Brian McLaren: Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices
Greg Mortenson: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
John Piper: The Future of Justification: A Response to N. T. Wright
Marcus J. Borg: Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary
Michael J. Gorman: Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters
Tim Chester: From Creation to New Creation: Understanding the Bible Story
Walter Wink: Naming the Powers: The Language of Power in the New Testament (The Powers : Volume One)
"The irony is that those American churches that protest most vocally against the teaching of Darwinism in their schools are often, in their public policies, supporting a kind of economic Darwinism, the survival of the fittest in world markets and military power."
-- N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope
For many people, the subject of the U.S. flag is a very tense subject and anything that sounds like disloyalty to flag and country is looked upon with great disdain. Much of this, I believe, is due to our very limited exposure to the gospel outside of American church experience. Rev. Clayton Childers has written an excellent article originally appearing on the United Methodist News Service entitled "Should U.S. flags fly in sanctuaries?" I have been given permission to reproduce the article in its entirety here. I hope you will take the time to read this article and at least allow yourself to think about some things that maybe you've never thought about before.
SHOULD U.S. FLAGS FLY IN SANCTUARIES?
A UMNS Commentary
By the Rev. Clayton Childers*
June 1, 2007
As a staff member at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, I am frequently asked questions that require me to go where "angels fear to tread." Questions about displaying national flags in the church's sanctuary take us into that treacherous terrain.
Many United Methodist churches maintain a tradition of placing the United States flag in the sanctuary, by the altar, within the chancel, or at another prominent location on the church grounds. I heard of one case in which the U.S. flag actually covered the altar itself. So we must ask: Is this an appropriate use of the national flag from both a Christian and United Methodist perspective?
It is an emotional issue. There are probably four objects that people commonly worship as much, or perhaps more, than God: 1) their mothers; 2) their children; 3) the Bible; and 4) the flag. Without getting into my favorable feelings toward the first three, I will say that, as an American, I do have a special fondness for our national flag.
The flag represents the United States at her best - all the high and noble values that we profess and attempt to uphold as a people: human rights and liberty for all, the rule of law without fear or favor, democracy, equality, religious freedom, freedom to assemble, free speech, a free press, the right of privacy and other rights of individuals, and commitment to the common good. These are values I believe in, and I am proud to be a citizen of a country that proclaims its loyalty to these high principles.
On the other hand, I do not believe in blind loyalty. I cannot affirm the idea of "my country, right or wrong." There are times when the United States has been very wrong in its actions, even outrageously wrong. Until we can own the hard truth of our failures - dare we say "sins" - we can never experience the full and abundant life God would have for us as a people and as one member in the world community of nations.
Denominational discussion
There is no United Methodist policy concerning the use of flags, including national flags, in the sanctuary. However, the Rev. Dan Benedict, retired director of worship resources for the Board of Discipleship, says the use of flags in worship has been discouraged over the years.
"There is no place in our hymnal or Book of Worship, which contain our United Methodist ritual, where there is even a suggestion of bearing the flag in procession, saluting or pledging allegiance to the flag or that the American flag should be in worship," according to Benedict.
“The presence of a national flag in worship can imply endorsement of national policies that often run counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and our Christian faith.”
Hoyt Hickman, in his 1993 article "Should We Have Flags in the Church? The Christian Flag and the American Flag," raises an important question about an inherent conflict about the appropriate placement of the national flag and the Christian flag in a worship setting.
Hickman notes that the flag code of the United States directs that, "when displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience."
These guidelines imply that while the U.S. flag must be placed in the "superior position," the flag of the Christian church should be placed in the lesser position. When gathered in a worship setting, how can we ask that the symbol of our church and faith take the lesser position?
Though not dealing with this question specifically, The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church do affirm that the church "for years has supported the separation of church and state" and that "our allegiance to God takes precedence over our allegiance to any state." They further summon the church to faithful, prophetic public witness stating: "The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust." (Paragraph 164.V)
From these sources, we can conclude the following:
> There is no absolute policy established in the Book of Discipline addressing this issue;
> The practice of flying national flags in the sanctuary is widespread and its validity has been contentiously debated for a number of years;
> The church is not of one mind on the question;
> This is an emotional issue for many people;
> For many Christians, it is a legitimate question of principle and faith that conflicts with the first of the Ten Commandments;
> The Social Principles call us to faithful, prophetic witness and to affirm our ultimate allegiance in God over state.
