Losing Our Religion

Recently the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a study regarding the changing landscape of American religion. I heard a radio program that discussed these changes and heard the stories of several callers who related their experiences. While I can’t sum it all up for you here are some of my thoughts.

Many of those who called to tell their story regarding why they switched religions noted how personally unfulfilling their parents’ faith had been to them. They went searching for a faith that had particular meaning to them. That last point is significant in that no one who called spoke of looking for a faith that brought meaning to the world and human existence, rather they sought a system of belief that held specific meaning for their particular life context (gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity etc).

As you might have guessed no one seemed too concerned with whether or not their belief was true, just that it worked in bringing them fulfillment.
In general people aren’t feeling authority at all, but are drawn to ritual. Those who were put on the air made it clear that while they didn’t mind talking about their religion they didn’t see the necessity of wearing it on their sleeve.
A number of folks are still hedging their bets just in case there’s something out there and even a couple of self-described atheists and agnostics were hopeful that there was more to us than just a seventy or eighty year natural existence.
Christians coming to faith from agnostic backgrounds face the same kind of ridicule and intolerance that believers are usually charged with giving. No one who actually remained with a faith they were reared in got on the air.

Evangelical Christianity might be in big, big trouble. Say what? I know you’ve heard this before but history demonstrates and I think this survey bears out that a faith grounded in a belief in faith is as stable as the San Andreas Fault. The report noted how many mainline denominations continue to lose those brought up under their charge. At some point if you keep telling people that God is basically just like you only older they get smart and wonder ’why in the world am I wasting these beautiful Sunday mornings in church’. At some point if you persist in drilling the notion that God exists to serve, obey, listen to and do their will they figure out that all the things they want in life can be theirs with a lot of hard work and a little luck. Eventually when you tell people that it really is just about their own private fulfillment through a personal, private relationship with ‘Jesus’ they decide that they can discover that same kind of fulfillment through the rules of Islam, the ritual of Anglicanism or the mysticism of new age spirituality.

Eventually if you keep preaching that theology and doctrine i.e. truth doesn’t matter then they’ll feel quite free to change what they ‘believe’ whenever their tastes suit them. Eventually if we keep teaching those who fill our pews today that what scripture says about God’s word, His Person, mankind, sin, salvation, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and His church is barely relevant to who they are, their walk with the Lord and the ‘real’ world they just might believe us and become the next statistics in the changing face of religion tomorrow.

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance

Obama Update

Anthony Carter and Thabiti Anyabwile have each written very engaging posts regarding the candidacy of Barack Obama. Their posts are important regardless of whether you plan to vote for Senator Obama or not. As I said before even if he loses Barack Obama has made it nearly impossible for future black candidates to run as a traditional black candidate. In fact the country has already begun to see this in the elections of Deval Patrick the governor of Massachusetts and Michael Nutter who was elected mayor of Philadelphia with overwhelming white support.

Senator Obama has kicked it to another level as people all over the country and even the world consider him as a competent candidate to lead the United States of America. It's that reality that could have young African-Americans look at themselves and think 'there really are no limits to where my drive, hard work and talent could take me'. But perhaps more importantly Senator Obama's candidacy could finally move the rest our society into thinking the same way.

To Him Who Loves Us...
Pastor Lance

An Unbelievable Message Pt. 2

So how do you solve the unsolvable problem? What happens when you discover that your real issue, your root issue isn’t that your parents did a really bad job or perhaps weren’t there at all. What happens when it dawns on you that growing up in a violent neighborhood, attending bad schools, with little opportunity though obstacles don’t approach the heart of your real dilemma? How does it feel when you run into someone who has had every advantage you haven’t and find out that they have just as many issues, just as many insecurities, just as many fears and just as many hang-ups as you do? What do you do when it finally hits you that you are a sinner and that one day you will face your Creator and Judge with no explanation, nobody else to blame and no excuse?

Should that day come to you I have good news. Though you are not right with God, have no one to blame for that but yourself and cannot possibly find away out of or around this on your own God has taken it upon Himself to fully and finally solve this most urgent, pressing and eternal problem of yours. How has He done this?

