>> This is the December 2014 issue containing the January Bible Study Lessons

Getting to know the real St. Nick 38

baptiststoday.org When the Church Go! t" Schoo# Students, staff and congregation benefit from ‘beautiful and growing relationship’ 4

FA TH™ BIBLE STUDIES for adults and youth 17

John D. Pierce Executive Editor [email protected] Julie Steele FRED WITTY Chief Operations Officer AND HIS [email protected] Jackie B. Riley FORMER BSU Managing Editor STUDENTS [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge RECALL Contributing Editor CHANGING [email protected] ATTITUDES, Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor TIMES [email protected] David Cassady Church Resources Editor [email protected] Terri Byrd 32 Contributing Writer Vickie Frayne Art Director Jannie Lister Customer Service Manager PERSPECTIVE [email protected] POST-PERSECUTION Reluctant voices 9 Kimberly L. Hovis Russian Baptist pastor Marketing Associate By John Pierce [email protected] says Protestants Evangelicals’ love for Jews unrequited 13 Lex Horton sputtering along Nurturing Faith Resources Manager By Michael Schulson 11 [email protected] Growing a culture of graciousness Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus 35 By Dan Elash Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus What will you study DIRECTORS EMERITI IN THE NEWS 14 Thomas E. Boland in Sunday school next year? R. Kirby Godsey Seminaries awarded funds to include Mary Etta Sanders Winnie V. Williams science in coursework 10

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Declining numbers of U.S. nuns Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) charted in study 10 Gifts to Baptists Today Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) Edwin Boland, Johns Creek, Ga. Israeli institute gets Templeton gift for Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Christians to study Jewish thought 12 From First Baptist Church, Bob Cates, Rome, Ga. Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Chattanooga, Tennessee Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Southern Baptists, LGBT activists Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. talk with each other 40 IN MEMORY OF Doug Dortch, Birmingham, Ala. ROB PIERCE AND TIM PIERCE James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. In evangelical nonprofits, women leaders Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. lag behind peers in general market 41 Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. David Hull, Watkinsville, Ga. Study shows U.S. churches are feeling Becky Matheny, Athens, Ga. the beat of change 42 Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. FEATURES Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. BAPTIST THEOLOGY: Part 6 30 Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. By Fisher Humphreys David Turner, Richmond, Va. Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga. Cover photo READERS SERVICES

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ALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Schoolchildren will often refer to another as “my best T friend.” Sometimes the school itself could use a best friend. Sabal Palm Elementary in Florida’s capital city certainly has one: the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee.

CONTEXT The school was continually failing aca- demically, said principal Ray King, who has a history of helping turn around such situations. “Sabal Palm is in a neighborhood that’s been evolving over time,” said King. He described it as home to several service agencies including the school board, sheriff’s department, a homeless shelter and military training centers. The school, with approximately 540 stu- dents in prekindergarten through fifth grade, TURN AROUND: has a 100-percent free or reduced lunch desig- - nation. The percentage of students for whom English is a second language continues to grow. - But King warns against looking back or even at a school’s current situation: “Don’t judge a school on history.” “We’ve imported teachers who feel they have a calling,” he added. And he acknowledged the important role of those faithful volunteers who come to the school from the church.

CARING PRESENCE “We made huge strides last year — with our partnership with First Baptist,” said King. “It Two boys, with whom Wright reads during GOOD INGREDIENTS really carried us through.” each visit, especially look forward to his coming. “They want to be here,” he said. “They “They became clock watchers,” said King, A partnership between a school and a congre- develop an attachment to certain teachers and asking their teacher: “Is Mr. Wright coming gation calls for certain commitments that First students.” today?” Baptist Church members have demonstrated One third-grade class last year, he said, While church members do everything well, said King. eagerly awaited the twice-weekly visits from from mentoring to moving furniture to beauti- “There has to be a desire for it by the church member Glen Wright. The experience fying the campus to providing a lunch for staff individual volunteers,” he said. “And there was so positive that he moved up to the fourth at the beginning of the school year, the greatest needs to be a good outreach person.” grade with those students this year. contribution is simply a commitment to come He commended Rhonda Smith, the chil- “They depend on him being here,” said and come again, said King. dren’s minister who gives overall leadership King. “He’s an example of the type of owner- “The main thing is their presence,” he said. to the church-school partnership, and pastor ship that has been such a gift to us.” “It’s a beautiful and growing relationship.” Bill Shiell who encourages the congregation to

4 reach beyond its walls and membership. “Pastor Shiell has a whole lot of good ideas,” said King. “He’s been a major force in LEFT TO RIGHT: community outreach with a very supportive congregation moving in concert.” Also crucial, said King, is having teach- ers who are willing to have other adults in the classroom and to engage students. He’s seen more of that in year two of the partnership. “Other teachers see the benefits reaped [from having volunteers in classrooms last year] and want to get in on it.” “This year, volunteers picked up where they left off last year,” he added. While the ages of the volunteers vary, retirees are often those most available for serv- ing at the school. That brings an added benefit said King. “A lot of our parents struggle with rais- ing children,” he said. “There’s nothing like interaction with more-experienced folks of grandparent age.” Life groups King said relationships between churches or other community organizations and strug- gling schools “is not a new idea.” But this one in Tallahassee is “hard to rival.” he stated purpose of Life Groups is common cause. It expands the mission “I can’t say enough good about First “to reach the unreached, unchurched beyond increasing test scores to appropri- Baptist and what they’ve done to help us T and uninvolved through groups ately connecting with teachers and others resurrect this school.” of 15-20 people based on their common who might otherwise not have a personal place, pursuit or phase of life.” contact with a community of faith. BIGGER IMPACT After considerable envisioning, plan- But each situation calls for its own “Last year, a lot of trust was put down,” said ning and testing, the program was unveiled unique touches, said Hall. “It’s not a cookie church mission volunteer Shirley Eikeland. last March, said Josh Hall, minister to cutter approach.” “It’s an example of giving beyond the church young adults at First Baptist Church Pastor Bill Shiell, who envisioned walls; it models God’s love.” of Tallahassee. But he expects further the concept, saw a common thread in the The creative ways of service go beyond refinement. congregation: “Everybody wants to reach improving reading skills and other academic “This is written in ink, but not unreached people; it’s the ‘how’ that is up measures, she said. A warm clothing drive has concrete,” he said of the strategy. for debate.” been held as well as a Valentine’s dance for Traditionally, entry into church life, Life Groups, he said, are a way of say- mothers/sons and fathers/daughters. and perhaps a growing faith life, has been ing: “Let’s be intentional about building Shirley, a retired educator who teaches a through Sunday morning Bible study. That relationships.” young adult Bible study class at First Baptist, still works for many but not all persons, Markers and metrics keep the encourages participation at Sabal Palm. One Hall and other church leaders acknowledge. groups focused on their intended routes young professional, she said, uses his off day “It’s mobilizing our people to look for and purpose. An emphasis on authentic from the airport to serve at the school. opportunities to reach people not being relationships keeps any participant from “We have about 100 volunteers — a reached by the church,” said Hall of the feeling like he or she is being embraced real cross-section of the church,” she said of emerging Life Groups. “We’ll go to share with an ulterior motive at play. participation in the partnership. The main Christ with people across the world but Josh noted that Jesus’ words “as assignment is “to love on the kids, teachers and not with the neighbor across the street, you go” in the Great Commission from staff” and be “positive role models.” the coworker in the next cubicle or a Matthew 28 suggest that disciple making “We’re hoping for long-term relation- dormmate.” should be rooted in ongoing relationships ships,” she said, noting that 30-35 church Church members are encouraged tied to daily experiences. members have completed the school system’s to form groups around common physi- “I’d be happy if this is noth- training and screening program for mentors to cal space (such as neighbors) or common ing but training wheels for the Great work directly with students. phases of life (like newlyweds, divorcees, Commission…” he said. “It’s awakened an The school system has sought to enlist 500 new parents) or common pursuits (shared intentionality in us about being missional.” mentors countywide. First Baptist jumpstarted interests, hobbies or causes). “It’s teaching our people to go deeper that effort. The church’s partnership with Sabal with a few,” he added. “This is about get- Palm Elementary is an example of a ting our people off the [church] block.” BT Continued on page 6

5 “You have to have a strong commitment SCHOOL PRIDE from the leaders of the church and the leader of the school district,” said Shirley. “It has to Anicia, who also came from the district office be more than lip service. It has to be a willing- to the school this year, is building school spirit ness to roll up your sleeves and get involved.” that reflects good self-esteem. First Baptist’s larger “first love” com- Now the young Sabal Palm Patriots see munity effort one Saturday included a signs of school pride all around, thanks to beautification of the school’s grounds. One Anicia. And the last Friday of each month is teacher said that previously “it looked like designated as School Spirit Day. nobody cared.” “Mr. King lets me do a lot of the decorat- Now signs of care are seen all around ing,” said Anicia of the colorful school-pride Sabal Palm Elementary. images around campus. Assistant principal Anicia Robinson “The kids take a lot of pride in the school echoed those words: “The children know there now,” she said. “And we have a list of what it is somebody on their side.” means to be a patriot.” Success doesn’t come easily, however, said Anicia. That message is made clear to prospec- tive teachers. “It’s not going to be easy,” she said they tell them. “You’ve got to want to be here.” A team of intervention teachers focuses on helping students to improve reading skills. Mentors from the church help immensely with these efforts. “They’re fabulous,” said intervention teacher Christine Thornton of the First Baptist volunteers. “What else do you need to know about them? They are wonderful!”

ON MISSION Pastor Bill Shiell said the Sabal Palm partner- ship is a great fit for First Baptist as well: “For me, it puts feet and hands to faith, and allows our good news to become good deeds.” He described his congregation as “an educational-minded church” that has found “a mission in education.” And he celebrates SIGNS OF CHANGE: that the Sabal Palm partnership is multi- generational, allowing varied members to “work side by side.” “We have people who care,” he added. “We just needed a platform to mobilize volunteers.” Lay leader Shirley Eikeland said it’s rewarding to see the many physical improve- ments to the school, but the real successes are relational. “The intangibles are the greatest difference.” Children’s minister Rhonda Smith agrees. “We have been reminded that life changes cannot always be measured in testable ways,” she said. “Seeing relationships develop, eyes light up, and attitudes becoming more open are examples of what the partnership has done for all concerned.” BT

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Order now at nurturingfaith.info quotation

—Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, on the kind of insider church language that makes visitors feel excluded (ThomRainer.com) remarks —Kim Jones, external relations volunteer at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Center for Justice & Reconciliation, on the private Christian school’s —Religion News Service columnist Tom Ehrich campaign to offer full scholarships to human —Author Peter Enns, in an article titled “10 things I trafficking survivors (RNS) wish everyone knew about the Bible” (FaithStreet.com) —Ethicist David Gushee of Mercer University responding to criticism from fellow Baptists after telling a gathering of LGBT Christians, “I will be —Mike McCurry, former press secretary for President your ally in every way I know how to be” (RNS) Clinton and now a professor of public theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, in an article in the National Journal about political insiders who seek theological studies —Blogger Zack Hunt at TheAmericanJesus.net —James Howard following the Oct. 20 death --Jennifer McClung Rygg, associate pastor of at age 92 of his co-host Luther Masingill, a radio legend and Baptist layman in Chattanooga who First Baptist Church of Pendleton, S.C., after the broadcast the Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks Saluda Baptist Association broke its ties with the — 60 years apart — on the same radio station church because of the female minister’s pastoral roles (Chattanooga Times Free Press) (Independent Mail) —Rick Warren (Christian Post)

Mark your calendar! THE JUDSON-RICE AWARD DINNER HONORING BILL LEONARD Friday, April 24, 2015 Bridger Field House —David Briggs, a writer for the Association of Winston-Salem, N.C. Religion Data Archives, on new findings from the National Study of Youth and Religion Baptists Today (Huffington Post)

8 Editorial By John Pierce Reluctant voices

A lot of personal opinions get An honest deliverer will more likely “Be careful what you write or say; somebody wonder: “Wow. God used that?” will take you seriously.” When someone claims to be a “man of That’s a good word. An additional warn- hat can, and should, make us overly cau- God” or has a “word from God,” the alarms ing to accompany this advice is: “And don’t tious, even reluctant, to claim that our should go off. Such designations should be take yourself too seriously.” words come unfiltered from the giver of given, not claimed. A veteran pastor once told me, fresh out T God knows we have heard too much non- of seminary, that, “Some Sundays I have some- eternal truth — even if we can string together a passel of scripture references that lean our way. sense — even destructive claims — labeled as thing to say and some Sundays I have to say Not everyone has such concern or uses direct, divine truth. something.” such caution. Like biblical prophets, they However, those who speak from pulpits There are times when insight is clear and boom personal proclamations bearing resem- or lecterns, or write on words flow freely. And there are times when it’s blance to the prophet’s preface, “Thus saith the spiritual matters — or hard to eke out something that seems worth Lord…” There is no hesitation or doubt. simply talk faith with saying — much less something that conveys a Some authoritative voices seek to add others — should take divine word. divine weight to their words with claims such seriously such tasks, yet It is simply amazing to have “one of those as “The Lord has laid this on my heart…” Or do so amid a healthy Sundays” — or for any of us to mumble out a they detail their deeply devoted spiritual exer- dose of humility and the stammering statement of faith to someone in cises in advance of the delivered message. ongoing realization that crisis — and then to hear later that our words My point is not to belittle serious prepara- no one flawlessly conveys carried something divine to the listener’s ears tion or the role of speaking spiritual truth. It divine truth. and heart. is to remind us that we are imperfect deliverers God does use human words for divine We need to speak cautiously but faith- who must always avoid claiming too much purposes. In fact, God can speak through us in fully to one another, whether from a pulpit spiritual authority. spite of us. or a Bible study lectern, or in our personal The caution being called for here is not to A helpful perspective comes from Don conversations. be confused with timidity. There are times to Brewer, a lay leader in First Baptist Church of In doing so, we may become aware that stand and speak with authority to injustice and Gainesville, Ga., and chairman of the Baptists reluctant voices are often the vessels of God’s abuse. Yet such passion and strength should Today Board of Directors. He often says: mercy, grace and truth. BT be in defense of vulnerable others, not of one’s own opinions or preferences. If one takes notice, there is a detectable difference between boldness and belligerence — at least on the receiving end. Just because something is said loudly, repeatedly and with growing confidence doesn’t make that proclamation more divine. Anyone who assumes himself or herself We count on you, and are deeply grateful for (usually himself) to be a consistent conduit of your readership and support that allow us to all truth for all others assumes too much and carry on this unique mission. removes the much-needed humility that often accompanies truth. It seems, more likely, that The Board of Directors and Staff God speaks through those who are a bit reluc- of Baptists Today / Nurturing Faith tant to carry such a large load. Honestly, it’s gratifying but embarrassing at times to hear someone say how something that was said touched them deeply and became God’s words for them at a crucial time in life. But much of that experience is on the receiving rather than delivery end — and with the great aid of the Spirit.

9 Religion News Service Declining number Seminaries awarded $1.5 million charted in study to include science in coursework

Responding to a real or perceived gap Religion News Service

new report shows that Catholic sis- seminaries will receive a combined $1.5 ters in the U.S. face a more serious million in grants to include science in Achallenge to their existence than the their curricula, the American Association Vatican-led investigation of the American for the Advancement of Science nuns: A rapidly aging membership and a decline in vocations that afflicts even the announced in October. most traditional orders. diverse set of Christian seminaries will “The overall change in the population be awarded grants ranging from $90,000 of women religious in the United States to $200,000 provided by the John over the past 50 years is one of dramatic A Templeton Foundation, which has funded vari- decline,” wrote the authors of the report, ous efforts to bridge science and faith, including published in October by the Center for $3.75 million to AAAS for the project. Working with the Association of Applied Research in the Apostolate at “Many (religious leaders) don’t get a lot of Theological Schools — the main umbrella Georgetown University. science in their training and yet they become group for U.S. seminaries — organizers The CARA researchers track the the authority figures that many people in soci- received 28 letters of interest from seminaries widely noted rise and fall in the number of ety look up to for advice for all kinds of things, interested in the pilot program. nuns, noting that membership in women’s including issues related to science and technol- The grants will cover faculty, events, sci- religious orders grew rapidly in the first half ogy,” said Jennifer Wiseman, director of the ence resources, guest speakers and other related of the 20th century, reaching a high point AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion. costs. Seminaries could incorporate applicable of 181,421 sisters in 1966. Since then, the Indeed, evangelical Protestants are more issues of modern technology, methods of sci- numbers have steadily declined, to below than twice as likely as other Americans to say ence or the history of science into courses seminary students already take, such as church 50,000 today, a 72.5 percent drop-off. they would turn to a religious text, a religious history, ethics, pastoral counseling or system- “There are about as many women leader or people at their congregation if they atic theology. religious in the United States now as there had a question about science, a study released “There are interesting intersections of were a hundred years ago,” they wrote. by AAAS earlier this year suggested. all these types of courses with either modern They also rebutted the common claim The selected seminaries represent broad science or the history of science or the philoso- that more traditional communities — for denominational, demographic and geographic diversity, including Regent University School phy of science that would be very useful for example, those whose members wear the of Divinity, which includes Pentecostal/char- these students to become acquainted with,” full habit — are growing “while those insti- ismatic theology, and Howard University’s Wiseman said. tutes that do not wear a traditional habit School of Divinity, a predominantly African- AAAS will provide seminaries with are declining.” American seminary in Washington, D.C. resources, including a series of short science- In fact, the researchers said, the more Other participating schools include: education videos. The association will help to liberal, socially active communities of sis- recruit scientist-advisers from nearby science ters are drawing about the same number research institutions. of new entrants as the more conservative, (Newton Centre, Mass.) The new project, Science for Seminaries, tradition-minded communities. will also organize conferences for Catholic, The report compared data from com- (Washington, D.C.) mainline Protestant and conservative/ munities of nuns who belong to the more evangelical Protestant seminaries. progressive Leadership Conference of (Decatur, Ga.) The survey from AAAS also suggested Women Religious, or LCWR, which rep- potential conflict between religion and science. resents 80 percent of all Catholic sisters Twenty-two percent of scientists (and 20 per- in the U.S., and communities that belong Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) cent of the general public) say religious people to the Conference of Major Superiors of are hostile to science. On the flip side, 22 per- Women Religious, or CMSWR, that was University (Berkeley, Calif.) cent of the general population thinks scientists established by Rome in 1992 as a tradi- are hostile to religion, and of those who feel tional counterpoint to the LCWR. BT science and religion are in conflict, 52 percent (Winston-Salem, N.C.) sided with religion. BT

10 Religion News Service

Russian Baptist pastor says Protestants sputtering along

- studying church ministries and provid- - complex religious landscape after widespread persecution ended. uring Victor Ignatenkov’s youth under the Soviet regime, Christians could D meet only for worship. No Sunday school. No midweek Bible study. And definitely no proselytizing. Today, Ignatenkov, 59, said he’s free to lead whatever activities he wants as pastor of the Central Baptist Church in his hometown of Smolensk — a city situated between the capitals For denominations the government class at Austin Peay State University in of Russia and Ukraine — and as regional bishop recognizes, perestroika, the political reform Clarksville, Tenn., in October before heading for the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians- movement that began in the waning days of back to Smolensk, with best-practices ideas to Baptist. The union is a group of evangelical the Soviet Union, threw open doors to total share with his church. Protestant churches that began emerging in religious freedom. Trouble for Russian Christians began in Russia about 150 years ago as an alternative to At first, Russians couldn’t get enough 1937 under dictator Josef Stalin, Ignatenkov the Russian Orthodox establishment. evangelical preaching, Ignatenkov said. They said. His grandfather, Pavel Gorbatenkov, The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s packed cultural centers for special services reared six children in his Baptist faith, including International Peacemaker Program sponsored and snatched up free Bibles. These days, Ignatenkov’s mother, Olga. With the pounding his U.S. journey, which included stops in Ignatenkov’s description of his countrymen of soldiers’ fists on the door, they knew in an Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and sounds like the same one American evangeli- instant their happy, peaceful lives were over. several other states. cals bemoan: People are indifferent. Gorbatenkov was imprisoned and denied Ignatenkov, speaking through a translator, “Probably because the quality of life is bet- visits with his family, who still brought food to hedged on discussing Russian President Vladimir ter,” Ignatenkov says. “Everything that had been the prison for two weeks. After that, the sol- Putin’s close relationship with the Russian forbidden was of course very interesting. It’s not diers didn’t take the food, but they also didn’t Orthodox Church. Putin helped resurrect the forbidden, so of course it’s not interesting now.” tell the family Gorbatenkov had been shot — church, which the state once crushed. And A Pew Research Center study of news that came years later. though there is no state religion, the Orthodox major religious groups in Russia confirms The government began allowing limited Church receives preferential treatment. Ignatenkov’s observations on Russian inter- worship in 1944. “Putin can be of whatever confession he est in faith. Covering data from 1991-2008, Today, Russia’s constitution provides for chooses,” Ignatenkov says. “What’s important to it tracked a surge of interest in Protestant religious freedom, but other laws, including us, what we value, is that Putin as president holds Christianity, Islam and Roman Catholicism one banning “extremism” and a new law on a neutral stance. We do not experience govern- that then leveled off. “offending the religious feelings of believers,” mental limitations because we are Baptist.” The share of Russians who attended restrict religious freedom, particularly for Not all church leaders can say the same. The church once a month rose from 2 percent in members of minority religious groups. government refuses to recognize some religions, 1991 to 9 percent in 1998, then dropped to Overall, Ignatenkov said, he was buoyed which means religious freedoms are limited. A 7 percent a decade later. Seventy-two percent by America’s large, bustling churches “with U.S. State Department report last year slammed of Russian adults identified as Orthodox rooms for everything.” He said he was most Russia for its treatment of minority religious Christians in 2008, the survey found, but that interested in examining churches’ social min- groups, including Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, didn’t translate into church attendance. istries — to homeless people, in prisons and Pentecostals and Scientologists. At the same time, Pew figures show elsewhere — and taking those lessons home. Members of those groups may be subject one-fifth of U.S. adults don’t identify with He’d also like to duplicate cooperative to arbitrary laws and denied access to places of any religion. But Ignatenkov said he’s been efforts between governments and churches worship or visas for visiting missionaries, the impressed by church activities on his trip. to provide faith-based services to Russians in report said. Some face physical violence. Ignatenkov spoke to a political science need. BT

11 Religion News Service Templeto$ Gi% Israeli institute gets $2.2 million to help Christians study Jewish thought

A new institute in Jerusalem has been the relationship between Jews and contempo- rary Christianity and Islam. awarded $2.2 million to help Christians “This new sense that there are many and Jews study Jewish texts, launching Christians who want to hear what Jews have to say fits very well with a dormant Jewish feel- ing that we have a mission to say something Jewish-Christian cooperation. but for a long time people weren’t interested in hearing what we have to say,” Hazony said. he Herzl Institute was awarded what’s Though the institute is not focused on being called the first ever multimillion- Israel as a political ideal, the institute could be T dollar grant in Jewish theology by the seen as a way to keep Christians theologically U.S-based Templeton Foundation, a philan- committed to Israel, said Mark Braverman, a thropic organization that has focused much Jewish theologian who is executive director of of its giving on science-related projects. The Kairos USA, a pro-Palestine group. Herzl Institute is a research institute that “What we’re seeing now is Israel is of focuses on the development of Jewish ideas in course feeling threatened by world opinions,” fields such as philosophy and history. Braverman said. “They’re embarking on all The institute is named for Theodor Herzl, kinds of fancy public relations campaigns. One considered the father of modern political strategy is to get Christians on their side theo- Zionism, ideas that have found much support course where they will study and learn from logically across the world.” from conservative and evangelical Christians in Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem for a summer. The Herzl Institute aims to serve as a hub the U.S. Hazony said professors at Assumption College for research relating to the “big questions” of Jewish and Christian collaboration has in Massachusetts and Wesleyan College in human existence through science, ethics, often been relegated to the political level, said Connecticut will also recruit students to study philosophy and religion. Herzl President Yoram Hazony. The part- in Jerusalem. Hazony’s book, The Philosophy of Hebrew nership reflects a new kind of engagement “What we’re seeing right now is not Scripture, took him to the White House in 2012. between Christians and Jews, he said. the old kind of interfaith dialogue where He spoke to then-chief of staff Jack Lew, “We’re not just talking about Christians Christians talked about their Messiah and himself an Orthodox Jew, and a half-dozen wanting to help Jews out of solidarity or char- Jews talked about their Messiah and every- Obama aides about the unifying possibilities of ity,” Hazony said. “We are talking about the body agrees to disagree,” Hazony said. “This recognizing the Old Testament as philosophy dominant faith of Western civilization saying: is completely new dialogue, where we look that can be studied by all Americans, including ‘The Jews have something to give us, some- at Old Testament text and rabbinic texts in public schools. thing that we need.’ This is not something and Christians are willing to look at Judaism “Especially after the Holocaust, much of that appears in the old playbook for Jewish- and the Jewish text through Jewish eyes with Jewish discourse has been about what Jews can Christian dialogue.” Jewish lecturers.” do to survive,” Hazony said. “Jews of all move- The King’s College in Manhattan and the Courses will include studying Hebraic ments have the same sense, this same feeling Herzl Institute also announced a partnership to tradition, the impact of biblical ideas on that Judaism has been for too long about talk- send Christian students to a “Hebraic Heritage” modern-day Israel and the Middle East, and ing to ourselves.” BT

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12 Guest Commentary

By Michael Schulson, $.0-1-#' '.2! !.$3-/. Why evangelicals’ love for Jews is a case of unrequited love

According to a new survey, white an image of what they believe Jews to be. evidence” for the existence of God. Seeking a return to pre-Christian roots, Elsewhere, in an essay at the orthodox evangelical Christians feel a lot of churches hold Passover seders and blow shofars Christian magazine First Things, Joe Carter warmth toward Jews. As for Jews, during services. Evangelical support for Israel examined “our philo-Semitism” and concluded is legendary. Liberty University, the evangeli- “we evangelicals have a special affection for our they feel colder toward evangelical cal school in Lynchburg, Va., even has a Judaic Jewish neighbor” in part “because we know Christians than they do about any studies program that, as its director told the that God had a special affection for them too.” Liberty student newspaper, “tries to com- The sentiment, while kind, should be familiar: other religious group. municate to the Liberty community that we Jews are likable because of their role in Chris- as Christians owe a debt of gratitude to the tian theology. ue the Taylor Swift ballads: We have here Jewish people.” When evangelicals speak about Jews this a serious case of unrequited love. C An employee of a Jewish federation way, they shouldn’t be surprised if their love To gauge the interreligious emotions of recently told me about the letters, overflowing goes unrequited. At its core, philo-Semitism the American public, the Pew Research Center with praise for the Jewish people, accompanied has much in common with anti-Semitism. asked thousands of Americans about their by donations that occa- Both approaches view Jewishness as an abstract religious identification, and then asked them sionally arrive from eager monolith, and both endow Jews with particu- to rate other religious groups on “a feeling Protestants. lar historical roles — roles, it seems, that are thermometer,” where a zero was “the coldest, There’s a term for rarely of the Jews’ own choosing. most negative possible rating” and 100 was this flavor of affection: For centuries, the powers that be defined “the warmest, most positive” response. philo-Semitism, or the Jewish people in terms of New Testament With a wildly subjective metric and results love of Jewishness and themes and archetypes. The modern world that invite massive generalizations, the survey Jewish culture. For some, has offered remarkable opportunities for Jews deserves a skeptical look. this kind of love may themselves to figure out what, exactly, Jewish Still, the discrepancy in the Jewish- represent an unmitigated peoplehood might look like. evangelical relationship is too large to dismiss. good — especially in contrast to the anti- As a young Jew, I can’t help but see White evangelicals gave Jews a full 69 percent Semitism that has haunted so much of Jewish expressions of evangelical philo-Semitism as an of emotional warmth (very high, by the survey’s history. attempt to keep Jewishness in its New Testa- standards), while Jewish respondents gave evan- More often than not, though, evangelical ment box, and to continue the old fallacy of gelical Christians a frosty 34 percent — one of upwelling of philo-Semitism seems to have conflating the Jewish people (of Bible fame) the lowest ratings in the entire Pew data set. little to do with actual Jewish people, and more with living Jewish people — a diverse bunch Jews rated Catholics pretty favorably, so to do with Jewishness as an abstract theological of folks, muddling along, who have not always we can’t explain this result as a response to concept. benefited from being evaluated in light of Christianity as a whole. A lot of evangelical support for Israel, for ancient Scriptures. Heavy-handed efforts to convert Jews example, grows out of certain strains of dispen- Fortunately, for those evangelicals who find — such as the Southern Baptist Convention’s sationalist theology, in which the Jews’ return themselves prey to an unreciprocated philo- 1996 resolution on Jewish evangelism — have to Israel is seen as a prerequisite for the Second Semitism, the annals of unrequited love may not endeared certain evangelical denomina- Coming. hold some useful advice: In relationships, you tions to their Jewish neighbors. And some Jews Meanwhile, in a 2004 address, televange- really can’t start out trying to change someone. may struggle to forget anti-Semitic comments list Pat Robertson didn’t even try to hide the And if you genuinely want things to work, you made in the past by evangelical leaders, includ- degree to which his understanding of Jewish have to court an actual person, not just a projec- ing Billy Graham. history served his own theological ends: “You tion of whoever you wish them to be. BT But the real issue here is not that evan- are the living witnesses that the promises of gelicals don’t love Jews enough. It’s that certain the Sovereign Lord are true,” he told an Israeli —Michael Schulson, a freelance writer evangelical communities sometimes love Jews audience, after suggesting that the last 2,500 in Durham, N.C., writes about religion, way, way too much — or, more accurately, love years of Jewish survival served as “primary science and culture.

13 Nurturing Faith: Texts and Themes for 2015 Baptists Today

Season of Epiphany Mar. 15 – John 3:14-21 May 24 – Ezekiel 37:1-14 Aug. 9 – 2 Samuel 18:1-33 “Light Living” “Can These Bones Live?” “Paying the Price” January 6-February 15 Sin happens, trouble follows, and no One Step More the light. beyond hope. one is immune.

Jan. 6 – Matt. 2:1-12 Mar. 22 – John 12:20-33 May 31 – Isaiah 6:1-13 Aug. 16 – 1 Kings 2:1-3:15 “Meaningful Gifts” “Dead Wheat” “You Want Me To Do What?” “Redeeming a Shaky Start” Some things have to die before they - Solomon’s prayer for wisdom was badly not enough can live. age bad judgment? needed.

