wing of the GOP, we see John McCain cozying up to one of the foremost agents, Pastor John Hagee of Houston. So much for “straight talk.”
Hagee’s intolerance is legendary. Among the things he is noted for is declaring Catholics to be the “Great Harlot” of the Book of Revelation. That is not a new concept invented by Hagee, but he has been especially effective in slamming Catholics via his considerable television and media influence. Standing in front of his mega-congregation with a giant mural depicting his tidy explanation of how he imagines the end times will unfold, he lambasts everyone who sees things differently than he does. Followers consider him to be an authority on a 19th Century theological aberration known as Dispensationism with its emphasis upon a pre-Tribulation rapture of the “true” Church.
He is especially noted as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. He has been honored in Israel for his support and is regarded by many Jews, such as a leader of the local Jewish Federation with whom I spoke recently, as an ally. Like McCain, they shrug off Hagee’s offensive side in exchange for political clout he brings to the table. I wonder how many of them have considered the anti-Semitic implications of his belief that Jews who fail to convert to Hagee’s Christianity before the rapture deserve to experience God’s wrath in a directed at them world ending holocaust that makes Hitler’s look like a Sunday School picnic?
Lately, Hagee has been making angry speeches calling for the United States to carry out a preemptive military strike against Iran. That’s right; Hagee wants the USA to blow up things and people in Iran. Forget peace making and turning the other cheek as Jesus advocated. “Bomb, bomb, bomb..., bomb, bomb Iran.”
Hagee has declared that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans for the wickedness that resided there. If that is true, then look out Houston! Because I can’t fathom greater wickedness than the bigotry and war mongering that Hagee celebrates in the name of God in Houston.
Hagee’s intolerance is legendary. Among the things he is noted for is declaring Catholics to be the “Great Harlot” of the Book of Revelation. That is not a new concept invented by Hagee, but he has been especially effective in slamming Catholics via his considerable television and media influence. Standing in front of his mega-congregation with a giant mural depicting his tidy explanation of how he imagines the end times will unfold, he lambasts everyone who sees things differently than he does. Followers consider him to be an authority on a 19th Century theological aberration known as Dispensationism with its emphasis upon a pre-Tribulation rapture of the “true” Church.
He is especially noted as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. He has been honored in Israel for his support and is regarded by many Jews, such as a leader of the local Jewish Federation with whom I spoke recently, as an ally. Like McCain, they shrug off Hagee’s offensive side in exchange for political clout he brings to the table. I wonder how many of them have considered the anti-Semitic implications of his belief that Jews who fail to convert to Hagee’s Christianity before the rapture deserve to experience God’s wrath in a directed at them world ending holocaust that makes Hitler’s look like a Sunday School picnic?
Lately, Hagee has been making angry speeches calling for the United States to carry out a preemptive military strike against Iran. That’s right; Hagee wants the USA to blow up things and people in Iran. Forget peace making and turning the other cheek as Jesus advocated. “Bomb, bomb, bomb..., bomb, bomb Iran.”
Hagee has declared that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans for the wickedness that resided there. If that is true, then look out Houston! Because I can’t fathom greater wickedness than the bigotry and war mongering that Hagee celebrates in the name of God in Houston.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
TIDE, BREEZE, OR RELIGION TALK?
According to data compiled from interviews of 35,000 adults, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has documented that nearly half of Americans (44%) have left the faith tradition of their upbringing. Apparently, training up a child in the way he should go so that when he is older he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) isn’t exactly working the way some of us have thought it would. The research indicates there is a large exodus underway out of historical, traditional Christianity, as represented by Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, into “independent” contemporary style churches, or, in increasing numbers, no organized religious affiliation at all. Interestingly, similar trends are evident in other religions, too. Americans en masse are departing from it.
What is one to make of this? One’s answer will depend in large part upon how he or she views the world.
On one end of the spectrum, some Christians point to this data as proof certain that Christ’s mission to save the world beyond their special group has been a colossal failure. They have or will soon declare themselves to be a chosen remnant that will be spared the damnation that is about to fall upon everyone else. Join them or get swept away in the tide of apostasy that will precede Satan’s takeover is their message.
