REFLECTIONS: August 24, 2014

REFLECTIONS

August 24, 2014

It has been said that the general difficulty with religion is not theology or doctrine or even belief in God, but the difficulty is found in people and especially with their interpretation.  A number of years ago, I remember watching a famous person being interviewed about his values.  When asked about faith he said, “I am religious, but I hope not in a way that shows.” Perhaps what he was afraid of was what humorist, Garrison Keillor, describes in one of his stories.  “The problem with protestant ministers is that they come across just a bit too earnest like a used car salesperson, wearing too much corduroy and Hush Puppies.”

In chapter fourteen of the gospel of Matthew, two of Jesus’ most powerful miracles are recorded.  The feeding of the five thousand in verses 13-21, and walking on water in verses 22-36.  This work is followed by what some scholars term the “tradition of the elders.” in chapter fifteen verses 10-20, & 21-28.  These passages find Jesus encountering the fierce legalism of the Pharisees with regard to food intake, the apparent inability of the disciples to comprehend what he is teaching, and his own understanding of what he is called by God to do with regard to those outside of the fold of Israel.

In conversation with the Pharisees, Jesus points out that what a person takes in by mouth for food ultimately turns to waste, whereas, what proceeds from one’s mouth can have a potential, lasting harmful affect because it has come from a heart susceptible to all manner of evils.  Therefore, religious dietary laws must be held in context with the internal bearing of the believer to do the will of God.  Next, the disciples admit they do not understand what he is talking about.  So he explains in greater detail the dangers of spiritual blindness, and especially of the spiritually blind leading others.  Finally, the disciples complain to him that a Canaanite woman is following asking for Jesus to heal her daughter.  Since she is an outcast, not a part of the House of Israel, they ask that Jesus send her away.  Jesus speaks with her saying that he was sent to minster to the lost of Israel.  However, her faith touches him and he tells her that her daughter is healed.

What Jesus models is transparent faith.  A religious pattern which shows that we follow God not our own biases.  His willingness to change his mind with regard to healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter bears witness to this.  The late philosopher, G. K. Chesterton, said with regard to the value of religious behavior, “For religion all persons are equal, as all pennies are equal, because the only value in any of them is that they bear the image of the King,.”  In the end, religiosity must take a back seat to being faithful.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald

REFLECTIONS:August 17, 2014

Do you read advice columns?  They illustrate perfectly how relatives and religious people say some wonderful and awful things.  In one column, a while back, a person wrote to say that his understanding of faith called for him to ‘spiritually divorce’ himself from anyone whose views were not in tune with his.  The advice columnist response was this thinking did not fit with the general understanding that theology is about love rather than hate.  So the concept of staying apart from those who disagree with you would not be wise.  In a recent column “Ask Annie” was queried on how to stop a relative from being a bully?  Citing an earlier bit of advice where Annie had said simply leave when relatives become insulting and overbearing (the advice seeker) said this did not seem fair, and wanted to know how to change the behavior of said relative?  Annie responded by saying leaving is always the first best option because while we cannot change the way others treat us, we can remove ourselves from toxic circumstances.

I remember hearing a lively and engaging sermon some years ago.  The title was “You Can’t Box God, Your Arms Are Too Short.”  The premise was similar to most of the writings of Paul.  Who are we to argue with the workings and wonder of God?  Yet we humans have been doing just that for millennia.  Fighting with God over who is elect and who is damned?  Creating our own rules with regard to who is accepted and who must be shunned in the name of faith?  Even to the point of killing people simply because their views are different. It happens yet today.  In Romans 11 Paul is responding to serious questions.  The first is why and how Gentiles can be part of the realm of God?  The second is, if this is so, what becomes of Israel with regard to being the elect, or chosen of God?

In his wonderful rhetorical idiom the Apostle asks and answers the questions.  Did God reject Israel?  Of course not, and then to underscore this point, “I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” As to how gentiles are part of the ‘Party’ Paul writes in verse thirty-two “God has imprisoned all in disobedience in order to show mercy to all.”  This, of course, ended all dissent, debate, and demeaning treatment in all religious arenas.  Remember our brother writes before the Church split East and West, denominations, the crusades and all the fun religious bigotry of the twentieth century.  His point then and now still holds.  It is God who invites and invests in humanity.  In our dissent and undignified beliefs and behavior we often miss God’s graciousness.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald