PC(USA) and the Economy

I received the following letter as an emal attachment and thought I would pass it along to those of you who follow this blog. I am glad to see that the PC(USA) is concerned with current issues and the struggles that many people are facing. - Kenny

This letter was sent out through the various streams of PC(USA) communications on October 3, 2008. Please feel free to pass it along, re-post, etc.

Dear Pastors and Elders:
We write out of concern for those in your congregations who are suffering loss of their homes, their jobs, their ability to meet other financial obligations or conduct their normal business activities. Indeed, we recognize that even for those who may not be in immediate jeopardy, the current "credit crisis" has spread fear throughout the nation regarding the stability of our whole economic system.
Even as our legislators and financial advisors struggle to find solutions that address the disastrously complex problems exposed by this crisis, blame for the "melt-down" is being cast in all directions: from government failures to provide adequate regulatory safeguards, to investors intent on exploiting bizarre mortgage schemes, to ordinary citizens whose penchant for incurring disastrous levels of debt, there is blame enough to go around. Our Washington Office has witnessed to legislators on principles expressed by the General Assembly over time that relate to government's service to the common good.
As followers of Jesus Christ, let us join in a call to our own people and to our fearful nation to hear God's word that "perfect love casts out fear;" and let us look anew at our economic system-one which has been immensely productive in many respects, but which has tended to favor the strong and aggressive, often at great cost to the weak. Let us all repent of our own decisions, both personal and corporate, regarding our use of the earth's resources and of the financial resources of which we have been made stewards. And let us make clear to our legislators and to those whose are charged with the management of this nation's financial resources that any recovery of fiscal accountability must be accompanied with moral accountability for the unfortunate, so that the burdens and blessings of the future are fairly shared.
As you provide pastoral and prophetic leadership to your own people in the face of the ongoing crisis, we would like to offer some resources* that reflect efforts by recent General Assemblies to address many of the economic and moral issues facing our nation and the world at this juncture. As Reformed Christians, we are neither individuals nor congregations alone in times of crisis. With this social vision it will still be up to our communities-with our strong participation-to deal with these problems for the long term. The resources are listed on the following page, and we hope you may find them helpful.
In Christ's Mission,Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General AssemblyLinda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly CouncilGradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, Office of the General Assembly

*RESOURCES THAT RELATE TO THE CREDIT CRISIS, SHORT AND LONG TERM.
1. The Washington Office letter // the Presbyterian Washington Office staff has communicated a summary of our social witness concerns to our Congressional representatives. Our voice is one among many churches and other bodies concerned that public resources be used wisely in restoring confidence in the financial sector.
2. From Homelessness to Hope adopted by the 218th General Assembly (2008) // This and other resolutions are available on the website of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy. In addition to short-term and more holistic approaches to the problem of homelessness, this report contains some analysis of why-as the real estate bubble deflated-the market for affordable housing was also declining. The report notes that more than half of Presbyterian congregations already provide some assistance to homeless and hungry persons through food pantries, soup kitchens, various ministries to the homeless, including Habitat for Humanity, and ministries of advocacy, such as Bread for the World.
3. A Reformed Understanding of Usury // the 217th General Assembly (2006) had spoken on the very topic of usury or exorbitant interest that was so evident in many of the "sub-prime" mortgages. This resolution also looks at credit card debt and abuses in short term loans, suggesting improvements in regulation to protect students and the working poor.
4. The Just Neighbors "Toolkit" // a resource for adult education that looks at housing and other economic pressures developed in the Roman Catholic community with assistance from the Presbyterian Hunger Program.
5. The Power to Change: US Energy Policy and Global Warming. This careful study contains recommendations for the massive transition in energy consumption needed and points to personal approaches to reducing our "carbon footprints." A sign of the new direction can be seen at Limestone Presbyterian Church of Limestone, Delaware, which recently re-did its sanctuary roof in solar collectors, predicting $15,000 per year in saved energy costs.
6. A Social Creed for the 21st Century is a one-page, theologically grounded statement of what we stand for in relation to both globalization and sustainability, including issues of taxation and military spending. Those interested may find bulletin inserts and information on this non-doctrinal document on-line. There is also a 28-minute DVD available for web-streaming and for mailing costs. The DVD traces the witness of the church from concern for early industrial pressures, through the Great Depression, through the Civil Rights struggle, and up to the current time. It is called, Toward a New Social Awakening, the Social Creed: 1908 to 2008, and that title may speak to our current crisis as well.

The Shack

"The Shack"

by William P. Young

This recent New York Times Bestseller was recommended to me by one of my former youth who admits that this is the first book he has read cover to cover since graduating high school. This fictional story is written as though the author is writing the book on behalf of a friend who has had a mystical encounter with God after experiencing a personal tragedy. The Foreword begins, "Who wouldn't be skeptical when a man claims to have spent an entire weekend with God, in a shack no less?" The format of the book leads to some confusion as to whether or not the author believes that these events actually occurred. So I went to the website, http://www.theshackbook.com/ to find some answers. The website is helpful for those that want to know more about the author and how the book came to be written. The author claims that while these events are fictional, they are true in the sense that they reveal his own wrestling with God after the death of his niece. I have read some reviews that question the author's theology. While I am glad that people are willing to think critically about the nature of God as portrayed in the book, I found myself so wrapped up in the character's personal journey and relationship with God that I often looked past theological differences. This book is not a theological treatise on the nature of the trinity, it is a story about someone wrestling with God after experiencing a "Great Sadness." This book will not appeal to everyone, but I do recommend this book for those interested in reading a fictional account of how one man wrestles with God after experiencing personal tragedy.



SPOILER WARNING! (Do not read past this line if you don't want me to spoil the book for you)

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The foreward introduces the author (Willie) and the main character (Mack). Mack ran away from home after being physically and emotionally abused by his overly "religious" father. He is described as having a love/hate relationship with religion. Mack is now depicted as a loving husband and devoted father. I love the line that says, "while Mack's relationship with God is wide, Nan's (his wife) is deep" (11). Willie says that Mack used to know a lot about God while his wife really knew God. He then goes on to say that "Mack is no longer just wide, he has gone deep. But the dive cost him dearly." This brings him to the tragedy that occurs in his life, described as "the Great Sadness."


Mack receives an invitation in the mail for a weekend visit at the shack. It is signed by "Papa," which is Nan's nickname for God. Through some flashbacks we learn that Mack's daughter Missy was abducted and killed by a serial killer known as "the ladybug killer." The shack was where the killer's trail went cold. Mack decides to go visit "Papa." He brings a gun in case it is a set-up by the killer. But part of him expects to meet God.


When he gets to the shack in the middle of winter it is transformed in to a beautiful cabin in the middle of spring. Then he meets the trinity. Papa is a large African-American woman, Jesus is a friendly carpenter, and Sarayu is an ethereal Asian woman. This is the trinity as it appears to Mack. I liked the image of 2/3 of the trinity being represented by women because it tends to be the opposite (with Father and Son being gender specific). I was glad to see that none of the images for God are white, as this has often been the case in American and European art. I like Papa's response to Mack's confusion regarding a male name with a female image - "For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning" (92). God is neither male or female. God is God. When God is compared to a rock, we don't think that God is literally a rock. So why do so many people get hung up on the idea that God is either a man or a woman. When Mack asks why there is so much emphasis on God as Father, Papa says one of the reasons is that God knew that once "creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don't misunderstand me, both are needed--but an emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence" (94). We will never fully comprehend God in this life. Therefore we can all benefit from asking how God is similar to and different from the images that we use to describe God.

After Mack's initial reaction to the trinity, he begins to relate to God. He has deep conversations with Papa, he hangs out with Jesus, and he tends his own spiritual garden with Sarayu. I love this book's emphasis on the need for personal relationship with God, but it often includes an anti-instituational bias. I admit that as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) I am a part of the institutional church. But what this book fails to see is that the church is not merely an institution. It is the body of Christ. The church is relational. It brings individuals into communion with God, each other, and the world. The institution is meant to facilitate these relationships by suppyling a regular meeting place, resources, and structure. Don't get me wrong, the church can become too rigid. But that doesn't mean we should give up on the institution, it means that we should always be willing to reform as we strive to discern where God is leading the church.


This book does not answer all of our questions or heal all of our hurts, but it does demonstrate that God is love and that God is especially fond of each and everyone of us.

Sermon Scraps - God's Time!

This past week I preached a sermon titled "Pardon the Interruption" on Mark 5:21-43. I chose this title because I must confess that I enjoy watching the ESPN show by the same title. When I read the sermon I was moved by the way in which Jesus was able to put everything to the side in order to listen to, connect with, and commend this woman. I hope two things were apparent in my sermon: (1)God is never too busy to be with us and to listen to our prayers and (2) some interruptions can be opportunities for us to listen to, care about, and be fully present with others. God is present with us and calls us to be present with others.

