Thoughts on Justice in the Church

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

- Friedrich Nietzsche

* * DISCLAIMER * *

While it is my inclination and desire to want to delve into details about what I have been told I will not do so until I have clarity of mind and heart as well as a clearance from those who would invariably be affected by the divulgence of details.

*

To say I am disillusioned this afternoon as I write is a vast understatement. I have learned some things about good men, men whom I had come to respect, to admire. The problem, of course, with knowledge is once you learn something you cannot unlearn it. Once you have been given the responsibility of knowing a particular thing your life is invariably affected by it. I think about this quote from Nietzsche today and while I do not agree with his ideology, philosophy or theology (if he had one) I must say this quote is very profound. As I reflect on the knowledge I have gained today I am brought immediately to this quote. How does a person who is admired, respected and loved within his own sphere of influence become the object of scorn, rebuke and chastisement? I ask myself and have been asked this many times in the last few weeks and all I can come up with (this afternoon at least) is this quote. 

If you look long and hard enough into the abyss you will invariably be drawn to it. If you spend all your time battling (or associating) with monsters you will wake up on morning, look into the mirror and realize you have become one. What I know is monstrous, it is unbelievable, it is only capable by a person who has had their life engulfed and filled with the emptiness of the abyss. In a world filled with moral relativism, political correctness and watered down tolerance, the people of Christ's Church want to know; "Where is justice?" In a legal system where Johnny Cochran can help you get away with murder the people of this country and across the world want to know; "Where is justice?" In a time when rogue dictators can threaten the very sanctity and rights of numerous countries and their own people in a quest to inflate their own ego and fascist ideals, the world is crying out; "WHERE IS JUSTICE?"

Sadly the Christian Church has sold itself out on this as well. We like preaching the "buddy Christ" who doesn't ever tell anyone they are wrong, who loves everyone enough to completely ignore the deplorable way they live their lives, who never offends, never condemns, and who never makes any substantive statements about anything. We have watered down the justice of the Church and turned our doctrine of God into a rank heresy for a modicum of modern appeal. John recounts for us Jesus' attitude towards the secularization of His temple in chapter 2 verses 13 through 22. 

It is a familiar story, Jesus goes to the Temple and see moneychangers and merchants there. Angered about their practices Jesus doesn't politely asked them to take their business elsewhere, He doesn't complain to the leaders (who were just as corrupt), and He doesn't just walk away and do nothing. He grabs some ropes and made Himself a whip out of them. He then proceeds to chase them out of the Temple. Jesus' sees wrong being done in the Temple and He removes it. If you want my opinion (and since you are reading this I am assuming you do) I would say this needs to be the model we use for dealing with injustices in the Christian Church. 

We do not need to play nice with persons who willingly and with ill intent and malice make it their purpose to deceive and use the Church for their personal gain. We also don't need to merely ask them nicely to go away. Do you think people were surprised by what Jesus did in John 2? If you read the chapter and the the other accounts of this story in Matthew 21:12-17, Luke 19:45-48 and Mark 11:15-19 you will see people were there and they responded both positively and negatively to His actions. The leadership of Christ's Church should not be afraid of the reactions of their congregations when it is a matter of justice. Give the people of Christ's Church some credit and let them decide how to react rather than trying to predict and preempt their responses. If they don't like it and leave, bid them farewell and let them know they are welcome to return. At least you were honest. 

Nuclear Disarmament, Sotomayer and Random Political Ramblings

Pacifism is never the answer in the face of totalitarianism. Does any rational person who is not blinded by political ideology or the rhetoric and pomp this administration is serving the liberal media on a daily basis actually believe that Kim Jong Il will come to an agreement peacefully? Is it just me or do you all feel as insulted as I do on a regular basis by this President, his advisors and staff, and the liberal media? I honestly and truly believe that they want us to buy into their "we know what is best for the American people" nonsense. Where in our Constitution does the Government, the Federal Government, have the right to tell you or I what is or is not best for us and our families? Do you think it is a coincidence that the Obama administration "has" to tell us "we don't want to run the auto companies." No one who has a decent head on their shoulders believes a word of that. Al Gore and his left wing, hippie party would love nothing more than to tell the American auto makers "we don't care how much it costs you, you will make these cars the way we tell you to." And that is exactly what they want to do! They are doing it right now. The left wing party in this country loves making you feel vulnerable, guilty and afraid. 

Watch what happens with the new SCOTUS nominee. Anyone who has a bad word to say about Sotomayer will instantly be blacklisted. If you are a man and you disagree with her nomination - you're a sexist. If you are white and you disagree with her appointment - you are a racist. If you live in Texas, Colorado or Arizona and you disagree with her nomination - you are anti immigration. They did the exact same thing with Obama -  you cannot disagree on his politics, morality, views or background without immediately being painted as a racist, non-progressive thinking bigot. I earnestly and truly hope that this nomination goes down in flaming glory. Not only will it further prove the incompetency and narcissistic tendency of Obama and his lackeys but it will once again give us proof of exactly how radical and ideologically biased our President is. I say "bring on the fireworks, baby." It should be a good show.

