Merry Christmas!

May you and yours find hope and peace with God through his love, grace, and mercy found in Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Adding our love to His,

Mark & Brenda Ray

Peace

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

Peace. We bring this word out every year at this time and place it upon our greeting cards, but I find the idea of "peace on earth" to be a bit allusive for most of the year. Other than at Christmas time, perhaps we associate the word with pacifists and protestors. They own the word for most of the year, and we get to borrow it during the month of December!

It wasn't too many years ago that I remember having a discussion at a small group on the subject of "Peace and the Christian". The conversation was anything but peaceful! I am usually amazed at how discussing peace among believers can become so contentious. It is an infuriating subject for some. I once heard a man say "We are not called to peace but to justice!" I kind of thought they were one in the same, but for some reason, this man was more interested in doling out "justice" than he was "peace".

Of course, his idea of justice was to give to people what they deserved -- or at least what he thought they deserved! I -- for one -- am glad that God did not dole out what we deserved when he entered time as a babe in Bethlehem! When the incarnation of the Father came to earth, he brought peace -- and that peace is his idea of justice! Why does the idea of peace disturb us so much? Perhaps it is because there is something in the nature of man that is conflicted with God, conflicted with others, and conflicted with self.

Admittedly, I am not living at peace with myself lately. There are a lot of things whirling around in my head in regards to my state of being unsettled and the loss I feel in having left "home". Of course, I was amused the other day when I turned to Romans 12:18 and read this: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." The words "if it is possible" and "as far as it depends on you" struck me as particularly interesting. Since I didn't like the NIV translation of this verse, I did the usual search of a bunch of other translations to see which one made me feel better (yes, I am being cheeky here). The New Century Version put it this way: "Do your best to live at peace with everyone." That sounds nice.

The NIV translation stuck in my head, though, prodding me to take a deeper look. Could it be that peace isn't always possible? Paul's choice of words hint at the notion that peace with everyone may simply not be possible. Most of us have probably felt the sting of broken relationships through the years and still carry with us a lingering sense of disappointment or even regret. Even in the pages of the scriptures, we find stories of those godly men and women who went their separate ways because peace, for them in that moment, was allusive. I've realized that since peace must be dependent upon all parties involved, when someone chooses not to live in peace, there is very little we can do about it. We must simply "wipe the dust from our feet" and move on with love and forgiveness in our hearts.

While I cannot be responsible for the choices of others, I am responsible for my own decisions and actions. I believe there is something in Christ that calls us to work for peace, following his example of humility and selflessness to bring reconciliation. While I cannot resolve world conflicts from Cherry Street, I can strive to live at peace with my neighbor and love those in my proximity, serving them as the Prince of Peace did. There is enough conflict, alienation, and strife found in every square mile of the globe. Christ calls us to a different way of living.

The good news is that "as much as it depends on me" doesn't really apply to the peace we have with God. Fortunately for me, the peace I have with God is his gift -- one I gladly receive and am reminded of as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The nativity reminds me that his birth equals our new birth. Just as the shepherds who first received the news of the birth of Christ were terrified by the appearance of the angel, I would be terrified with the notion that my peace with God was dependent on my ability to acheive it. Thank God it isn't.

He is our peace!

"For he himself is our peace..." (Ephesians 2:14).

Book Recommendation

A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century by Brian H. Moore

For a few years now, I have been enjoying my conversations with Brian H. Moore, pastor of the St. James Brethren Church in St. James, Maryland. We share a common faith heritage which has grown into a friendship over the past couple of years. We have known the very real and practical love of God from Brian and his wife, Amanda through their friendship as well as their hospitality. They openned their home to us for a few months when we returned from Ireland needing a place to live, and we are grateful for the witness of their lives.

I care a great deal about the church, and I am concerned about the gap that exists between church culture and the rest of the world. Particularly, I have been interested in conversation regarding how the Brethren, people of the Anabaptist/Pietist tradition, can have a positive witness in these changing times. As the chasm between church and culture widens, what does the life and witness of the local Brethren congregation look like? Do we carry a unique message that resonates with the needs of post-modern society? Brian seeks to answer these questions in his new book A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century: A Search for Identity and Cultural Relevance. I am pleased to recommend his book to you.

In the first three chapters, Brian helps the reader to understand how Brethren thought and practice developed through the centuries by asking tough questions about our 20th century identity confusion and reflecting back on our origins in Germany and Colonial America. He clearly lays out the Brethren understanding of Scripture and authority as well as bringing to the reader an understanding of how anabaptism and pietism, persecution and war shaped the early Brethren.

In particular, chapters four through seven caught my curiosity as Brian explored four very distinct themes in Brethren thought that resonate with the post-modern society we find ourselves in. These themes include: authentic community, simplicity, peace, and the cost of following Christ.

Regarding Authentic Community: "No document, book or pamphlet can describe the Brethren; one must live the community experience in order to understand. A Brethren witness for the 21st century implies, then, an invitation: come walk with us. This is, if you please, our 'pre-evangelism', how we introduce people to Jesus Christ who lives in and through the community." (p.40). For the early Brethren, the church was not simply a gathering but a community. In our age of disconnectedness and isolation, the need for authentic community (not just a church service) is very real. Discipleship is not mere education but is an invitation for others to "do life with us" and be part of the community.

