Undercover Presbyterians

Let me first say I have Presbyterian and other reformed friends.  If someone was a “Presbyterian” undercover it’s not the same thing as saying they are secretly a vampire or strange being from another world.   But Presbyterian churches act/function like Presbyterian and Baptists like Baptists.  I think you get the point.  And so if some Baptists want to reshape their churches into another tradition then something simply isn’t working right.

I stumbled upon a blog site by a Southern Baptist minister named Les Puryear.  His blog (http://lesliepuryear.blogspot.com) recently dealing with Calvinism.  Puryear has said that he is a Calvinist and yet he is not reformed.  He believes that many Baptists in his denomination (SBC) are Calvinist but not necessarily Reformed and that it is the Reformed part that is causing the division in the SBC.   As I discuss this please read my previous blog about not blasting those with disagree with as non-Christian.  I believe we should talk about these issues but I by doing so I am not demeaning anyone  out there.

Here is what I agree with Puryear.  Historically Baptists have had many who were more Calvinist.  Particular Baptists in England were Calvinist.  Yet General Baptists were not.  In the US there have been some who leaned more toward Calvinism and some who did not.   And Calvinism has left an impact among many Baptists in various ways (eternal security, etc).

I would disagree with Puryear when he downplays the divisive nature of Calvinism theology.  I believe if the average church member understood 5 point Calvinism they would find this quite negative and offensive.

Yet what I agree with Puryear is that not all Baptists who become 3 point or 5 point Calvinists go to the next step and embrace the Reformed category.

Puryear talks about how all Calvinists (5 point folks) agree on the theology regarding salvation but that the Reformed movement has more beliefs to it that he does not accept and feels are not Baptist.  Many Baptists embracing Calvinism are becoming “Reformed Baptists” and forming Reformed churches.

What other changes does he mention?  He lists the following:

1. Non-congregational polity
2. Liturgical-based worship
3. Societal giving
4. Calvinist in soteriology
5. Covenant theology
6. paedobaptism
7. no “invitation” at the end of worship service
8. creedal

Puryear seems to only accept number 4.  He believes the other categories are beliefs that ministers are accepting that are destroying churches.

I believe Non-Congregational Polity is not Baptist and those who accept Reformed styles of church life tend to move to a elder led church and I agree this is destructive. I heard a Calvinist minister of music casually talk about how his church struggled over the elders and pastors all running the church and how the pastor didn’t want the elders to run it with him and now they do.  I was shocked.  Running the church?  What?  A Baptist church is congregational and the members all have a voice and vote.  A group or person does not ‘run’ the church!  I find this change of government by “Reformed” type Baptists is destroying churches. I heard one pastor tell his church that having elders is not Baptist but they needed to do it anyway.  Wow!

What about liturgical based worship? This refers to churches that follow the Lectionary and the seasons of the church (Advent, Lent, etc).  I admit historically Baptists tended to be more ‘free church worship’ and did not follow a set pattern of worship.  Yet Baptists have traditionally celebrated Easter and Christmas.  Most Baptist churches tend to set their own ‘liturgy’ of worship.  I know many non-Calvinist Baptists follow the liturgy as well.  It is popular now in Calvinist and non-Calvinist circles.  Since Baptists have never had ‘one’ way of worship Baptists are free to be liturgical or more not.  There was no such thing as ‘contemporary’, ‘blended,’ or any of these other styles 400 years ago either and Baptists do those as well.  The Baptist way of worship is for the local church to set her course.  So I don’t find this one as destructive.

Societal Giving.  I disagree with Puryear on this one as well. This is just a way to give.  Baptists used to follow the Society model and give to independent organizations for missions, resources etc.  Early in the 20th century the Cooperative Program (a place where money is pooled and those institutions get a portion) was devised.  Southern Baptists didn’t have a Cooperative Program always and other Baptists don’t have this program.  Yet it might be divisive in SBC churches I suspect but I don’t call this non-Baptist.  I would argue being anti-mission is anti-Baptist and yet there have been such movements in Baptist life and have faced heavy resistance.