Thoughts on Perfection

I think it is best to begin this with a certain disclaimer, if you will. I do not think it prudent nor Biblical to proclaim and exhort perfection in ones own life. What I mean is that I believe it to be neither wise nor beneficial to others to pronounce oneself "made perfect" without being in the consort of very close friends who know you intimately and on such a personal level that they will immediately relate to and understand what you are saying. I do not, however, think it best to completely ignore or downplay or misinterpret the Biblical doctrine of perfection simply for the sake of prudence or social amicability. The purpose of such a disclaimer will become obvious as I attempt to record my thoughts (both recent and historic) on the topic of Christian Perfection. Let me start by stating one of the objections to the doctrine, answer the objection openly and honestly, and then attempt to make some concise statements on what we, as Christians, should be striving for in our daily lives through the grace of the Spirit.

First and foremost, let me start with an objection I have heard more often than not. One can make the claim; "The Scriptures exhort us unto perfection." It is a simple doctrine to flesh out if one is honest when they approach the Scriptures. The chief objection I find lies not within the pages of Holy Writ, but rather in the hearts and lives of those who proclaim this doctrine without equivocation and without shame. The complaint I find most often on the lips of the objectors to this doctrine is simply an issue of pragmatism. They claim that while we teach the doctrine we neither tell our people how to live it out in a practical sense nor do we exemplify it in our daily lives. Their critique, I believe, is a valid one. Calling oneself and ones followers to live a life of perfection in the Spirit sets the bar (at least from a merely human standpoint) unattainably high. So I say to those of you who may read this; "Your criticism is valid." This will due at present for the objection I wish to answer. Obviously there are many more things which could (and some would argue should) be said. 

It is our purpose, secondly, to address this objection. While I concede the objection posited has legitimacy, I will not dismiss the doctrine purely on this basis. The Scriptural evidence alone is too substantial in this regard. I do think, however, the majority of persons who have a problem with the doctrine have an honest misunderstanding or have been misinformed and therefore reject a doctrine they do not have a full understanding of. It would be my intention, therefore, to answer this objection by asking this; "What do you, as the objector of Christian perfection, understand to be our teaching on the doctrine?" If by perfection you believe we mean human persons can and ought to reach a place in their daily lives in which they are incapable of sin then I say to you, "This is not Christian perfection." If by perfection you believe we mean a state in which human persons are no longer dependent on their Creator and Savior for grace then I say to you, "This is not Christian perfection." If by perfection you believe we mean a place in the Christians walk with Christ where growth is no longer taking place then I say to you, "This is not Christian perfection." We have not and do not believe in a doctrine which espouses a state of perfection where continued reliance on Christ, growth and the possibility of sin are no longer an issue. The objection raised by those who do not see perfection lived out in the daily lives of people who claim to be members of congregations which preach perfection is an issue of pragmatism rather than doctrinal formulae. It would appear, however, that the misinterpretation or misguided teachings on perfection is the cause for this denial. The look at people's lives and do not see them in a state of perfection where they are beyond sin, growth and the continued reliance on the Spirit as assume that perfection is unattainable. My response to this then I to speak on how we, as Christians who preach perfection, ought to live our lives.

Thirdly and lastly, it is pertinent to speak on what Christian perfection ought to look like in the lives of the believers. It is first and foremost a life of utter reliance and dependance on the Spirit. If at any moment we think we are beyond the leading and help of the Spirit then we are lost. Christian perfection always begins with utter, absolute dependance on Christ. Christ is the beginning of our perfection, the Spirit is the sustainer of it. There is never a time in which we do not need Christ to continually fill us with the Spirit. The fact that we are continually in need of Christ filling us also means we are in a perpetual state where we are able to fall. Our relationship with Him is always one of mutuality and reciprocity. He does not fill us with his Spirit unless we allow Him to fill us. If at any point we forget or lose our focus we are capable to falling from grace. We are capable of falling because we are incomplete creatures. God created us in one way and we are no longer in the state in which He created us. We are imperfect and incomplete. It is because of this incompleteness that we are constantly in need of perpetual growth. There is never a time, this side of heaven, that we will not continue to grow in grace. This growth is analogous to the growth of human love. There is not a healthy couple who would advocate that their love is not continually growing deeper. Some couples may experience a point in which their love no longer grows but this is not and should not be normative. Continued growth is something which ought to take place in a relationship and the relationship we have with Christ is no different. 

