EASTER 04 – 2007

April 29, 2007

(Acts 13:15-16, 26-339, Ps. 100; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30)

WHY DO IT THAT WAY ?

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU ‑‑‑ OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

I have just begun reading a fascinating book written by a couple Episcopalians: Preaching what we practice. Although the title, and most the words, are about preaching their issues go beyond that narrow focus to include clergy and lay.

Basically they are asking: “Why do we have such a difficult time talking about our Christian, moral foundation?”

I am only about 1/3rd through the book, but their conclusion seems to be primarily that we do not have a consistent, shared understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Without that understanding, it is difficult if not impossible to discuss how a Christian should behave in a given circumstance.

A perfect example of that is the differences between some denominations. Some denominations put more emphasis on God’s mercy. Others put more emphasis on God’s judgement. If you are discussing a situation ... capital punishment for example ... and one person focuses on God’s mercy while another focuses on God’s judgement it is difficult to reach a consistent conclusion. If we listen carefully we discover the debate — the argument is primarily over what it means to be a Christian with capital punishment being only a specific example.

The author’s argue, convincingly I think, that we spend too much time focusing on Jesus’ specific actions without spending enough time on the “why” — why Jesus did this or that. It is the “why” which determines the “what”.

Example .... if we go somewhere representing our company we behave in a certain way. There are things we would do, or not do, BECAUSE at that moment we are something more than simply Ken, or Jane, we are a representative.

If we work in the hospital or doctor’s office, there are some actions we would do or not do, BECAUSE we are a health care worker. If we are at home as a parent we might take somewhat different actions.

If a child is mis-behaving, or doing something wonderful, our reaction varies depending on whether we are the parent, a friend, or a stranger to the family. The role we are in contributes to, if not controls, some of our decisions.

How often do we consider what it means to be a Christian? How often do we consider what it means to be representing God? Representing Jesus? Filling the role of a Christian? To do so requires a foundation to operate from.

In this section of the book of Acts the disciples tell their listeners to remember what Jesus had done, and from that understand Him. The gospel today has the same message.

Yet, as wonderful the stories about and by Jesus are, they are also very limited. If I am ever walking from Jerusalem to Jericho and see a man who has been beaten and robbed, I know I am not to walk past him but help him. That’s what the good Samaritan story teaches. .... But is that the limit? What is the foundational teaching illustrated by this specific example? WHY would Jesus want us to stop and help?

The authors of this book use examples such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Terry Shivio case, and immigration policy to raise the question of: “What is the underlying, foundational principle involved?” ... The question: “What would Jesus do?” is a fine question but the answer is based on our understanding of who Jesus is, and what Jesus represents. Would Jesus leave the murderer in jail for the rest of their life? Or would Jesus pull the switch to execute him?

.... One morning this week a news shows was preparing for the Democratic debate in South Carolina. The anchor was calling and asking people what they thought had been some of the most important moments in political debates over history. What was interesting is all the ones I heard were about the PERSON and not about an issue. Despite all the rhetoric, we tend to vote for who we think the person is, rather than any specific policy agenda. (Probably a good idea since inevitably the crisis will be something never discussed in the campaigns.)

I certainly will not stand here and tell you what is basic, underlying, foundational Christianity. Toward the end of this sermon I will explain my personal beliefs. Next week I will continue the conversation by discussing alternative Christian foundations. I do this suspecting — KNOWING that whatever I believe and say will be biased by my understanding. I lean much more heavily toward God’s mercy than God’s judgment. Both are important aspects of our relationship with God but I know which one I focus on.

Is that correct? Is that what God wants? THAT I cannot answer with confidence!! What I do suggest is that we spend time investigating our biases. It just may be we will discover a lack of openness or balance in our understanding and that may affect our understanding of foundational Christianity.

Example: Immigration. NOT from a secular perspective, or from an economic perspective, or even from a patriotic perspective but from a Christian perspective.

Our first challenge is to differentiate those perspectives. Which do we put first?

I love the United States. I am very proud of the United States. BUT, I always try to be first a Christian and yes, those two perspectives do come into conflict from time to time.

Immigration — scripture tells us over and over again to welcome the stranger. It is clear that scripture is talking about the non-Jew –--- which we could easily compare to the non-American.

Those are the specifics. BUT, Israel was never, to our knowledge, facing a flood that could overwhelm their society. Would the teachings have changed if we were talking about such a large number?

Or consider war ... even if we don’t limit it to one specific conflict but to the concept of war in general. Jesus says to “love your enemies”. Jesus says to “turn the other check”. And yet, the Old Testament has many examples of God using war to protect the Jewish people. Self defense, at the very least, is scripturally justified if not glorified.

Furthermore, the primary teaching in all of scripture, POSSIBLY even more primary than worshiping God, is protecting the poor and weak members of society. So if the military action is to protect poor and weak persons does that over ride Jesus’ instructions to “love your enemy”?

Which is the foundational Christian moral teaching? Jesus’ words or the scriptural examples? Does protecting the poor take precedence over turning the over check? How do we make a decision in a specific circumstance?

The biggest challenge we fact is avoiding our own self interest. When we consider issues like immigration, or NAFTA what are our own self interests? And how do they influence our understanding of basic, foundational Christian principles?

That’s why it is so important to consider those principles outside of specific situations as much as possible. It is difficult, and pretty much impossible to truly separate ourselves from our own self interest. So we need to build up that moral, Christian understanding to a point we can hold it up and view the specific through that understanding.

.... Are their any life issues which do not have foundational Christian implications? .... Another way of asking that question is whether there are things God does not care about.

My understanding of basic, foundational Christian principles is that God cares deeply about how we treat other people, ourselves, and His creation. So if we have a question which has no implications on the treatment of other people, ourselves, or creation than God does not care — at least not very much.

When I think about whether to wear the black or the blue shirt I doubt that often has Christian implications!

When the state legislature debates what should be designated the state food festival, or the state amphibian, I doubt God cares very much.

But go beyond that level and I believe God does care. People often ask why the church should be involved in this or that “political” issue: immigration or employment laws for example. I think the church should stay out of choosing the state amphibian! I do believe Christians should have more important issues to consider.

I believe that if we claim to be Christians than that should be the basis from which we consider things like immigration, racism, the treatment of employees, welfare, war, Social Security, medical research, abortion, marriage laws, tax rules, foreign aid, prayer in school ... the list is endless ... and even includes the people we vote for.

I believe that if we claim to be Christians we cannot say “this is a secular, political issue” and ignore the religious implications.

Going back to the book I am reading, I suspect the reason we tend to so quickly step away from or ignore the Christian questions is that we do not have the basis for that discussion – even with ourselves.

The authors do stress that we cannot gain a foundational Christian understanding in 10 minutes on Sunday. This takes work, hard work. Most of all it takes a willingness, even an anxiousness to listen to people we disagree with.

With that background I hope you understand I will not tell you what SHOULD be the foundation, Christian understanding for you. However, I will tell you that for me it all builds from the commandment to love God and love our neighbors. More explicitly, it all builds from an understanding that means we are to love God by treating all of God’s children well. From that grows what it means to be a Christian – to act as a Christian in any situation.

IT DOES NOT GROW EASILY ! The understanding is not easy and two people who begin with the same foundation can end up in very different places. BUT, when that happens, we can than discuss our differences from a known starting point.

AMEN

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermondate. For example, the July 16, 2006 sermon can be found at:

www.st‑christopher.org/sermon06-16-06

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)