Greed or Homosexuality?

I'll be honest with you, this one has sat in my "saved posts file" for months, not sure if I should publish it or not. Recently we came across a specific denomination who reaches out to the poor in very tangible and effective ways, providing food, clothing, prayer and love for people who are broken and needing Jesus. My only issue was that many of the "pastors" and "priests" were homosexual. I know that many denominations are now allowing homosexuals to become prominent leaders in their churches, and even ordain them as priests. I know that many denominations from Catholics to Presbyterian to Episcopalians accept this. As I researched the issue I found many denomination's "official" stance on homosexuality, one struck me as funny yet true: "We are opposed to homosexuality, yet recognize the complexity of the issue."

I believe that there is a big difference between accepting homosexuals into our churches, loving them unconditionally and ordaining people who openly practice homosexuality. As the saying goes, love the sinner, but hate the sin. When an open homosexual is ordained as a pastor or priest you go past the previous statement directly to accepting the sin. Adultery and other sexual sins are rampant amongst church leaders, as one commonly used statistic has adultery as well as divorce occurring between believers more frequently than non-believers. The difference is if a young married man came before a church body wanting to be ordained as their pastor, or elder and was openly committing adultery with the church secretary it would obviously be wrong to accept him as someone who could lead and shepherd others towards a deeper relationship with Christ. Especially if his theology and interpretation of the Scriptures distorts to the point of accepting or even condoning adultery. It is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that the Lord regards homosexuality as a sin.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders." (I Corinthians 6:9) It is very important to point out that Paul goes on to say, "nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (I Corinthians 6:10) Homosexuality is not singled out, it is grouped in with a list of other actions that miss the mark.

The Old Testament has numerous Scriptures on this topic and in the same passages it condemns a list of other sexual sins. Not once do the Scriptures condemn homosexuality alone, adultery, and other sexual sins are also grouped into the same passages.

This is not my main point, it only leads us to my main point: what makes homosexuality any different than other sins? What makes homosexuality any different than greed? I think Paul speaks on this when he writes in Colossians 3:5: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Paul groups homosexuality (sexual immorality) and greed together. The tendency in our culture is to think that homosexuality is MORE of a sin than other things. I think many Americans allow the sin of greed to permeate their lives and do not even realize it. The tendency is to think to themselves "greed, well that is the oil companies, or those damn CEOs of Walmart." We are lying to ourselves when we don't realize that greed can be on a personal level as well.

Most of the book of Isaiah warns and condemns the greedy people of Israel. The Jubilee discussed in Deuteronomy 15 and Leviticus 25 was a plan from God to institute a system to keep greed from infecting the lives of ordinary people. Do we have that setup in America? As the Church, do we have a system in place that keeps greed in check? Many denominations spend literally millions of dollars to legislate an end to homosexual marriage, while at the same time preaching a prosperity doctrine that is incongruent with Scriptures. I ask myself who is sinning, the Evangelical preacher or the lesbian?

If your sin is homosexuality, to find out if you are sinning, you simply have to ask, "am I partaking in homosexual behavior?" The answer is obvious, yes or no. The issue is much more complex when you ask yourself if greed is a sin in your life. The Lord wants nice things for His people, good food, and at times comfort, but you must look in your heart to determine if greed has engulfed it. Most evangelicals would argue with me on my next point: greed is much more of a problem in America than homosexuality. You could easily make the next step as well: greed is more of a problem in the American church than homosexuality. I've heard statistics that state that if all Christians throughout the world gave their excess to help others who are less fortunate, hunger, AIDS, and all curable diseases would be wiped out. We, as rich Christians have the ability to make dramatic changes to this world if we would release our worldly possessions and see our materialism as a sin: greed.

Another interesting Scripture passage is one in Ezekiel 16. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is interesting, and somewhat disturbing. Most Christians believe that God destroyed these cities because of their blatant homosexuality and violence, but God tells the prophet Ezekiel a different story: "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.'" It is in vogue in the Church today to attack homosexuality as being detestable and sinful, but as this Scripture points out, God is just as angry about greed and oppression of the poor.

What did Jesus have to say about possessions:

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33

"Take heed and beware of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Luke 12:15

Jesus' brother James:

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-5

We never did work with that ministry and denomination. I was a little nervous about associating our ministry with one that condones homosexuality, that might tell people that we condoned it as well. I hadn't fully developed my thoughts on this topic, it was the first time we had been presented with it. I'm disappointed that we didn't, I think we could have had some good conversations.

Just drinking some beer

I am reading a biography on Martin Luther right now. He fascinates me more and more each day. I might write a more holistic overview of Luther when I'm done reading, but I thought this was an interesting comment.

When asked about his role in changing the structure of the Roman Catholic Church Luther said that he didn't change anything, the Scriptures did. He just sat around writing about the Scriptures, speaking the Scriptures and preaching the Scriptures. Luther noted, "While I was sitting around drinking beer with my friends talking about the Gospel, it did all the work."

Classic.

Election Day!

Good thoughts on election day. This audio of the musician Derek Webb encapsulates much of how my thoughts have been transformed about the American political system over the past two years.

Check it out HERE. If you would like to hear more of Derek Webb you can go to Noisetrade.com and get free downloads of his music as well as a number of other musicians.

Death has lost it's sting

We have been spending some time at the Tadpole Playground in the Boston Common. Each time we go downtown to serve people, we treat the kids to some time at the playground to run out the wiggles. The kids love to run wild, climb up the slide (which we have put a stop to, that is too disorderly), go down the slide face first on their stomachs, jump off high structures, and generally do crazy things. On Friday, Eva was climbing up a ladder that was pretty tough for a 2-year old, and she doesn't just climb up the ladder, she attacks the ladder in typical "Eva-style".