Jan. 13 – Acts 19:1-7 Mar. 29 – Mark 14:32-42 June 7 – Genesis 3:1-19 Aug. 23 – 1 Kings 8:1-61 “Powerful Hands” “Hard Praying” “The Inevitable Apple” “Prayers for Now and Later” What the Spirit does when water is not Can we really put the blame on Adam A dedication prayer designed for people enough what’s next. and Eve? who weren’t there

Jan. 20 – 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Season of Easter June 14 – Ezekiel 17:1-24 August 30-September 27 “Cedar Mountain High” Serious Church “Listening Ears” Apr. 5 – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 What followers do when eyes are not Could fallen humanity really climb a enough “Of First Importance” holy mountain? Aug. 30 – James 1:17-27 “Real Religion” resurrection. Jan. 27 – Jonah 3:1-10 June 21 – Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 “Religion” doesn’t sound so unsavory “Gratitude Squared” when it’s done right. “Surprising Acts” April 12-May 17 What penitents do when words are not Being lost and found calls for a special The Book of Love enough Sept. 6 – James 2:1-26 “True Faith” June 28 – Lamentations 3:22-33 Feb. 1 – Psalm 111 Apr. 12 – 1 John 1:2-2:2 Faith understands that mercy triumphs “Goodness – and Grief” over judgment. “Inspiring Deeds” “Walking in the Sunshine” What believers do when awe is not Christian way. give up. Sept. 13 – James 3:1-12 enough “Pure Speech” July 5 – Ezekiel 2:1-3:11 Feb. 8 – Mark 1:29-39 Apr. 19 – 1 John 3:1-7 James unleashes a tongue-lashing “Eat My Words!” about tongue-taming. “Missional Plans” “Children of God” What Jesus did when our efforts were or bad. a common saying. Sept. 20 – James 3:13-4:10 not enough “Highborn Wisdom” July 12-July 26 Wise believers understand that selfish- Feb. 15 – Mark 9:2-9 Apr. 26 – 1 John 3:16-24 Mind-Stretching Matters ness is a dead end. “Mountaintop Moments” “Real Love” What to do when human perception is than words. July 12 – Ephesians 1:1-14 Sept. 27 – James 5:13-20 not enough “An Amazing Inheritance” “Fervent Prayer” The true power of prayer goes deeper Season of Lent May 3 – 1 John 4:7-21 “Deep Love” boggles the mind. than the surface. February 22-March 29 July 19 – Ephesians 2:1-22 October 4-October 25 Heavy Days “A Sacred Trio” Following Jesus on Highway 10 Feb. 22 – Psalm 25:1-10 May 10 – 1 John 5:1-6 Oct. 4 – Mark 10:1-16 “Healthy Regret” “Water and Blood” Penitent tears are a good start for the “Hard Words and a Soft Heart” Can believers really conquer the world? July 26 – Ephesians 3:14-21 “It’s All Beyond Me” and children. May 17 – 1 John 5:7-13 Mar. 1 – Mark 8:31-38 “Testimony” but not beyond imagining. Oct. 11 – Mark 10:17-31 “Self Denial” These could be the original “wonderful “Of Treasures and Troubles” words of life.” August 2-August 23 each other The Trouble with Kings difficult combination. Season of Pentecost Mar. 8 – John 2:13-22 May 24-July 5 Aug. 2 – 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a Oct. 18 – Mark 10:32-45 “Righteous Anger” Spiritual Matters, OT Style “You’re the Man!” “First and Last” Jesus had a temper, and was not afraid Nathan sets a trap for a royal miscreant, When cherished notions are turned to use it. and bags his prey. upside down and inside out

14 Oct. 25 – Mark 10:46-52 Season of Advent “What Do We Really Want?” November 29-December 20 introspection. Hope Waits

November 1-November 22 Nov. 29 – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 A Time for Gratitude “A Time for Anticipation” A reunion with friends is a foretaste of future things. Nov. 1 – Ruth 1:1-2:23 Dec. 6 – Luke 1:68-79 “You’re All I Have” “A Time for Praise” be grateful. Dec. 13 – Zephaniah 3:14-20 Nov. 8 – Ruth 3:1-4:21 “A Time for Joy” “An Odd Road to a Happy Ending” Patience pays: long waits do come to an end. Dec. 20 – Micah 5:2-5a Nov. 15 – 1 Samuel 1:1-28 “A Time for Peace” “Transformational Tears” Big things can come from small towns. Season of Christmas Nov. 22 – 2 Samuel 23:1-7 “Thanks for the Promises” Dec. 27 – 1 Samuel 2:18-26 Not really David’s last words, but maybe the last “A Time for Growth” happy ones

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15 Photo by Neil Walbaum The Lighter Side By Brett Younger Wild Horses I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. — REVELATION 6:8

I picture us sitting on the veranda sip- my short legs, another rider comments, “That poor horse.” She is, I want to believe, expressing ping whatever passes for lemonade in concern about the tightness of the saddle, but it Chile. We are planning a peaceful day sounds like a comment on my weight. I am instructed not to hold the reins at the Walbaums’ farm an hour west like the woman in the video, and am asked, “Why are you keeping your arms straight?” Everything in the video is now suspect, except that changes the picture: “Would you that the how-to-ride-a-horse lady’s helmet would prevent brain damage and the boater I am wearing will not. ure,” we say without thinking, looks like jumping from a speeding car. My one-trick pony’s trick is to not worry before Paul explains, “In the spring” I do not want a horse named Tornado. A about his rider’s desires. What I try to commu- “S — which has just arrived in Chile — cool horse racing name such as maythehorse- nicate with my heels is “I do not want to fall “the horses are not as calm.” bewithu sounds appealing, but Sausage Roll off.” I cannot remember the Spanish word for I am not someone about whom others would be less likely to cause injury. “Whoa.” think, “I bet he rides horses.” My favorite Horses are mentioned 189 times in the I channel the horse whisperer to work out horse movie is the Marx Brothers’ A Day at Bible — a lot compared to preachers (8), a deal with Juanito. He can go wherever he the Races. I root against the Dallas Cowboys. deacons (8) and pastors (1). chooses if he does not throw me to the ground. I enjoy playing horse only when it involves a In Job 39:19, God asks, “Do you give the I feel comfortable until we go up a hill basketball. horse its might? Do you clothe its neck with (Juanito speeds up as I forget to lean forward), I try to get in the mood by singing Gene mane?” (The answer is no.) down (Juanito doesn’t care for down), or along Autry’s “Back in the Saddle Again” until I real- In 1 Kings 22:4, Jehoshaphat says, “I am the embankment of a reservoir (which is nar- ize Gene has fallen off his horse. I switch to as you are; my people are your people, my row enough to make me think about Pharaoh’s the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” also a ques- horses are your horses.” (This should be read at horses in the Red Sea). tionable choice. weddings.) When I get off my horse, it looks like an I last rode a horse when I was 12. My In Revelation 19, Christ rides a white emergency dismount. Apparently I am sup- grandfather told everyone that Old Lady was horse out of heaven. This is yet another way I posed to take my foot out of the stirrup first. 60, which we assumed meant horse years, but am not good at following Christ. When my feet are back on solid ground, I now I think she might have been 60. When she Paul gives me Juanito, who I call Juan almost shout “Beer for My Horses!” but I’m not really got moving, Old Lady could go two or Grande, Secretariat, and Pegasus when no one sure how big Toby Keith is in South America. three miles an hour. It was like riding a bag of else can hear. I walk fine the next day, but when I sit concrete. Carol’s horse, “the white one,” doesn’t down I remember that I have ridden a horse. Because it’s been a while since I rode a have the ring that “Black Beauty” does, but Psalm 20:7 warns, “Some take pride in thousand-pound animal, I decide to prepare. I she gets along fine with her horse with no chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is consider watching Blazing Saddles, but go with name (though Carol was secretly hoping for a in the name of the Lord.” How to Ride a Horse on YouTube. I learn that unicorn). I am in no danger of taking pride in sitting up straight is a big deal, as is forming I think about climbing on when no one horses. BT a straight line from my elbow to the horse’s is looking, but realize as I stand beside Little mouth, leaning forward going uphill, and John that my attempts to reach the saddle —Brett Younger is associate professor communicating with my heels. This is helpful without help will end badly. of preaching at Mercer University’s information, but the “emergency dismount” As the real cowboy adjusts the stirrups to fit McAfee School of Theology.

When my feet are back on solid ground, I almost shout “Beer for My Horses!” but I’m not sure how big Toby Keith is in South America.

16 The Bible Lessons that anchor the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are written by Tony Cartledge in a scholarly, yet applicable, style from the wide range of Christian scriptures. A graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div) and Duke University (Ph.D.), and with years of experience as a pastor, writer, ™ and professor at Campbell University, he provides deep insight for Christian living without “dumbing down” the BIBLE STUDIES richness of the biblical texts for honest learners.

Teaching resources at nurturingfaith.net

For adults and youth HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES January lessons in this issue 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible One Step More Lessons are found only here. 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all Jan. 6, 2015 of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply Meaningful Gifts click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Matthew 2:1-12

Teaching the Lessons Jan. 13, 2015 After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge Powerful Hands starting on page 18, teachers can access Acts 19:1-10 helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at nurturingfaith.net. These include: Jan. 20, 2015 * Tony’s video overviews Listening Ears * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan 1 Samuel 3:1-20 * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and Jan. 27, 2015 ”The Hardest Question” Surprising Acts * Links to commentaries, multimedia Jonah 3:1-10 resources and more Youth Lessons How to Order are on pages The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted 22–23. and not to be photocopied.

* Orders may be placed at baptiststoday.org or Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan of the 1-877-752-5658. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina are available at nurturingfaith.net * The price is just $18 each for groups of 25 or more — for a full year — with no additional costs. Thanks, sponsors! * All online teaching resources are available at no These Bible studies for adults and youth are sponsored through generous charge and may be printed and used by teachers of gifts from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Bo Prosser, Coordinator of the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies. Congregational Life) and from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Thank you!

© Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org | 17 Matthew 2:1-12

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 6, 2015 Meaningful Gifts

s we enter the new year and come back to an even keel from A the highs and lows of Christmas and post-Christmas and New Year’s Eve and back-to-back bowl games, the season of Epiphany calls us back to the Christ child, and in particular to the story of the “wise men” who came to pay him homage. They brought gifts, as we recall, gifts that inspired the tradition of Christmas gift giving that has pushed the baby Matthew 2:11 Jesus aside and become the primary “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and focus of Christmas in our culture. they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure Gifts can be valuable, but the most chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” expensive gifts are not necessarily the most meaningful. You may have portrayed in the popular carol “We their names. Another tradition says they received amazing gifts that could not be Three Kings of Orient Are.” came from Parthia, which is possible, but put in a box and were not under the tree. The text doesn’t even call them the text says only that they were from The love of our family is a gift, as is “wise men” using the ordinary words, “the East,” which could have implied the kindness of friends. But this season but refers to them as “magoi,” com- anywhere from Mesopotamia to Arabia. reminds us of the greatest gift: how God monly translated as “magi.” The magi Any child who’s viewed a man- came to us through Jesus Christ, a child were a class of scholars who labored, ger scene can tell you that there were often within royal courts, as astrono- three wise men, but we don’t know that verse many of us learn says “God so mers and astrologers, as observers and either. The magi brought three gifts, loved the world, that he gave his only catalogers of the natural order. They leading to an assumption that there were begotten son, that whosoever believeth were the scientists of the ancient world. three of them. There could have been on him should not perish, but have ever- A careful reading shows that most two, or a dozen. lasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). manger scenes ever constructed are Whatever their number, names, or probably wrong, because Matthew place of origin, the author is clear that A rising star clearly implies that the Magi did not the men had journeyed to visit the child, (vv. 1-2) arrive in Bethlehem until up to two because “We observed his star at its ris- But let’s return to those wise men. We years after Jesus was born. We do not ing and have come to pay him homage” begin with an awareness that many of know why Mary and Joseph would (v. 2). our ideas about the wise men are based have remained in Bethlehem rather than far more on imagination and tradition returning to Nazareth, but by the time A paranoid king than on the scriptural record, which the Magi came knocking, the holy fam- (vv. 3-8) tells us very little about them. There is ily was no longer sheltering in a stable, nothing, for example, to suggest that but residing in a more substantial resi- the wise men were kings, as they’re dence. The text is careful to say that the Magi entered the house (Gr. oikía). because of his extensive building pro- Additional background information An old church tradition assigns the online where you see the “Digging names Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar and suspicious man who never hesi- Deeper” icon to the magi, but we know nothing of tated to kill anyone who got in his way,

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes would be king, and expressing their including his own family members. are available at There’s no way of pretending that hope that his reign would last forever. nurturingfaith.net The last gift they brought was have argued that he only did what was myrrh. This gift was something of a required to remain in power. When the the child was” (v. 9). puzzle, because myrrh had a strong magi came to ask him the whereabouts Little is said about the magi’s spicy odor, and its most common use of a newborn Jewish king, his suspi- visit. They were overcome with joy, was as a burial spice. Why bring a bag cions were raised to a fever pitch. The Matthew says (v. 10). They entered the or box of burial spices to a baby boy? NRSV says he was “frightened,” but the house and saw Jesus with Mary (there Perhaps it was a traditional gift in root word more commonly means “dis- is no mention of Joseph during the their country. Perhaps it was simply visit). They knelt before the baby and something valuable and easily portable (NAS95). NET has “alarmed.” “paid homage” to him (v. 11a, NRSV), that Joseph could sell for cash when or “worshiped him” (NET, NIV11, needed. It is unlikely that the magi extended to “all Jerusalem.” Perhaps would have understood the gift as a we are to assume that the magi did not The verb translated as “knelt down” foreboding symbol of the suffering actually means “to fall,” which may Christ would face, as later believers did. about the city for information about a suggest that they fell on their faces The saddest thing about the story of new king, leading to public curiosity before the baby. Their intention was the wise men is that we cannot read it probably not to “worship” the baby as without its context, remembering that the might have dealt with harshly, troubling we would imagine, though the verb the city. used can have that meaning. The magi the trail of a new king reportedly born in were not Jews, and would have wor- Bethlehem. Although they were divinely stall the magi, perhaps by offering them shiped the gods of their home country. warned to depart by another way so as to a bath and a bed, then called for the Since magi typically worked within - royal courts, their visit would have had ily (vv. 13-15), we can’t help but recall diplomatic overtones. As ancient visi- prophecies dealing with a new king, and tors typically bowed in the presence of hard soldiers to slaughter every baby boy they responded with a quotation from a ruling king, the wise men’s obeisance under two years old throughout the town Micah 5:2 that spoke of one who would before the Christ child probably had this of Bethlehem and the country around it be born in Bethlehem and become purpose. There is nothing to suggest (vv. 16-18). “a ruler who shall shepherd my people that they thought of the baby as divine Even the giving of God’s best gifts Israel” (v. 6). does not guarantee that life will be easy, relations would be important. that evil will not exist, that wicked “secretly” summoned the magi to We have more clarity regarding the people will not do bad things, that the question them concerning the precise gifts the magi brought as an element of innocent will not suffer. time they had seen the portentous star. their homage to the baby king-to-be. We Life is like that. Our greatest joys can’t know if each of the men brought can be tempered with sorrow, but the he would later use to order the murder a gift, as popularly portrayed, or if they Christmas story helps us to realize that of every boy baby in Bethlehem under collectively delivered the contents of a they are all part of a piece. As C. S. chest or saddlebag. In either case, the Lewis wrote in Surprised by Joy, sor- them to Bethlehem with instructions to gifts consisted of gold, frankincense, row and happiness are two sides of the bring him news of what they had found, and myrrh. same coin. The laughter we share now “so that I may also go and pay him The gift of gold needs little expla- will be remembered in mourning later: homage” (v. 8). No one would want to nation. Gold is a traditional symbol of we wouldn’t feel sorrow if we have not known joy. would offer. would be king. The story insists that the The gift of God at Christmas helps wise men believed Jesus was born to be us to realize that life is not a dress A memorable visit king of the Jews, and this gift declared rehearsal, but the real thing. There is (vv. 9-12) their belief. both joy and pain, but the gift of God Once the wise men departed Jerusalem The second gift was frankincense, in Jesus Christ gives us hope that one for Bethlehem, just six miles to the an aromatic spice that had various day we will experience a life that is south, the same star that had instigated uses. In some circles, it symbolized eternal, a life in which the time of pain their journey reappeared, leading them immortality. Perhaps the wise men were has passed and every tear will be wiped until it stopped “over the place where declaring the beauty of the baby who away. BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 6, 2015 | 19 Acts 19:1-10

