Culture - Jeremiah's Vow

Review of Netflix’s “Messiah”

It is easy to forget that regardless of where you are born there is a common thread within the human experience. A thread I believe exists because we are image-bearers of God.

Introduction

I am always intrigued by the secular world’s attempts at representing religious figures and ideas. The recent release of “Messiah” by Netflix is no different. I watched the first season last week and I will say that, overall, I was impressed by the show.

Let me put my comments about the show by stating upfront some of the pros and cons I had with the show. First, the show was obviously (at least to me) not written by someone who was trying to put one particular religion in a prominent place. The show casts the religious context of the show with the notion that all religions are essentially the same. This is a form of syncretism. It is a significant theological issue (one I disagree with), but I was not surprised by this perspective. Just because most of the world’s largest religions contain the idea of a Messiah does not mean that they are all looking for the same figure.

Second, I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that none of the religions represented was maligned or caricatured in too heavy-handed a way. Some of the many tropes used in describing members of the various religions did find their way into the show. But, it was not gross. What I mean is this. The good and bad examples of members of the various religions did not leave me feeling like this was a hatchet job. I am thankful for this.

Third, I could have done with less political posturing. But hey, this is coming from a secular and a generally more liberal-leaning political culture. I’m just glad I was not left wanting to punch my computer and was not yelling at the screen. So there is that.

Let me turn now to my reflections on the show.

There is a Real Yearning Common to the Human Experience

One of the most compelling aspects of the show was illustrating the universal yearning that exists in the human heart for justice, joy, peace, and hope.

It is easy to forget that regardless of where you are born there is a common thread within the human experience. A thread I believe exists because we are image-bearers of God. We all desire to love and be loved. We all want to live with purpose. The show does a good job capturing that money does not solve the problems created by a broken heart.

Some in the show turn toward hope and others turned toward hopelessness. Many in the show were the victims of the circumstances they were found in. Others were the perpetrators. It really was a stark reminder that good and evil can be found anywhere. From across the street to around the world.

The Secular World Inadequately Answers Theological Questions

My second take away from the show was that a secular world-view cannot adequately answer theological questions.

The secular is inherently atheistic. Therefore, it rejects out of hand the possibility of divine intervention and interaction. Without God, some questions have no context. And some problems have no remedy.

As a Christian, I am shocked at how often the Church (and her representatives) surrender the theological/biblical argument to secular thinking. These two systems are not the same. And they are not compatible. We have to recapture a theological worldview that speaks to the real issues of the human experience. The Church has to point to God’s answers for what is troubling the world.

The Political is an Impotent Substitute for Genuine Faith

The final take away was quite simple. I don’t make a habit of talking politics, and I won’t start now. But, I will dip my toe in for a second as a pastor and say this: The political process (at least in the USA), is an inadequate substitute for genuine faith in Christ.

I don’t care who a person votes for. I care about what a person believes. The ballot box is not the sum total of a person’s life or identity. At least it should not be. Some do try to make this the case. And if it is, there will be some serious problems in that person’s relationships with others.

Genuine faith should not be political. It should be prophetic. It should be powerful. It should even be practical. But when it becomes political it shifts from being about serving to getting power.

My Recommendation

If you are interested, watch it. There are some powerful moments throughout. I will be writing about one in the coming week.

If not, don’t.

If you have watched the first season let me know what you think in the comments.

Selective Outrage and the god named “Social Media”

If you claim to be a Christian, and if you cannot separate your feelings about an issue from your feelings about a person or people, then we have a problem.

If you frequent social media then selective outrage is not a new concept for you, because you are constantly flooded with examples of it…

I actually posted on Facebook about this over a year ago. Remember when Harambe was killed? I bet you haven’t thought about that in a long time due the amount of outrage that has popped up since then. Well here is some of what I said:

“This new culture of selective outrage is about the dumbest thing since the Roman Coliseum. Basically our culture has returned to the ignorance of the masses that existed in the Roman Empire. We are the most school educated and socially ignorant society that has ever existed up to this point. We know a lot of things about everything, except how people should actually live together. Technology has simply reverted us to a place of base humanity. We’ve become barbaric in how we treat one another and react to our fellow humans. We can’t hold normal conversations about serious issues anymore. And that’s just sad. We should all be sad.

