I started reading Karl Barth’s Dogmatics in Outline in a class at Wake Forest University in 1981. Barth was the Swiss theologian who was “The Theologian” of the Confessing Church of Germany that resisted the Nazis before and during WWII. His theology began as a powerful rediscovery of the transcendent element in Christianity. He saw that Christianity had largely become all about humanity and not about God. He distinguished faith from religion, and with the Bible in hand, launched a devastating attack on the Christianity of his day. Barth felt the earth shaking when he read the Bible and prayed. He got that trembling of the spirit that comes in the presence of the One who questions and we answer, the One who calls into existence things that are not. In a real simple way, it might be said that Karl Barth, right in the middle of intellectual Europe and right in the classroom of great historical theologians and biblical scholars – right in the damn middle of all that cultured, controlled study of religion – he was shaken by the Spirit and was never the same! The words that came from the early Barth are the words of a prophet.
And, Barth was not the kind to just go home and meditate on this experience. No, he, like Luther, was called to preach, and preach he did, and write theology, he did. He was so convinced that cultured, liberal Protestantism had gotten things backwards that he spent much of his remaining life explaining that to the churches. As Barth opposed the rise of Hitler and the Nazi, German nationalist party in the 1930’s, most all of the liberal theologians and scholars went right along with Hitler, many even writing a theology to sanction the Third Reich. Barth and other pastors with him, like Martin Niemoller, heard a Word that came from far above religion and church life; a Word that transcended nations and dictators. And, Barth’s living faith was outraged at the impudence of Hitler. Right in the middle of Berlin, professor Barth gave an address on the radio entitled: “Jesus the Jew.” Barth,as well as Bonhoeffer who took radical action in solidarity with Jews in Germany, spoke of the Hebrew prophets and the Hebrew people as God’s people. Barth used to say that you could not really know Christ without having a deep bond with the Jewish people.
Barth also had some strong criticisms of fundamentalist Christianity (he said they had made a “paper pope” of the Bible, and felt it was just the flip side of the misguided rationalism from the Enlightenment), but seemed to take it less seriously. I think Barth felt that the Bible had enough actual power to withstand fundamentalism, and that the true interpretation of the Bible had enough power to overcome the liberal and conservative perversions of Christianity. It seems that with conservatives, he could at least argue about the Bible. Liberals had it safely tucked away under the lock and key of historical,criticial studies, having a way to explain away any difficulty posed by the Bible.
And, as I am trying to figure out what is the center of church life in a new church situation, I have found my self reading Barth again, starting right at Volume I, Part I of his Church Dogmatics, in which he talks about the Church’s proclamation, the Church’s Bible, and the Church’s Lord. It’s pretty slow reading, but it is like having someone to talk to about things that others just aren’t interested in anymore. Pastors in our day are apparently far beyond me in knowing what the real point of church and faith is. They think the Church has the message perfectly preserved – the truth as clear as day – all that needs doing is a good marketing job! Bullshit! The Church needs to hear the Word of God itself, and be changed by it, and then maybe it can have something to say to the world. Apparently most pastors have the Bible tucked away nice and safely in their four or five sermons they recycle throughout the years (hey, I probably don’t have anymore than that either when it comes down to it! Only difference is I throw the four or five away every four or five years and start over). And, it makes no difference to me whether they are conservative, liberal, fundamentalist. What matters to me is that I can’t seem to find anybody who gets shaken up by reading the Bible, who gets overwhelmed at the mystery of God’s way on earth, who feels like you can only see it for an instant, and then right as it comes into view, you are left with only a vague sense of joy, purpose; but, with a strong yearning to praise – and, an overwhelming humility with other people and indeed, all life on earth. I guess if you explain the faith in that way, not too many people would “join up.” But, then, again who needs joiners. Maybe more people than we think are wanting to experience this deep mystery in life.