Regarding Simplicity: "...cutting out or cutting back will not, of itself, create the sense of wholeness or unification in life. One must also have a rationale behind the 'downsizing' of activity. True simplicity is about 'one thing'; what is the one thing one is seeking by attempting to streamline one's life? Is it simply to eliminate 'the sound and fury'? It could still signify nothing. The Brethren witness points to a purpose beyond one's self in seeking simplicity: 'Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...'" (p.49). Seeking simplicity simply to better one's own life is nothing radically new or different. The Brethren understanding of simplicity not only challenges the lifestyle of consummerism (of consuming and being consumed) but also disentangles our complications of Scripture, faith, and life.

Regarding Peace: "The Amish response [to the schoolhouse tragedy] is not indicative of how our justice system ought to operate. It is not indicative of how national policy ought to be formulated. It is, like Jesus' and Paul's teaching on the subject (e.g., MT 5:38-48; RO 12:19-21), a clear expression of personal ethics and personal responses. It is the way of peace in human relations. It is 'the better way taught by Jesus'...it is a call to live peaceably in a terrorized world." (p.58). It is not just nations who are at war. There is such an increase of interpersonal war and the loss of relationship that leads to increased isolation. Our witness for peace begins in our homes, our churches, and with our neighbors. Global peace gets the attention, but the need for restored relationships and loving your neighbor is stronger than ever.

Regarding the Cost of Discipleship: "We live in the 'comfort zone'. We assume that comfort is our right! If something makes us uncomfortable, we protest in some manner, perhaps silently by simply walking away, seeking some more comfortable place and experience. While our spiritual forebearers thought suffering was normal, we today consider it abnormal. Which do you think is a cultural value in contrast to a biblical value?" (p.63). I once heard Brian preach a sermon in which he identified comfort as "a god of the age". This god may be unknowingly worshipped in our churches, and our devotion to this god strips us of our desire or ability to follow Christ into the uncomfortable places, creating our bubble of comfort that keeps us isolated from the world around us. Brian goes on to say, "While the environment discourages suffering in any form, our heredity as Brethren, seeking to follow Christ, encourages us to be faithful in all things to the One who gave his all for us all."

I am delighted with Brian's offering, and I think it is a little jewel. If you are interested in getting a copy for yourself, they are available for $7. You can contact Brian directly at pastormo@myactv.net.

The Journey

Jesus of the Culture War

* * *

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read "Jesus Called. He Wants His Name Back". I chuckled to myself and pressumed that both the sticker and the car belonged to some fella trying to make an anti-Christian statement...that is until I saw his little fish decal in the window and came to the conclusion that both he and his car must be sanctified! Personally, I don't like to advertise my faith on my car. My driving wouldn't always give the best impression of the Prince of Peace!

It seems that almost everyone in Denver is using the bumper of their car to get some sort of message across. These valiant culture warriors are taking the "good fight of the faith" to the city streets and busy highways by sticking clever little slogans to the rear end of their car to provoke the thoughts of those stuck behind them in traffic. This, however, does not go unanswered by those in our community who counter with pithy little comments deriding people of faith or promoting their own humanistic alternative. Subaru's are almost sure to be carrying a pro-Obama or anti-Bush message, while trucks seem to sport their support of the Denver Bronco's or Bass Pro Shop. You can learn a lot about the person in the lane beside you by what he or she glues to their bumper...

With Christmas coming closer, the culture wars in America always seem to heat up a bit. There isn't hardly a day that goes by that I don't hear a story about an athiest group suing to prevent a nativity going up in a public square or a Christian group suing to get a plastic Jesus in a courthouse rotunda. There seems to me to be a lot of effort being made to dominate the culture. I'm just not so convinced that followers of Christ should be striving toward that end!

I'm not at all convinced that the King of kings is concerned about whether or not a plastic, illuminated image of himself as a baby will be permitted in the town park. I am also not satisfied that our efforts must go towards ensuring that symbols of our faith should be found in the halls of our government, but I am certain that the followers of Christ should concern themselves with the message of Christ!

I am also concerned about how easy it is for us to be sucked into these culture wars. It is easy for people of faith to feel like the "foundations of our faith" are being attacked when we hear about the lawsuits and other attempts to strip "Christ" from "Christ"mas in the public arena. But I find these cultural wars to be very unfortunate. All they really accomplish is to widen the divide and make enemies -- and I can't really see the spirit of Jesus in that.

There is no real "witness" gained by saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays". The real witness comes as we love and serve our neighbors in the spirit of Christ...a spirit that neither leads us to dominate the culture or create a sub-culture. Don't get me wrong...I say "Merry Christmas", and I've placed a nativity in the living room of our home, because I believe the message of Christmas is found in the gift of Jesus. If people are to see that "he is the reason for the season", it will come from the way we live as the followers of Christ and not by the prominence of our plastic, illuminated statuary.

Because of Jesus, I need to guard my heart and ensure that I am not an active participant in a culture war that makes unnecessary enemies in the process. I don't want to miss the "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10) because I am stressed about all the people trying to get rid of the good news. Everybody loses in a war.

Home

Happy Thanksgiving

"Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!"

(2 Corinthians 9:15)

With Thanks

Fr. Ray Browne and Timmy Donnelly at our Thanksgiving Dinner.

Mary Concar, Brenda Ray, Jolene Hanson, Anne Donnelly, and Chris Collins at Thanksgiving Dinner.

Thanksgiving in Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon, IRL 2007

Our thoughts this Thanksgiving are with our friends and neighbors in Roscommon, Ireland. Last year, we held our American Thanksgiving Dinner with 29 of our dearest Irish friends and our Hope family. Although we cannot be there this year, we are grateful for the few years we had with our Irish friends. They have continued to be wonderful neighbors, even in our absence. They have looked after our home since we have returned to the states and have been better neighbors at 3,000 miles distance than many folks have right next door! The Lord is good to us as He surrounds our lives with such wonderful people.

