So, I am being
amazed at the aftermath of the recent
election.
I have heard about some folks who supported
the Democratic candidate having to go to
counseling because he lost. I have
heard some “winners” gloating and making fun of
the “losers.” Seems some
who supported the winner are now declaring that
their party should take the election as a mandate
to press for victory in all aspects of the
“culture wars.” In
response to that, I heard a different commentator,
who is still stinging over the loss, bitterly
decry the “jesus-izing” of America.
What kind of
weirdness is going on out there? People on
both sides somehow came to the conclusion that
this election was one of huge eschatological
significance. One
Christian spokesman I came across propounded his
conviction that this election, which was of great
interest to God, set the course for America for
the next 200 years (the purposes of God to the
contrary notwithstanding!) Another
voice, also claiming to be Christian, anxiously
bemoaned the end of democracy as we know
it.
Come on, people—this
was an election, not a bringing in of the kingdom
by ballot or the destruction of liberty via the
democratic process. Both
candidates had strengths and weaknesses. Neither of
them (as far as we know) carried the official imprimatur
of God as the chosen one. Indeed, we
suspect that God could do what He wants to do,
regardless of who is president of the United
States.
Christians, of all
people, should beware of tying their faith and
their hope too closely to political parties or
candidates or cultural trends. Sure
enough, we do live in the world, and we seek to be
salt and light, but we know who is ultimately in
charge, who is working out His providential plan,
and in whom we must put our faith.
God is possibly
interested in how we voted, or what “supreme”
justices will be appointed or what policies will
be enacted.
I suspect, however, that He is more
interested in how His people present themselves in
this world—because how we act often (if not
always) is how other people in the world see His
Son.
And, this begs the
question:
where are the real Christians? I read an
article recently that gave a reasonable
description of two kinds of Christians in the
country today. One the
author called “Great Command” Christians. These are
progressive, socially conscious believers who are
focused on issues of justice, peace, non-violence,
and social concerns related to the poor and
oppressed.
They are seeking to act out the command of
Jesus to love God and neighbor. They also
seem to be more identified with Democrats.
The other group he calls
the “Great Commission” Christians. These
“evangelicals” are interested in salvation,
morality and obedience, righteousness,
discipleship, and defending the doctrines of the
faith.
Identified more with Republicans, the
author made the observation that Christians, all
of whom seem to be operating from the same Bible,
are dividing along political and issue lines,
reflecting the culture at large.
The author did not
have much to offer in the way of a solution to
this quandary. He
believes there will be a “divorce”, that no
reconciliation is really possible.
Of course, this is
not new.
There have always been groups who claimed
“Christianity” who have disagreed vehemently over
the nature of the truth (Constantinian, Holy Roman
Empire, dissenters, Reformers, free churches,
denominations of the 19th and
20th centuries, even Mormons and other
sects.)
I believe that we are faced
not with an “either/or” situation, where we must
fall on one side or the other. More
likely, what we have here is some measure of a
“both/and” situation. The true
church exists somewhere in the midst of the wide
ranging claims for authenticity exhibited in both
camps.
In these days, we have a need and an
opportunity to articulate more clearly and
powerfully than in a long time the nature of
genuine Christianity. Our
culture needs desperately to see authentic
faith.
There are some
aspect of this faith which we can point out
immediately:
Christ is at the
center.
The Bible is the
penultimate authority.
Christianity is at
once “being”, “journey” and
“destination.”
That is, Christians
are save, are “being made holy” (Heb. 10:14), and
will one day see fully. This means
living with confidence (but not with overly
strident, loud or obnoxious behavior), with
graciousness (long-suffering, living with some
uncertainties and ambiguity), and persevering
(understanding that faith is in that which is not
yet seen.)
In the months ahead
I want to explore with you what an effective
response to the culture might look like. How should
we speak to moral issues, and respond to needs
around us, and live life daily as authentic
Christians?
The picture painted by many modern voices
may not be an accurate one. We may
have to get closer to biblical truths than we may
be comfortable with. We may
have to concern ourselves more with a radical view
of Christian life than that defined by the daily
vicissitudes of politics and economics and
pursuits of power.
We will examine some
of these things as we go through the rest of
Romans on Sunday mornings. We will
have some classes on these things in the spring
and summer.
We may have to have some intentional
discussions as a body along the way.
I encourage you to
do your own exploration. Examine
again the claims of Jesus on those who would
follow Him.
Are there some changes in thinking and
living which may be demanded of you? Are there
some things we need to do differently (and perhaps
more deliberately) as a church?
I look forward with
you to the year ahead. We have
work to do.
I believe a great adventure lies ahead for
us.
