>> This is the August 2015 issue containing the September Bible Study Lessons
ALAN CULPEPPER’S SHAPING INFLUENCE
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baptiststoday.org Dig in! Dirty work, keen eye lead to a ‘smiting god’ 32
Remembering James Dunn 9
BIBLE STUDIES 17 FA TH™ PERSPECTIVES Words to live by 6 Gifts to Baptists Today John D. Pierce By John Pierce Executive Editor [email protected] Remembering James Dunn 9 IN HONOR OF Julie Steele By John Pierce Chief Operations Officer GLADYS TAYLOR GUNN Keys to a healthy approach to change [email protected] 28 From Shirley Ann Gunn By Michael S. Lea Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor IRCEL HARRISON [email protected] From Tammy Abee Blom Tony W. Cartledge IN THE NEWS Contributing Editor [email protected] National pride strong but tempered by JULIE PENNINGTON-RUSSELL concerns, poll shows 11 Bruce T. Gourley From David and Cathy Howle Online Editor/Contributing Writer Prime minister says British schools must [email protected] root out extremists 12 David Cassady IN MEMORY OF Church Resources Editor Okla. Supreme Court rules Ten Commandments HELEN L. CALLISON [email protected] monument must go 12 Vickie Frayne From Preston H. Callison Art Director Episcopal Church elects first black presiding bishop 12 Jannie Lister Pope Francis moves to hold bishops accountable ARDELLE CLEMONS Customer Service Manager From Hardy Clemons [email protected] in sex abuse crisis 13 Kimberly L. Hovis Jury finds gay-to-straight conversion group DR. AND MRS. E.P. GARROTT Marketing Associate committed consumer fraud 13 [email protected] From T. Maxfield Bahner Lex Horton Conservative Jews furious over scrapped Nurturing Faith Resources Manager bar mitzvah service 13 ROB PIERCE AND TIM PIERCE [email protected] From Scott and Glenda Folsom New web site offers books, resources Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus and experiences in one place 16 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus B.V. AND JANETTE THOMASON Jeffrey Haggray to lead American Baptist From Ben Thomason DIRECTORS EMERITI home missions Thomas E. Boland 26 R. Kirby Godsey Nurturing Faith Experience to explore Mary Etta Sanders Mel Williams reality, legacy of Civil War 29 Winnie V. Williams Israeli couple’s home renovation leads to BOARD OF DIRECTORS significant discovery 36 Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) AG: Roof’s radicalization resembles Edwin Boland, Johns Creek, Ga. U.S. recruits to Islamic State 42 Ronnie Brewer, Bristol, Va. Janie Brown, Elon, N.C. Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Bob Cates, Rome, Ga. FEATURES Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. 14 Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Religion and the American Presidents: Thomas Jefferson Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. Doug Dortch, Birmingham, Ala. By Bruce Gourley 30 Learning to listen Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. Soul-searching following JFK assassination Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. 38 Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. David Hull, Watkinsville, Ga. Becky Matheny, Athens, Ga. Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg, Va. Chaplain Leah Boling Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. provides ministry Cynthia Wise Mitchell, Birmingham, Ala. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. among service Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas members in Hawaii Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Air National Guard Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. David Turner, Richmond, Va. Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN 34 Donna Wood, Macon, Ga.
