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Breaking the Chains that Bind Posts

The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

Published by mhelbert on March 15, 2012

The ongoing discussions about biblical inerrancy continues to fascinate me. I’ve read the Chicago definition. I find it wanting. Mostly, because it tries to define God in an extremely narrow manner. It also, I feel errantly, raises the biblical text to the place of godhood. It is, as they say, bibliolatry. What really got me thinking about this was the nastiness that many display when this question comes up.
While struggling with this, and other issues related to the biblical literalist position, a professor of Old Testament asked an interesting question. While considering both Ruth and Esther as stories that most likely were not accounts of actual events, he asked if it was possible for truth to be expressed in fiction. Hmm….Heck Yeah! I began to think about the story of Scripture as narrative…a love story from Yahweh to creation. The inconsistencies in the text disappeared as did the battle between science and theology. In this world all can live together in the discussion. Inspiration has never been an issue with me. The text is inspired. It is, however, free to express God’s love, mercy, compassion, etc. without the hindrance of having to line up with, or do away with observable truth. Yea, God!
Anyway, I bring this up to share a link to another blog where this topic is being chewed on once again.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2012/03/15/absolute-perfection-oh-my-rjs/
Enjoy!

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Lead us not…

Published by mhelbert on March 15, 2012

Temptation. That word has sent shivers up and down the spines of countless faithful for centuries. The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples in some translations has the line,  “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” peirasmós, translated temptation, (because of the negative sense derived from the context w/evil), also has the idea of test or trial. James wrote that the person who perseveres through trial is blessed. Thomas à Kempis wrote about this in The Imitation of Christ. No one, according to him, is immune to temptations and trials. They are, “troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed.” In another place, he refers to Paul’s statements that temptations are common to humanity. In these God will leave a way to get through them. The task, for à Kempis, is to not run from trials, but to let God help us through them. “Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just.”
This way of thinking seems to run counter to what we in the West would think. We want quick fixes. We don’t want to experience any discomfort, especially internally. When temptation comes, it starts in the mind. We are “tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (Jas. 1:14). The battle ground is laid within our thoughts and desires. Sin, then is born and matures into death. This is what scares people. What if I fail? Why can’t I simply get past these tests? We want to ‘pass’ them and graduate. There is no graduation in this life. Reliance on God the Holy Spirit is how we persevere. It is the crucible in which our minds are renewed and we are transformed; metamorphosed into the likeness of Christ. Rather than running from these trials, it seems that it is more important to embrace Yahweh and walk through the fire.

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No Fear

Published by mhelbert on March 14, 2012

Henri Nouwen wrote in Turn My Mourning into Dancing about how people are many times driven by fear of losing something that they have. We fear burglary, so we spend thousands on home security. We fear losing status, so we try to paint a face on ourselves that elevates our standing. We fear this and that, so we focus on taking whatever measures we deem necessary to protect and hang onto these things. The scripture teaches that God is not a God of fear. Yahweh is all about love and security. Nouwen’s argument leads us to try and simplify our lives by letting go of things. When we realize that we cannot hang onto them anyhow, where is the sense in tenaciously clinging to stuff that is going to pass away? Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” True words.
I’d like to take this idea a step further. There are many people in the U.S. who make the argument that this country was built on “Christian” ideals and principles. This allows them to equate anything patriotic with the “Judeo/Christian ethic.” (Whatever that is.) This includes the concept of Manifest Destiny, unfettered capitalism, white patriarchy, and American Exceptionalism. It also creates an environment where we need to have the biggest, baddest military and economic system so that we can protect what is perceived to be ‘ours.’ And, whatever is ‘ours’ is our right to claim as Americans. We live in constant fear that some country or power or terrorist organization will try to take what is ‘ours.’ We justify these actions by quoting some scripture taken out of context.
When I read the scriptures, however, I find a different view on things. I see what Nouwen wrote about. I find Jesus as a servant calling others to service. I find that detachment from stuff is the road to happiness and contentment. I find a rich guy who was told that he lacked one thing. He should go and sell his stuff and give to the poor. Then, follow Jesus. Perhaps if the U.S. was to actually take a Judeo/Christian view and, say, forgive the crippling debts of developing countries, particularly in Africa that we could, as a nation, make a positive impact in the world. Maybe, if we took Jesus’ words to forgive and pray for our enemies Iran and others would not consider us the Great Satan. We could become a true expression of Jesus’ love for the whole world. This was evidenced by his obedience to the Father in laying down his life for the world. What better example of “letting go” is there?