“I wish people were this passionate about things that mattered in life. Like their marriages, and families, and Jesus. If we had this sort of passion about seeing our world actually be a place where people are loved, supported, and matured – then maybe we wouldn’t have ever had this incident to begin with. Maybe we could redirect all this wasted energy into something productive? Here’s to hoping…”

Here is the common denominator in all our cultural social media wars:

Most seem to care deeply about our opinions on current issues (and boldly declare to everyone where we stand).

Few seem to care deeply about the people we disagree with about that issue (and typically try to demonize those people).

This is evidence of our worship of Social Media as we use it to promote ourselves at the cost of others.

Concerning the first 2 statements:

If you claim to be a Christian, and if you cannot separate your feelings about an issue from your feelings about a person or people, then we have a problem. And likely, you should be concerned that you may not have the Spirit of God in your life – or at least not leading your life. Before you go attacking me about this, let’s look at what God has to say.

Here is a quick overview of a few Scriptures that teach us about quarreling, fighting, being angry, and name calling – which are all aspects of our current culture of selective outrage:

Proverbs 20:3 [NLT] – “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.”

Matthew 5:22 [NLT] – “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”

Romans 13:9-14 [NLT] – “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law…Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ…”

2 Timothy 2:23 [NLT] – “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.”

So we must watch ourselves closely. Mostly because our selective outrage not only affects our witness as Christians to the world, but also reveals a lot about what is inside of us. And because too many of us think that just because we can do something, that we should – but that is false, and un-Biblical (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Concerning the 3^rd statement:

Christian, stop worshiping at the altar of your Social Media.

You might feel like that is harsh. But I am speaking to all of us as modern American Christians – myself at the top of the list.

We have bowed our knees and lives to the god of Social Media. How do I know?

Where do we run when we feel lonely?

Where do we look when we are seeking affirmation?

Where do we go to share our concerns, our needs, our desires, and our questions?

Where do we spend the majority of our time throughout the day?

You would think Paul taught us to check social media “without ceasing” instead of praying…

The root of our sin

If you think this is difficult to hear, I know. It hit me first! I am only sharing what I have been feeling God confronting me with in my own life. But we need to think deeply about what Social Media is doing to us and how it is distracting us!

The sinfulness of selective outrage is rampant among believers on Social Media. And if you think God is just overlooking these actions, you are wrong. If you think God is ignoring what you post, the anger with which you comment, or the condemnation you feel when you share or re-tweet, then you are sadly mistaken.

We have allowed this to go on for too long without confronting and rebuking this sin. And what is the sin at the core of this issue? Pride.

The desire to be heard. The desire to be seen. The desire to be right. The desire to be popular. The desire to be like God and stand in judgment of those we deem beneath us.

I know this sin well because I constantly have to identify it in my own life and overcome it by the Spirit’s power. It’s like a lion that we keep in a cage like a pet, when what we should do is kill it. But we don’t, because whether we admit it or not, we kind of like how it make us feel when we let it out to play.

Social Media, and more so your pride, is killing you from the inside out. And your use of social media might be influencing other people’s eternities, as they see someone who calls themselves a Christian and yet behaves like the Devil’s second cousin on social media. Watch out my brothers and sisters that you do not cause someone to stumble on account of your pride. Heed these words from Jesus’ own brother:

James 3:2-12 – “For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

“We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

“But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

So what does Christian love look like in the era of social media selective outrage?

If Jesus had a social media profile, I’m pretty sure he would see all of the hatred Christians are spreading with their participation in the current culture of selective outrage and call us “white-washed tombs” (Matthew 23:27).

Matthew 23:28 [NLT] – “Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy…”

A Christian approach to what is happening has to look different than what we are seeing. It should look like taming our tongue: not commenting on someone’s status you are angry about, not posting about a divisive issue just so people can know your opinion, not sharing articles and memes that are clearly filled with hate, and so on.

It looks like compassionately listening to people and putting ourselves into their situation. Not immediately reacting based upon your own opinions, judgments, presuppositions, or preferences. But taking time to live as Jesus lived – “eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34) with those we disagree and are looking to understand.

It looks like laying down our lives, rights, and feelings, so that we might display for the world the same love that Christ displayed for us.