Yesterday, I’m pretty sure was a memorial day for the Holocaust. Barth’s real interest was in cleaning up the Church, criticizing and reforming false Christianity. He had no real concern to judge anyone outside the Church. Thinking about the Holocaust, reminds me that the first focus of Christian preaching has to be cleaning up our own house. When it comes down to it, if we “Christians” had gotten the log out of our eye and not been so busy trying to get the speck out of everyone else’s eye – well, maybe we wouldn’t have provided such great religious legitimation and support for the slave trade, the annihilation of Indians, the persecution and murder of so many Jews by “Christian Germany.” All I have ever felt called to as a preacher of the Gospel in the Church was to first clean up our house, so that it might be a fit place to invite everybody into. We are the ones who need to be converted. That’s all the Bible is about. Jesus and Paul don’t go out criticizing “pagans.” They call the religious to conversion, and simply invite the irreligious to come in together with the so-called outcasts. There is a truth at the heart of the Gospel that is very pure and wonderful. But, that truth is in the hands of God. He has not seen fit to give that truth into the hands of human beings – except one human being who is one with the being of God. That is the only one who has born that truth in human flesh. If redemption came through the Church, then many would be left out. Since it comes through the Christ, everyone is let in. That is the Church’s great message. Sometimes, that message gets through as a witness to this grace preaches.
And, for all Christians who want to define the Jews as if they are not God’s chosen people. Please read the Bible! Romans 9-11 might set things straight. Paul shows how much he believes in grace and reconciliation from God in Christ – a reconciliation which will mean the salvation of all Israel with the Gentiles. That’s what it says in the Bible. Any Bible believing churches preaching that? Any “Bible believing churches” in need of conversion – perhaps in worse need of it than those they are trying to convert? God bless the Jews who labored so long and hard in faith, and still do. Thank God for their presence in this world that shows the integrity and goodness of the way of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Messiah, Jesus – who, by the way, was Jewish (real circumcision ceremony, real Jewish mother putting the pressure on him to turn water into wine at Jewish wedding, etc.).
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Return of the Prodigal Demon
I have always been shaken by that passage in Luke 11:24-26 where Jesus talks about the man who had an evil spirit cast out, and the evil spirit wanders through the abyss looking for a resting place, but not finding one. Then, the evil spirit thinks to itself: “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order, so it invites seven other evil spirits, more evil than itself, and they enter and live there. And, the person ends up in a far worse condition than when he was possessed by the first evil spirit.
This tragic tale expresses something tragically true about human life and human efforts to change for the better. And, it may be that Jesus was telling this story to warn against the false religion of his day or against those who say “yes” to God and then turn away. Religion can be false either because its actual teaching is false, or because even though true, the person’s commitment to those beliefs is false or fraudulent. Either way, it is false religion.
In a psychological sense, there are many therapies that make us better for a time, but may leave us worse off than before. And, in a spiritual sense (which is all mixed up with psychology), there are many spiritual teachings and practices that make us better for a time, but may leave us worse off than before.
If you have been abusing drugs, and suddenly you stop, it may be that your inner house is free of drug induced experience, but it also may be true that you are deeply empty inside, and emptiness attracts powers that tend to subject and rule and manipulate. For instance, instead of being controlled by your drug, you may end up being controlled by another person, which probably leads back to the drug, which leads to loss of control and so on and so on.
But, I really had in mind when I started this post the religious quick fix, the false religion, that tastes sweet at first and then leaves us as empty as empty can be. I think a lot of people have had these experiences of religion, and stay away from it because of that. They got rid of one demon through religion, and then later found their inner house re-infested by many demons. Any therapy, whether it be spiritual or psychological, is temporary and possibly harmful in the long run, unless that therapy is part of a genuine personal commitment that lives within the person. Of course, a genuine personal commitment to a false way of life can be just as or even more disastrously fatal. That’s not a very bright way to start this Monday morning, but it’s not a very bright and happy scripture either. Religion is dangerous. History demonstrates that.
This tragic tale expresses something tragically true about human life and human efforts to change for the better. And, it may be that Jesus was telling this story to warn against the false religion of his day or against those who say “yes” to God and then turn away. Religion can be false either because its actual teaching is false, or because even though true, the person’s commitment to those beliefs is false or fraudulent. Either way, it is false religion.
In a psychological sense, there are many therapies that make us better for a time, but may leave us worse off than before. And, in a spiritual sense (which is all mixed up with psychology), there are many spiritual teachings and practices that make us better for a time, but may leave us worse off than before.
