The Glory of God is Humility (and what that means for Christians)

What does it mean to glorify God? What is God's glory?

We see a glimpse of God's glory in the birth of Jesus. 

Luke 2:8 (NSRV) In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Notice the descriptors - "shone" "they were terrified" "a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." God's glory is both shiny, intimidating, and humble as pictured in a newborn baby lying in an animal feeding trough. It is difficult for us to understand as humans. The greek word, δόξα (doxa), is the word used in the New Testament for glory. According to Mounce, the definition is: a seeming; appearance; a notion, imagination, opinion; the opinion which obtains respecting one; reputation, credit, honor, glory; in NT honorable consideration, majesty, and dignity. Even in the lowly position of a baby laying in a manger, we see God's majesty, dignity, and light. 

What an amazing word picture. 

I have often thought of God's glory as power, wealth, and success. Perhaps you have thought this, too. I struggle to know if that was my own assumption about glory, or if I had been taught to think of it that way. But in scripture we see God's glory as humbleness and light. 

Philippians 2:1-4 (NSRV): 2 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

7 but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

8 he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

What we do not understand is that when Jesus was executed on the cross, it was the most humiliating form of torture that the Romans used. He wasn't lifted high in the air in his "underwear" like we see depicted in movies and Sunday School artwork - he died at eye level, completely naked, and disfigured and bloodied from his beatings. In the eyes of his culture, Jesus was weakest of weak. He was a complete loser. The cross was completely dishonoring and humiliating. Paul, unlike us, understood this humility (glory). His writings are full of admonitions like this:

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

Calling to all Christians everywhere: If you take pride in offending people, you are not doing right. 

Pick any "culture war" issue.

Our job as Christians is not to offend. Our job is to serve. Our job is not to defend the God to whom all Glory belongs. Our work is to be salt and light. Our job is to preserve the dignity and majesty of the "lowly." Our work is to humble ourselves for the Glory of God.

Perhaps this is the hardest work of all.

More resources: 

MOUNCE

Peter Enns podcast discussing the cross

 

Book Review: Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

The name "Jesus and John Wayne" caught my attention, but I wasn't that interested until I heard the author and historian, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, on a podcast. The book offers an explanation of how many white Christian evangelicals voted for President Donald Trump.

I thought that the title was just a catchy turn of phrase - a literary device of comparing opposites - until I started reading the book and came to the sickening realization that the Christian leaders themselves were the ones who named "John Wayne" as a god. The book is filled with the history of decades of the leaders of the Christian conservatives turning Jesus of the Bible into their own dream of the perfect leader.  Alan Bean, Baptist scholar, said, "The unspoken mantra of post-war evangelicalism was simple: Jesus can save your soul; but John Wayne will save your ass" (59).

Historian Du Mez wrote, "Onscreen and off, Wayne epitomized an old-fashioned, retrograde masculinity, and one increasingly understood in politicized terms. A staunch proponent of 'law and order,' Wayne had no time for 'cowards who spit in the faces of the police,' for 'judicial sob sisters,' for people who advocated for criminals without thought for the innocent victim. He was similarly dismissive of student protestors... Wayne's crassness was part of his appeal, if not the key to it - and this would become a pattern among evangelical heroes, religious and secular...To many conservatives, including evangelicals, Wayne personified 'a tone of life' that needed to be covered if the country was to reverse course 'from the masochistic tailspin of this prideless age.' He modeled a heroic American manhood that rallied the good against evil; took pride in the red, white, and blue; and wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. That Wayne never fought for his country, that he left behind a string of broken marriages and allegations of abuse - none of this seems to matter. Wayne might come up short in terms of traditional virtue, but he excelled at embodying a different set of virtues. At a time of social upheaval, Wayne modeled masculine strength, aggression, and redemptive violence" (58-59). We can't help but note the similarities between President Trump and John Wayne. 

This book also explains the history of how the Evangelical Christians came to be such a powerful political voting group. Thankfully, it is a history that I was a little protected from because I was raised in a global, egalitarian, Wesleyan-Holiness denomination. Imagine my surprise then, when the Church of the Nazarene was included in Du Mez's history. 

The Nazarene's were quite proud of one of its "own," Dr. James Dobson. My family listened quite often. Not religiously as we were quite a busy blue-collar/pastoral family with a lot of ministry and work to keep us busy. But we listened enough to hear Dr. Dobson's teachings on homosexuality and the roles and men and women in the home. The gender roles issue never registered with me as a kid because I filtered it through my Nazarene heritage. My mom supported our family financially when dad became a pastor and women were always included on the church board and in all areas of leadership in our denomination. 

Thankfully, I had my first child in 2000. I had listened to a lot of "Focus on the Family" and even Rush Limbaugh (not named in the book) until then. After starting to have children, my life was just too loud to have the radio on. I completely stopped listening to "Focus on the Family" when we moved to the farm, because the advice on parenting didn't apply to my life. I remembered hearing that the dad should be the one to give the babies their bath. I had a choice - to listen and be angry at Ryan all the time - or to not listen and adjust my expectations. Thanks to my babies, I missed the worst of the political propaganda. Despite this, I was influenced by Dr. Dobson as I read many of his parenting books.

