Making God Look Stupid

My vote for one of the all-time abused scriptures:
First Corinthians 1:20b - Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Too many of us Christians use this verse as an excuse for making God look stupid in the eyes of the world.

How do we do this?
Bunches of ways, but I want to focus on one tonight.

Question: Which is worse - taking a paper clip from work, or murdering your boss?
Secular answer: Murdering your boss.
Christian answer: No difference. They're both sin. God sees all sin the same. "All have fallen short..." and all that.

In the eyes of the world, this makes us, at the very least, look stupid, and at worst, makes God look stupid.
If a four-year-old can tell the difference, why can't God?

This is a gross misunderstanding of the concept of sin in the Bible that is parroted by way too many unthinking Christians. It also happens to be the issue I was arguing in the Bible study I mentioned in my last post. 10 guys sitting in a room, and I was the only one questioning the standard Christian line on this.

Now, lest you think this isn't Standard Christian all too often, I have heard pastors on the radio and TV making the same statement about God seeing all sin the same.

In reality, they are right, but only halfway, and by not thinking through the other half, they make God look stupid in the eyes of the world. In my view, this is serious stuff. I am an ambassador for Christ, I should represent Him as Lord of lords, the Alpha and the Omega, not Knucklehead Smiff.

What is the whole answer? God views sin (and so should we) in two different ways: as an issue of salvation, and an issue of sanctification. As an issue of salvation, all sin is indeed the same. All have sinned, no matter how small or inconsequential the sin, and therefore fall short of the glory of God, or fall short of the standard of perfection/purity that God demands. This sin separates us from fellowship with God, and is, in fact enough to condem us as sinners and disqualify us from salvation.

However, as an issue of sanctification, sin has degrees, or gradations. What do I mean by sanctification? Basically, holy living. Our thoughts and behaviors becoming more and more like Christ. Within this aspect, sin can vary widely from taking the paperclip (stealing, technically, but nobody cares, including your boss) to murdering your boss (everybody cares, especially your boss!). Over time, we are to become (think, behave) more and more like Jesus, and our sins will become less and less serious, and less and less frequent. We will become more sanctified, but no more or less saved.

Does that make sense, or sound stupid?

I May Have Done A Terrible Thing..

I've gone and done it.

I've started to let my friends know about this blog.
(Hey, Alan, so good to see you here!)

Why is this a potentially bad thing?
Because I started doing this to get things down in pixels what had up to that time only been bouncing around in my head. It has been a chance for me to as honest as I dare (heck, I even admitted my affinity for sardine sandwiches!) without the fear of the strangely puzzled look you get from people when you have said something totally out there. 99% of you out there have no idea who I am. You could probably glean clues, do some sleuthing, and find me, but why bother? I'm just a blogger spouting off. Anonymity facilitates honesty in a situation like this - at least that's what I have used it for.

So now, when people I care for and respect may be reading this, will I start to self-censor?

I hope not.

There's a bigger question here, though. Why am I afraid to be honest with my Christian brothers and sisters?

In part, it is because that is my personal weakness: I struggle mightily with wanting/needing to be liked. I am sure that once people really get to know me, they will not like me. This is my struggle which has roots deep down in my childhood, and will continue plague me as I strive for healing in this area.

The other part, however, is pragmatic. I'm afraid, because it's true. In any church, there are those that use Christianity as a bludgeon, instead of a bandage (we're all wounded, aren't we?). Jesus could have easily said "The Pharisees you will always have with you..."

For example: I was once in a Bible study where, in the midst of a spirited discussion on a matter of theology where I was pointing out how a common Christian cliche' doesn't really make sense, one of the men turned to me and said: "Steve, no one else in the group has a problem with this, why do you?"

SHUDDER!!!

All of a sudden, what I thought was an interesting discussion leading to light being shed upon a troubling issue was turned into a question of my spiritual maturity. The issue wasn't the problem, I was. Be a good Christian like the rest of the men in the room, and shut up.

Do you think I was willing to take a risk of honesty in that group again? (BTW, in discussions with three wise pastors since then, it turns out I was right, and the common Christian cliche' was wrong)

Oh well, here's to worshipping naked (thanks for the allusion, Tracey).

I'll be the one with the bag over his head, trying to look anonymous.

10 years later...

OK, so I got tagged to do this meme: it starts with what were you doing 10 years ago, and descends (ascends?) from there.

Of course, after thinking about it, I want to break the rules!

I want to go back a bit further. You see, I was going through a box in the basement (I live in southern California AND have a basement - how cool it that?) and came across an old copy of What Color is Your Parachute, a classic career/life guide book. I had written down the answers to one of the surveys in the book, and the results of it. As best I can remember, I went through the book in 1987 or so - 18 years ago - when I was a young sprout of a graphic designer.