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 13, 2015 Powerful Hands

nyone who’s been on a car ride with children has heard A longer?” and “Are we there yet?” In these cases, the driver is the authority and the children are the questioners. The Apostle Paul had a tendency to reverse the process. When he arrived in Ephesus during his third missionary journey and met a group of John’s dis- ciples, Paul was in the spiritual driver’s seat as the authority, but he’s the one who asked the group, in so many words, Acts 19:4 “Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one believers?” who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’” As we consider our own lives as followers of Jesus, it’s helpful to check to Corinth (18:24-28). so there easily could have been pockets on our spiritual progress and ask our- While Apollos was in Corinth, Luke of believers who did not know each selves, “Are we there yet?” tells us, Paul was on the road again, other. traveling through the interior highlands Paul’s question about baptism (v. 3) Disciples of John of Asia Minor (now Turkey) on his way led to an explanation that group mem- (vv. 1-3) back to Ephesus, a bustling city near the bers knew only the baptism of John. Today’s text continues the narrative southeastern coast. Although Priscilla Whether they had also heard about from the previous chapter. Near the and Aquila were in the city, and had Jesus, or sought to follow him, is not end of his second missionary journey previously explained to Apollos the said. (described in Acts 15:36-18:21), Paul importance of moving beyond John’s and his partners Silas and Timothy baptism, Paul happened upon a dozen Disciples of Jesus traveled to Ephesus in the company of disciples who still had much to learn. (vv. 4-7) Priscilla and Aquila. Luke appears to have considered Paul reminded the group that John’s Paul stopped in Ephesus only these persons to be Christians of a sort, though that is a matter of debate (see people to “believe in the One who synagogue for a discussion with Jewish was to come after him, that is, Jesus” leaders, who wanted him to stay lon- Luke called them “disciples” (v. 1), and (v. 4). The group required no addi- ger. Paul declined, but promised to tional persuasion, for Luke reports: return (18:19-21). Priscilla and Aquila “On hearing this, they were baptized in remained in the city, where they took believers?” (v. 2). the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 5). Apollos under their wing, teaching him The group responded that they had The story isn’t just about bap- a fuller and more accurate understand- tism, however, or whether the name ing of the gospel before sending him on suggests they had not yet come into of Jesus was invoked, so much as it contact with Priscilla and Aquila. But Additional background information Ephesus was a large city where Artemis tion with their baptism, Paul laid his online where you see the “Digging was the patron deity and Christians hands on them, with powerful results: Deeper” icon

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes they spoke in tongues and prophesied” Disciples at work (v. 6). The coming of the Spirit and its are available at (vv. 8-10) effects recalls earlier accounts in which nurturingfaith.net Following Paul’s encounter with John’s Jewish believers received the Spirit at disciples, as Luke depicts it, Paul Pentecost (Acts 2), and Gentile believ- shifted to his usual strategy of going to ers in Caesarea had a similar experience most commonly connects baptism in the synagogue in hopes of persuading (Acts 10), though neither of those Jesus and the reception of the Spirit as a the local Jews to accept Jesus as the involved the laying on of hands. single event, with or without the impo- promised messiah. There he “spoke out Two other stories in Acts do con- sition of hands. boldly,” Luke says, “and argued persua- nect the laying on of hands with the Perhaps we are to understand that sively about the kingdom of God” unusual manifestations such as tongues (v. 8). 17 describes how Peter and John were speaking were important during the Surprisingly, the synagogue leaders sent to Samaria to visit new believers early days of the church, effective allowed this to go on for three months: who had been baptized in the name of within that culture as a public sign of In Thessalonica, Paul had been thrown Jesus, but did not know about the Spirit God’s new work in Jesus and a needed out of the synagogue and forced to until Peter and John laid hands on them. reminder that, despite Christ’s ascen- leave town after just three weeks (Acts A man named Simon became jealous sion, he remained present through the 17:1-9). Paul’s welcome eventually of the apparent power in the disciples’ wore out, however: “When some stub- hands, and offered them money, saying, Baptists, like many other Protestants, bornly refused to believe and spoke evil “Give me also this power so that anyone hold that God’s Spirit is always pres- of the Way before the congregation, he on whom I lay my hands may receive ent with believers and does not need to left them, taking the disciples with him, be invoked through special ceremonies. and argued daily in the lecture hall of The other story involves Paul him- The process of baptism by immersion Tyrannus” (v. 9). self. After the blinding vision of Christ necessarily involves placing hands on Luke’s language recalls the “stub- that led to his conversion on the road to the candidate, and no further imposi- bornness” of Israel during the exodus tion is necessary. While believers may from Egypt. As rabble-rousers there had visited by a man named Ananias, who experience tongues or testify publicly criticized both Moses and God, some laid hands on him so he might regain his of their experience with Christ (a part synagogue members “spoke evil of the vision and receive the Spirit. In this case, of what “prophecy” means in the New Way.” Paul and those who followed baptism came afterward (Acts 9:1-19). Testament), the presence of the Spirit can his teaching relocated to “the lecture The letter of 2 Timothy, which be manifested in many ways. A variety hall of Tyrannus,” probably a school. claims to have been written by Paul, of “spiritual gifts” or “fruits of the Spirit” Whether Paul rented the space or used instructs Timothy to “rekindle the gift of allow us to demonstrate the Spirit’s it freely is unstated. In either case, it is God that is within you through the laying presence and power as we show love, impressive that his daily exhortations on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6). “The gift” kindness, and generosity to others. attracted so many believers that they is probably a reference to the Spirit. Luke’s primary intent in this text was not so much to explicate doctrine as they did in other cities. to show how Paul was able to win over Paul remained in Ephesus for at least - related groups and bring them into the another two years, using it as a mission ken in tongues or prophesied? Many mainstream faith of the early church. hub for preaching and teaching, making Pentecostal or charismatic Christians Why do you suppose Luke made a disciples, and no doubt sending follow- believe in a baptism of the Spirit that is point of saying that “there were about ers to preach in the surrounding area. secondary to water baptism, and often twelve of them” (v. 7)? There could Luke claimed that “all the residents of use the laying on of hands as a way of - Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the invoking the Spirit. Tongues or proph- ing the number 12 would no doubt word of the Lord” (v. 10). Even allowing ecy are typically expected as signs of lead readers to think of the 12 tribes of for some hyperbole, that’s impressive. the Spirit’s presence. Israel, or the 12 apostles. Perhaps Luke While readers may get hung up on On the other hand, while a similar wants readers to imagine these 12 as questions about the Spirit or speaking practice is sometimes described in the emblematic of believers in Asia, or as in tongues, this is the bottom line: We New Testament, it is not necessarily symbolic of John’s disciples as a fringe are called to believe and proclaim the normative. We have no record that Jesus group that had become fully legiti- gospel so that all might hear and have taught his followers to baptize new mated by the presence of the Spirit and an opportunity to respond to Jesus, believers and then require evidence of empowered to do the work of the king- who continues to be known through the receiving the Spirit separately. Luke dom in their part of the world. Spirit. BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 13, 2015 | 21 Youth Lessons by David Cassady and online youth teaching resources (at nurturingfaith. net) by Jeremy Colliver build off of the Bible lessons by Tony Cartledge.

Youth lessons are made possible through the generous YoJanuary 6 — January u 27, 2015 th support of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation.

Gifts JAN. 6, 2015 Matthew 2:1-12 King Herod’s “men” questioned the Think About It: wise men about the new king, and King The greatest gift that God gave brought f the gifts you received at Christmas, Herod got the information he was seek- not only great joy, but also great suffering what was your favorite? Was it one ing — under the guise of wanting to pay to the families whose children were killed that you had been hinting about? homage to the child. But King Herod had O as a result of King Herod’s decree. How can We receive lots of gifts, and over the no intention of paying homage, since he using your gifts and talents both build up years our favorite gifts get replaced, but was threatened by the power that would and break down the kingdom of God? the season of Advent reminds us there is be taken from him by a new king. Even the one gift that is never replaced: God’s gift in wise men saw through King Herod’s plan Jesus. and didn’t return after visiting the new Make a Choice: The wise men who came to honor Jesus king. God’s best gift didn’t rid the world of evil. knew of his importance because of the star The wise men found Mary, Joseph, and How do you continue to love God, knowing that rose, but they did not know where the new king Jesus and fell to the ground, there is still evil in the world? they could find this “new king.” Most likely offering gifts of gold, frankincense and they began to ask around to see where they myrrh. King Herod would pay homage to could find him. With his ears on the street, the new king as well, but his gesture was King Herod had to know of the questions to kill every child under two years old as he Pray: these wise men were asking, so he secretly tried to remove the threat of this new king God, we pray that in our quest to pay you summoned them. from taking the throne. homage we lead others to love you instead of fear you.

Done JAN. 13, 2015 Acts 19:1-10 them in their belief, he asked them: “Did Think About It: you receive the Holy Spirit when you Each of us has a unique faith journey. That ’m directionally impaired. That means became believers?” The disciples did not is why it can be so difficult to know where I use Google Maps a lot. One of my know about the Holy Spirit and as Paul we are on our personal journey. How do you favorite things about this app is that pushed, he discovered they only knew of I keep your faith even when you aren’t sure it will not only tell me how to get there, John the Baptist and not of Jesus. Paul you know where you are? but also what lane I need to be in and built on John’s teachings and reminded the how much longer I have before reaching disciples that John was only preparing for the place where I need to merge. The app Jesus. Paul then laid his hands on them, Make a Choice: will even re-route me if there has been a and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul could have given up when the people wreck along my path. But the absolute best This story of acceptance is followed in the synagogue didn’t want to hear what feature of the app is that at the end of by one of stubbornness. The disciples acted he had to say. How will you choose to tell each journey, the voice comes through my quickly in accepting Jesus, but the Jews of the story of Christ even when others don’t speakers to tell me, “You have arrived.” the synagogue refused to believe — even want to hear it? Wouldn’t it be great if along our after three months of Paul’s teaching. Paul spiritual journey God would tap us on the found another preaching venue, however: shoulder and say, “You have arrived”? For two years he preached to an audience Pray: On his way back to Ephesus, Paul that was more willing to hear — so willing, Dear God, may your Spirit guide us on our found some disciples. Instead of affirming in fact, that all of Asia heard about Jesus. journey of faith and life.

22 Unknown Calls JAN. 20, 2015 1 Samuel 3:1-20 teacher’s side, because it made sense that Think About It: he would need help. But Eli sent Samuel Eli knew he wasn’t calling out to Samuel o you ever have those moments back to bed, reassuring him that it was not and could have easily written Samuel off when you are involved in something he who called. as having a strange dream. Instead, he and you think someone calls out your After this happened two more times, D directed Samuel to respond to God. What name? You’re not quite sure, so you keep in all of Eli’s wisdom he determined that person in your life has helped you to hear working. But after the second time, and it was God who was calling Samuel. When God speak? defi nitely by the third time, you are sure. God beckoned to Samuel again, Samuel Samuel had a similar experience: He responded. Eli was correct, and Samuel thought he knew who was calling his name, heard a word from the Lord. but he would fi nd out that he was wrong. You might think that Samuel would Make a Choice: The opening verses of today’s scrip- be excited to tell Eli that he was correct God calls in a variety of ways and at dif- ture help us understand why Samuel was and pass on what God told him, but what ferent times. Will you answer the call, or unsure of who was calling to him: “The Samuel heard from God was not positive will you continue to put God on hold? word of the Lord was rare in those days.” news for Eli. When Eli awoke he wanted Even though Samuel was sleeping where to know if his hypothesis was correct, so the ark resided, he was still unsure who he asked Samuel what God had told him. was calling out to him. When Samuel Obediently Samuel told Eli, and with will- Pray: heard his name called, he ran to his aging ing acceptance Eli heard the hard news. God, may we recognize your voice when you call to us.

Change JAN. 27, 2015 Jonah 3:1-10 Jonah wasn’t thrilled about the journey Think About It: God planned for him, so he did the opposite The Ninevites repented and changed their ne of my favorite days of the week of what God asked. After spending some ways because of God’s threat that Jonah is “Throwback Thursday” (TBT). That’s time in a big fi sh, Jonah decided he had told them about. What will it take for you because friends post pictures of how better do what God wanted or who knows O to change some things in your life? they looked months or years ago on Twitter where he would end up next. Jonah fi nally and Facebook. My favorite photos are the accepted God’s call and headed to the city ones where a huge transformation can be of Nineveh to preach God’s message. seen, to the point you can barely recog- The narrator tells us that after Jonah Make a Choice: nize your friends in the original pictures. had proclaimed God’s message for only one Jonah knew all along that he had been Thursday is also my favorite day online day, the entire city had repented. Nineveh called by God, but decided to push that call because it shows that people not only can was so large that it would take three days aside while he did his own thing. In the end change, but also do change — and that gives to walk across. Jonah didn’t even have time he accepted God’s call. Will you accept the me hope. to get halfway through the city before the calling God has placed on your life, or will Imagine the pictures Jonah could have entire city heard his words and repented. you come kicking and screaming? posted on #TBT with these hashtags: Three changes occured: 1) Jonah #notgoingtodoit accepted his call, 2) the Ninevites repented #insideawhale of their ways, and 3) God didn’t destroy the Pray: #betterdoit city. That is a lot of change — all because God, may I accept the callin g that you have #thesepeopledochange. one person accepted God’s call. for my life.

23 1 Samuel 3:1-20

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 20, 2015 Listening Ears

o you ever think that maybe you’ve outlived your useful- Dness, or that you’ve never grown incompetent, based either on your own evaluation or someone else’s sharp- tongued opinion? On days when I’m feeling a bit less bering how God used one of the most apparently incompetent characters in the Bible to do an amazing thing in the would open new windows into that child’s life and set him on the road to a life of faithful service that we still talk 1 Samuel 3:10 about 3,000 years later. “Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, A bumbling old priest ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’.” Today’s text is so familiar that we can easily overlook it, thinking: “Oh, worthless scoundrels who mistreated A bright young apprentice worshipers, misappropriated offerings, I know that story.” With stories we We are not told of Eli’s reaction when and misused the women who served at know so well, it can be helpful to seek the shrine (2:12-20, 22-25). a new perspective by looking at it from about four years later to present him The text does not expressly blame a different angle. Sermons or studies with a 3-year-old boy (1:21-28). Our Eli for his grown sons’ wickedness, typically focus on the boy Samuel, and text for today is the only story of any though he was twice chastised for being rightly so, but we shouldn’t overlook interaction between the child Samuel unable to control their behavior (2:29, the character of Eli. The old priest was and his old mentor. It begins with a 34; 3:11-14). Sadly, though the unprin- judged a failure, but he still played an mournful reminder that “The word cipled brothers served as priests, “they ter with God. visions were not widespread” (v. 1). Young Samuel was at the temple This is said, even though the pre- because his childless mother had come ceding story described how an unnamed from her home in Ramathaim and in a small town named Shiloh, in the “man of God” had come through Shiloh vowed that if God would give her a son, central hill country of Israel, where he she would give him back. When old presided over the sanctuary where the prophesying that the wickedness of Ark of the Covenant was housed. Eli’s sons would bring divine punish- misinterpreted her tearful whispering According to the story, Eli was old and ment (2:27-36). Sadly, though both Eli as drunken babbling. Still, he managed and his sons represented God at Shiloh, to offer a word of encouragement that in the priesthood, but were said to be people did not hear the word of Yahweh lifted her spirits (1 Sam. 1:9-18). Within from them. a year, Samuel was born. Samuel’s Additional background information The sanctuary at Shiloh was such online where you see the “Digging an informal affair that Samuel slept “in had prayed, and God heard. Deeper” icon