The history begins with Billy Graham, moves through Jerry Falwell, Sr,  and continues with Dr. Dobson and John Piper. There are many other players in the story as well that play a huge part in the growth of the ideal Christian man that John Wayne symbolizes. Not surprisingly, even the homeschool movement has had a role. 

But what do all of these figures have in common? Fear. 

Fear of losing power. Fear of feminism. Fear of Black people. Fear of Muslims. Fear of losing control. Fear of Communism (and now socialism). Fear of homosexuality. Fear of public schools (11-13).

And we are left here: "While dominant, the evangelical cult of masculinity does not define the whole of American evangelism. It is largely the creation of white evangelicals. The vast majority of books on evangelical masculinity have been written by white men primarily for white men; to a significant degree, the markets for literature on black and white Christian manhood remain distinct. With few exceptions, black men, Middle Eastern men, and Hispanic men are not called to a wild, militant masculinity. Their aggression, by contrast, is seen as dangerous, a threat to the stability of home and nation" (301). 

(Unless of course they can keep the violence on the football field or the MMA ring.)

I highly recommend "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation." I recommend it for those who are seeing the disconnect between what Jesus said and what some are hearing in some churches. If your church is preaching a "John Wayne" type figure instead of the Jesus of the Bible, this book explains why. 

I learned many things by reading this book. But one of the most striking is about those who accuse others of "socialism." In US history, the habit began during the cold war as all enemies were called communists, but has morphed into using the word socialism since the fall of the USSR. Some who are using the word socialism by in large do not even know what socialism (or marxism) is as a governmental or economic system. 

What they are really afraid of is equality. 

Jesus, help us examine our hearts for any fear we have of the equality of all people. All people are made in the image of God. 

An example Christians using the John Wayne figure in a song by the Gaither Vocal Band, 2008

Du Mez, Kristin Kobes. Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelical Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. New York, NY. Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W.W Norton & Company, 2020

The "government on His shoulder" is not the US government

As 2021 begins, I find myself reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount in the Lectio 365 App (linked below). It struck me that Jesus is blessed.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever." Psalm 113:2

In the Beatitudes section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us who else is blessed. 

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:3-11 NSRV)

Jesus was blessed because he lived the sermon on the mount. He was poor in spirit, he was mourning, he was meek, he hungered and thirsted for righteousness, he was merciful, he was pure in heart, he was a peacemaker, and he was persecuted. We hear about all these behaviors in the stories of the New Testament. In the Beatitudes, he was telling us how we could be blessed as he was blessed from the beginning of time.

He was telling us the core values (behaviors) of His kingdom.

The kingdom that was fore told when Isaiah prophesied, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

The kingdom that is now and not yet.

But that prophecy is confusing to some ears. Some people hear that scripture sung in Handel's Messiah and think that it is our own elected government on his shoulders. It is reflected in our language when people say, "God has given us this President." or "God is in control of who is elected." or "God decides who leads us."

The United States government is not on his shoulders, nor is any other government in the world.

His own government is on his shoulders.

I want to practice the core values of the Blessed government now. Who wants to practice with me?

Lectio 365

Decolonizing Christianity

If you listen closely to the Indigenous people of the land you will hear the word "decolonization." According to Britannica, decolonization is the "process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country. Decolonization was gradual and peaceful for some British colonies largely settled by expatriates but violent for others, where native rebellions were energized by nationalism."  I propose that "decolonization" is a requirement to communicate the true Christian message. 

Are we able to communicate the person of Christ without also demanding that our own cultural expectations be met?

Several years ago my family and I attended our denominational district meetings where Native American Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear lamented from the platform, "Why didn't you speak to us about the Great Spirit? The Great Spirit we would've understood." But instead of finding common experience and listening to the stories of the Indigenous people of Turtle Island, the name that many Native tribes call North America, the Christians of Europe forced their cultural expectations onto them. The settlers and missionaries of early American history preached a "civilized" religion that required the "savages" to learn English, wear European clothing, and other "English ways" in order to follow Christ. It was a violent and cruel takeover.

In the Bible, Paul wrote, "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 NIV

Paul recognized the need to speak to future Jesus followers in a language and a cultural context they could understand. Paul presents his message in a way that shows love and respect to his audience. What profound words Paul wrote, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV

Another example of how decolonization is a requirement to communicate the person of Christ is the story of Peter's dream. "About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven." Acts 10:9-16 NRSV

Peter was challenged to change his thinking about his own Jewish cultural heritage so that Cornelius and the Gentiles would believe and follow Jesus Christ. Peter goes on to say, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all." Acts 10:35-37 NRSV

In what ways do I need to "decolonize" my faith? Am I expecting others to conform to my way of life before they can believe? Do they have to listen to my music? Do they have to dress in my style? Do they have to follow my rules? 

Do I truly believe that Jesus is "Lord of all?"

May the God of all help me to grow in cultural intelligence and humility so that I may honor all of creation.

More Sources: 

Mark Charles - American indigenous historian/pastor

https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_charles_the_truth_behind_we_the_people_the_three_most_misunderstood_words_in_us_history

African Indigenous theologian

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tY-yZgijw3k&feature=youtu.be

Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear links

Testimony of Pastor Cecilia Spotted Bear

By the Grace of God, by Cecilia Spotted Bear

Lakota Memorial Nazarene Church Facebook Page (sermons)

From Teen Vogue - What Decolonization Means to Me

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/decolonization

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/turtle-island

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-22&version=NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10&version=NRSV

Amplify Voices: Howard Thurman

 

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

“The Work of Christmas”

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

"The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication, they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires." Footprints of a Dream

"Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace."

"In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair."

"There are two questions that we have to ask ourselves. The first is 'Where am I going?' and the second is 'Who will go with me?'"

"It cannot be denied that too often the weight of the Christian movement has been on the side of the strong and the powerful and against the weak and oppressed-this, despite the gospel."

"And this is the strangest of all paradoxes of the human adventure; we live inside all experience, but we are permitted to bear witness only to the outside. Such is the riddle of life and the story of the passing of our days."

Sources: 

https://www.wisesayings.com/authors/howard-thurman-quotes/#ixzz6jIGb8GfK

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0913408905/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=godspacelig08-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0913408905&linkId=8e39f2e64db9070f5316966eebf4420f

https://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/howard_thurman.html

https://quotes.thefamouspeople.com/howard-thurman-4832.php

More Resources:

(a sermon in his own voice) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t2AtErMO4Q 

(a video interview part 1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvJVxsezAwc

(a video interview part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPsZBS-2oeU

(a recording of a short meditation) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUsG4B8VKqQ

The abusive god we love to talk about

One time I made a mistake and my dad took away someone I really care about. I do not know if I will ever see her again. Another time, my dad broke my arm, so that I would learn to be patient. He often puts me in dangerous situations, so that I can learn to trust him more. For example, I have to walk in a dark parking lot after work. But it is the job my dad wants me in, so I have to trust him. He gave me this virus so that I can learn something, but I am still trying to figure out what that is. He forgives me when I do wrong, but he is constantly pointing out what I do wrong and always reminds me about what I did. One time I had a job that I really liked, but my dad made me get fired so that I would have to find another. 

When I write it down, it seems like I have an abusive dad. At least he is in control.

But it isn't really my dad. My actual dad, Rev. Larry Harshman, is not like this at all. All of you who know him know that he is kind, loving, and doesn't have a controlling bone in his body. He has always been a great listener and is quite open minded about new ideas and learning and growing. He is a peacemaker and a bridgebuilder. He is an example of what it means to live like Jesus. 

However, that paragraph is just some of the many ways I have heard people say when they describe the things God is doing in their life. Is their god really that hateful? Abusive? Controlling? If so, I want nothing to do with that god. 

Do we really think God is like that?

Jesus said, 

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33 NLT 

And we see many more that describe God's love (here are just a few):

1 John 4:16 NRSV

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

 Isaiah 54:10 NIV

10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Romans 8:38-39 NRSV

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We need to discover again what the Bible actually says about God, so that are minds, hearts, and our language reflects the God who is love. 

Too often our words reflect what our hearts really desire: power and control. Too often, we have been discipled to a god of power and greed, rather than to the God of love.

May the words we use reflect the amazing, never ending Love of God.

For Further Reading: 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/false-witness.html

https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2008/december/bearing-false-witness.html

I will be reviewing the book, "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation" by Kristin Kobes Du Mez in a future blog post. 

Amplify Voices: James Baldwin

 “I’ve never written a speech. I can’t read a speech. It’s kind of give-and-take. You have to sense the people you’re talking to. You have to respond to what they hear.”

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it”

"If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him."

"Most people are not naturally reflective any more than they are naturally malicious, and the white man prefers to keep the black man at a certain human remove because it is easier for him thus to preserve his simplicity and avoid being called to account for crimes committed by his forefathers, or his neighbors."

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain."

"Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind."

"Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?"

"There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one’s head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people’s pain."

Sources:

https://www.goalcast.com/2018/06/14/15-james-baldwin-quotes/

https://www.oprahmag.com/life/g32842156/james-baldwin-quotes/

https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/james-baldwin-quotes

https://everydaypower.com/james-baldwin-quotes/

http://notable-quotes.com/b/baldwin_james.html

More resources on James Baldwin:

Library of Congress - James Baldwin Reading from his works

Audio recordings from the BBC

Full video of 1965 debate of James Baldwin and William F. Buckley

NPR book list and audio book reports