What about Calvinism in soteriology (doctrine of salvation)? Again Baptists have been and have not been.  Puryear is and has no problem with it.  I do not accept Calvinism but realize some Baptists are and some aren’t.  But I also know how destructive it has been historically to missions. I have other issues but I’ve written about this elsewhere.

What about Covenant theology and paedobaptism (infant baptism)? I tied these two together.  Basically covenant theology to Puryear (which he rejects) is seeing all members of the family as being in covenant or part of the church.  He believes the next step is infant baptism.   Obviously Baptists are not baptizing infants but logically why would a Reformed Baptist not do this?   This is the reason for my title.  I’ll come back to this later.  Yet many Baptists who say they are not Calvinist are baptizing children way to young and may not do infant baptism but do preschool baptism.  Believer’s Baptism was held for 400 years by Baptists to say each person must choose for himself and then be baptized.  Yet I can see that this is the logical step for Calvinism.

What about not having altar calls? I don’t think one is non-Baptist by not having these.  I can see why Calvinists might do away with them and yet I know altar calls only go back to the 1800s.  Yet the major concern I have is evangelism.  I offer an altar call and believe it is a good response in worship and yet I know it is not the only way we did it.  The concern again is evangelism.  Calvinism in purest form seems to lessen evangelism historically.

And what about creeds?  Baptists are non Creedal. I find it interesting that a supporter of the SBC would bring this one up.  The SBC has many non-Calvinists who are creedal!  The Baptist Faith and Message is becoming a creed to Baptists and this violates who we are historically.  The Reformed crowd will really support this and I do believe this is dangerous.

Back to my title.  Is it possible that some Baptists have taken the step from Calvinism to moving into a Reformed theology that while part of the Christian family is not Baptist?  Perhaps they are no longer Baptist!  Maybe they are really more Presbyterian!   Again this isn’t the same as being Buddhist! But if we carry a name we should be who we say we are.   If a Presbyterian pastor became Baptist in conviction it would not be fair for that pastor to impose his new beliefs on the church.

So I find that I agree this Reformed movement is growing in some Baptist circles.  And this is a shame.  Puryear is right that this is divisive and most church members don’t realize this means a change in church polity and procedure and will lead to chaos.  Baptists tend to operate as Baptists in the local church.   We are brothers in sister in faith with those in various Reformed denominations.  Yet each denomination has determined how to lead in their churches and we should be true to our heritage.  This is integrity!

Baptist churches do not have elders or any other group ‘running the church.’  We are congregational.  Baptists are non-creedal.  If a church wants to reshape itself into being non-Baptist then do so but be honest with yourself and with others.  The biggest issue is when a pastor or a small group wants to reshape that church into something else without being upfront about it.

And so I agree with Puryear that the Reformed camp has major conflicts with Baptist identity (we do differ on some of the issues).  Yet I believe his Calvinism views are still an issue to many Baptists.  I believe the Calvinism issue if clearly explained to Baptist churches will lead many to shock.  There are those who would love to become 5 point Calvinists I’m sure.  But as someone who grew up Baptist I believe that dog wouldn’t hunt in most churches.

Blessings,
Derik

On the Santa Fe Trail Together!

I heard theologian Tex Samples compare theology to the Santa Fe Trail. He had imagined this western wagon trail as being the width of a wagon.  He discovered at some points the trail was six miles wide.  This trail carried folks a great distance but it wasn’t as narrow as he assumed.

So it is with theology.

We often think there is one view of a Christian doctrine. Some folks think there is one view of creation or the end of the world or some other issue and are surprised to see that good Christians disagree.

Some Christians believe that the earth is only 6000 years old and others believe it is millions of years old.  Some believe in the Left Behind concept of Christ’s return and are shocked to find that historically Christians would not have understood it in the same way and actually there was diversity in this thought from the beginning.  Christians historically believed Christ would return but how this is to happen has never had a uniform understanding.