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Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) is published monthly by: Baptists Today Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Baptists Today All rights reserved. !"#$% &'( )*#"# +% ,#*' )-.$/. A shaping influence Alan Culpepper has a hopeful perspective on theological education and the church
TLANTA — Alan Culpepper, the first there was concern about whether the Baptist and only dean of Mercer University’s heritage those schools had represented was A McAfee School of Theology, has going to survive. A goal of the new theology stepped down after nearly 20 years of leading school was to “conserve, build on and extend the school from formation through expansion. that heritage.” The effort, however, was not to After sabbatical, he will return this fall to teach recreate these lost seminaries, he said. in his specialty of New Testament studies. “It’s a new day and a new context,” he A major summer project is to complete said. “But how do we take those vital ingre- a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew — dients of theological education and give them having written well-received commentaries on form and structure that makes them viable and John, Luke and Mark already. relevant into the next generation?” Culpepper is a graduate of Baylor “We don’t want to be educating students University, Southern Baptist Theological for the way the church was,” he added. “They Seminary and Duke University, where he earned need the tools, skills and spiritual resources to a Ph.D. He is widely regarded for his scholarship manage those changes and to lead the church.” pertaining in particular to the Gospel of John. He has been deeply shaped by seminary MAJOR SHIFTS life, and has been a shaping influence on theo- Culpepper identified five major shifts in theologi- logical education. cal education during his time as theology dean: SEMINARY SHADOWS Baptist context “I have lived literally in the shadow of a Baptist Transitions within the Southern Baptist “a single-fold brochure” and startup funds seminary all my life,” said Culpepper in an inter- Convention and state conventions and the from Emory Baptist Church in Atlanta selling view with Baptists Today. “We went to Santiago, early development of the Cooperative Baptist its property. Chile, when I was nine months old and my dad Fellowship provided the Baptist environment “So I had a million dollars, a brochure taught in the Baptist seminary there.” in which McAfee and other moderate Baptist and the 10 founding principles that Kirby had The only “hiatus,” he said, was serving on seminaries and theology schools were birthed. written.” the religion faculty at Baylor University prior McAfee faculty and students in the Culpepper found “a groundswell of sup- to coming to Atlanta in 1995. And during that early years were overwhelmingly white, said port” for the effort, especially from church time Baylor’s Truett Seminary began. Culpepper. In 2003, however, white student leaders asking, “Where now are we going to A missionary kid, Culpepper grew up enrollment plateaued while African-American get our ministers?” in Chile and Argentina. His father, Hugo student enrollment — from a variety of “We started from scratch … but we had Culpepper, provided theological training in Baptist groups and other denominations — tremendous resources to work with.” those settings and both studied, and later continued to grow, leading to a more diverse taught missions, at Southern Baptist Seminary. student body and faculty. Today, McAfee’s “It sort of all flows together,” said TAKING SHAPE student population is 50/50 in race and gender Culpepper of his long and varied experiences President Godsey assured the founding fac- makeup, he said. in and around theological education. ulty of the freedom to do their work. They Therefore, the “larger context,” said identified the “ingredients” that needed to be Culpepper, is much more diverse than he expe- GROUND UP blended into the mix, rooted in the Baptist rienced in other theological education settings. Culpepper said there was “tremendous free- tradition. dom, creativity and energy” in starting the new These included: the centrality of the Bible Churches no longer central theology school at Mercer. Then-president and freedom of inquiry, wrapped in a “keen Church attendance and the influence of the Kirby Godsey charged Culpepper and the first sense of the call of the church to mission — church on society have declined, he noted. And four other faculty members to “come and start the Great Commission — and the vitality of worship styles have changed. with a chalkboard and build a seminary.” the local church.” “All of that has changed dramatically He recalled Godsey coming to Texas to With the Southern Baptist seminaries and churches now are much less central,” said share his vision for a new theology school with under fundamentalist control, Culpepper said Culpepper, noting that church leadership
4 requires different perspectives and tools theological education. And the competition for need to preach the gospel of Jesus and to call than for past generations when the churches students is stiff from traditional programs and people into Christian discipleship within their were more homogenous and more culturally online degrees. context. Missionaries, he said, have often done influential. “I think theological education and the this in cultures where the Christian faith was Association of Theological Schools are going not dominant. Curriculum has changed to have to take a look at the viability of the Not only does Culpepper hope theological Changes in cultural context led to changing Master of Divinity degree as a three-year education will prepare students for this cultural the curriculum needed to train ministers, said program,” he said. shifting at home, but also emphasize missions Culpepper. “In a sense it is much broader than He suggests a two-year M.Div. degree beyond familiar settings. it was.” “loaded up” with foundational courses. Then, “I have a bias toward career mission ser- In the past, he noted, a student went to for those going into congregational ministry, vice — people called to be missionaries,” he a Baptist seminary to get a Master of Divinity change the standards so students can immedi- said, noting the benefits of living in a culture, degree heavily oriented around the classical ately (rather than the current three-year wait) learning the language, and cultivating leader- areas such as biblical languages, church history, go into the Doctor of Ministry program. The ship. “That is not something you can do on a theology, and ministry studies such as evange- D.Min. program, he said, would focus on the short-term mission trip.” lism and pastoral care. More attention is given skills needed for congregational leadership. Students shape the future of theological now to worship leadership, spiritual formation, education as well, he noted. They have a Christianity and culture, race and religion, and Financial stresses “different sense of the church and ministry.” ethical issues of today. Overall student enrolment in ATS schools Today’s students, he said, are more accus- Culpepper said there is also a trend — for is declining, Culpepper noted. In response, tomed to living and ministering among diverse economic reasons among others —toward seminaries/theology schools are struggling with people — ethnically and religiously. And it’s reducing the number of credit hours required recruitment, reducing degree requirements and been educational for the faculty to teach more for the M.Div. degree. McAfee’s 90-hour offering less-expensive online courses. diverse students. degree is the traditional standard, he said. At the same time, students are amassing “There are some wonderfully gifted However, 75-hour M.Div. degrees are more educational debt. and talented students coming along and the now being accredited — as well as a combi- “Students are having to pay more to get church has emerging young leadership,” said nation (called “articulation agreements”) of their education and, therefore, some of them Culpepper. “We don’t need to worry about undergraduate and graduate studies that can be are leaving seminary with debt they will be where we’re going to get our ministers in the completely in just six years, or even five years, wrestling with for years.” future.” from high school graduation to the awarding Well-funded seminaries, he said, use those Emerging theological education, he added, of the M.Div. degree. The traditional under- resources to attract students. He recalled one must address the issues that divide people graduate degree followed by a seminary M.Div. student, accepted at McAfee on academic pro- locally and globally. The assignment of our era takes a seven-year span. bation, who left when offered a full scholarship is: “How do we take our religious traditions Culpepper is concerned about this change. elsewhere. and make them resources of civilization rather “I think education takes a process of Theology schools tied to strong uni- than liabilities to its progress?” maturation,” he said. “I don’t think a five-year versities have organizational benefits such as “On a local level, how do we maintain time, even a six-year time, is adequate — and campus facilities, maintenance and security. our Christian distinctive and witness in a I think they need a foundation in the classical But financial challenges must continually be community where we are not relating to just areas and then build on that.” addressed, he said. Students also tend to want Methodists and Presbyterians but to Muslims Fewer students come to seminary from theological education closer to where they and Jews?” he continued. “For that our stu- broad liberal arts programs in colleges and live, so they don’t have to relocate, and classes dents need to have [not only] a clear sense of universities now, he noted. And this combined offered in a way that fits around their other our own Christian tradition of faith but [also] degree approach would put students into a commitments. a receptivity to work with and learn from per- singular educational setting for both under- “We are doing theological education in sons from other traditions.” graduate studies and theological training. swirls of change.” He urges theological educators to keep Despite the changes and challenges, moving in this direction — with balance. Students from varied backgrounds Culpepper is hopeful about the future of theo- “So here’s the trick: You heard me Traditionally, Baptist seminary students came logical education and the church. unapologetically affirming Christian faith from strong church backgrounds and with and missions and, at the same time, saying solid liberal arts training, Culpepper noted. THE FUTURE the task of our time is to develop interfaith That too has changed. Theological education for the future, he said, collaboration.” “Many of the students now don’t come could be informed by missions experiences Those two ideas — articulating and from necessarily a Christian home, active in where cultural sensitivities have allowed for an advocating for the Christian faith while being the church from childhood, through a Baptist indigenous faith to grow. We missionaries, he sensitive to other faith traditions — are not in college or university with a strong liberal arts noted, have lived in places where we’ve trans- conflict, he said. background, then get to seminary with all of lated faith into culture. “If we come to the table of interfaith that formation,” he said. “Now we’re seeing a culture foreign to collaboration without Christian conviction, Cost, he added, is a major factor that Christianity emerging in the Bible belt.” we have nothing to contribute. If we come influences the ways schools are delivering Culpepper holds a deep conviction of the unready to listen, we won’t learn anything.” BT