I usually watch the kids from afar just in case things get a little too crazy, or probably more accurate, they begin to annoy observing parents. Other parents were helping their 3 and 4 year old children up the same ladder with a hand beneath their butts, one parent actually began to climb the ladder with her kid with a worried look on her face, just in case she fell to her death I guess. Seriously, if the fear of danger or injury sinks into your brain that deep, why don't you just stay home and put your kid in a gigantic padded hamster ball. Anyway, as Eva was attacking the ladder, I happened to see a guy standing next to the ladder watching her, with the same pained look on his face as the climbing mother. I began only watching him. He would make slight gestures towards her like he was going to catch her, his face contorted, probably wondering where her parents were. This was one of the funniest things I have seen in a while. This went on for 30 seconds or so and then when she finally reached the top, his eyebrows went up and he shook his head as he let out the breath he must have been holding the entire time. I was actually reaching for the camera, but I wasn't there in time.

I know that this guy just didn't want to see my kid fall and break her neck, and his worry and fear is just a manifestation of his love for safety, his desire for order, but I can't help but think what this attitude does for our kids' belief in God. It reminds me of a story Erwin McManus told in his book "The Barbarian Way." (which is excellent by the way, contrary to what my wife says :) Bare with me, it is a long quote, but a great story:

For several years we rented a two-story house in Los Angeles. Both my kids have spent a good part of their childhood enjoying that home. A unique feature of the house was that a small window from the second-story bathroom opened a path to the roof. I always figured there would be a day when one of my kids would climb up on the sink and work his or her way out on the ledge. It just seemed to be one of those things that I or my brother, Alex, would have done when we were kids.

Early one evening Kim and I were in the front yard when all of a sudden, we hear a little voice calling for us from the roof. As soon as Kim saw him, her nurturing instinct kicked in, and she started commanding him to get back inside. I have to admit I was kind of proud of him right then, but what he did next totally surprised me.

Looking past his mom he asked me if he could jump. When Aaron shouted, "Dad, can I jump?" Kim answered on my behalf, "No, you can't jump. Get back inside." As if he hadn't heard anything at all, he asked me again, "Dad, can I jump?"

Now, I know what I was supposed to do. A dad is never supposed to override the mom (I'm working on it). I'm just telling you what really happened. After all, he did ask me. I answered, "Yeah, go ahead."

He said, "Really?"

I said, "Yeah, sure. Go ahead and jump."

Kim looked at me as if I was out of my mind and asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

In a sort of explanation I asked Aaron, "Aaron, are you going to jump sometime?"

He said, "Yeah, I think so."

I said, "Okay, I'd rather have you jump now so if you jump and break your legs, we can take you to the hospital." It made perfect sense to me.

He responded, "Dad, do you think I'll make it?"

I said, "Oh, yeah, you'll make it." If I knew one thing for certain, it was that he would reach the ground. I just wasn't sure in what condition.

He said, "Okay, I'm going to jump."

I had one suggestion before he took off. I said, "Hey, buddy, try to clear the concrete and land on the grass. It's softer."

He thought that was a good idea, stepped as far back as he could on the roof, and began running to jump. Just before his first step he yelled, "Dad, catch me," and I said "I'll try."

And he jumped.

I almost caught him. It was so close. He just slipped right through my hands. I think I did slow his fall a little bit. In either case, he's recovered well since then. I'm just kidding. He was fine. (Don't try this at home).

I think a lot of atheists don't believe in God simply because they don't understand why people are the way they are, the death, the destruction, the greed, the ugliness. Why? And it is a legitimate question, if you picture God as the parent who holds his hand beneath the collective butt of His people, then you would be angry, but God isn't that god. Look at what He allowed to happen to His only son. God allows for disorder, He allows for wrong decisions, He has given us the opportunity to decide, and more importantly, even if we choose correctly, He doesn't guarantee safety. Following Jesus doesn't equal a removal of danger, it equals a removal of fear. That is what Paul was saying when he wrote, quoting the prophet Isaiah: "Death is swallowed up in victory. Where O Death, is your victory? Where O Death, is your sting?"

The victory wasn't an earthly victory, if it was, Jesus, being King of the Jews, would have called upon a grand army and defeated the Romans, ended this world and brought His people to the true promised land. But He didn't, because the battle wasn't being waged in our earthly view, it is on a much bigger scale. Peace to our God is not the same peace we recognize. Peace to us should be being in the presence of our Lord and Creator. Paul was in this place when he wrote:

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Corinthians 24-27)

Jesus lets his children fall off of the ladder and hit every rung on the way down. Why, because death has lost it's sting. Our victory isn't on this spinning globe, it is in a hidden kingdom, one that is far more difficult to understand.

I want my children to have a spirit that is so close to that kingdom that they can understand it better than most. I pray against a spirit of fear for my children so that they can understand what kingdom truly matters, so that they can be in prison, can be in danger, can be cold and naked, and still believe that they are loved by their Abba Father. Don't get me wrong, if my kids are in danger, I want to be there for them, I want to "save" them, and I'm not going to ask the schizophrenic guy we just gave a sandwich, to look after them for a few minutes while I run off to get something. But by allowing them to witness an unsterilized world, we can hopefully burn away the belief that following Jesus is monotonous and boring. I pray that, as McManus says, we don't "raise our children in the cocoon of a domesticated faith and wonder why they run as far as they can to find adventure."

Yummy Goodness

According to this, there are 5,769 Dunkin Donuts franchises in the United States. Nearly every single one of those stores has to be on the East coast. We have not gotten outside of a stones throw of one since we left Cleveland.