Letter to the American Church
Have you ever had an idea for a book you would like to write only to find out someone has stolen your idea and written it. Eric Metaxas, author of the voluminous autobiography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, just stole mine. It is entitled “Letter to the American Church.” I am glad he did because he has done a much better job than I could ever have done. The thesis is he sees happening in the churches of America today what was going on in the churches of Germany just before Hitler took control.
Basically the thesis is the church failed to address what was going on in society until the time came when the state prohibited them from speaking out. Bonhoeffer spoke out, was sent to Auschwitz where he ultimately died days before the Allies liberated the camp.
Another German who dared to speak out was the Lutheran minister, Martin Niemoller. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he sympathized with many Nazi ideas and supported radically right-wing political movements. But after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemöller became an outspoken critic of Hitler’s interference in the Protestant Church. For doing so he spent the last eight years of Nazi rule, from 1937 to 1945, in Nazi prisons and concentration camps. Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for his postwar statement.
“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.”
I do not have an all encompassing knowledge of the churches of metropolitan Atlanta and America, but I do have a fair familiarity with the churches in our area. To my knowledge there are only two pulpits that dare use an application of gospel truths to address civic and social issues of our time.
Metaxas raises some interesting questions, such as: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.”
“Can it really be God’s will that His children be silent at a time like this? Decrying the cowardice that masquerades as godly meekness, Eric Metaxas summons the Church to battle.”
Metaxas refutes the pernicious lie that fighting evil politicizes Christianity. As Bonhoeffer and other heroes of the faith insisted, the Church has an irreplaceable role in the culture of a nation.
Doubtless ministers in Germany thought what ultimately happened could not happen in their happy homeland. After all, they remained free of pressure brought by the state as long as they did not speak against the developing philosophy of Nazism.
In America today there are philosophies and governmental policies contrary to our Constitution and the tenants of the churches. The question is will reaction be bold enough to prevent them from prevailing and muting churches and all who oppose them.
What stance is your church taking against such ascendancy and ultimate control? This is a five alarm book.
King of the Jews vs the King of the Jews
“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’” John 18: 33
This was a crucial question posed at a critical time. It was of such importance that the account is found in all four gospels and is asked on four different occasions. Both Pilate and Herod on different occasions questioned Jesus regarding the title. It was a title used of baby Jesus by the Wise Men in seeking Him. It was a title posted above His head on the cross,
The emperor Augustus gave Herod the title King of the Jews and his connections with Rome, the emperor Augustus and his court were extraordinary. Throughout his long reign he desperately, but abortively, wanted to establish some kind of “dynasty” or royal line, as evidenced by his marriage to the Hasmonean princess Miriame. So obsessed was he with genealogical records that Josephus reports that he had the archives at Sepphoris destroyed, lest any rivals challenge his pedigree or put forth their own. Therefore, in addition to exercising his right as a regent he was personally concerned. Herod jealously guarded his title. He did not want anyone usurping it.
Augustine observed from this verse that earthly kingdoms are based upon force, pride, the love of human praise, the desire for domination, and self interest – all displayed by Pilate and the Roman Empire, but none by Jesus. To personalize this is it we who have the traits evidenced by Pilate to the restriction of the rule of Jesus in our lives.
Jesus did not say He did not have a kingdom, but rather that it was not of this world. He did not say He would not one day rule in this world in the millennium. He shall. He currently rules in the hearts of His loyal followers.
Where there is a king there is a kingdom, a territory over which he rules. If Jesus is your King, why be so concerned with the title while giving so little attention to His rule. To say Jesus is King is admirable, but it only takes on meaning when you can truthfully say, “Jesus in MY King.” Jesus Is King of all, or He is not King at all.
Don’t proclaim Him as your King of kings and Lord of lords and question His reign.
By His life Jesus defines the kingdom and demonstrates its principles and power. He deserves to be ardently worshiped and served because of His nature and our benefit.
As His servant obedience to Him, even in little things, such as turning the other cheek, may leave you with two broken jaws, yet thereby Jesus is shown to be your beloved King. Obedience is often costly, but always gratifying and rewarding.
With Jesus as our King Eden is restored in our heart.
Be loyal to the royal blood that flows in your veins.
Three Empowering Virtues – Part Four
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6: 8
The third virtue noted by the prophet Micah is “to walk humbly with God.”
“To walk humbly with your God” means to live in conscious fellowship with God.
It is to recognize God’s absolute holiness and submit to His will.
In Scripture the term “walk” often refers to a lifestyle. To be humble means to be respectfully obedient.
We do not have the overt threats because of walking humbly with God as some are having.
During the deep depression of the early 30s a panel of distinguished speakers was addressing a large audience from Chicago’s South Side consisting mostly of black persons. Clarence Darrow, the eminent attorney, a professed atheist, was one of the panelists.
Economic conditions were deplorable and jobs scarce. Darrow masterfully capitalized on this to depict the plight of the people and question God. He summed up their woes, concluding, “And yet you sing? No one can sing like you! What do you have to sing about?
