Who did Jesus come for, anyway?

Jesus didn’t come for a bunch of suburbanite, yuppie, right wing, judgmental [people].  Jesus came for the disenfranchised, people who lived by faith because that was all that they had.
 –Dude I overheard in a coffee shop talking postmodernism, Donald Miller, and Christianity

So who did Jesus come for, anyway?

Once a week I spend a significant amount of time in a coffee shop.  My visit (during which I enjoy an Americano and a blueberry muffin) precedes a weekly meeting I have with a friend of mine who is a college student.  During my time in public space I overhear a conversation or two, and every once and while the content is fascinating.  I’m sure you have had this experience.

Today I overheard a patron discussing Jesus with the espresso jockey behind the bar, with the conversation inspired due to a book carried by the customer–Donald Miller’s Searching for God Knows What (which I’ve read, and thought quite good).  The coffee shop I’m currently at is seated in the midst of a suburb of Kansas City.  There is considerable financial wealth in the area, a number of growing (and very large) churches, the population is predominantly white, and there is no lack of amenities.  While I know that this area is not devoid of tragedy and heartbreak (I used to live in an apartment complex nearby and came to know a few of my neighbors), the people who live here have it pretty good.

The quote listed above is significant in light of this data, for the persons being cast down by the customer I overheard were essentially those all around the establishment receiving my patronage today.  The gentleman who uttered this quote was anglo, dressed rather hip, and seemed to have the financial means to be doing pretty well.  He was paying an above average price for an espresso beverage, anyway.  While he was discussing those who Jesus clearly came for, I reflected on my own theology and wondered if my own inclinations toward the poor have resulted in a snobbery toward those who are rich.

There is no doubt that many of the empires some churches have established in suburbia are collecting the tithe to support a staff, maintain a facility, and upgrade fancy programs for existing church ministries.  It is not true of all churches, however.  It is also true that some church members are so consumed with keeping up with the Joneses in their neighborhoods that they neglect the poor.  But it is not true of all church members who have affluence.  It is very difficult to speak generally about “suburbanite, yuppie, right wing, judgmental” Christian people, for we are talking about people after all–people who are diverse, possess varying degrees of seriousness regarding their own Christian maturity, and who have received varying degrees of attentive, helpful discipling over the course of their life as followers of Jesus.  Besides, even if many of these people in an affluent area of suburban Kansas City fall short of many Christian ideals (and they do), did Jesus not come for these people as well?

Even the rich, yuppie, suburbanite can be redeemed.  And even the rich, yuppie suburbanite can do great things for the Kingdom if they become generous, compassionate, and mindful of those who are poor.

I think the biblical and historical data, when taken comprehensively, show that Jesus came for both the rich and the poor, men and women, slave and free, Jews and Gentiles, Republicans and Democrats, Chiefs and Raiders fans.  In fact, I can’t find a people group for whom Jesus did not come.  The God Christians worship is a God who possesses deep concern for the poorest of his children, yes, but in order to address their suffering, frustrations, and hardship, the gospel enlists those who are rich for God’s righteous mission.  John Wesley was right to express concern for those in his movement who began to amass wealth–those who submitted themselves to the rule of a holy community began to become regarded as hard working, honest, diligent, and trustworthy, and economically they prospered.  Wesley felt that wealth endangered the soul, but nevertheless recognized the opportunity to parlay that wealth into blessing.  Thus the dictum commonly attributed to Wesley, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.”

I’ll close with two stories.  A friend of mine in her twenties has devoted the last several years to serving the poor in one of the major urban centers of America.  She has discipled other young people to care for and remember the poor, and invested in a number of church groups in hope of instilling virtue in a generation of Christians currently being trained to live the holy life that includes a heart for justice.  Along the way she has gathered innumerable stories of hope, love, and joy while working among the poor.  She has seen God present while living alongside the poor.

Another friend of mine has spent the last several years working among the rich, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She has worked to move individuals toward generosity, service with and to the poor, and an increasing life of simplicity.  She has heard many stories of people who have given up on accumulating more stuff, have dedicated time to serve the poor, and have shared their experience of working among the least of these with friends and family members, resulting in a larger number of people who wish to join in the care of the poor.  She has heard stories of God’s blessing toward those who are rich as they have joined in God’s mission, and rejoiced.

It is currently faddish to decry the rich in the name of the poor, but Jesus came to redeem us all.  The rich from our greed (I consider myself quite rich since I have a house, car, and little want).  And the poor from the tyranny of wondering where the next meal will come from, where money for the heating bill will materialize from, and if their children will ever grow to be happy.  Our concern should be for all.  Our lives should give witness to the truth.  Our hope should be in Christ.  And our hands should be about his work.

