What is "Compromise?"

Dictionary dot com defines the word first as "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands." It is not until the 4th definition that there is a negative connotation.

I’m reading about a category that David Kinnaman refers to as “Exiles” in the book You Lost Me (Barna Books 2011). Exiles are those who connect with the Institutional Church minimally, but want to find a way to follow Jesus that connects with the world they live in. They like the term “missional.”

The understanding mother of a budding movie producer has to contend with believing friends who question how her son can justify his occupation with making films that have language and other content that appear to be contrary to “Christian upbringing.”

She states: “I wish the church-at-large would understand that our children are called to mission fields that aren’t located on a globe but may be more culturally impacting than mission fields we currently recognize.” And may I editorially add: “…and conveniently write checks for.”

Her son observes: “ ‘A film isn’t Christian just because it has inserted the gospel message in there somehow. A film can point to Christ when it honestly portrays our human condition and invites us to experience something about redemption that each of us needs.’ ”

DK interviewed a musician who attended a meeting convened by Charlie Peacock at the Art House in Nashville.

He shares: “…One of them told me that she had been pressured by people in her church not to license her music to a secular television show because ‘the message would get lost.’ She said, ‘That just seems backwards. I mean, isn’t the message more likely to get “found” if people actually have a chance to hear it?’ “

DK also had many of them tell him that they don’t call themselves a “Christian band” as they desire to be heard as artists with a very important message to all who will consider what they have to share. (I have my own hang-up with companies that market “Christian clothing.”)

Are these the potential new “Billy Grahams” who have no hesitation of incorporating slang and mannerisms characteristic with the current culture? How far does the Mars Hill principle stretch? We often hear and have used the term “compromise.” Is compromise wrong? I’ve usually heard it used despairingly.

Doesn't Peter wrestle with what he thinks is a "compromise" prior to meeting with Cornelius in Acts 10? Doesn't Paul sense cultural tension in his distress prior to meeting with antagonistic philosophers at the Aeropagus in Acts 17? Does not the church owe its existence to these risky compromises?

My questions linger: "Why is it different today? Why are we still expecting the culture to come to where we gather?" It seems like a "cake and eat it" situation. We do benefit from gathering - no doubt. But we maintain an expectation that the culture is only successfully reached when they are present at our special place on the special day at the special time.

In Such a Way....

Matthew 6 contains Jesus' teaching about righteousness and how to personify it. He provides yet another mystic turn-about.

Verse 1 sets the tone: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

I have been critical of Tim Tebow because of how he publicly displays his spirituality. And I have been chastised by many (and there are *many*) who feel that he represents a positive image of one who follows Christ.

We are informed that we are the "light of the world" and we are commanded to let our light shine. But Jesus qualifies it in the same sermon before he conveys this secretive demeanor in chapter 6.

In Matthew 5 we hear/read these words (vv 14-16): "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The original language suggests that the shining of light has a purpose. By what we do, we actually deflect the source of the light from us to the one who initiates all light and life. Others are enlightened by our service and obedience and look straight to God and give honor and glory.

I believe that Tim Tebow is truly a Follower of Christ. I also believe that my good friend, Ssengooba Samuel Mugabi is also a genuine Follower of Christ. Samuel (Americans call him) is a pastor in Uganda who cares for children, in his country, who have lost their parents due to AIDS and civil unrest. You probably have not ever heard of him, which I think is very valid.

His ministry is called "Children Saved By Jesus Ministry."

I see Ssengooba Samuel Mugabi's good works and I glorify God in heaven. He enlightens me with his humility and obedience to Christ. His service provides perspective and encouragement to me when I am challenged with the so called rigor of ministry in America.

Although I may be unfair to my other brother, I can't say that I do the same watching an iron-pumped athlete genuflecting in front of Betacams and 70,000 Orange and Blue-clad worshippers. Please forgive me if this is troubling to you.

Footnote: Pastor Samuel does not have a website, but you can find him on Facebook by searching his full name of the name of his ministry.

Rain and Rust

The emergence of such books results from the persistence of the platform/pew; performance/passivity paradigm.

Dorothy: "I think he said 'Oil can.' "

Scarecrow: "Oil can? Oil can what?"

Dorothy: "How did you get this way?"

Tin Man: "Well, one day.... and I've been this way ever since."

This link pretty well presents the need to stop the monologue.

http://tinyurl.com/cdg6n55

The General Confession

This is from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal Church) in the "Order for The Administration of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion" section.

I grew up hearing and saying this (most) every week. Although the language use is older, I still resonate with it today.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge

and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we,

from time to time, most grievously have committed, By

thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty,

Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.

We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these

our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto

us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us,

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son

our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past;

And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please

thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy

Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To Kor For,

Jeff

The Gift of Tongues

Rereading 1 Cor 14, I now think Paul was using sarcasm and irony to uplift the resourcefulness of "prophecy" (both foretelling and "forth-telling") above tongues. I believe he is actually belittling the use of tongues - or at least the dependency on it to be used to personally edify.

Read it and try to hear a harsh, yet instructive tone. I think it makes sense and creates order - rather than the chaos that has been experienced historically trying to continually recreate an Acts 2 scenario.

Just sayin.

Like the Old Man on Top of the Mountain

God is very hard to hear. This creates a dilemma in my faith - or does it? Wait. It is faith.

I don't hear often what I sense is the Creator's voice and appropriate directive(s). I often sense the directive and proceed. Sometimes I look back and realize that it was not what I thought it was going to be. Most of the time it seems right.

But every once in a long while, I hear God speaking directly to me. I realize the Jim Jones, David Koresh, Warren Jeffs problem. But when I hear, it is through the voice of others - through community - through friends.

Yesterday provided one of these rare and phenomenal occurrences. I simply thought/whispered (don't know how to describe it, otherwise) something only I knew about (within that room). I asked that if this were something I needed to have addressed, that it would have to come through someone else. Within minutes, someone spoke to me in a direct and in an encouraging way. The challenge within their encouragement was not detailed, but personal and specific enough. And it wasn't like a newspaper horoscope, that was a universal dilemma that everyone thinks is only addressed to them.

This could only be explained (which I don't always attempt to do), by a personal, creative entity - goes by the name of YHWH. I cannot successfully convey the magnitude of what happened with words typed out with a keyboard.

My faith is fortified. My fear (the right kind) is heightened. My commitment is deepened.

"To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit..." ~1 Corinthians 12:8

Your Basic Jesus

During a recent dialogue (some called it a “debate”) on Facebook, we were discussing what it means to be a Follower of Jesus. As we were doing a little digging into what the teaching of scriptures meant for our lives and purpose on earth, one person got a bit testy with the conversation.

In some ways, I understand this resistance as we need to be cautious about our “knowledge” and being “right” about what we hold. This is the quick path the legalism and modern Pharisaism.

This person said: “…sometimes you "theologians"... think WAY too much and forget about the simplicity of Christianity. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, therefore I am a Christian! That's it! I don't have to buy into anyone else's theory... Keep it simple!!!!”

I resonate with the sentiment, but only in part. My response to this was *simple.* “I wish it was.”

Over nearly 40 years of being a committed disciple, I learned that following Christ is basic, but it is far from simple. These two words are not synonymous. It is essential to follow Christ. Paul clearly states that when he says to the Corinthian believers: “I resolved to know nothing except Jesus the Messiah, and him crucified.” “Jesus the Messiah” is the rudimentary truth. But the latter part of Paul’s statement carries a perplexity for all who don the flesh.

Our instinct is to survive, not die. But Christ, as well as the New Testament writers, teaches us that we must not cling to surviving. That we must indeed die to self and all that nurtures our wants and inward desires. The transformation process is rigorous and has a daily increment.

I find the first disciples’ transformation inspiring. Matthew, chapter 16 a microcosm sample. The person of Peter is easy to resonate with. He is the transformation poster boy. How often do we see his “V8 Moments” throughout the New Testament? They run right up to his canonized letters.

Jerry Tankersley, after an address to the National Prayer Breakfast, wrote an article titled: “Following Jesus is Not Easy!” In the article, he stated:

“Jesus’ followers did not understand this. The meanings of his words were hidden from them. They could not perceive the truth of Jesus’ way because they had other plans for Jesus and themselves. They were spiritually blinded.

Now this remains as a central obstacle for all the followers of Jesus. Often, we do not understand what it means to follow Jesus in his rhythm of death and resurrection. We do not understand how the way of Jesus disrupts and often contradicts our world views, ideologies, and agendas.”

Within our Facebook discussion, someone asked:

“Why isn't being just a ‘Christian’ enough? Why does it have to get all complicated? I don't remember anything in the Bible telling me that I had to do anything more than accept Jesus Christ in order to be a Christian. Jesus may have taught challenging and difficult things, but, he also simplified it so that everyone could get the message…I'll just keep up the faith the way I've been doing, I don't have to prove anything to anyone, I'll answer on my judgement (sic) day....

“Anything more…” I could not let this go (the person even told me that, in an accusing tone, after I responded).

Again, I understand the sentiment, but I’ve also discovered that the road of transformation has no earthly culmination. I think Peter learned this again and again. I think we all learn this until we get to the point of having “fought the good fight.”

Following Christ is basic, but it is far from being simple. Each day, many of his words echo in my ear and my flesh resists. Death to self is painful and agonizing. But resurrected life is refreshing and fruitful. Not a simple matter.