Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
Last week we heard the horrible news that Father Jacques Hamel was beheaded at the altar of his church as those in attendance were forced to watch. He was not the first, nor will he be the last to suffer. Jesus declared,
Continue reading “The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence”
As we enter the 2016 presidential election cycle I am reminded that the people of Israel sought a king (1 Samuel 8:5). Saul was impressive and anointed by the Spirit of God. But his ascension as king was little more than tolerated idolatry. On the day that Samuel presented Saul as their king God said, “I brought up Israel out of Egypt… but today you have rejected your God…” (1 Samuel 10:19). Humans tend to idolize their leaders, even as we acknowledge that the best leaders have feet of clay. In fact, we seem to prefer flawed leaders. It’s tough to admit that our gods are little more than grandiose representations of ourselves.
Continue reading ““Give us a President!””
Christ has called His church to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). “Into all the world” includes culture. Culture is language, music, food, architecture, politics, morality, and religion. In fact, culture is the habitation of the gods. Music, architecture, and politics reflect the gods of any given culture.
Continue reading “Eros, Mammon, and the Light of the World”
The story of the kings of Israel offers to us a powerful reminder of the corruption of politics. After a period of rule by heroic judges and prophets, the people of Israel cried out, “Give us a king!” (1 Samuel 8:6). The desire for a king was nothing less than a subtle form of idolatry. “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘…they have rejected Me from being king over them…’” (1 Samuel 8:7f). Beginning at Mt. Sinai, the people of Israel often flirted with the pseudo-gods of Egypt and Canaan. Their desire for a king was a rejection of the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Following the words of the Lord, Samuel warned the people that a royal dynasty would be oppressive and corrupt and then he anointed Saul as king over Israel.
Continue reading “Of Caesar and Mammon”