4 Ways The Walking Dead Prepared me for the 2016 Election

I was not a fan of The Walking Dead when it started. I am not a horror, scary movie kind of person. As a matter of fact, I hate being startled. Just not my thing. But, I was looking for something to watch on Netflix and I thought, “Let me give this show a chance.” I didn’t know what to expect, but I started to really enjoy the characters and the story. Story is a such an important thing for me. If there is a good story I (usually) will watch or listen. Continue reading “4 Ways The Walking Dead Prepared me for the 2016 Election”

5 Reasons the Next President will Disappoint You

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The irony of a “pop-culture church” in a culture where Christianity is not popular

It should be fairly obvious to any halfway observant Christian that over the last generation Christianity has gone from a religion that America endorsed, to a religion America ignored, to now being a religion that America is antagonistic toward.

From the news articles about Christian schools losing their accreditation, to the ones concerning the potential forcing of all Christian ministers to perform marriage ceremonies they fundamentally disagree with, to the removing of Christian campus ministries because of their attempt to require its members or leaders to sign a code of conduct, it has become evident that culture no longer believes Christianity is acceptable in the public sphere.

Another observation that is fully obvious over the last generation has been the trend in the church toward popular culture – or in other words, the trend in the church toward “popular Christianity.” From music labels, to book deals, to TV stations, to celebrity pastors, and on we go… It is now apparent, like never before, that while the culture is moving away from Christianity, the American Christian church is still trying to move toward the culture.

The most obvious arrival of pop-culture into the church has been thru the occurrence of what has been coined “the worship wars.” With mostly contemporary worship winning out, we have seen the embrace of secular music culture within the church. Lights, cameras, smoke, lead guitars and drum solos, “worship music” being sold for profit, and so on.

None of the creative aspects of secular music being brought into the church are necessarily sinful in and of themselves, but they do make the potential for sin (pride, greed, etc.) more accessible by elevating certain aspects of production in the church. And, let’s not forget the obvious downfalls to the celebrity pastor status and followership that has become common in popular Christianity as well.

All of that is true.

But what is most interesting about all of this is not the discussions about what has actually happened, but rather the discussion about why it has happened and continues to happen.

Then, Why?

Why does the church continue to bring pop-culture in when Christianity is clearly being rejected within pop-culture?

Why does the church look more and more secular when secular society continues to distance itself (and in some cases attack) Christianity?

The answer may surprise you.

Jesus.

Now I know what many of you may be thinking, “It sounded like this article was headed toward calling the church away from this trajectory. I thought you were about to crush the church for trying to be like a culture that hates it…”

And you would have been right – if you were expecting me to be like most American Christians who are for some reason scared of the reality that Christianity seems to be “losing ground” in our society.

But I am not like those Christians. I see our situation a little differently. I like to think I see it a little more like Jesus…

How’s that?

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus’ first act in the plan of salvation he was called to fulfill was the act of incarnation. And yet the last thing the church ever seems to talk about is what it means for us to be incarnate in our society.

If the first step for Jesus was to become like those who he was looking to save, then why is it that Christians are so surprised when he expects the same of us?!

In fact, I have started to believe that unless the church becomes more incarnate in the world and begins to actually function completely outside the walls it has created by going right into where those who need us most are living, then the trend of antagonism toward Christians will only continue.

What I am not saying is that we should act like the world – Jesus did not. What I am not saying is that we should compromise our integrity for the world – Jesus never did. But what I am saying is what Paul said:
“When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ… When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ… When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

So what?

None of this removes the fact that there is an intense irony in a reality where we continue to pursue a culture and a people who continue to push us away. But by doing this we act like our very Savior who did the same for us.

In fact, we should strive to be incarnate just like Jesus – where we do not expect others to somehow get to us but rather where we do whatever it takes to get to them. We must stop trying to invite the world in, and start going to where the world is…

Are people seemingly “too busy” to come to a church event? Then go to where they are busy. Has the culture begun to value sports, and concerts, and bars, and other events more than the events of the church? Then get involved in those events and take Christ with you!

Our call is to be the church, not simply build a church.

So if the church we build looks like the culture and even goes to where the culture is (exciting events, etc.), as long as we are still being the church that God calls us to be (light, salt, etc.) then we are fulfilling exactly the call God has placed on our lives: to live like Jesus. And remember Jesus lived incarnate.

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Over the last couple of days there has been much discussion around a shocking video alleging some despicable practices by Planned Parenthood facilities and personnel. I am not going to provide any further descriptions here, just look it up for yourself. I personally could not believe what I read and therefore could not stomach watching the video. Continue reading “Abortion and the Death of Sacrificial Love”