Fear of Association

On several occasions recently I experienced a desperate urge to distance myself from the designation of Christian. This does not mean that I have been ashamed of Christ. Rather, I have been ashamed of those who claim to follow Him.

You may say that I am over reacting, but I was thoroughly repulsed by two church signs I saw recently. The first said, “Heaven is cool.” Beyond being a really bad pun (assuming hell is hot), this sign depicts a very limited and trivial understanding of God’s desire for man and the gravity and awesomeness of the Gospel message. Non-Christians reading this sign, I feel, get a very stuffy and trite view of Christianity.

The second sign said something to the effect of, “Do not let your eyes tell your heart what to believe.” Say what you like about the intent of the message, this is heretical and very poor epistemology. Our human nature (made in the image of God) has a tendency to believe what it sees. Scripture says that creation declares the existence and glory of God. Why should our eyes not inform our heart of what it believes. Perhaps the sign should say, “Do not let your heart tell your eyes what they are seeing.”

We must not allow a disconnect between our ways of determining truth and we must not act in blind faith. We are called to believe based on something. Blind faith is reckless, dishonest, and impotent to convince others of the truth. We are designed to and able to see and hear and feel and smell and taste and intuit and reason about God’s truth and then accept the message of God’s communications to us.

I recently read a brief but brutally honest account of church history in Myth of a Christian Nation by Gregory Boyd. (This is a book I highly recommend.) This account focused on the denial of the way of the suffering Christ and the use of the sword by “Christians” for most of Church history. The almost endless saga of war, torture, rape, forced conversions, persecutions, recreational killing, and inhuman slaughter all in the name of Christ and Christendom made me literally sick on my stomach. To be identified with such a legacy of blatant denial of the teachings of Christ was almost more than I could bear. I did find myself able to proudly identify myself with one of the few groups who denied this legacy. The Anabaptists were listed as one of the groups who did not practice these things.

A Friend’s Wonderful Summary

A friend sent me a paper he read as a commencement address at a local Mennonite high school. He told me that it was very satisfying because it was the big picture view of all the things he has been referencing and trying to say to the graduates for the last four years. It is a masterful piece and it is available for reading here or for download as a pdf here.

Taleban Fighter’s Boat Sinks

BBC breaking news reported that a boat on an Afghan river sank, killing 60 people including Taleban fighters.

What is your gut reaction when you read that? Do you inwardly cheer?

What is your gut reaction when you hear of American soldiers dying in Iraq? Are you disappointed because of the American losses?

The American soldiers are fighting to preserve their god: America and what they consider to be a basic human right, freedom. The Taleban fighters are fighting for their god: Islam and the pious command to destroy heretics. As a members of the Kingdom of God, can we be consistent in cheering when Taleban fighters die? Are we not cheering because we have become idolaters? We have set up our way of life, our personal security, and our nation as our gods.

The Kingdom of God needs to cry every time death visits anyone, particularly those who have a God other than the King who conquered by surrendering all His own rights and dying.

Theological Compromises Led to Mennonite Nazism

This paper by James Peter Regier is part of the new writings which are looking at Mennonites and their relationship to National Socialism in Germany. I highlighted some of the key lines so that you do not have to read the whole paper, although it is all worth reading. Click here to download as a Word document. Click here to download in .PDF format.

All or Nothing

I have recently been looking at Jesus statements and parables in the last part of Luke 14. Verse 26 is the shocking “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” This verse sets the stage for the illustration Jesus gives a little later. Some people have done strange things with the “hate” verse. My Bible has a helpful note from the translators stating that the word “hate” is to be taken as a comparison to how much we love Jesus. We are to love Jesus so much that the love we have for our families and spouses looks like hate in comparison.

Jesus goes on to say that, just like you had better make sure that you have enough money to build a building before you start so that you don’t run out part way through, we need to consider the costs of discipleship. Just like people lose respect for an irresponsible contractor who does not arrange the funds necessary to complete a project, we need to make sure that we will not become a laughingstock because we began the journey of discipleship, but then are not willing to pay the price of complete surrender. Jesus tells us to count the costs. Are we willing spend what it costs to be his disciple? Are we willing to pay everything that we have. Are we willing to die.

A major problem with American Christianity is that people are not willing to pay the price to be true disciples. Because of this the church has become something to push aside. It is considered to be full of hypocrites with nothing of worth or substance to offer to the real world. It is a crutch for weaklings. It is like a sappy love song that touches the heart of an inebriated drunk. Christians have not shown that they are dedicated enough to pay the price of discipleship and because of this the world has assumes they are not strong enough to address real problems.

Because people like you and me were not willing to give all, Christianity is being scorned. If you and I pay the price of discipleship, we will begin to turn the poor conception of the church around, starting with those we know. The love of God that flows through us will feel stronger than any love they have ever felt, even if it looks like hate in comparison to our love for God.

Against Such There Is No Law

On October 18 or 19 the Pennsylvania Senate adopted Resolution 373 commemorating the Amish and volunteers who were involved in the tragedy at West Nickel Mines Amish School and the Amish community in general. The resolution specifically thanks the Amish for their demonstration of mercy and forgiveness combined with a lifestyle of nonretaliation.

I find this remarkable. Here is an official government organization, announcing its admiration and appreciation for the loving and forgiving attitudes and actions of a group of people. If Christians are to influence government in no other way, demonstrating forgiveness and a nonresistant lifestyle is one way that is certainly supported by Christ. I am also reminded of the fruit of the Spirit and Paul’s statement that “. . . .against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). Not only is it not against the law, it is often recognized, sometimes even by the government, as being very good.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

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SENATE RESOLUTION

No. 373 Session of 2006

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        INTRODUCED BY ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, BRIGHTBILL, BROWNE, CONTI,
           CORMAN, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FERLO, FONTANA,
           FUMO, GORDNER, GREENLEAF, HUGHES, JUBELIRER, KASUNIC,
           KITCHEN, LAVALLE, LEMMOND, LOGAN, MADIGAN, MELLOW, MUSTO,
           O'PAKE, ORIE, PICCOLA, PILEGGI, PIPPY, PUNT, RAFFERTY,
           REGOLA, RHOADES, ROBBINS, SCARNATI, STACK, STOUT,
           TARTAGLIONE, TOMLINSON, VANCE, WASHINGTON, WAUGH, WENGER,
           D. WHITE, M. WHITE, A. WILLIAMS, C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING AND
           WOZNIAK, OCTOBER 18, 2006

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        INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 18, 2006

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                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Honoring the lives and extending condolences to the West Nickel
     2     Mines Amish School shooting victims, their families and the
     3     entire Amish community.

     4     WHEREAS, The shooting at West Nickel Mines Amish School on
     5  October 2, 2006, has devastated the Amish community and the
     6  entire nation with its senseless violence; and
     7     WHEREAS, The loss of innocent lives and the unfathomable
     8  impact of this attack on those who mercifully survived has left
     9  our nation deeply saddened and grieving; and
    10     WHEREAS, The recent incidents of school violence have further
    11  shaken communities throughout the country; and
    12     WHEREAS, Law enforcement, emergency services and medical
    13  professionals have gone above and beyond the call to aid victims
    14  and their families; and
    15     WHEREAS, The Amish community has responded to this horrific

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     1  incident with unparalleled mercy and forgiveness that has
     2  deepened our profound admiration for the manner in which the
     3  Amish conduct their lives; therefore be it
     4     RESOLVED, That the Senate offer deepest condolences to the
     5  West Nickel Mines Amish School shooting victims, their families
     6  and the entire Amish community and extend heartfelt thanks to
     7  all who responded to the terrible tragedy.

Questions About Government

How should Christians feel about government? Should we be willing to express opinions on which type is best? Is one kind superior to the others according to God? Does the fact that God established monarchy mean anything or was that only because the people demanded it? Does democracy fit better with Scriptural teachings better than other forms? Is political and moral freedom a right that Scripture supports as being undeniable? What does God want us to believe about justice and its maintenance by the government? Should we feel differently about the person killing in a crime and the person killing a criminal? (If one takes a very literal view of Scripture, someone killing as a government agent of justice or someone killing as a soldier or someone killing in a crime all face the same consequences of taking a life when killing is bad.) How should the Christian support the governments role to “execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4) and still be against killing, coercion of people, and the weapons of this world?

This is a list of questions off the top of my head. I am beginning to study the subject of the Church’s prophetic ministry to the government and society. These questions are related and questions similar to this have been bouncing around in my head for a while. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

From the Inside Out or the Outside In

A struggle among conservative Mennonites today is whether to legislate good actions and intend for it to become what people want to do, or to put up with some diversity and below-standard actions with the intent of helping the person change the desires of their heart so that the outside actions will change. This is a major controversy which has been near the heart of many church splits and been the cause of many disdainful glances and L.D.N.’s (Look Down Nose).