I introduced this concept in a sermon series recently.  When it comes to God some lean more on free will and others determination.  When it comes to the Bible some take a literal word for word approach.  In fact some are “KJV only” folks.  They believe only the KJV translation is the word of God.  Others are not ‘word for word’ in their thinking but believe the ideas and concepts are the inspiration rather than actual words.  Some do not use words like ‘inerrancy’ and prefer infallability and others prefer inspiration.  Some prefer to stress that the Bible may not be literal but still take the Bible seriously.

Often there are those who hear a view they have never considered and deem the other side as non-Christian or heretical.  Some struggle and wonder if this acceptance of diversity might lead to an ‘anything goes’ theology.  Where do we draw the line?  What ‘fits’ on the trail?  On the trail does any belief about God fit?  I realize this is not a perfect metaphor and would argue that some ideas may not fit on the Christian Santa Fe Trail.  Some trails didn’t lead to Santa Fe!  But I would also encourage folks to realize the trail may be wider than they originally thought!  It may not be as wide as some wish but it is certainly not as narrow as others make it.  Considering God a plurality of gods does not fit the Christian trail.  A God who calls people to kill in his name do not fit.

Think about this concept.  Ponder it a bit.  Maybe it helps you and maybe it is not so helpful.   But give it a thought.

One practical result of this metaphor is that we have to begin to listen to others and to allow others to disagree. I realize that when we hold a view we might ridicule those who do not agree as we do.  Some have little tolerance for those who do not see it the same way.  I’m guilty as charged.  It happens to us all and we need to allow for difference of opinions as long as the basic doctrine is kept together.  There are those who might read a blog or two of mine and say, ‘You aren’t very tolerate of such and such.”  I’m sure this is true.  It’s a struggle we all take.

I’ve recently read a book entitled, “Woman this is War” by Jocelyn Andersen. I plan on reviewing this soon.  It’s an interesting read and one that I find myself agreeing.  The book challenged the male dominated evangelical church.   Now should one who accepts the metaphor I just gave promote a book that cries for equal rights in the church?  One might argue this isn’t being tolerate of those who believe men should lead and women should not.  This is where lines may get blurry but it’s an excellent topic to talk about regarding this image I’ve given.

By living with diversity I am not saying we can’t debate and discuss or differences. That’s silly.  If I’m not a Calvinist (and I’m not) that doesn’t mean I can’t debate the issue with Calvinists.  In the spirit of love I don’t have to be silent.  We can talk.  We can get passionate about it.  But we should accept that each has a right to believe as they do and still be in the same family of faith.

If the diversity becomes dangerous or is used to violate basic Christian values then one must speak out. If a Calvinist goes to the extreme to say that missions is not to be done (and I know most don’t do this) then we might need to stand up a bit stronger on this.  If someone believes that the environment is going to be destroyed one day and then says that means pollution doesn’t matter we might need to be much more vocal.

If the diversity moves past the trail we need to speak out as it become heretical.   If a person becomes charismatic in their views and then begins to claim to receive revelations from God and claim the Trinity is now nine (as Benny Hinn once did) then Houston we got a problem.

So back to Andersen’s book.  If a Christian tells me he believes men are the head of the house and only men can be pastor I disagree but I do believe he (or she) has a right to believe this view.   And yet I can write or read books and argue the case as books like this do.  We are still on the Santa Fe Trail but miles a part but the trail is wide.

Now if said person then begins to abuse or use this view to hurt women then we have a reason to cry louder and even cry foul as Andersen does in this book.  She gives examples of popular Christian authors who by their views really do demean and treat women in ways that are heretical.

I believe women can be ministers.  I believe in partnership in marriage and yet I realize good Christians can disagree and they and I are not heretics for doing so.  But if someone says a woman can’t leave her husband when abused and has to take abuse because she is married then the problem becomes very different.

I believe Andersen’s argument is a solid one and needs to be heard.  She points out ways that women are denied their voice in the church and compares it to the struggles over slavery.   I believe her work will open the door for conversation in a needed subject.

And so we travel down the trail together.  As believers we disagree on many issues but there is room on this trail for each of us.  Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Pentecostals and others travel.  We need to talk on the trail.  We need to debate and discuss at times.  We won’t always agree.  But it’s wagons ahead.  We are on a journey together.