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes of God was,” with Eli in an adjoining But Eli persevered, and when he room. One evening, after all had gone are available at least expected it, in the middle of the to bed but before the oil in the temple nurturingfaith.net night, he was the one who helped young lamps had run out, Samuel heard a Samuel meet the God who would work voice calling his name and ran to Eli, uninspired leadership, but the implica- so powerfully through him. tion is apparent. Eli’s failing eyesight The story also reminds us that Eli insisted that he had not called, and that rendered him so dependent on knowing about God sent Samuel back to bed (vv. 2-5). Samuel may be a subtle literary com- The same thing then happened ment on the old priest’s lack of spiritual the same thing as knowing God. It is again: A voice called, Samuel ran to Eli, vision. Likewise, while Samuel slept easier to teach knowledge than relation- and Eli told the boy to go back to bed before the ark of God, Eli slept “in his ships. To help children or others know (v. 6). The reader knows that Yahweh place,” presumably a cell attached to the God personally, we must let them see was calling the boy, but neither Samuel sanctuary. Through their physical loca- the evidence that we have a relationship nor Eli knew. In fact, v. 7 makes a point tions, the author suggests that young with God. If we fail in this, the word of of saying that “Samuel did not yet know Samuel, for all his naïveté, was really God could become rare in our days, too. closer to God. Yahweh’s midnight visit to Samuel had not yet been revealed to him.” Still, we should not overlook Eli’s suggests that God calls each of us per- When God called yet again and role in the story. The declining priest, sonally, not generically. God’s call may Samuel returned, perhaps with some portrayed in so many ways as incom- hesitation, to Eli’s bedside, the aged priest petent, still found it within himself to and the common notion that God has perceived that it must have been God who introduce young Samuel to God. Eli was planned our lives to the last detail is was calling him. Eli instructed Samuel to nearly blind, but he was the one who saw almost certainly overstated. Yet, God return to his blankets, and if he heard the that God was speaking to the boy and has given special gifts to each of us, and taught him how to respond: “Say ‘speak, calls us to use those abilities in service your servant is listening” (vv. 8-9). Lord, for your servant is listening.’” God to God and to our world. When Yahweh called as before, spoke, and Samuel heard, and the boy We are blessed with different gifts, but we are called to respond in the same grew into a man who not only replaced way. Consider again Samuel’s response Eli and his sons as Israel’s primary when he heard God calling his name. words to Samuel were similar to those priest, but who also became known as a Even when he thought it was Eli, he spoken by the man of God: Because Eli true prophet of Yahweh. had failed to restrain his corrupt sons, You called?” their days as a priestly family were A word of promise God may call us when we least numbered (vv. 11-15). Samuel did not What can we learn from this story of expect it, or at the most inopportune volunteer the distressing information an inept priest whom God would not time, or in the most unlikely situations. to Eli the next morning, but when the speak to, choosing to make a prophet And, God may have to call more than old man insisted, Samuel told him the of his apprentice instead? One thing once to get our attention. God’s call is unwelcome news (vv. 16-18). is this: No matter how fumbling and rarely as clear as we like, and the world The story concludes with a com- ment that Samuel continued to grow hard for us to distinguish God’s voice. both physically and spiritually, gaining can play a role in bringing others into a Nevertheless, we may be sure that a reputation as a faithful prophet of relationship with God. God has a word and a work for each Yahweh whose words could be trusted When God spoke to Samuel, the of us. None of us are too small or too (vv. 19-20). voice apparently sounded like the voice - Now, let’s take a closer look at of Eli. God speaks to children in ways some curious aspects of the story. that are familiar, most commonly in the important work. In fact, God seems to Although Samuel grew up “minister- voice or the words of parents or teach- take particular delight in calling “little ing to the Lord” under Eli’s supervision ers who love them. It may be our voices people” to do big things. (2:11), the text says “Samuel did not yet through which our friends and acquain- The story of Samuel’s call is a per- tances may learn of God. petual favorite for many reasons, not learned much, surely, from his mother No doubt, Eli was often discour- least of which is the belief that it can be our story, too. It is the story of every had a personal experience with God. sons turned out badly and his tenure as one of us who, in our own bumbling The narrator doesn’t connect the priest was remembered as a time when and stumbling way, have said “Speak, rarity of a word from Yahweh to Eli’s BT

LESSON FOR JANUARY 20, 2015 | 25 Jonah 3:1-10

with Tony W. Cartledge

Jan. 27, 2015 Jonah Leaving the Whale, Surprising Acts

magine this. One day the Lord God appears to a Baptist preacher named I to wear pastel suits with loud ties. “Reverend.” Now God says to him, “Jimmy Ray, I want you to get yourself a passport and When you get there, I want you to lead a crusade for that fringe sect of Muslim extremists who call themselves ISIS. Jonah 3:9 They’ve been running roughshod, kill- “Who knows? God may relent and change ing thousands of men while raping their his mind; he may turn from his fi erce wives or selling them and their children anger, so that we do not perish.” as slaves, and they need to repent.” Jimmy Ray thought God must be been overrun by ISIS. Jimmy Ray went just inside the gate of the camp, where you feel? booked a cruise around the islands he stood on his big suitcase and used his best preaching voice to announce in A second call into a whale and sank, but everybody English that they were all going to hell. (vv. 1-2) made it to the life rafts except for Rev. Figuring that was enough, Jimmy If you know the story of Jonah, you Ray turned around to hightail it back know that unlike Isaiah, Jeremiah, or home, but he couldn’t get back out of on the north coast of Maui two days later. the gate. To his great shock and conster- As Jimmy Ray stumbled ashore in nation, men in makeshift uniforms and his shrinking suit, the Lord spoke to to great lengths (and depths) to avoid it. turbans surrounded him. They were all him again: “Jimmy Ray, I told you to crying and praying and telling him how go to Iraq and preach to those murder- God had called to Samuel three times they were going to change their ways before the young prophet-to-be realized and how they wanted to know Jesus and realized that God meant business, so he who was calling, but he answered the asking if he would baptize them in the said, “Alright, I’ll go if it will make you Euphrates River. happy, but as far as I’m concerned, this Jonah knew who was calling from Local farmers came out of hiding the beginning, but it took him a while to and asked Jimmy Ray to bless their So, Jimmy Ray went back home camels and sheep and goats and cows so and packed some clean suits and had his in the opposite direction, ended up in they could be Christians, too. The self- hair done, and then he caught a plane to the sea, and had to be rescued by a big proclaimed Caliph himself walked up with tears in his eyes and shook Jimmy is told (Jonah 1-2). Whether the book Ray’s hand and said: “You have shown left him near a military base that had was ever intended to be taken literally me the light. I’m going to call off our or understood as a parable is an open Additional background information attacks and order our people to return question. online where you see the “Digging everything they’ve stolen and then to When God called again, Jonah’s Deeper” icon repent and ask for mercy.” commission had not changed: In the

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes called for every citizen to turn away word (3:2a = 1:2a). Once again, God are available at from their evil ways, and declared a called Jonah to go to the great (but nurturingfaith.net citywide day of penitence and fasting wicked and dangerous) city of Nineveh and proclaim God’s message. What is cattle and sheep (vv. 7-8). different is not the message, but Jonah’s the message God had given: “Forty Evidently, the Ninevites also inter- response. This time, he went. days more, and Nineveh shall be over- preted Jonah’s words as a declaration of doom and coming destruction. The A short sermon One might ask how the Ninevites king’s call for national repentance was (vv. 3-4) could have understood Jonah’s short based on the hope that Jonah’s God sermon, since he certainly did not speak The narrator reminds us that Nineveh might relent, be appeased, and withhold Assyrian, and the city’s populace would was a large and important city, and it the promised destruction (v. 9). The was, though not as large as Babylon Ninevites’ surprising repentance moved Ezekiel 3:4-7 raises a similar issue. or nearly as large as it is described in God to repent of the intended judgment, There, God complains that the Israelites v. 3. and to Jonah’s unhappy surprise, the did not respond to Ezekiel’s message was remembered more for its violent, city was saved (v. 10). even though they understood it, while bloodthirsty reputation than for its So goes the story, but did it really a similar message sent to a people of a physical dimensions (compare 2 Kgs. happen? Archaeologists have uncovered “dense and obscure language” would 19:36-37, Zeph. 2:13, Nah. 2:12). As thousands of historical, governmental, have engendered a response. The expe- the capital of the Assyrians, Nineveh economic, religious, magical, and medi- rience of Jesus’ disciples on the day was a prophetic paradigm for wick- cal documents from Nineveh, where of Pentecost (Acts 2) may also offer edness and aggressive opposition to cuneiform records were inscribed a clue: God has the ability to get any Yahweh’s people. Nineveh had the rep- on clay tablets. None of them makes message across. Even so, God relies on utation of being the world’s most evil any mention of a visitor named Jonah human messengers to proclaim it. city, and it was apparently the last place or a citywide conversion to Israel’s Was Jonah’s message a proc- Jonah wanted to go. God. Assyria remained in thrall to its lamation of doom alone? Some The claim that Nineveh was “a patron god Ashur, along with other commentators think the verb could three days’ walk across” suggests that Mesopotamian deities, for as long as it be translated either as “be destroyed/ Nineveh had a diameter of at least overturned,” or “turn itself over.” The 30-40 miles, which is greatly exagger- before the Israelites went into exile. verb may be intentionally ambiguous: ated. Archaeological evidence shows Even if it is intended as a parable, Jonah was prophesying that Nineveh that Nineveh was about three miles the story of Jonah declares that any- would be overturned in 40 days, but he across at its widest point, with a circum- did not know whether the city would ference of only eight miles. This would capable of change. The author of Jonah turn over a new leaf or be turned over have been an impressive city by ancient probably wrote long after Nineveh’s like newly plowed soil. standards, but falls far short of requiring destruction, directing his message to a The following chapter makes it three days to cross. The NIV translation people who sought to isolate themselves clear that Jonah assumed the more vio- suggests that it would take three days from other groups so they could keep to visit all of Nineveh, but the text does to disappear from the earth, and he was not support that interpretation. The point of the story is that the best disappointed when it did not happen. We need not worry about this, for way to preserve and live out one’s faith The careful ambiguity of the prophecy, the author’s intention is not to provide is not to hide it under a nationalistic or a geography lesson. Phrases such as isolationist basket as the religious lead- in more than one way. “day’s journey” were often used with no ers were doing (cp. Matt 5:14-16), but to share it with others. You never know Two amazing results that Nineveh was a very large city. The (vv. 5-10) “three days’ journey” of v. 3 is neces- overturned within them. sary to set the context for the “one day’s The incredible result of Jonah’s simple journey” of v. 4, showing that the entire sermon is that “the people of Nineveh city repented before Jonah had even believed God; they proclaimed a fast, or groups of people that you or your reached the center. and everyone, great and small, put church may have given up on reaching, In obedience to God’s command, on sackcloth” (v. 5). Not only that, Jonah began to make his way through but when news came to the “king of experience suggest that another try may the streets of Nineveh, proclaiming Nineveh,” he joined in the mourning, be in order?

LESSON FOR JANUARY 27, 2015 | 27 Associate Pastor for Youth, College, and Classifieds Young Adults: In the Know Senior Pastor: Anthony G. Pappas is retiring next year as executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, a position he - has held since 2005. - Guy Sayles has resigned as pastor of First - Baptist Church of Asheville, N.C., where he has served for 13 years, effective Jan. 11. - - Marc and Kim Wyatt will work with internationals in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region through the collaboration - of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions and CBF of North Carolina. The Associate Pastor for Music: native North Carolinians have worked with - internationals in Canada for 15 years. Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, and Families: Associate Minister of Youth and - Congregational Life - -

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28 Redeemer Media The Life of Jimmy Carter A review by George H. Shriver

Title aside, Balmer offers best religious history of Carter

Interestingly, Carter was a moderate evan- what is at the heart of “gospel.” At the heart of gelical for sure, while being sandwiched between gospel are kindness, love and acceptance. unfortunate title. Jimmy Carter the immorality of Nixon and the religious su- Let me almost shout, however, that Balmer would never have used the word perficiality of Reagan. Neither of these two had has gotten to the very heart of what Carter was any understanding about true evangelicalism. all about before, during and after his presidency. “redeemer” about himself. It must be observed that the excellence I also lived (and in the South) during all these n his epilogue, Balmer states: “The man of this book would only have been improved years of Carter and have been convinced that he whose improbable election in 1976 redeemed if Balmer had made use of Samuel S. Hill’s was and is a true evangelical committed to the the nation from the sins of Watergate has creative works on southern religion, such as heart of “gospel.” I Southern Churches in Crisis (also SCC Revisited). Congratulations to Balmer on writing one finally earned his own redemption” — thus the title that would sell more copies as well. He never even refers to these works. of the finest volumes in religious studies this A better title would have been A Religious Also, Balmer should have used Carter’s year. I feel sure that Jimmy Carter would agree History of Jimmy Carter. Nevertheless, Balmer own work, Our Endangered Values. Two chap- with this value judgment. BT has written by far the best biography of our ters in this book contain superior explorations truly evangelical president with correct moral of both religious and political fundamentalism. —George H. Shriver is emeritus professor visions. I risk being misunderstood, but it must of history at Georgia Southern University in The only words on the page just prior to be observed that with a careful exploration Statesboro, Ga. His writings include Pilgrims his “Preface” with its creative title, “Jimmy of fundamentalism, it might be said that this through the Years: A Bicentennial History of Carter and Me,” are as follows: “He came unto movement is not evangelical for it seems to deny First Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia. his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11.” “Balmer is at the top of his presentation in relation to evangelicalism and Balmer’s preface surveys the years of his own fundamentalism. The media could be corrected at so many points on these life as they touched upon Carter’s own years. subjects if they read and absorbed this probing book.” He hopes his readers will come away with an in- depth understanding of religious as well as politi- cal forces at work during Carter’s whole career. He concludes with a strong sentence: “It is a story that begs to be told in the evan- gelical parlance of striving, betrayal, defeat and redemption.” From the first chapter (“The Household of Faith”) to the last (“Sunday Morning in Plains”), Balmer presents a man he truly knows mainly in the contexts of politics and religion. Balmer is at the top of his presentation in rela- tion to evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Members of the media could be corrected at so many points on these subjects if they read and absorbed this probing book. It is perfectly clear that Reagan’s victory in 1980 was due to his alignment with the “religious right” and religious fundamentalists. Little did they know of how simple and su- perficial was his knowledge of Christianity. On the other hand, Carter’s career had reflected a thorough commitment to the essence of Chris- tianity and a genuine understanding of major Christian writers such as Tillich and Niebuhr.

29 +% 4-!*.$ *56)*$.%!

PART Baptist theology 6

his the final article in a series of six Freeman wrote: “Conservatives and of ‘the community’s legitimate authority’?” (2) about academic theology written by liberals (as well as evangelicals and moderates) “Are you serious or are you just ‘pulling our T Baptists since 1950. In this article are really twin trajectories of modern theol- Baptist legs’ when you write in the Manifesto we first review a controversy in which some ogy.” None of these options has “resources that you ‘reject every form of private inter- Baptist academicians began to engage in the to develop a Baptist theology for the next pretation that makes Bible reading a practice 1990s, and then suggest some ideas about what millennium.” Baptists should say farewell to which can be carried out according to the the future may bring for Baptist theology. modernity so they can live faithfully in an dictates of individual conscience’?” increasingly post-modern world. Shurden displays in some detail what Re-envisioning the Freeman extols the freedom that Christ Baptists have written about what he calls three Baptist identity (1990s) gives, but he is troubled when fellow Baptists Baptist genes, namely, individualism, commu- extol any freedom that is established by gov- nity and freedom. All three, he says, are part of In previous articles we said that beginning in ernment or stated in terms of human rights. Baptist identity. the 1950s Baptists engaged in 11 conversations He worries that appreciation for freedom The controversy surrounding the Mani- and controversies. The final controversy cen- in this sense can lead to idolatry with the state festo, like the sacramentalism controversy, has ters around a 4,000-word document titled “Re- as god. He disapproves of theology that was generated splendid theological writing. envisioning the Baptist Identity: A Manifesto “less a way of giving warrants for communally for Baptist Communities in North America.” held convictions and historically preserved 17 things the future may bring Created by American theologians, the practices as it became more a discourse of clas- for Baptist theology Manifesto was published in Perspectives in sifying and arranging the facts of the Bible.” Religious Studies in 1997 and has been dissemi- The proper role of doctrine is to render As we look back over the Baptist theology sur- nated widely, discussed in conferences and other intelligible the communal life of the church. veyed in these six articles, the following likely venues, and written about in various journals. I Baptist theologians who already have taken will be the case in the coming decades. will summarize two examples of that writing. steps in this direction include Stanley Grenz, In 1997 Curtis Freeman published an Barry Harvey, Harvey Cox, W. T. Connor and 1. The content of Baptist theology will remain article titled “Can Baptist Theology Be Revi- especially James Wm. McClendon. diverse. Baptists are today, as they were in sioned?” In it he argued that “the definition of In 1998, also in Perspectives, Walter Shurden 1972 when Walter Shurden’s book was pub- Baptist theology in terms of libertarian notions published “The Baptist Identity and the Baptist lished, Not a Silent People. Anyone who hopes of autonomy is a modern account.” Manifesto” in response to the Manifesto, not to that all Baptist theology will converge is going Freeman believes that modernity is dying, Freeman’s article. In it he sought to share some to be disappointed. and he wants Baptists to sever their ties with sincere appreciations, to voice some serious reser- modernity. vations, and to ask some honest questions. 2. Baptist theologians will write more theology. He contends that Baptists in the south- Shurden appreciates that the Manifesto They are writing more now than they were 60 ern United States should dissociate from the affirms the disestablishment of the church and years ago. (And, of course, they also are writing cultural hegemony they have experienced in that it issues a forceful call to serious disciple- much more than has been surveyed in these the past. They should dissociate from the ship. He expresses reservation, however, in these articles. Perhaps this is a good place to offer Enlightenment’s “foundationalist theory of two points: The Manifesto makes its case for an apology to the many fine Baptist authors knowledge which requires all beliefs to be justi- (1) the importance of Christian community at whose work I have mentioned too briefly or fied by a special class of beliefs that cannot be the expense of an appreciation for the individual not at all in these articles.) questioned.” and (2) the spiritual freedom that Christ gives According to Freeman, fundamentalists to Christians, at the expense of the freedom 3. Baptists will continue to make creative pro- are foundationalists inasmuch as they appeal that God gives to all humans in creation and for posals in theology. It seems that there weren’t to an inerrant Bible as the foundation for which societies and nations express respect by many of those in 1950, but they are evident their beliefs. Liberals also are foundationalists means of political freedom and human rights. in the recent work of theologians such as Paul inasmuch as they appeal to religious experience Shurden questions: (1) “To what commu- Fiddes, Mark Heim, Elizabeth Newman and as the foundation for their beliefs. nity is the Manifesto referring when it speaks Clark Pinnock, among others.