He begins by revealing to humanity that a perfect, permanent righteousness is available apart from us having to earn it by following His law (which we could never do in the first place). This righteousness which is spoken of in the Old Testament is given by faith to every one who believes in Jesus Christ. What must you believe? You must believe that you are indeed a sinner who fairly deserves God’s judgment. You must further believe that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life before the Father according to the law and therefore earned a perfect, permanent right standing before Him and that this right standing can be yours if you place your faith in Christ and Christ alone. You must believe that when Christ died on the cross He died to satisfy God’s anger against your sin. You must believe that Jesus physically rose from the grave thus proving that God the Father was please and satisfied with His life and sacrifice

And guess what? You never have to worry this most precious gift of God’s righteousness is tainted by racism, classism, sexism or any other kind of ism. All have sinned and therefore have disqualified themselves from enjoying the full eternal expression of God’s kingdom. Yet, all who believe are declared to be in a perfect, permanent right standing before God by grace and grace alone. Among other things that means that there is no cost to you whatsoever for this perfect, permanent right standing. Today you can know for sure that you’re in God’s grace, favor and have His blessing not because you sowed a seed into the business of some televangelist but because Christ lived a perfect life on your behalf. But it doesn’t end there. Not only did Jesus Christ live a perfect life on your behalf, He actually died to release you from the penalty of sin that you owned the Father. He gave up His life for yours so that you wouldn’t have to pay the cost of your rebellion yourself.

Is there any other kind of way you ask? Absolutely not! The living God specially, and specifically put forth Jesus Christ to be the one who would satisfy completely His fierce, passionate, settled, unrelenting, just and certain anger against all those who believe in Him. In punishing Christ, God the Father upholds His holiness, righteousness and justice while at the same time giving a right standing to all those who believe in Christ. But that’s where the buck stops. Salvation is found in no one else. Christ and Christ alone secured salvation for all of God’s people.

What do you, your people, your culture, your ethnicity or your country bring to the table? What did God see in you that made the whole plan of salvation necessary? Other than your sin, nothing. You have nothing to boast or brag about. God didn’t save you because you proved your worth through education, hard work and upstanding family values. Nor was His pity aroused because you were born poor, treated unjustly and belonged to a marginalized people group. God didn’t see that you did your best to follow His law, fell short and therefore extended you a little bit of help to make it over the hump. This perfect, permanent right standing before the living God is obtained by faith and faith alone. And thus all the credit, praise, thanks and glory goes to God and God alone.

Who is this message for? It’s for everyone. It is the one, objective truth regarding where we stand with God that transcends ethnicity, class, socioeconomic status, level of education, cultural group or any other of the surface divisions we so easily allow to divide us. Is God the God of the Jews only? No, by no means no. He is the God of the Jews, Arabs, Africans, Hispanics, Europeans, Asians, Indians, Americans, colored people, Negroes, blacks, Afro-Americans and African-Americans. There is one God who will justify all kinds of people through faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ. There is one God who has fully and finally solved the one problem that will follow you through eternity. There is one God who out of His rich mercy and great love for you gave up His one and only Son to secure your blessed eternity with Him.

Do you believe that?

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance

An Unbelievable Message Pt. 1

So what to bible believing Christians want to hear from the candidates? What message will capture their attention and perhaps garner their support? What can the last three major presidential contenders say that will resonate with this particular constituent group? I’m not sure. For within our unshakable kingdom and unbreakable bond there is a difference of opinion on some very important political issues. We do not all agree on the continued prosecution of the war, the role of government in our lives, the best way to approach climate change, nor the most effective way to address the growing challenge of health care and insurance. Even on an issue like abortion there may not be 100% agreement on the best way to address that politically.

But let’s flip the script. Because the message that’s most meaningful to us isn’t what any candidate has to say nor is it apart of their campaign or their parties’ platform. And that’s fine, for that message is one that’s been committed to God’s people and only God’s people. It is a message that those in Christ must agree on since the church is still the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. And with all that the candidates have to say on the important issues of our time (and they are important) the most significant and crucial message that pertains to humanity is the message of the glorious, liberating gospel of Jesus Christ.
That’s the message that we are commissioned and empowered to preach to all people whether Jew, non-Jew, Indian, Asian, white, Arab, black or Hispanic. We preach this message to those from blue states and red states. We promote it to builders, boomers, busters, rockers, skaters and hip-hoppers. What is this message, why is it important and what main issue does it deal with?

As I said before it is the message of the gospel. What is this gospel or good news? It is the message of scripture concerning salvation from sin, God’s anger against those who commit sin and their restoration back into a right relationship with Him through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Why is this message important? It’s important because it addresses the most urgent, pressing and eternal problem and dilemma for any person at anytime, anywhere. From God’s perspective our chief problem isn’t a lack of money or opportunity to make money. It isn’t the lack of good parents or poor education. Our main problem isn’t broken relationships, under-employment or inadequate healthcare. In fact I can go so far as to say that our prime concerns aren’t the felt needs that weigh in on us on a daily basis. Our primary problem has nothing to do with racism, sexism, ageism, or classism. That’s not to say that these aren’t real or actual concerns. However, if we place too much weight on them they can all too easily obscure the truth of our very real and present danger. What is that danger?

