Truthers, Birthers, Deathers, Doubt-everything-ers . . .

When I first heard the jokes, I had a nagging suspicion that it would soon be spouted with deadly seriousness--"Osama bin Laden isn't dead," or so say the "deathers." Look it up; their websites are up and running. (Well, maybe not. Actually the deathers may not really exist. Their presence on the web might be a conspiracy concocted by alien fugitives from Rozwell.)
What if--as at least one of these websites requests--the bullet-riddled body of the bearded terrorist were put on display, online as well as in the decaying flesh? I have no doubt that ten minutes later another site would be up and running. The "Medders" would claim that this body is not that of the famous terrorist. In reality, they would solemnly claim, these are the remains of Achmed Murphy Steinbaum, a New York cabbie who recently died in gang-war crossfire.

The Truthers were mainly regarded as wackos, at least in the United States. Most of us who watched the events of 9/11 on TV find it incredulous that this was anything other than what it appeared to be--a terrorist attack. A couple of years ago, though, I stood in a Mosque in Kazakhstan and listened to a totally sincere cleric explain why 9/11 wasn't really 9/11. He also told me, by the way, that Neil Armstrong had converted to Islam. Check it out. The Birthers, with their mega-rich, Donnie-come-lately spokesman got enough traction that our President found it wise to produce his documentation. (Though, the documentation needs to be documented.)

OK, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. I am aware that big lies have been perpetrated. I know that with today's technology, the ability to spread and support such falsehoods has never been greater. I see in the scripture that monstrous lies will be foisted on humanity (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
I'm concerned, though, about living in a land, or world, where every pronouncement is considered false until proven true (with affidavits signed in blood--certified to be that of the signer), and every explanation is considered a conspiracy. A very old joke asks, "Do you know how to tell if someone is a communist?"
The answer went: "You ask them. If they say,'No.' then they are communist, because they always deny it."

I fear that Thomas is being elevated to chief of the Apostles.
I see a coalition forming, and I'm not sure I like it. Some of my more intellectual friends say, "You believe that?" How naive." My more radical associates say, "You're buying that? Here, have some more cool-aid." The cynical among us--with the burn-scars to prove it--can not only point out the "lies" but point to "where this whole thing is headed." The coalition is formed around the certainty that we are being lied to. That seems to be the one truth that isn't doubted. No one is trusted. Doubt is elevated to the chief of virtues.

I'm not just picking at the wacko-fringe of our society. I have a serious question: Can a culture long exist when the mortar of trust is reduced to the sand of doubt and cynicism? And more important: What can God's people do to restore trust in our relationships?

It's STTA.

Justice:

After church last night Kathy and I did our usual Sunday Night veg. on the couch and eat pizza routine. The news-casters kept saying that President Obama was going to make an announcement. Speculation abounded as to what he was going to say. I was nearly asleep when word about the death of Usama Bin Laden finally was broadcast.
"Wow!" I thought, and went to bed.
The news programs today were full of stories related to the raid on Bin Laden's compound, and people's reaction to it. By far the greatest reaction in the USA is one of rejoicing and relief. Nothing can bring back the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 attacks, not to mention the other lives lost to Bin Laden planned terrorism, but knowing that the terrorist had died at the hands of the military of the nation he attacked helped to bring some resolution. As our president and many others said. It was an act of Justice.

OK, I'm going to take a pretty big jump, here, but stay with me.
It has become quite fashionable of late to question how a loving God could hold sinners accountable for what they have done. Eternal damnation has been condemned by many. I understand it even made the cover of Time. There is no doubt that our military, Commander in Chief and, indeed, our nation have gained a great deal of respect because of what happened yesterday. It was right. It was just. It was a step toward setting a grievous wrong right. In addition to being a God of love, the Lord of the Universe is a God justice. While we protest that our sins are incomparable to the crimes of Bin Laden, we tend to forget exactly Who it is we have sinned against.
The Saudi terrorist attacked a nation, civilized society, families, and many individuals--no small offense. We have sinned against an infinite God. Therefore our offense takes on infinite proportions. How can we admire an act of justice by our nation, and despise an attitude of justice in our God?

It's something to think about. And when you are done it is worth thinking about again.

It's STTA.

(Find out more about our sin, God's justice, and His mercy--purchased at Christ's expense--Read Romans 3.

Really, we don't need justice. We need mercy and grace, and it is available. More here.)

Here is an article that raises some issues thinking about on the matter of justice:

I want that robe!

