Why is it so important to know, love, and obey God?

I get this question from Elementary age kids in Sunday School. Their lives are full  -  playing with friends, going to school, living with their family, playing video games, why should they spend time and effort on God? 

The first answer doesn’t satisfy: God created the universe (and us) and sent Jesus to rescue us from our sin. That’s just not the way they look at the world.

Second try does no better: nothing will ultimately satisfy us in life if it is not from Him and in Him; worldly pleasures, accomplishments, possessions, relationships all amount to nothing and will crumble to dust in the end; only God endures. At age 10, the final outcome isn’t in their conceptual framework.

Third try: there is true joy and happiness found in Him, that is not found in anything else. The challenge here? It is so natural for children to find satisfaction in serving others (except for doing chores) that they don’t connect it to God. They like to please people! 

Number four: the consequences of rebelling against God, doing wrong instead of right, are God’s way of getting our attention. That is an abstraction, possible to see but hidden most of the time.

Five: there is a supernatural joy that comes when we connect God to a situation, in prayer and action that invokes His presence. This comes a little closer - because kids simultaneously see a miracle and experience the glow of a God’s presence.

But the bottom line puzzles me. It almost seems that God has pre-wired some kids (people) to simply love Him without needing persuasion, and others to be oblivious to any and all forms of enticements. But how much are these kids different from adults? We offer the same set of excuses. 

Book review: Christ and the Kingdoms of Men, by David C. Innes

 Book review: Christ and the Kingdoms of Men, by David C. Innes

Subtitle - Foundations of Political Life

What is wrong with our nation? That is the implicit question that the author addresses in describing politics from a Christian perspective. Not to address specific issues, parties, or candidates, but the fundamentals of what is a citizen, what is the purpose of government, and what are the problems of governance. Our politics simply reflect the environment of the people of our nation.

Modern citizenship is deemed the legal right to live in a nation, vote, and receive entitlements. A traditional view is that a citizen lives in a moral realm  and is devoted to the people he lives with, and the good he shares with them. There is tension between being a citizen of the Kingdom of God and a citizen of that earthly realm we dwell in. Short of going to heaven, we are limited in how much we can bring God’s morals to our body politic, but citizens are committed to bringing about what is right. That nations need citizens not subjects is analogous to God wanting sons not slaves.

The Biblical admonition in Romans 13:1-8 is not unlimited. Christians are not told to submit to governments that inflict or promote evil. But recall that Nebuchadnezzar was an absolute despot, yet God compared his kingdom to a head of gold, and a fruitful tree. (Daniel 2:38, 4:20-22)  Rulers and governments that protect the morals of society are to be obeyed. But a good Christian would not have been a good citizen of Nazi Germany. Government is God’s servant for good.

The political problem is government’s built-in tension between power and restraint. It must have power to perform its divinely mandated purposes. It must exercise that power in restraint to enable the free moral actions of its citizens. Jesus said to render unto Caesar.... (Luke 12:25) This illuminates the depth of submission to unjust government, because Jesus  submitted to death on a cross at the hands of Roman rulers. The line is drawn in Acts 5:29 when the rulers ordered the disciples to disobey a direct command of Christ, and their response was that there are things that must be done, out of obedience to God, regardless of the consequences. Civil disobedience.

The modern solution is limited democracy, a government with separation of power, checks and balances.  But other forms of government can also potentially manage this tension. And even democracy goes awry if the body politic embraces immorality.

The root problem is that our political institutions are built deep-down on Christ’s command to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. (Matthew 5:44) We can discuss our differences and work them out only when we believe that people we disagree with have value and dignity in God’s eyes; that He loves them as much as He loves us. Millennia of human history have amply demonstrated that without this cornerstone, civil discourse quickly disappears, for there is no other possible foundation.

Book Review: The Lost Art of Dying by Lydia S. Dugdale, MD

Dr. Dugdale attempts to revive the ars morendi, a set of medieval practices surrounding the event of death. Dimensions include finitude, community, context, fear, body, spirit, ritual, and life. Death was much different in the Middle Ages, a common event that almost always occurred at home. Plagues were frequent, other conditions untreatable, so society developed an art of dying that considered and included best practices for each of death’s dimensions.  Dr. Dugdale updates these ancient methods to the present, and identifies specific ways in which modern society and medical practice could learn from them.

The author returns repeatedly to a few issues that clearly are important to her. Most frequent is her discussion of the tension between the benefits of using medical technology to resuscitate clinically dead against the implications for what that revived life will be like. This is her area of medical expertise and practice, so she is acutely aware of the downsides of living with intubation and intravenous infusions, trying to keep a frail body from expiring, and the relative shortness of a revived person’s life extension. While some can recover and live a long time in relative health, others last a short time, to then expire again, until revival is completely ineffective. 

Death in a hospital ICU is seldom in the context of family and friends, and offers little to no opportunity for final conversations or religious practices. (And this was written before the COVID-19 crisis excluded even immediate family from hospital visits). Some fear death so greatly that they will do anything, accept any pain or indignity, to extend existence a few more hours or days. In other cases, loved ones do not want their relative to die prematurely, sometimes against the wishes of the terminally ill. 