God save us all.

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Archaeological Find of Note :: Significance for Reconstructing King Solomon

This article caught my attention today.  The LA Times reports that a copper smelting facility found in Jordan has been dated earlier than archaeologists initially believed, strengthening the case for the existence of King Solomon, whom the biblical narrative describes as the one who ruled at the height of the Israelite monarchy.  This article briefly surveys the historical, archaeological, and scientific findings and the debate centered on consistency between the biblical record and data amassed by scholars and researchers working in the region.  Here is a significant selection from the article:

The current center of the controversy is a 24-acre site called Khirbat en-Nahas — Arabic for “ruins of copper” — about 30 miles south of the Dead Sea and 30 miles north of the famed archaeological site of Petra in Jordan. It is the largest Iron Age copper factory in the Middle East.

The most notable characteristic of the site is the massive accumulation of black slag produced during the ancient smelting process. The site includes more than 100 buildings, including a fortress. Mines and mining trails abound.

Because wood was used to produce the heat for smelting, charcoal samples are available for dating. Two years ago, Levy reported radiocarbon dates from the site indicating that mining was taking place in the 10th century BC. Finkelstein and others objected, noting that archaeological evidence in the nearby highlands of Edom showed no evidence of habitation before the 8th century BC.

To answer those criticisms, Levy’s team excavated through 20 feet of slag near the center of the site, carefully documenting the location of each bit of charcoal and other artifacts. The charcoal was then dated by physicist Thomas Higham of Oxford University.

The entire article would be worth a read, and includes video.  Interestingly, Thomas Levy of UC San Diego concludes this archaeological find, ”represents a confluence between the archaeological and scientific data and the Bible.”

Biblical archaeology is cool, and the discussion surrounding these finds is interesting.

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J.J. Heller :: Small

Cardboard cutouts on the floor 
People wish that you were more like what they wanted you to be
Eventually they won’t have much of you at all in their theology 
The walls are closing in on you
You cannot be contained at all

I don’t want to make you small
I don’t want to fit you in my pocket
A cross around my throat
You are brighter than the sun 
You’re closer than the tiny thoughts I have of you
But I could never fathom you at all

Broken moldings all around
Broken people hit the ground 
When they discover that you’re not here for our benefit
You love in spite of us
You use the least of us to prove the strong aren’t really strong at all

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Robert H. Schuller Pulls the Plug on Son, Robert A. Schuller :: Hour of Power Seeks New Face

In a somewhat surprising headliner at FoxNews.com, the Associated Press is reporting that Robert Schuller the elder is removing his son from the pulpit at the famed Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.  You can read the story here.

The Crystal Cathedral and the “Hour of Power” program are incredibly well known.  The church has an extremely large membership and their television ministry has expanded their influence.  Schuller has made his mark as a friendly, warm personality who’s preaching commonly included uplifting and affirming messages.  Under his leadership, the Crystal Cathedral intentionally remained light on theological or churchy language.  This philosophy was carried forth in many corners of the church growth movement.

Though the reason cited by Schuller Sr. was a disagreement on vision, I wonder if it had anything to do with doctrine.

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Election 2008 :: Decided via Dance Off?

For what it is worth, this is a cool concept.

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World Series Pick :: Rays in 6

ESPN analysts weighed in today, so I thought I would as well.  While pick’em lines are generally meaningless (see the “expert” picks for the 2008 Super Bowl), they are fun.  Three out of the four sportswriters I highly respect in the column linked above went with the Phillies (Crasnick, Gammons, Stark, with Olney dissenting), but so did Steve Phillips, who I think is a dunce.

With that said, I watched much of both the NLCS and ALCS, and though I like both teams, I am leaning toward the Rays.  Starting pitching, good bullpen relief, and an energized lineup that plays the game the right way give me ample reason to go with the worst-to-World Series Rays.  I also believe the momentum carrying over from the ALCS battle with the Boston Red Sox will carry over into Fall Classic success.

While saying “Go Rays”, with their small budget, may be bad for my local Kansas City Royals they are my favorite heading in to tonight.  This is the matchup I wanted, so here we go.

I love baseball.  And all apologies to Scotland Huber.

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“Probably No God” Ad Campaign to Appear on Buses in Britain

Check out this story from the BBC.  I disagree with the claim that God does not exist, as argued by Richard Dawkins and others mentioned in this brief.  I do not deny that Dawkins is an intellectual giant worthy of engagement–he is widely accomplished in his field, apt at writing in a popular style, and is clearly passionate in his conviction that God does not exist.  Yet, I find it difficult to argue with someone whose rhetoric leaves no room for dialogue and whose sheer arrogance seems to indicate that there is no possibility he might be wrong.  Great thinkers throughout history have been theists–something that we should not dismiss.  And, there are many intelligent scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who continue to argue for the existence of God, challenging the prevailing Darwinian sentiment that remains in academia.  Philosophy in particular is experiencing a resurgence of persons who hold Christian convictions, a point to be noted at a time when a coherent understanding of truth in popular Christian theology seems to be on the ropes.