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In Obama’s own words…

Published by mhelbert on March 12, 2012

I found this interesting. So many of us are quick to pass judgment on others based on what we, fallible tho we are, think is correct. We hold ourselves up as the standard of virtue and propriety, and anyone who does not measure up to our expectations automatically becomes “other.”
In the current political races, some are quick to hold up their own morals and piety as that standard. They then proceed to castigate those who are somehow ‘less’ moral and pious. President Obama has been the target of much derision from the so-called ‘religious right.’ But, what does Obama have to say? I haven’t yet heard him engage in the same spiritual vitriol, but I could have simply missed it. What he has stated, or testified, can be read here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/president-obamas-theology-in-his-own-words/2012/02/21/gIQAUbqqRR_print.html

We are called to follow Christ. It is Jesus, alone, who can make the valid claim that “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” This authority is not shared. It is exclusive. Jesus is the ONLY one who is able to judge a person’s heart. Certainly not politicians.

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Love Fuels Devotion

Published by mhelbert on March 10, 2012

I’ve read several accounts of folks who have had spiritual experiences that manifest with physical sensations. Most notably, a burning in the heart or breast. Both John Wesley and Richard Rolle wrote about this. Today, as I was praying, I asked Yahweh about this. It seemed that such experiences fueled the ardor and devotion of these men. It sparked a holy desire to know and serve Christ. It also became a reminder of God’s goodness and love toward them. So, of course, I desired a similar experience. (How human.) But, I sensed the Lord pointing to the fact that I was there, in God’s presence, devoting my time and attention to God.The words that came to my mind were, “This is the fruit of love.” While the physical flame is absent, the burning desire to know communicate with and serve God is present. This is a result of Yahweh’s love for me. This agape of God is ever and always flowing outward. It flows outward from God to God’s good creation. Our love, if it is genuine, flows outward into the world so that both human and non-human creation is affected.
Maybe, someday Yahweh will bless me with a burning in my heart like Rolle and Wesley. Maybe not. But, I really don’t think that’s the point. Love and devotion…that’s the heart of it.

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Slow Learner

Published by mhelbert on March 8, 2012

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that it can take me awhile to wrap my head around some things. In seminary, especially, this was true. I could read a text or hear a lecture and it may have been days later, after reading and re-reading, ruminating and otherwise pondering that the light would turn on and I would ‘get it.’ This has been the process for understanding a question that has bothered me about some folks’ understanding of the new heaven and new earth mentioned in Scripture.
Let me offer some background. I began following Christ a long time ago. Over the years I have been involved with faith communities that are pretty much fundamentalist in their approach to Scripture. As a result, much of their ‘gospelling’ has been to state that we should not be concerned about ecology or economics, (unless it’s conservative), but, rather we should get people saved so as to populate some disembodied heaven of the future. After all, the physical realm is going to burn up and pass away. Now, I have to say that this never really resonated with me. There seemed to be a disconnect between this mindset and what Jesus actually did and said. But, there was a certain logic to the idea that if this cosmos is going to be, at the very least, replaced, why should we concern ourselves with running out of fossil fuels or holes in the ozone layer.
After reading N. T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church 3 times, (I said I was slow), something clicked. In the book Wright mentioned that people should be involved in bringing justice and wise stewardship to this world, now, in anticipation of that new creation. If humans are to be stewards and co-regents with God in the care and oversight of the new creation, then we should be about that business today, in this world. Not that it’s a practice run, but Paul wrote that nothing that is done in this life will be lost on the next in the resurrection. We can, therefore, justify social justice and ecological justice here and now without diminishing the importance of the kerygma of the Gospel.

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Super Tuesday

Published by mhelbert on March 6, 2012

Well, it’s Super Tuesday for the GOP. I’m not all that politically minded. These elections generally turn me off. The endless ads for and against this or that candidate and the spins that each puts on their positions does little to kindle any interest. This year’s presidential election is especially, well, “Yawn.” The GOP has no one. Romney, who in all likelihood, will eventually win the nomination is simply not fit. His background in business is not enough to qualify him to stand at the fore and represent the U.S. in the world. The biggest hump to get over with him, though, is that he represents the continuation of white patriarchy at its worst. The statements that he has made regarding the poor are a huge red flag. Not only in this country, but the poor and oppressed around the world need a person in the White House with compassion and empathy. Neither of these appear to be in Mitt’s vocabulary. Romney brings an isolationism and extension of American Exclusiveness that cannot be healthy in the continuity diminution of the international stage. Again, I can’t stress it enough, Mitt’s Not Fit.