Roman soldiers assigned the gruesome task of executing a prisoner by crucifixion were given a small bonus. Since one was crucified naked, the soldiers were able to take the clothes of the prisoner and do with them as they pleased. The Gospel of John records , "[T]he soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, "'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be.'" (John 19:23-24) One lucky--or so he regarded himself--soldier walked away from the cross that evening carrying the garment, likely woven by Mary, that had been worn next to the skin of Jesus. I figure he thought he could make use of it, or sell it for a few shekels.
Of course in centuries to come The Robe became one of the most important relics in Christendom. Some claim that this garment can be found in Trier Germany, a gift from Helena, mother of Constantine. Others claim that the robe, or at least four pieces of it are located in the Cathedral in Argenteuil, France. Still others claim that fragments of one of the garments Jesus wore before His crucifixion can found in Moscow, and St. Petersburg, Russia, Mtskheta, Georgia, and Kiev Ukraine. (more info.)

If the fragment of cloth in St. Sophia in Kiev is authentic then I was once within a hundred feet, or so, of something that the Lord wore. As I remember, when I was there, I wasn't aware that the relic resided on the other side of the wall.

In the Gospel accounts of the day the Lord was crucified there is an interesting juxtaposition of events. Luke 23:34 records, "Jesus was saying, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves." A gift of infinite value was being bestowed on them, and these soldiers were concerned with a few pieces of second-hand clothing. Today the seamless garment of Jesus would be worth hundreds-of-millions of dollars. That day it was just a shirt, too nice to tear up, but nothing extraordinary. But that was the focus of these practical, down-to-earth soldiers. The Savior of the world, the God-man, Jesus Christ was dying for the sin of the world, and four guys were there at the foot of the cross gambling over a shirt. How typical of human nature.

Tomorrow we have a special opportunity to be reminded of this great event of history, but many of us will, like these Soldiers of Rome, be so occupied with the mundane that we won't pay attention to the sublime. At least one of those soldiers, later on that day, came to see that something special was happening. I hope you will take the see beyond the here and now, as well.

At Covington Bible Church we'll be looking at what happened that day. It will be a solemn time of Scripture reading, prayer, contemplation, music, and reflection. Join us at 7:00 PM, Good Friday.

It's STTA.

Pilate for President:

No, I'm not really serious. There are two major reasons why Pontius Pilate cannot run for President of the U. S. One, I'm fairly sure he isn't an American citizen, and two, he is occupied elsewhere--he's dead.
I just worked through the account of this First-century political hack presiding over the trial of the Lord of the Universe, and I saw several characteristics that seem to be essential for today's politics.

Pilate famously asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Clearly the query did not represent a search for veracity. It was the statement of a cynic--one who had given up the search for the authentic and certain as a futile effort. If truth is an unavailable commodity, then one is left with what works--in particular, what works for ME.

It is clear that Pilate's commitment to doing what is right was, to say the least deficient. He clearly had an interest in insulting the Jewish leaders. He wanted to keep the peace--I doubt because he regarded peace as virtuous, but likely because conflict was an aggravation to him.

He knew Jesus was innocent. He was totally convinced that the Jewish leaders had brought Him before his judgment seat for selfish, corrupt reasons. He was warned by his wife to have nothing to do with this "righteous man." He had the power to do what was right. What he didn't have was the character that would give him the resolve to be virtuous.

In the end Pilate did what was convenient. I figure he dispatched a contingent of soldiers and then went back to bed, while the greatest travesty of justice of all time unfolded.

I hope I'm not guilty of the cynicism that I spoke of earlier, but I see a lack of commitment to truth and right in our world. Since politics involves working with people it tends to exhibit the same characteristic that is observed concerning some poisons in the environment. The further up the food-chain you go the greater the concentration.

I wonder. If we took care of the Procurator's problems that I mentioned at the beginning of this article, gave him a 21st Century image, and hired a good political team to manage him, how far would he get?

My answer scares me.

It's STTA.

Were You There Last Sunday?

Generally when I go for my regular dental checkup the hygienist will ask if I floss my teeth. I reply that "they are flossed regularly." Sometimes the technician is impressed, until I explain myself. They are flossed every time I come to the dentist's office--that is regularly. According to a study quoted by Rebecca Barnes and Lindly Lowry, only about half of those who say they attend church are actually there on Sunday morning. The report's author, Olson's "findings reveal that the actual rate of church attendance from head counts is less than half of the 40% the pollsters report. Numbers from actual counts of people in Orthodox Christian churches (Catholic, mainline and evangelical) show that in 2004, 17.7% of the population attended a Christian church on any given weekend." (You can find some other interesting data on Olson's website, (http://www.theamericanchurch.org/free-state-of-the-church-2008-download.html) There are churches that are growing--they tend to be younger congregations--and we need to learn from them, but since this is a very short article, let me offer a simple solution (knowing it is inadequate, but confident it will provide a start). It would appear that when Mr.Barna or Gallup calls a significant number of professing church goers give an answer similar to my flossing report. It is called the Halo-effect. We want to look good, so when asked a question about something that could make us look good or bad, we tend to find a way to justify giving a reply that flatters us. It may help us look good, but it does no good. People who say they attend church but don't show up: Provide no encouragement to other Christians by that behavior. Empty seats aren't very stimulating. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Likely are not helping the church with the worldwide work to which the Lord has called us. (Matthew 28:19-20) Are probably growing colder--meaning they are not only contributing to the churches increasing irrelevance, but are helping to accelerate the process. It has been popular for a long time now to make fun of the old Sunday School pin. Do you remember them? You got a succession of more impressive looking badges for "perfect attendance for a certain period of time. After a while you started adding bars for numbers of years of faithfully showing up. I can remember some old-timers who looked like they were wearing military decorations. They could trip on them! How quaint, how pre-postmodern, how prone to hypocrisy and other vices that 21st Century types despise. But you know when I think back to Mr. Lietzow, Ed Ostrowski, Kaye Marseau, and Mr. & Mrs. Baber--perfect attenders all--I see folk who had a profound impact on my life. A large part of that impression simply came from the fact that they showed up--They were there. It's STTA.