But I almost preached a different sermon. I was amazed by how these two stories relate to one another. Both stories contain the themes of touch, fear, and faith. And when both stories are read together they have something to say about the nature of time.

Touch:
Jairus, the synagogue leader, asks Jesus to touch his daughter so that she might be saved from death. The sick woman wants to touch Jesus so that she might be saved from her sickness. Jairus was a leader in the synagogue, while the woman was an outsider because of her condition. And yet both of them are in need of touch. Jairus wants Jesus to touch his daughter, while the woman wants to touch Jesus. Humans need touch to survive and we all crave connection. I am reminded of the grannies in Romania that volunteer to hold and rock orphans. I like to think that both the child and the granny can give each other an experience of touching God. As we touch the lives of others and the lives of others touch us - we are reminded that God is with us.

Fear and Faith:
When Jesus asks "who touched me?" the woman comes forward with fear and trembling. She knew that if a rabbi was touched be an unclean woman that he would be considered unclean and would be unable to continue his duties for the day. She was probably afraid that she would be scolded for her action, and yet Jesus takes the time to listen to her and to commend her faith. While Jesus is still speaking, messengers arrive with the news that Jairus' daughter is dead. Jesus quickly turns to Jairus and says, "do not be afraid, just believe." The greek word for "believe" can also be translated as "have faith." After the woman has been healed and comes forward to be in the presence of Jesus, he commends her faith. After the death of his daughter, Jesus tells Jairus not to be afraid, but to have faith. It is faith that assures us that Jesus is always with us. It is faith that helps us overcome our fears. When we are faced with our fears, we must remember that we do not face them alone - God is with us. Death no longer has the last say. While the crowd laughs at Jesus for saying that the girl is asleep, we can now laugh at death because it is but an interruption that leads to eternal life.

God's Time:
Time is very significant in this passage. Mark uses the interruption of the sick woman to make us wonder if Jesus will make it to save the dying girl in time. Jesus takes time to be with the woman. Jesus is human and therefore limited by time, but he is not limited by death - he has the power to resurrect the child. This is why Jesus tells his disciples that it is good for him to go, so that we might receive the Spirit. By the power of God and through the gift of the Spirit, Jesus is able to be with each and everyone of us.

Every once in a while I will have one of those "aha" moments, when the lights turn on and I suddenly see something in a new and exciting way. When I read that the woman had been sick for twelve years I figured that Mark included that detail because it demonstrates how long she had been in pain and how ineffective the doctors were in healing her. But I wondered why Mark included the age of the girl that Jesus raises from the dead. And then it hit me - the woman had been sick for the same amount of time that the girl had been alive! Twelve years is a long time to be sick. But twelve years seems like an incredibly short time to spend with someone you love. What a difference some perspective can make. We can receive some comfort from knowing that even the hurts that endure for years will have an end. And we can celebrate life knowing that each moment we have with our loved ones is a gift. Jesus did not disregard the woman for the sake of the girl - he made time for both. God has all the time in the world for you. Even though God may not do things according to your plan, God does work in God's time. As you experience the ups and downs of life, do not be afraid, just believe!

Faith in Film - The Dark Knight

When I served as a Youth Director I loved to discuss faith in film. In fact, Wednesday nights were dedicated to discussing Christianity and Culture. We occasionally listened to music, but I really enjoyed showing movies in installments. Each week we would watch a clip and then have a discussion guided by scripture. We occasionally used religious movies like "The Mission," but that was rare. Normally we would draw from a recent blockbuster like "The Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," or "Spiderman." I knew something special was happening when the youth began telling me where to look for Christian themes and references in pop culture. It was my hope that they would begin to look at the world through a Christian lens; that their faith would impact the way they experienced film and so much more. While I am not leading a discussion on "The Dark Knight," I thought this blog might be an appropriate avenue to comment on some of the religious themes I saw played out in the movie.

My Review:

Before seeing the movie I received mixed reviews from a variety of folks. The one thing everyone could agree on was that the movie is extremely dark. After watching the movie I would have to agree. While I enjoyed the movie, I must say that it is not for everyone and certainly not for the kiddos. This is not the "campy" Batman portrayed by Adam West in the 1960s TV show. This is the dark Batman portrayed by the likes of Frank Miller (popular comic book author and writer). This is a vigilante who isn't afraid to break a few rules or lots of bones.