Others see the trend away from traditional religion as a fresh breeze of God’s spirit blowing across the land to liberate and renew people of faith. For these folks it is a time of transition from old forms and power structures that long ago lost their vitality and relevance. Many are speaking of experiencing a spiritual awakening once they shed old religious habits of thought and practice.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who just don’t give a rip. All this religion talk has no connection to how they think and live.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.
What is one to make of this? One’s answer will depend in large part upon how he or she views the world.
On one end of the spectrum, some Christians point to this data as proof certain that Christ’s mission to save the world beyond their special group has been a colossal failure. They have or will soon declare themselves to be a chosen remnant that will be spared the damnation that is about to fall upon everyone else. Join them or get swept away in the tide of apostasy that will precede Satan’s takeover is their message.
Others see the trend away from traditional religion as a fresh breeze of God’s spirit blowing across the land to liberate and renew people of faith. For these folks it is a time of transition from old forms and power structures that long ago lost their vitality and relevance. Many are speaking of experiencing a spiritual awakening once they shed old religious habits of thought and practice.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who just don’t give a rip. All this religion talk has no connection to how they think and live.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Please, dear God?
Today I got hit in the face with perspective. It happens to all of us from time to time. Most of the stuff we tend to fuss over loses all importance with the arrival of very sad news. The 9 year old daughter of a family friend is in the final stages of advanced brain cancer. Doctors have told the family to hurry if they want to take one last trip to Disneyland.
I have known this child for several years. Her mother and our daughter are very close friends. She has been one of our grandson’s favorite playmates. She is a vibrant, spunky, beautiful young lady who has fought valiantly through surgeries, radiation and chemo therapy. And, although this news is not altogether unexpected, it still hits one right in the face when the doctors say the time is rapidly approaching. We are crying with them and praying for them.
I must say I absolutely hate it that such heartache and suffering exists. I join with all who wonder why it has to be so. But there are no satisfactory answers. Sure, I know all the platitudes and verses we recite on such occasions. They don’t solve the mysteries of suffering and mortality. To the grieving parent facing unspeakable loss they can sound flippant, sterile and almost insulting. God’s goodness is hard to get a handle on when a strikingly beautiful young girl is succumbing to vision destroying, balance robbing, head distorting brain cancer right in front of you.
I can’t explain God. I can’t fix any of this. I am at a loss for words. But I care. I feel it deeply. My heart breaks with theirs. I try to keep hope from flickering out. And, I remember that when we lost our son years ago comfort gradually displaced our mourning. Somehow, the pain and tears ran their course and gave way to the realization that it would be ok. We would laugh again. We got through it then, and they will get through their sorrow in the coming days. May that be what God whispers to them through the hugs and love of so many who will go with them through this hard time. Please, dear God?
I have known this child for several years. Her mother and our daughter are very close friends. She has been one of our grandson’s favorite playmates. She is a vibrant, spunky, beautiful young lady who has fought valiantly through surgeries, radiation and chemo therapy. And, although this news is not altogether unexpected, it still hits one right in the face when the doctors say the time is rapidly approaching. We are crying with them and praying for them.
I must say I absolutely hate it that such heartache and suffering exists. I join with all who wonder why it has to be so. But there are no satisfactory answers. Sure, I know all the platitudes and verses we recite on such occasions. They don’t solve the mysteries of suffering and mortality. To the grieving parent facing unspeakable loss they can sound flippant, sterile and almost insulting. God’s goodness is hard to get a handle on when a strikingly beautiful young girl is succumbing to vision destroying, balance robbing, head distorting brain cancer right in front of you.
I can’t explain God. I can’t fix any of this. I am at a loss for words. But I care. I feel it deeply. My heart breaks with theirs. I try to keep hope from flickering out. And, I remember that when we lost our son years ago comfort gradually displaced our mourning. Somehow, the pain and tears ran their course and gave way to the realization that it would be ok. We would laugh again. We got through it then, and they will get through their sorrow in the coming days. May that be what God whispers to them through the hugs and love of so many who will go with them through this hard time. Please, dear God?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Stimulated?
