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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What to Do When Heresy Invades the Church?
(ED Note: This is a post sermon response to a sermon preached on July 19th.)
What happens when heresy rises up in the church?
What happens when heresy rises up in the church?
Some people leave; other stay. Regardless, those who leave and those who stay are still united by the Blood of Christ and still Christians. I think the Lord’s heart on this would sound something like this: don’t judge those who stay and don’t judge those who leave.
I have many friends who have left the denomination. Part of me is saddened because they are good people and I will miss them. My blessing runs with them, though, and I bless their new call. After all, it’s all about populating the Kingdom of God.
As for me, and others who have yet to be lead away, my job is to be content and minister on. I’ve been in the denomination for nearly 30 years now – 15 years as a paid lay person/minister and 15 years as an ordained person. Very early on I wanted to leave. Now that God has developed a deeper sense of his will and timetable in my heart, I no longer yearn – like a runner posed and ready to bolt at the sound of the gun – to leave the church. If and when my time comes I’ll be ready. Until then, there is work to do. Not unlike the Second Coming.
So how are we – those who have remained – to poise ourselves in the face of rising theology and praxis which flies in the face of Christian Orthodoxy? First we need to be cautious. This is a real danger – not unlike a tiger sticking its head into a house. Paul writes the church at Romans:
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:17-19
He writes, “Stay away from them.” He doesn’t say, “Leave them,” nor does he say, “Befriend them.” This is a tone of cautiousness. Be careful. Be aware of who they are, what they have the potential to do, and don’t fall into the same trap as they have. Through it all we’re to maintain a disposition of peace.
Here’s Paul once again:
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
Now, just in case your inner warrior or Biblical Jihad rose up in you after reading this passage – you know, the whole misguided idea of giving your enemy water and food because somehow in God’s mysterious ways Jesus will change your water into the wine of God’s wrath – let me offer to you something that may sober you up. This quote (about the coals being heaped on the heads of those we bless) is taken from Proverbs 25:21-22 – and it’s from a really, really long time ago. In that day and age it was well known that Egyptians – when charged guilty of a crime – often carried a basin of hot coals around on their heads as a visible symbol of their admission of guilt and repentance.
Yeah.
So Paul is saying that, as we give water to our enemies who thirst and as we give food to our enemies who hunger – or, in other words, as we love our enemies – they just might “get it,” turn around, and look for a basin of heaping coals to put on their heads as a sign of sincere and public repentance.
That puts it in an entirely different perspective.
I have often wondered why Church needs to be diversified. Why does Judas have to be at the Last Supper anyway? Why didn’t Barabbas go to the cross? I mean, life would be so much easier without them. While Jesus doesn’t exactly answer the question, he does acknowledge the problem exists. Hear the Master’s words:
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
28" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' " Matthew 13: 24-30
Living in a mixed Church is… it simply IS. We are consoled by the assurance that this hasn’t taken God by surprise. He will make it right one Day. In the meantime, we – who have yet to be called out – are given certain chrisms with which we are to clothe ourselves; disposition of love, absence of judgment, and peace. We are to remain cautious; and never compromise the Faith of the Church and everything for which it stands.
In a distant way, this sort of posturing reminds me of Jesus when he was here.
I have many friends who have left the denomination. Part of me is saddened because they are good people and I will miss them. My blessing runs with them, though, and I bless their new call. After all, it’s all about populating the Kingdom of God.
As for me, and others who have yet to be lead away, my job is to be content and minister on. I’ve been in the denomination for nearly 30 years now – 15 years as a paid lay person/minister and 15 years as an ordained person. Very early on I wanted to leave. Now that God has developed a deeper sense of his will and timetable in my heart, I no longer yearn – like a runner posed and ready to bolt at the sound of the gun – to leave the church. If and when my time comes I’ll be ready. Until then, there is work to do. Not unlike the Second Coming.
So how are we – those who have remained – to poise ourselves in the face of rising theology and praxis which flies in the face of Christian Orthodoxy? First we need to be cautious. This is a real danger – not unlike a tiger sticking its head into a house. Paul writes the church at Romans:
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:17-19
He writes, “Stay away from them.” He doesn’t say, “Leave them,” nor does he say, “Befriend them.” This is a tone of cautiousness. Be careful. Be aware of who they are, what they have the potential to do, and don’t fall into the same trap as they have. Through it all we’re to maintain a disposition of peace.
Here’s Paul once again:
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
Now, just in case your inner warrior or Biblical Jihad rose up in you after reading this passage – you know, the whole misguided idea of giving your enemy water and food because somehow in God’s mysterious ways Jesus will change your water into the wine of God’s wrath – let me offer to you something that may sober you up. This quote (about the coals being heaped on the heads of those we bless) is taken from Proverbs 25:21-22 – and it’s from a really, really long time ago. In that day and age it was well known that Egyptians – when charged guilty of a crime – often carried a basin of hot coals around on their heads as a visible symbol of their admission of guilt and repentance.
Yeah.
So Paul is saying that, as we give water to our enemies who thirst and as we give food to our enemies who hunger – or, in other words, as we love our enemies – they just might “get it,” turn around, and look for a basin of heaping coals to put on their heads as a sign of sincere and public repentance.
