I have been thinking a lot about Israels call to be different, to be not the norm. While I was in Ezra and Nehemiah during a Jan Term(a 8hr a day, for five days intensive) at my school I heavily noticed this. Ezra and Nehemiah is all about the build of the temple which established Israel as a nation and Gods chosen people. In these book they struggle with a sin that threatens them into being sent into exile again. This sin is some of the men have taken on foreign wives.(Ezra 9:1-5) Ezra ask for forgiveness in an extensive prayer taken on his burden of his people on for himself.(Ezra 9:6-15) “His(Ezra) apparent despair provokes them to seek hope for Israel at any cost, and his abandonment to grief stirs them to impatience for some more positive response.”(Kidner 70) This brings the Israelites to make a drastic and I would say necessary decision to be different then the world around them. Israel decides to send away all the foreign wives and their children.(Ezra 10:3) This was by no means was the Law called for, but it was a necessary evil. They need to separate themselves from their sin and move into what God called them to.
So since we have been grafted into this(If you are a gentile)(Romans 11:17-24) I think we too have a call to take drastic measures to be different and set apart from our community. The reason foreign wives were such a problem in these passages in Ezra was because they were bringing in their pagan gods and heathen tradition.(Goldengay) Israel was becoming these other nations and not being set apart like they should be.
I believe Jesus as well gives a call that I think the church is missing out on. In the simple book of Mark he tells a story of a rich young ruler who ask a question. The question he is asking is “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(Mark 10:17) Jesus responds in I would say a sarcastic way. He states that the young ruler knows the ten commandments and keeps them.(Mark 10:19) The ruler say “of course I do.”(Mark 10:20) Here comes Jesus with a stinger. A call to be different then everyone else. A call to change his whole life completely around. Jesus says "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Mark 10:21) This man went away sad. He had tons of property and possessions.(Mark 10:22) I think it is crazy here because it does not say this man had lots money but he had lots of possession.
Why as the American church are we striving to win people for Christ with the coolest possessions?(well thats how I view it in my eyes?) I have heard of many churches recently having to lay off pastors because they could not make budget in this recent economy. What if instead of this the churches sold their million dollar buildings or sold their 30,000 dollar sound boards? Do we really need these things to reach Christ? Are we really being different then the culture around us?
I would say no. I recently stepped foot on a church campus and I thought I was at Mall of America. Is this what God really wants? Are as a church supposed to be consumerist just like the rest of the world? Are we supposed to go into dept on new building that are supposed to reach a community? Is the call to give all your money to the poor a lost thing?
I would like to know everyone else thoughts.
You make a very good point. This is something I struggle with as I jump from the overseas mission field and Eastside. It is often a picture of stark contrast. At the same time I see a lot of churches overseas striving to be like churches in the west, with instruments and sound systems and nice buildings. On the other hand, there is a level of cultural relevance that one could argue is necessary to reach those around us in the US. It's definately a balance, however when we look at what Jesus did, he relied on the resources around him, as did the early church. I think the only real way to overcome "materialism" as a church is to get to the point where the church learns to give "as each has need" and take care of each other we are freed from our own concerns and able to care for others.
ReplyDeleteScott, I think I would some up your call here as one to re-examine what matters. It's important that we don't assume that Jesus' call to this man to give up his possessions (which would equal money in their world) is a call to everyone to do the same. Rather, we need to understand what's at the heart of Jesus' message here and examine whether we are engaging that heart. Jesus is calling this man to live in light of his covenant responsibilities of which a concern for the widow, the poor, and the orphan was key. While I don't think our churches have to be big and showy, as long as we can show that we are using our resources to fully (and not just nominally) fulfill such covenant obligations then I think we're ok. The question that we need to examine, then, is whether that is actually the case. The issue isn't having possessions, but using those possessions appropriately.
ReplyDeleteYou're one of my favorite people Scott. I think you're asking the right questions, and I'm noticing a tone in your writing that is more hopeful than you've been before. Instead of being negative and just pointing out a problem, you have chosen to wrestle with it. I like it.
ReplyDeletei like the mall
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