Answering the Questions, Part 2

After opening up the floor for questions, frequent patron Bob had a list that I'll try to tackle today. So, here we go:

"Why are Christians less willing to be doers of Word than studiers/speakers of the word?" Well, the reality is that people in any congregation are going to be "all over the map" when it comes to spiritual growth. I mean, sometimes you have a single mom who came to Christ last week in MOPS and the guy who's been seminary educated and in ministry for 40 years. Not to mention every place in-between. What I've found is that there are those who are spiritually mature who tend to be "doers" of the Word...and there are plenty of people who aren't so far along in their walks. Interestingly, at Bible churches in particular, the clandestine message that has been sent is that the more you study and "dig deep" and "get fed" the more of a disciple you are. Jesus had a far greater measuring stick that classes attended and knowledge gained: Love.

"Why are Christians unwilling to see ministering at home as a family as an important ministry?" Again, I see plenty of people in my community who do. There are plenty of gifted and talented and educated women who've chosen to walk away from lucrative careers to minister to their family. Mostly, I see this as a function of our culture that practically demands two incomes, and a pushing of young kids to excellence in all sorts of activities that keeps us on the go continually to the point that dinner around a table is a lost art. Believe me, our schools/coaches/teachers, etc. don't help. In some cases, neither do our youth groups or church schedules.

"Why does the Americanized version of “ministry” seem to compel Christians to believe they need to be in a pulpit type position or on a mission field outside of the U.S.?" I think it's because we trust specialists. So, there's now a need for specialists in ministry as well. Churches tend to follow societal trends, and this is one. I'm glad there seems to be a lot more teaching these days on discovery or what God created you to be and to do that with excellence where you're "planted." So, we can have more Christian mechanics/plumbers/accountants/etc. who are just great at what they do and do so in a way that's glorifying to God.

"As Christians, shouldn’t we be Christians 24/7 regardless of whether it is at home, work, church, etc?" This has been going on for a while...that idea that you can be pious at church and a snake in the world for 6 days. But the answer is "yes."

"Does it matter if an individual accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior based on what they have learned in a denominational Church, non-denomination Church or on their own? Why? Why are Christians so decisive when it comes to denominations?" I'm not sure what these questions are getting at. But to answer the first ones, I think it's important that if you accepted Christ "on your own" and maybe you want to join a denominational church, then you'd want to submit to their doctrines and beliefs. For example, I was baptized in a Southern Baptist Church after being baptized as an infant (consistent with my Episcopalian parents' beliefs) and again at a Bible church (but I wasn't immersed). So, I joyfully submitted to that requirement so I could minister to teens.

And as the 2nd part, well, to be honest, I think denominations are actually a unifying thing. For example, I have certain beliefs regarding the role of women in pastoral positions. However, I have former students who believe differently. We worship in congregations that align with our respective beliefs. This is a good thing. Same for my "pentecostal" brothers and sisters, my "covenant/reformed" brothers and sisters, my "emergent" brothers and sisters. We can show greater love this way. So, I'm glad the various "flavors" of our Tribe exist. This way we can love each other without constant bickering.

"Why is admonishment (done by speaking the truth in love) seem to be a thing of the past?" Because, by and large, if you're about to go under church discipline, you can simply visit the church down the street and not have to deal with it. I think it happens in small group environments a good deal, particularly among the younger members. They take sharpening each other pretty seriously.

"If the Church is not the building, but made up of the people in the building - Is not the gov’t in the U.S. the same - not the institution, but made up of the people elected or appointed by elected people - people created by God?" No. The church is headed by Christ. The government are simply people we elect to help us live peacefully, and sometimes they don't do that well. They are two different entities, headed by two different leaders, with two different functions.

"If a Christian is elected or appointed by an elected official to a gov’t position, why wouldn’t they want a Christian symbol or scripture in the building they work? Why as Christians wouldn’t we want this? Aren’t those symbols or scriptures directing our focus back to God?" Well, I wouldn't want them because I'm a staunch supporter of the separation of church and state. Symbols mean things. Just think of the American flag and burn one and then tell me symbols don't matter. They do. And for every person "directing their focus back to God" there's at least one (and likely more) who are put off about God because of their presuppositions they bring to the table about that symbol. I mean, who hasn't been ripped off by the businessman with an ichthus fish on their business card?

"Why do we keeping inventing first names for Christians (ie: Authentic Christians, Real Christians, Transparent Christians or Born Again Christians)? Why can’t we just be Christians?" Because it helps us a bit. I mean, the Kingdom is big and broad. So, I'm not too sure I want to be lumped in together with certain TV preachers or stadium teachers or even some pierced & tattooed angry folks. And I don't know if they'd want to be aligned with me. So, it helps us. Kind of like being an American. It may be stereotyping, but it gives you an idea if someone says, "I'm a Texan" against "I'm a New Yorker" against "I'm a San Franciscan" etc. So, I don't really have a problem with any of that.

"Why do some professed Christians abhor abortion yet support the death penalty; and then some professed Christians support abortion yet abhor the death penalty? As Christians wouldn’t both be abhorred-why or why not?" Surely you see the difference. Abortion deals with an unborn who cannot speak for themselves. Death penalties deal with a person who made choices and given due process found guilty of a crime--to wit they are subject to punishment. And, if you talk to any rabbi regarding interpretation of the verses that many pro-life proponents use to "prove" that life begins at conception, not one will tell you that those verses can legitimately be used to support that deduction. So, I think there's plenty of legitimate reasons to "mix and match" within the labels you set forth.

So, Bob, there you go!