5 quotation remarks –Hugh Halter, author of Brimstone: The Art and Act of Holy Nonjudgment, in an interview with RNS columnist Jonathan Merritt –Pastor Shaun King in his “pastoral observations” to Johns Creek Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Ga., following the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage –Pam Durso, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry (BNG) –Blogger Benjamin L. Corey (patheos.com) –Russell Moore, a native Mississippian and president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, calling for discontinued use of the Confederate flag (russellmoore.com) –The survey question from the Newseum Institute to which only 19 percent of respondents acknowledged freedom of religion (CNSNews.com) –Kevin Ezell, president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, on creating a fund to assist African-American churches that burned following the Charleston church murders (Baptist Press) –Jonathan Falwell, who followed his late father Jerry Falwell as pastor of the Lynchburg, Va., church –Mark Silk, contributing editor for (Newsmax) Religion News Service –K. Hollyn Hollman, general counsel for the Baptist –Pastor Rit Varriale of Elizabeth Baptist Church in –Lexington Herald-Leader columnist Rich Copley Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, addressing Shelby, N.C., whose act of raising the Christian flag following revelations that reality TV star Josh Duggar legal ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision above the American flag at the church stirred social had molested young girls including some of his sisters allowing for same-sex marriage (bjconline.org) media (Baptist Press)
6 Editorial By John Pierce Words to live by
Several years ago I started collecting quotations from various news sources, weak substitute for confidence, security and strength. magazine articles and books, as well as sermons or other presentations I would Those of us who tend to speak rather read or hear throughout the month. In doing so I realized that the essence directly sometimes border on this concern — and sometimes actually cross over it. — the central idea — of the entire story, presentation or analysis could be Assertiveness, with its many positive attributes, summed up in that one brief statement. rests closely to an aggressiveness or over- confidence that, honestly, can be considered as ome of the quotations strike me as telephone, radio and TV and the widespread rude. It is helpful to remember that kindness humorous, even quirky. Others are bold use of the Internet all were hailed for the speed rather than rudeness is a sign of strength. S and piercingly insightful. Some are sur- and volume at which words could be shared. The constant bombardment of words prisingly unexpected words from a particular Now we are so bombarded by them that we — hitting us from all sides — calls for discern- source. Other quotations are simply fresh ways can be overwhelmed. ment. Otherwise we can drown in them. of expressing old truth. A couple of quotations that I read in my Some words we take too seriously — from During a redesign of this publication younger years have stuck with me through the pundits, politicians and, yes, some preachers. I decided to share some of these quotations decades, however, and shaped how I see the Other words, particularly the words of Jesus, each month on the page world and approach daily living. are often not taken seriously enough. opposite this one. At One was on a poster in a school library. It Those words that many of us read repeat- the time I had no idea read: “Not to decide is to decide.” edly from the Gospels — in red lettering to that Quotation Remarks I stood before it for several minutes and show their significance — call us to disciplined would become the most revisited it on occasion. That simple statement lives that are counter to many of the other popular feature in the struck me as profound truth: the question is words we hear each day. news journal. not whether we will make decisions but rather They can turn us from self-absorption and Sometimes, as a how we will make them. self-interest alone. They call us to riskier ways deadline approaches, I go I pondered that idea long and hard — and of living than most of us are comfortable. looking for a good quote eventually wrote a dissertation on the subject. They call us to forgiveness when we really or two. More often they jump off the page Another impactful statement from long prefer revenge. They call us to love and accep- — or fly out of the radio or TV and have me ago was: “Rudeness is a weak [person’s] imita- tance when condemnation and rejection seem scrambling for pen and paper. (A lot of what is tion of strength.” Credit for that good line, I more deserving from our perspectives. read in this publication starts out as scribbled learned much later, is granted to philosopher Sorting through all the words we hear words on a Panera napkin.) Eric Hoffer rather than “anonymous.” or read can be overwhelming. Yet discerning It is intriguing how words can pass us — That perspective has helped me to see the ones to discard and the few to retain is an and how they can stick. There is certainly no that those who bully their way around in important part of being disciples. And the best shortage of words. life and treat others disrespectfully are weak, words we can pull into our hearts most often The invention of the printing press, not strong persons at all. Their rudeness is a come in red. BT
