Reflecting On the Tea Party

OK...I've been thinking about this for a while, so I'm going to try and get my thoughts down on "paper."

The Tea Party makes me nervous. There...I said it. I feel better already.

I'm a pretty conservative guy...OK...I'm a REALLY conservative guy...but there's something about the Tea Party that really sets me on edge.

Why did they get to do their own official response to the State of the Union Address last night? Are they setting themselves up as a new political party? And who's the money behind these guys really? Just a few of the more recent questions that I've had about this "group."

I keep remembering a quote from Sinclair Lewis from back in the 1930s or 1920s...I forget. Lewis wrote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

I think Lewis may have been prophetic...and that scares me.

I can see how a group like the Tea Party could be commandeered by some ultra right-wing crazy (to be fair I believe there are left-wing crazies out there too. Just not many left-wingers in the Tea Party...at least not openly)...and if he was charismatic enough...they'd all get sucked in like lemmings...and many of the rest of us would probably jump on board too.

America these days is not generally a bastion for thoughtful people...it pains me to admit that, but most of us are far too easily swayed by the loudest, most passionate voice of the day.

I mean...think about it this way...Adolf Hitler didn't come to power in Germany because he ran on a platform of annihilating the Jews, invading all of Europe, and starting World War II. If memory serves, he basically ran (remember, Hitler was popularly elected) on a platform of nationalistic fervor, and a better economy for Germany. Kinda makes you go hmmm....at least a little.

Anyway, maybe I'm being overly cautious, but something about that group just doesn't ring (always) true to me...

OK...just needed to get that off my chest.

Poem By Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, my mind doesn't immediately go to "poet." But I read this poem in the new Eric Metaxas biography, and I wanted to put it here for the sake of posterity, and in the hope of encouraging someone who may happen this way...

The beginning and the end, O Lord, are Thine;
The span between, life, was mine;
I wandered in the darkness and did not discover myself;
With Thee, O Lord, is clarity and light is Thy house,
A short time only, and all is done;
Then the whole struggle dies away to nothing.
Then I will refresh myself by the waters of life,
And will talk with Jesus forever and ever.

Quotes Worth Remembering from Eric Metaxas' new Bonhoeffer Biography...

There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means giving oneself completely to God's commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish purposes. Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won when the way leads to the cross.

The Mosque At The End of the World

There's been a lot of discussion lately about the plans to build a mosque just a short distance from the World Trade Center site in New York City. While I've not followed the discussion that closely, and so I must admit to not knowing all the details as perhaps I should, I still thought I'd post something brief about how I'm thinking about this issue based on what facts I know.

First, let me say as an American it makes me uncomfortable...but there's no law against being uncomfortable. In fact sometimes it is a very good thing to be made uncomfortable. Often in our discomfort our own views and opinions come more solidly into focus, and I don't see how that can ever really be a bad thing.

Second, I've heard this argument...would the Muslims allow a Christian church or a Jewish synagogue to be built in Mecca? Well...no. But isn't that precisely the point? We aren't in Mecca and we aren't controlled by a single religious group. As Americans we are guided by a different set of principles, so this argument seems weak to me at best. My home is a country that stands for the freedom to practice my religious convictions freely...even when that practice may make other people profoundly uncomfortable. I want to be free to build a Christian church wherever one is most needed.

Third, as a Baptist it is a foundational tenet of our Christian conviction that a person should be free to worship as he pleases. Therefore, at great risk I must take unpopular stands from time to time in order to see that belief made reality. I want to be free to worship as a Christian wherever I want. If I were a Muslim should I be forced to put my Muslim faith on hold simply because I'm standing in a place where some people from a radical element of my religious practice did a truly horrible, evil act? As Christians we are not exempt from having done truly horrible things in the name of Christianity. Remember the crusades? Remember slavery in America? Tragically, as a believer I must acknowledge that people in my own faith have done some utterly dispicable things in the name of Christianity. Does this mean we should not be allowed to practice Christianity in the south...or build Christian church buildings there?

On some level it seems to me that the construction of the mosque on this particular site would be truly honoring to the men and women who have died because of what happened there on September 11, 2001...because it was precisely because they were Americans standing up for American ideals like freedom of religion...even when that practice may be truly uncomfortable.

So yes, it makes me uncomfortable to have a mosque built on that particular site, but for the life of me I see no reason why they shouldn't be free to do it. Discomfort is not a reason. Political correctness is not a reason.

I am thankful that at least for now, my home is a country where I am free to be made uncomfortable, because the time may come when they'll come after me and after my own religious convictions...and then who will stand up for me?

G.K. Chesteron Quote

In the sermon this morning I shared this really excellent quote from the British writer and thinker, G.K. Chesterton. It was good enough to put up here for everyone's consideration...

A child kicks its legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, Do it again; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough... It is possible that God says every morning, Do it again, to the sun; and every evening, Do it again, to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. --G. K. Chesterton

Morning Prayer

This morning in worship I prayed a prayer that was made up of biblical texts dealing with the majesty of God. The text of the prayer is printed below for anyone interested in having the references and also for further reflection and meditation.

But the Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Hab 2:20)

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place. (I Chronicles 16:27)

The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty! (Ps 93:1-4)

The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (Ps 29:4)

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings [2] is like the Lord,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you? (Ps 89:5-8)

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? (ps 8:3-4)

“At this…my heart trembles
and leaps out of its place.
2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go,
and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
4 After it his voice roars;
he thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
7 He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he made may know it.
8 Then the beasts go into their lairs,
and remain in their dens.
9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
12 They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
13 Whether for correction or for his land
or for love, he causes it to happen. (Job 37:1-13)

Therefore…

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen (Ps 77:11-19)

Lord God, Heavenly Father…
I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6)

And I will…

…sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (Ps 96:1-6)

148:1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven (Ps 148:1-13)

And so…

…to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Calvinism vs. Arminianism...a few thoughts

Last week saw a heated discussion initiated innocently enough by one of my Facebook friends on the subject of Calvinism. The responses, while not shocking, were still (for the most part) disappointing.

To hear much of the tone of the discussion today about these two distinct theological systems is to generally hear a lot of "sound and fury signifying nothing." This is tragic, because we have much to learn from each other on both sides of the fence.

Let me be clear...I am Reformed in my theological understanding. I believe Scripture is clear on these things when taken across the whole of the pages of the Bible. I also believe I am right. Else, why would I hold the position? I also believe that Arminians believe the same thing...that they have a biblically consistent view and that they are right. Therefore, I would expect them to be able to present a thoughtful, biblically consistent expression of why they hold on to the truths they profess.

I believe there are amazing people on both sides of this discussion. There are people on both sides that are thoughtful and who are challenged and encouraged by what they read in the Bible. I also believe there are Christians on both sides of the discussion...good, solid, Bible believing people...who are doing the best they can to "know and follow hard" after Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, I believe there are non-believers on both sides of the discussion. There are those on both sides who will on the day of judgment stand before Jesus Christ and hear Him say to them, "depart from me. I never knew you."

All those cards being laid on the table, for the life of me I find it absolutely reprehensible that men and women who are generally loving in the way they approach each other and who generally do the best they can to express the grace and mercy of Christ in the living of their lives, find it utterly impossible to have a loving, thoughtful, meaningful conversation about something as important as what the Bible teaches concerning salvation and how redemption is accomplished and applied in the lives of sinners like me...or maybe we somehow don't believe the words of I Peter 3:15-16 apply to us in the midst of this particular conversation?

I wonder how many of these so called defenders of the faith would be shocked to hear that George Whitefield (a staunch Calvinist) and John Wesley (a staunch Arminian) were incredibly good friends? One of my favorite hymns is "And Can It Be?"...written by Charles Wesley...an Arminian.

To hear the tone of much of the current conversation, one would believe it was nearly impossible to like someone on the other side of the theological fence...much less love them with the love of the Lord.

To these I offer a few suggestions...

1) Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Abraham Lincoln once said, "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." We would do well to meditate on the wisdom of that for a while...on both sides of the discussion.

2) Stop being such a fan of hyperbole and gross exaggeration. Address the question at hand. Discuss it meaningfully and give rich, thoughtful illustrations and examples. But for heaven's sake, please stop with the accusations that because a person falls on one side or the other of the theological fence that they are not a believer. Such comments are utterly unhelpful, and often not true...in which case you stand before God as an "accuser of the brethren." I would encourage all of us to be careful and thoughtful with the words we choose and the way in which we use them.

3) Don't use public forums to flame fellow believers. Actually, you shouldn't use ANY type of forum to flame fellow believers...that should be (but apparently too often isn't) obvious. If you have points to make, perhaps the best place to make them is in a phone call...or a face to face conversation...or at least in a private e-mail exchange. Very little gets accomplished when emotionally fuses are short.

4) Pray before you let your fingers do the talking on your keyboard. Is what you're about to type helpful? Is it loving? Is it offering a meaningful contribution to the discussion at hand? Do you have a real biblical point to make? (If so, please give a reference and quote it...and then be open minded enough to hear a meaningful response from the other side). Perhaps most importantly, is God glorified not only in what you say but also in the way in which you're saying it?

5) Remember, the Bible says the world will know we are Christians by the love we show to each other (to the brothers) INSIDE the community of faith. In those public forums, there are non-believers who are reading what you write. Have you contributed a meaningful witness to the grace, mercy, and goodness of Christ in what you've written?

I'm sure there are other points to make as well, but these seem immediately helpful to me. I trust that all of us...on both sides of this issue...will be willing to sit down at the table together, and have thoughtful consideration of these ideas without getting angry and throwing out all sorts of tangential arguments and ridiculous accusations and exaggerations that do nothing to move the conversation in a helpful direction.

One day we'll all be in heaven together...Calvinists AND Arminians...we do well to learn to live civilly and lovingly while we're down here doing the work of the kingdom.