Issues I Wonder About

"For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Ecclesiastes 1:18 KJV


I have written many comments on different blogs regarding many issues I feel passionate about. Usually the blogs are conservative and evangelical for instance The Parchment and the Pen. One blog I read is from acclaimed biblical scholar, speaker, and author Renita J. Weems. I noticed for the most part I'm discussing topics quoting scripture to make a point.

It seems though in my talking I'm preaching to the choir. I've come to a realization of how unedifying this practice may be. I'm talking to Christians of different stripes and it's good to talk with members of the Body. However I'm questioning who really gets the the glory.

I know that there is a lot of false doctrine out there being taught. There are some Spirit-led apologists out there in the world wide web defending the faith "once delivered to the saints." But I wonder...

Christians, at least in the United States, have a bad reputation. Well more particular self-professed born-again, Bible-believing Christians of the evangelical, fundamentalist and Pentecostal stripe. Other Christians like main-line Protestants, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox rarely are "hissed" at by non-Christians, especially the media. Well the Catholics with the whole sexual abuse in the priesthood is an exception.

Televangelism is another pet peeve to many in and outside of American Christendom. (Mis)representations of Pentecostal/Charismatic movement by self-proclaim healing evangelists, prophets, and mega-preachers, some promoting the so-called prosperity gospel (i.e. TBN, Daystar, GOD TV), and one of the key patriarchs of the so-called Religious Right still lingering on the airwaves, Dr. Pat Robertson, (Drs. D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell both died this year), and the whole so-called cultural war forged by many conservative evangelicals leaves a bad taste in the mouths of this postmodern, post-Christian generation.

This generation are has an aversion to claims of absolute truth. Moral relativism, nihilism, and consumerism reign supreme in Western societies like the United States and many places in Europe. The Church in the eyes of the outsiders is nothing but a great disappoint. The Church has wedded itself to power (Holy Roman Empire; American government) for centuries. Many see that the Church has failed to stand up to, were complicit in, or directly responsible for A.D. civilizations greatest atrocities (the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, chattel slavery, and so forth). I wonder... does the Church look like Jesus Christ?

There have been many books written on the organism/institution called the Church. What is the Church? What is the purpose of its existence? What is its mission? Has it failed in its mission?

Now I know that Jesus found the Church and have "her" a mission? I could quote the scriptures until Jesus comes? My point writing this post is that the Church in America is failing to get acquainted with what N.T. Wright calls "the Story and the Task" in his latest book Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. The Church in America is ignorant of her mission. Too many Christian fail at showing what the Church is for instead of showing the Church is against. The mission of the Church is to preach the gospel of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tell us (and I'm about to quote the Scriptures):

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 KJV

The apostles preached what Jesus commissioned them to declare to Jerusalem and to all of Judea and Samaria and all over the world. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:7-8).

How does the Body of Christ reach out a world who distrusts us? Many murders, lynches, burnings, rapes, tortures, and other atrocities have been done "in the name of Christ." Protestants killed Catholics. Catholics killed Protestants. Protestants killed each other. Both Churches persecuted Jews and Muslims. With this grave history lingering over the Church, know wonder why non-Christians cannot stand us. Many will read this and say, "But those are not true Christians! We are not responsible for their actions." I agree. However, the world doesn't know this.

What is a Christian? Who is Jesus Christ? Many non-Christians like Jesus... so they say, but not the Church. Many look up to Jesus of Nazareth as a good spiritual guru, a champion of tolerance (whatever that is); a social reformer and political activist; a moral man who died a unjust death at the hands of the Roman Empire. But they ask, "who the hell are these Christians? They don't look like Jesus. Didn't Jesus teach people not to judge? Didn't Jesus teach to turn the other cheek? To love your neighbor?"

It is easy to give Scriptural rebuttals to defend the true Jesus Christ. However, many people especially in America don't read the Bible. Quite frankly many so-called Bible-believing Christians don't read the Bible. I wonder why...

Jesus is the Word made flesh. God became a man to save us. He charged his disciples to be the salt and the light of the world. Yet it seems that Christians have been caught up in behaving badly, being hypocritical, arrogant, and judgmental, and getting too involved with politics. Isn't it funny that the early Christians knew that Jesus is Lord and not Caesar and yet Caesar is now the people and not one single man. We Western Christians are a part of that great ideology called democracy. The people rule. We are Caesar.

