Many of you have asked, “why not just let folks in John Knox Presbytery (JKP) ordain who they want to ordain? Why not just leave them alone? Their decisions don’t affect us.” Wrong. 

G-14.0480 says, “Ordination for the officer of minister of the Word and Sacrament is an act of the whole church carried out by the presbytery, setting apart a person to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.” That means that when JKP acts to ordain Scott Anderson, they are acting on behalf of all of us. And once ordained, he is ordained throughout the system, not just in JKP.

The actual “departure” from our ordination standards is almost irrelevant. In this case, it happens to be sexual practice, but it could theoretically be any number of things. The point is that he openly and honestly departs from our mutually agreed upon constitutional standards for ordination.

Those standards are spelled out in G-6.0106(a) and (b).

“a. To those called to exercise special functions in the church – deacons, elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament – God gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, natural and acquired, those who undertake particular ministries should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world. They must have the approval of God’s people and the concurring judgment of a governing body of the church.

“b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”

Further, when one becomes a candidate or officer in the PCUSA, our constitution recognizes that “one chooses to exercise freedom of conscience within certain bounds. His or her conscience is captive to the Word of God as interpreted in the standards of the church so long as he or she continues to seek or hold office in that body. The decision as to whether a person has departed from essentials of Reformed faith and polity is made initially by the individual concerned but ultimately becomes the responsibility of the governing body in which he or she serves. (G-1.0301; G-1.0302).” – from G-6.0108

The issue that now confronts us has a human face, Scott Anderson. But at risk is our entire constitutional system of governance. This is ultimately a debate about whether or not we are going to continue to be Presbyterian in the way we’ve always thought of that. The PCUSA, through many rounds of successive voting on the matter, has determined the qualifications for its ministers. This candidate does not qualify and yet, his ordination has been approved by a presbytery acting on behalf of the entire denomination.

I find it ironic that the “peace, unity and purity” of the church is often appealed to in this particular conversation. This horribly disrupts the peace of the body, threatens its functional unity and makes any discussion of purity laughable.

Yes, complaints can be filed, the action of the JKP can be challenged in the church courts and the GAPJC’s resolve can be tested again. In the meantime, an entire generation of Presbyterians is being distracted once again from the core calling of Christ to go and make disciples, teaching people to obey his commands and demonstrating the Kingdom of God to a world literally dying of thirst for the Living Water.

Look, either the constitution that we’ve all agreed to actually has some authority, or it is does not. And if it does not hold on this point, it does not hold. If JKP’s action in relationship to Scott Anderson and San Francisco presbytery in relationship to Lisa Larges, and Twin Cities presbytery action in relationship to Paul Capetz, are allowed to stand, I expect other candidates to openly scruple things like the assertion of trust clause in Chapter 8, the Confession of 1967 from the Book of Confessions, and on and on. Which of these is essential and which is not? Find a presbytery that agrees with you and you’re good to go! Local option run amuck.

In getting what “you” want you just may find that you get more than you bargained for: The death of any sense of connectionalism in the part of the body known as the PCUSA.

 

 

 

Isaiah 45:18-19 says, “For this is what the LORD says – He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – He says: ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.’”

   

 

We worship a God of revelation – One who reveals the truth. One who speaks openly, not in secret. God does not do His business behind closed doors, but in the light for all to see.

You might think of it as transparency. Civil governments call them “sunshine laws.” Presbyterians call it “open meetings” policy. The point is, we do things in the light, in the public eye, proving ourselves to be above reproach by opening our deliberations to reporting by the press and scrutiny by our fellow believers.

 

But threats of closed doors and business done in secret loom.

 

We all know that John Knox Presbytery is considering re-instating the ordination of Scott Anderson to validated ministry with the Wisconsin Council of Churches on Saturday, Feb. 20. Anderson’s “departure” from G-6.0106b is well documented. His sexual practices are not secret, he has been quite public and open about his life.

 

So, why, when The Layman informed the executive presbyter of John Knox that it is our intent to have a reporter present for the meeting were we told essentially not to bother because that part of the meeting was likely to be closed?

 

Robert’s Rules says, “an executive session is simply any meeting or part of a meeting where the proceedings are to be secret.”¹ So, a presbytery certainly has the privilege of voting to enter executive session, but why would it? If what its members are doing is on the up-and-up, if what they’re doing is within the bounds of our Presbyterian constitution, if what they’re doing isn’t shadowy or dark, why close the door? What might be said that they would not want others to hear? What might be done that if held up to the light would be found specious?

 

Closing the doors only breeds suspicion. What have you got planned that you’re ashamed for others to witness? What’s going to happen in the dark that you don’t want revealed by the light? If you shut out the public, all that remains is imagination (which can run wild).

 

II Corinthians 4:1-2 says, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

 

So, my fellow presbyters, work to defeat any attempt to close your presbytery meetings. Specifically, members of John Knox Presbytery, live into your own bylaws², which state that you “are a people whose story is formed through God’s action in Jesus Christ;” including your “style of interaction with one another; willingness to discuss issues; (and) manner of making decisions.” Indeed, as you say, “God’s love story is a never ending story.” One that continues to “undergo subtle and radical changes in plot and in the characters.” We want to keep up with that storyline and in order to do so, your witness must remain “open to the public.”

 

 

 

Footnotes:

[1] Robert’s Rules of Order, Article VIII, Section 43, paragraph 6.

 

[2] http://www.jknox.org/ManualTableofContents.htm

 

 

On one side of the four-sided aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. are inscribed two words: Laus Deo. Like the permanent smile carved into the face of a stingray that spends its life on the ocean floor, no one but God ever sees them. Tens of thousands of visitors pose for pictures oblivious to the words that stand overhead. It makes you wonder just how much is going on “over our heads,” out of our range of perception, beyond the reality that we see? Laus Deo.

Perched invisibly to humanity atop the monument there they stand, 555 above the ground. These two words cast their declaration of faith over the 69 square miles that comprise the District of Columbia, capital of these United States. In bold relief silently declaring that whether we like it or not, we are in fact, a nation under God. Laus Deo!

Laus Deo! Why place these two words at the highest point over what is arguably the most powerful city in the world? Why place them so far out of sight that they would risk also being out of mind? What do they even mean? These two words, four syllables, seven letters? Laus Deo, “Praise be to God!”