To all of our Irish friends, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! We remember you with gratitude today...

"So here's to you and yours and mine and ours. If mine and ours ever come across you and yours, I hope that you and yours will be as kind to mine and ours as mine and ours have been to you and yours!" -- an Irish toast.

Wha?

?

Regarding my previous post...

I've been getting a few emails, comments, and messages from people who read my previous post, and some of them have been fairly comical. Take this one for example: "hey mark, i read ur blog and i was like no. like for real im glad i read the rest of it. like i read the first part and was like what is going on here. u no the hole um, in god we trust stuff. it didnt sound like u and im not going to lie i thought the world was going to end. my heart was beating really fast."

Cracks me up! If you read past the large caption under the photo of the coin, you'll see the real point I'm trying to make. Enjoy!

"Making a Strong Statement"

"U.S. Governement to Release New Dollar Coins

You guessed it...

'In God We Trust' is Gone!!!

If ever there was a reason to boycott something, THIS IS IT!!!!

DO NOT ACCEPT THE NEW DOLLAR COINS AS CHANGE.

Together we can force them out of circulation.

REFUSE NEW COINS!

This simple action will make a strong statement. JUST DO IT!

Please help do this...refuse to accept these when they are handed to you. I received one from the Post Office as change and I asked for a dollar bill instead. The lady just smiled and said 'way to go' so she had read this e-mail. Please help out...our world is in enough trouble without this too!!!!"

About every six months or so, I receive an email much like the one above from a Christian who has received it from someone else and thought to pass it on to me. It just so happens that I received five this week all relating to the same, false story. I never bother responding to the emails to let them know that these urban legends have been floating around for years. I figure they will find it out themselves eventually.

Somebody somewhere comes up with these things and floats them on the internet just waiting for somebody to get upset and perpetuate their myth. I'm sure some clever lad is sitting around somewhere getting a kick out of his last chaotic creation! People swallow these things whole...and it provides a great deal of comic relief for those who spun the yarn!

The "In God We Trust" legend is one that particularly interests me. It gets circulated with great fervor, as if the removal of those four words was a wholesale persecution of Christianity. I do not agree with the secular progressive agenda to remove all references to God and faith from public life, but I am also not surprised that there are those who would want to. I fully expect that someday those words will be struck from our coins and currency, but to be honest with you, it doesn't bother me that much.

Does anyone really believe we are a "Christian" nation anyhow? Does our government act in a Christlike manner in all of it's policies and practices? Does our governement represent much of anything other than it's own self interests? And does anyone really believe that an engraven image on a coin makes us a Christian nation? Jesus said that we should give to Caesar what is Caesar's (refering to his image on the coins in Jerusalem). I'd say that the goverment can do what it wishes with the government's money, but the people of God should be concerning themselves with what concerns Jesus. Jesus wasn't terribly concerned about currency!

If we are going to "make a strong statement" as the people of God, there is no stronger statement than to live out our faith as followers of Christ by loving and serving our brothers and sisters and our neighbors. Remember, it was Peter who drew the sword to defend Jesus in the garden and Judas who wanted to take the zealot approach when dealing with the government. Jesus didn't accept either way as his Way! I don't recall him boycotting or making political statements, although I do seem to remember a story or two about him protesting against money-making in the Temple.

I know that in our America, it seems that everything is political. I just don't think everything should be political! It's easy for us to rally around a cause, brandish our swords, and feel like the whole world is against us. We're really not to concern ourselves with all of that. When our coins have turned to rust and our bodies have turned to dust, it is the Kingdom of God that will remain...and it is the Father's business that should get our energy and attention!

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight..." (Jesus, John 18:36).

Centering?

. . .

I've been surrounded lately by a lot of people practicing this thing called "centering". I was at a church not long ago that spoke of "centering ourselves for worship". I spent the weekend with a non-profit organization that used their inter-faith meditation time for some "deliberate centering". My Hare Krishna neighbors realize themselves as they center, and my Buddhist friends (yes...I have Buddhist friends) practice centering on a regular basis. I teach my students how to center a heading on their papers, but I don't think that counts.

I suppose I am curious about what or whom I am to center on? Some religions teach us to center on our own consciousness while others say that we should center on nothing...emptiness. To be honest with you, I'm not sure what good centering on myself is really going to do for me (or for anyone else for that matter). Centering on ourselves is nothing new afterall...and I can't really see that being self-centered is much of a good thing. Self-centered people make selfish decisions. Our selfishness puts us at conflict with everyone around us. We don't need to look very far to see the effects of self-centeredness.

One doesn't need to look beyond the church to see the effects of self-centeredness gone wild. My personal Jesus will shower me with what I want when I want it if I do the right things and say the right words (in Jesus' name...). Seems to me that when we focus on ourselves, we start believing some pretty strange stuff about Jesus, and our sense of self-importance begins to muddle his message.

I don't think centering on myself is the answer.

Centering on Jesus, on the otherhand, is dangerous...it's a threat to my selfish tendencies. When I focus (center, concentrate, fixate or zero in) on Jesus, I am profoundly aware of the shame of my selfishness and the embrace of his grace. My heart trembles and dances almost at the same time. There are a few themes Jesus highlights that can make me feel pretty good about myself...and there are more than a few -- such as deny yourself & take up your cross -- that shake me to the core.