If you have been abusing drugs, and suddenly you stop, it may be that your inner house is free of drug induced experience, but it also may be true that you are deeply empty inside, and emptiness attracts powers that tend to subject and rule and manipulate. For instance, instead of being controlled by your drug, you may end up being controlled by another person, which probably leads back to the drug, which leads to loss of control and so on and so on.
But, I really had in mind when I started this post the religious quick fix, the false religion, that tastes sweet at first and then leaves us as empty as empty can be. I think a lot of people have had these experiences of religion, and stay away from it because of that. They got rid of one demon through religion, and then later found their inner house re-infested by many demons. Any therapy, whether it be spiritual or psychological, is temporary and possibly harmful in the long run, unless that therapy is part of a genuine personal commitment that lives within the person. Of course, a genuine personal commitment to a false way of life can be just as or even more disastrously fatal. That’s not a very bright way to start this Monday morning, but it’s not a very bright and happy scripture either. Religion is dangerous. History demonstrates that.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What I Learned from My Mom
I used to go to church every Sunday with my mother. My father was either on call, or often just worn out on Sunday mornings (he was a family doctor and on call every other night, made house calls,etc.). At a certain point, my sister got to where she didn’t want to go to church. But, I really loved going to Sunday worship with my Mom. My sister was two years older, and I got to a point in high school when I wasn’t as interested either. But, I remember those days in late elementary, middle school, when I went with my Mom and just liked every bit of it. There was a real joy about it.
I can say one thing clearly. My Mom went for two reasons and two reasons only: to praise God, and to love people. And, the love of people clearly came out of the love of God. I found out over the years that was exactly why my Mom went to church. And, when it got to a point where church presented a hindrance to praising God and loving people – well, my Mom just didn’t go to church, but praised God and loved people outside of church. But, even in times when my Mom didn't "go to church," church went with my Mom.
I’ve never lost what I learned from my Mom. It is at the center of who I am. And, when I remember who I am, I carry on this praise and love both inside and outside the church. The important thing is not the inside or outside, but the praise and love. But, somehow, I'm not sure I would have understood that unless I had experienced it inside the church. Those times of going to worship, worshipping and coming home from worship. Those were good times, sacred times for me - and, I think they were for my Mom too.
I can say one thing clearly. My Mom went for two reasons and two reasons only: to praise God, and to love people. And, the love of people clearly came out of the love of God. I found out over the years that was exactly why my Mom went to church. And, when it got to a point where church presented a hindrance to praising God and loving people – well, my Mom just didn’t go to church, but praised God and loved people outside of church. But, even in times when my Mom didn't "go to church," church went with my Mom.
I’ve never lost what I learned from my Mom. It is at the center of who I am. And, when I remember who I am, I carry on this praise and love both inside and outside the church. The important thing is not the inside or outside, but the praise and love. But, somehow, I'm not sure I would have understood that unless I had experienced it inside the church. Those times of going to worship, worshipping and coming home from worship. Those were good times, sacred times for me - and, I think they were for my Mom too.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Talking Out Loud to My Self
There are three things I would like to be rid of: A spirit of criticism, a spirit of self-importance, and a spirit of anxiety.
By a spirit of criticism, I mean the thoughts that rise up within me that are in the first instance critical of another, before I really assess the situation and what is going on. Besides, why does it matter whether I approve or disapprove of another?
By a spirit of self-importance, I really mean a way of looking at life that always considers at the center how something reflects on me, makes me look, affects me, and that assumes I have more control over a situation than I do.
By a spirit of anxiety, I mean that unnerving feeling and set of thoughts that keep me from being at peace inside. I guess it's really this spirit of anxiety that gives rise to the spirit of criticism and self-importance. And, it seems like some freedom from that spirit of criticism and self-focus could really lead to some freedom from anxiety.
Along these lines, I was wondering today about the fact that I always feel a certain pressure in about every situation to make sure everyone gets along with everybody else. Who put me in charge of that? That seems to arise out of a spirit of anxiety, a spirit of criticism and a spirit of self-importance. Of course, it is good to hope for peace among people, but can you really achieve it if you are always anxious about it? Can you really enable it if you don't trust it depends on something greater than you?
