Context & Priorities

Q: How do we address Romans 1:24 while still being a loving, accepting Christian community?

When contemplating how I was going to respond to this, I wanted to make sure that I was able to teach in the midst of giving a source of reflection. Scripture is a struggle sometimes, as we search for meaning and application to our own lives and situations. I don’t feel that any one verse in any book of scripture is meant to stand alone. Indexing and versing is only a convenient means that we use to find our place. Therefore, I took the verse before the verse in question and the verse after and compared three different translations. Here they are: (I put verse 24 in italics so that it would be identifiable.)

Romans 1:22-25 (KJV)

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 1:22-25 (NRSV)

Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Romans 1:22-25 (The Message)

They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes!

If you isolate verse 24, I can instantly see why one would consider it to be problematic. Especially in the King James version. Read by itself, it seems that God has given up on those who lust in uncleanness and dishonor their bodies. It’s pretty condemning to those who may not fit conveniently in a conservative biological anatomical description, specifically our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Which may be the underlying reason for this question in the first place. 

Put into context, one can see that the Romans passage referenced is not necessarily about lust and sex at all. In context, the passage seems to address the larger issue of right relationship with God. We must understand that God is always more about how we live in relationship and less about how our biological parts fit together. The people of Rome were being exhorted by the Apostle Paul for failing to get their priorities right. They were not putting the ONE true living God first.

We should remember that Christianity, at the time of the letter to the Romans, was a new way and most of the Romans that Paul was writing to were once pagan and followed many gods, usually formed in some likeness of an animal or humanoid figure. These "fake" gods were often associated with public orgy festivals, and other acts of debauchery. If the people of Rome were now professing to believe and follow the ONE true God of Israel in the way of Jesus, then those other “fake” gods needed to be given up, as well as the practices that are degrading to good healthy relationships.

The correct priority would be to honor and acknowledge the way of Jesus Christ that Paul is trying to teach. Those who “profess to be wise” or “know it all” will often end up thinking that they have it all figured out by themselves and can save themselves. They think that there is no need for Jesus, let alone church, spiritual development, Christian education, sacraments, etc… Unfortunately, even today society is full of those who “profess to be wise” and therefore don’t need Jesus. If we choose to live in our "filth" and not put God before "fake idols," then God will surely let us.

God commands us to love one another, and to love God. However, God never forces us to love. We will always have free-will to do as we please. But when we do as we please, we end up acting like the “know it all” and straying from the ways of Christ and following too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. If we turned away from God, it's guaranteed that we are going to mess it up, and God’s not going to keep us from messing it up. We make other things in our life idols and end up worshiping them, because we pay attention to them more than we are nurturing our relationship with God.

To me, Romans 1:24 does not get in the way of being a loving, accepting Christian community. It does call us into making sure that we continue to put God first and not rely on ourselves or replace God with a fake. 

Sin and Forgiveness

Q: Does Jesus reward all who repent? No matter the sin or crime?

I am glad you phrased the question this way. You could have asked about “all who ask forgiveness” which is totally different than being penitent or repenting. The word “repent” implies a change or a ‘turning around’ and going in another direction. In scripture, the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia) is often translated as repentance.  This kind of change is not about regret, guilt or shame; it is a true change of heart. It implies making a conscious decision to turn around, to face a new direction.

It’s also interesting that you said “reward” rather than “forgive.” I feel that the reward to those who repent is restoration. Those who change their heart and turn back to God (repent), rather than away from God are restored to right relationship with God. They pursue a new path of love and community rather than a path of destruction and division.

I would say that repentance also implies making amends or “paying penance.” To me, just because you repent of the sin or crime and start leading a new life doesn’t mean that you get to erase the past. I don’t feel that it works that way. The path to restoration is sometimes a difficult one. It requires intentional hard work and struggle every day to live with a penitent heart.

In scripture, we are assured that those who turn to Jesus are dead in their wrongdoings (Ephesians 2:4-10). We are a “new creation” in Christ… part of the new order in the restoration of the world (2 Corinthians 5:17). The pathway to connection with God is never closed for those that desire it. So, I would say that the only thing that would keep anyone from that relationship is the outright rejection of God.

So, it is my opinion that yes, Jesus rewards and restores to right relationship (with God) those who turn their heart and change their ways, no matter the sin or crime. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t require some amends to others or society for the wrongs they have done.

Resurrection & Following Jesus

Q: Is it not more important to believe in the teaching of Jesus than that he is the son of God and rose from the dead?