So, we’re going to get an economic stimulus one of these days. Washington has decided that we haven’t been spending enough of our money so they are going to rebate us some of our money in the hopes that we’ll all blow it and thereby stimulate the economy. I admit that when it comes to economics I rode the little bus. But, there is something quite irritating about the notion that Washington, which took my money against my will in the first place, is now going to hand some back to me. Thank you very much.
Does this strike anyone as an admission on Washington’s part that it is detrimental to the economy when it takes our money from us? Wouldn’t it have been easier and more cost effective to leave it with us in the first place? Now Washington has to go to the expense of printing and mailing out all those checks.
Since they already have our money, why doesn’t Washington save the extra expense and just go to Wal-Mart and spend it if they need to stimulate the economy? Or, since the domestic auto makers are struggling, why doesn’t Washington negotiate a bulk purchase discount of new automobiles and pass them out to us like Oprah did for her studio audience? Or, better still, I think Washington should lease Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Kilauea Country Club and Bay Hill for an entire season and give us all complementary rounds of golf with full access to the clubhouse and spa. I know that would stimulate me.
Well, anyway, I’ll be glad to get the check when it comes. I sure hope it gets here in time to pay my taxes.
Does this strike anyone as an admission on Washington’s part that it is detrimental to the economy when it takes our money from us? Wouldn’t it have been easier and more cost effective to leave it with us in the first place? Now Washington has to go to the expense of printing and mailing out all those checks.
Since they already have our money, why doesn’t Washington save the extra expense and just go to Wal-Mart and spend it if they need to stimulate the economy? Or, since the domestic auto makers are struggling, why doesn’t Washington negotiate a bulk purchase discount of new automobiles and pass them out to us like Oprah did for her studio audience? Or, better still, I think Washington should lease Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Kilauea Country Club and Bay Hill for an entire season and give us all complementary rounds of golf with full access to the clubhouse and spa. I know that would stimulate me.
Well, anyway, I’ll be glad to get the check when it comes. I sure hope it gets here in time to pay my taxes.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Put the Stones Down
I am always moved by the poignancy and significance of Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:37-38. Jesus was coming to terms with the reality that his hopeful, life changing message of God’s kingdom on earth was going to be refused by the power structure of his day. One can sense his deep sorrow when he said of the establishment, “[Once again you are going to] kill the prophets and stone those sent to you.”
So it is in every generation. True change agents are brutally treated by those entrenched in power. They will verbally and physically attack and employ any means to silence the voices of change, even if they have to make martyrs out of them. A generation ago it was Martin Luther King. Before that it was Abraham Lincoln and so many others down through history—including Jesus.
Often, as was the case in Jesus’ day, it is the religious establishment that most aggressively opposes progress. I’ll never forget the hostile stance the mostly white conservative Christian circle I was raised in took toward Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. Shame!
The overriding theme of our time is change. It is an echoing crescendo in the public square, the halls of congress, political arena, corporate board rooms and religious circles. You can feel it everywhere. There is growing discontent with the status quo. Something is going on that I haven’t felt since the peace and civil rights movements of the ‘60’s.
Tragically, those movements faltered and ran aground because of the loss of key leaders and the infighting, rebellion, hedonism and violence that filled the vacuum. They fell far short of their ideals. In the aftermath our nation plunged into decades of scandal and greed that have diminished us as a nation.
Once again, young people and change minded folks of all ages are rising up and saying to the entrenched powers, “We want a better world than you have given us. Your old policies of the past have failed.” And, once again, the establishment is ready to destroy any serious voice of change.
Many of us are praying for societal transformation. I am convinced God is in the process of answering our prayer. Let us continue to pray that the leaders of change are kept safe and given the full chance to be heard. Some of them are sent from God.
So it is in every generation. True change agents are brutally treated by those entrenched in power. They will verbally and physically attack and employ any means to silence the voices of change, even if they have to make martyrs out of them. A generation ago it was Martin Luther King. Before that it was Abraham Lincoln and so many others down through history—including Jesus.
Often, as was the case in Jesus’ day, it is the religious establishment that most aggressively opposes progress. I’ll never forget the hostile stance the mostly white conservative Christian circle I was raised in took toward Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. Shame!