I've lived for more than 48 years, and this is the first time I have ever asked: "who put me in charge of that?" Now, it may take me the rest of my life to answer that question or I may have just answered it by asking it!
By a spirit of criticism, I mean the thoughts that rise up within me that are in the first instance critical of another, before I really assess the situation and what is going on. Besides, why does it matter whether I approve or disapprove of another?
By a spirit of self-importance, I really mean a way of looking at life that always considers at the center how something reflects on me, makes me look, affects me, and that assumes I have more control over a situation than I do.
By a spirit of anxiety, I mean that unnerving feeling and set of thoughts that keep me from being at peace inside. I guess it's really this spirit of anxiety that gives rise to the spirit of criticism and self-importance. And, it seems like some freedom from that spirit of criticism and self-focus could really lead to some freedom from anxiety.
Along these lines, I was wondering today about the fact that I always feel a certain pressure in about every situation to make sure everyone gets along with everybody else. Who put me in charge of that? That seems to arise out of a spirit of anxiety, a spirit of criticism and a spirit of self-importance. Of course, it is good to hope for peace among people, but can you really achieve it if you are always anxious about it? Can you really enable it if you don't trust it depends on something greater than you?
I've lived for more than 48 years, and this is the first time I have ever asked: "who put me in charge of that?" Now, it may take me the rest of my life to answer that question or I may have just answered it by asking it!
Holy Words from Christoph Blumhardt
The following comes from a sermon preached by Christoph Blumhardt on June 29, 1897 in Germany. The scripture was Matthew 16:13-19, and the sermon title was "The Church of Jesus Christ."*
“How then does this church come into being? Those who have seen Jesus must really stop letting themselves get distracted from the revelation of the Father. . .
“Can God reveal himself in you, my friend? I will tell you when He can do it. It is when you are bent completely, fully, on God as love. Here the roads part. Believe me, I have rarely met a person who wanted this love of God. Does that surprise you? They all want to love, but they want to choose the people they love. They are cool toward or will even persecute with their hatred all those who do not suit them. Naturally everyone wants to love according to his sympathies. Everyone loves his family, her friends, his hobbies. However, it is quite a different matter to want God’s love fully and completely. There is a love that rules in the name of godless humanity; it is the most dangerous thing in the world! The love of the members of one party judges people belonging to the other parties. The love of the members of one church loves only these and condemns all others. The love that is in the world tears God’s love to pieces because it judges.
“Yet there is a love which denies itself, which esteems all people as equals, which respects creation and no longer judges. There is a love which saves, which does away with evil and fights against all evil in order that the evil person may be saved. There is a love which does not want to do away with anybody, so that nothing may be lost, because Jesus is here, because God is the Father of all people. Remember this. Whoever does not want this love, which is God’s love, will not recognize the living God, nor will he receive the revelation.”
*This sermon was printed in "Christoph Blumhardt and His Message," written in 1938 by R. Lejeune (Plough Publishing, reprint, 1963).
“How then does this church come into being? Those who have seen Jesus must really stop letting themselves get distracted from the revelation of the Father. . .
“Can God reveal himself in you, my friend? I will tell you when He can do it. It is when you are bent completely, fully, on God as love. Here the roads part. Believe me, I have rarely met a person who wanted this love of God. Does that surprise you? They all want to love, but they want to choose the people they love. They are cool toward or will even persecute with their hatred all those who do not suit them. Naturally everyone wants to love according to his sympathies. Everyone loves his family, her friends, his hobbies. However, it is quite a different matter to want God’s love fully and completely. There is a love that rules in the name of godless humanity; it is the most dangerous thing in the world! The love of the members of one party judges people belonging to the other parties. The love of the members of one church loves only these and condemns all others. The love that is in the world tears God’s love to pieces because it judges.
“Yet there is a love which denies itself, which esteems all people as equals, which respects creation and no longer judges. There is a love which saves, which does away with evil and fights against all evil in order that the evil person may be saved. There is a love which does not want to do away with anybody, so that nothing may be lost, because Jesus is here, because God is the Father of all people. Remember this. Whoever does not want this love, which is God’s love, will not recognize the living God, nor will he receive the revelation.”