I read one blog that suggested this is the best comic book movie of all time. As a fan of comics and movies that are based on comics, I have to disagree. I loved some of the themes in the movie and felt that the acting was phenomenal, but the movie felt slow at times. The thing I loved about "Batman Begins" was that it focused on Batman and his struggle with fear, justice, and the battle between good and evil in all of us. The sequel seems to spend less time on Batman and more on the Joker and the new district attorney, Harvey Dent. This is understandable given the impressive performance given by both actors. I know others will disagree with me, but my favorite comic book movie of all time is.... (you'll have to ask to find out).

Faith in Film:

Now for the religious issues in the movie. There are three issues/events that stand out to me as I reflect on the movie. The first is the portrayal of Joker himself, the second is the "social experiment" that the Joker conducts, and the third is the somewhat scandalous ending of the movie. This movie wrestles with the nature of truth and what it means to be a hero.

SPOILER WARNING - If you would like to see the movie without knowing the details, please refrain from reading the rest of this post. Thank you.

Joker as the Tempter - Heath Ledger was an extremely gifted actor and he gave an incredible performance in his portrayal of this mythic villain. One reviewer compares the Joker to the serpent that tempts Adam and Eve in the garden. Satan is known to be the father of lies and the Joker is both a liar and tempter. He tells two characters different backstories for how he received his facial scars. The Joker tells Harvey Dent that he isn't a schemer and doesn't have a plan - which couldn't be farther from the truth. Joker's plan is to tempt Dent (the district attorney described as the "white knight" of Gotham). Joker also tempts Batman to come down to his level and kill him. Alfred's description probably says it best, "Some men aren’t looking for anything logical; they can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn." As we look forward to the Joker's demise, we are forced to consider the evil in our own world and in our hearts.

"The Social Experiment" - Toward the end of the movie the Joker places explosives on two ferries and challenges each of them to blow up the other before they are both destroyed at midnight. One ferry is full of criminals while the other is made up of regular folks. One citizen talks tough but can't push the button when it comes down to it. And one imposing criminal tells the guard to let him "do what should have been done hours ago." When the guard gives the criminal the detonator he promptly throws it out the window. The Joker doesn't understand when neither of them acts. We might expect the criminals to kill because they are criminals. We might expect the ordinary folks to kill the criminals because it doesn't seem fair for them to die for the sake of criminals (I hope you are beginning to see the religious theme poke through). Questions concerning the sanctity of life are raised by this startling scenario.

Batman as the Sacrificial Lamb - During a dinner conversation Harvey Dent proposes, "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." Unfortunately he dies after becoming the villain known as "Twoface." While the Joker is able to cause the White Knight of Gotham to fall, Batman, "The Dark Knight" never gives in to that temptation. Dent dies in his attempt to exact revenge for his loss, but then the movie takes an interesting twist. In an effort to preserve the image of this "hero," Batman takes the blame for Dent's misdeeds. Out of love for Gotham, he is willing to become whatever the city needs - in this case, a scapegoat. He is blamed for the sins of another and is chased by the people he so lovingly tries to protect. The term scapegoat comes from Leviticus 16, which describes the practice of sending a goat into the wilderness representing the sins of Israel. Later on, Christians adopted this image to represent the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for the sake of our sins. See John 1:29 and Hebrews chapters 9 and 10. One friend of mine was incensed by this turn of events. And this reminded me of the scandal of the cross. Sometimes we become so accustomed to hearing that Jesus Christ died for our sins that we fail to see how scandalous this truly is. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus lived a life free of sin and yet he took on our sin, died, and was resurrected so that we my experience eternal life. This is a scandalous love!

I would like to conclude by quoting Harvey Dent who offers some encouragement by saying, "The knight is darkest just before the dawn; I promise you, the dawn is coming." While our lives can be full of darkness, the light of the world came and took on the darkness so that the darkness of death will give way to the illustrious light of eternal life. Thanks be to God!

Sermon Scraps - Jesus Christ and Harry Potter

This week’s preaching text is Mark 2:13-3:6. These passages portray the beginning of the conflicts between Jesus and the religious authorities that lead to the initial plot to kill Jesus. The difference between Jesus and the religious authorities is that Jesus is willing to break the rules for the sake of relationships. Jesus places a higher premium on people than religious practices. He cares more about reconciliation and the restoration of people's relationships with God and one another than he does about religious regulations and restrictions. Jesus is not concerned with limits, but with the limitless love of God.