Construction of the Washington monument began in 1848 when James Polk was President. When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4, 1848 deposited within it were many items, including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. The capstone was finally set in place on Dec. 7, 1884, the monument was dedicated on Feb. 21, 1885, and opened to the public on Oct. 9, 1888. Forty years. Laus Deo.

Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Laus Deo.

Once you get to the top you can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, you can easily appreciate the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant who envisioned the city in the shape of a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape. The White House stands to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. Laus Deo.

On this President’s Day it seems reasonable to listen to the echo of one of the prayers for the nation by her first President, George Washington: "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Tho you wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo!

On this President’s Day, let us pray with the president for the nation and let us pray for our president that he be a man after God’s under heart, a man of God’s word, a man led by God’s Spirit, a man under God’s authority, a man within God’s will, a man who follows God as he leads this people into the future filled with hope God has planned. Laus Deo.

A Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation in Los Angeles has a worship service designed for people and their pets. Well, not just any pets. Specifically, dogs. (Cats are expressly prohibited, which seems specieist to me.) This “Canine-ite” worship experience begs the question (all puns intended), “what is worship really all about?” Glorifying God or accommodating every personal proclivity?

 

 

 

The actual Canaanites are the people of 11 nations who descend from Noah’s

 son, Ham (Genesis 9:25-27; 10:15-19; Deuteronomy 7:1; I Chronicles 1:13-16). They are described in the Bible as wicked, cursed, and it is the land of the Canaanites that is “given” by God to His chosen people.

 

 

There is only one Canaanite referred to in the New Testament, interestingly, it is also the only place where Jesus refers to canines. (Matthew 15:21-28) Notably, the Canaanite woman is described by Jesus as possessing “great faith,” something He only found in one other person, a Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-11).

 

 

Maybe these L.A. pooches are dogs of great faith. They are, admittedly, still dogs and apparently when one of the “canine-ite” attendees goes to howling, the congregation responds by singing “Amazing Grace.”

 

So, what’s the motivation to include pets in worship? “The idea behind the service, Eggebeen said, was to make it more comfortable for people to attend the church ...” Ahhh. Now we’re getting somewhere. Is worship about my gratification or God’s glorification?

 

In the PCUSA Directory for Worship, Presbyterians acknowledge that worship is rightly directed to and centered upon God. Not the participants’ comfort zones. If we value anything, it is worship that is done “decently and in order.”

 

Did you notice anything about the “arrangement of space” in the photo that appears with the article? Sitting on the floor isn’t a problem, but sitting with our backs to the chancel is. The pastor is right that there is a great deal of latitude when it comes to what goes on in the context of Presbyterian worship, however, the Directory for Worship is clear on some points.

 

W-1.4001 reminds us that “The arrangement of space should visibly express the integral relation between Word and Sacrament and their centrality in Christian worship. Christ and the Biblical command to do all things in an orderly way. While Christian worship need not follow prescribed forms, careless or disorderly worship is both an offense to God and a stumbling block to the people. Those responsible for worship are to be guided by the Holy Spirit speaking in Scripture, the historic experience of the Church universal, the Reformed tradition, The Book of Confessions, the needs and particular circumstances of the worshiping community, as well as the provisions of the Form of Government and this directory. (W-3.1001; W-3.1002).”

 

Tithes and offerings also enter the picture as the people’s gifts are placed in the collection plate and they receive a dog biscuit in exchange. Just pause and consider that transaction. Presbyterians pass the plate on two occasions in worship: each week for the collection of the offering and periodically for the distribution of the Lord’s Supper. Anyone else see a problem with the conflagration of the imagery here? I know, you think I’m taking this too far. I would ask you, “how far is just far enough but not too far?”

 

The Humane Society and PETA are missing an opportunity here. I can almost see the headlines now, “Harry of Williamson house shut out of worship.” After all, Harry’s parents attend a Presbyterian church that does not welcome non-human congregants. Specieists!

 

As an exemplar, let me introduce Harry, hound of the Williamson clan and full member of the family. Why should Harry, who goes everywhere else with the Williamsons, not get to go to church? Why should Harry be abandoned for an hour to sit all alone in the heat of the summer sun or the chill of winter, in the church parking lot, shut out of services at FPC? Isn’t Harry one of God’s creatures? Certainly. Isn’t Harry a part of the family? Absolutely. Won’t Harry be redeemed with all creation at man’s redemption? Uh (pause, gulp, as I garner the courage to say this out loud), no. Contrary to popular belief and humanistic desire, all dogs do not go to heaven. Certainly not Harry, and there may be some question regarding the fate of his owners.

 

Now, to be clear, I certainly believe that if God were going to redeem specific creatures, the argument for dogs would be easy to make. Clearly cats are beyond the scope of those that would ever be considered “elect.” Dogs much more fully reflect the nature of God than other animals. They are “man’s best friend,” they love their people unconditionally, are quick to forgive and fiercely protective. Like us, dogs struggle to be obedient to their masters and sometimes fail to respond when called home. If we were to include animals in worship, dogs seem the best choice if for no other reason than they so obviously reflect (even in how Adam named them d-o-g mirroring G-o-d) the nature of God.

 

I anticipate that this blog will “unleash” quite a response!

 

This is a conversation about relationships: The relationship of congregations to specific denominations, the mobility of congregations between denominations, and the relationship of denominations to one another.

 

First Presbyterian Church of Anytown, U.S.A. will be our exemplar. FPC has always been a Presbyterian church. At its formation it was affiliated with denomination “X,” which subsequently became denomination “Y” and then in 1983 became a part of the “Reunion” denomination known as the Presbyterian Church (USA). First Presbyterian Church really didn’t change, but its denominational moniker did. FPC saw no reason at the time to exercise the right to “not participate” in reunion and also saw no reason to protect itself against the assertion of a denominational trust over its assets.

 

FPC hasn’t changed much since then, but the denomination with which it is affiliated never seems to get beyond bickering over things that the members of FPC see as Biblically crystal clear. As a result, over the past 27 years, FPC has grown increasingly alienated from the denomination. It no longer uses denominational Christian education materials. Its pastor was educated in a theologically Reformed, but not officially PCUSA seminary. Its people believe in the broad Christian theology articulated in the Apostle’s Creed, the small percentage of them that grew up Presbyterian remember some of the Westminster standards, but very few have any familiarity with the library of material contained in the Book of Confessions.

 

The people of FPC are largely pro-Israel, pro-life, pro-traditional marriage and pro-Jesus. They are kind, generous, thoughtful people whose faith is fairly personal and whose social politics are fairly conservative. They are more interested in their local community than in the national church and they are more concerned with winning their neighbors to faith in Jesus Christ than in participating in another round of debates about things on which they believe the Bible is uncompromisingly clear. 

 

Think I’m overstating things? Ninety-seven congregations just like that grew so weary of their relationship with the PCUSA that they initiated the very painful process of re-aligning with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Fifty-five of those congregations were dismissed from PCUSA presbyteries into a geographic presbytery of the EPC. Another 42 congregations are making their transition into the EPC through the New Wineskins non-geographic presbytery.

 

Ninety-seven congregations are a lot to lose, and a lot to absorb. The loss of large congregations like Fair Oaks in Sacramento (Calif.), First Baton Rouge (La.), Signal Mountain (Tenn.), Memorial Park (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and Covenant (West Lafayette, Indiana) has resulted in significant adjustments on both sides. For presbyteries like San Joaquin, dismissals to the EPC may result in the presbytery’s demise. Admittedly, there is stress on both sides of the bridge and there is tension between.

When this migration began in earnest three years ago, the EPC had 180 congregations. Imagine absorbing nearly 100 new congregations into a denomination of that size. Examinations related to adherence to The Westminster Confession of Faith have to be administered to teaching and ruling elders. Issues of property and polity have to be settled. The people of the EPC have to trust that those arriving from the PCUSA aren’t just a liberal Trojan horse and the immigrant Presbyterians have to learn to live in a new reality. The EPC itself is now struggling through the process of living into its own affirmation that gender is a non-essential and what to do in those presbyteries where praxis does not line up with their espoused theology.

  

Feeling the sting of being “left behind,” and looking elsewhere for someone to blame, some in the PCUSA have alleged that the EPC is actively recruiting congregations or, as one person put it, “they’re obviously poaching our sheep.” Peace River Presbytery was so sure that the EPC had recruited one of its congregations that it asked the 218^th GA of the PCUSA (2008) to investigate its concern that the EPC is “actively pursuing a strategy to persuade Presbyterian Church (USA) churches to disaffiliate with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and be dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.”

 

In response to that allegation, the GA Formed an investigative committee chaired by the Rev. Krystin Granberg (New York City Presbytery), who is also a member of the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER). Joining her are the Revs. Terry Epling (Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery), Joy Kaufmann (Huntingdon Presbytery), Eugene Turner (Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery) and Jeffrey Vamos (New Brunswick Presbytery). The Rev. Robina Winbush, associate stated clerk and director of the Department of Agency and Ecumenical Relations for the Office of the General Assembly, is serving as staff to the group.

 

The task force began its work by conducting interviews with representatives from all parties involved in congregations that had made, or were in the process of making, the transition from the PCUSA to the EPC in nine presbyteries. Presbytery staff, congregational leadership, and members who were both supportive and non-supportive of the decision made by the congregation to re-align were interviewed in Eastminster, Northern Alabama, Peace River, Pittsburgh, Redstone, Sacramento, South Louisiana, Wabash Valley and Western North Carolina. It is not clear if other PCUSA presbyteries that have dismissed congregations to the EPC since the 2008 GA have been included in the investigative process.

 

The process employed by the Joint Commission of the EPC and the New Wineskins Association of Churches to accommodate PCUSA congregations desiring to re-align actually assures that no conversations are ever initiated from the EPC to those in the PCUSA. And when a congregation makes contact with the EPC, the process followed is designed to ensure that the congregation isn’t just trying to “get out” of the PCUSA but is fully informed and has a real desire to “be in” the EPC.

 

After more than 18 months since its formation and only six months prior to the GA to which it is scheduled to report, the investigating committee finally had a meeting with representatives from the EPC in mid-January. The outcomes of that meeting are not being made public.

 

The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations, which will in turn report its recommendations to the 219^th General Assembly in July. Only after the commissioners to the General Assembly have the opportunity to hear and take action, will the future of the relationship between the PCUSA and the EPC be clarified.

 

Beyond the EPC, PCUSA congregations are also actively re-aligning with other denominations including the Presbyterian Church in America and the Evangelical Covenant Church. It is not known whether investigations by the Ecumenical Relations Committee of the PCUSA General Assembly are underway regarding those dismissals.

 

 

President Barack Obama began his State of the Union address Wednesday night with these words, “Our constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to congress information about the state of our union.  For 220 years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty.  They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility.  And they have done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments of great strife and great struggle.”

 

It got me thinking, what is the state of our union as Presbyterians in the PCUSA? Could it be said that the state of our union is “strong?” What adjective might you use? Precarious? Hopeful? On the verge of … a bright future or imminent peril? There is some empirical data to look at (link here to 10-year trend info), but there is also the far less exact barometer of how people are “feeling” about things.

 

Just as all politics are local, people in the church tend to think that things are going well when things in their local congregation are going well. The reverse is also true. So, when people look around on Sunday morning and see empty pews, when the news from the session is “we need more money,” when the message from the pulpit is based on the newspaper headlines and not the Word of God from the Bible … people “feel” as if their church is on some pretty shifty sand.

 

Ask yourself, is our private practice of the faith, our social witness to the faith, and our proclamation of the faith declaring to the world what only the Church can declare? That there is a God, the Creator of all things, who has revealed Himself in the context of human history and in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom was born into human reality in order that our relationship to Him might be restored through His blood shed on the cross. We needed Jesus to do what He did because from the very beginning we have failed universally and personally to trust God, desiring instead to be our own god, the lord of our own lives. That’s called sin. Sin not only breaks God’s heart, it severs the relationship between humanity and God. Restoration of that relationship is possible; it is provided for; it is freely offered. It comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (who you can learn all about through the Bible). Jesus is the only hope for our individual salvation and Jesus is the hope of the world, because with humanity’s redemption comes also the redemption of all creation, which suffers the consequences of our sinfulness.

 

Who else can say that? Who will say it? Only the Church of Jesus Christ. Whatever else we might busy ourselves doing, if we fail to do this one thing, we fail. 

 

The President addressed the state of national union by referring to issues of the economy, education, health-care, and the deployment of U.S. armed forces around the world. And then he addressed the key issue: the state of mistrust.

 

Likewise, we can address the state of denomination from several directions:

 

• Consistently declining trends in numbers of members, numbers of congregations, market share, per capita contributions, and PCUSA enrollment in denominational seminaries.

• Governance? Property? Dissatisfaction? Confusion? Mistrust? Fatigue? Fear?

• Espoused theology vs. theology in practice?

• Standards of ethical behavior for ordained leadership?

• Our social witness policies, practices and preferences?

 

But as is true in the nation at large, the state of mistrust in our denomination is eroding our common life and threatens to undo us.

 

Organizational or institutional trust is not something that can be mandated, it must be cultivated. It begins with a seed of truth planted into the hearts and minds of people. It is fertilized over time by trustworthiness, by the upholding of mutually agreed upon standards, by the keeping of promises, by a spirit of openness and fair-play.  Once trampled upon, tender roots of trust require special attention and genuine care. That does not happen by the work of national task forces that tell people to live peaceably with one another, or that reign down processes by which unity based on humanistic tenets can be achieved when ultimate unity (in Christ) has been routed.

 

What is the state of our union?  Ultimately, my answer to the question is “read John 17.” But my one word analysis in terms of our denominational union is: “tenuous.”

 

What’s yours?

 

 

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy report on HIV/AIDS is being written in response to two overtures to the 218th General Assembly (2008).  With the 219th General Assembly meeting just 163 days away, time is running short to complete their work. As of today, there's a majority report and a minority report. ACSWP protocols prohibit sharing what's included in those drafts or what's different about them.

According to Kesia Ellison, who participated in the meeting via telephone from Harvard University, said that the majority report "focuses on the dynamics of power and how those dynamics influence the HIV/AIDS pandemic and people living with HIV/AIDS." The minority report, while still addressing those issues, orders the content of the report so as to elevate the concerns of marginalized people.

Ellison reminded the members of ACSWP that "HIV not only infects, it also affects people worldwide." She continued, "HIV itself is not the problem, it’s a virus. Society’s ills are the problem. There are structural things that need to be comprehensively addressed. Multi-faceted approaches that address power and resource allocation is essential.”

Joy Raatz, HIV initiative facilitator, added some context for the international part of the conversation. "The issue of HIV/AIDS is holistic, particularly in places like Africa," she said. "They may have ARV’s, but if they don’t have clean water or if they don’t have food, the issue becomes much more complex. Competing resources is a reality. Theology is very important – they see death daily. The theology we use needs to be pastoral, supportive and meet people at their place of need.”

Ann Hayman, another writer on the project and spokesperson for the minority report, is a 28-year veteran of ministry with street prostitutes in Los Angeles. "This is the fifth social witness policy I have worked on," she said. "This is a critical issue. We want the world to be a better place because Presbyterians are here and because we care."

Bob Schminkey, co-moderator of the Presbyterian Aids Network, was asked for his comments. He replied, "The PAN leadership team that’s currently meeting consists of local pastors, professionals in the field of HIV/AIDS, former mission workers, health professionals and advocates on the issue.We wonder how this document is going to be used. We wonder if there are better ways that many of these things that could be said. It’s not a resource that’s accessible to the local church. Might there be ways to improve it."

Schminkey continued, "We don’t believe the recommendations flow out of the body of the report. Recommendation No. 1 raises an issue that need not be raised in the first line. Maybe we could use sexual responsibility language or simply start with something else. Do we want to address issues of universal health care in line 20? We like what it says, but we don’t like what it says to the church."

Readers may now be wondering what the first recommendation says. That is information protected by the ACSWP protocol. We all will have to wait for the final version of the report.

Schminkey raised other concerns, "What is an 'AIDS competent church' and how does a church become that? This report needs to be readable and relevant and helps us build a new community. This report doesn’t help us respond. We’ve been working for years to advance the subject and we’d like to see that happen. We do care what happens with the report and we look forward to building an AIDS competent denomination."

GA staffer to ACSWP and the person who staffed the HIV/AIDS task force, Belinda Curry, responded that "the first recommendation was an attempt to re-affirm earlier GA actions. We try to build from there into areas that would stretch us further. Making this accessible to the church isn’t really our charge. ACSWP is policy level, then it’s the responsibility of the program level to think through implementation."

To which Bob Schminkey replied, "a dichotomy seems to be created between policy and programs. Are you doing social policy in a vacuum?"
 
ACSWP's defense is that they got money to do a study, not a study guide. They write policy, not programs. 

Schminkey was unrelenting, "This report does not affect the local congregation. It doesn’t have a heart. It does not lead us deeper into ministry and relationship. A study guide is a study guide, opportunities and examples of ministry are lacking here."
 
ACSWP then acted on a motion to refer the two documents and the substance of the conversation to a working group that will seek to perfect the document for the committee's action on Sunday morning.

What then will recommendation No. 1 say?

Conservative journalist and commentator Brit Hume says that a true conversion is something that is obvious to others.

Can people tell from the outward living of your life that you are truly converted?

 

Even identifying the realty of “true conversion” suggests that there are “false” conversions and brings the concept of “conversion” to the floor for debate.

The very word “conversion” implies the need to be converted or changed from one way of thinking or living to another. That implies there are some ways of thinking and some ways of living that are “better” than others. Egad! That is not very post-modern.

The concept of conversion is certainly Biblical. People hear the good news of the Gospel, they believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness and redemption in His name. As an outward sign of that inward transformation, they are baptized. Outward evidence of God’s inward work becomes evident through the expression of the gifts of the Spirit, cultivation and production of the fruit of the Spirit, and lives that have “taken off” the old ways and “put on” the new way of life in Christ.

One easy example to which we can point is the conversion of the apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Saul persecuted the Church. Saul was confronted with the Gospel. Saul believed. His life was radically changed. His thoughts changed. His plans changed. His deeds changed. His friends changed. Inside and out, his life was converted. He was a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ – 100 percent given over in every way to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

People were not immediately convinced of the sincerity of his conversion. Even Ananias, to whom the Lord spoke in a vision about Saul’s conversion, was not easily persuaded. But Paul had changed. He had been given the Father’s eyes, the very mind of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, but it took awhile for the world to see Saul differently. Over time, the outward evidence of his life bore witness with his words that he was indeed a follower of Jesus Christ.

Nominal Christians, people who are “Christians” in name only, are leading lives that bear little resemblance to the life of Jesus. They know that they’re not Muslim and they’re not Jewish and they’re not Hindu and they’re not Buddhist, so they must be Christian, right? Wrong. You’re not a Christian by default. You’re actually a pagan by default. You become a Christian through conversion: Your worldview conformed to the Bible as your mind is transformed by God’s Word; your life conformed to Christ as your will is submitted to the will of the Father; your actions transformed by the Holy Spirit who continues to work within you – a lifelong process called sanctification.

So, let’s take a moment to examine our own lives. If we were charged in a court of law with being a Christian, would there be enough public witness to convict us?

RELATED POSTS: Brit Hume and the public nature of our faith; Christianity and Buddhism; How is proselytizing a bad thing?

Martin Luther King, Jr. – Parker Williamson remembers him fondly. Parker was a seminary student at Union in Richmond when King issued the call for folks to come to join his march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama . Williamson and another seminary classmate boarded a train and headed south.
 
In his own words, Williamson shares, “King stood on the back of a truck with a bullhorn in his hands. He had absolute control of the crowd. His words were firm. Recalling ‘Bloody Sunday,’ when dogs and police carrying billy clubs attacked those who marched across the bridge in Selma , King spoke in no uncertain terms that the Montgomery marchers must be non-violent. If attacked, we were to fall on our knees and call on the name of Jesus. That was King’s instruction, and everyone followed it.”
 
(To read the full speech "Our God is marching on," click here) 
 
Williamson continues, “It took four days to march from Selma to Montgomery . The crowd swelled along the way. Common conveniences were uncommon. Potra-johns were affixed to flatbed trucks that traveled with us along the highway. Many marchers slept on the side of the road. Others slept in church buildings. Food was offered to us by those who gathered along the route. Whites had closed many of the grocery stores, restaurants and shops. But we often experienced grace, provided by those in whose stead we marched. On one occasion, I remember a black hand jutting toward me from the roadside crowd, holding a piece of a sandwich. I was deeply moved by that offering. These people could not risk joining us, but they sustained us.”
 
“As we approached Montgomery , the tide of public opinion began to turn. King had been informed at the start that we would not be allowed any further than the Capitol steps. Those steps were blocked by a well-armored line of state police in riot gear. But along the way, Governor Collins from Florida joined King at the front of the march. He had negotiated with Governor Wallace to allow King to enter the state house and speak on behalf of the people. A podium was set up in front of the building. We sang ‘We shall overcome’ until we couldn’t sing anymore.”
 
“Five months later, we didn’t have to sing it anymore. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”
 
When asked, “What was it all about?” Williamson responded, “African Americans had to bear arms for this country, but they could not vote for those who sent them into battle. When some who protested that injustice were bloodied on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I knew I had to go to Alabama. We went there to do for our brothers and sisters what they could not do for themselves. It was just the right thing to do.”

Conservative news commentator and journalist Brit Hume has been accused of proselytizing.  

 

What is proselytizing?

 

Why is it considered “bad” from a post-modern worldview?

 

Here’s the scenario:

 

I have something you don’t have. That which I have is a great blessing to my life.  If I continued to be compelled by a worldly me-centered selfishness, I would not be compelled to share what I have with you. However, that which I have has actually changed the way I think and the way I live. I am no longer consumed with me-centered thoughts nor an obsessive desire for “more.” I am now compelled by love to share what I have with you, who lacks such blessing. I do not force the gift upon you, but offer it freely, just as it was freely offered to me.

 

Please explain to me, how is this a bad thing?

 

Think of it this way:

 

You and I are in the same boat. Our boat is sinking, fast. We have no means of saving ourselves. Death is certain. Help has arrived from the outside. A savior! I can see him. I have a hold of the lifeboat. There is room for you. My self-preserving, self-promoting, self-centered instinct is to take the out that is offered to me and leave you behind. But being saved compels me to want to share the good news of the offer of salvation with you. I cannot make you want to be saved. I cannot force you to take the life that is offered freely out of grace. You may certainly choose to reject the offer, but I am irresistibly compelled to offer it to you.

 

How is this a bad thing?

 

“Proselytizing” is defined as the process of seeking to recruit or convert someone to your faith, party or cause. If we believe something deeply, we are likely proselytizing all the time. People who are “advocates” of anything are technically proselytizing. The entire point of the advocacy committees of our denomination, the Washington and U.N. offices, and every advocacy group you can think of are working to proselytize people. The problem is that we have come to think of proselytizing as a pejorative term. The truth is it is fairly synonymous with evangelism.

As fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ we are commissioned to make other disciples. That’s proselytizing. We are commanded to share the good news of God’s grace available through Jesus Christ with others. That’s proselytizing.

 

Are there more and less winsome ways to go about it? Certainly. But the reality is that we cannot escape the calling to which we have been called. The good news demands to be told. It is, in fact, like a fire burning within those who believe. We cannot keep it to ourselves! Not because we think of ourselves more highly than those who do not yet know, but because God has given us His love for them – a love that desires that they know and receive His grace in Jesus Christ that they might live!

 

Tell me again: How is that a bad thing?

 

RELATED POSTS: Brit Hume and the public nature of our faith; Christianity and Buddhism; Truly converted?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brit Hume says that Christianity offers something that Buddhism does not.

Would you know how to articulate the things that are offered by Christ that are not offered by Buddha? Do you know the basic differences between Christianity and Buddhism?

Christianity is based on the self-revelation of the Trinitarian God who creates, redeems and sustains all things. Buddhism is based on a self-actualized life of enlightenment wherein an individual acknowledges that life is primarily suffering and tries to live as ethically as possible to reduce that suffering.

The Judeo-Christian tradition sees the source of that suffering as human sin and the solution as forgiveness from God. Christians believe that redemption comes only through Jesus Christ. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of a personal, revealed, active God. So, they have no belief in the concept of “sin” as offending such a Being. Therefore, in Buddhism, there is no hope that help might be offered from the “outside” to forgive or redeem.

According to the Buddhist law of karma, Tiger Woods is going to have to “redeem” himself. He is going to have to pay for whatever wrongs he's committed. There is no means in Buddhism for the proverbial slate to be wiped clean as Buddhism does not provide a mechanism for the forgiveness of sins nor the redemption of life by the benevolence of a loving, personal God.

For Buddhists, the only hope is to be found inside the self.  What Brit Hume offered was the possibility of forgiveness and a new life that comes from outside the self as a gift from a loving, gracious and merciful God.

Part of the challenge we face as Christians addressing this subject is that many of us have muddled thinking on the subject of sin. We do not have a decidedly “biblical” view but something much more syncretistic.  Many Americans have cobbled together a religion of their own making that has some “Christian” components like Christmas and heaven and the Golden Rule, but many non-Christian pieces come from Eastern religions as well.

As fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ we have to be exclusively with Jesus. Not Jesus plus Buddha, or Jesus plus New Age crystals, or Jesus plus astrology, or Jesus plus humanism, or Jesus plus anything. Just Jesus, no additives, fillers, preservatives, or foreign gods. As always, the examination of faith begins with our own.

For more on the subject, I recommend reading the Jan. 10 New York Times op-ed piece by Ross Douthat.

RELATED POSTS: Brit Hume and the public nature of our faith; How is proselytizing a bad thing?; Truly converted?

 

A week ago, Fox News senior political analyst and publically committed follower of Jesus Christ, Brit Hume, made comments that have ignited a very healthy public debate in the secular media. If you have not seen it, please watch Brit Hume on Bill O’Reilly:

 

 

Hume’s comments have unmasked some deficiencies in many Christians' ability to articulate the things of the faith.

Hume says that Christianity offers something that Buddhism does not.

            Would you know how to articulate the things that are offered by Christ that are not offered by Buddha?

            Do you know the basic differences between Christianity and Buddhism?

Hume has been accused of proselytizing.

            What is proselytizing?

            Why is it considered “bad” from a post-modern worldview?

Hume makes comments about “redemption” and “forgiveness.”

            What do those terms mean?

            What do both redemption and forgiveness presuppose?

            How is Jesus qualified to offer redemption and forgiveness in ways others cannot?

Hume says that a true conversion is something that is obvious to others.

            Can people tell from the outward living of your life that you are truly converted?

            Do you know the difference between “nominal” Christianity and the kind of “followership” that Jesus demands of fully-devoted disciples?

Hume says that when you speak the name of Jesus Christ, all hell breaks loose.

 

            What does that statement mean to you?

            How have you experienced the “hell breaking” nature of public testimony?

Upcoming posts will address subjects listed above as a means of interacting with the subject matter and more importantly, becoming more fully equipped to contend for the faith and engage in the public discourse already well underway.  

For some background on the matter, you are encouraged to read Politics Daily's "Fox, Tiger and Christianity: A Defense of Brit Hume". 

 

RELATED POSTS: Christianity and Buddhism; How is proselytizing a bad thing?; Truly converted?

The line started with shepherds and wise men. Where's the line forming to see Jesus this Christmas?

 

Do you remember the “I am Tiger Woods” ad campaign for Nike?

 

 

I wonder what the parents of these children might be thinking today, in light of Tiger’s recent “transgressions.”

 

It is dangerous to completely identify one’s life with that of another. We are imperfect. We are fallible. We are human.

 

God is self-revealed in Exodus 3:1-15 as YHWH, “I am.” When Jesus claimed the title “I am” he did so knowing the gravity of the claim. If you claim to be the great “I am,” you had better be able to live up to the name. And so He does:

• John 6:51:"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;"
• John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
• John 8:23: And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I AM from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
• John 10:9: "I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
• John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
• John 10:36: "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?
• John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
• John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
• John 15:1: "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
• John 18:4-8  Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" “Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered.
• John 19:2: Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'"
• Acts 9:5: And (Saul) said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
• Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." 
• Revelation 21:6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 
• Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

 What was Jesus claiming when he claimed to be “I am?”

 

What are you and I claiming when we claim to be “Christian?”

 

Let then, your life be no longer conformed to the patterns of this world (nor the heroes and idols of this world), but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Indeed, allow the inward working of the Holy Spirit to bring you into greater alignment with Jesus, cultivating the very mind of Christ, cultivating the very character of Christ, cultivating the very life of Christ. To the end that you might be able to say with the apostle Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

 

I am still not advocating Nike’s Tiger Woods’ campaign line that Christians would go about claiming, “I am Jesus.” But more the Michael Jordan/Carmelo Anthony version of the same ad:

 

 

“I am not Michael Jordan. I am Carmelo Anthony, his student.” 

 

Who we emulate matters.

 

How we answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” matters.

 

How we become a living representation of Jesus matters.

 

One of my favorite revelations about the nature and person of Jesus is found in the opening verses of the book of Hebrews. Consider what it means for Jesus to be “the exact representation” of God as you live out your life seeking to re-present Christ to the world.

 

“ In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3

 

 

Teaching others regarding the things of the faith is a profound privilege and a grave responsibility. God holds those who teach to a higher standard. James 3:1 reminds us that “Not many should presume to be teachers … because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

 

Having presented himself as a preacher of the Word and a teacher of the things of the faith, Dr. Mark Achtemeier is now rightfully being scrutinized. He has publically exchanged the truth about God for lies. He has publically renounced the truth of the Word of the Lord by subordinating that Word to his own sincerely held and heartfelt desires. He has become the kind of teacher about whom we are warned in II Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

 

Jesus has something to say about false teachers: “Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin’” (Luke 17:1-2). Harsh words? Yes, but they are not my own.

 

I might wish for the kind of god who did not call me to holiness, but then, that would be a god of my own imagining, not the One True Holy God. I might wish for the kind of god who did not reveal the depths of my depravity, but then, I would not know grace nor salvation, which comes through Jesus Christ, and Him alone.

 

Dr. Achtemeier has borne witness to the truth over the years, but he has now exchanged that truth for lies. He is leading people into falsehood, and he is advocating that the rest of us would blindly follow. I, for one, will not. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. Indeed, it is the very power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. In the Gospel, both the righteousness and the wrath of God are revealed (Romans 1:16-32). Let those who have ears to hear, hear; even as those whose ears have grown itchy continue to recruit teachers who will tell them what they want to hear.

 

(A rebuttal of Dr. Mark Achtemeier’s entire speech is planned for next week.)

Today is Veterans Day. Today we honor those who have served in the military throughout our nation’s history. And at the 11th hour this morning you are called to take a moment to thank God for all those who placed their lives in harm’s way that we might live in freedom and peace. But why November 11th and why 11 a.m.?

 

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I ended with a declaration. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany and the “war to end all wars” came to end.

 

President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But, as we now know, WWI was not in fact the end to human warfare. Over the years, men in uniform returned from World War II and then Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan … Armistice Day became Veterans Day – a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. In 1938, Congress designated Veterans Day as a legal holiday and so every year, on 11/11 we honor those who have stood for freedom and democracy come what may.

 

On 11/11/1921, unidentified dead from the war were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in London, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The tradition to honor those killed in the war but never identified continues every year and persists today. At 11 a.m. this morning, a ceremony will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. If you’ve never been, it is worth the trip. Undeniably sacred ground; undeniably selfless sacrifice.

 

When I was in DC in mid-October for an ACR meeting, I spent an early morning walking in Arlington. Just a few weeks ago, on All Saints Day, a friend of mine and I spent the afternoon at the National Cemetery in Webster, Fla. Serene. Well-manicured. Each acre plot lined with white tombstones, each telling a hero’s story. We found ourselves whispering out of respect.

 

We were not there to visit any one particular grave. Although, I have learned that the parents of my good friend Deedee Wichman Cann are both buried there as is the father of my friend Marcy’s husband, Jeffrey Krinsk. I thought of Richard Allen and his father’s military funeral at the cemetery in Beaufort, S.C., and the countless others laid to rest over the years. It was the right place to be on the afternoon of All Saints Day – it would be the right place to spend the afternoon today.

 

At the 11th hour this morning of 11/11, take a moment to cease whatever you’re doing and say a simple prayer of thanksgiving for our military men and women. Those who have served over the years and those who are serving today. Indeed, may the Lord uphold them with His mighty hand. May He protect them from harm. May He guide their steps and extend His liberating mercy through their presence in the midst of war-torn realities. May the Lord bless them and keep them. May the Lord make His face to shine upon them and be gracious unto them. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon them and give them peace – and through them, extend real peace to others. Amen.

One of our readers recently wrote in a letter to the editor that “Perhaps we should all take another look at the red letters/words in a red letter edition of the New Testament.” Good exercise.

 

At the turn of the 20^th century, Louis Klopsch was the editor of The Christian Herald. In 1900 he published what we all know as the “red letter” edition of the Bible. The idea for printing the words of Jesus in red came to Klopsch while reading Luke 22:20, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which I shed for you. Klopsch turned from the text to his mentor and asked what he thought of printing the words spoken by Jesus in red, to which his mentor replied, “It could do no harm and it most certainly could do much good.”

 

Extracting the “red letter” words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew from the English Standard Version, here is my offering to you that you might have a truly “red letter” day.

 

“Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

“It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

“Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

“Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

    ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

^5:1 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 ⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

 ⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

 ^{6 “}Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

 ^{7 “}Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

 ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

 ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

 ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 ¹³ You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 ¹⁷ Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 

 ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ ²²But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. ²³ So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. ²⁶Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

 

 ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

 ³¹ “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³² But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

 

 ³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ ³⁴But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

 

 ³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹But 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. ⁴⁰And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

 

 ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

^6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

 ² “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 ⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 ⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹ Pray then like this:

    “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 ¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 ¹⁶ “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

 ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, ²³ but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

 ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

 ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 ³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

^7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

 ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

 ⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

 

 ¹² “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

 ¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

 ¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

 

 ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 

 ²⁴ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

 

8 “I will; be clean.”

“See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

 

“I will come and heal him.”

 

“Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”

 

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

“Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

“Go.”

 

9 “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

“Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk?’ ⁶But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”

“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

 

“Follow me.”

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. ¹⁶No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. ¹⁷Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

 

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

“Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.”

 

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“According to your faith be it done to you.”

“See that no one knows about it.”

 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 

10 “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹ Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, ¹⁰no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. ¹¹And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ¹²As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ²¹ Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, ²² and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ²³When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

 ²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

 ²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³² So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

 

 ³⁴ “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

 ⁴⁰ “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴²And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

11 “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

 ⁷… “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

 ¹¹Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

 ¹⁶ “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
 ¹⁷ “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

 ¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

 

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

12 “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: ⁴how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? ⁶I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

“Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” ¹³ “Stretch out your hand.”

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁸But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. ³⁰ Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³¹ Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³²And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

 

 ³³ “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴ You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

 

 ⁴³ “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. ⁴⁴Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

 

“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ “Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

13 “A sower went out to sow. ⁴And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ He who has ears, let him hear.”

 ¹⁰ “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ¹⁴Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
¹⁵For this people’s heart has grown dull,  and with their ears they can barely hear,
   and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

 ¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷ For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

 ¹⁸ “Hear then the parable of the sower: ¹⁹When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. ²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. ²²As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

 

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, ²⁵but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. ²⁶So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. ²⁷And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ ²⁸He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ ²⁹But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. ³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. ³²It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

 

“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, ⁴² and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

 

 ⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

 

 ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

 ⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. ⁴⁸When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

 ⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?”

“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

 

“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”

 

14 “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”

 "Bring them here to me."

 

“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

 

“Come.”

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 

… Let’s pick up with the rest of the “red letter” verses from Matthew’s Gospel later this week. I’m betting that after 11 pages of reading, you’re fairly well saturated at this point! Jesus had a lot to say – and Jesus has a lot to say. Let us plan together for another “red letter day” when we will read Jesus’ words from Matthew chapters 15-28. Until then – may today be a red letter day because the Lord is Sovereign over it, present in it and working out His perfect will in and through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

– Carmen

 

Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

 

 

Fruit inspection

Jesus is made known by his followers. Jesus’ followers are known by the outward evidence of their lives – something the Bible likens to “fruit.” So, it’s time for a fruit inspection.

Texts to study in relationship to fruitfulness are John 15:1-17 and Galatians 5:22-25.

Apart from Christ, you and I can produce nothing. Nada. Zilch. Here’s a simple fruit inspection guideline: If what you are doing is out of alignment with God’s demonstrated will revealed in the Scriptures, then what you are doing is bearing false witness and what you are producing is bad fruit. The reverse principle also applies.

What we produce is evaluated by God. Indeed, our spiritual fruit production is being inspected day by day. So, what kind of harvest is your life producing for the Kingdom of God?