Instantly a lady in the audience shouted, “We got Jesus to sing about!” Her response was followed by a chorus of “Amens” and “Yeses” and “That’s right.”
Darrow, uncharacteristically, was speechless. He had no response to people who can sing above their fears and tears because they walk with the one who strengthens them to do all things He wants them to do. That still works.
When Elizabeth married the ultimately famous poet Robert Browning her parents disowned her. She and Robert moved far away to Florence, Italy. She loved her parents and sought reconciliation. Several times a month she would write telling them of her love. After 10 years there came a response. She received a package from her parents which she opened with excitement. Elizabeth’s happy moment rapidly faded when she found inside all of her letters to her parents — unopened.
Elizabeth, like Robert, was a poet. Her letters of reconciliation have been called “some of the most beautiful and expressive in the English language.” Unfortunately her parents never read them.
Like Elizabeth, our Lord went to extreme measures to achieve reconciliation. Have you left His love letters unread? As Micah said God has shown us, it is in the Book, what is good. To find what is “good” read and obey His love letters. Accept His offer of reconciliation.
Come to the cross. It is an exhortation to “do justly.” it was sin, human kind”s injustice, that put Him there.
Come to the cross. It is an appeal to love mercy because of the mercy manifested there.
Come to the cross. It is empowering, enabling a walk with God.
Three Empowering Virtues – Part Three
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6: 8
Three virtues are noted in the text. First, is “to do justly.” The second is “to love mercy.” The second is worth further attention.
On the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Molokai was a colony to which persons inflicted with the dreaded disease of leprosy were sent to live out their lives in misery.
A simple noble priest, Father Damien, went there to minister to them. He did so for months addressing them as: “You lepers.” He met with no response.
One day he spoke to them as, “My fellow lepers.”
He had so identified with them as to have contracted leprosy. Thereafter, his ministry met with a positive response. His mercy was their hearts. It so won the admiration of our nation that a statue of Father Damien stands as the only religious figure under the rotunda of our nation’s capital.
These persons stand in admirable contrast to the character depicted by George Bernard Shaw as: “a selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making him or her happy.”
With justice and mercy so closely linked in the text some persons often confuse the two. There are times when justice and mercy can be compatible.
When Fiorello La Guaridia was mayor of New York City he liked to keep in touch with all departments of government. He would even substitute for various heads. Once he sat in for the Night Court judge. It was a cold night and a trembling man was brought in charged with stealing a loaf of bread. He said he did it because his family was starving.
“I have to punish you nevertheless,” said La Guardia. “There is no exception to the law. The fine is $10.00.” As he said this he reached for his wallet, took out $10.00, put it in his famous hat and said, “Here is the $10.00 to pay the fine.”
“Furthermore,” he continued, “I’m going to fine everybody in this courtroom 50 cents for living in a city where a man has to steal bread in order to eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant.” The total was $47.50.
In effect that is what our Heavenly Father did for us. We sin and He has found us guilty. In the person of His only begotten Son He paid the fine and remitted our sin when we trust Him as savior .
Because of that we are to live out Micah’s third virtue.
Three Empowering Virtues – Part Two
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Three virtues resonate in our text.
The first speaks of morality. We are “to do justly.” “To do justly” refers to our ethical response to other people. To “do justly” there must be a standard for what is just and what is unjust. Some conduct is right and some isn’t.
A new virile virus has been loosed in our culture under the guise of a new virtue. Because of its rapidly increasing influence it needs to be reexamined. It is called tolerance.
For generations people have espoused tolerance. The definition normally given is: “the disposition to be patient toward those whose opinions or practices differ from our own…”
That is now called “negative tolerance.”
Positive tolerance is defined as: “every single individual’s beliefs, values, lifestyle, and truth claims are equal.” That’s positive tolerance. It is broadly advocated.
If that is true then the door to the jail cell of the Unabomber, Ted Kazinski, should be opened and he set free. Timothy McVey, your beliefs that prompted a lifestyle that blew up the building in Oklahoma is acceptable. You can go free.
Positive tolerance has replaced the virtue of justice. Positive tolerance and justice cannot co-exist. They are mutually exclusive.
An advocate of positive tolerance defines for him or her self truth. One opinion is as good as another. Likewise one statement is as good as another. Such a person can state as true what facts reveal as not being true and still say, “I did not lie.” If there are no absolutes there is no truth and no falsehood. In the mind of such a person whatever they say is true.
This time in history is now being called the postmodern era. It is reshaping cultures’ concepts of truth. Lying is impossible since it presupposes objective reality. To the postmodern mind there is no objective truth. Truth is subject. That is, what I as the subject define it as. Such a person can say, “I did not tell him to lie” becomes a “true” statement because lies don’t exist. To such a mentality words don’t have a fixed meaning. They mean what the user wants them to mean at the moment. An interpretation may be different from an interpretation tomorrow.
God has expressed His desire for us: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6).
Our value-free, morally neutral, education opens the door for sources in Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and yes, Nashville to bombard young minds with thousands of hours of sounds and images that glamorize immorality and mock Biblical values.
Remember you are “to do justly” in your response to people.