“Baptist theologians will increasingly embrace a sacramental understanding of baptism and the Lord’s Supper … Baptists who have experienced the presence of the Lord in baptism and the Lord’s Supper will be open to this change.”

30 4. Baptist women will write more theology. 13. Baptist theologians will continue to write gians. Continental theologians famously do this, It’s difficult to think of Baptist women who about the Trinity. Although many Baptists sus- and British theologians famously do not. In the were writing theology in 1950. Today there are pect that a theology of the Trinity is speculative past six decades this might have happened with many including, in addition to those men- and unbiblical, others realize that the Trinity is, Baptist theologians such as Harvey Cox, Lang- tioned in these articles, Sheri Adams, Sharon after all, the distinctive Christian understanding don Gilkey, Millard Erickson, Clark Pinnock or Baker, Molly Marshall and others. of God and therefore the principal prerequisite Paul Fiddes, but it did not. On the other hand, for participation in ecumenical conversations. it did happen with James W. McClendon, but in 5. Baptists will write theology in languages a limited way. other than English. The Baptist World Alliance 14. Baptist theologians will continue to debate continues to be a catalyst for this effort. It is issues that for them have remained unresolved, 17. Finally, we may hope that in the future understandable that most Baptist theology is the principal one of which is Calvinism and Baptist people and churches may benefit even written in English, since the majority of Bap- Arminianism. more from the work of their academic theolo- tists are English-speaking people, but Baptist gians. If they do, then Baptist theology should missionary work has resulted in there being 15. Baptist theologians will continue to debate flourish, because ecclesiastical groups tend to millions of non-English-speaking Baptists. issues that emerge from new movements such get the kinds of theologians they value. BT as Pentecostalism and ecumenism. As the move- 6. Baptist theologians will continue to treat the ments change, they take new forms that can —Fisher Humphreys is professor of Bible as authoritative for their theology. We provide openings to groups such as Baptists who divinity, emeritus, of Samford University must not be misled by the Southern Baptist in the past were reluctant to become involved. in Birmingham, Ala. This series is a revi- sion of part of a longer article titled “Baptist controversy over biblical inerrancy. Baptists love 16. It seems unlikely that Baptists will develop Theology Since 1950,” published in Baptist the Bible and believe it to be the Word of God schools of thought around individual theolo- History and Heritage (Fall 2013). and an authoritative guideline for theology.

7. Baptist theologians will continue to engage historical theology in more sophisticated ways. New from 8. Baptist theologians will engage in more conversation with other religions. This will be Baptist History & Heritage Society a huge project, but we have seen that pioneers such as Harvey Cox, Mark Heim and Charles Kimball have made a beginning and set a high “That These Glorious Results Will at Some Day Be Realized”: standard. An Examination of the Rhetoric of Self-Help, Respectability, and Social Uplift in the Early 9. Baptist systematic theologians will incorpo- Works of E. C. Morris rate more social ethics into their work. ! Where Should We Go Next?: 10. Baptist theologians will continue to advo- A Call for the Critical Investigation of Possible cate for causes, especially for causes related to Racial Encounters Between Anglo-American and injustices arising from issues of gender, race, Mexican-American Baptists in Texas class, ecology and war. During the Pioneer Period ! 11. Baptist theologians will continue to wrestle Suffering for Their Consciences: with standing issues of modernity such as The Depiction of Anabaptists and Baptists in the science and human rights. Eighteenth-century Histories of Daniel Neal ! 12. Baptist theologians will increasingly em- Baptist Missionary Activities brace a sacramental understanding of baptism $15 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: and the Lord’s Supper. It seems unlikely that includes Rev. Abel Bingham shipping a majority will do so in the immediate future, ! but it is difficult to imagine that the authorita- Historical Criticism Among Southern Baptists: tive, scholarly work that Baptist theologians A Comparison of Clyde Francisco, Ralph Elliott, have done on the New Testament will not and G. Henton Davies eventually find its way into the lives of Chris- ! tians and churches. Baptists who have experi- Orders: 151 Broadleaf Dr., Between a Rock and a Hard Place: enced the presence of the Lord in baptism and H. Boyce Taylor, Faith Missions, and the Macon, GA 31210 the Lord’s Supper will be open to this change. Relationship Between Landmarkism and [email protected] Fundamentalism in Southern Baptist Life

31 !"#$% &'( )*#"# +% ,#*' )-.$/.

‘Bouncing ahead’ Fred Witty, former students recall changing attitudes and times

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — At 91, Fred STANDING UP McCall said that Witty and the fellow students stood up for him at every turn. When Baptists Today presented its annual “These were my college brothers and students from his long-ago years as Judson-Rice Award last April to influential sisters who stuck with me.” pastor and Baptist leader Emmanuel McCall, Through the years he and Fred have he was quick to credit Witty for helping break touched base by phone and hold each other in - down racial barriers. very high regard. ments in a variety of careers and their McCall, an African-American student “Emmanuel was such a bright star, even from Pennsylvania, entered the University of then,” recalled Witty. faithfulness in Christian service. Louisville in 1954, just two years after integra- tion. He found a warm reception from Witty hen you add it all up, it adds and the BSU students. EARLY INFLUENCES up,” says Witty, sitting comfort- Some local Baptist pastors, however, When asked about his inclusive perspective at “Wably in a recliner in his East opposed the inclusion of black students in the a time when racial prejudice was so prevalent, Tennessee home while reflecting on the influ- campus ministry program. Witty reflected on his upbringing. ences of the men and women who were once “I figured my job was over,” said Witty of His father was a school superintendent in students within his ministry circle. his strong opposition to three pastors from the Oklahoma. And Fred just couldn’t see the jus- “We had them at a crucial time in their Long Run Baptist Association in Louisville who tice in black students going long distances to lives.” came to the BSU center demanding a racially attend another high school. Witty served on the campuses of New exclusive organization. “My dad would go with the flow as long Mexico State University, University of But Witty, unwilling to back down, as it was his job,” Fred surmised. Louisville and East Tennessee State University. added: “That was a day you had to take a stand His mother, however, had a different Likewise, his students speak of their former or go with the flow. I knew I was on the right perspective that was passed along to her son. BSU director with fondness and gratitude. side of history.” “When I was about three years old, I had

32 a rag doll with a black face that my mother aside and talking about “early bloomers and LESSONS LEARNED had made,” recalled Fred. “There wasn’t a late bloomers,” and assuring him his time prejudiced bone in her body. She’d played would come. It did the next year. Fred’s daughter, Elaine Witty Binegar, assistant with black children growing up. I’ve just been Looking back over four decades now, controller for the Cesar Chavez Foundation in blessed by that standpoint all along.” Fred said: “Rodney was one of my best BSU Keene, Calif., said her father’s commitment to Fred said he and his dad often debated officers.” missions easily rubbed off on others. Those and continually disagreed about racial equality That lesson has lingered, said Strong. who didn’t go on mission trips would feel com- and inclusion. “Fred’s words of advice at a time of great pelled to raise the needed funds for their fellow “He just thought I was bouncing well disappointment have served me well over the students to engage in those experiences. ahead of the times,” said Witty. “I was, thank years,” he acknowledged. “I have come to “Rodney and I washed windows one year goodness. If not, I would have missed a lot of appreciate that God is in control of the timing for one of the professors who made a donation friendships. And Emmanuel McCall was one of the events in my life. That knowledge has to the mission fund,” she said. “Raking leaves of them.” served me well and gotten me through times was another popular activity to raise money.” when things don’t happen the way I think they “Father Fred,” as she called her dad in his BREAKING GROUND should.” ministry setting, helped her understand the There were other lessons as well, he importance of not seeking to impose human Witty served in a time when Baptist Student added. restraints on God, she said. Unions were often on the cutting edge of social “Fred taught me inclusiveness and open- “Probably the most important thing I change. mindedness,” said Strong. “Fred welcomed learned from him was not to expect my experi- “The mission projects kept us in the fore- everybody at the BSU. He included them in ence as a Christian to be the same as anyone front of it,” he said. the programs and made them feel at home. He else’s.” said Elaine. “Everyone is different and He recalled the surprise of some Baptists also made sure that those of us who were a part has different experiences.” back home when a nursing student in the of the BSU showed the same warmth.” Judy Braswell, minister for children, edu- 1960s, assigned to Africa as a summer mission- Rodney said that Fred would caution cation and missions at First Baptist Church of ary, sent back a photo of a beautiful black baby any group going on a BSU-related trip to not Monahans, Texas, was also an ETSU student she had delivered. exclude others upon returning to campus but in the ’70s who was greatly influenced by A former BSU president at ETSU moved to share their experiences with them. And Witty’s ministry. to South Africa and would return on occasion anything, said Rodney, could be discussed with “He was friendly, compassionate, and to talk about the struggle for justice there. Fred. seemed wise as he greeted students and invited “You just have to be thankful that God “No topic or opinion was taboo at the them to join the BSU family,” she recalled. does all of this,” said Witty. “[Campus min- BSU under Fred,” he recalled. “He would “Through my four years at ETSU, Fred cared istry] has been one of the more joyful and allow us to speak our minds and share our for us students and loved us as persons despite rewarding things Baptists have ever done.” opinions and thoughts without fear of being our silliness, immaturity and shortcomings. He Vocational ministry was not on Fred’s cut off or criticized. Fred would be equally challenged us through his teaching and discus- radar when he decided to major in animal open about his thoughts and opinions but sion to study God’s word and think about what husbandry at New Mexico State University. never in an ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’ it meant for us to grow in faith and in service.” However, when the BSU director Ken Chafin attitude.” Following graduation, she served a two- left, leadership fell to Witty — who was the He called Fred “an encourager,” who was year stint in overseas missions and followed a oldest among the student leaders. always positive in his approach to students and calling into congregational ministry. Fred put together the spring retreat and encouraged them to pursue their goals and “Fred is one of the key persons in my life enlisted a guest speaker, who remarked: “You dreams. who demonstrated what it means to be an incar- sure have a way with them.” “He made the scriptures and teachings of national Christian, one who allows the Lord Jesus That experience turned into a calling. Christ real in his ministry,” said Rodney. “He Christ to live through him in such a way that “But I almost missed it,” Fred said. encouraged us to be involved in mission activi- people recognize him as a Christ follower and are ties and to reach out to others for Christ.” drawn closer to Christ because of him.” BT GOD’S TIMING Rodney Strong lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he is an assistant district attorney and a lay leader in the First Baptist Church. As a freshman, he went to the Baptist Student Union at ETSU in the fall of 1970 for the free food, but he found a mentor and a family of faith. Of all the things he learned from Witty, this one sticks out: “I learned to be patient with God’s timing.” When Rodney was not elected BSU president during his junior year, he was deeply disappointed. But he recalls Fred taking him

33 Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

For the Confederate States of America, 150 years ago the month of December is one of ! wrenching horrors. The devastation, December 1864 in the Battle of Nashville, of the one remaining large Confederate army The few resident whites remaining in Savannah resignedly accept the occupation. in the Deep South is followed by the The First Baptist Church remains open, one of even more traumatic fall of Savannah. few coastal congregations that does not close during the war. The Sunday before Sherman rom Milledgeville, Ga., Sherman’s armies arrives, pastor Sylvanus Landrum preaches to march steadily southeastward largely a congregation of mostly Confederate soldiers F unopposed, pillaging and torching stationed in the city. The Sunday following the infrastructure, confiscating livestock and crops, fall of the city, Landrum preaches to a congre- freeing slaves and garnering the hatred of white gation largely consisting of Union soldiers. citizens. What little armed resistance Sherman While whites in Savannah lament their encounters is quickly and easily dispatched, ill fortune, black residents rejoice, praising including lopsided battles at Waynesboro and God and celebrating newfound freedom. The Fort McAllister on the approach to Savannah. Baptist faith is predominant among black Many churches in the path of Sherman’s Savannahians, with black Baptist churches march cancel services, as does the Bark Camp accounting for some of the most prominent Baptist Church of Midville. The disruption is African-American ministers in the South. Amid I believe it was reading of [the] battles noted in church minutes: the ongoing celebrations, black Baptist leaders in the life of General Stonewall Jackson imagine a future of opportunity and prosperity today that reminded me of my Father. This was the regular day for confer- for African Americans, a future defined by the [I] have so often in early life heard him ence but owing to General William T. freedom that God wills for all persons. describe the scenes of his childhood, boy- Sherman’s Yankee Raid there was no Many white Baptists, meanwhile, refuse to hood, and youth in Culpeper. Jackson meeting of pastors or members. We as concede that slavery is unbiblical. An editorial was doubtless a great and good man, but members of Bark Camp Church do in the North Carolina Baptist Biblical Recorder the Lord that has an undisputed right to hereby place on record our solemn pro- states the matter quite plainly, faulting whites govern all things gave him to and took test; also our thorough contempt for the only for not caring for the souls of their slaves. him from his country and possesses all vandals who desecrated our church. We powers to raise another to fill his place. are willing to leave the issue in God’s I have no conscientious scruples in Have mercy on our guilty nation, O hands and fervently pray that the time regards to slavery; on the contrary, I Lord, and with Thy strong arm drive will come when we can worship our believe it to be a divinely authorized the invaders of our soil back to their own God under our own fig tree and have institution ... much of the national dis- and give us peace once more, if it be Thy none to make us afraid. tress which has fallen upon us has been will. I ask in the name of Jesus. permitted by God for our neglect of duty On Dec. 21 Savannah, posing no opposi- in regard to the souls of our slaves … Meanwhile, slaves freed by Sherman’s tion, falls to Sherman as the Union general the sooner we appreciate and discharge armies stream from Savannah into nearby completes his march to the sea. The following our religious duties to our servants, the Union-controlled Beaufort, S.C., seeking hous- day Sherman writes to President Lincoln: sooner will our calamities be past. ing, education and job training offered by U.S. government officials and soldiers working in I beg to present you as a Christmas In Virginia, the Siege of Petersburg near partnership with northern missionaries. A month Gift the City of Savannah, with 150 Richmond continues. With each passing day of unparalleled despair contrasted with great heavy guns and plenty of ammunition in the frigid trenches, hunger and despair grow hopes thus marks the close of the year 1864. BT and also about 25,000 bales of cotton. among Confederate soldiers. In Kentucky, a Baptist laywoman reflects on —Bruce Gourley is executive director of Celebrations of joy erupt throughout the Confederate victories early in the war and prays the Baptist History & Heritage Society. United States as many now believe the defeat for a miracle. In so doing she represents the mel- For a daily log of “This Day in Civil War of the Confederacy is imminent. ancholy mood that envelopes the Confederacy. History,” see civilwarbaptists.com.