If Jesus was not the son of God and if he did not rise from the dead, then why believe what he taught is any different or better than anything others taught? I hate to sound sarcastic here, but there were many great teachers in history. Gandhi, Mohammad, Gautama Buddha, Socrates, Plato, Confucius, etc... (the list goes on and on) they were all teachers of solid core foundational values. What is it that makes Jesus different?

Jesus is different because he offered a way to be in relationship in this world through his teaching. He offered a relational connection to God the creator that wasn't legalistic or prescriptive. By rising from the grave, he taught that life with our creator is eternal for those that are in that relationship. It gives the believer hope that there is something better for those that strive for righteousness and justice in the world.

So, for me they go hand in hand. If you believe in Jesus' teaching, and want them to make a difference in your relationship to God and all of creation then I would think that you would need to believe that Jesus was the Son of God (the incarnation of God = Jesus is God) and that he rose from the dead. Without a belief in the incarnation and the resurrection, I feel that Jesus is just another great teacher.

Living Christ's Message

Q: Why don't more people - me included - live Christ's message on days other than Sunday?

Incredible question that needs to be continually asked by every one of the followers of Jesus! I have this incredible feeling that society thinks it doesn't need Christ's message at all, let alone on just on Sunday...  They think that they can somehow save themselves all by themselves. I would say, for lack of a better term or nicer way to put it, that those who live Christ's message ONLY on Sunday are being hypocritical the rest of the week (or not even living Christ's message at all). If we are going to be Christian, then we don't get to pick and choose which days we can be Christian.

If this question is about going or not going to Church, I feel, and will be quick to say, that going to church DOES NOT make you a Christian. (just like being in a garage doesn't make you a car!) Church, for the christian is more of a "training facility" or a "fuel stop" than it is a "place to be a Christian." (like the garage - it's a place to be worked on, fueled up, lifted up, and tuned! And like a garage, it's sometimes messy work! - ok, that's enough of the car analogy) That doesn't mean that we don't have to go to church, on the contrary. We go to church to learn and worship - it is that "fuel stop" that feeds us and that "training facility" that empowers us to get through the rest of life during the week. I helps us deal with the evils of the world, and gives us strength through relationships with other believers.

There is an incredible struggle these days between a society that teaches self sufficiency and salvation through "doing good" and Christ's actual message of truth, equity, justice, and relationship that can be lived out in the world that ultimately teaches a connection to God. The difference is relationship.

As Christians, we should be living our life day to day in relationship to God (through Jesus). It is the source and reason we are in love and charity with our neighbors. It is not the society influencing us, it is us who should be influencing society by the way we live. To me, that's what living Christ's message is about. We also need to remember that society won't always "like" or "accept" the way that we are living. (It even got Jesus nailed to a cross!) 

I feel that Jesus came that we might be learn how to be together in relationship in order to bring forth the Kingdom of God. Living a life (every day) through Jesus... his life, his teaching, and his actions...  all viewed through the lens of his death and resurrection. It's not easy, but for the believer, it becomes the connection to God that the world needs for the Kingdom of God to come. 

From the old camp song that is Based on John 13:35

(I believe the music and lyrics were originally written by Peter Schools)

1. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Refrain
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

2. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

3. We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.

4. All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.

Church and Priorities

Q: Why do people not put church as a priority in their life?

Different people have different reasons for not wanting to engage in church or public worship. However, I haven't heard a good one yet. It's sort of like the excuses that one gives for not having their homework - "We had a ___ game to go to (or a camping trip or sleep over or ... whatever) on Sunday" or "We just couldn't get it together" or my favorite "It's my only day to sleep in" or even better yet "the kids didn't think it was fun" or "I don't get anything out of it." 

Attendance at public worship (or lack thereof) says something about the person and what kind of relationship they are trying to nurture with God. We prioritize activities based on what we think is important. If an individual's relationship with God is unimportant, then it becomes 2nd, 3rd, or even last on the list. This is very sad because it's the people like this that wonder why God is so "absent" after they have done nothing to nurture or build a relationship with God. 

Relationship is a two-fold thing. It requires engagement and interaction by all parties. I often tell people that you only get out of church (or relationship) what you are willing to put into it. If you are not engaged or don't participate in what the church community works so hard to offer, then you don't reap the full benefits of church.

I recently had a conversation with a woman who has come back to church after being away for many years. She attends nearly every Sunday and is engaged in activities. I want to share what she told me that will probably help those who are struggling with priorities. She said, "I never realized the depth of real love and understanding that comes from belonging to a church. I understand more about how we worship more than I did when I came only 2 or 3 times a year. I never realized or understood that going through Lent would make Easter mean that much more to me - and it did! The more I learn, the more I want to learn."