Christian perfection is a doctrine which is difficult simply because of the objections I have spoken to here. Living the life of Christian perfection, if it is perfection as I have outlined in our second point, is impossible. I do believe if we espouse a perfection which 1) is grounded in continual reliance on Christ and the infilling of the Spirit, 2) admits the necessity of continual growth, and 3) denies the lie which tells us that we can reach a point where we are beyond sinning then we will begin to have healthy dialogue with those who are against it. I have attempted to lay out a very concise and practical statement regarding this issue. It has been my intention to address a key issue for those who oppose this doctrine. I by no means feel that this is a comprehensive treatment of the subject. I do believe, however, that from my own experience most persons reject this doctrine because they cannot fathom and do not see it being lived out in daily life. It is also my belief that these rejections stem from beliefs which we do not espouse. It is only by grace and through the continual reliance on the Spirit of Christ that we will be able to reconcile our brothers and sisters who have rejected this doctrine. It is not our desire to be divisive in any way. Our intentions are those of reconciliation and acceptance. By His grace and love we can discuss and even disagree and through His Spirit we will know the truth, because Christ is the way, the truth and the life.

Grace and Love

"I am convinced there is no malady in the human heart and soul which cannot be overcome by grace through self-giving, holy love."

What do I mean by the word "malady" in this context? I mean simply that which is ailing the human heart and soul. A malady is "any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deepseated." It can also refer to "any undesirable or disordered condition." A malady of the heart, therefore, could pertain to sinfulness but may also pertain to the brokenness sin has visited upon the heart of the person. Most all persons who have come to a saving knowledge of Christ can attest to the brokenness left behind by their former way of living. Self serving, self centered living can only lead to broken hearts and it is this "bent" inwards which reeks havoc on our fragile hearts. There is nothing sadder than living a life of utter self centeredness because when we really stop and look inside our hearts we find that we are not eternal, we are not perfect, we are not whole. The portrait of a man vexed by his own inward leaning upon himself is tragic in that it detracts from and distracts from the beauty to be found in living our lives in relationship with others. When we busy ourselves with the business of serving ourselves we are left with an empty, hollow and cold reality. There is no love, no beauty, no life to be found in the self turned man. This is why we must affirm and defend the doctrine of the Trinity. God cannot be and would not be loving without being a God who shares life interpersonally between the three distinct persons of Father, Son and Spirit. Without this relationship God we have a portrait of a God who is incomplete and would find only longing, despair and a lack of life in Himself, by Himself.

Enlightenment and post modern thinking tries to lift up man as the apex, the pinnacle of self awareness and as the center of all reality. When Descartes wrote the now famous "Cogito ero sum" (I think, therefore I am) he paved the way for Enlightenment and post modern thinkers to ground the necessity of man's existence in his ability to reason. Man, not God, became the ground for reason, consciousness and being for the first time in 1500 years. The person who tries to reason his own existence and measure his own self worthiness against the mettle of other men and himself will only find emptiness and longing, disappointment and failure, regret and self-loathing. This malady we face, one we must all recognize and guard our brothers and sisters against is exactly this: the malady of egoism. 

How do we overcome this? What is the cure for the sickness, the malady of egoism that plagues the human heart? The answer, I believe, is found in Christ. He is the epitome of self giving, of self sacrifice and abasement, of altruism in direct and utter defiance of the egoism and self-praising, self-serving human heart. We can overcome this sickness, this paralysis of the soul, by fixing our eyes and hearts on the abased Christ. He is our ultimate example of selflessness. But we must recognize Him as more than a mere projection or ideal of humility, rather we look on Him as the embodiment of self-giving love. In Him we find the love which pours itself out for others. It is in this love that we must reside. We must exist in the bond of love between the Father and the Son through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. By sending the Paraclete, the Comforter to us, Christ brings us into the very heart of Trinitarian life. We have participation in the eternal life of the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. By giving us nothing less than Himself, Christ offers to mankind more than a mere model for self-giving love. He gives to us the very essence of it. He bring us into a new mode of existence, a way of living our lives which we had not previously experience. A life filled with the Spirit, modeled after the crucified and risen Christ, is a life eternally sustained by the love of the Father, the ground and source of eternal life. It is through grace that He comes to us Himself and offers nothing less than Himself to us. Our participation and cooperation with that grace is Trinitarian existence. It is living, not merely the Christ centered life, but living the hypostatically centered life. It is living the Trintarian life.

How are we to overcome our malady? We are all sick, hurting, infectious to those around us, and things are only going to get worse. We must have a cure. Humanity is crying out for it! Pornography, drunkeness, drugs, divorce, etc. - all these are indicators, symptoms of the greater sickness. It is only when we embrace the risen Christ, and participate in His life by the outpouring of the Holy Making Spirit that we will ever be made well. He has invited you to join with Him. What will be our response? Will it be one of selfish desire, clinging to the broken promises of post modernism? Or will it be one of selflessness? Would that our hearts turn towards Him who wants to turn us away from ourselves and towards His Father. Let it be the prayer of all those who call themselves His disciples, that He would come and save us from ourselves, turn us towards Himself, in order that we might help someone else. Amen.