So as I considered how this message might relate to us today, I couldn't help but compare Jesus Christ to Harry Potter. For those of you who know me well, you probably aren't surprised. And for those of you who don't know me as well, I am a huge Harry Potter fan - the kind that would have dressed up and stood in line for hours to receive a book if he thought his wife wouldn't make fun of him for the rest of our lives.

In some Christian circles the Harry Potter books are criticized for using witchcraft and wizardry as its literary device. I can understand why people might fear that these books could create an unhealthy interest in witchcraft, but I think people are attracted to the characters and the plot more than the literary device. In the books magic is neutral – it is how the characters use their magic that determines whether it is used for good or evil. In many ways magic stands for our own power and how we choose to use the power we have been given.

I have also heard people critique Harry's tendency to break the rules, suggesting that it sends the wrong message to children. As for myself, I am looking forward to using these books to demonstrate to my own children how building and sustaining healthy relationships is more important than always following the rules. The books demonstrate that Harry is willing to bear the consequences for breaking the rules for the sake of his friends and the pursuit of truth.

Jesus and Harry both befriend and defend those who others look down on. Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners while Harry befriends mudbloods (someone who is half wizard and half muggle - non-wizard) as well as the likes of Luna Lovegood (an interesting young lady) and Neville Longbottom (an akward young man). Both are willing to endure public disapproval for the sake of their friends.

Rules are often necessary and beneficial, but when they stand in the way of doing good and saving life they should be broken. Harry Potter is constantly breaking curfew for the sake of helping his friends and seeking the truth. Jesus breaks the Sabbath restrictions in order to demonstrate that the Sabbath was made for people and not the other way around. Jesus breaks the Sabbath again in order to heal a man's hand because that is the right thing to do.

Harry is not perfect and is not meant to represent Jesus allegorically, but he is Christ-like in many ways. Harry genuinely cares about people and their well-being. His scar is a constant reminder of the sacrificial love of his parents. In the end of the series Harry is willing to die in order to protect his family, friends, and others. Jesus claims that one's willingness to die for his friends is the ultimate sign of love. In the end that is what Harry Potter is all about - the power of love and its ability to overcome death. And as you all know, sacrificial love is what the good news of God's love is all about. In Harry Potter a phoenix rises from its own ashes - a symbol of ressurection. In scripture we encounter the good news that Jesus Christ rose from the dead in order to reconcile the world to God.

Preaching Through Mark

I chose to begin my preaching career with Mark because this gospel vividly demonstrates the power of God. The gospel of Mark demonstrates the power of God as Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons, forgives sins, teaches with authority, serves with sincerity, and is ultimately crucified and raised from the dead for the sake of the sinners he loves so dearly. Some of us are inclined to forget that God has given all authority in heaven and on earth to Jesus Christ. This gospel reminds us that with God, all things are possible. Jesus Christ is pronounced as the Son of God in the first verse of the book, but it takes eight chapters for his disciples to recognize who Jesus truly is. It then takes eight more chaptes for them to find out what the Son of God came to do and how they are to respond to the good news of God’s love displayed in the saving death of our risen Lord. The disciples are so blinded by what they think they know about the Messiah that they have a hard time picturing Jesus as the Messiah. Then when they recognize him, they cannot fathom the idea that the Son of God would die and rise again for the sins of the world. Sometimes I think we can become so blinded by what we think we know about God that we have a hard time seeing Jesus for who he really is and following him where he is leading. As we make our way through the gospel and as you start this next day I hope you will consider asking the questions – who is this Jesus of Nazareth and how is he calling me to follow him? If you ask the question and get the same answer you probably haven’t wasted a lot of time and energy. I have a hunch that if you ask, God may be revealed to you in new and powerful ways. Who knows? With God all things are possible.

Becoming a Blogger

While my wife is an experienced blogger, I have only written one post on our family blog. So it is with great fear and trepidation that I have begun my own blog. It is my hope that I will be able to use this medium to formulate my own thoughts and bounce ideas off of those who read and comment. I hope to include some of the details that I discover in my sermon preparation that interest me but would probably make a sermon long and boring. And sometimes there is just so much information that it all can't fit into a single sermon - hence the title "sermon scraps."