Another Human Hero Bites the Dust

July 13, 2012

Today’s news from the world of sports transcends sports. An exhaustive investigation into the Penn State University football program in the wake of child molestation by an assistant coach shed light on the way Joe Paterno ran not only the football program, but the university.

As Frank Deford put it on NPR July 4, football coaches live a life of keeping players eligible to play. That extends to coaches, as well. When reports surfaced that top assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was molesting young boys, Paterno chose to keep it quiet rather than tarnish a carefully honed image of a spotless football program. Who cares about the boys?

The Bible is full of examples of heroes with flaws. Our history is full of examples of heroes with flaws. Yet, especially in this age of finely tuned media manipulation, heroes are still cultivated and revered. Then we discover that they are merely human.

Even Jesus was seen as a hero with flaws when he failed to lead the anticipated revolution against the Romans. It took a couple of months for even his closest friends to understand the type of revolution he was talking about. But, there are no more like him.

Paul told us at the beginning of Romans that all humans are sinners. If you ever think otherwise, go back to Rule 1.

It is very hard for people to live an ethical life. You have to try very hard. Billy Graham is perhaps the best example I can think of. He understood the seduction of crowds, publicity and adoration. He worked very hard to maintain his integrity.

Football coaches, indeed all coaches and even corporate and religious leaders, can become all-powerful. They can rule by force of personality. They can come to believe their press clippings. Then comes the inevitable fall.

It’s the same with all of us. Where is your integrity hiding today?

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Religious or Spiritual

July 12, 2012

Are you religious or spiritual? Both? Neither (well, in that case you probably wouldn’t be reading this!)?

Ravi Zacharias in “Why Jesus?” posits that the growing belief among Americans that they are spiritual, but not religious, has opened a door to the New Age peddlers of sort of a pseudo-spirituality that’s pervading our culture.

Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Community Church observation that the traditional, formal, structured way of worship was not attracting people the way an Acts 2 community should pioneered the revolution of how to do church.

Researchers have been applying the principles developed by sociologists for years to study popular culture and church–and church has come up short in most research. I took my first class studying those results somewhere around 1973. I’ve seen some in the past five years or so.

So, what is religion? I’ve been guilty of taking the “I’m spiritual but not religious” approach in my life. But it’s all about the definition of religion. I grew up Protestant, which probably colors my thinking. My year of teaching in a Catholic school attending Mass  twice a week was an enlightening experience–but didn’t convert me.

What I was against was organized religion. Groups that draw boundaries with admittance requirements–many requirements. Groups that fought each other. At that time long ago, the term Acts 2 church wasn’t talked about, but that’s what I was seeking. Small communities–maybe a house church–of committed followers. Not an exclusive priesthood with a huge bureaucracy.

I also don’t care for church politics. I’ve studied bureaucracy both from public and business perspectives. It applies to church denominations, too. Bureaucracies tend toward self-perpetuation. Cover up negative situations so that you always project truth and light.

There is also the phrase, doing things religiously. That means with regularity and reverence. I think this is the kind of religious we lost with a generation or two rejecting the formal religious stance.

Developing regular Spiritual practices (disciplines) actually can be just a New Age synthesis of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and hocus-pocus promulgated by rock-star handsome speakers or seemingly sincere women.

It’s the reverence toward God that puts things in perspective. I’m part of a church community, but I have had nothing to do with church politics for most of 30 years. I just teach. You need a grounding in doctrine and community to keep you on the narrow path.

But, don’t let people off the hook with the “I’m spiritual but not religious” comment. It’s a cop-out. They’re free (in their minds) to believe about anything–minerals, pyramids, auras, vague spirits. Don’t get lost. But stay Spiritual.

 

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Be Ye Doers of the Word Not Hearers Only

July 11, 2012

Elaine Pagels writes in her book, “Revelations,” that original readers of the Revelation of John of Patmos saw the evil one, the whore of Babylon, as Rome. There were periodic eras over the first three centuries of the Christian church where the Romans specifically persecuted Christians. Each time followers pulled out that book to gain solace about the eventual victory of Christ over Rome.

Then in the early 4th Century (early 300s), Constantine took the image of Christ the conqueror from the book and made it his standard behind which to battle his rivals for the throne of Rome. Pagels does not mention the influence of his mother, who had converted to Christianity some years earlier.

When Constantine won, he made Christianity the official religion of the Empire and gave special status to local leaders called bishops. Then the battle for possession of that office began in earnest. As did the battle for an official interpretation of what it meant to be a Christian. She maintains that leaders of that era, especially Athanasius, re-interpreted the good vs. evil depiction in Revelation as the battle between different adherents within the movement. Official vs. heretic, if you will.

But the idea I’ve been pondering for several days, now, concerns what it means to be Christian. Constantine recognized that if he was to establish a “universal” Church for the empire, that is, “catholic” Church, there needed to be a definition. He convened a council at Nicaea which developed the Nicene Creed still used by churches.