For me, that sums it up. That is why I am personally engaged. That's why I make it a priority. When I am in worship or in community at Church, as messy and stressful as it can be sometimes, I always feel a depth of love and peace. It is a place of activity and learning... it is a place of engagement and relationship... It's not perfect, it's a messy safe place to work things out.

Jesus says love God and love your neighbor. To me, my relationship with God is the first thing on my list. That is what I work on when I go to church and worship. It sets the tone of how I work on my relationship with my neighbor. If the relationship with God is missing, then the rest of the system will be, and usually is, out of sorts.

Note: It usually takes a few several hours to prepare just one hour of worship, it's not instant, nor does it happen spontaneously. It is a shame that many people don't think that their relationship with God is important enough to make it a priority and engage enough to completely enjoy the benefits.

Trusting in God

Q: How do you fully trust in God and His plan for your life (for others, the world, etc...)? This question assumes that there is a plan, so maybe I should open it: "How do you trust in God?" and "How do you be at peace?"

I'm going to admit that I'm unsure about a predestined "master plan" for the universe. Or, at least, one that I am aware of or if it is even promised in scripture. I'm not really a predestination theologian... The plan that I know of is one of relationship; God's relationship with us and the creation and our relationship with God and one another and all of creation. I understand God's plan for all things is to work in relationship. This can be found throughout scripture, as the accounts and stories reveal to us how people worked out their relationships with God and each other. We notice very quickly that life in biblical times was just as messed up as it is today as we struggle to live in relationship.

That's where the trust factor comes into the scene. In order to have relationship, we must trust - trust God, trust each other. This is an important thing, but it is not easy. Often, we need to take baby steps and get to know before we can fully trust, or rely on, or put faith in, etc... For instance, you don't get married on the first date. There needs to be a courtship, a getting to know you period in order to build the relationship. All parties must give the other party a chance. 

I personally feel that this is the same with our relationship with God. The worst thing that we can do is not work toward a relationship with God and expect it to be there when we need it. Relationships require ernest hard work. They require give and take and compromise. We need to work at having a relationship with God as much as, if not more than having a relationship with each other. These are the two most important things we could ever do in our life.

I feel, and have personally experienced that if I am in right relationship with God and each other, or if I am at least striving for it, that I am at peace. It's a release of thinking that I need to control every aspect of every situation. It is no longer a struggle to trying to make the square pegs fit into the round holes, but an acceptance of the round holes being there for the round pegs... but other people have the round pegs and in order for you to be complete, you need them.

Sickness

Q: Why isn't God more helpful to those ill, sick, and infirm through medical research, etc...?

I spoke a bit about how I feel that God continually guides researchers and medical professionals in search of treatments for the sick in this post HERE. I don't want to shortcut how I address this question because I've dealt with the topic before. I feel that God is present within these situations and gives us comfort through the process of sickness or illness. 

God always seems to bring wholeness and sanctification from our troubles and experiences when we look to God for truth and understanding. I am reminded of Dame Julian of Norwich who experienced visions of Jesus passion and death during her sickness. Her extreme focus during the illness that almost killed her was the love that God had for her and all of creation and the love she had for God beyond anything else. After reading her record in Revelations of Divine Love, I believe that God used her bad situation for a greater purpose. Not that God caused the sickness, but that he used it to bring strength and connection in relationship in her time of trouble. Julian is regarded today as one of the great Christian mystics and theologians of her time.

We can learn much about dealing with our struggles with sickness and illness through the lives of the faithful that have gone before us. Some folks refer to them as saints, because for us they were great witnesses to the faith.

God's Absence

Q: Why is it that God seems to have abandoned my heart?

First of all, that is a pretty heavy question and I am sorry you feel that way. It's really difficult to address this in this forum. It would probably be much better in person. So, please don't hesitate to make an appointment with me.

If you are struggling or feeling an absence from God, you're not alone. It's a valid feeling. If you are struggling to find God in your life, and doing everything you can to connect and still feel the absence, you are not alone. Others have had similar feelings since the beginning of time. 

This is where the Bible comes in handy. It helps us realize that we are not alone in our struggles. Scripture is full of the faithful who are "seeking" God who seems absent or to have abandoned us. The Psalms are full of cries out for God in the midst of loneliness or despair. Look at just a couple: Psalm 42 and Psalm 22. Try praying them. Look through the Psalms and parallel your own personal feelings of God's absence, and then look around you again. Look for God to show up in the little things. It doesn't have to be a big display. Has God really abandoned you? 

God loves you! God is there. God sometimes shows up in the smile of a small child or a good friend or family member. Maybe the feelings of abandonment by God are really something else.