Conversations of Faith at Common Ground

Christianity Today offers a theological and social perspective on Jeremiah Wright’s, Barack Obama’s pastor, now “(in)famous” sermon and ministry.

I found the interview helpful in that it presents a viewpoint (mind you, not a defense) that puts Wright’s sermon in a historical frame.  The interviewee, Thabiti Anyabwile, also sheds some light on preaching in the African American church context.

Barack Obama is messing with one of a few “third rail” issues in politics — race. He probably didn’t want to, but it seems it was a political necessity.

What do you think of how the Church in the U.S. is addressing race relations? If you think the Church is doing a poor job, what could the Culture and Community of Christ do to improve? How can it make a relevant impact — what issues could it tackle? (and, what do you think would be a “godly” solution to the issue?)

In France, a woman’s request to die was denied by the court. Suffering from a rare, irreversible condition, the woman has a malignant tumor that causes pain and permanent deformity (warning: graphic content). As a result, she petitioned to have the “right to die” through the administration of lethal drugs.

Without weighing in on the “right” or “wrong” of this woman’s request, what makes a person decide that death is better than life? Here in Oregon, physician-assisted suicide is legal for the terminally ill. The law allows physicians to prescribe life-ending medicine when patients are: mentally competent, able to self-administer the drugs, and certified by two physicians as having less than six months to live.

Why is death a better option for some people than life? While I don’t agree with the decision, I can imagine why the decision might be made. I believe a decision to choose death is based on a viable concern — fear, lack of control and/or dignity.

What are some of the concerns? Pain — a slow, agonizing death. Loneliness — will I be alone as I face death? Death without dignity and respect — hooked up to life support and life is dragged out when it could/should be done. No control — strangers, doctors or family members who interfere because of their own agenda.

What alternative does the Culture of Christ offer? The opportunity for Christ-followers to present a different perspective and solution is enormous. What can we say and extend as hope to others? I believe God would have us step up and come alongside (with love and compassion) those who have these fears. This means we don’t let people face death alone and we’re willing to face the hard questions without be concerned about having neat, simple answers.

Personally, I’ve dropped the ball on talking about mortality, medical intervention and ‘end-of-life’ issues. These are discussions that should be taking place in the church, if not in the pulpit, at least as conversation topics in an appropriate setting.

If you’ve experienced or are experiencing a circumstance like this, as one who is terminally ill or have a loved one in a difficult situation, how have you handled it? What questions or concerns come to mind for you?

A woman in Kansas sat on a toilet so long, she got stuck there. Apparently, after sitting on the throne for 2 years, the woman’s skin grew around the seat. While morbidly laughable, I think it reflects a spiritual reality — people can get stuck in a non-existent relationship with God.

Like the KS woman, out of fear or a desire to stay comfortable (according to our perception of reality), we’re willing to stay in a “going nowhere” relationship with God.

Our rut may not be a toilet seat, but it could be the routine of going to church or grace before a meal. It could be not attending church because of higher priorities, and banking on having a relationship with God because we’ve “prayed the prayer”.

Regardless of the routine, we’re satisfied with where we’re at — God does His thing, I do mine. The thinking could be, “My life is good, so why change it.” Likewise, maybe circumstances aren’t so good, and we long for more but don’t know how to get there.

Where are you at with God today? Do you have a toilet stuck to your butt?

As Christians, are we called to change the culture we live in or live apart from it?

1) Do we change a culture by taking a stand for what we believe, and invite people to be a part of this “Christian” culture?

OR

2) Do we let the world do its own thing, and invite people to an alternative culture (read: “culture of Christ”)?

Both POVs involve being different from the world we live in. Both ask, “How do we, as Christians, interact with those around us?” The distinction, seems to be “change culture” versus “engage culture.”

Thinking about real life issues, how do Christians address issues like abortion, homosexual unions/marriages, poverty, environmental, rising health care costs, illegal immigration, euthanasia, and terrorism?

If ‘changing culture’ mainly involves legislation, what would the laws look like? How do laws convince people of the “rightness” of our views? What would this look like in countries that are not democracies? (How do Christians live under authoritarian rule?)

On the other hand, how do we invite people to be part of a “different culture” that stands apart from existing culture? Does it mean we don’t take stands on issues that are clearly wrong because we fear legislating morality?

IMO, “inviting to something different” is harder than “creating change” because we have to live in a way that is a stark difference to culture in order to grab others’ attention. We also have to be in a close relationship with those who disagree with us so that the differences in our lives and theirs is apparent.

I believe we have to invite people to the culture of Christ (I’m making a distinction from “Christian” culture). In some cases we might have to take a political stand (i.e. — Wilberforce and slavery), but it is subordinate to living the ultimate alternative lifestyle.