34 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided in partnership with the Center for Healthy Churches (healthy-churches.org). Growing a culture of graciousness By Dan Elash

It’s an unpleasant truth that gossip, for others can be difficult, especially if it is the congregation that we will consistently not fostered by a passionate sense of our love treat each other graciously, doing our best for God and for our neighbors. to treat each other the way we hope to be petty personal spats can run steady I am often struck, when called to treated by God? intervene with a church in crisis, with just No one is singled out for negative feed- how unkind and unloving people are to each back; rather we are all challenged to act out other in their particular community of faith. our faith in a loving fashion. Building the We give lip service to loving others, but fall habit of grace-giving among each other on a the more distracted the congregation into destructive ruts and ways of thinking daily basis keeps conflicts subdued. becomes from fulfilling its purpose. and acting. Just as grace is nothing that we earn It is much harder or deserve, the people who vex us are the imagine that as long as our congregations to reverse these patterns hardest to offer grace. Of course, that’s the are comprised of flawed and flailing once we have drifted point of Jesus’ teaching: we are to love the Ihumans, this will always be the case. into a period of crisis or unlovable. Christianity is a religion of emotion conflict. It is far easier to When working with a church in crisis, as well as intellect. We celebrate the joy of avoid these crises than it I’ll usually ask the pastor to lead the con- Christ’s birth at Christmas, the passion of is to resolve them when gregation through sermons, directed Bible Christ during Lent, the hope of the resurrec- they are raging out of studies and prayer to articulate the aspects of tion at Easter time and the vigor of our faith control. a culture of grace that fits their congregation. at Pentecost. When working with pastors in the areas How will we, as lovers of Christ, treat Beyond emotions, however, we are com- of personal growth or leadership develop- people here? What’s the norm? What can/ manded to love God with our whole heart, ment, I urge them to challenge their congre- should I expect? mind and soul — not just to think about it, gations (and themselves) to develop a culture What would it look like if your church but to do it. of graciousness among their congregants. worked to develop a culture of graciousness? We are instructed to love our neighbors In the professional literature, the What are the norms, rules and expectations and to love our enemies. Our faith is both word “culture” really means “How we treat that all should be urged to adopt? felt and acted out. people here.” In a church it means treating It’s not like you haven’t been told this Love is a powerful emotion that deeply each other with grace and love at every before. Christ was very clear about how he affects human relationships. My wife expects opportunity. would prefer us to treat each other. me not to simply say, “I love you,” but to Every church has some difficult people Rather than having a dry, intellectual demonstrate that love through my behavior. as members. They occasionally gravitate to faith, we can raise the graciousness in our I expect the same of myself. positions of leadership within the church. church by passionately committing each day Yet, often when we say that we love God Left unchecked and unguided, problems are to love both our God and our neighbor, not or our neighbor, we do so in an intellectual sure to follow. just in thought but in deed. sense, describing what we want to feel but When these people or their respective Grace isn’t deserved; it is given. And it not fully manifesting it in how we behave. factions are confronted, they take this per- is usually the most hurting, lost or confused We like the idea of loving, especially if we sonally. They feel threatened and defensive. people who need it the most. By instituting can pick and choose how we express those They dig in and hold their positions more a culture of graciousness, you can build a feelings. strongly, and they often respond with hostil- faith community worthy of the name. BT Humans are creatures of habits and pat- ity. It’s not easy and often results in signifi- terns. We usually create a comfort zone for cant collateral damage to the church. —Dan Elash is a psychologist in ourselves and settle in. Rather than waiting until tension or Free Union, Va., who serves as a leadership We do what is easy but not necessarily conflict forces a pastor to confront these coach and congregational consultant for what is hard. To consistently do hard things issues, what if we set an expectation among Center for Healthy Churches.

“I am often struck, when called to intervene with a church in crisis, with just how unkind and unloving people are to each other in their particular community of faith. We give lip service to loving others, but fall into destructive ruts and ways of thinking and acting.”

35 Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org

Responding to nutty comments — or not

By John Pierce

Our editorial staff is an ignorant bunch. Fortunately, someone with far superior monthly publication recently — and not only read it, but also warned us of the embedded dangers associated with ne obvious offense was our foolish advancing of sorcery and other sorts us that we always — or even often — get it all leading Baptists at that time. O of things associated with “lifestyles right. Apparently, however, some modern that Christians don’t support.” But it’s hard to know how to respond southerners wish such historical records would We were advised against using words like appropriately to one who is writing “for the remain buried in dusty old books. They can “cultic” and “liturgies” as was done in one of sake of the true gospel” that we clearly miss. screw up revisionist narratives about the War. the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies on Joshua. Our online editor and special series writer Then there is eagle-eyed managing editor How our Bible studies writer Tony Bruce Gourley doesn’t help either. He’s into the Jackie Riley who is supposed to help me catch Cartledge missed all of that during his third year of recounting (monthly in print and all of these flagrant errors. Yet these things seminary days and Ph.D. studies at Duke is daily online) the role of Baptists in the Civil passed her by. baffling. He must have been reading the Harry War. And, of course, as executive editor I must Potter series instead of doing proper research If he doesn’t change the storyline soon, it take a little blame myself. As Jesus said: “The and going to chapel. appears the Confederacy may lose. buck stops here.” (And never mind that cultic practices The Ph.D. program in history at Auburn, (Wait. Maybe Harry popularized that line. abound in the Old Testament and that liturgy where Bruce did his work, must not teach its Truman, not Potter.) is simply any group’s way of doing worship.) students how to always root for the home I often ponder the best responses to such A second message of warning followed: team. freely offered enlightenment — given with Our critic had read Tony’s lesson for the fol- A reader (make that, a former subscriber) much passion and, hopefully, some genuine lowing week — and things were even worse. in Charleston, S.C., has assured concern. Tony, in fact, quoted directly me more than once that The temptation is to rationally explain from J.K. Rowling’s lead character. Bruce is wrong to claim away the accusations. But, in most every case, Rhetorical (I think) questions that slavery was a central there is no amount of logic that could possibly followed — filled with words issue in the War Between change a convinced mind. such as “credulous” — and then the States. A ranting response would be foolish and a strongly stated fear that some Nice southern people unproductive. There are enough of those kinds readers might conclude that it’s OK just wanted to preserve their of endless debates on social media and in com- to read Harry Potter books or even rights to grits and sweet tea, I ment streams that I’ve learned to ignore. see the movies. God forbid. guess. Perhaps there are better options. We were asked directly why Never mind that Bruce’s col- Maybe it’s best to just say something like: we’d “go so far as to put evil in PRINT?” umns — titled “In their own words” “Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a “I don’t believe J.K. Rowling’s books are on — are mostly lengthy, direct quota- nice Halloween.” the Lord’s bestseller list,” we were told — fol- tions from Baptist editorials, sermons and Or maybe just not respond at all. lowing the quotation of a biblical proverb about denominational resolutions from a century and Or, perhaps, write a Friday morning blog God detesting the thoughts of the wicked. a half ago. about it. We do appreciate feedback — and often In others words, they are not Bruce’s opin- Or maybe not. benefit from it. There are never claims from ions but primary source opinions expressed by Too late. I just hit “Publish.” BT

36 The challenge of good hospitality

By Tony W. Cartledge well as a spiritual practice.” Oden cited the example of Abraham Does the world see Christianity as a and Sarah receiving visitors under the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18) as paradigmatic for teach- friendly and hospitable faith? We’d ing hospitality. That text was quoted more frequently than any other during the first 500 years of the church, she said, more than any many people perceive Christians gospel passage. The four marks of gospel hospitality are “readiness, risk, repentance and recognition,” focused on the afterlife and care little Oden said. Like blazes on a hiking trail, they about others’ present needs. indicate we are on the right path to gospel hospitality. hat’s a problem that should concern the Readiness involves intentionality and church said Amy Oden, professor of willingness to accept the difficulty of showing T early church history and spirituality at hospitality, she said, as well as the curiosity Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma necessary to learn about others and their needs. City University, during the annual Reavis There is always risk in hospitality, she Lectures at Campbell University Divinity said, especially to others we don’t know. It School this fall. can disrupt our lives and make us uncomfort- The importance of Christian hospitality able — but in the process, we find that we are was a central tenet of the early church, Oden changed as the risk and disruption involved in said, citing several early church writers who helping others results in a blessing to the host. promoted the importance of showing kindness Such change reflects the concept of repen- to others, especially those who are poor, sick, tance, she said. “If our churches are not being imprisoned or strangers. family should have a “Christ room,” he said, changed,” Oden said, “we may not be practic- The preacher known as Pseudo- where hospitality could be shown within the ing gospel hospitality.” Clementine, writing in the early fourth home. Churches should point to ways that they century, argued that Christians should practice Christians should recognize that they were are being changed through ministering to hospitality to all persons because the image once strangers, too, he said. others, she said, celebrating ways in which of God is in everyone. Respecting the image of Julianus Pomerius, a fifth-century North- children’s programs or feeding programs bring God in others is a way of showing worship African monk who later relocated to Gaul, change and blessing to those who practice to God, he said. added an interesting twist. He noted that gospel hospitality. About the same time, the North African unexpected visitors could upset the ordered The end result of showing true hospitality teacher Lanctantius taught that Christians routine of monastery life, but that monks is recognition, Oden said: “We will see Jesus.” should show hospitality even to the dead, and should be willing to accommodate them Such recognition is not something we can for the same reason. During a time of plague, despite the disruption. Even if fasting, he said, manufacture, she said, but as Jesus taught in when bodies piled up because no one would monks should be willing to “unbend” for the Matt. 25:34-40, when we help the strangers, touch them, he encouraged Christians to take sake of others lest their fasting bring sadness to the poor, the imprisoned or the sick, it is as if the risk of removing and burying the shunned the visitors. we have ministered to Jesus himself. bodies, standing in the place of relatives to In a second lecture, Oden spoke to the The source of gospel hospitality is God, show respect to the dead and honor the image meaning and practice of hospitality. Gospel Oden said: “Welcome is God’s doing.” of God in them. hospitality is not what we find in the “hospi- As we accept God’s welcome into abun- In doing so, he said, Christians would do tality industry,” she said, nor is it measured by dant life and participate in the life of God, we out of kindness what absent relatives would gracious accommodations or by effusive greet- share that welcome with others. Jesus taught have done by affection. ings. If visitors to a church are greeted warmly that the kingdom of God has come near. John Chrysostom, the fourth-century by ushers at the door but not welcomed by In participating in the kingdom, Oden bishop of Constantinople (modern Istanbul), the members inside, for example, they haven’t said, we meet Jesus again. When we wel- encouraged church members to voluntarily experienced true hospitality. come strangers we welcome Jesus, and we are host traveling soldiers, who depended on the “Gospel hospitality is welcoming the changed. local population for housing. Instead of just stranger as Jesus for the sake of the good And in pondering these thoughts, we are supporting a charity to host the soldiers, each news,” Oden said. “It is a spiritual posture as challenged. BT

37 !"#$% &'( )*#"#! +% ,#*' )-.$/. ‘Lightning rod for justice’ Getting to know the real St. Nicholas with Adam English

AMONG THE SANTAS:

believers and non-believers alike that when he of Dec. 24. professor of religion at Campbell died sometime around 333, a special church was That’s a condensed answer to a big ques- built outside the walls of the city in his honor tion — or should we say an “elf” answer to and to hold his tomb. The remains of the church what could easily become an “abominable details about a historical figure at the and the tomb can be seen and visited to this day. snowman” question? root of a grand Christmas tradition. Does he live at the North Pole with rein- deer and elves? Unfortunately, no. BT: What do people often get wrong about n 2012, Baylor University Press published St. Nick? English’s book, The Saint Who Would Be BT: How did he get associated with AE: The presumption has often been that St. Santa Claus. Editor John Pierce posed ques- Christmas? I Nicholas is just as fictitious as Santa Claus, tions to English about this often-misunderstood AE: The feast day of St. Nicholas has always that they are both made-up characters. Or, if person from church history — and the evolu- been Dec. 6. For that reason, he has always been Nicholas was a real person, he must have lived a tion of modern-day St. Nick. associated with the season. long time ago and we probably don’t know any-

In early 19th-century America, different thing about him. BT: So, who was St. Nicholas? holiday practices were tried and tested. America I am happy to report that after spending AE: Nicholas was a Christian bishop of the early was this melting pot of influences from the years researching the question and going back to fourth century who performed works of char- British, Dutch, German, French and so forth. the original sources, I can testify with full confi- ity and generosity and attended the Council of Traditionally, parents surprised their chil- dence that Nicholas of Myra really did exist. Nicaea in 325, a watershed event for Christian dren with simple gifts of oranges, nuts and When I began to look for historical facts, history. chocolate coins on or around Dec. 6 (and they I quickly became frustrated because, so it He was born in Patara sometime after 260 still do in places like the Netherlands). However, seemed, no one considered or even knew of and was elected bishop, or head pastor, of the exchanges of gifts also occurred on New Year’s any of the historical documents and primary church in the nearby city of Myra, on the coast Day between colleagues, friends and employees. records. Until now, writers have been content, of what is today Turkey. According to Acts, Paul Eventually these various gift-giving even in books supposedly about Nicholas, to founded churches in both Patara and Myra. customs combined to create the new custom repeat legends and stories they had heard from Nicholas was so well loved in Myra by of St. Nick arriving with presents on the eve who-knows-where.