The results were amazing.

This 18 year old survey came up with the fact that I should be in a job that values creativity, independence, private times and social interaction, a varied schedule, and revealing truth. Basically, a professor!

Now, 18 years ago, I had no idea I would end up professing - I didn't even make the decision to go back to school until three years later, and didn't get a full-time teaching job until 2000 - 13 years later.

All this to say what?
I guess, just that I spend an awful lot of time whining to God about what I want, and when I want it (now, please, Sir), and yet, looking back God has been carefully and delicately orchestrating amazing things. If I would just calm down and rest in this knowledge, what an even more wonderful life this would be!

So, on with the meme!!

Ten years ago...
I was newly married, no kids, full-time designing, part-time teaching, and TERRIBLY envious of this one man in my church who had my job! Or at least what I KNEW should be my job: a full-time gig at the local Christian University - I'll call it A Christian Most Educated University (ACME-U, for short). I wanted that job so BAD! I whined to God all the time about it. When would he get with the program and give me that job?! Now!! ...please...

Four years later, I got that job...and HATED IT! Let's just say that the other Art dept. faculty and I didn't mesh well. It was no fun. Not at all what I had dreamed. What a dismal dissapointment. Now, let me say that I got along great with the rest of the school's faculty and staff - just not the Art dept.

God, remember all that whining I did to you? Never mind.

Now, at the end of that year, I was committed to leaving, even if it meant going back to full-time designing. But, God in His undeserved generosity, gave me the job I now have (another cool story for another time) - an infinitely better fit, better job, better everything!

Five years ago...
I was starting my first year at New Perfect School!
I was also the father of two boys, with #3 on the horizon, and #4 not even in my wildest dreams.
My gratefulness index was through the roof at this point.
The only melancholy spot was that we had decided to look for a new church, after I had been there for 11 years, and my wife had been there for 6 years. There were valid reasons to look elsewhere, but it was still a sad thing.

One year ago...
I was starting year 4 at NPS, and still loving it! Thanks be to God for looking beyond what I demanded, to what was best for me.
We now had 3 boys, and #4 was cooking...
And, we had returned to our old church! Another long story for another time. Suffice it to say that Horrific Upheaval had left the church in a great place, and we are glad to be back!

One day ago...
I was scrambling to help too many students who didn't listen to the instructions, and so didn't do thing right, and so had to scramble at the last minute to get things done...and I still love it! =]
I was also already anticipating tonight's new episode of Battlestar Galactica! (yes, I'm a SciFi dweeb, so laserblast me)

One hour ago...
I was joyously downloading a bunch of Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer tunes from a progressive rock website - legal downloads, as far as I can tell. So, not only am I a SciFi dweeb, I'm a 70s bloated progressive rock dweeb.
Pray for my wife.

Five favorite snacks...
Vanilla ice cream with walnuts, raisins and chocolate chips mixed in. (Truly yummy! Try it.)
Taco Bell bean burritos. (They still remind me of a special treat with my mom when I was out running errands with her.)
A big glass of iced tea. (Maybe not a true snack, but my almost constant companion.)
A sandwich made with sardines in mustard sauce. (Pray for my wife)
Cold pizza. (Any kind, as long as there are no mushrooms on it!)

Five songs I know the words to...
Karn Evil 9, part I - by Emerson, Lake and Palmer (See, I am a progressive rock dweeb!)
Carpenter Gone Bad - by Bob Bennett (My all-time favorite singer. Look him up, he's worth it!)
The Hokey Pokey (It's late, I'm tired, so I'm going for the easy answers)
It's a Small World (And so do you! And now it will be stuck in your head for hours!! Bwah ha ha ha!)
Celebrate Me Home - by Kenny Loggins (A special song from my first year in college - I listened to it on the I-5 from UCSD to home)

What I would do with 5 million dollars...
All sorts of good, altruistic things.
And an insanely great stereo/home theater system!

5 places I would escape to...
I would just throw 5 darts towards the southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado), and never look back.

5 things I would not wear...
I, too, like Tracey and The Anchoress, would not wear a dress. (Although, I do got the gams for it!)
"Mr. Rogers" sweaters. (A long story for another post)
Anything I wore in the 80's!
Any jeans other than Levis - they just don't fit the same!
Those lame-o Christian t-shirts that rip-off secular brands/logos ("Be-wiser" instead of Budwiser, etc.). Come on folks, be original, not derivative!

5 favorite TV shows...
Battlestar Galactica (the new one!)
Design on a dime
A Dodgers game
Star Trek, the Next Generation
Stargate: Atlantis

5 greatest joys...
My redeemed life
Wife
Boys
The creative process
Driving in my car somewhere I've never traveled.

5 favorite toys...
My Car
My Mac (Powerbook)
My Guitar (12 string)
My Tools in the Garage
My Boys - nothing is better than playing with them!

Who do I now hand this off to?
You!

My New Motto!

A couple weeks ago, my oldest son and I were talking.

Now, I must say at this point, that #1 son is awfully bright for his age. He started talking at one year, and hasn't stopped except to read and sleep. Off the scales verbally, scary-quick memorizer, and was told by a Sunday school teacher that he has "the gift of imagination". That's my boy.

All that to say that we talk about lots of stuff on almost a peer-to-peer level. He is emotionally 7 years old, though, so there are definite lines not to be crossed.

One day we were talking about stuff, and it led from the function of our internal organs, to focusing on our digestive system, to harmful versus beneficial bacteria and viruses.

See, I told you he is not a normal 7 year old when it comes to knowledge stuff.

In the midst of this discussion, he blurted out an exclamation that floored me with it's innocent insight, and reinforced my belief that he will do something in life that expands our world's body of knowledge. I have no idea what, and it doesn't matter. I just want him to follow the path that God lays before him.

Anyway, this is what he blurted. I am not kidding.

"Every answer leads to a question!!"

If that doesn't encapsulate this glorious, awsome, mysterious universe God has placed us in, I don't know what does.

Good job, buddy.

Shall the poor always be among us?

I ran up against a very troubling situation over the summer, and into the Fall, and wanted to run it by you all, and get your reactions.

This past year, my oldest son has become friends with Brian, a kid who showed up at AWANA (a kids' Bible club thingy), and quickly caught up with his peers on Bible verse memorization (passing a lot of the slower memorizers). He is sweet and kind, and just a great kid. We were happy our son and he were buds. Brian's older brother is also a great kid, and they have both come over to our house to play with our boys.

Now comes the troubling part.
These kids are poor. Seriously poor. Their mother works a bit at a donut shop, we think. When we first me them, she was also helping to care for an older lady in our church who needed live-in care. The older lady ended up needing to go into a nursing facility, and the bottom-feeding sharks - I mean relatives - of this lady got a lawyer to give them control of the house, so Maria and her boys had to move...quickly.

In trying to be a part of helping them, more to their story was revealed to my wife and I.

It turns out Maria is undocumented from Mexico. I don't know if the boys are born here or not - excellent english, with no hint of an accent. Before moving in with the lady, they were all living in one room of an apartment - until the landlord found out, and kicked them out. This kind of thing seemed to be a pattern in her past: moving from place to place wherever she could.

At the last minute, a kind single lady from the church offered to let them stay with her for two weeks, until Maria could find a more permanent solution.

Now comes the really tough part.
In the two weeks, Maria made no effort to find anyplace else. Time went on, and nothing. As it turns out, this is also a typical mode of operation for her. Stay wherever until kicked out.

This put Susan (the single lady) in the awful position of being Scrooge (or worse), and kicking them out. Imaging telling a mother with two kids, and no place to go, to leave. What a terrible position to be put in!

As this was happening, a couple interesting events turned.
As Susan was telling Maria that she and the boys had to gone by the next day, Maria called her boyfriend (what? where did he come from? no one knew about a boyfriend!) who came over and started threatening Susan and the rest of the church. A fine way to endear yourself to people who have been agonizing over how to help you, don't you think?

Susan held her ground, and by the next day Maria and the boys moved out.

Guess where they moved.

Wrong!

They moved in with...HER SISTER!! WHO LIVES ONLY A COUPLE MILES AWAY!!!!!!

I did a spit take with my iced tea when I heard this.
What? She had relatives within almost walking distance, and she never said a word?
You put your kids through this awful scene over and over again, when there is family willing (I assume) to take you in?

I am without speech.

A final bit before I ask some questions of you all.
The people in charge of Helps, or Caring ministries, or whatever they call it, came to Maria with an offer.
They had talked to some people at the Salvation Army, and the Salvation Army was willing to take in Maria and the boys, and give them room and board while they gave Maria job skills training. Then they would let them all stay until they found her a job that would enable her to afford her own apartment.

She declined the offer.

I really want to scream.
Here is salvation (literally and figuratively), Maria. Won't you take it?

Now the questions:
What do you do?
Do you continue to reach out?
What does true help look like in this situation?
Tough love, or longsuffering generousity?

And the biggest question: How did the boys end up so sweet? They are kind, exceptionally smart, generous (with not much to be generous with), good kids. How amazing is that?

My wife and I are committed to Brian and his brother. We will bring them over and fill them with food and love. We desperately want to love them with the love of Christ - so that no matter what happens and where they end up, they will have a time and place where they got bread and love, not contempt and gravel, and the name of Jesus will not be reviled.

