Throwing Stones at Casey

USA Today reports that Judge Belvin Perry will sentence Casey Antony today at 9:00 a.m. Her conviction is for lying to police, not for murdering her daughter. The majority of the nation would very much like to have had the latter. Over the last several months we have become experts in the psychology of the criminal mind and are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that she is guilty. So if the jury and Judge Perry won't do it, we will – we will do the sentencing. Some have taken this more literally than others. Only moments after her acquittal, Antony began receiving death threats. NBA basketball star Vince Carter offered advice on his Twitter account that Casey "might want to move out of Florida like ASAP!!!" We just can't grasp how in the world this lying, conniving, and self-centered young woman can get off so easy.

Casey reminds me of another woman discovered clearly in her guilt. She was brought before the jury and tried for her crime – only this time they got the verdict right. But when it came time for sentencing, a different ethic ruled. A woman caught in adultery deserved to be stoned to death. But Jesus invited the one without sin to go first. One by one her accusers dropped their stones and walked away leaving Jesus alone with the guilty woman. "Neither do I condemn you," Jesus said; "go, and from now on sin no more" (John 8:11).

I started this blog in the morning and by now we all know that Casey will stay in jail until next Wednesday. Conversation on the TV news and at the company water cooler is all about what she'll do when she gets out. Perhaps we could use the time between now and next Wednesday to pray for Casey and to interject a different voice to these conversations. Perhaps we could talk about a God who offers grace and forgiveness no matter how big the crime and who invites his followers to do the same.

Our Citizenship

Here's a touching story from Kay Warren to reflect on as we celebrate our Nation's independence this July:

Heading home to California … a friend and I passed through the Dallas–Fort Worth airport. On the way to the connecting gate, we heard loud patriotic music playing and saw a group, mostly women, wearing colorful hats, cheering, and waving American flags. The troops were coming home, and here was their welcoming committee.

Two women encouraged us to grab flags and join in. We were early for our next flight, so we took places in the makeshift greeting line. At first, a few soldiers just dribbled by. We whooped and waved our flags furiously. Then the pace picked up as dozens of men and women in uniform came barreling through. We kept repeating: "Welcome home! We're glad you're back! We appreciate you!" Some soldiers wiped away tears, while others displayed huge, self-conscious smiles...

After 45 minutes, it was time to catch our flight. We hugged the organizers and thanked the vets who had come to honor this generation of soldiers. As we sank into our seats for the flight, we felt humbled by participating in this sweet moment of coming home. It was impossible not to draw the obvious spiritual parallels. These men and women had taken oaths of faithfulness and service. They had fought courageously, lived with deprivation, danger, and disease, and took unbelievable risks, all for the good of our nation.

But as great as America is, it is a temporary place. No nation lives forever. As believers in Christ, we are all soldiers in the Lord's army. We, too, take oaths of fidelity, sacrifice, and service. Our oaths of allegiance are to a kingdom that shall never end—a country where there is never a mistake in leadership, where justice flows down like a river, where poverty, disease, terror, hunger, and greed hold no power.

Scripture teaches us about the welcome and rewards we will receive when our battle on earth is over. Artists, writers, and theologians have all taken stabs at imagining what those moments of heavenly welcome will look like. … That afternoon … we were visualizing the very moment when we would step into eternity.

As my friend Elizabeth and I looked at each other, the same thought crossed our minds. Through misty eyes, she said, "If I get there first, I'll be on your welcoming committee. I'll be jumping up and down, screaming, 'You made it! I'm so proud of you!'"

I laughed and said, "Oh, you're not going to beat me. I'll be there before you. I'm older. I'll be at the head of the line to greet you!" In that moment, heaven was more real than the smell of the stale coffee in our foam cups.

What I'm really wondering about is this: Will we be surprised at who gets the biggest welcome? I'm not coveting more high-fives, but I am dimly aware of something so profound and holy that I can barely put it into words.

All of us fight unseen battles every day, each believer a secret soldier locked in battle with forces no one else can see. The bravest among us are not necessarily those who fight with guns or tanks. The bravest person you know might be your husband or wife or neighbor or coworker who goes on living one more day when every bone in his or her body says it's no use...http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

How much could we lighten the load for another just by telling him how brave we think he is? Oh, to be so merciful with fellow soldiers fighting their personal, hidden wars.

Best of all, how much better when we bring undisclosed struggles into community, where victories can be celebrated together, great losses mourned together, and where whoops of encouragement can provide even the most weary soldier the courage it takes to keep on keeping on, one more day.

Kay's husband is Rick Warren, the senior pastor of Saddleback Community Church in California. She shared this story in a 5-28-09 article on www.christianitytoday.com. May we all cherish and celebrate our earthly and heavenly citizenship well this Fourth of July.