'Jesus is Lord'
I believe it is inappropriate and unwise to display the U.S. flag in United Methodist services of worship.
We must remember that the church's confession "Jesus is Lord" was actually a political statement and a direct challenge to both the empire and the emperor. Many Christians paid for their singular loyalty to Christ with their lives.
We must recall the life and ministry of Jesus in which he called for the liberation of the oppressed and critically challenged the "principalities and powers" of his day.
We must recall the witness of the early church. The first Christians did not fly flags of the Roman Empire in their places of worship; in fact, they suffered great persecution for refusing to pledge their supreme allegiance to the state and profess "Caesar is Lord."
The flag's presence in the church is too easily confused as an object of worship. In a worship setting, nothing should come before the center of our faith in whose presence we have gathered to worship, the Triune God.
“Symbols matter. And the placements of symbols carry an unspoken message.”
The United Methodist Church is a global church in a shrinking world. In fact, one in five United Methodists live in nations other than the United States. The presence of the U.S. flag in worship therefore can send a message that limits our global vision and sense of oneness.
The presence of a national flag in worship can imply endorsement of national policies that often run counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and our Christian faith.
If a national flag is used in worship, I believe it should be used in tandem with the Christian flag and that the Christian flag, not the national flag, should be placed on the right hand of the speaker in the place of highest honor. The congregation should understand that this is done to demonstrate that our ultimate loyalty and allegiance must be to God alone.
I agree entirely with Hickman's conclusion that "as American Christians, we honor the cross and we honor the flag; but we keep them separate. An American flag used in the worship of the universal church is no more appropriate than hanging a cross in a civil courtroom used by Americans of all religions."
Ultimate loyalty
In many of our United Methodist churches, the flag stands like a sentry in a corner of the sanctuary or within the church's chancel, silently blessing the proceedings and being blessed in the process. It stands, seldom acknowledged but ever present.
There are rules of etiquette for proper display, written with the U.S. flag in mind. If there is a processional, the U.S. flag is first in line. If there is a place of highest honor, it belongs to the U.S. flag. If there are pledges of allegiance, the U.S. flag is always first with all other pledges an afterthought.
The unspoken message is that our ultimate loyalty belongs not to God and country but to country and God. Do we hear what we are saying? Does the flag stand in judgment of the church or is the flag, too, like the rest of creation, always under the judgment of God.
Symbols matter. And the placements of symbols carry an unspoken message.
The U.S. flag's special position of constant preeminence says one thing; the Gospel of Christ says something else.
*Childers is a clergy member of the South Carolina Conference and Director of Annual Conference Relations for the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
(HT: Dallas News Blog)
Last night my wife and I rented the movie Fast Food Nation, based on the book Fast Food Nation. After watching this movie, I'm not sure that I will ever be able to eat fast food again. Honestly, I'm not sure that the lifestyle I have created for myself will allow me to make such a commitment and actually follow through with it. Maybe that is an indicator that my lifestyle is not the best that it could be. In any case, when the movie was over I was so intrigued that I switched over to the special features on the DVD to see what I might find to further gross me out. What I found was a rare gem. An excellent combination of wit, creativity, education, humor, and intrigue. This gem is called The Meatrix. It is a clever play on The Matrix, and is meant to expose the horrors of the fast food industry. There are three mini-movies that I promise you will love. They are linked below and I encourage you to watch all three. You may finish and then run out and grab a Big Mac, but no matter what, I promise you will not enjoy your Big Mac as much as you did before.
Clicking on the links below will take you to each of the movies listed.
Technorati Tags: fast food nation, the meatrix
From Alan Hirsch at The Forgotten Ways:
Consumerism claims everything and in Western contexts is all-pervasive. But here’s the problem, God also claims everything (and is all-pervasive, all-knowing, and all-powerful.) This clash of loyalties causes the disciple some real discomfort and so it should. Here is a clip by Adam Freeland that artfully underlines the claim that consumerism makes on our souls.