We declared war on God and lost badly. We can observe the effects of the collateral damage of that loss all around us. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once we rejected the good, wise, just, righteous and gracious rule of our creator, Lord and master we gained the ‘privilege’ of running the show ourselves. But even worse than that we inherited a regular, normal human nature that is bent away from God and bent toward rebellion, perversion and disobedience. Where has this nature gotten us? To make a long story short we are the objects of Almighty God’s fierce, passionate, settled, unrelenting, just and certain anger. And it really doesn’t matter how much money we have, our status and position in life, the size and location of our home or how many degrees we’ve attained. When all is said and done all have sinned. Whether black, white, Jew, Arab, Indian, European, Hispanic or Asian, all us are naturally disqualified from enjoying God’s kingdom and presence. What is our main problem? Our main problem is that we have sinned and for that there will be hell to pay.

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance

Black History Month

Why Black History Month? What purpose is served by highlighted the contributions of one single group of Americans? Doesn’t a focus on their history only serve to promote the ethnic divide we struggle with so much in this country? Good questions that I’m sure occur to more than a few during the month of February which is National Black History Month. And while these may be valid questions I wonder if they’re a bit misplaced. For those who see concentrating on the history of one specific group to the exclusion of others it might be more prudent to ask questions like the following: How can we best integrate the history of black Americans into our national history? Why is it that we seem to so easily pass over the contributions black Americans have made to the life of this country? Couldn’t we do a better job of uniting the country if we made a conscious effort to include the history of African-Americans whenever we taught or discussed the founding, building and progress of America?

Before we tackle these issues however let’s begin with a more basic question. What purpose does the observation and reflection of history serve in the first place? For example what difference does it make to me that here in the city of my birth Bishop Richard Allen began the first black led denomination in America? For one I am not a Methodist and never have been. Furthermore, there really doesn’t seem to be a direct connection with the events of 1793 and what’s happening with me today. And yet we know that that is a short-sighted way to view the past, present and future. In fact one could make the argument that a large part of the challenges African-Americans face today are connected with the way far too many of us view the history we made yesterday.

Why should we view the importance of history in general and of black history in particular.

History is important not merely because it tells of the dates and escapades of famous people in turbulent times, but because it’s a window into how people much like us faced up to and dealt with many of the same struggles and issues that challenge us today. History can help to explain how we’ve arrived at this point in time faced with the current set of issues we grapple with now. History can also speak to the important aspects of our humanity. A good, clear account of history can assist us as we work through the macro questions of who we are, what our purpose is, where we’re going and what is our destiny.

Studying and reflecting on black history along with the history of other ethnic groups will teach us of the lengths African-Americans and others took to be viewed as full Americans by this country. Each invention, work of art, scientific discovery, foray into politics, activity in foreign wars and act of athleticism was a way of shouting to our nation that though we were brought here against our will, it was not our will to remain separate or segregated from this country. Knowing this could prove quite beneficial to those Americans who question or wonder what place African-Americans have played and can play in the building and progress of this country. It could also help them to see that black history did not begin and end with slavery. Additionally it will teach them to see that America is what it is because of the valuable contributions of those who came here via slave ships and immigrant ships. Knowing this can help us to view those who are here as potential assets and not liabilities.

For black folks studying our history and participation in America puts us face to face with the reality that though times may be hard now they were indeed much more difficult in times past. We can learn that our people battled racism on several fronts and in a myriad of ways. Learning our history will teach us the value of struggle, education, respect, creativity, hope and reliance on God. Reviewing our history will remind us of our common humanity and that no amount of racism or brutality can stamp that out. One more thing about observing our story. Looking back in order to look forward should make us sensitive of the responsibility to advocate for others. Our press for justice cannot end once we’ve secured the right to our slice of pie at Denny’s.

Finally, we investigate and observe our history to see the imprint of God’s sovereignty on the lives of our people. In this way we should view our story redemptively. We should tell one another and teach our children that the point of black history isn’t confined to the struggle for economic and social equality with the dominant culture. That is far, far to short a goal and small a purpose for people created in God’s image. If the end of our struggle is a 2500 square foot four bedroom, two and half bath, two car garage in the suburbs then our struggle and view of history is a dismal failure. We repeat the song of our story to remind ourselves that it’s just one more verse in the tale of His story. Where will that story end? For many of us it won’t. It will simply enter into a new chapter when we along with all of our other brothers and sisters surround the throne of the author and finisher of our faith, life and history Jesus Christ.