Blessings,

Derik

The Theological Confusion of Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck has become a big name these days.  I have to confess I’m not sure why.  Beck has strong political views and that’s not a problem for me but I am very troubled by how angry he expresses those views.  He seems like a very angry person.  It is possible he is just a good actor who is selling books and in increasing his ratings thanks to his large fan base.  I really don’t like the hateful and emotional rage that so many on talk radio or television express these days. I really do believe we can talk about issues without being mean.

Beck’s politics are not the issue for me.  I have stated again and again that I don’t think one political party is more blessed by God than the other.  My church is not a Republican or Democrat party church.  I have members of various stripes and I don’t ask them about their politics.  I also do not speak about who to vote or not vote for in the pulpit.

What’s really bothering me is how Beck has become a voice regarding faith issues.  Glenn Beck is not an evangelical or conservative Christian (though many in those camps love him) and he is no theologian.  He is a Mormon and I find it interesting how many evangelicals have invited him to their meetings to speak and consider him one of them.  There is a famous quote in the media from Jerry Falwell Jr in an interview with Beck where Falwell says, “And there are bigger issues now, we can argue about theology later after we save the country.”  Beck has recently been the speaker at Liberty’s graduation.  Beck was asking him about his willingness to work with Mormons and Falwell mentions this.  This is an example that we still have people confusing the role of the church with secular politics.  I thought the mission of the church (and Falwell leads a evangelical school teaching ministers, missionaries, etc) is the Great Commission.  I thought we had a story to tell to the nations but it wasn’t vote for so and so.  This doesn’t mean we can’t talk about issues that impact were we live but time and time again we do see party loyalty or candidate endorsing (even if not outright) by many Christians.

Beck has also recently equated the social gospel/ministry with Nazism and socialism, etc.  He has told people to leave churches that talk about this.  Social Gospel is about meeting the literal needs of people- the poor, hungry, etc.  Jesus had much to say about this and one would have to dismiss Jesus’ teachings if we did this.  I’ve never understood the choice between social justice and evangelism.  I believe both are the work of the church.  I’m always amazed that critics of social ministry who say the purpose of the church is soul winning and not such matters yet they are very much involved in issues of morality among culture (which isn’t soul winning).  I believe Christians have a right to speak out on moral issues and I believe social justice issues are morality issues as well!  Moral issues are more than sexual ones.  And so I have no problem with a Christian sharing his/her views on sexuality but I also think issues of poverty and racism are also faith issues.  Care does need to be taken so that we don’t become a tool of a candidate or party.  That’s the fine line that often gets crossed.

But there is another issue that I don’t see many Christians writing about and that is Beck’s theology.  He talks about faith and makes faith comments from the articles on the web site that I examined.  Transcripts from his show and sample audio I’ve listened to amaze me.  Evangelicals who love Beck ignore this for some reason.

Consider Beck’s Mormonism.  His faith taught by the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints does show up scattered in some of the comments I’ve seen.  I read his comments on one interview.

When Beck is talked about ‘collective salvation’ he answers:

GLENN: Collective salvation, unless we all are saved, none will be saved, okay? Jesus came to save you, okay? Let me just give you the — real quick, you’ve got to take it back, you’ve got to take it back to the war in heaven. War in heaven with the angels and everything else, and they have this war andLucifer says, “I’m going to save all of them. Just give me the glory.” And God says, no, I don’t think so. And he selects, he selects the plan of Christ which, I’m going to send a savior down and he will save each individual, okay? That’s why he’s — that’s why God came — that’s why, you know, God came down and saved the — saved us all because of individual salvation. You accept the atonement of Jesus Christ and you are saved. Collective salvation is, I can’t be saved on my own, I can’t be. I have to make sure and ensure everyone else’s salvation and then we’re all saved together.

I assume he is talking about universal salvation when he means ‘collective’ which is simply talking about the idea that everyone dies and goes to heaven.  That’s called universalism.  I’m not a universalist but what interest me most is in his response you see Mormon theology.  His image of the heavenly conversation with Lucifer wanting to save humanity but Jesus getting to go is not orthodox Christianity but Mormon theology.  Mormons deny the Trinity and have all these spirit beings (including us before birth) in heaven and in reality this makes Lucifer and Jesus brothers.  Lucifer (Satan) wants to do the saving and because he can’t becomes evil.  None of this scenario above can be found in the Bible.  I find it interesting that so many evangelicals are turning to Beck for their faith support after so many years of teaching the dangers of Mormonism.  Beck ascribes to classic Mormonism.

Beck is not a good theologian or church historian and yet he talks like he is.  I heard a podcast of him speaking where he is talking about politics and uses the New Testament canon story as an illustration. Here is the discussion:

22:40: Glenn: “…the Dead Sea Scrolls, you know what they are? Stu, do you know what the Dead Sea Scrolls are?
Stu: Well, of course I do…
Glenn: Now, c’mon, most people don’t.
Stu: Well, I heard of them, I don’t really know
Glenn: You don’t really know. You have no idea why they were there. Sara average person doesn’t know. Any idea, take a guess on why the Dead Sea Scrolls were there, or anything else.
Sara(?): Something religious.
Glenn: Okay, good. Even though I’ve explained this on this program a couple of times, I’m glad to see that even the people that work with me don’t even listen.  So here’s what happened. When Constantine decided that he was going to cobble together an army, he did the Council of Nicea, right, Pat?
Pat: Yea.

Glenn: The Council of Nicea, and what they did is brought all of the religious figures together, all the Christians and then they said, “Ok, let’s put together the Apostles’ Creed, let’s you know, you guys do it. So they brought all their religious scripture together, that’s when the Bible was first bound and everything else.  And then they said, “Anybody that disagrees with this is a heretic and off with their head!   Well, that’s what the Dead Sea Scrolls are. The Dead Sea Scrolls are those scriptures that people had at the time that they said, “They are destroying all of this truth.”

Beck gets all his facts wrong.  He is right that most people don’t know much about the Dead Sea Scrolls. And he doesn’t either.  Constantine didn’t have to cobble an army together- he was the Emperor or Rome and had one!  They didn’t write the Apostles Creed at this council.  The Nicene Creed came from this meeting.  The Apostles Creed was earlier.  They didn’t chop any heads off.  And the Dead Sea Scrolls didn’t come from this.  The Dead Sea Scrolls have NO New Testament books but only Old Testament books.  They were written before the NT was written and before Jesus was born.  Christianity has nothing to do with the Dead Sea Scrolls.  This council was about theology and not the canon.  That was dealt with in other places.  The Dead Sea Scrolls were already hidden in the caves by the time this council met and they didn’t even know they existed.

Beck does not need to speak for evangelicals if he is not one.  He does not need to pose himself as a man of knowledge regarding church history and faith because he is not one.

Another issue that I have not explored but would be worthy of someone doing.  Mormonism makes America a new Israel in a sense.  The Book of Mormon is set in America and the founders of this movement idolized America and made it a part of the story of faith.  Mormonism teaches that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri.  Mormons have taken America to be the backdrop of their faith.  Christianity does not do this.  Classic or mainline Christianity realizes that we may love our country (and I do) but it is not a ‘chosen’ nation above all other nations.  The gospel of Jesus is not dependent on the success of America.  In fact right now we see the explosion of the church in South America and Africa.  The Garden of Eden was not in America.  A tribe of Hebrews did not come here (like Mormons claim) and so on.  I wonder how much of these views shape how Beck sees contemporary events/history in the US today.  I’m curious but have no data on this.  Honestly I spent more time researching him for this blog then I have ever looked at what he has had to say.

I was asked what I thought about Glenn Beck recently.  I believe he is an entertainer who is making money through a product he is endorsing (he is the product).  This may sound harsh but I really believe many people who comment on politics are in the entertainment business.  I’m not offended that Beck is a conservative politician.  I’m not saying his views about various political issues are right or wrong.  I mainly looked at what he is saying when it crosses into the areas of theology and faith.  The problem is many will hear what he says on these issues and think it is right- and it is isn’t.  Whether his political views are right or wrong you’ll have to decide and that isn’t my concern.  As a believer I am concerned that he shares his views with such venom and anger.  I saw on one news article where he mocked the Presidents 11 year old daughter, imitated her voice, and was rather cruel.  To his credit he apologized and said he would not use the President’s family again.  It reminded me of Baptist ministers years ago who made jokes about President Clinton’s daughter and her looks.  That was so sad and I thought how insecure such a person must be to ridicule and hate someone and resort to childish behavior rather than stick with the issues.  We all know there are many issues in the world today that do need discussing and intelligent conversation and when people turn such issues into a side show it falls flat.

There are other topics you might wish to explore.  When Beck and others go after Islam they often cross the line.  While it is true there are radical Muslims who are very dangerous there are radicals in every religion.  It does not help the situation to demean any religious faith.  A good follow up article (that I might do) is how Christians help/hurt interfaith discussion in the ways we describe and discuss such faiths.

So go and discuss politics!  Be informed.  Be involved.  Vote. Have opinions.  Start a blog that is purely politics- left, right or in the middle!  That’s fine.  Just be nice!

And if you are a Christian think about the views you are hearing and don’t just endorse them because you like who is saying it or because you agree with them on non-religious issues.  You may love Beck’s politics but that doesn’t make him a spokesperson for your faith.  You may like my preaching but you might not like my politics but then again I’m not a politician I’m a preacher.  I know who I am.  Does Beck?

Blessings!

Why Doesn’t Johnny Read?

Years ago people used to ask, “Why Johnny can’t read” in relation to literacy.  A new question ought to be, “Why Doesn’t Johnny Read?”  In fact, one might realize that more people than Johnny aren’t reading!  Consider:

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

I’ve found these statistics on various sites.  Sometimes the numbers change on other web sites but never by much.  The data basically says that people may be able to read but they don’t.  In North America were books are so available people just don’t use this blessing to learn and grow.  I would imagine the stats for reading tweets and the web is huge these days but books- not so.  Studies have shown that folks who have books in their house and read them tend to gain more education and do better financially.    People who do read books tend to read popular novels over non-fiction.  I tried to find data on who is reading the Bible but realized that most Christians would probably not be honest when asked if they read the Bible daily.  I did find one study that said over 20 percent of believers never read their Bibles.  I suspect it is really larger than that.  The wonderful book “Religious Literacy” shows the vast ignorance of basic Bible knowledge in the US today as well as religion in general.

So why aren’t people reading?  And does it matter?  What will a culture raised on Twitter and Face Book become?  What will a church raised with folks who not only don’t read their Bible but don’t engage in books in general become?

I’m a minister and so I’m going to address this from a perspective of the church and yet this crosses over to the larger issue in our culture.  This year one of my favorite books turns 50.  ”To Kill a Mockingbird” is still selling 1 million copies a year and has shaped generations.  This book is bold and tackles racism.  Thanks be to God English teachers are still requiring this wonderful book.  But what is sad is that if it weren’t for assigned reading in school books like this would probably not be what they are today.  Once people get out of school they graduate from the written word in general.  They love the digital word but not the written.  I would hope that the boost in sales of electronic readers like the “Kindle” might help with this but I suspect those who buy such devices are book lovers anyway and this is an easier way to read and carry more books. I may be wrong. I hope so.

How does this hurt the church?  More than some might realize.  The Biblical ignorance in our culture is part of the reason why churches are falling apart.  Folks do not know their faith.  Scan the pews and few people bring their own Bibles.  People do not study the Bible as previous generations  did and so they don’t know the text.  And if they are not reading the most precious book the church has then why read books about the Bible?  Why read church history, theology, biographies, and other Christian classics?  And so out goes “Cost of Discipleship,” “Pilgrim’s Progress,” “Chronicles of Narnia,” “Dark Night of the Soul,” and other works.  People rather turn to popular well groomed preachers to give them quick sound bite answers about faith and life and just go with that never thinking for themselves.

And what about the larger world of books?  This too hurts the church.  If Christians are reading books of history, science, life, poetry, and fiction they will also be able to engage faith conversations much better.   I have experienced God through classic literature and other works as well as faith works.

Am I against reading the latest beach read? Not at all. I do this as well.  But please read more than James Patterson!  I like to check out such page turners just like anyone else but I don’t limit myself to that.  Compare it to eating.  I love candy but a diet of candy is not a healthy diet.  Yet a life without candy is boring.  I like meat and potatoes!  I like veggies.  I like fruit.  I like ethnic food as well as down home cooking.  I like to try new dishes.  I like exotic foods.  So it is with reading. I usually read 2-3 books at a time.  I’m usually reading one work of fiction, one in the faith arena, and one either of popular fiction or just unusual areas.

For example right now I’m reading Brady Udall’s new book “The Lonely Polygamist.”  Great novel about a Mormon polygamist juggling 4 wives and 20 plus kids.  I’m also reading Thomas Kidd’s “The Great Awakening.”  This is a pure historical look at this pivotal event in religious and American history.  I am about to start Frank Schaeffer’s book “Crazy for God.”  It’s a autobiography with the subtitle- “How I grew up as one of the elect, helped found the religious right, and lived to take all (or almost all) of it back.”

Now before you think I’m a high brow guy I have on my to do reading list a thriller novel by Karen Slaughter and a collection of murder mysteries I got at the library.

My advice- read!  Read books that interest you and read books that challenge you.  I used to pick an area of faith to read for a year (NT one year, OT another, history, theology, etc).  Read books about the world around us (there is a cool book on ants that is on my wish list).  Read books you disagree with.  Just because I read a book don’t think I agree with it all.  My reading is very diverse.

I also still read the newspaper and magazines. I know it is a dying art and much of it is on the web but I read our local paper to stay connected to my community.  I also read “Christian Century.”  I used to subscribe to “Time” and yes even “Mad” but financial cut backs are what they are.  I also get “Entertainment Weekly!”  I’m no snob!

Here are the complaints I get.

*Sounds expensive.  It’s true new books cost 25-30 bucks.  But you can buy them much cheaper from Amazon and get free  shipping.  You can buy them used and save big bucks.  Also I go to yard sales, book sales, and used book stores and buy them pennies on the dollars.  And there is this great service called the public library which makes them free. I get on the waiting list on line at our local library for the latest new books and they call me when it’s my turn.  Costs me nothing!  My first source is the library, then used.  Sometimes I break down and buy them new but never top price and always on sale at a bargain place or at least paperback.

*Not enough time.  The average American watches four hours of TV a day.  How much time is spent on FB or other web sites?  My new goal is to watch less TV.  We dropped half our channels and as my favorite shows were cancelled I did not commit to new ones. I am planning on watching less next year.  I’ve limited my Netflix movies as well to get less so I watch less.  I’m a TV lover so this is a challenge but with two kids and a book addiction I kept those and let more and more digital media go.  I also carry my book or books wherever I go.  If we get in the car/van I take them with me. I carry them to work. I carry them everywhere.  Why?  Most of the time they stay in the car or bag and come right back.  But often I might sit in the car while Katie goes in to grab a few items.  Or I might have to sit at the garage, dentist, doctor and time is not wasted.  Also I read before I go to bed.   I read when the kids are napping.  Take what time you can and go for it.

*How do I know what to read? It’s overwhelming to know what to read.  Ask friends.  Go on Amazon and read reviews before reading.  If the book is free (library) and doesn’t catch my attention in three chapters it’s back on the shelf.  No time for losers.  If it’s used I’ll read a bit more but still if it isn’t any good time to sell it or trade it.  I also read book reviews and make notes from suggestions in the paper and from friends. One digital addiction I have is my ipod.  So I listen to books on digital or NPR when I walk.  This helps me ‘read’ or find out more to read.  NPR has fascinating interviews and often with authors.  I’ve learned more about new books from listening to NPR then anywhere else. I also record book suggestions into my cell phone and keep a list. I also have a wish list 10 pages long on Amazon mainly to keep up with ideas.  I’ve got a shelf in my home library that is a year’s worth of unread books. I always keep books ready to go so that I never say, “I have nothing to read.”

I realize not everyone reads at the same pace and speed.  So if you have a friend that reads several books a week don’t compare yourself to them.  If you read one book a month it would be a good place to start.  Take one book and the Bible each month and read.  Then maybe you’ll find yourself reading more and finding your love in the pages rather than on the screen.

And last- pass it on.  I may say no to a toy but I seldom say no to a book.  When the kids beg for a book we head to the library or used book store.  Rachel has two long shelves in my library at home.  She has a big shelf in her room.  She loves books.  Will is still to young but he loves to pretend.  They know books rock.

Blessings,

Derik

A 4th of July Note

I’m sitting in a hotel in Gettysburg, PA.  We are headed to Hershey and Intercourse, PA next.  We’ll be checking out the chocolate factory, zoo, shopping, and then going to see the Amish countryside.  I’m having a blast.

I thought I’d share a few words about this past weekend.  We came to town and absolutely love this community. I’ve never been here before but the countryside and town of Gettysburg is amazing.  We came here while the 147 anniversary of the Gettysburg battle happened.   Reenactments are going on all weekend.  We ate at a Chinese buffet and laughed as “Robert E. Lee” and company came in to eat.  We saw ol’ Abe sitting and taking a break. I saw a “Grant” lookalike (yet he wasn’t at the original battle) walking around (so maybe he was trying to be someone else).  We went to the official reenactment on Saturday and watched countless folks walking around and reliving the 1860s.  We saw a battle and shopped among the tents.

Then on Sunday- reality.  It was the 4th of July and we went to the actual battlefield.  It took all afternoon to drive.  We did the auto tour by ourselves.  We saw over 1000 statues.  We saw all the places where men fought, bled, and died.  Imagine- 5000 horses died that weekend alone!  50,000 men were killed, captured, or missing in just a few days 147 years ago.  I saw the wheat field were 4000 men died in one afternoon.  I took a path through one field and stood looking out at this field were so many young men died before they really had a chance to live. I stood there with my daughter who is full of life and love and looked out at a beautiful PA field at the tree lines were soldiers once marched out with rifles blasting and tearing other young men into shreds.  I looked at the still canons and imagined how they must have sounded that day.  The screams of death, the sounds of horses, the smell of gun powder, and the heat of a July sun must have made that weekend a bit like hell on earth.

I went to the cemetery with my family and saw the spot were our president- Abraham Lincoln stood to give one of the greatest speeches in history.  The man before him spoke for two hours and then the president spoke for two minutes.  Those two minutes were ridiculed by some but it is said to have silenced the crowd that day.  His words changed history and reminded us what was at stake during this struggle.  A nation was torn into and we wondered if we would recover.

I got a chance to see the visitor’s center and museum.  The new movie was beautiful and hearing Morgan Freedman tell the story was moving.  Moving images from those who died that day to seeing the image of Dr. King marching and being reminded of how far we’ve come- and I thought how far we have yet to go.

I heard a quote in the movie from a man who worried that if the slaves were set free they’d take the jobs that white men had and he feared this.  I thought about those who worry about our brothers and sisters from Mexico and how fearful so many are and how laws and white vans are being used in Arizona to whisk away young men and women.  Children run in fear in Arizona from ice cream trucks because they think they are the white vans that are coming to get them. I thought about the racist comments I heard during the recent presidential election as white people made jokes about President Obama’s race and how folks even used racial slurs in public places and cursed that a black man might sit in the white house.  Regardless of whether one voted or did not vote for our president his skin color should never have been cursed and yet it was.

I stood and looked at those head stones representing the dead-kn0wn and unknown that surround the spot where Lincoln once spoke.  I thought about our nation and how thankful to live here and yet I am reminded that there is much work to be done to speak for justice, peace, and mercy.

My daughter asked me why people fight wars.  She asked me why people shoot at one another.  She asked me why so many died.  We did our best to talk about it but found I didn’t have easy answers.  We both decided people ought to talk more and shoot less.  We also spoke about my grandfather who was shot in WW 2 and she had many questions about him.  She had her little flag and we waved it down the streets of Gettysburg.

These are my thoughts this 4th of July.

Blessings,

Derik