The overriding theme of our time is change. It is an echoing crescendo in the public square, the halls of congress, political arena, corporate board rooms and religious circles. You can feel it everywhere. There is growing discontent with the status quo. Something is going on that I haven’t felt since the peace and civil rights movements of the ‘60’s.
Tragically, those movements faltered and ran aground because of the loss of key leaders and the infighting, rebellion, hedonism and violence that filled the vacuum. They fell far short of their ideals. In the aftermath our nation plunged into decades of scandal and greed that have diminished us as a nation.
Once again, young people and change minded folks of all ages are rising up and saying to the entrenched powers, “We want a better world than you have given us. Your old policies of the past have failed.” And, once again, the establishment is ready to destroy any serious voice of change.
Many of us are praying for societal transformation. I am convinced God is in the process of answering our prayer. Let us continue to pray that the leaders of change are kept safe and given the full chance to be heard. Some of them are sent from God.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A WORD TO VALUES VOTERS
I am unapologetically anti-flood and drought. I believe God wants me to oppose these affronts to our survival as a civilization. The toll on human life brought about by floods and droughts such as we have seen in Louisiana or Indonesia or in Sub-Saharan Africa must be stopped. My personal values require that I not compromise with anyone who tolerates such life taking horrors. Therefore, I demand that laws be passed banning all flood and drought forecasts.
How ridiculous you might say. But in reality some of us have behaved in exactly this manner when it comes to various so called values issues upon which we have taken a stand. I offer it as a parable of what happens when “values” go political.
Politicians and media types are powerless to change values. To win our vote candidates may promise to uphold our values, but the truth is they have about the same chance of bringing about meaningful change as would a weather reporter speaking out against floods. Values have been at the forefront of several successive election cycles and virtually nothing has changed. At the end of the day, politicians prefer to have values issues they can use to mobilize the voters more than solutions which are totally beyond their control.
Values issues are always complex. Take the prolife position as an example. Can I be considered genuinely prolife if I oppose abortion on demand but not preemptive war on demand? Is it hypocritical to say I want to protect life in the womb because it is helpless if I celebrate as victory for our side the successful bombing of a poor neighborhood where the enemy was but also housed innocent women and children who were equally helpless against such fire power? Can one be truly prolife and support any policy intentionally expecting and allowing “collateral damage?”
Shouldn’t my defense of life be consistent whether it is in or out of the womb? Can one claim to be prolife and passively do nothing to stop genocides and famines going on in places like Africa? Can I claim to value life and at the same time buy products from nations with abysmal human rights records because they are a bargain and it is good for business?
We all have a set of values. And well we should. Let’s make certain, however, we’re not being exploited by politicians and political parties. If I allow a politician to emotionally manipulate me and capture my vote before I have worked through all the complexities and broader implications of the issues, I’m a dupe.
Meteorologists can’t stop floods. Washington won’t bring an end to abortions. The values of a society can only be changed one heart at a time. When I cast my vote this time I intend to look beyond political slogans and party platforms and vote for the candidate who best represents in the most consistent and far reaching manner all the issues I care about. Judging from the present crop of candidates I’ll probably have to hold my nose as I enter to voting booth and make a choice.
How ridiculous you might say. But in reality some of us have behaved in exactly this manner when it comes to various so called values issues upon which we have taken a stand. I offer it as a parable of what happens when “values” go political.
Politicians and media types are powerless to change values. To win our vote candidates may promise to uphold our values, but the truth is they have about the same chance of bringing about meaningful change as would a weather reporter speaking out against floods. Values have been at the forefront of several successive election cycles and virtually nothing has changed. At the end of the day, politicians prefer to have values issues they can use to mobilize the voters more than solutions which are totally beyond their control.
Values issues are always complex. Take the prolife position as an example. Can I be considered genuinely prolife if I oppose abortion on demand but not preemptive war on demand? Is it hypocritical to say I want to protect life in the womb because it is helpless if I celebrate as victory for our side the successful bombing of a poor neighborhood where the enemy was but also housed innocent women and children who were equally helpless against such fire power? Can one be truly prolife and support any policy intentionally expecting and allowing “collateral damage?”