Is the fruit of the Spirit in evermore abundant evidence?

Are you cultivating a harvest of righteousness?

Is there greater evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control falling from your life in 2009 than there was in 2008? If not, then be encouraged to re-read John 15:1-17 and submit yourself to God’s pruning.

Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree

It is cliché to say that someone is a chip off the old block and that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but clichés are clichés because they are commonly held to be true.

 

Those who are intimately connected to Jesus Christ and draw their life from Him, will in turn, produce righteous or good fruit. Genuine fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. The reverse is also true. When we have lost our intimate and real connection to Jesus, we stray into thinking and actions that are equally disconnected from Him.

 

We know that in 2008, at least $92,500 was sent by the PCUSA to ACORN. When agencies of the PCUSA choose to fund organizations like ACORN, a fruit inspection is needed.

 

• What is flawed in our process of discernment and financial accountability that funds given to the denomination would be channeled for use by an organization like ACORN?
• How much money has been “granted” to ACORN in 2009 by agencies and entities of the PCUSA?

 

Call your presbytery, call your synod office, call those serving in the Presbyterian Hunger Program and in the Self-Development of People unit and the Washington Office and ask them to disclose to you the numbers. Tell them you are doing a fruit inspection and you want to know. It’s your money and it’s your witness in the world. It is the way in which we, as Presbyterians, are “known” in the world and it is rotten fruit.

 

• Presbyterian Hunger Program Coordinator, Ruth Farrell, 888-728-7228 x5816
• Jarvie Commonweal Service Director, Margaret Reiff, 212-870-2967
• Self Development of People Coordinator, Cynthia White, 888-728-7228 x5780
• Washington Office Associate, Leslie Woods, 202-543-1126

 

We all will be called to account one day.

 

Let us begin by calling one another to account here and now.

 

On Sept. 11, 2009, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) likened the proposed new Form of Government (nFOG) to a home improvement project disclosing that in his house the default channel is HGTV.

 

When the Rev. Gradye Parsons says that “The basic structure of our Presbyterian life together – the foundation and load-bearing walls – is all there in the proposal,” one understands that he is pointing to the proposed new section of the Book of Order entitled, “The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity.” There are, however, foundational issues in our common life that are left unaddressed by the proposal.

 

For example, a clear acknowledgement that Jesus Christ alone is the way to salvation.

nFOG rightly acknowledges the supreme authority and rule of Jesus and rightly confesses that “Christ alone rules, calls, teaches and uses the Church as He wills.” So, why not also confess that Jesus Christ alone saves?

 

nFOG rightly acknowledges that Christ is the foundation of the Church but in saying that “In Christ the Church receives its truth and appeal, its holiness and its unity,” the proposal falls short. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life and no one approaches the Father except through Him. Why not confess that?

 

I am not casting random stones here. I remember from my own experience with the New Wineskins Initiative just how hard it is to conceive of a missional and Presbyterian ecclesiology.

 

Parsons says, “we need to renovate our polity space. We need to knock down some walls of regulation and build room to allow newness to happen.” The problem is that you cannot redesign the interior space without examining and fortifying the foundations and load bearing walls. To borrow another analogy, rearranging the proverbial deck chairs makes no difference if there’s a gaping hole in the hull of your ship.

 

Furthermore, you cannot construct a system of accountability when there is no mutual agreement on the essentials. A permissive system like the one proposed relies upon high levels of trust – a commodity that runs in very short supply in our current ecclesiastical environment. In a system of church governance predicated on the understanding that we will all follow the mutually agreed upon rules in our constitution, we have entire judicatories thumbing their noses at the definition of marriage and the qualifications for church leadership. We have preachers foregoing the Scriptures opting instead for the Koran and we have mission dollars being spent on national political agendas that are not widely agreed upon by the people populating Presbyterian pews.

 

We’re trying to renovate a house that’s eaten up with termites. We’re wallpapering over gaping cracks that reveal a compromised foundation.

 

Maybe you’ve seen the ABC hit show “Extreme Home Makeover.” When the show started out, the team did what the stated clerk proposes we do: they made interior improvements to the existing structure. However, within a few short episodes it became glaringly apparent that what was really needed was a brand new house. The structure was just too far gone to be saved. It was unhealthy for those trying to live there. Demolition and a complete rebuild would be required to meet the needs of broken and hurting families who had been devastated by life’s storms.

As today is 09.09.09 I thought it would be fun to see what God has said “on the nines.” Here is a sampling of “ninth chapter, ninth verse” passages from the Bible. Hopefully you will be provoked to turn and read some of these verses in context.  Looking forward to 10.10.10. - Carmen

 

Genesis 9:9     

(God said,) “I now establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you.”

 

Deuteronomy 9:9     

(Moses said,) when I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water.

 

Joshua 9:9          

They answered, “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt.”

 

Judges 9:9          

The olive tree answered, “Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?”

 

I Samuel 9:9       

Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.

 

II Samuel 9:9     

Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.”

 

I Kings 9:9           

People will answer, ‘because they have forsaken the Lord their God, who brought their fathers out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them – that is why the Lord brought all this disaster on them.’”

 

II Kings 9:9          

I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.

 

I Chronicles 9:9 

The people from Benjamin, as listed in their genealogy, numbered 956. All these men were heads of their families.

 

II Chronicles 9:9               

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

 

Ezra 9:9               

Though we were slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and He has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

 

Nehemiah 9:9   

You saw the suffering of our forefathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea.

 

Job 9:9                 

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

 

Psalms 9:9          

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

 

Proverbs 9:9      

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun – all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

 

Jeremiah 9:9     

“Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?”

 

Ezekiel 9:9          

He answered me, “The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’”

 

Daniel 9:9           

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.

 

Hosea 9:9           

They have sunk deep into corruption, as in the days of Gibeah. God will remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.

 

Amos 9:9            

For I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground.

 

Zechariah 9:9    

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  Se your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

 

Matthew 9:9     

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

 

Mark 9:9             

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 

Luke 9:9              

But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this of whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see (Jesus).

 

Acts 9:9                               

For three days (Saul) was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Romans 9:9        

For this was how the promise was stated (to Abraham): “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

 

II Corinthians 9:9             

As it is written, “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

 

Hebrews 9:9      

This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.

 

Revelation 9:9  

They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.