38 My own frustration over the lack of pre- The 24-hour news cycle, constant updating cise information about Nicholas pushed me to of social media, work email, text messages, and investigate further and find documents, still the avalanche of commitments we labor under not translated, from the 500s, 600s, 700s and — Ask anybody and they will tell you they’re beyond that narrate the deeds of Nicholas. I also stressed, exhausted, busy, tired. studied scholars who have found firm archaeo- We take all of that into our churches and logical evidence that supports the stories. homes, and it’s not healthy. Our salvation is found in the joy of Advent, BT: What is helpful to get right about this in the child born in a manger. We need to know historical figure? that the joy of Advent makes room for the bowl- AE: No matter how big and glossy the American full-of-jelly silliness of Christmas, and it is just commercial Santa Claus becomes in the theaters this silliness that might rescue us from our over- and shopping malls, the original St. Nicholas grown seriousness. will always be way more interesting. Smirking seriousness is easy. Genuine Here is someone known for sacrificial gen- laughter takes hard work. erosity, but also someone of deep faith who had a fiery passion for justice. BT: Is there something to learn here about Many of the earliest stories tell us about the difference between commercialism/ materialism and the generosity that can these other layers of his character. Many times Adam English mark the seasons of Advent and Christmas? he refused to back down in the face of power, The Saint Who Would but defended the innocent and advocated for be Santa Claus. AE: Let me tell you about the home I grew up the needy. in. My parents always seemed conflicted about book was that I have been introduced to the On one occasion, he threw himself into Christmas. world of professional Santas. harm’s way and personally halted the beheading They wanted us to sing carols, hang stock- I had no idea that there were schools and of innocent citizens. Just as soon as he secured ings, string lights and find presents under a seminars and associations of guys who imper- the situation at the executioner’s chopping block, tree on Christmas morning. But, they also felt sonate the man in the red suit. Some do it as a he marched off to the judge’s house to reprimand convicted by the “true meaning” of Christmas seasonal gig, but others see themselves as year- him to his face for his miscarriage of justice. — our Savior’s birth. round Santas and take the craft very seriously. He was a lightning rod for justice. For this reason, Santa Claus was never Even more interesting, a number of them viewed as a fellow worker in the vineyard of the are former pastors and ministers who in their BT: Does he really keep that good/bad list? Lord. Santa was secular. At best he represented retirement have found a ministry of compassion the commercialization and greed of the season; AE: The faint glimmer of the original Nicholas’s and comfort to children. These cheery fellows at worst he was the pied piper of paganism lur- concern for justice can still be seen in the go to children’s hospitals and military bases to ing children away from the true meaning of naughty/nice list of Santa. meet with families. Christmas with his sack of goodies. We in America have blunted Nicholas’s They bring joy all year round. Can you Even as my dad opened the flue to grant sharp edge or turned it into a toothless threat think of a better retirement ministry than that? Santa Claus access to our chimney on the 24th, given to misbehaving children: “You better shape I have relished meeting them; their jolliness is he reiterated that Jesus, not some elf from the up or you’ll get put on Santa’s naughty list.” contagious — if “jolliness” is a word. In many places in Europe, however, St. North Pole, was the reason for the season. The tension that I saw manifested in my Nicholas visits the home in his bishop’s robes BT: You’ve gotten a good bit of press over and sits down with the children, asking them this book. What does the media want to mom and dad’s struggle with Christmas drove pointed questions about their behavior and know? me, in part at least, to learn more about St. manners and lessons. Nicholas. What I discovered was a committed And here in the United States, I know AE: Last year, news agencies from New York to Christian pastor who, as it turns out, was the some men who impersonate Santa Claus but Los Angeles called me asking if St. Nicholas was perfect fit for Christmas. who do not ask children what they want for in fact a “white” guy. Commercialism and materialism are always Christmas. Instead they ask, “What have you You may remember that last Christmas at work bleaching out the beautiful and richly done to deserve a present this year?” Megyn Kelly caused a flap on Fox News when dyed facts of the history, and it is our job to They find a way to direct the conversation she said that Nicholas and Jesus were both recover and preserve them. away from the child’s wants to his or her actions. “white.” And in general, it means a lot to children to be BT: Personally, what is your favorite asked such a question and to be able to tell Santa BT: What are the best lessons from the evo- Christmas tradition? lution of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus? Claus how they have helped around the house or AE: We love to decorate our home for done something nice for a neighbor. AE: You may be surprised to learn that I have Christmas. There is something about hauling a no problem with Santa Claus. I love the Santa live tree into the living room with its smells and BT: How have people reacted to your book Claus Christmas Eve traditions. feel. and further commentary on St. Nicholas? Santa Claus reminds me not to take myself Limbs cut off the bottom become greenery AE: The response has been extremely positive too seriously. Look, we take ourselves way too on the mantle, and the whole house takes on the and gracious. One surprising outcome of the seriously. excitement of the season. BT

39 Religion News Service Shift in Tone Southern Baptists, LGBT activists talk with each other

Erik Stanley of ADF, the organization defend- ing business owners such as Stutzman, called Baptists convened a national conference to the murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in discuss issues of human sexuality, bring- 1998 “a hate crime myth.” Mohler also decried “revisionists,” or LGBT advocates like Matthew Vines, who are Christian activists into the same ballroom encouraging evangelicals to embrace the idea that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. A copy of Mohler’s rebuttal to Vines’ book was erhaps the most shocking thing was how included in the conference grab bag. Pfew fireworks there were. Even as Moore denounced ex-gay therapy, The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics tweeted responses to the speakers on stage, he nonetheless cited examples of some people and Religious Liberty Commission was clear: at times seeming to overtake the conference’s who have changed their sexual orientation. The Sex is reserved between a man and a woman Tw i t t e r h a s h t a g . conference also featured four speakers, including within the bonds in marriage. And openly While the substance remained much the Rosaria Butterfield whose personal story went gay evangelicals in attendance were equally same, the evangelicals’ shift in tone was notice- viral last year, who spoke of leaving homosexual- clear: Homosexuality is not incompatible with able. Moore regularly referred to people who are ity or embracing celibacy. Christianity. gay — not merely people who are sexual sin- Even so, specific political positions or No concessions were made, but leaders on ners in need of redemption — and denounced political endorsements were largely absent. both sides expressed surprise at how the two so-called “ex-gay” therapy as “severely counter- “Baptizing lost people and teaching them to agreed to coexist. productive.” vote Republican is not a revival,” Moore said to “I do want to apologize to the gay and Even R. Albert Mohler Jr., the veteran cul- cheers and claps. lesbian community on behalf of my commu- ture warrior and president of Southern Baptist Numerous conference speakers encouraged nity and me for not standing up against abuse Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., seemed Christians to love their neighbors who identify and discrimination directed towards you. That to have a change in tune, if not an outright as LGBT. Focus on the Family President Jim was wrong and we need your forgiveness,” said change of heart. Daly, who has cultivated a friendship with North Carolina mega-church pastor J.D. Greear, “Early in this controversy, I felt it quite a lobbyist for the gay rights advocacy Gill drawing applause. necessary, in order to make clear the gospel, to Foundation, said he prays for LGBT activist “We have to love our gay neighbor more deny anything like a sexual orientation,” Mohler Tim Gill. than our position on sexual morality.” told the crowd. “I repent of that.” Several speakers said the church should For now, at least, some gay groups seem Yet the thawed relations could not hide ten- lead, not follow, in combating anti-gay bullying. willing to give the other side the benefit of the sions between the ideas of “loving your neighbor” “You have to ask, what greater lie we could tell doubt. and “defending your rights,” particularly as legal about our savior than to distance ourselves from The conference brought together a “who’s recognition of same-sex marriage continues its the hurting and the broken in the moment they who” within contemporary conversations on lightning-fast expansion across the country. With needed us most,” Greear asked. homosexuality and evangelicalism, including the clashes between religious liberty and gay Justin Lee, executive director of the Gay ERLC President Russell Moore and Atlanta rights that inevitably follow, many still question Christian Network, said the real opportunity for megachurch pastor Andy Stanley, who attended whether the friendly conversations can continue. change could be for LGBT children who grow the conference of 1,300 with a group of other The closest conference speakers came to up in Southern Baptist homes and how they’re pastors from his nondenominational North politics came during presentations from the treated when they come out. Point Community Church. Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom on “That’s an area where a shift can literally The interactions were largely friendly, with what it sees as a threat posed to religious free- mean the difference between whether a kid is none of the hostility seen from both sides in dom by legalized gay marriage. treated with understanding and compassion or recent years. Inside the ballroom and out in the Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington winds up homeless, suicidal, or even dead,” Lee hallway, LGBT activists mingled with Southern state florist who declined to sell flowers for a posted on Facebook. “For that reason, these are Baptist leaders. From the crowd, gay advocates same-sex ceremony, drew a standing ovation. significant conversations.” BT

“Baptizing lost people and teaching them to vote Republican is not a revival.” —RUSSELL MOORE OF THE SBC’S ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION

40 Religion News Service In evangelical nonprofits, women leaders lag behind peers in the general market

At an organization where 45 percent he said in a panel discussion about the survey findings at last month’s Religion Newswriters Association meeting. “It happens because you Romanita Hairston’s gender is mostly are intentional about making it happen.” The two researchers found that women and a nonissue as she oversees children’s men are often confused about the gender parity welfare programs at World Vision, the stance of their evangelical nonprofits. “We looked at all the websites of these giant evangelical relief agency. organizations,” Curry said. “There is very little there.” ut in the larger evangelical universe, Owen Strachan, president of the Council high-ranking women like Hairston on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, thinks remain a relative rarity. B there’s a “biblically driven” factor in the con- “I think it’s kind of inappropriate at this trasting numbers of women leaders in the time in history to be shocked, but I think there evangelical and general workplaces. He thinks are places where I’m one of the few women in many evangelical mothers look to Scriptures a position of authority or shaping theological such as Titus 2 in the New Testament, which perspective,” said Hairston, a World Vision vice speaks of women being “busy at home,” loving president who serves on boards and teaches their husbands and children. about gender inequity at Seattle Central if they have diversity in leadership, which is “Simply put, there aren’t as many evangeli- Community College. something we know in the corporate world.” cal women in the marketplace as there are secular A new study by researchers at Gordon The study found that despite the relatively women because of this desire to care well for College and Wheaton College has confirmed few women in evangelical leadership, vast children,” he said, reflecting his group’s embrace what many have long suspected — that many majorities of evangelical men and women — of traditional gender roles for both sexes. evangelical institutions lag far behind the gen- 94 percent — said they believe men and women But he added: “Complementarian leaders eral marketplace in leadership roles for women. should have equal, or egalitarian, opportuni- have been real clear to distinguish between the Looking at more than 1,400 evangelical ties to lead in society, rather than distinct, or roles in the home and church, which Scripture organizations, researchers for the Women in complementarian, roles. does clearly speak about, and roles in society,” Leadership National Study found that women R. Marie Griffith, director of the John C. he said. held 21 percent of board positions, 19 percent Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Nevertheless, his organization — reflecting of top-paid leadership roles and 16 percent of Washington University in St. Louis, said that many that were studied — has an all-male board CEO posts in 2010. disparity seems to reflect the “glass ceiling” of directors (but women serve on its advisory In comparison, women make up 43 per- effect that occurs in a range of workplaces — council). cent of nonprofit boards and 40 percent of but should prompt new questions about its “We are a theological organization and so CEOs in the general marketplace. evangelical dimension. that’s why things have tended that way because Principal researcher Amy Reynolds of “Are evangelical women making decisions we see that there is a need for men to lead and Wheaton College in Illinois said the figures for in the workplace that limit their own options for teach on theological issues,” he explained. top college leaders were particularly low, at 5 leadership, or do attitudes persist that make men Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent of percent, compared with 26 percent of college more likely candidates for leadership jobs, even if The Wesleyan Church, said she was “disap- presidents overall. the education and skill sets are the same?” asked pointed yet encouraged” by the study’s findings None of the evangelical student minis- Griffith, author of a book on evangelical women. because the research has been a catalyst to get tries — which included InterVarsity Christian World Vision’s U.S. President Rich Stearns people to think about gender diversity. Fellowship, Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for said evangelical organizations must take calcu- Lyon, the only woman to lead a denomi- Christ) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes — lated steps to increase women’s roles — from nation that’s affiliated with the National had a female leader in the highest position. including female candidates in hiring pools to Association of Evangelicals, is a member of the Janel Curry, provost at Gordon College in ensuring that women are “visible and in front” NAE board. Massachusetts and the other principal researcher at strategy and management meetings and are “My goal in all of this is that it just of the study, said evangelicals ignore the gifts of being mentored for succession. becomes normalized and that people are seen women in leadership at their own peril. “Gender parity, participation of women for their gifts, and not their gender,” she said. “It’s about multiple perspectives,” she said. in organizational life and all dimensions of it “I may be naive but I think we are making “And it’s tied to organizations just doing better doesn’t just happen because you wish it will,” progress in that direction.” BT

41 Religion News Service More diversity, more drums

marching to their own drums now more than ever. he National Congregations Study’s latest look at the country’s churches, syna- T gogues and mosques — the third wave of studies that began in 1998 — finds more congregations:

active membership and in leadership. dancing-in-the-aisles during worship. and rules that might slow or block change.

The study, released this fall, draws on England then swept down to the mid-Atlantic percentage of congregations with women in interviews with leaders at 1,331 nationally rep- and west to California by 2012. the top post has been locked at roughly resentative congregations and updates data from The standout exception: Only about 4 11 percent since 1998. 1998 and 2006 studies. Non-Christian congre- percent of white conservative evangelical or America’s largest religious groups — gations were included in the study, but there are fundamentalist churches permit gays in leader- Catholics, Southern Baptists and Mormons too few for statistical analysis by topics. ship roles. — do not ordain women or allow them to lead Meanwhile, Roman Catholic churches congregations. SURPRISE turned more sharply conservative during the For diversity, look to the pews, particu- Duke University sociology professor Mark years of the study focus. The percentage of larly in predominantly white congregations. Chaves, who directed the study, said he was Catholic churches permitting full-fledged In 2012, 11 percent of congregations had “surprised” by how much the acceptance of membership for gays dropped to 53 percent, an all-white membership, down from 20 per- gays and lesbians has risen since 2006, the first down from 74 percent of congregations. And cent in 1998. About a third of congregations those permitting gays in leadership roles fell to time the study asked about gay involvement in have some Hispanics, and nearly a quarter have 26 percent from 39 percent. religious congregational life. some Asians. Behind the change, Chaves said, James Martin, editor-at-large for the Congregations that “permit full-fledged are factors such as upward mobility by blacks, Jesuit magazine America, observed, “During membership for openly gay or lesbian couples increasing rates of interracial marriage and those years, U.S. bishops were much more in a committed relationship” climbed to 48 immigration. vocal against gay marriage. It’s only been in the percent in 2012, up from 37 percent in 2006. Still, in an issue of the Journal for the last year or two — since the election of Pope Most congregations still draw a line at Scientific Study of Religion, Chaves wrote: Francis — that the church has begun opening permitting gays to take leadership positions, “We do not want to overstate the signifi- up on this.” though the number of congregations allowing cance of this increasing ethnic diversity within gays in leadership is rising; it stands at American congregations. Eighty-six percent 26 percent, up from 18 percent. DIVERSITY of American congregations (containing 80 A look by regions shows this liberalization For women, however, there’s no statistical percent of religious service attendees) remain roughly mirrors the state-by-state legalization progress in the NCS study. Despite a handful overwhelmingly white or black or Hispanic or of same-sex marriage, which began in New of recently named women senior pastors, the Asian or whatever.”

The trend toward informal and entertaining and exuberant worship services, first marked in 1998, continues to climb.

42 Chaves said in an interview, “On the beat by 7 to 20 percentage points or more. where the service “has a different cultural flair. ground, this means there are more white con- The margin of error was plus or minus You might see something very different at a gregations with a smattering of minorities. 3 percentage points for most findings for the Hispanic Mass in Los Angeles than on the However, the percent of mainly black churches survey. Upper East Side of Manhattan. It’s more a with some white people is not increasing.” Eighty percent of people attending black cultural divide than a religious one.” Protestant congregations reported that people But Chaves wondered if all the spontane- BRANDING jump, shout or dance during the main service, ous expressions of enthusiasm during worship up from 66 percent in 1998. affects the religious message. He speculates The NCS also finds distinctive religious This worship-in-motion trend is increas- that there’s “more emphasis on generating denominational brands are losing congre- ingly true for people who attend white a kind of religious experience as opposed to gational market share. Nearly one in four evangelical conservative or fundamentalist con- teaching religious knowledge or doctrine.” congregations — or 23 percent — described gregations (25 percent, up from 16 percent in Hardly, countered Marcia McFee, a themselves as nondenominational, up from the first study). 18 percent in 1998. worship consultant and speaker who coaches Nondenominational churches can have subscribing church leaders at her web site greater leeway in leadership, teachings and SIT OR STAND? worshipdesignstudio.com. She works with main- style of worship. Other groups — particularly people who wor- line denominations and churches on enhancing Look in the aisles for changes in the way ship at white moderate or liberal churches and their services with light, sound and motion. people worship. The trend toward informal Catholics — still keep to their seats. The Christian message should be a “deeply and entertaining and exuberant worship ser- Although more people attend services rich sensory experience,” said McFee, so people vices, first marked in 1998, continues to climb, where worshippers raise their hands during the “can embody that which we proclaim.” the study finds. main service (59 percent in 2012, up from 48 Sit-still-and-listen is not the way many More people now attend congregations percent in 1998), all the increase was among people connect with God, said McFee. “For where drums are played during the main Protestants, conservative or liberal. some, it doesn’t feel like a spiritual pursuit service — up to 46 percent in 2012 from 25 However, Martin of America magazine unless they’re engaged by dancing or drum- percent in 1998. Every tradition from Catholic observed, enthusiastic worship is growing ming or raising a hand or absorbed in rich to Protestant to non-Christian pumped up the among Catholics in ethnic congregations visuals.” BT

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