One side tries to cause right living. They feel there is no excuse for doing what is wrong. They feel that the person should first and foremost be committed to submitting to the church and God and that if they are, they will submit and eventually learn to appreciate what they are now being required to do. They tend to have a large set of standards for the church which they hope will create unity and a clear presentation of what it means to be an obedient follower of Christ.

The other side feels that requiring good actions does not truly change people’s hearts and that it will probably make a bunch of hypocrites who are doing right only because of social pressure. They prefer to put those things which are wrong, but are done by the person without guilt, under the grace of God and work to call that person to change through a change of heart. They tend to have fewer rules and seek to cause their members to do right by accountability and dialogue.

So, which is right? Which is more like what Christ intends for his church? I have decided to which side I lean. I have tried here to present a balanced view of both. I believe that I see the purposes and desires of both. I appreciate to a greater or lesser degree both sides. If you feel that your side has been misrepresented, please let me know so that my understanding may be broadened. If you do not respond with any corrections, I will assume that my overview is correct according to all my readers. : )

“Be not conformed….”: Mennonite Traditions

In a recent conversation with a friend I came to some conclusions about Mennonite traditions that have to do with separation from the world. The key verse which Mennonites base most of their nonconformity on is of course Rom. 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” There is some grounds on which to argue that the “conformed” is not talking about, or at least not primarily about physical things. My goal here is not to address the depths of this verse, so I will go on.

Mennonites have tended to say that since we should not be conformed, we should look different, act different, and speak different. I agree that we should not look, act, or speak in a sinful way, but let us be careful that we do not say things are wrong that are not wrong. I agree that we should not dress in a way that looks like a satanist, but does the Bible condemn certain kinds of clothes other than those that are immodest, that demonstrate pride, or that identify us with sin? I agree that we should not dwell on music that is evil and that glorifies sin, but does the Bible condemn instruments? These are just a few examples, but I think they demonstrate the point I am trying to make. Conservative Mennonites have tended to define what is evil and what is not simply because the rest of the world does it. They have tended to define many things that the rest of the world does as evil simply because it is “like them”. We need to be careful what we label sin and what conservative Mennonite tradition has said is good. It may be good for some, but is it necessary for all?

Some have argued that it does not matter that our traditions make it difficult for others to join our churches. They say we should not patronize sinners. If they are serious they will come. I agree that we should not remove Scriptural commands to make it easy for others to join our church, but there is a New Testament precedent for removing unnecessary traditions to make it easier for others to join. The whole point of Paul’s presentation to the Jerusalem Council was that the Mosaic law was not part of the Gospel and that it should not be required of converts. Acts 15:10 “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” If it is helpful for you to continue in the Conservative Mennonite traditions, continue practicing them with my blessing, I hold to quite a few myself. Let’s avoid preaching a gospel that is not Christ’s and requiring heavy yokes that are not a necessary part of His Kingdom.

Culture and Scriptural Commands

P.(pre)S.-I spend the 22-26 traveling to, at, and from Atlanta Georgia for the International Woodworking and Furnituremaking Show. I had a good time, an amazing hotel (indoor/outdoor swimming pool, suana, dry suana, 48 floors, glass elevators), and no internet. I am back and at lunch today I struck upon this cognition.

Most problems between Mennonites could be solved if we could come to an agreement on what is culture, what is Scriptural commands, and what is culture that is so good that it should be kept even if it is not a command. Much of the disagreements between Mennonites which cause church splits, build relational walls, and cause an inability to cooperate in Kingdom work are caused by the struggle between culture and Scriptural commands and where the two start, stop, and overlap. I do have opinions about where these lines are. I will not state them here. I will ask some questions and would appreciate your responses. If you respond I will answer anything you ask me. I do not wish to spout opinions outside of dialog because they may be misunderstood and only be a catalyst for distracting argumentation.

What are the commands of Scripture?

What are the statements in Scripture which only apply to New Testament civilizations?

What are the areas of conservative Mennonite culture that are not Scriptural commands?

What are the areas of conservative Mennonite culture that are not Scriptural commands, but should be practiced by all Christians?

How much should the good things of Mennonite culture be an issue in hindering fellowship and cooperation with others?

How do we handle other Mennonites who value Mennonite culture to a greater or lesser degree than we do?

What parts of Mennonite culture are very good for Mennonites, but are not necessarily helpful for most potential converts?

What important questions have I missed and who has all the answers?