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7 Good reading from Faith BOOKS
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8 "$-+0". &'( )*#"# +% ,#*' )-.$/. Remembering James Dunn
resh out of seminary in the early ’80s, 1990s) sponsored a tour of Washington, D.C., it didn’t take long for me to discover where Luther Rice had started the publication F the highlight of attending the Southern in 1822. Dunn was of great help, arranging for Baptist Convention annual meeting. It was one session to be held in the Roosevelt Room simply listed in the extensive program as the of the White House. Report from the Baptist Joint Committee on But then, Dunn was always being helpful Public Affairs (now called the Baptist Joint to others. And, likewise, friends helped him to Committee for Religious Liberty). fulfill his mission. At the time, a shift was afoot to tie the After SBC funding was cut from the EVER QUOTABLE denominational body to a political agenda BJC, supporters rallied to Dunn’s side. And that promoted government-sponsored prayer now the Baptist voice for religious liberty ollowing James Dunn’s death and other ill-advised practices diametrically in Washington, D.C., is as strong as ever. July 4, his biographer Aaron Weaver opposed to historic Baptist and American In retirement, James and his wife, Marilyn, F shared some of Dunn’s memorable contributions to religious liberty. moved to Wake Forest University where he quotes via Twitter. Here are a few of the Roger Williams, John Leland and imparted his passion for a free faith to a new jewels: Obadiah Holmes weren’t around to speak up. generation of ministers. Neither were James Madison and Thomas More than 15 years ago I was summoned “Baptists do not base our belief in church- Jefferson. to a conference room at Mercer University’s state separation on some enlightenment But never fear! The impassioned Texan Atlanta campus to meet with the Board of theory. We root our soul freedom in the James M. Dunn would mount the stage and Directors of Baptists Today. They asked me to very person of God.” make a strong, well-reasoned case for the invest myself in shaping the publication into a separation of church and state and unfettered new, hopeful future. I was not sure about that. “God is minimized in any marriage of religious freedom for all. But I looked around the table and saw religion and politics, because we make As he left the stage, messengers (delegates several of my heroes — like Jimmy Allen, God the national mascot and that’s civil to the convention) would rush to microphones Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler and James religion at its worst.” to make motions that SBC funds be cut from Dunn. How could I say no? the religious liberty organization supported by Despite health challenges, James returned “When anyone’s religious freedom is more than a dozen varied Baptist bodies and recently for yet another term on the Baptists denied, everyone’s religious freedom is that Dunn be silenced. Today Board. He was a constant source of endangered.” At the same time, I’d find my way to encouragement and support (the important where Dunn was leaving the stage just to say kind that comes in the form of a generous “Baptists believe the Bible. Unfortunately, thanks. He could not have been more gracious. check). when we fall into contests about who His earlier experience in campus ministry (my He inspired many of us to keep pushing believes it most, everyone loses.” vocation at the time) was a connecting point. for the fullness of freedom for all rather than And we began connecting every now and then. succumbing to fear. He helped us to believe “To walk past a sign that says ‘Baptist’ and Eventually, the SBC cut ties with the BJC that the Christian faith, if indeed the truth to not proclaim liberty from the pulpit and Dunn no longer had a spot on the pro- James knew it to be, didn’t need a helping of a church so tagged constitutes false gram. Oh, but he was far from silenced! hand from the government. advertising.” There were classic moments. Like when True faith simply needed an environment Vice President Al Gore, a Baptist as well, tried in which it could be freely expressed. Belief is “People come to God freely or not really.” to boost his presidential candidacy by suggest- never coerced. Never. ing he’d support federal funding of religious Like Thomas Jefferson, James Dunn died “You can’t fool all of the people all of the groups. Dunn fired off an open letter to his on the Fourth of July with justice in his heart time, but there’s good money in trying.” friend in high places, telling Gore: “…This and freedom on his lips. time, as we say in Tennessee and Texas, you’ve It is important to remember James Dunn. “Theocracy is organized arrogance.” ripped your britches.” It is more important to remember the fragile, The Christian Index (the Georgia-based cherished treasure of religious liberty FOR “The best thing government can do for Baptist newspaper for which I worked in the ALL — for which he stood so firm. BT religion is to leave it alone.”