Why Should I Go to Church?

I could simply do a bullet list. There are a great many reasons why one should go to church--assuming the church in question is one that teaches the truth and encourages Bible-based living. I may continue in coming days to explore the question, but today let's consider a basic inversion. Rebecca Barnes and Lindy Lowry, in an informative article say, "We've created a church consumer culture." What am I looking for? What can this church do for me and mine? That is a valid line of questioning, but if it is the only path of inquiry we pursue we are sure to end up with the wrong answer. Hebrews 10:24 is one of those "One-another" passages. ". . . consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds." Way too many of us (But apparently not as many as we think. Tune in tomorrow.) show up with a me rather than a us attitude. Or, we choose to stay home or do something else because we conclude or assume, "There is nothing there for me." Here is a question: What do I bring to church that will help others? Don't answer, "Nothing." too quickly. I realize I am weird--my experience as the guy who works at church is far different than those of you who actually choose on a given Sunday whether or not to come, but I think I share this with you normal folk. At the end of a Sunday's worship I am more or less likely to make a difference for the Lord, Monday - Saturday, based on the involvement of others--or lack thereof. This past Sunday a little girl shared a smile with me that could melt a glacier. It put gas in my tank. A young woman lit my fuse with her passion to do something significant. A husband/father/manager/home-owner/etc. challenged me with his dedication to do something more--not be trapped in the mundane. One of the officers in our church impacted me with his faithfulness to his responsibility--responsibility with a great attitude. I figure that these people and a great many others who actually showed up had the same kind of impact on a number of others. I received a great deal by showing up at Covington Bible the day before yesterday, but if that was all that concerned me, I blew it. What did I bring? It's kind of like one of those diet-ruining church suppers where everyone brings something. Sure it is a great meal because Mrs. X brings that cooking-show-worthy casserole, and Mr. T brings some of those blue-ribbon tomatoes,.but the single dad who brings a bucket of chicken, or the bag of chips from the college kid also makes the meal. (I notice that generally the fast-food chicken and potato chips are gone at the end of the meal.) What do I have that I can bring? It's STTA.

Demas?

"Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone. . . ." (2 Timothy 4:10)

I've been wondering about Demas for a while.

During the imprisonment when the Apostle Paul wrote several of the New Testament Epistles, Demas was there with the "Prisoner of Christ." Apparently he was well known in the Christian community; Paul passed greetings from him to the believers at Colossae and to Philemon. (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 24) He is called a fellow worker. Being on the same team as the great Apostle is quite a line for ones resume.

But at the end of Paul's life, Demas had decided to go elsewhere. He wanted something else. He forsook his old friend. I wonder what was in Thessalonica that attracted him so? Based on some Demases I have known, and the inner Demas that tempts me, here are some possibilities:

• There is short-term enjoyment in sin. Moses turned it down in favor of permanent benefits. (Hebrews 11:25-26) Demas may have been looking over Paul's shoulder, when he wrote, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.". (Colossians 3:2) Like the prodigal son, though, he decided in favor of the here and now.
  
• I figure that Demas didn't make the decision all at once. Certainly Lot--an Old Testament counterpart--didn't. You can follow his decline in Genesis 13. He looked, chose, and moved toward that wicked place. He was a part of the City of Sodom in chapter 14 and when we get to chapter 19, he has become a leader there.
  
• There is a need for constant vigilance. "Be sober, be on the alert." Why, because the enemy of God's people, one who is integrally involved in and holds power over this world, goes about like a lion looking for a meal. (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2, & 1 John 5:19)
  
• Maybe Demas had watched Paul be treated badly and decided he wanted better, not taking into consideration that by walking away from what seemed negative he was forsaking the infinitely positive. It takes grace to rejoice that you have "been considered worthy to suffer shame for Hisname." (Acts 5:41)

I'm sure Paul wrote about his friend and former co-worker with a great deal of sadness. I'm not sure exactly what happened to Demas. I'm looking to God's grace to keep it from happening to me

Lord, keep me from following the pattern of Demas. May I be faithful like Timothy. Amen.

It's STTA.