*This sermon was printed in "Christoph Blumhardt and His Message," written in 1938 by R. Lejeune (Plough Publishing, reprint, 1963).
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Has Trouble With Authority
Have you ever heard it said of a young person: "he or she really has trouble with authority?" Part of me always wants to say: "who doesn't?" I was one of those kids growing up who really had a negative attitude towards authority. Well, I should say towards about all authority except that of my parents and my minister. I was alright with their authority. There was just something about their authority that I felt was right and provided space and freedom in life.
But, teachers, coaches (even some very nice coaches), and adults who were all into their authority, or even my friends "strict" parents. Well, I really had a problem with that authority. Since I was a quiet kid, people rarely knew how I was.
And, yes, I guess I should say that I had a real respect for the ultimate authority over life: the Creator and Judge and Redeemer of the Universe.
Strange, for me, having faith in God meant a certain distrust of all human authority, and I have never been comfortable with any person in authority who didn't have a healthy suspicion of human authority. That first commandment: "you shall have no other gods before me!" To me, that felt like a great shout of freedom from all unjust human authority. It still feels that way!
People ask me how I can be a minister and defend people accused of crimes. It is easy and natural for me. I make a living as a criminal defense attorney by challenging authority, at times, flat out opposing authority, and keeping authorities in check. I have found a way to channel my "problem with authority" into a positive, socially acceptable profession.
Now, I didn't say that criminal defense work is without moral ambiguity. There are cases in which I would rather be the prosecutor. There are cases in which the interest in protecting the public from a dangerous person seem more important than checking authority. But, I am not in charge of the whole system, and I don't have to play all roles in our criminal justice system. So, I play one role and try to play it well. Being an advocate for human beings that are accused and in danger of being stigmatized and locked up like animals - well, that's a role I am very comfortable with. And, besides, if I hadn't found a positive way to channel my problem with authority, I would probably have been locked up a few times myself.
But, teachers, coaches (even some very nice coaches), and adults who were all into their authority, or even my friends "strict" parents. Well, I really had a problem with that authority. Since I was a quiet kid, people rarely knew how I was.
And, yes, I guess I should say that I had a real respect for the ultimate authority over life: the Creator and Judge and Redeemer of the Universe.
Strange, for me, having faith in God meant a certain distrust of all human authority, and I have never been comfortable with any person in authority who didn't have a healthy suspicion of human authority. That first commandment: "you shall have no other gods before me!" To me, that felt like a great shout of freedom from all unjust human authority. It still feels that way!
People ask me how I can be a minister and defend people accused of crimes. It is easy and natural for me. I make a living as a criminal defense attorney by challenging authority, at times, flat out opposing authority, and keeping authorities in check. I have found a way to channel my "problem with authority" into a positive, socially acceptable profession.
Now, I didn't say that criminal defense work is without moral ambiguity. There are cases in which I would rather be the prosecutor. There are cases in which the interest in protecting the public from a dangerous person seem more important than checking authority. But, I am not in charge of the whole system, and I don't have to play all roles in our criminal justice system. So, I play one role and try to play it well. Being an advocate for human beings that are accused and in danger of being stigmatized and locked up like animals - well, that's a role I am very comfortable with. And, besides, if I hadn't found a positive way to channel my problem with authority, I would probably have been locked up a few times myself.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Way of Christ Inside and Outside the Church
For the Church, this is Holy Week, the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter. The central and most important holy time of the year (the early church didn't even celebrate Christmas). And, during this week, as was my experience last year during Holy Week, I am wondering about life in the church. I am wondering in a terribly serious way whether our Christian religion makes us better, or, maybe worse than we would have been without it. I know, this type of worry may disappoint those who are Christian. But, though I feel that the real tradition of the Church is holy and good. I don't think there is much of the real tradition present in the churches of our day. Of course, I don't really know. I just know how it feels. And, often it feels like there is at least as much holiness outside as inside the Church. And, this doesn't really disappoint me. Why shouldn't we Christians be glad that there are good people, good ideas, good works outside of our religious communities? And, to say this doesn't somehow mean to say that the way of Jesus is not the way of truth. But, it is to say that the way of Jesus may be outside as well as inside the Church's fellowship.
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