While there are many voices telling us to "get centered", there is only one voice telling us to "lose ourselves" (Matthew 10:39). You would think that the teachings of someone who taught a sell-all-you-have-and-give-it-to-the-poor-lose-your-life-deny-yourself theology wouldn't stand much of a chance in gaining a following, but he has! Those self-less moments of Christ brought us life, and the countless self-less acts and sacrifices of those who have follow him continue to bring life.

I know I am not The Answer, so my journey of faith can't begin or end with a concentration on myself. Our redemption comes from outside ourselves, so it only makes sense that our fulfillment should as well. When I meditate, I think on Christ -- his goodness, his faithfulness, his calling -- and I am reminded that my purpose in this life is found beyond myself as well.

"For you know it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you by your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ..."

1 Peter 1:18,19

What Matters

Together

Fra Sands on the guitar and Ben Purner.

Just a few years ago, none of us knew each other. This weekend, we enjoyed being together again.

When I stop and think about it, I am intrigued at all the different people who come and go from our lives. We cross paths with some folks only momentarily while others seem to become written into our stories. This past weekend was spent with some of those who have been woven into our lives, and it was good to be together. There is a sense that we belong to each other because of what we shared in Ireland and the love in our hearts for each other.

It felt a bit like being back in Ireland as we swapped stories, shared songs, and laughed together. Just about the time I would start to feel doleful because of our loss, I would be reminded of how great our life is with such people in it! We are thousands of miles from our former home, but our Irish friends are in our living room! What is shared between us is wider than the miles...

I am a grateful man!

From left to right: Brenda Ray, Jon Stalls, Mark Ray, Ben Purner, Fra Sands, and Jolene Hanson -- a part of the many who shared life together and fell in love with a small place called Corradrehid. Also visiting for the weekend were Evin and Amy Turley. Evin and Fra were part of one of Mark's youth groups in Northern Ireland.

What You Leave Behind

Respect

Feeding on Fear

"Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here."

I've commented before on The Wayfarer about the culture of fear that I see being so widespread in our American society. We are bombarded daily with media messages that feed us fear. If you are like me, I've had enough of the smorgasbord of dread and despair that is handed to us daily by politicians, economists, and those other agitators of alarm. Our fear benefits those who want us to be afraid!

Jean de La Fontaine said, "Everyone believes very easily whatever they fear..." I've learned a lot about myself in 2008, and I've come to realize how easily my life can be gripped by fear. I have felt the tug and tension of both fear and faith pulling at my life simultaneously. I've learned that faith does not eliminate fear but is an awareness of the presence of God when I am afraid. And I am learning that faith is not the antithesis of fear: love is! (1 John 4:18).

Since fear is a learned behavior, I suppose it is something I can also unlearn. I can hand back any fear that is handed to me and choose, instead, to rest in that place of peace and security, love and mercy that is found in Jesus. I am certainly happier in that place, and why I choose to accept the fear handed to me remains a mystery.

Fears

More Present

. . .

A few weeks back, my friend Jon uttered one of those statements that just sort of stuck in my head because I identify with it but am disappointed that I didn't think of it first. He said that he was moving into a time in his life where he was going to be "more present with less things". More present with less things...what a great thought!

There's a lot of relevance to what he said that night. In our American addiction for more, it becomes easy for us to fill our lives to excess. When we are addicted to stuff, it becomes obvious because we can see the evidence all around us. Our inclination to fill our lives with obligations and busyness may seem less clear to us and may appear to be satisfying to some. I don't know what's true for you, but I tend to be less content the more my life is crammed. The more obligations, appointments, and connections I have, the less I feel connected to those who are an essential part of my life. In an effort to spread myself around, I can lack the depth of relationship, friendship, and community that I really crave. Ironically, by filling my life with more, I feel emptier.

I respect what I learned from the Irish, that appreciation for neighbor, the cup of tea, and the chat in the middle of the road. It's nice to know that in some places in the world, there isn't much that is more important than a conversation with a friend -- where that exchange isn't restricted by time or interrupted by an obligation to be elsewhere.

I've come to place a high value on those times, and I've protected my schedule since moving back to America. I have no urge to fill up my calendar, but our door will always be open to those with whom we can share the joy of life together. I am content in that place.

Offer

The Arrogance of Belief

"May I never boast in anything but the cross..." (Galatians 6:14).

There have been many poor leaders who have lived by the motto "Do what I say, not what I do." In essence, that's the very thing Jesus was saying regarding the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in Matthew chapter 23 which led to his "calling out" some of the gross inconsistencies in their belief and practice. Although his words were about the Pharisees and other religious leaders, he was speaking to the crowds and his followers. He is speaking to us.

Somewhere along the line, we've been handed this idea that to be right with God means believing the right things about God. Believe the creeds or our church's essential doctrines, and you're OK with us -- and by proxy, with God. Believe and submit to what your leaders are teaching you, and you're OK with us and with God. It's not long before the issue becomes more about our "rightness" (and your "wrongness") than it does about living as followers of Christ.

Somewhere after the period of the early church, there was a shift in thinking in the Christian world. How one lives his life in the world as a follower of Christ morphed into simply what one believes about God. Throughout the centuries, there have been those have spoken out for "right living", but many of these groups were labelled as heretics and either dismissed or destroyed. One of the signature marks of the Radical Reformation of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries was this idea of "right belief + right living = right faith". They understood that what a person believes is important, but how that belief is put into practice in daily living is what determines the measure of a person's faith.

When I take a closer look at Jesus, I can't see this "I'm right and you're wrong" approach to the Christian faith making much sense. Neither can I see abandoning the central belief and trust in Christ as being the Way. It has to be somewhere in the middle. Jesus himself said that there will be many who will call him Lord but not enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 7), and the separation of the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25 seems to center on this idea that what we believe must translate into how we live. James 2:19 even goes so far as to say that even demons believe...but it's hard to image walking the streets of eternity with them. I know what some of you may be thinking...works! works! works! Although I do not agree that belief is enough, I also do not believe that works are enough. That, however, is not the point that I am trying to make in this article...

I am concerned with the arrogance that I see among many Christians because they "believe the right things". It's almost as though our belief legitimizes our separation from the rest of the world (and superiority above it). The patterns of arrogance can be seen everywhere in Christianity -- judgment, the marketing of our subculture, and our sense of entitlement as "children of God" (and all the prosperity bull that comes with it). Our "special insight" or "special authority" makes us feel above and superior, and that belief causes us to look down our noses at all those who do not believe as we do. I wonder how many Christian t-shirts or bumper stickers are donned not so much as a witness but as to say "I'm not like you"?

When Jesus was speaking in Matthew chapter 23, he said these very profound words: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." There was an arrogance of belief and entitlement among the Pharisees, and Jesus stood in stark contrast to their vanity of belief. With a towel and a cross, Jesus re-defined what it means to be the people of God. Our belief doesn't set us above the crowd but thrusts us into the midst of the "least of these" with love and humility to wash their "mud-caked feet".

Superiority, arrogance, and power is nothing new in a world that lusts for it, but the way of Christ is different -- and transformative. We don't "work on our works" to prove what we believe, but as we seek Christ, he changes us. There is no arrogance there.

"The Holy Spirit indwells the believer, working to bring about a more righteous life and heart. We must be careful, however, not to confuse the indwelling of the Spirit with any deification of the individual. The Spirit is in the believer and works with the believer but does not become the believer." (R.C. Sproul).

Speaking

Gift of Community

...

I had a great discussion the other night with some friends regarding the interpretation and understanding of the scriptures. We had just been to one of those book signings at a book store and heard an author sharing about her experience watching Christian television for 24 hours. Her book takes a very sarcastic look at how Christianity is marketing itself in America. I found myself cheering her on...but that's another story.

Our conversation afterward centered on how Christian groups come to different understandings of the same words. I explained that some denominations reserve interpretation only for the educated clergy or governing body, whereas some churches simply accept whatever comes out of the mouth of their pastor/leader. One view holds that "common folks" can't be trusted with understanding scripture on their own while the other view says that one man can have all the answers. I find myself somewhere in the middle on this one...

I believe that it is always best that we seek God's will together -- in community. As we strive together in humility to hear God's voice, I believe that His Spirit works in each of us, not just in one man! Single-man leadership is risky and unaccountable, and none of us are above getting it wrong or interpreting scripture according to our own prejudices and ill-conceived ideas. Neither do I believe that only the professionally educated among us have the right or insight to interpret scripture. The educated are not above getting it wrong either, and we don't have to look to far into history to find plenty of examples of how the clergy-class got it wrong and people suffered for it.

As we strive together in examining the scriptures, we are saved from living under the bondage of one man's use of the words of God to mislead, misdirect, or even manipulate. We are also saved from curse of never knowing for ourselves the promises of God found in the written words of the Gospel because they have been hidden from us by those who reserve the right to interpret and preach "another gospel". I am certain that these precious words from God were never intended to be under the control of one class or one man but that the Holy Spirit works among all believers in the body to keep those ancient words fresh, alive, and free.

I love the gift of community for many reasons. For me, having those friends in Christ with whom I can share my life and grow together is one of my most treasured "possessions". I feel that if I were to cut myself off from God, I would die. I believe that to cut myself off from the community of others is death also. I cherish the input, solidarity, strength, and joy of living that I find in my community of faith -- however small it may be -- and I appreciate what we learn together of the will of God as the Holy Spirit works through each of us.

I don't for a moment believe that we are capable of the "perfect" interpretation so long as any of us have our hands in it, but I do trust the Spirit of God to work among us despite ourselves...and, God willing, to begin to work through us.

Belongs

The Anabaptists and Emerging Church

Baptism

I have a great deal of fondness for the Anabaptist heritage I have spent my entire life a part of, and I probably have more of an appreciation for that legacy of faith and life now more than at any previous point before. You may or may not know much about the Anabaptists , and I'll leave it to you to find out more about them. I would caution you, however, to remember that there is just as much diversity among Anabaptist groups as there is in the Emerging Church. You might be hard-pressed to come up with a single definition.

I have decided to write this particular piece because of my interest in both the Anabaptist heritage and the Emerging Church. I know any discussion of the Emerging Church can be controversial, but I have to be reminded that the Anabaptist heritage that I love and enjoy was even more controversial during its birth. I suppose it is all the similarities that I have noticed between the emergence of the Anabaptists and their modern counterparts in the Emerging Church that has prompted me to put these few thoughts into words.

There have been times when I have been reading Anabaptist thought and theology and felt like I was reading the latest written discourse from the Emerging Church...and vice versa. There is something within me that resonates with both, and I have very little conflict of conscience between them. So, I've taken some time to add to the conversation and highlight a few areas in which I see similarity between the Anabaptists and the Emerging Church.