She then paints the development of the church as the victory of those who believed that Christians were ones who accepted the Creed (essentially followers of the Gospel of John and the Revelation of John) over those who believed that Christians should be doers of the Word (essentially those who favored the other Gospels and Paul).

Pagels might be a little simplistic in the analysis, but still today we have many Christians who believe that adherence to dogma takes precedence over experiencing Jesus and doing the Word.

Me, whenever I’m presented with an either/or situation, I ask why not both..or neither. In this case, I’m a proponent of both. The Nicene Creed and Apostle’s Creed help to keep faith grounded. It prevents going down dead-end rabbit holes of false faith–perhaps like trying to blend New Age philosophies into Christianity. But the subsequent 1800 years of history has shown that blind adherence to a dogma leads to war, strife, inhumanity.

I like the quote I used as a title–“Be Ye doers of the Word, not hearers only.” Our challenge is to walk with Jesus as we live a life pleasing to God.

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Be Aware of Your Spiritual Influencers

July 9, 2012

It’s summer and vacation time. With grandkids at 3 and 5, there isn’t as much time for reading as usual. I did finish a couple of books last week. They couldn’t be more different. Ravi Zacharias, “Why Jesus?”, holds New Age spirituality up to the benchmark of Christian dogma and finds it misleading and wanting. Elaine Pagels tackles the politics and society of the early centuries of Christian thought focusing on interpretations of the “Revelation of John (of Patmos)” in “Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation.”

Has anyone ever made a chance remark that influenced what direction your life takes from that place in time? The speaker at Willow Creek Community Church Sunday talked about a “chance” encounter with a man whom he had never met before nor seen later who set him off toward a career in the ministry. Made me think of chance remarks that people have made to me that either set me off toward something or stopped me from going that direction.

I was coaching youth soccer and was on the school board. A chance remark from the athletic director asking if I’d ever thought about becoming a referee started me on what is now a 26-year career as a soccer referee leading up to receiving a high award Saturday.

What really concerns me reading through these books is the care that must be take when someone makes remarks about theology or belief that can send you off on a wrong path. Zacharias takes on some current cultural heroes in Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. He shows how their incomplete philosophy of salvation can lead people astray. One remark from Winfrey while at the height of her power on TV could move millions of people.

I wrote recently about reading source material. Go back to the Bible for grounding. Read lots of other books and authors, but always ground it in source material to test whether they have gone off in a wrong direction.

Posted in Disciplines, Faith, Study | 1 Comment »

Developing Posture for Listening

July 6, 2012

Listening is a spiritual discipline whose importance is often overlooked. It’s something I gradually became aware that I knew. There are several posts on this blog where I’ve commented before here, and again here, and this one.

My grandson was squirming at dinner the other evening. Mom was correcting him–that’s what they do, of course. I mentioned that I had a lot of trouble sitting still. Especially in meetings, I’ll start sitting upright, maybe move to half-lotus position, then gradually slouch, then realize I’m almost laying back and start the entire process again.

My daughter said she was that way, but had to train herself to remain seated erectly. She’s a mental health therapist. First, she must show her adolescent clients how to sit. Second, she must show by posture and body language that she is engaged and listening to them.

Good point. If I were truly engaged in the meeting, I’d be upright and energetic. Taking notes. Asking questions. Maybe I should train myself to believe that I’m interested so that I can maintain interest.

That’s the reason posture is so important in prayer, meditation and contemplation. How interested are you in a conversation with God if you are slouching? To be an attentive listener, your body must also be attentive.

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Read Source Writings

July 5, 2012

It’s Independence Day celebration time again in the US. Like most of our Founding Fathers, I’m uncomfortable mixing politics and religion. That combination does not have a stellar history in the world.

I know that many readers of this blog are not US citizens, but it is worthwhile to get a copy of the Declaration of Independence and what we call the “Bill of Rights”–or the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. It’s interesting in the history of writing constitutions that the writers had to agree to amendments before adoption. There are many good ideas contained in those writings.

Professors at the university seemed to believe in reading “about” thinkers instead of reading the thinkers themselves. This holds true for math and science as well as philosophy and theology. Drove me crazy. To this day, I believe in reading the source documents first. Think about them. Then dive into secondary sources to further your understanding.

But first–read and think for yourself.

It works the same with the Bible. First, read it. Then ponder and pray. Then study deeper with other sources.

We hear too much about what politicians and journalists tell us about the Bill of Rights and Declaration. Then we color that with our prejudices. Best is to return to the text. Read it again with fresh eyes. Be prepared for the shock of understanding.

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Restless While Still At Home

July 3, 2012

Our electricity was off, then briefly on, then off again. Our house is all electric–built during the years when there was an artificial natural gas shortage. It is strange to be home, yet not feeling at home. Nothing worked. It’s summer, so sunlight lasts deeper into the evening. But it’s dark in the house.

