Scott Freeman

In the early days of the Christian church, believers in the Messiah were predominantly Jews.  The conversion of Cornelius at the leading of Peter, and Paul’s subsequent call to minister to the Gentiles sent shock-waves through this nascent movement.

Debates broke out about the wisdom and appropriateness of sharing this truth with “unclean” people.  Regardless of position, it was clear that the Gentiles wanted the liberation and freedom that the message of the Christ offered.

So, the debate transitioned to demands that would be made of these converts.  Some proclaimed that only through circumcision could Gentile believers be saved.  In addition, they had to keep the Torah laws to ensure their adherence to the Jewish way of life.

Peter spoke through all of that.  He said, “God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”

God, through His infinite grace and mercy, embraced the Gentile believer.  He did not place unnecessary restrictions upon them.  He accepted them as they were.

Why, if God could be so graceful in His encompassing believers into His kingdom, do we so often insist that immigrants be homogenized?

I hear all the time people make statements about how immigrants to our country must assimilate to our way of life, learn our language, and accept our customs and mores.

If God did not require that of newcomers to His kingdom, why would we require that of ours?

Immigration is the hot topic these days across America.  I believe there is a solution to the problem.  And, of course, illegal immigration is a problem.  Criminalizing people, including religious leaders offering aid, is not a solution.

John McCain and Edward Kennedy have proposed a bill that would combine a guest-worker program with provisions allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship after paying fines and back taxes, undergoing criminal background checks and learning English.

Although, I don’t feel that learning English is necessary, this bill is a step in the right direction.   Immigrants are, above all, precious children of God.  They are aliens and strangers in a world that is often hostile to them.  We can curb illegal immigration while still be open and receptive to those that are looking for hope in this country.

We can “protect our borders” and curb illegal immigration without unnecessarily ostracizing and criminalizing people who desire freedom.  No need for circumcision.  Let there be no distinction.

What does it mean, to you, to love kindness?

What is kindness?  How do you love it?

I’m being asked frequently why I signed the statement along with 85 other religious leaders in America. I thought a lot about this leading up to offering my signature and in the two months since then.

To me, the answer is simple: I believe it is what Jesus would have me do. I know there are some who believe that there is absolutely no danger of global warming. I believe that those people are living in somewhat of a state of denial.

However, I did not sign the initiative out of some deeply held scientific conviction. I signed it because global warming, pollution and mistreatment of the environment has its most dire impact upon the poor.

Our insistence upon treating the earth as an inexhaustible resource, our dependence upon gas-guzzling SUVs, and our ever-expanding garbage footprint is wreaking untold havoc upon those who have no voice and have little to no opportunity to rise above their station in life.

Hurricane Katrina should have been a wake-up call for all of us that climate change has its greatest impact upon the poor. Individuals in impoverished regions worldwide will feel the brunt of our lack of environmental responsibility. They will weather the toughest droughts crippling their already flagging agricultural output.

If by being environmentally responsible, I can aid the least of these, isn’t it worth it?

If by switching to renewable electricity, I give a child a better hope for tomorrow, isn’t it worth it?

If by weatherizing my home and selecting gas efficient vehicles I reduce unnecessary emissions and pollution that poisons others, isn’t it worth it?

Regardless of your scientific views, the moral responsibility is clear.

In just a few minutes I leave to be interviewed for our local news station. Tomorrow, I will interview with our local paper about the initiative. This Sunday the British Broadcasting Company will be filming me for a documentary they are doing on global warming.

My aim in all of this is simple: if the decisions I make environmentally have their greatest consequences upon the least of these, then I must be responsible.

If God has given me this opportunity to speak up for the least of these, then I cannot be silent. To me, this is not an environmental issue. It is a faith issue.

So I will speak. Not for an enviromental agenda, but for the precious souls who will continue to languish in an irresponsible world.

In reading Taylor Branch’s masterful account of the early civil-rights years, Parting the Waters, one story has stuck with me.  Vernon Johns, the controversial predecessor to Martin Luther King at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, was invited to speak at a bi-racial gathering of preachers.

When Johns got up to speak, nerves were already heightened.  Preachers of both races had never met together before.  And now, they were meeting to talk about unity.  Dismissing the opportunity to be a uniter, Johns upbraided his white brethren for caring only about Jesus after his death:

“The thing that disappoints me about the Southern white church is that it spends all of its time dealing with Jesus after the cross, instead of dealing with Jesus before the cross. The church has not formally denounced the Sermon on the Mount. It has merely let it slide. I want to deal with Jesus before the cross.”

That hits close to home.  For, I feel that is exactly what I have done. I have misunderstood Paul when he said “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).”  That “and” is important.  What Jesus said should hold for us added weight.

But often in our preaching to lead others to accept Christ we have encouraged others to except Christ.  “Believe in His death, burial and resurrection, but feel free to qualify His harder sayings.”

Instead of timeless truths, we produce a watered down version of the gospel.  We have Jesus excepted rather than Jesus accepted:

• Blessed are the meek, except for those of us in need of a healthy dose of pride and self-esteem.
• Blessed are the merciful, except for those who don’t deserve mercy.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, except for when we need to protect our own, defend our borders, or make the world safer.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, unless their view of righteousness disagrees with our political position.
• Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, except for your enemies and terrorists.
• Love your enemies except for your enemies.
• Give to the needy except those who don’t need it or take advantage of it.
• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, except a big house, huge car and all the accoutrements your heart desires.
• Do not be anxious about your life, except for when you are really worried about something.
• Judge not, except for those whose sins we especially despise.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, except for when pre-emptive measures call for violence.

This is harsh, I know.  But how often have we done just that?  How often have we qualified the words of Jesus applying our conditions to what He said?  How often have we thought we had a better handle on it than Jesus Himself did?
“Yes, Jesus said that, but…”  If Jesus said it, there should be no buts.

And if we applied what He said to our lives.  If we truly lived His teachings, what would happen?  What would the world look like?  If only we knew whether or not that would work.

Wait, we do:   Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

I am commiting to live my life more in acceptance of Jesus and what He said rather than excepting what He said.

I think I will be better off.  And more will see Him in me.

Here is a video of Michael McDermott performing a couple of tunes.  Not best sound quality, however.

I’m one of the signatories of the Evangelical Climate Initiative. Read the statement here.

(For what it is worth, this is the sermon that I preached this morning. In light of some of the press that the Church of Christ has received this week, I thought it was timely. I usually post this solely on my sermon blog. However, I am considering moving it over here and collapsing the two blogs together. Let me know what you think.)

Prophets make us uncomfortable. continue reading…