Technorati Tags: alan hirsch, culture, consumerism
The Desiring God blog posted the following yesterday in response to the atrocity at Virginia Tech.
What to Say About Virginia Tech
After the Columbine shootings, John Piper wrote up 21 ways to love and comfort the hurting by trusting wholly in God's sovereignty over all things. He revised them after 9-11. I posted this a couple months ago, but I want to again in light of the Virginia Tech incident that is still developing. As lovers of an all-powerful God, let us be prepared to love people in their pain by empathetically and mercifully pointing them to a God who is in control. (read the rest of the article)
Technorati Tags: john owen, virginia tech, suffering
I originally saw this post from ThinkChristian.net on Justin Taylor's blog. I am simply copying it here for your benefit.
Google has teamed up with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum to highlight the Darfus crisis using Google Earth:
Google Earth has added a Global Awareness layer to its maps program that lets you learn about the crisis in Darfur. By selecting the Global Awareness layer (in the lower left-hand corner of Google Earth) you can fly over enhanced satellite images of the war-torn region. Sprinkled over the map are icons that link to photographs, data, videos, and narratives of eyewitnesses to the genocide.
What an excellent use of internet technology to educate users about a crisis that many people probably don’t fully understand. Grab a copy of Google Earth and read more about the project at the Holocaust Memorial Museum website. I’m eager to see what other educational uses will be found for Google Earth and similar tools in the future.
Technorati Tags: darfur, genocide, google earth
An interesting question popped up on the Dallas News Religion blog yesterday: "Is it wrong for religious Cuban-Americans to pray for Fidel Castro's death?"
Although I recommend that you read the entire post, I'm going to highlight the gist of it and then offer my thoughts.
Jose Fernandez's family was one of the lucky ones.
When Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959, his communist government took only the family's home, dairy farm and food import business, among other things. Many Cubans, he knows, lost even more.
Fernandez arrived in the United States in 1961 at age 13 with a visa and some clothes. Now 58, Fernandez is a practicing Catholic who grew up in Catholic schools and today displays several pictures of Pope John Paul II in his office at the University of Central Florida.
As Castro's health remains in question — his health status is a closely guarded state secret — Fernandez reflects the moral and spiritual struggle played out within many Cuban-Americans: how to react to the frail health of a dictator nearly 50 years into his communist rule.
The central question is this: Is it wrong to pray for Castro to die?
You get the picture. Here is how Fernandez responds:
“Of course I despise the things Castro has done. He has trampled practically on anything that is human. But I don't think it's Christian to wish for someone's death,” Fernandez said.
“To wish somebody death even if it is your enemy, I think it goes against what we're taught as Christians. When Christ was on the cross he didn't wish death upon the people who crucified him.”
For the most part, I like his answer. I like that he mentioned the cross. Now, here is some of the commentary that follows from the writer:
Ever since the announcement last August that Castro would temporarily cede control to his brother, Raul Castro, Cuban-Americans have anxiously awaited news of Castro's death, and perhaps, liberation of their homeland.
But Castro's reported resilience has put some in the complex and perhaps uncomfortable position of praying for a man to die. Some see it as retribution for a regime they say robbed them of freedom and prosperity. Others say it is not about wishing death for Castro but rather freedom for the island's 11 million souls.
Now it starts to get interesting...
But Sebastian Arcos, 45, questions how unchristian it really is to pray for someone's death. He left Cuba in 1992 after spending a year in jail for trying to leave the country illegally with his family. Eventually he obtained a visa, but his father, a human rights activist in Cuba, died in 1997 of cancer after arriving in the United States. He went untreated in a Cuban jail, Arcos said.
He blames Castro for what he describes as economic and moral decline in the country. Raised by a devout Catholic mother, Arcos considers himself a non-practicing Christian, and he prays not for Castro to suffer but for the freedom of Cubans, he said.