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The Vineyard revisited

Published by mhelbert on March 2, 2012

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I was thinking about this text this A.M. Jesus spoke the parable in the context of being questioned by the religious leaders at the temple. They wanted to know who had given him the authority to speak and teach as he did. We know that Jesus threw the question right back at them by asking about John’s baptism. When they would not reply, Jesus proceeded:
Luk 20:9 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.
Luk 20:10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
Luk 20:11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed.
Luk 20:12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.
Luk 20:13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’
Luk 20:14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
Luk 20:15  So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
Luk 20:16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
We know that Jesus directed this to the leaders. Luke wrote in verse 19, “The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them.”
One of the things that modern evangelicals in particular like to do is appropriate scripture and try to apply a literalist interpretation to the world and culture today. In the case of this text, I’ve heard preachers and teachers state that the tenants can be represented today by those who are outside of the church, as they understand it. This would equate to the government, gays and lesbians, pro-choice advocates, or any other person or organization that they choose to anathematize. But, in the parable Jesus was addressing the religious leaders. Those who had set up their religious sensibilities to exclude anyone who believed, practiced, or tried to understand Torah in any way other than their particular party line. 
I think that a refreshing way to look at this text would be to challenge the so-called religious leaders to see that Jesus was seeking justice and righteousness in them. That the marginalized in our culture are not who he is speaking to. He is speaking to the people who dismiss and disregard the poor, hungry, homeless, gays and lesbians, handicapped, and I could go on listing others. Jesus came a redefined who is accepted…and who should be accepted by God. Who are called to take on Jesus’ yoke. Who have no voice of their own.
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Prayer is hard work

Published by mhelbert on March 1, 2012

As I journey on in learning more about prayer, I’m discovering how difficult it is. Yes, some say that it is so simple that a child can do it. True, but I’m not a child. I’ve read what some of the ‘master’ of prayer and the contemplative life have written, and there’s nothing in them that says ‘simple.’ In fact, they almost unanimously describe prayer as hard work. It is. Our will is not something that is easily bent away from its own comfort. We like the path of least resistance. To sit in the presence of Yahweh, and focus, pay attention, seek expectantly, watch and listen is difficult. Usually, after a short time, my mind wants to wander and imagine…anything but remain still. This is where I usually would stop and assume that the prayer time was ended. However, I’m finding that it’s important at precisely that moment to persevere and redouble my effort to focus. The Psalmist spoke to his soul. I find I am doing that. “O my soul, pay attention to the Lord. O my soul, listen; watch; seek.”
I’ve heard many people say that prayer is something we should do because it benefits us. That’s how we receive our ‘spiritual food’ from God. And, I think that this is partly accurate. What is more important, I think, is that we find our proper posture before the Creator of the Universe and can learn about God’s purposes in the world. Prayer is the communicative link to our Lord and Master. Do we receive explicit and detailed instructions? Usually not. At least for me at this time, I hear more about Yahweh’s character. God is about compassion for the ‘other.’ The Lord is about moving outward, not inward on self. Love, patience and mercy are present where the Lord is. Yahweh is interested in heavenly kingdom stuff. If this is accurate, then it points to where our interests and energy should be focused. Being a servant of God means to attend to our Master’s interests. Just a thought.

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The Bible…really, The Bible

Published by mhelbert on February 28, 2012

There are a couple blogs that I follow pretty closely. Some are listed to the right. One of them, Allan Bevere’s, had a link to an interesting CNN blog by Steven James. In it he points out that the Bible is really a text that is “Very raw. Very real.” I agree with much of what he has to say. The church has tended to make the Scriptures some high and hallowed thing that the average person cannot hope to reach or touch. Many others, like James, have attempted to strip away the religious veneer that obscures this real and living compilation of inspired words.
There is the danger, however, that we push the humanity too far and neglect the calling that these words place on us. We are called to move beyond “partying with Jesus” into a real, living, vibrant relationship with him. Yes, that means to go to the wedding at Cana and party down. It also means to climb the rocky path to Calvary and lay down our lives with him.
James’ piece is good and necessary, but it is not the final word.
Here is a link:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/25/my-take-stop-sugarcoating-the-bible/

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