That puts it in an entirely different perspective.
I have often wondered why Church needs to be diversified. Why does Judas have to be at the Last Supper anyway? Why didn’t Barabbas go to the cross? I mean, life would be so much easier without them. While Jesus doesn’t exactly answer the question, he does acknowledge the problem exists. Hear the Master’s words:
24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
28" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' " Matthew 13: 24-30
Living in a mixed Church is… it simply IS. We are consoled by the assurance that this hasn’t taken God by surprise. He will make it right one Day. In the meantime, we – who have yet to be called out – are given certain chrisms with which we are to clothe ourselves; disposition of love, absence of judgment, and peace. We are to remain cautious; and never compromise the Faith of the Church and everything for which it stands.
In a distant way, this sort of posturing reminds me of Jesus when he was here.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Restoration in Difficult Circumstances
Editors Note: This blog will seek to clarify how restoration is possible in difficult or impossible situations. These are spin-off questions and items from this morning’s sermon.
While Biblical restoration with the Lord and others is always God’s will. There are difficult times and situations that warrant a closer look. For example, in the case of abuse, does God want to restore me back into that situation? If so, I want no part of it! When I ask forgiveness from a person who has hurt me, am I to jump back into the same lion cage as before and be all “buddy-buddy” with them – only to be scratched again? Is that what forgiveness asks of me?
Here are some difficult questions around the idea of restoration:
Q1. How is restoration possible with a dead person?
A1. We’re commanded in Scripture not to talk with the dead. In cases that require the asking or giving of forgiveness to those who have passed it is necessary to do that within the context of prayer; stating the conversation to Jesus and using the words that you would like him to pass onto the deceased. He knows where everyone is. If they are with him, that wont be a problem and you can pray with confidence and peace. Even if their eternal resting place is uncertain – something we are not to judge, by the way – Jesus can get the word to them and you will have a sense of peace and release after your “Amen.”
Q2. If I forgive someone who has hurt me does that mean I have to befriend them and wind up getting hurt all over again?
A2. Remember, forgiveness is a releasing a person from the actions, behavior, or sin to the heart of God. You relinquish judgment of that person to the Judge of All and intentionally wash your hands of the event. Sometimes, God may even allow you to view the “breacher” with His eyes – eyes of love and a heart of compassion towards the very person who once hated and denied you so severally.
However, this does not mean that everything is hunky-dory. While you may have changed, the other person may not have changed. You’ll need to use real wisdom now as to how the relationship should move forward from this point. Sometimes that means you decide to never see or contact that person again – especially if it an issue regarding the transgression of a sexual boundary. Other-times it may mean you can see that person occasionally, but remain guarded all the same. If you have been restored with the person, nothing may need to change. Be content in that you know that “restoration” was God’s will. You need not feel obligated to linger in the muck.
Restoration within the context of a “live-in” situation – say with a son or spouse – is a beautiful thing. It’s a bit different than forgiveness. I’m thinking that the need to be restored is the accumulatory effect of numerous “unforgivenesses” or “denials.” In cases like this, restitution will bring the family tighter together and you probably won’t wind up “getting hurt all over again” – at least to the same extent as before. Restoration among blessed unions should strengthen them.
Q3. I know I ought to forgive but I don’t feel like it.
A3. Rarely people do. On one level we forgive because Christ forgave us. ‘Nough said. Yet if our forgiveness is a knee-jerk reaction because “it’s the right thing to do,” we’ve invalidated the holiness of the gift.
People sometimes run a decade of un-forgiveness because of the hurt they suffered. They often look to a court case, or some other form of retribution to happen to the abuser before they then feel “safe” to offer their forgiveness. The idea is that, once the person has sufficiently suffered the crime, forgiveness will come all the more easily. But that isn’t the case. I saw a news show where the family sought the death penalty for the killer of their daughter. They hated the killer (who wouldn’t?) and could have prevented him from going to the chair, but didn’t. Years after the killer’s death they were still bitter and enraged at the situation.
It would have been completely inappropriate for that family to forgive that man the very next day. That would have, in my mind, sported a superficial spirituality. Yet to deliberately withhold it wasn’t any better for anyone.
There is a proper time and place for restoration to happen. It will be natural and graceful. For some it takes longer, others shorter. When it’s your time to forgive, God will line it up for you. And – even then – you may not feel like it, but you will know it’s the right thing to do. It will only be afterwards when your feelings may follow. We forgive because we have been forgiven.
Q4. I cannot forgive the person who did this to me.
A2. Quite right; true forgiveness is one of those heavenly attributes that comes from heaven, through you, and lands in the heart of the other – not unlike God’s love, poured out through Christ on the Cross, into our hearts. Truth is that you have the ability to forgive that person (by virtue of the forgiveness in Christ bestowed on you). The looming question is what’s preventing you from releasing it?
Q5. I want my relationship restored. But s/he will have no part of it. What do I do?