Both the Anabaptists and the Emerging Church were a reaction against fruitless orthodoxy.

Early Anabaptism was a reaction against the prevalent Protestant "faith only" head knowledge that existed in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The Anabaptists rejected orthodoxy for orthodoxy's sake and believed that the Christian faith was meant to be lived out in community and among our neighbors. They believed that truth was to be lived, not just believed. Possessing the right belief was simply not enough for them; they asserted that following Christ also meant right living. This assertion led to their focus on ethical purity, personal devotion, service to those who were in need, and even a more mystical approach to faith. They insisted that true followers of Christ would "bear fruit in the world".

Much of the discussion found among the writings of the Emerging Church focuses on a disatisfaction with fruitless Christianity in our culture. There are many believers who are deeply disturbed that the church has turned so inward and into self-preservation that it has forgotten the very reason for its existence. For this reason, there is a huge emphasis among the emergents as to how our faith is to be lived out among our neighbors. The emergents are seeking to recapture our missional outlook and they tend to concern themselves with how we live in this world as followers of Christ.

Both were unsatisfied and wanted more personal experience.

The Anabaptists were deeply interested in the personal experience of salvation. Compared to what surrounded them, they were even a bit mystical! They trusted the Holy Spirit to work among them and were open to new spiritual illumination not bound by creed, custom, or king. They sought to replace despotic orthodoxy with a more genuine, personal experience. They believed that faith was something to be experienced rather than being a concept imposed upon them by the church hierarchy. The desire for a more authentic, personal experience of life and faith is also found among the emergents. Many of them are throwing off what they perceive as stale, routine modes of "church" and are turning inward for spiritual renewal, their hunger for an authentic personal experience driving them away from stale forms.

Both pursued authentic community.

Many Anabaptists have lived within close proximity of one another. Perhaps this was out of survival or the simple desire to share their lives with each other. Whatever the reason, the Anabaptists thrived in community, often depending upon each other for their basic needs. They called each other "brother" and "sister" (and many still do). I once heard a Brethren elder say that "everyone who belongs to Jesus belongs to everyone who belongs to Jesus". That statement has stayed with me for years, because it summarizes so well the bonds of Christ and love for one another that is shared among many Anabaptist communities. This bond is so strong, that some communities have -- to a fault -- tended to be rather exclusive. Despite the exclusive nature of some Anabaptist communities, they rarely had to make time for each other because they lived close to each other and depended on one another.

In our age of disconnectedness, the post-moderns are searching for authentic community! Many emergents are discovering for the first time the sense of belonging and security found in small communities of faith. Often, their communal experiences aren't found within the walls of a church building but are instead enjoyed in homes, coffee bars, and in other places people gather. This idea that all who belong to Christ belong to each other is being celebrated among many emergent communities, and it is an experience that is transforming lives.

Both value Scripture over tradition.

Many Anabaptist groups believe that the Holy Spirit works through the body of Christ to interpret scripture for each new generation rather than having the scriptures bound by tradition and dogma. Their understanding of the written word was fresh and alive. They labored to live their life by the scriptures and not by the traditions of men, which of course put them in conflict with those who were "traditional". They believed that the scriptures were not subject to the interpretation of just one man (or a few men) but would be revealed by the Holy Spirit and understood within the context of the Christian community. Many in the Emerging Church are enjoying a fresh conversation of the scriptures. The established church was deeply disturbed by the "arrogance" of the Anabaptists and their view of scripture, and many of our established churches today are equally disturbed by the emergents who seek to understand the scriptures outside of church tradition.

Both have had dramatically different views of the clergy.

Many of the Anabaptists rejected the clergy/laity distinction that is so prevalent in the Christian Church. They believed that the "commoners" could be ministers, and they often rejected the concept of an educated clergy -- which, of course, deeply disturbed those in the established church that enjoyed all the privileges of being clergy. The Anabaptists believed in the "priesthood of all believers", and although there were those called from among the Anabaptists to serve as deacon and elder (and even bishop), they were careful to reject any form of clergy distinction that held power and control over the church. While not all across the board, there are some in the Emerging Church that are following the same lines, insisting not on a professionally educated, paid, or distinct clergy but instead trusting the Holy Spirit to distribute the gifts among the body of believers.

While some were interested in reform and wanted to operate within the existing church, most ended up seeking a separate existence...usually out of necessity.

Many of the early Anabaptists were content to remain within the structure of the church, but it was by necessity that they eventually moved outside and took on an identity of their own. Simply put, they were not welcome. Accusations of heresy led to persecution and isolation. The established church felt it was being threatened, and many churches moved quickly to subdue and quash the radical movement. I can see the same thing happening today among those who are seeking a more authentic, missional, and personal experience. Because many of the emergents are discussing things that don't easily fit into our structures and understandings of church, some have been pushed to the margains. Many are seeking a separate identity apart from established churches while others are attempting to add to the conversation within their denominational structures.

Both practice believer's baptism.

The term "anabaptist" literally means "to baptize again". One of the most radical positions the early Anabaptists took was regarding baptism. In a Europe dominated by the established churches (Reformed, Catholic, and German State Lutheran Church), baptism was still viewed as a rite of entry into society and the church and was performed on infants. The Anabaptists believed that baptism should follow one's own personal confession of faith. In the early days of the movement, all those seeking believer's baptism would have been "baptized again" or for the second time since they were baptized as infants. Thus, the name "anabaptist". Baptism was not viewed by the Anabaptists as entry into society and the church but as more of a union with Christ. The controversy didn't stop there, however, since the baptisms were not sanctioned by the established church or performed by a priest. Many emergents today share the believer's baptism view, and quite often, these celebrations of union with Christ are performed not by pastors or priests but by believers themselves. While their modes of baptism vary, their reason for baptism shares a lot in common with the Anabaptist view.

Both are largely pacifist.

There is a big difference between the non-resistence of Anabaptism and modern pacifism found among many in the Emerging Church. Anabaptism was birthed in a Europe devastated by conflict and war. The church and state were co-conspirators in a power play that pitted kingdom against kingdom, state against state. Harold Martin in an article entitled "Basic Principles of Anabaptist Thought" said that "the Anabaptists did not take a stand of opposition to war, but rather, they took a stand of non-participation in it." I do not know how many in the emerging movement are familiar with biblical non-resistance so rooted in Anabaptism, but I am aware of the large number of believers in the Emerging Church that are deeply grieved by the American Christian compliance with and support of war. There is a belief among many of them that we are to live at peace with -- and even serve -- our neighbors.

Both groups have been labelled as radical and heretical.

The early Anabaptists were persecuted by both Protestants and Catholics in Europe. They were labelled as heretics and fanatics, and their movement has been called the "Radical Reformation". Many were persecuted, thrown in prison, or executed for their beliefs and practices. To this day, many Anabaptists are viewed with suspicion and are labelled as "cults" by those whose understanding of church and orthodoxy is seriously challenged by their belief and practice. Neither society nor the church likes change, so it is predictible that the modern church should react negatively to the Emerging Church just as the established church did to the Anabaptists. There are those who will slander them and view them as a threat to orthodoxy and tradition. That's to be expected. While there are some criticisms of certain segments of the Emerging Church I share, I can understand their journey and see how God is using them.

Both are radical reformers.

The Anabaptist view of the Church and the Kingdom of God was radically different than anything else that had existed. The Anabaptists were a serious departure from the norm. The same is true with the Emerging Church. Both are spiritual pioneers whose journeys of life and faith took them off the well-worn path of tradition and orthodoxy and into uncharted territory. Both have taken great risks in faith. Both have paid the price for their journeys. Both have known the joy of a fresh, new life in Christ coupled with the purpose of living as His in this world to which we are called.

I don't subscribe to all things Anabaptist, and neither do I subscribe to all things in the emerging movement. I do, however, value what has been passed on to me from my Anabaptist forebearers, and I hear their voices among the voices of many of those in the Emerging Church. Both have a lot in Christ to offer to a challenged world in need of the love of God.

I have been a part of the Brethren Church/Church of the Brethren my entire life. The thoughts expressed in this article come from my great love and appreciation for my brothers and sisters as well as my Anabaptist heritage. My thoughts continually look ahead to how we will live as God's people among our neighbors in these changing times. I deeply admire those who are seeking to live as Christ in this world, and I admire the many similarities I see between the Anabaptists and the Emerging Church.

Trouble

The Way

St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi

There is a lot about the life of St. Francis of Assisi that I admire. His voice challenged the church to seek mercy, walk in humility, live in simplicity, and seek peace at a time when "church" meant political power and great wealth. He was a radical man for his time, and his words and life still teach us today.

October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis in the Catholic Church. I'll make use of the occasion to share with you "The Prayer of St. Francis":

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace...

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Access

Separation

"Because politics rests on an irreducible measure of coercion, it can never become a perfect realm of perfect love and justice" (Christopher Lasch).

Sometimes I have a hard time telling the difference between our American love of country and our love of Christ. There is a tendency among some to mix the two together, espousing a sort of civil religion that has a Jesus wrapped in red, white, and blue. There is this idea among many Christians that the state is the instrument of God to bring order and preserve justice, but does this belief mean that we must accept all that the state does as being the will of God? While we do honor Caesar, we do not worship him or call him lord!

Take the war in Iraq, for example. I know many who have been in favor of the war on the basis that we can force democracy onto another nation so that they might have religious freedom (and the Gospel could be spread there). For me, I have a hard time justifying death, devastation, and trauma in the name of advancing anything good...especially the Gospel! It isn't consistent at all with the message of the Kingdom preached and lived by Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon put it this way: "...the progress of the arms of a Christian nation is not the progress of Christianity, and that the spread of our empire, so far as being advantageous to the Gospel, I will hold, and this day proclaim, hath been hostile to it." In other words, we might convince ourselves that the spreading of democracy (by means of war) can open up possibilities for the Gospel to be preached, but the truth is that it will only lead to resentment and hatred among the conquered.

The way the kingdoms of this world advance is not the way the Kingdom of God advances!

When the church and government lie together, the off-spring is an insideous half-breed that corrupts the blood-line of true Christianity! I don't believe we should seek to advance the Gospel with an alliance with the state, because our obedience transcends any political power or allegiance. My spiritual ancestors, the Anabaptists, rejected any use of coercion in religion, and many of them still practice biblical non-resistance to this day. While Anabaptists do not believe that peace always resolves conflicts, they do not believe that violent conflict ever results in peace. They certainly believe that living as his in this world means that our values and actions must transcend the values and actions of the world. We live differently.

While some would seek after political power because they seek influence and change, I believe we should be seeking to love and serve our neighbor (and love and serve the nations)so that Christ can bring about the change he desires. "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Extra

Create

Create: to cause to happen; bring about; arrange, as by intention or design.