Is there anything else we can and should do?
I don't know right now.

I just don't know.

Re: Spinning Wheels

Tracey over at Worship Naked raised an interesting question: basically, would it bug you if your pastor bought a flashy, expensive new sports car? This really raises the issue of conspicuous consumption while in the ministry. I posted a long comment at her site, and decided to post it here as well. If you find what I wrote interesting, check out her original post, and all the comments.

Here's what I wrote:

Good question, Tracey.
A couple thoughts.

First, the Pope is not rich - the Catholic church is. He can't quit and take any of the stuff lying around the Vatican with him as he walks out the door. I see it as an important difference - surrounded by wealth and opulence, and you own none of it.

Second, between the Catholic clergy's value of personal poverty and the Puritan's value of simplicity and frugality, we Americans have been surrounded by an equation of Godliness and meagerness when it comes to personal wealth. We expect pastors to live a somewhat meager lifestyle. Whether or not it's in the Bible that this HAS to be the way, that's what we feel in our bones.

Question: How many pastors refrain from smoking and drinking so as "not to cause a brother to stumble", knowing full well that a biblical case against these two things is weak? We would see that as an honorable and godly thing to refrain from these. Now, what's different about a Conspicuous Consumption-mobile? Knowing what the almost-ingrained expectations we (society) have of pastors, why draw the line here? Why be willing to potentially "cause a brother to stumble" over a car, but not a beer? A beer can be much more discreet. Less real chance of causing anyone to stumble, but harder to impress the neighbors with a beer. Hmmmmm...

Personal story: I used to work at a major broadcast ministry. Let's call it "Thru Grace our Insight has Focus" or TGIF for short. Once a month we would take time to pray for the folks who sent us letters asking us pray for them. Each employee would get 4-6 letters, and we would spend time in prayer for these people and their requests. It used to bug me big-time to read these letters that would say something like "I'm sorry I only could send in $10 this month, but I've been out of work for 9 months, and money is really tight". I would look around the beautifully decorated offices (solid oak desks, explosion-in-a-Laura-Ashley-store decor), and think "what are we doing?".

Did they have a right to spend their money on "nice" offices? Sure. Did it keep on poking me in that "godly=frugal" spot on my brain? Absolutely.

Wouldn't it bug you if the story of the Widow's mite ended by telling us that the Pharisees took the money, and used it to add more pure gold thread to their tunic, as the woman walked away in rags?

Sorry this went on so long - I think you hit on a sensitive subject for me.

The Other Time God Showed Up

Sorry it's taken so long to get to this!

I thought once school was back in session, life would get into a comfy routine.

Hah!

I am now the chair for my department, so I am starting out the semester with lots of meetings, paperwork, and other administrator-type junk. Not awful, but a definite black hole for time.

Now where was I?
Oh yes, the other time God showed up.

It was really the first - it happened before meeting my wife.

It happened like this:
I was up at a men's retreat (at Forest Home, for you So.Cal folks) with my church (EV Free, Fullerton at the time), and had some free time on Saturday afternoon. This was the autum of 1988, and my mom was right in the midst of wasting away from cancer. She was going to die, and I knew that, and didn't want to admit it, or face it, because then it would be real, and I'd have to do something other than run away from it all.

On this particular afternoon, I took off on my own, and ended up in a chapel there on the campgrounds. It was empty, except for me. I sat down, and eventually started to pray. I really dumped a lot of stuff on God. I was as honest as I could be, without crossing my own foolinsh line, and admiting she was going to die. Towards the end of the prayer, I got very specific with God, and told Him that what I really wanted, and longed for, was that He would come and sit down beside me. Not invisibly, or spiritually, but really, truly, physically to sit down beside me, and be there for me.

What happened next, you could call coincidence, but it was too specific, and the timing was too precise.

As I was in the midst of praying this - and I do mean at that exact moment - my best friend, Doug, and another friend, Dave, walked in, came up, and sat down beside me. They did not know what I had been praying, they did not know I was there. Of all the people in the camp, these were probably the two best to come in and sit with me. There had clearly been no one in the chapel anytime recently, and nothing was happening for the rest of the day that would lead anyone in that direction. It was just me sitting there within this short period of time, and them coming in a sitting with me at the exact moment I was requesting God to come and sit with me.

It was clear to me then, and continues to be clear to me now, that God was clearly making the point to me that here, on this earth, at this point in time, He uses mere mortals to be His hands, His feet, His face to others.

God did come and sit down beside me.

He did it in the form of Doug and Dave.

The Bible refers to all of believers as the body of Christ. From that day forward, sitting in that deserted chapel, I don't just believe that to be true, I know it to be true.

We are the body of Christ.

This is a blessing and a duty.