ESV Bibles in the Pews

CLPC has new bibles in our pews. Several months ago the session and I began exploring replacing our New International Version (NIV) bibles with the English Standard Version (ESV). There are many fine bible versions on the market today and our corporate study of the scripture is enhanced by using a variety of translations. With that said, here are a few reasons why the session concurred with my recommendation to update our pew bibles.

First, the ESV, first published in 2001, takes a more literal approach to translation than the NIV. While the NIV seeks to translate thought-for-thought, the ESV translates the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) more closely word-for-word. An essentially literal translation, like the ESV, allows students of the scripture to draw conclusions independent of the bias of the translators. For instance, in Romans chapter eight the NIV translators consistently use the English phrase "sinful nature" to translate the single Greek word sarx,which literally means "flesh." While the NIV draws the interpretive conclusion that sarx (flesh) means "sinful nature," the ESV allows readers to draw their own conclusions by translating the word as simply "flesh."

Secondly, the ESV cleans up some of the unnecessary male gender bias reflected in the NIV. For instance, compare the way each bible version translates 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

(NIV) ¹²If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. ¹⁴If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

(ESV) ¹²Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

At other points, the ESV intentionally maintains the male language of the original languages so the reader, again, is invited to take Scripture on its own terms rather than depending on the assumptions of the translators.

Lastly, the ESV is widely available in a variety of platforms and study bible formats. You can easily find the ESV for your iPhone, iPad, smart phone and Kindle. The ESV Study Bible (which I personally use on my Kindle) is a solid resource for bible students.

You can find other resources and read more about the translation philosophy of the ESV on their website at www.esv.org.

Houston Chronicle Ad

If I were going to pay $8,000-$12,000^* for a half page ad in the Houston Chronicle I think I'd want to talk about something else; like maybe the hundreds of people suffering tonight in Joplin in the wake of this nation's deadliest tornado in 50 years; or those still recovering in Arkansas; or Haiti; or Japan. I think I'd use my advertising power to communicate a different kind of message to a world, that sadly, cares less and less what the church has to say about anything let alone what the latest revision to our church constitution is.

I'm not very proud tonight to be a Houstonian Presbyterian follower of Jesus Christ. I may just stay home tomorrow and hope than none of my non-church going friends read the newspaper today. How in the world is that newspaper ad a conversation starter about the good news of Jesus Christ?

I'm not very proud tonight be a conservative evangelical follower of Jesus Christ. The real kicker is, I agree theologically with the Layman. I agree that God's design for human sexual intimacy is in the context of a lifelong covenant of marriage between a man and woman. I believe that our culture is tremendously confused when it comes to what constitutes good and beautiful sexual relationships. I believe there are a myriad of ways sin leads us away from God's good and beautiful design. And I believe that Jesus Christ purchased redemption from each and every one of those ways on the cross.

But I would much rather others be confused about my stance on homosexuality than that they would be confused about my love for Jesus Christ. In fact, I really don't think God is sitting in heaven right now wringing his hands over lifelong monogamous relationships just because they happen to be homosexual. I gotta believe there are other concerns topping God's list. Perhaps one of them is how irrelevant the world perceives the church? Perhaps one of them is why the church is squabbling using the world's language of power and politics rather than communicating with the language of love, mercy and grace?

"All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give."

 

^*I have no idea how much the Layman paid for the ad. I just read on "Yahoo! Answers" somewhere that a half-page ad in the Sun Times is about $9,000.

little hassles and eternal glory

All I wanted to do was pick up my laundry and head home for lunch.

Simple. Right?

It wasn't until I was parked in front of Don's Cleaners that I realized I had used the last check in the checkbook yesterday for my haircut. 'No problem,' I thought, 'I'll just run over to the ATM and pick up some cash.' (My wallet was empty too and Don does not take plastic.) I get to the ATM and the guy in front of me is doing his semi-annual banking. When he was finally finished and it was my turn, the ATM didn't work anymore. I tried to get my $20 but whatever the guy in front of me had done broke the ATM!!! How does that even happen??? 'No problem,' I told myself again. 'I'll just go inside to the teller and get my cash,' except there's only one teller and the couple in front me is from some business and their transactions are also taking forever! Finally, the teller from the drive through came over and at last I got my Andrew Jackson.

Then it was back to the cleaners.

I picked up my laundry.

By now I'm twenty minutes past when I told my wife I'd be home for lunch.

As I was driving home, now thoroughly irritated my mind flashed to the passage I'd read this morning: "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4:17). Now, I'm pretty sure that Paul is talking about things bigger than empty checkbooks and mal-functioning ATM's. But what if it includes this stuff? What if in the minor irritations and little hassles of the day God is actually preparing us for an eternal weight of glory? What if what seem to us like moments of disruption and chaos in our day are really God-events training our spiritual beings for eternity?

