Pastor Steve's Recent Weekly Letter
Pastor Steve's Weekly Letter for Thursday, September 24, 2020
The response to the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg reminds me that human beings are made to worship. A few days ago, mourners gathered outside the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. to honor her legacy. The large crowd softly sang John Lennon’s song, “Imagine.” Let’s set politics aside for a moment and think about the “religious impulse” behind that moment. The truth is, we long for the world to be made right and for someone who can set it right. As human beings created in the image of God, we long for the world to be a better place. We hope for peace and unity, and we look to some higher power or order or standard to accomplish it.
The French philosopher Blaise Pascal observed something similar 350 years ago when he wrote: “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” James K. A. Smith has made similar observations recently, pointing out that cultural institutions (think the football stadium, the mall, or the university) “command our allegiance, vie for our passion, and aim to capture our heart with a particular vision of the good life. They don’t want to just give us entertainment or an education; they want to make us into certain kinds of people.”
Now I want to be clear that I do not mock or disparage those who gathered the other night and sang the lyrics to “Imagine.” I lament with them; I also lament for them. What John Lennon imagined in his song is a world where people live in peace, in a brotherhood with nothing to kill or die for. Sadly, though, what Lennon envisions is a world without religion, a world without heaven or hell. Lennon sees religion, and the belief in heaven and hell, as an obstacle to peace and unity and harmony. At one level, it’s not hard to blame him. Followers of Jesus—or those who claim to be—have too often lived lives that are not worthy of the gospel (see Phil. 1:27). Yet religion, particularly Christianity, has always been an easy target for those looking for a culprit on which to pin the blame for the world’s problems.
How should a follower of Christ respond to that gathering of mourners the other night? My prayer is that wise, winsome Christians will take the Apostle Paul’s approach at Mars Hill—what Scripture calls “the Areopagus”—in Athens (see Acts 17:16-34). Paul was distressed about the idols he saw. But rather than mocking the idols or the people who worshiped them, he found common ground. He referred to an idol with the inscription, “To an Unknown God,” and he proceeded to tell the Athenians about that God. By the time he was done, Paul had proclaimed the story of the Bible and the death and resurrection of Christ.
In moments like the death of a prominent leader, I pray that we will be so fluent in the gospel that we can share how the hopes and dreams expressed in a song like “Imagine” will one day be reality. The dream for peace and unity and brotherhood will come because of Jesus—not because religion, along with heaven and hell, have been discarded. Some will sneer at this message, like they did after they heard Paul. Others will want to hear more. Still others will believe (see Acts 17:32-34). So how do we rise to occasions like this and present the gospel in a clear, compelling, winsome way? Paul tells us how in Colossians 4:5-6: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” That’s the posture we need to adopt if we are to comfort those who mourn and give them hope.
This Sunday, September 27, I plan to continue our Gospel Fluency series from Paul’s letter to the Colossians by preaching Colossians 1:15-23. This is a spectacular passage! The title of the sermon is “God the Son: A Stunning Portrait.” Finally, on the family front, here’s a story about my grandson Miles (5). Last week Miles’ kindergarten teacher called on him in their e-learning session and asked, “Miles, do you like cake or pie better?” He responded: “Chocolate cake from Portillo’s.” Later, she asked him, “What does a chef make?” Miles answered, “Chocolate muffins.” He was referring to the chocolate muffins I occasionally purchase at Jewel for Miles and his siblings. I suppose I’m to blame, too, for his fondness for Portillo’s chocolate cake. At least that’s what his mom claims. Thanks as always for reading. I’ll see you on Sunday or sometime soon!