Dr. Dugdale advocates that whenever possible, those facing death (everyone) develop a plan for their final hours, such as where they want to die (she suggests most prefer home if given the choice) and who they want present as death draws near, and communicate their plan to those who will speak for them in their final hours. There is a fascinating digression about the evolution of hospitals from their origin, of providing basic care for the indigent, to their modern role as the locus of modern, conveyer-belt medical technology for those who can afford it. 

The final chapter points out that the ultimate key to dying well is to live well and have no regrets. While citing the example of Jacob’s last words, she does not speak to the other side of death’s door. Matthew 25:21 & 23 give us the ultimate life goal - to be told by The Lord “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your master.” If one fears the final judgment and is not at peace with God, fear of death is rational. The aphorism, “there are no atheists in foxholes” dating to at least World War II, speaks to the deepest human response to imminent death. How can we be confident in what lies beyond death’s door? Creeds, sacraments, and works as public testimonies of faith all are scriptural. But true confidence comes from a relationship with Jesus that is built on these foundations. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28) The art of dying well must be based on this, or else it is a superficial facade.

Book Review: God and the Pandemic, by N. T. Wright

After writing a short essay for Time Magazine, N.T. Wright set out to write a longer version to express his thoughts. In this 76 page tract, he explains the basis for his rejection of apocalyptic interpretations of the pandemic. History is replete with plagues; historically Christians cared for the afflicted, and proclaimed the gospel by living out their faith, by following the example of Jesus. We cannot claim biblical authority for private interpretations of this plague, such as seeing it as a judgment by God of sin, or claiming special knowledge of what God is doing. Rather, the Biblical response is to lament the events, and rise to the challenge of asking God for directions on whom we are to serve, and how. He cites several New Testament passages in support of the Biblical basis for this response. 

While Wright’s position is strong, he gives only passing comment to the fundamental difference between this and previous pandemics. A rather major feature of this present pandemic is that government at all levels has gone crazy in its response - shutting down the economy (except for casinos and abortion clinics), closing churches as not essential but protecting assembly for violent protest. If any feature of the present circumstances suggests an imminent apocalypse, it is this arrogance of politicians and their public health advisors exercising authority with the wisdom and discretion of the Keystone Kops (reviewer’s comment, not in the book).

The apex of Bishop Wright’s argument is a slightly different reading of Romans 8:28. The standard translation is, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This implies a passive receipt of the benefits of the work God is doing in these circumstances. The author suggests that the use of synergeo is closer to other passages in which Paul was talking about God working with and through His people, acting through human agents, those who are called according to His purpose. So here, Dr. Wright suggests, Paul is calling us to hard work, knowing that God is working through us.  This is the Biblically Christian response to the ‘all things’ of the present.

If nothing else, this book makes clear that the basic imperatives of the Christian life are not changed by circumstances. Locked doors cannot keep Jesus out. He can calm our fears. The gospels describe the signs of God working through Jesus - healings, teachings, service, offering faith and hope to the down and out; and these hallmarks of His presence on earth continue to this day through His people, the church.

COVID-19: A parable for our time.

COVID-19 is like sin. It is deadly. And it is very contagious. 

The coronavirus is often transmitted so subtly, with no visible indications, that the recipient  is unaware of the risk. Because of this, extreme social distancing is the primary defense against contagion. Distancing. Face masks. Avoiding large gatherings. Extreme sanitation - wiping down all common surfaces with disinfectant wipes. Closing establishments that cannot meet these requirements. Would that we worked this hard to avoid infection by sin! 

The social consequences of Coronavirus are reshaping society. The economy is shutting down whole sectors, those that depend on large numbers of people in proximity for their business. Mail order business and virtual events are the new normal. Distancing and avoidance measures are reshaping surviving enterprises. 

Sin is deadly. Sin is very contagious.  We need a vaccine for Coronavirus, and many are working on one. But the vaccine for sin has been around for 2,000 years and only some partake. Believing in Jesus Christ saves us from sin, and we get an added dimension of resistance with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The sad truth is that while many people are in denial about the danger of Coronavirus, more are in denial about sin. A lack of common sense about the cause and effect relationship between sin and disaster perhaps arises from God’s grace. We have been so awash in God’s grace that when He chooses to discipline us, all He does is pull back a part of the grace, to allow cause and effect to bring about consequences. 

To the believer, this is recognized as a warning from God with respect to some aspect of life that He is trying to change. The unbeliever takes this as proof that there is no God, unable to see or appreciate the sea of God’s grace, and consequences become calamity. But before any of this, He warns. He sent prophets to Israel in the Old Testament (they didn’t listen), and He sends evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers to both the world and the church today. Unlike “experts” on Coronavirus who change their story frequently, God’s messengers tirelessly repeat the eternal truths of the Bible. We are tested by our recognition of His working through them (His messengers) and through circumstances. 