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance

A Man From Issachar

Our friend, brother and favorite 2nd veep Eric Redmond was profiled by the Washington Post this past weekend. Rev. Redmond also serves as the pastor of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Temple Hills MD. and is the author of the upcoming book Where Are All The Brothers: Straight Answers To Men’s Questions About The Church. He also blogs at A Man From Issachar.

Election 08 - Planes, Tanks, and Bombs

This is shaping up to one doozy of an election. Folks in Maine braved all kinds of wonderful winter weather to cast their vote. Voters in VA were so fired up that many of them showed up last Tuesday to participate in their primary.

Among the issues that concern those who’ve voted or are considering their vote is the continuing war in Iraq. I’m pretty sure that most of you have already decided where you are on the war. And though I’ve given it some thought this may be the first time I’ve actually written on the subject.
For me the issue isn’t confined to where I stand on the war as much as how do I view the use of military power. The U.S. began the conquest of Iraq as a pre-emptive strike against what we thought was an imminent military threat. We were told that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction that could be used against the U.S. or U.S. interest in fairly short order. We were also told that America would be safer once Saddam Hussein was removed from power. It turns out that we were wrong. There were no weapons of mass destruction and though Saddam has been removed, tried and executed we’re now told that we must remain in Iraq to battle Al-Qaeda who presumably wasn’t entrenched in Iraq until after the war. From where we sit now it seems that we’re between a rock and a hard place. Some say we must stay the course, root out all the terrorist and achieve victory. Others believe that a definite withdrawal from Iraq is the best course of action. In my view there is no easy way out which is why I’m keenly interested in the next president’s view on the use of military power.

For the last several decades America pursued a policy of having a strong military to counter any potential threat from the old Soviet Union. Our military strategy was based on matching land, air and sea power in sufficient strength so as to counter any advance by the enemy. However at this time I don’t think this strategy is wise in the battle against terrorism. We’ve already seen that an easy conquest of an enemy country isn’t the same as victory, nor does it guarantee instant safety. In all the talk about the surge, timetables, staying the course etc. one thing we haven’t done is have an honest evaluation of our current doctrine regarding combating terrorism and the most prudent use of the military in this conflict. It’s not enough for us to think that the surge worked and now all we have to do is wait another few years for the Iraqis to construct a cohesive government so that we can finally go home. Failure to thoroughly examine the mindset that led us into war may be one of the surest signs that in the not too distant future we’ll embark on the same course of action with the same flawed reasoning and end up with the same distressing results.

As a citizen I’m against the belief that America needs to increase the military and prepare for extended deployments around the world. As I said before it doesn’t appear that a huge, overpowering military is the safest bet against terrorism. We may need to develop a long term plan that focuses on digging up the roots of terror so that it ceases to be a significant factor in our way of life. Of course that may mean re-examining some of the sacred cows that make up our way of life. Some will strongly disagree with this and charge that we are at war with terrorist. Okay, so we’re at war. What’s the best way to win it? Perhaps I’m wrong and we should engage in a multi-year military build up. Shouldn’t we at least do a complete and thorough examination of all factors involved before making such a move? And should we choose such a course of action what’s that mean for our foreign policy for the next decade and the one after that and the one after that?

As a citizen I don’t think the nation can afford another military build-up and at the same time keep pace with the growing economies of China, India and other developing nations. And even if we could I don’t think it’s prudent to sink the amount of money it would take to do so. If the next president insists on having the ‘strongest most well equipped’ military on the planet then he or she should at least tell the American people that such a force would cost in excess of a trillion dollars. And I for one think that this nation could invest that money elsewhere.

Finally as a believer in Christ and thus one committed to the preservation and building up of all life created in Him image I feel it’s part of my responsibility to refrain from beating the drums of war too loudly or eagerly. War costs lives. And having the most powerful and advanced military in the world can too easily cloud our vision regarding the toll that war will take on those we invade. As believers I’m very concerned that evangelicals seemed just a tad bit too willing to jump on the shock and awe bandwagon without taking stock of the very real lives this action would take. Does that mean that we never go to war? Not necessarily. It does mean that we who hold life to be most precious must not be too eager to encourage our government to prosecute a war that will no doubt result in the loss of life for thousands or even tens of thousands of people. As believers in Christ who also happen by His providence to be Americans we must extend the scope of morality to include the rightness or wrongness of using military power. If we are to have a voice let’s make sure that voice is one of temperance in the use of force before we launch into the fog of war.

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance