We live in a country sharply divided along cultural, political, racial, socioeconomic, and religious lines. I’ve only been around 35 years, but it seems like we are more polarized than ever. That’s not the worst thing that can happen – a homogeneous, single-minded people can sometimes be more dangerous than warring factions (see the Tower of Babel, Nazi Germany…the list is endless). But this kind of climate can be exhausting sometimes. You never know what small thing – a movie you watched, a word you say, an opinion you have – might permanently alienate you from someone else.

Blanketing our nation – from our political discourse to our church services – is the need to categorize and demonize – to create and affix labels that neatly calculate the sum total of each person. We apply these judgments to keep our world and the people in it properly segmented. We agree with these people. We disagree with those people. These people are right. These people are wrong. These theologians interpret the Bible correctly. Those are heretics.

There is an odd little two-verse story in Mark 9 I have been thinking of a lot lately. Here is the setup:

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“He was not one of us.” So it begins. John lays this morsel at his teacher’s feet like a cat with a mouse – “look what I did – I stopped the intruder! I protected the sanctity of our group!” To be fair, I can see what John was trying to do. Keep out the riff-raff. Not just anyone should be trusted with the Master’s message. The Twelve, after all, were direct disciples of Jesus, and even they had trouble figuring out the whole exorcism thing (this same chapter includes one of their failed attempts). Surely someone who was not part of the group had no business trying their hand at it.

This is perhaps the most common source of divisions in the modern day Christian church, especially in America. Every group claims to have a much better, far clearer revelation. Or a better practice of Christianity. To be closer to the source. Some congregations see superiority in their cultural relevance, others in their asceticism and separation from “the world.” Pastors preemptively separate the sheep from the goats, calling out the flaws of other denominations and ministers. “We are more correct because we read the (insert English translation) version of the Bible”. “We are closer to Jesus because we don’t drink beer and listen to rock and roll.” “We are closer to Jesus because we do.”

It is also the source of many of our divisions as a culture. We are unable to see anything but black and white. Either someone is completely 100% “right” or they are completely 100% wrong. It’s all or nothing. We are looking for the perfect politician, the sinless pastor, the faultless spouse, the flawless athlete. All the good deeds in the world can’t erase the stain of the things we don’t agree with. We want doctrinal, political, and intellectual purity and strict orthodoxy.

Jesus has a surprising response to John’s boast:

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

I have to be honest and say I’m not sure I have a theological box for that answer. After reading that, I don’t know how to draw the line on who is and who isn’t qualified to perform exorcisms. And I wonder if John got what Jesus was peeved at.

John expected Jesus to be outraged that anyone who was “not one of us” would dare cast out demons in His name. Jesus seems to be happy that at least SOMEONE was casting out demons. Because setting people free is what Jesus cared about. John fixated on the messenger. Jesus was concerned about the MESSAGE.

This is a relatively recent revelation for me. I have always thought the intent of the messenger was all that mattered. I still think it is very important. The spirit and motives out of which we speak and teach can be the difference between truth and falsehood. Certainly this person was not part of group. How could he be expected to follow their orthodoxy? He is not qualified to represent Jesus. Jesus says “leave it alone.” And that makes me think I have a lot to repent of.

I wonder if it is possible to look past our labels and celebrate truth when we hear it; rejoice in freedom when we see it; be moved by the Spirit when we feel Him? Can I point out and elevate the spiritual enlightenment a pagan has stumbled on, like Paul did on Mars Hill when he quoted “some of your own poets?” Can I look over at that mega-church across town or that tiny church of a different denomination across the street – the ones that do everything the opposite of how I think it should be – and agree with Paul’s conclusion:

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Jesus makes it clear in His parables that wheat and tares, sheep and goats, seeds and weeds, will have to coexist until He comes to sort them out. Can I be content to do the very best I know how and let Him be the judge and harvester?

I am not arguing for a lack of standards or accountability. I am not saying that we should not speak against heresy and contend for proper Biblical interpretation. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I prize knowledge, study, and discipleship. I’m also not saying that just anyone should try out exorcism ministry. The seven sons of Sceva learned that not all demons recognize your authority just because you use Jesus’ name as a magic word. I believe in studying, learning, and doing our very best to get it as right as we can.

But if someone who is “not one of us” speaks the truth or acts in a way that brings glory to God, I think it’s okay to recognize it. And recognizing it does not mean we have to give credence to everything that person says or does. To make the point, I give you an example that I know I will regret bringing up. Since political debate seems to split us the most these days, this should stir up the pot. A name whose very mention will polarize and divide: Glenn Beck.

Unless you don’t have the internet or TV, you know Glenn Beck held a rally in Washington DC that drew hundreds of thousands of people to the national mall. What was odd was that It was billed as a spiritual / religious event. For the sake of labels, Beck is a Mormon. He is also a hard core right wing Conservative or Libertarian or something of the sort. Many feel these two facts alone disqualify him from speaking on the subject of faith. His credibility is further stained by his occupation as a talk radio / tv political pundit who has made a number of very inflammatory statements (“Barack Obama is a racist”, etc.), and the cherry on top is the widely held belief by many inside and outside the church that religious values have no place in the public discourse.

I have no intent to defend Glenn Beck. I also have no intent to start a political debate. But if we are to take the lesson Jesus was teaching John and Paul was teaching the Philippians to heart, we should evaluate the message as well as the messenger. And Beck’s message was “Turn back to God. Pray on your knees. Leave your door open so your children can see you praying on your knees. Tithe.” He asked everyone to take a forty day challenge to “practice faith, hope and charity” in specific ways, including prayer and a commitment to non-violence. I have no hero worship of Beck, but I can’t find any fault with his challenge, and I am very happy  that such a message was heard by so many people in such a public forum. What matters is that people were pointed to God, even if he is “not one of us.”

Don’t misunderstand – I wish it could have been Billy Graham leading that rally. No one hates Billy Graham! I wish I could have been the keynote speaker that day, calling hundreds of thousands in the seat of global power to repentance and prayer. But I think the crowd would have been a bit smaller if I had called the meeting. And no matter the messenger, the message — at least the 40 day challenge portion of it, the only part I have heard or read — was truth. Sometimes God uses the strangest people to deliver truth – Balaam got his word from on high through his as…er…donkey.

Of course, some Christians will have no issue at all with Glenn Beck since they equate nationalistic fervor with Christianity. For you, may I put the shoe on the other foot? Have you ever heard Barack Obama speak truth? Think carefully…

Though I’m pretty sure most folk will stop reading after the words “Beck” or “Obama”, I offer this in conclusion. I am not advocating a loose orthodoxy. The same Paul who quoted pagan poets also taught Timothy to study hard so that he could properly interpret and apply God’s word. This is not about listening to every voice. It IS about knowing the truth well enough to recognize it in the wild and call it out as such. Think about the immense opportunities for transformational conversations about spiritual matters we can take advantage of if we can point out truth revealed in relevant ways. What if a single point of agreement could be the foundation of a dialog that leads a co-worker or neighbor to faith in Jesus? Why is it, do you suppose, that Jesus told stories about water and farmers and seed and thorns and working class, earthy things?

And what if it started with something as simple as pointing out and agreeing with the truth you heard spoken by that pastor you don’t agree with, talk show host you can’t stand, scuzzy politician, or beast of burden? Can you only see truth spoken by “one of us?” Or can you “play it as it lies?”

Just one last example. Imagine this: You are at your local Christian bookseller / table of the moneychangers. You notice a collection of prayers and worship songs has been released by a major publishing house. As you thumb through its pages, you realize you recognize the author’s name. Yes, you remember hearing about him on the news. He was once considered the greatest worship leader / musician of his generation. He became so popular he was recognized as an international church leader. But then the scandal – he had an affair with another man’s wife. She got pregnant. To cover it up, he conspired to have her husband killed. Everyone heard about it. It was all over the media.

Surely no one could ever listen to his music or read his writings again. Why would anyone publish anything written by such a scuzzball?

That, of course, is the basic outline of the story of King David, who wrote most of the Psalms. Which are in the Bible. Some of them he wrote before the Bathsheba incident. Some after. All are full of beauty and truth. Something to think about.

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I have another post for viraljesus almost fully cooked, but thought I would leave it another week while this one percolates…I will also be speaking this Sunday at Redwood Hills – come on by if you’re in the area…

Jon

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Though I work a day job to support the ever-increasing family, I still am honored to preach, teach, and otherwise participate in a local community of faith. I still consider making disciples my primary life’s work and purpose. And I’ve been thinking a lot lately about those who have left that work, especially through their own destructive choices – and how not to become one of them.

I read a book awhile back called “Why Great Men Fall.” It spends a lot of time working out the process that leads great men and women (okay mostly it talks about men) to a place of moral, ethical compromise, ending with public scandal and humiliation (think Kobe Bryant, Jimmy Swaggart, Tiger Woods, Ted Haggard). I think everyone with any sort of leadership aspirations or a current leadership position – especially in church land – ought to take a run through. The first chapter left an indelible imprint on me, and so I want to share the basic thoughts with you, dear four readers:

Great moral and ethical failure often begins with a sense of entitlement; the feeling that “I deserve this.”

To quote Agent Smith, “You believe you are special, that the normal rules don’t apply to you.” A light bulb went off when I read this. I have run into this attitude with alarming frequency – the idea that because of my position, hard work, or abilities, I deserve some consideration. To quote the book:

I’m the boss; where would they be without me?

I’ve worked hard for this company; they need to take good care of me. I’ll do whatever I feel like doing.

I’m the anointed one, the pastor, apostle, prophet, bishop, and I can do this because of who I am.

The church version is to call it “blessing” or “grace.” The interesting thing about “grace” and “blessing” is that, in the Biblical sense of those words, grace and blessing aren’t things you demand because you deserve them, but gifts God gives despite our unworthiness.

No leader who fails begins their slide with adultery or embezzlement. They begin with entitlement. I deserve benefits, or pay, or extra time off. I deserve gifts or words of praise. I deserve (and demand)  loyalty to me and my opinions and ideas. I deserve sexual gratification whenever I want it. Once we begin to believe these things are owed to us, it is a short walk to the act of compromising our principles to get them.

It’s astounding to me how much some church leaders think they are owed because they preach the Good News of the homeless carpenter from backwater Galilee. Some demand a large salary or “honorarium” for their ministry. Some demand time to pursue their past times and call this part of their “ministry.” Tragically, still others avoid accountability, refusing to allow anyone to question their lifestyle, spending habits, or relationships with members of the opposite sex. I could give numerous examples I have observed personally, but my name is on this blog, and the Internet is forever . Truly – my point is not to call anyone out (except maybe me), but to post a warning sign: this can happen to me(and you).

I think God gives us examples of entitlement in Scripture (like David and Bathsheba) as well as in our personal experience as a warning to each of us – the beginning of many horrible decisions that will ruin your life and the lives of those you serve, is an attitude of entitlement. Every example I have personally observed began with statements like these: “I’ve dedicated every waking minute to this ministry.” “Why shouldn’t I be blessed for the work I do.” “I’ve earned the right to be trusted. People shouldn’t micro-manage everything I do.” And this heart-stopper: “Don’t judge me”.

There is a lot at stake. If Jon the web developer and father fails morally, he will hurt his family and friends, possibly even his employer or the company he owns, and himself. If Jon the pastor or church leader fails morally or ethically, he will not only devastate that list, but also damage the meaning of the word “Christian” for everyone he ministers to, everyone they know, and (if he’s on TV or working at a megachurch) an untold multitude. It all begins with a sense of entitlement, and it can happen to any of us.

This Easter, as we consider the cross, let us also consider these words of Paul to the Philippians (from the Message):

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

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I say “next to impossible”, because, yes, we are now officially expecting child number 4 (next June)!

It’s fairly cliche, really. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard this story: “Our friends tried for years, then they all of a sudden got pregnant.” Whenever I mentioned to friends that we were all done having kids after three, they often poked me back with “Hey wouldn’t it be funny if you all of a sudden got pregnant?”

And it IS funny. Abraham and Sarah both laughed when God promised them a son “by this time next year.” I think I get the joke. It’s funny when you think about it – now, after all this time. After all our efforts and processes and procedures and waiting and hoping and praying and crying and believing and asking and even receiving, now.

It’s a funny thing for us to have what is by all measures a “normal” pregnancy – to not be at the doctor 2-3 times a week, fretting over every detail and number and level. To experience the relative ease of the “normal” process.

It’s funny to see the reaction of doctors, who have the empirical data on our condition. Most people know their eggo is preggo when they get two lines on the EPT. Our docs wanted to test for a whole host of other conditions first – because the LAST thing they were thinking was “baby on board.” Once it was confirmed, our baby docs wanted to send over some ultrasound pics to our fertility docs – sort of an interdepartmental “in your face.” Funny.

Of course, the most wonderful thing of all is seeing the hand of God in this miraculous moment. We will have another child because the One who holds the whole universe together decided we needed one more. And He decided to do it in just His way, in His time, and He is hilarious.

When I found out, I laughed too. Not with cynicism or doubt, but because it’s a moment that’s ironic, and perfect, and full of pure joy. And that’s been a long time coming.

Now a prayer for all those still waiting – waiting for children, or healing, or a thousand other things. May you gain strength by trusting in Jesus. May you know beyond your doubts that you are not alone, not forgotten, not cursed. May He give you the desire of your heart. In His way. In His time. And when He does, I hope you laugh!

Now let’s go with a boy this time. Four women in the house is nice, but five – not funny.    

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Continuing a thread about what I think we oughta be thinking about (See this post for the intro to this section). This is a direct follow-up to the last post (aren’t they all?). I seem to have painted myself into a bit of a corner on this one. The first item in this list is justice, a huge concept to be sure, and one I have been actively working to understand in the last year. You should know I have written and re-written this post many times, and I’m not sure I even like this final result. That’s why we call it “Raw Thoughts ”.

I could cheat and go on to kindness – a lot easier to dissect – but justice comes first in the list, so I have to deal with it. Two months of no posting is too much time, so I am going to try to take this in small chunks. Just for fun, I’d like to propose a bunch of questions I’m not sure I know the answer to, then propose a bunch of answers I’m not sure I agree with. Sound like a good time? Here…we…go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been stuck on the question of justice in a global sense. As I become more aware of the social justice movement, both inside and outside of church-folk circles, it has become apparent that “justice” is far more than a buzzword – it is a rallying cry. To be sure there is a lot of evil and therefore a lot of injustice in the world. Think sweat shops, political and religious persecution, caste systems, racism, child and sex trafficking, abortion, ethnic cleansing, and on and on. And it is clear from Scripture that God cares very deeply about justice – I don’t think I need to proof-text that one. We are clearly called to pursue justice and come to the aid of the helpless, powerless, and marginalized.

The thing I am having a hard time figuring out is the line between justice, fairness, and equal results.

Fairness is a bit arbitrary – we all have thoughts as to what is fair and what is not (ask any three year old). Justice is clearly a matter of right and wrong. But is it possible that some people confuse fairness with justice? One diagnostic question for me is “What is the end game?” If we had out way, could snap our fingers and make justice a reality, what would that look like? Some things that might be nice:

• Everyone would have the same amount of wealth (or poverty).
• The Star Trek Utopian Model – no money needed.
• Everyone would have the same opportunities.
• No one would suffer.
• All nations would have equal standing, wealth, and power. There would really be no need for separate nations, since all would be the same.
• There would be no difference between genders, races, colors, etc.
• No masters or slaves (also no labor or management).

I think the world Jesus and His followers tell us to look forward to contains these features and more than we can imagine. But the world God has left us in is very different. And that’s where I am grinding gears trying to get traction on this thing. Here are some questions:

• Does God expect us to act as though that world has already come, or are there different realities in the presence of an evil, fallen, sinful planet?
• Why does God give gifts, abilities, and grace in different amounts? Some have more talent. I am a classically trained vocalist, but I’ never make it to Hollywood Week on American Idol – the limits of my natural ability would stand in the way (plus I’m too old now, and not nearly cute enough . Why are some blessed with greater ability or more money or better opportunities?
• If I achieve a level of success in position, wealth, or authority, have I by definition marginalized someone else (since I now have more than them)?
• If we are to pursue justice, can that pursuit always be perpetrated in the absence of physical force? Is it not sometimes necessary for the strong to protect the weak forcefully?
• Is the existence of suffering inherently unjust? How can anyone who is being violently marginalized and exploited believe in a just God?
• What is God’s definition of equality (thanks to Rex for adding that one to my overfull head).

There. That should be enough to make my head explode (and maybe yours). I don’t propose that I will satisfactorally answer all these questions, but I am going to publicly process some of them. You are welcome to comment as well. I want to listen…

Next post – the things I am mostly almost pretty sure are true about justice. Maybe.

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In the Church world, we obsess about sin. Sin is the subject of our programs, policies, and procedures. Identifying and confronting the sin in ourselves and others is our chief industry and most common consideration. We spend a lot of time talking about who is wrong in their beliefs and practices and making sure ours are not also wrong or sinful. We can study, dissect, and disseminate the minutia of sin. We’ve got that kind of time on our hands.

It’s almost like we think Jesus died to keep us in the sin business.

I don’t mean “the business of sinning.” I mean the study of sin. How to avoid all sin. How to show others they are sinful. I think I take issue with that obsession. If I understand what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, I think it was primarily His job to convict the world of sin and righteousness. I am not saying we should never say “that is wrong.” For sure Jesus teaches us to correct one another (provided we have first removed the plank in our own eye) But if that is all we spend our time on, we may just have missed the point of the cross.

There’s no good acronym for “justice, mercy, humility.” JKH wouldn’t look good on a t-shirt. But it’s what God wants. He lays it out in Micah 6:

What God Requires of Man

    ⁶With what shall I come to the LORD
         And bow myself before the God on high?
         Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
         With yearling calves?
    ⁷Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams,
         In ten thousand rivers of oil?
         Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,
         The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
    ⁸He has told you, O man, what is good;
         And what does the LORD require of you
         But to do justice, to love kindness,
         And to walk humbly with your God? 

Put it this way – Jesus died for our sins so we could get back to the real reason we were created.

Do justice, love kindness,
         And walk humbly with your God

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It’s that time again to look to Washington for salvation – from budget crises and overseas terrorists. I wrote before a post called The Politics of Faith about our sometimes obsession as people of faith with political heroes. I won’t rehash it all, but I do want to approach this from another angle…

The hip thing these days is to mock and ridicule the “other side” in politics. This creates an environment where it is tempting to get into wars of words and witticisms, both on TV and around the water cooler. The question, then, becomes “what should people of faith do in such an environment?” Is it our responsibility to determine which candidates are best for our country from a moral and even a spiritual perspective and attempt to thoughtfully defend those candidates around the office and the lunch table? Shouldn’t we be the people who advocate forcefully for candidates that hold to Judeo-Christian principles? Shouldn’t we try to convince people who they should vote for?

It’s a dilemma to be sure. On the one hand, we would like to see things go “our way” (whatever you have determined that to be). But many of us also live in environments that are hostile to our worldview, and choosing our political candidate based on that prism opens us up to heated attack and even ridicule. In a place like Seattle, I am even seeing a trend amongst Christian-types – a concerted effort to rationalize the dispensing of certain moral criteria in order to support candidates that will gain them a little more credit with co-workers and friends.

Who would Jesus vote for?

That’s what we’re trying to figure out. Some of us say he would vote Democrat because of social justice, and anyone who elevates other moral issues above helping the poor is not a real Christian. Some of us say he would vote Republican because of abortion and gay marriage and anyone elevates helping the poor above these issues is not a real Christian. Who would Jesus really vote for?

I think He would vote for you. I’m not saying I don’t hold political views. I do. Strong ones. And I share them vociferously around the house. I am ridiculously well-informed, consuming much media from both sides. I have a view of how the American government should best be managed. But it’s not on my name tag or my backpack or my mini-van’s bumper (I know, a minivan – what a sellout!). That’s because this is not the thing that defines my person-hood. Because it’s all gonna burn. American democracy is the greatest form of government and the greatest nation ever to exist on planet earth, and it is still only a dim shadow of the world that is to come, not worthy even of comparison.

Jesus proved consistently throughout His ministry that he elevated people above politics. He sluffed off political questions, teaching instead that the residents of His kingdom should make every effort to live at peace in whatever regime they found themselves and concentrate instead on advocacy for the truth of His death and resurrection. This is our core issue – Jesus lived a sinless live, died once for the redemption of all who receive Him, was crucified, dead, and buried, rose on the third day, and ascending to the right hand of God. This simple message is enough to gain us scorn and ridicule. leaving aside our politics.

We must not look to Capitol Hill for a savior. We must not look to supporting political views to gain us credibility or likability with friends and co-workers (translation – supporting the latest new hip candidate will not make the story of Jesus more palatable to your friends, any more than your super-hip tattoo or choice to smoke a cigar. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, unless you’re doing it just to look good to people outside of faith. Then it’s vanity at best, hypocrisy at the worst. But I digress). We must look instead to defend and propagate the incredible story of the love of God through Jesus.

Change we can believe in…

…to shamelessly borrow a phrase . General leadership principle: leadership is influence, and good leadership makes deposits into our bank of credibility and influence. Every time we put some one’s person hood before their position, listen to their opinions, spend time caring about what they care about, demonstrate integrity or sacrificial leadership, do what we say, live consistently, or a thousand other goodly things, we build our influence account. It’s like loose change in a piggy bank that eventually accumulates into a new video game (minus the Coin-Star fee). It takes time, but eventually we build up the kind of influence that can be used to persuade someone to make a change.

The real question is, what will you spend your change on? If you have built enough influence to REALLY influence someone, what should you invest that change account into? Most of us don’t think this strategically. We attempt to exert influence all the time, or at unimportant moments. The condition of the soul is far more important than what people invest their money in, who they vote for, or what they do in their free time. This is why Paul, explaining his method of ministry in Corinth, said:

1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

I Corinthians 2

I want to be like Paul. I want it to be clear to everyone who knows me that the truth of Jesus and Him crucified is at the core of my being. When we talk politics, I have something to say, but no axe to grind. When we talk sports, I have thoughts, but no hill to die on. When we talk work, I am diligent and responsible, but my heart is not buried at the office. When we talk faith, I am fully invested, ready with an answer, and willing to spend whatever good will I have to impress upon the listener the centrality of faith in Jesus to our very existence.

Spend your change wisely. It would truly tank to convince someone of your political argument (or convince them you believe the same way politically) and not have any influence left when the talk turns to matters with eternal weight. Save wisely, spend wisely.

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