My friend Jon and I got together earlier in the week at one of his favorite coffee shops in Denver for a chance to catch up on life. Jon's a good friend, an so there is always the opportunity to share what's going on in my head. Thank God for a wife and friends who allow transparency, take risks in relationship, and celebrate openness and honesty!

Sipping away at my cup of chai (yes, I was drinking chai...gotta problem with that?), he asked the greatest question of the night: what brings you life when the mind overwhelms you? It would probably be helpful at this point to explain a little about the "battle of the mind" to clear up any confusion. I have this special ability to zone in on my fears, worries, and insecurities with so much concentration that it almost drags me entirely into a steamy, boiling, sticky pit of soul mud. I tell my students it's called the "death spiral". I think there are a lot of us who can think outselves to death by unconsciously over-concentrating on those things we fear.

Back to his question...

I have lived my life in the past several years with a sense of God's grace that has been new and fresh. In short, I have felt "kept" by God whereas in the past, I would have felt that my struggles in life may have put some distance between us. The embrace of God has been more real to me that it ever has! I have sensed his embrace when life has been all I imagined; I have sensed that same embrace when it hasn't.

At this point, our conversation switched directions slightly. I began to think about some of those things I do that bring me life. For example, I feel really alive when I am doing my photography. I love capturing images of creation, particularly images of humanity alive and a part of the natural landscape. I enjoy capturing the personality of people in an image as well as capturing the personality and creativity of God in the details of creation.

I also feel alive when I am writing. This is only a recent discovery for me, but there's something invigorating about forming words and phrases into concepts and thoughts to express what is on my heart and mind. When I write, I am writing for myself as a way of self-expression. Some people speak, some people paint, some people take photos, some people mold clay, and some people write. It's all creative.

I mostly, though, feel alive when I am investing in the lives of others, whether they be family, friends, or people I don't even know. I enjoy contributing to the lives of others, and I relish the vitality they bring to mine. There's something about this life-giving/life-receiving experience that we share as people that also strikes me as being creative. My biblical world-view teaches me that the earth -- and everything in it -- is the result of the creativity of God. Somewhere in his supernatural spirit, he dreamed of humanity and put his power to work at forming flesh and bone, breathing life into us with his breath. When God imagined beauty and life, he imagined us and the universe we inhabit.

We are the living creativity of God.

And because we are made in his image, it is only natural that we are also creative. Since the creation of his masterpiece, the Father has been re-creating, transforming, and molding his creation, seeking to bring Life from where it was taken. Jesus. When we give our lives to bring life, healing, and mercy to those around us, there is something within us that is satisfied with living our lives in alignment with his. I find that I am furthest from the "death spiral" in my head when I am living allied with his life and his dream for humanity. Being able to imaginatively create sets us apart from the rest of creation and gives us one of our greatest indicators of our purpose for living.

"In the beginning, God created..."

Fruit

Theocracy

Theocracy: a government ruled by or subject to religious authority.

I think our forefathers had tremendous insight and courage when they placed limits on the role of government in religion and vice versa. They had great insight because they were aware of the potential of religious dominance based on European history. They were courageous because they created a system of government that was vastly different than any other nation on earth at the time.

There is a centuries-old tension in US history over the role of religion in government and the role of government in religion. The limits they placed in our founding documents not only protected religious freedom, but it also protected the people from those who would use their religious/political power to coerce or dictate the masses.

This is one believer who is grateful for the separation of church and state.

I see a stark contrast between the Kingdom of God as demonstrated and taught by Jesus and religious people who seek after power, position, and influence. While I can see benefit in having true followers of Christ working in government, I get disturbed when I see Christians pursuing power to "wield God's influence over the land". I get the feeling that the "influence" they long to brandish has little to do with Jesus and a lot to do with legistlating their ideas of morality. Faith cannot be legislated; behavior can. There are those who would replace faith with a moral code, caring not about the bankruptcy of the human soul but only their conformity to certain norms of behavior. Conformity to certain behaviors hardly demonstrates that we are a "Christian nation".

The Kingdom of God doesn't long for political power. Judas was gravely disappointed with Jesus because he was expecting a Messiah who would bring about the military uprising to topple the imperialist Roman government. The Pharisees rejected Jesus -- among many reasons -- because he rejected their use of coercion to bring about external conformity of behavior to match up to their interpretations of scripture and tradition.

And there are many in this nation who would do the same!

While I agree that God's word is good for us and a better way to live, I don't believe that people can be coerced into faith. I do not accept that religious coercion is God's will, and I believe instead that it only prevents people from coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Are we more interested in external conformity of behavior or in the genuine transformation of people that comes through the grace of God found in Jesus?

I often hear well-intended Christians saying "I want our country to live according to the Bible". My question is this: who's interpretation of it? The legalist's interpretation? The liberal interpretation? Those who would want to "usher in" the last days? I fear which version of Christianity would rule the day!

Years ago, my spiritual forefathers (the Brethren) didn't exercise their right to vote because they thought to do so would be to participate in all the decisions -- good or bad, right or wrong -- that their elected officials carried out. I can understand their historical point of view. Do we concern ourselves with the Kingdom of God or the kingdoms of this world? Although my citizenship is in the United States of America -- and proudly so -- I seek to live my life by a higher calling. My identity in Christ transcends my loyalty to my nation, and the revolution Jesus brings about in my heart causes me to love and serve my neighbor rather than pursue political power or personal gain.

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is in another place." (Jesus, John 18:36)

"Seek first his kingdom..." (Jesus, Matthew 6:33)

"...the kingdom of God is within you." (Jesus, Luke 17:21