Shouldn’t my defense of life be consistent whether it is in or out of the womb? Can one claim to be prolife and passively do nothing to stop genocides and famines going on in places like Africa? Can I claim to value life and at the same time buy products from nations with abysmal human rights records because they are a bargain and it is good for business?
We all have a set of values. And well we should. Let’s make certain, however, we’re not being exploited by politicians and political parties. If I allow a politician to emotionally manipulate me and capture my vote before I have worked through all the complexities and broader implications of the issues, I’m a dupe.
Meteorologists can’t stop floods. Washington won’t bring an end to abortions. The values of a society can only be changed one heart at a time. When I cast my vote this time I intend to look beyond political slogans and party platforms and vote for the candidate who best represents in the most consistent and far reaching manner all the issues I care about. Judging from the present crop of candidates I’ll probably have to hold my nose as I enter to voting booth and make a choice.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Choose wisely, Grasshopper.
It’s really a question of attitude and thought process. I have a choice.
I can decide to listen to the part of me that prefers to retreat into retention of what was. Or, I can lean into an expectation of better things to come. Fearing encroachments from unknown threats that may lurk in the darkness of tomorrow, I can build protecting and controlling walls. Or, I can put my face into the exhilarating breeze of change and go for it.
The wisdom of the Bible strongly favors one of these approaches over the other. Of the legendary models of faith written about in Hebrews chapter 11, it states: “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead they were longing for a better country...” They heroically did not strive to conserve the past.
These folks don’t have all the answers. In fact, they are said to operate in the realm of the unseen-hoped-for-but-not-yet-realized. By nature they are risk takers and adventurers. They listen to the inner voice that says, “Yes, you can,” refusing to be governed by fears that say, “No, you can’t.” One approach is vigorous and optimistic. The other is grumpy, negative and overly cautious.
The Bible celebrates those whose outlook makes them generous, not hoarders; welcoming, not excluding. They see enemies as potential friends, rather than evil combatants. They give freely when others withhold. Some choose to live with arms extended outward in open embrace. Others pull their hands into their vest and extend only a cold shoulder. According to the scriptures, the givers gain while the hoarders lose (See Proverbs 11:24-25).
For 2008 I have set before me the goal of being quick to identify the voice born of fear that calls me back into self protective behaviors of a controlling, overly cautious nature. In matters of personal growth and relational health that voice, I have discovered, is almost always a liar. I've been duped by it too many times. Instead, I hope to develop ears for the voice of hope that welcomes tomorrow and believes the best is yet to come and actively participate in making it so.
I can decide to listen to the part of me that prefers to retreat into retention of what was. Or, I can lean into an expectation of better things to come. Fearing encroachments from unknown threats that may lurk in the darkness of tomorrow, I can build protecting and controlling walls. Or, I can put my face into the exhilarating breeze of change and go for it.
The wisdom of the Bible strongly favors one of these approaches over the other. Of the legendary models of faith written about in Hebrews chapter 11, it states: “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead they were longing for a better country...” They heroically did not strive to conserve the past.
These folks don’t have all the answers. In fact, they are said to operate in the realm of the unseen-hoped-for-but-not-yet-realized. By nature they are risk takers and adventurers. They listen to the inner voice that says, “Yes, you can,” refusing to be governed by fears that say, “No, you can’t.” One approach is vigorous and optimistic. The other is grumpy, negative and overly cautious.
The Bible celebrates those whose outlook makes them generous, not hoarders; welcoming, not excluding. They see enemies as potential friends, rather than evil combatants. They give freely when others withhold. Some choose to live with arms extended outward in open embrace. Others pull their hands into their vest and extend only a cold shoulder. According to the scriptures, the givers gain while the hoarders lose (See Proverbs 11:24-25).
For 2008 I have set before me the goal of being quick to identify the voice born of fear that calls me back into self protective behaviors of a controlling, overly cautious nature. In matters of personal growth and relational health that voice, I have discovered, is almost always a liar. I've been duped by it too many times. Instead, I hope to develop ears for the voice of hope that welcomes tomorrow and believes the best is yet to come and actively participate in making it so.
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