Here’s an excerpt from the news article:

Bendy-buses with the slogan “There’s probably no God” could soon be running on the streets of London.

The atheist posters are the idea of the British Humanist Association (BHA) and have been supported by prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins.

The BHA planned only to raise £5,500, which was to be matched by Professor Dawkins, but it has now raised more than £36,000 of its own accord.

It aims to have two sets of 30 buses carrying the signs for four weeks.

The complete slogan reads: “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: “Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride – automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children.

“Even on the buses, nobody thinks twice when they see a religious slogan plastered across the side.

“This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think – and thinking is anathema to religion.”

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Family Guy :: It’s Jesus Christ!

Jesus keeps showing up in culture.

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Back Home :: Pause, Work, Prayer, & Elbow Grease

This week Molly and I travelled to Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Molly took part in New Church Leadership Institute, a conference which is part of the Path1 Initiative of the United Methodist Church.  I took pictures, researched, wrote a portion of my thesis prospectus, spent time with my brother (a student at the University of Arkansas), got some rest, and made a few new friends.  It was an enjoyable week on a number of levels.

After speaking with Molly and other church leaders I’m left with the impression that hope remains for renewal at the level of the local assembly–there are people within the church who believe that they are called to plant churches where people are welcomed, introduced to Jesus, discipled, cared for, and loved.  There is also commitment to the goal that new churches would in turn start new churches, which I hope is an indication that a leveling of sorts would occur within congregations, all the saints would be equipped for the work of the ministry, and some persons outside of clergy (without pensions, health care packages, and conference mandated salaries) might be sent out to foster small communities of people desiring to follow Jesus Christ.  These people may lead their faith communities while working bi-vocationally and may be without any official office or title.

Such a move might resemble early Methodism, shifting the church into a chaotic mode which may leave many uncomfortable.  In my opinion, church renewal and revival will require the presence of chaos, will force rethinking of traditional methodologies, and will by necessity break through bureaucratic red-tape of the established system.  While it may be true that great gains can be made through strategic planning and technique, it is my belief that a radical turnaround for established denominations such as Methodism will require a a return to something much more elemental, such as questions of being.  The claims which we make about reality, rather than our outward forms, will open more doors for the proclamation of the gospel than close attention to affinity groups, geographic growth regions, and careful marketing campaigns.  

Dependence on the Holy Spirit, disciplined cultivation of ministerial character, and passionate care of people–which in my opinion are simple, core commitments–deserve more attention in discussion of new church starts.  While the outward form of “what works” is important, the successful establishment of new communities will only yield so much good if what lies at the core of our communities (such as what the gospel says about reality) is left unattended.

My prayers this week have been with those starting new church communities, those whom God may call to start new churches, and those persons who currently do not claim Jesus as Lord whom such new communities may have opportunity to befriend, welcome, and instruct in the Christian way.  That is a commitment I have made, for until I become convinced that church leaders are turning focus to the Author and Perfector of our Faith over and above (but not in spite of) technique, strategy, and careful planning, I am not sure what else I can do.  I am not sure there is anything better which I can do.

May God raise up persons who would represent Christ well in this generation.  May God embolden our witness, calling us to champion justice, testify love, and embrace unpopularity for those things which we may be called to protest or proclaim in accordance with the truth.

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Lawsuit Against God? Case Dismissed.

This article from the BBC notes that a lawsuit filed in the state of Nebraska against God has been dropped.  Here is an excerpt:

A US judge has thrown out a case against God, ruling that because the defendant has no address, legal papers cannot be served.

The suit was launched by Nebraska state senator Ernie Chambers, who said he might appeal against the ruling.

He sought a permanent injunction to prevent the “death, destruction and terrorisation” caused by God.

Judge Marlon Polk said in his ruling that a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a case to proceed.

“Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice,” Judge Polk wrote in his ruling.

This isn’t the first time God has been called to the courtroom…for an example, read the book of Job.  

Chambers’ case is interesting.  I’m wondering where, specifically, he got this idea:

 He said God had threatened him and the people of Nebraska and had inflicted “widespread death, destruction and terrorisation [sic] of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants”.

I think this is an example of how widespread litigation has become as an avenue for those seeking justice.  In a world without a common, agreed upon morality, all we have is the courts.

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