See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:25-27, NASB)

BLM Iconoclasm: Daniel’s Words to Nebuchadnezzar about Feet of Clay

In their zeal to eradicate symbols of racism, Black Lives Matter supporters are (possibly unintentionally) revealing God’s hatred of idolatry. Even before Moses gave the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-6), God ridiculed the idols of Laban (Genesis 31:19,30-35). Idolatry was a snare to the Israelites throughout their history, up to the deportation to Babylon. Although the New Testament does not record it, the iconoclasm of the Byzantine Empire in later centuries testifies to the enduring temptation.

Do modern statues of historical figures constitute idols that are worshipped? The emotional reaction of those who seek to protect them suggests the truth that the problem is really in their hearts. These “heroes” or role models are more important to them than faith and truth, and closer to their hearts. That is the true danger of idolatry. 

Regrettably, most BLM supporters are not true iconoclasts. Their proposal is simply to replace statues of historical figures with statues of other, ‘acceptable’ people. Idolatry lives on! What few have recognized is that all fallen humans have feet of clay. (Romans 3:23)  When statues of them are erected, their feet of clay lead to their destruction, just as Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 2:33-35).

The verdict seems clear. We must cleanse our hearts of worship of people or false pretenses. Worship and serve the one true God.

The Battle Hymn of the End Times: COVID and Julia Ward Howe

I wonder if the Battle Hymn of the Republic should be considered as a gift from God, through Julia Ward Howe. She wrote it in 1862, having reportedly gotten the lines during a night’s sleep. Although originally inspired by the Civil War, they are timeless, or perhaps suited for the end of the ages.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: 

His truth is marching on.

The first thought is to recognize the terrible events of the Civil War as precursors to the revelation of God’s glory on the earth, specifically the imminent return of Jesus to set things right by ruling over the earth. The glory of His promised kingdom will be realized through His physical presence. 

The grapes of wrath refer to those various biblical passages in which Jesus is symbolically treading in a winepress. Is it God’s wrath or mankind’s wrath that we see in riots and civil unrest? Can they be separated? If it is God’s wrath, what should be our response?

His sword is usually identified as the Word, proceeding out of the mouth of Jesus. But if His sword also slays, might not plague and pestilence be seen as such? Humankind standing before the throne of God for judgment? His word is truth, which marches on in this sense, that He does not play favorites, but reveals the condition of all men’s hearts.

(Chorus)

Glory, Glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

Glory, the weight of God’s presence, is experienced through the praise of YHWH, the eternal, self-existent, unconditional One. Ultimately, His truth will be revealed, because He marches on relentlessly. He will continue His work, with our participation or despite our rejection.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on.

Whether the campfires of homeless migrants or burning buildings torched by rioters, flames show His presence among humankind. The Holy Spirit anoints with tongues of fire, our God is a consuming fire. But ... just as the  Army of the Potomac in 1862 was ultimately to destroy rebel forces three years later, God will use the oft-misguided efforts of man to carry out His verdict and sentence. 

(Chorus)

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal";

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on.

Although current events point to a forceful and violent judgment, we are cautioned to humility. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) We should remember that the Lord’s Prayer includes the conditional petition “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matthew 6:12) The end result of the gospel will be the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, when Jesus -  born of woman, born under the Law - finally defeats and destroys the devil and his kingdom. We can worship God in the present circumstances as they are indicators of his continuing work now, before His return in person.

(Chorus)

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat;

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

The trumpets of the book of Revelation fulfill the trumpets commanded in the feasts of the Law. (Numbers 10:10) They announce the offerings and remind us to look to God. In martial use, they were throughout history used to sound commands in the field for the troops to hear signals of movement. God will never command His kingdom to retreat, although in one case, He will remove His people from the earth to go to be in His presence, as He judges all who remain on  the earth. (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) 

The judgments of God are both often mentioned in Scripture, and in our hearts as we sense His conviction regarding right and wrong. We make a choice to follow or reject them. This is not human tribunals’ version of justice, but the revelation by God through our own circumstances and the condition of our hearts. We are encouraged to respond to Him quickly, when He speaks and acts in our lives, because the final judgment will inexorably come. We should dance with joy at the signs of His imminent return.

(Chorus)

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

Jesus was born in a humble manger, more likely surrounded by hay and straw than the lilies where Moses was placed. But His divinity incarnate is able to transform us. (2 Corinthians 3:18) He died to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin. We are encouraged in this life to free humans, not just from chattel slavery, but from the bondage of sin. Let us do this now, while God is at work in our world, before that final judgment day.

(Chorus)

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,

Our God is marching on.

To what shall we compare the glory of the parousia (coming) mentioned at the outset? The sun shining on the ocean. The strong need His wisdom to act wisely, the courageous need His continuing encouragement to faint not in the day of His action. In the end, His kingdom will be established for all eternity on the earth as it is in heaven. We should celebrate that current events are signs of His imminence. 

Glory, hallelujah!