I want to point out something that I find to be an almost accepted term in our society -- non-practicing Christian. The assumption made in such terminology is that Christianity is an ethnicity rather than a way of life. If Christianity were simply an ethnicity, then one could be born Christian although they may never practice the religious trappings of their heritage. Thus the focus on his mother as a devout Catholic points to the fact that he is automatically a Christian, but is cast in contrast to his devout mother -- a practicing Christian. This obviously is very different from the New Testament. The New Testament clearly presents Christianity in language that speaks of conversion and way of life rather than heritage without any lifestyle implications.
Continuing on...
“Some people wonder whether wishing for someone to pass on is unchristian because, you know, you should not wish anyone to be dead, and I can see that. However, if you consider who this particular person is and how much damage he has done over such a long period of time, you might consider that the Christian thing to do, to wish him dead.”
Wow! The Christian thing to do is to wish him dead?! One more quote...
“For Cubans, especially in Miami, Castro is the incarnation of evil, the personification of Satan in a very real sense, so to live in Cuba is to be living in hell,” said Torre, who is Cuban and left the country in 1960. “So praying for Castro would be the same as praying for Satan. How do you pray for a lost soul?”
And finally the article returns to Fernandez, the guy from the beginning who spoke of the cross...
“If you have lost a brother, if you have lost property,” he said, “if you have lost, and if you have suffered, I can see why those people would say, 'Yeah, I'm praying for Castro to die.' But I personally don't because my religious principles — if I'm going to call myself a Christian — (mean) I don't pray for anyone to die.”
I'm going to keep my comments very brief because I do not think they need much explanation.
First, I find it extremely interesting that the typical reader would read this article and be naturally led by the closed question, "Is it wrong to pray for Castro to die?" This question leads you to answer yes or no, and for the most part that is the way that it was answered and justified. I think a much better question would have been, "How should Christians respond to Castro's final days?"
Second, I find it typical that there was no reference to the New Testament and the authority of the Scriptures on the Christian living.
Third, I find it it amazing that the emphasis is on Cuba and their place as Cubans rather than on the kingdom of Christ and their place as Christians.
Fourth, I find it saddening that no one spoke of praying for Castro's conversion to Christ and the forgiveness of his sin rather than his death and punishment.
Fifth, Jesus said, "Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of our Father who is in heaven." I'm fully aware of how uncomfortable that line of thinking is. I'm aware of the fact that I have not lived in Cuba nor suffered the hardship of these men. But the New Testament is not a book about circumstantial holiness; it is about being embraced by the risen Christ so that I may embrace others. The New Testament tells me that because of my sin, the distance between myself and God is far greater than the distance between myself and Castro. The cross both condemns me and frees me. It tells me that God sees me as more wicked than anyone could ever view Castro. It also tells me that God has loved and accepted me, not on the basis of who I am or what I have done, but on the basis of who Jesus is and what he has done.
Fernandez was right. Christianity does not teach us wish death upon our enemy and Jesus' example on the cross is breathtaking. But herein lies the problem. When we point to Jesus' example on the cross we find ourselves even more condemned. Who's going to be like Jesus? No one! The meaning of the cross is the missing element from this entire article. The cross is not the example that shackles us and forces us to treat Castro in a way that we really don't want to. The cross is the power that frees us to love Castro in a way that only Christians who have experienced grace are capable of loving.
Let us cling to the cross as much more than an example. Let us cling to it as our victory.
Technorati Tags: cross, fidel castro, gospel, dallas news religion blog
Time magazine recently did an interview with Al Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on his recent brush with death due to pulmonary embolisms. The article is called A Calvinist Faces Death and is worth reading.
All this week, the Desiring God home page has been featuring interesting articles, links, resources, etc., related to sanctity of life. Today as I was looking at the site, I ran across a link for abort73.com. I had never heard of this site before and when I clicked the link I was immediately captivated by the quicktime video that pops up. I hope that you will check out the site and at least watch the 90 second video.
The home page reads:
Abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures in the U.S., but the average American knows little of its gruesome reality. Million dollar ad campaigns have schooled us in "choice", but told us nothing of abortion itself. Day after day, year after year, it lurks in the shadows, destroying, destroying, destroying. The jig is up. Abort73.com offers you refuge from a steady diet of apathy and ignorance. Herein, you will find abortion education, the likes of which is available no where else. You are standing on the threshold, so come a little further. We dare you to know.
Technorati Tags: abortion