Youth Sunday Bragging

May I brag for a moment about my congregation? Today was Clear Lake Presbyterian Church's annual "Youth Sunday." This is the weekend that youth take over and lead all the parts of the worship service. This includes the call to worship, offering, sermon, and of course, the music. I have to admit, I always sort of hold my breath when it comes to youth Sunday, especially at our traditional 11:15 worship service. Our 11:15 worshippers are used to organ, choir, hymns, and clergy robes. But on youth Sunday they get drums, guitar praise choruses, and jeans!

Once again, my congregation proved no reason to hold my breath. When the youth band started into their second song ("Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall) I could hear the eighty-five year old gentleman behind me singing along. It was obvious he'd never heard the song before – but he was sure giving it his best shot, singing as loud as he knew how; "Your love it beckons deeply, a call to come and die. By grace now I will come And take this life, take your life…"

I began to weep.

The more he sang the more I could not.

I was too choked up.

You see, somewhere lodged deep in the DNA of the oldest members of this precious congregation is an awareness that faith is to be passed on. Our faith in Christ only makes sense if it is given away to the next generation just like it was given away to us. Our oldest members are pleased to have teenagers leading worship because they recognize in these kids' newfangled songs and unfamiliar music is the same old familiar gospel. Faith is being passed on. It's taking root. Jesus is changing lives. Still. And that's something worth bragging about.

FAQ Regarding Yesterday's Vote in the PCUSA

Here is a FAQ sheet distributed by the Presbytery of New Covenant regarding the change to our denomination's constitution:

Frequently Asked Questions
The Change in Ordination Standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

1. How is the change in ordination standards happening?
It appears likely that during the week of May 8 a majority of the 173 presbyteries will have approved a change in language for ordination standards recommended by The General Assembly in 2010. In all, since the General Assembly meeting, 55% of the total number of commissioners voting in presbyteries is approving the amendment.

2. Specifically, what language is being changed?
The following old language will be replaced by new language:
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W‐4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self‐acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
The new language (Amendment 10-A):
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G‐1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G‐ 14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W‐4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

3. What does the change in ordination standards mean?
The ordination standards have changed from “living in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness” to “joyfully submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.” This removes a national standard categorically prohibiting the ordination of persons in sexual relationships outside of marriage between a man and a woman.

4. What does the change in ordination standards represent?
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has shifted the authority for applying its ordination standards from the national level to the local presbytery and session level. This represents a de-centralization of the church and puts more discernment in the hands of people at the local level.

5. May congregations now ordain people who are openly gay?
The previous standards were never based on a person’s orientation, but on their behavior. The new standards do not list specific behaviors that automatically exclude someone for consideration for ordination. Each examining body is responsible to look at all possible factors to determine if someone is being called into ordained ministry.

6. Specifically, what was changed?
The primary change is the removal of language requiring those ordained “to live either in fidelity in the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” It also adds language referring to obedience to Christ, and indicates that fidelity to church standards is judged case by case by the examining body.

7. What practical changes will we see?
If pastors, elders, and deacons who are ordained in one area move to another location, they shall be examined by that ordaining body before being able to take up their office. That body may choose to apply ordination standards differently from the officer’s previous body.

8. Is the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians mandated?
No, it is not required, but it is no longer prohibited by specific Constitutional language.

9. Will a congregation be required to change anything?
A congregation cannot be forced to ordain or receive pastors or elders or deacons of whom they do not approve. The congregation retains the right to determine who will serve as officers.

10. May a congregation continue to consider sexual activity outside marriage between a man and a woman as impermissible for its officers?
Yes, as long as the application is on a case by case basis. The authority for ordaining elders and deacons is fully vested in the local congregation. The new language calls the ordaining body to be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying ordination standards to individual candidates.

11. May a congregation or presbytery now ordain or install a sexually active homosexual?
Yes, if after a thorough examination, the congregation or presbytery believes the person to be called by God to serve as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, elder or deacon and not to be living in violation of the church’s ordination standard, its Confessions, or Scripture.

12. Does the new language give candidates who are sexually active outside the covenant of marriage between a woman and a man the “right” to be ordained?
Nobody has a “right” to be ordained. Ordination is based on a sense of God’s call as confirmed by the ordaining body.

13. May a presbytery continue to function with the standard of “fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness” when examining candidates for ordination?
Yes, as long as the application is on a case by case basis. The new language calls the ordaining body to be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying ordination standards to each candidate.

14. Is a presbytery required to receive, by transfer of membership, an ordained sexually active gay or lesbian minister?
No, each presbytery determines which ministers to receive into its membership.

15. May questions about a candidate’s sexuality be asked or are such questions forbidden?
All questions are allowed during an examination. The acknowledgment of being sexually active outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman does not automatically disqualify a person from being ordained.

16. Is a congregation required to call a pastor who is openly gay or lesbian?
No.