I know every restaurant with WiFi and available electric outlets in town. Both of them. They had no power either. Nursing the laptop and cell phone batteries meant little Web research and brief encounters with email.

Finally pulled a book out of my stack waiting to be read and settled down. Reading by the light of a flashlight reminded me of being a kid and reading under the covers when I was supposed to be sleeping.

“Why Jesus” by Ravi Zacharias was the book of the day. Almost finished it. He takes on the New Age or New Spirituality movements. Interesting–except that he thinks massage is a New Age practice. Loosen up, Ravi, it makes every muscle in your body feel better and you feel great. Don’t care about philosophy at that point.

As he details all the side roads of America’s somewhat superficial adoption of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and whatever else thrown into the spirit cocktail, I thought about my spiritual journey. I began meditating a long time ago. Then was introduced to TM, but that lacked depth. Tried Zen, same thing. You can meditate for psychological healing (Psychosynthesis by Roberto Asagioli, I seem to recall).

A friend told me to read “The Other Side of Silence” by Morton Kelsey. That was more than 30 years ago. Specifically Christian meditation. Then you study such people as the Desert Fathers, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and more. I’ve practiced the Christian tradition for the ensuing 32 years. Much more depth.

I quit reading Depak Chopra 20 years ago. Never got into Oprah. Zacharias debunks both. He’s right. Superficial. Concoct a mixture of many religions while disavowing religion.

Lack of power actually led me to powerful insights by thinking about this book. You never know where God will take you–if you sit still and listen.

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Practicing Gratitude for Health

July 2, 2012

I’ve been reading a book on ethical practices where the author’s emphasis was on practicing gratitude for your mental, physical and spiritual health. He made a good case for it intellectually.

Yesterday, someone at church mentioned gratitude. I made a note.

Following two days of meetings in Chicago, I followed the Friday’s storm home. It was perhaps 4 hours ahead of me. Across northern Indiana I could see where power was out. Or where there were an occasional oasis of power where people thronged for dinner. (Busiest Arby’s I’ve ever witnessed in Warsaw, Indiana.)

We had no power from 4 pm on Friday until about 8 pm on Saturday. Then a storm blew through Sunday afternoon and knocked out the power again. It’s 11 am Monday, and I’m operating off the charge I got at Tim Horton’s this morning.

There are ways to practice gratitude from this:

  • There were no deaths from the storm
  • It is summer, so no worries about freezing to death
  • Power and cable was on long enough for me to see the Euro 2012 Championship game (soccer-Spain was simply masterful)
  • We had no property damage
  • We were at a 7-in. rainfall deficit for the year, now it’s 2.5 (4.5 inches of rain in three days)
  • My wife has many leaves and small tree limbs to pick up–that’ll keep her occupied for a while

It’s a good practice to spend at least 5 minutes a day looking for things to be grateful for. It’ll change your outlook on life.

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Review for Spiritual Health

June 29, 2012

Since I’m being practical for a while, I thought I’d expand on yesterday’s post about reviewing your notes. No matter whether you call it a journal, note book or thoughts book, using it to remember is only good if you go back and see it again.

A good practice is to review your week every week. Sunday evening is a good time. Review your notes from last week. Are there habits you need to emphasize? Make a little note and stick it in a spot you’ll be looking at–say by your computer on your desk.

What would you like to accomplish in the coming week?

  • Meet someone new.
  • Read a book.
  • Write something.
  • Call someone.

Make a list. Lists are your friends. You tackle one thing at a time and check it off the list. Then review it along with all your notes at the beginning of the next week.

Every month, review notes and lists from the previous month. Every few months pull out all your filled notebooks and review what you’ve learned and what you’ve done. In this way, the learning stays with you.

After all, it’s not what’s in your head that counts. It’s how it changes how you live.

 

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Making a List, Checking it Twice

June 28, 2012

Do you make notes of ideas or new things you’ve learned? Do you keep a list of things to do or reminders of habits you’d like to develop?

I have become a disciple of Getting Things Done by David Allen. His first principle is to write things and keep in a trusted place rather than trusting them to your memory. I keep a Moleskin pocket notebook with me at almost all times (and a pen). When I get an idea, someone says something I should learn or remember, or when I need to remember a to do, I write it down.

Ah, but the key is to go back and read the notes. I went to a study group early Tuesday morning and we were talking about learning things from our study and one man said, “But you have to go back and review it. I don’t have that discipline.”

Spiritual disciplines are an eclectic lot. You can work on your emotions. On your inner spiritual life. On your service. And, on your intellectual development.

That person was exactly right. One discipline essential to develop is that of reviewing your notes. And if you are not taking notes–try it. Learners have done that for centuries.

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