A5. The most important thing here is to make sure the person knows of your intent for restoration and leave that door open until that person decides to walk through it. Your posture should be a posture of restoration. One day they may run to you and meet you like Peter ran to meet Jesus on the beach. Then you will be ready for it – and how glorious it all will be!
I know I mentioned the idea of “spiritual sludge” build-up in those folks who turn the other cheek at Biblical restoration. In this case, however, I believe your sincere posture of restoration is the Drano you need to get on with your life. Even if they never meet you on the beach you can rise with purpose into God’s call, knowing you’ve held nothing back.
Other questions? Shoot me an email at bill@holyapostles.cc.
While Biblical restoration with the Lord and others is always God’s will. There are difficult times and situations that warrant a closer look. For example, in the case of abuse, does God want to restore me back into that situation? If so, I want no part of it! When I ask forgiveness from a person who has hurt me, am I to jump back into the same lion cage as before and be all “buddy-buddy” with them – only to be scratched again? Is that what forgiveness asks of me?
Here are some difficult questions around the idea of restoration:
Q1. How is restoration possible with a dead person?
A1. We’re commanded in Scripture not to talk with the dead. In cases that require the asking or giving of forgiveness to those who have passed it is necessary to do that within the context of prayer; stating the conversation to Jesus and using the words that you would like him to pass onto the deceased. He knows where everyone is. If they are with him, that wont be a problem and you can pray with confidence and peace. Even if their eternal resting place is uncertain – something we are not to judge, by the way – Jesus can get the word to them and you will have a sense of peace and release after your “Amen.”
Q2. If I forgive someone who has hurt me does that mean I have to befriend them and wind up getting hurt all over again?
A2. Remember, forgiveness is a releasing a person from the actions, behavior, or sin to the heart of God. You relinquish judgment of that person to the Judge of All and intentionally wash your hands of the event. Sometimes, God may even allow you to view the “breacher” with His eyes – eyes of love and a heart of compassion towards the very person who once hated and denied you so severally.
However, this does not mean that everything is hunky-dory. While you may have changed, the other person may not have changed. You’ll need to use real wisdom now as to how the relationship should move forward from this point. Sometimes that means you decide to never see or contact that person again – especially if it an issue regarding the transgression of a sexual boundary. Other-times it may mean you can see that person occasionally, but remain guarded all the same. If you have been restored with the person, nothing may need to change. Be content in that you know that “restoration” was God’s will. You need not feel obligated to linger in the muck.
Restoration within the context of a “live-in” situation – say with a son or spouse – is a beautiful thing. It’s a bit different than forgiveness. I’m thinking that the need to be restored is the accumulatory effect of numerous “unforgivenesses” or “denials.” In cases like this, restitution will bring the family tighter together and you probably won’t wind up “getting hurt all over again” – at least to the same extent as before. Restoration among blessed unions should strengthen them.
Q3. I know I ought to forgive but I don’t feel like it.
A3. Rarely people do. On one level we forgive because Christ forgave us. ‘Nough said. Yet if our forgiveness is a knee-jerk reaction because “it’s the right thing to do,” we’ve invalidated the holiness of the gift.
People sometimes run a decade of un-forgiveness because of the hurt they suffered. They often look to a court case, or some other form of retribution to happen to the abuser before they then feel “safe” to offer their forgiveness. The idea is that, once the person has sufficiently suffered the crime, forgiveness will come all the more easily. But that isn’t the case. I saw a news show where the family sought the death penalty for the killer of their daughter. They hated the killer (who wouldn’t?) and could have prevented him from going to the chair, but didn’t. Years after the killer’s death they were still bitter and enraged at the situation.
It would have been completely inappropriate for that family to forgive that man the very next day. That would have, in my mind, sported a superficial spirituality. Yet to deliberately withhold it wasn’t any better for anyone.
There is a proper time and place for restoration to happen. It will be natural and graceful. For some it takes longer, others shorter. When it’s your time to forgive, God will line it up for you. And – even then – you may not feel like it, but you will know it’s the right thing to do. It will only be afterwards when your feelings may follow. We forgive because we have been forgiven.
Q4. I cannot forgive the person who did this to me.
A2. Quite right; true forgiveness is one of those heavenly attributes that comes from heaven, through you, and lands in the heart of the other – not unlike God’s love, poured out through Christ on the Cross, into our hearts. Truth is that you have the ability to forgive that person (by virtue of the forgiveness in Christ bestowed on you). The looming question is what’s preventing you from releasing it?
Q5. I want my relationship restored. But s/he will have no part of it. What do I do?
A5. The most important thing here is to make sure the person knows of your intent for restoration and leave that door open until that person decides to walk through it. Your posture should be a posture of restoration. One day they may run to you and meet you like Peter ran to meet Jesus on the beach. Then you will be ready for it – and how glorious it all will be!
I know I mentioned the idea of “spiritual sludge” build-up in those folks who turn the other cheek at Biblical restoration. In this case, however, I believe your sincere posture of restoration is the Drano you need to get on with your life. Even if they never meet you on the beach you can rise with purpose into God’s call, knowing you’ve held nothing back.
Other questions? Shoot me an email at bill@holyapostles.cc.
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