Today’s Readings: Psalm 3; Joshua 9:3-16, 22-27; John 7:37-52; 1 Corinthians 9:12b-18; Psalm 18:1-24
There have been lots of by-products of the rise of Christian fundamentalism since the 1920’s. One by-product has been the increased political power of those who identify as fundamentalists – especially since the 1980’s. Another by-product has been the increased division of folks who identify as Christians as fundamentalists often separated themselves from those in the mainline denominations. Another by-product has been the increased polarization of folks on social issues reminiscent of the cultural war that Pat Buchanon declared in 1992. All of these have been traumatic changes for all of us to live through (even for fundamentalists themselves, I would add!). So what’s been the most difficult consequence of all this? Well, in my opinion, the most difficult consequence to live with hasn’t been political or social: it’s been personal. You see fundamentalists have been so successful that they’ve planted seeds of doubt that God loves individuals. Are you a divorced person? “Well, then you’re in trouble,” fundamentalists would argue, “since the Bible speaks clearly about divorce in Matthew 5:31!” Are you lesbian, gay, or bisexual? “Leviticus 18:22 says you’re an abomination,” a fundamentalist might point out. And what about those in interfaith marriages or relationships? They’ve got words for you too. “Exodus 34:16 doesn’t look too kindly on those relationships!” they would argue. In situation after situation and circumstance after circumstance, some fundamentalists have denied the sacred worth and dignity of individuals. And even though many of their targets do not hold the same beliefs, the fundamentalists have been wildly successful in terms of sowing seeds of doubt in their mind. Sadly, many have come to believe they are unloved by God. That – I believe – is the greatest tragedy of the fundamentalist movement. So is this phenomenon of feeling unloved (or unlovable) a 20th Century American phenomenon? No. Today’s second Psalm proves it – for in that Psalm the psalmist admits: “[God] stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved – surprised to be loved!” (Psalm 18:19 from The Message). Over the years I’ve worked with tons of people – even those inside the church! – who have shared similar notions of being surprised that God loved them. Some in the church work so diligently in hopes of proving themselves lovable. How sad! Today’s words from the psalmist remind me of the single most important aspect of our calls to serve God: that is to let ALL of God’s children know they are loved. That is my fundamental principle. As you go out into a complex world that will pull you in many directions, don’t lose sight of that aspect of your call. Share with ALL those you meet the wonderful news that they are loved! Til next time…
There have been lots of by-products of the rise of Christian fundamentalism since the 1920’s. One by-product has been the increased political power of those who identify as fundamentalists – especially since the 1980’s. Another by-product has been the increased division of folks who identify as Christians as fundamentalists often separated themselves from those in the mainline denominations. Another by-product has been the increased polarization of folks on social issues reminiscent of the cultural war that Pat Buchanon declared in 1992. All of these have been traumatic changes for all of us to live through (even for fundamentalists themselves, I would add!). So what’s been the most difficult consequence of all this? Well, in my opinion, the most difficult consequence to live with hasn’t been political or social: it’s been personal. You see fundamentalists have been so successful that they’ve planted seeds of doubt that God loves individuals. Are you a divorced person? “Well, then you’re in trouble,” fundamentalists would argue, “since the Bible speaks clearly about divorce in Matthew 5:31!” Are you lesbian, gay, or bisexual? “Leviticus 18:22 says you’re an abomination,” a fundamentalist might point out. And what about those in interfaith marriages or relationships? They’ve got words for you too. “Exodus 34:16 doesn’t look too kindly on those relationships!” they would argue. In situation after situation and circumstance after circumstance, some fundamentalists have denied the sacred worth and dignity of individuals. And even though many of their targets do not hold the same beliefs, the fundamentalists have been wildly successful in terms of sowing seeds of doubt in their mind. Sadly, many have come to believe they are unloved by God. That – I believe – is the greatest tragedy of the fundamentalist movement. So is this phenomenon of feeling unloved (or unlovable) a 20th Century American phenomenon? No. Today’s second Psalm proves it – for in that Psalm the psalmist admits: “[God] stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved – surprised to be loved!” (Psalm 18:19 from The Message). Over the years I’ve worked with tons of people – even those inside the church! – who have shared similar notions of being surprised that God loved them. Some in the church work so diligently in hopes of proving themselves lovable. How sad! Today’s words from the psalmist remind me of the single most important aspect of our calls to serve God: that is to let ALL of God’s children know they are loved. That is my fundamental principle. As you go out into a complex world that will pull you in many directions, don’t lose sight of that aspect of your call. Share with ALL those you meet the wonderful news that they are loved! Til next time…
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