Maybe that's why so many evangelicals are scared to not give up their rights to free exercise of religion. Evangelicals and Catholics what hate crime laws to be eradicated. Want traditional marriage to be defined in the law and to abolish abortion. While these are noble causes, I wonder if we are being selfish. Instead of loving not our lives to death and making sure the gospel is proclaimed, evangelicals want to have their cake and eat it too. Persecution of the righteous is inevitable. Is this what being salt and light to the world. Defending traditional marriage (whatever that means) and yet our marriages are failing. Abolishing abortion but abandon single mothers to take care of their children and banishing them from churches? Many white evangelicals still are against affirmative action. Many black evangelicals don't believe in reparations for African Americans. Why?

Some may rebut my "pondering" by saying that liberal/progressive Christians are too political as well. I agree. My point is that what is the central mission of the Church? Declaring traditional family values, human rights or Christ Jesus? What are traditional family values? Who's traditions? And are they truly scriptural? Progressive Christians of all stripes claim that their values, beliefs and actions are scriptural? Are they?

With all of this going through my mind, I wonder... how does the Father feel about the so-called Church's behavior and attitude towards the world. Did He not send His only Begotten in the world not to condemn but to save it? Which such costly grace bestowed upon wretches like us, how dare we turn up our noses at the world? We will see Christ on that last day and He stares into our face and say, "I never knew you." If He hewed out the natural branches and grafted the wild ones in, doesn't He have the power to hew us out? I wonder...

A Necessary Conversation


"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5: 16 KJV


Today before the end of the homecoming game at Millersville University, I was walking home with my brother Antoine. As we were walking down N. George Street to Duncan Alumni House we came across a young woman who I knew from some where but I couldn't place her where or when. She stopped us and initiated a conversation. She said that she knew me by association ("Your Blaine's roommate.") I responded yes.

The young woman spoke completely honest with us about her present condition ("I'm drunk right now.") She told us that her boyfriend was the one who died in a recent car accident. Dominic was a senior at MU was expected to graduate in December. She told me that she was feeling very helpless and she knew that when she saw us walking down the street she had to stop us because she knew that Antoine and I were "spiritual".

This "cry for help" turned into the most beautiful conversation I've ever had with a person. As Vanessa began to share her feelings with us, her countenance changed from that of despair to peace and joy. Vanessa is a passionate, life-loving, sincere young woman who lost someone with whom she was passionately in love. She referred to her deceased boyfriend as her "kindred spirit"; a person who really understands her and truly accepts the beauty that is Vanessa. During her time of tragedy Vanessa's story became a triumph. "I have this strange feeling of peace," Vanessa said. "I know he's watching over me." She felt guilty for having this peace, but Antoine gently assured her that she's in the right place.

Antoine and I listened to this brilliant minded young woman who poured out her heart and her desire to be a good person. The most uplifting part of this experience was not talking but listening to this woman fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14). I gave Vanessa my number and we parted ways.

I praise God for setting Antoine and me up for this opportunity to minister to Vanessa. The powerful thing about this experience was that we didn't quote Scripture, we didn't speak with other languages (Christianese) nor did we condemn Vanessa. Truly Christ used us to be a listeners of Vanessa and to bear witness of Him to her. I really praise God for Vanessa for showing me what it means to love and be loved. What it means to keep it real.

Most importantly, I praise Him for making us vessels of His glory. What Vanessa saw in us that drew her to us wasn't us, but Christ en-fleshed in us. Truly I understand now to let the light sine before men and women. This verse says that they will the good works in us and they will glorify the Father who is in Heaven. Truly God deserves all the glory, the honor, and the praise for this "necessary conversation."

There's Been a Change in Me


For the past two weeks I have had a sudden change in my mind. I have never had such a sense of conviction. Just a few months ago I was an idolatrous young man. I was coveting to look like other guys, the muscular athletic type. I would look a pornography on the Internet. I would dream lewd fantasies. Not really God glorifying to say the least. But now something is different. It's not that I feel saved. I know I am saved.

I really want to follow Jesus. There is no turning back. I am on the road to discipleship. Salvation is wonderful the I want to grow in Christ. I want to study the Scriptures for edification. I want to teach others the ways of God. I have visions of preaching the Gospel of Christ. I have visions of ministering to different people from all walks of life. Saved and sinner. Wow, what a mighty God we serve!

Tomorrow is the beginning of fall break. When I come back I start an on-campus job on Wednesday. I have really study for my classes. I want to be diligent student in my last year of undergraduate school. Keep me in your prayers.

Blessings,

Jason