9 Real Questions People Ask About the Bible
Discovery Depth Decision Development
An invitation to faith development and discovery of the depths of Christian faith that apply to the decisions in life
A Faith Formation Resource for Adults What are your questions about the Bible? Real people in real congregations asked the following questions. It is from these voices that the subject material for this resource has been identifi ed. Faith in 4D provides for an exploration of scripture in response to these questions. For each question raised, a McAfee professor offers a brief video presentation to engage a small group in discussion. Printed materials are included which will guide the leader and the group in a deeper discussion of the question.
Can we demand rigorous How can people read the Can the Old Testament obedience to scripture and same gospels and come shed light on today’s still be loving people? to so many different confl icts in the Middle — David P. Gushee conclusions about Jesus? East? — Thomas B. Slater — Robert Nash
How can the Bible help How can a good God What are implications me with life struggles? allow evil and suffering of the creation stories — Denise Massey in the world? to our role with the — R. Alan Culpepper environment? — Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford
A Complete DVD Resource Coming Soon for $39.95 Faith in 4D is a product of The Center for Teaching Churches of the McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia. Religion News Service ‘American exceptionalism’ National pride strong but tempered by concerns, poll shows
e’re gung-ho for the idea that the U.S.A. has a special status with God, Wand we’re almost always proud of our nation. But a new survey finds that American patriotism is also tempered by concerns that the nation isn’t the moral leader it once was, that Christians face discrimination at home and that some folks aren’t “truly American.” And although overall views shine bright red, white and blue, the level of our enthusiasm varies according to factors such as religion, age and race, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. A PRRI survey released this summer finds that 2 out of 3 Americans (66 percent) say God has granted America an exceptional role in human history. Not surprisingly, since the question presupposes a God, only 39 percent of people who don’t identify with any particular religion (the so-called “nones”) agree with that statement. said each demographic, religious or political how divided America is by race and by how dif- Still, “American exceptionalism is a deep group “could point to things where they may ferently issues are perceived by non-Hispanic and abiding belief that’s fundamental to the think the U.S. has lost its way.” white Americans and by minorities. American DNA,” said Daniel Cox, PRRI While 69 percent say they see “a typical The survey data — gathered before a white research director. American” when they look in their mirror, this supremacist allegedly killed nine black people in Indeed, pride waves from this data like a is more true for whites (77 percent) than for a Charleston, S.C., church — may reflect earlier flag: 63 percent overall say there was never a blacks (61 percent) or Hispanics (48 percent). months of protests over criminal justice and time they weren’t “proud to be an American.” This dovetails with a very narrow vision police killings. It was conducted June 10-14, However, that enthusiasm doesn’t mean of who is “truly American.” High on the list of among 1,007 adults in English and in Spanish. they’re not troubled on some points. very or somewhat important characteristics are PRRI found that nearly 2 in 3 Americans For example, the country is split over people who: overall (63 percent) say “protesting unfair gov- whether Christians (72 percent of U.S. adults) ernment treatment is always a good thing for are now facing as much discrimination as other somewhat important. the country.” groups. However, a lot of support “evaporates” About half of those surveyed — 49 per- when examined through the prism of race, Cox cent, strongly led by white evangelicals at 70 said. percent — say yes. The other half — 47 percent The survey found “profound generational According to the survey, 67 percent of (including 59 percent of “nones”) say no. differences” on the image of what constitutes a white Americans agree that Americans protest- “Christians feel like they are swimming true American, said Cox. ing government mistreatment always leaves the against a cultural tide that’s rising against Most seniors (66 percent) said that to country better off. them,” said Cox. be “truly American,” it was important to be “But fewer than half (48 percent) of whites He cited findings in other studies showing Christian — perhaps recalling a culture that is say the same when asked about black Americans evangelical concerns over “everything from gay slipping away, he said. But only 35 percent of speaking out against and protesting unfair treat- marriage to marijuana legalization, the rising millennials agreed. ment by the government,” the report says. numbers of ‘nones’ and the falling numbers of Among Americans who believe the U.S. Among racial and ethnic minorities, people who consider religion important.” was once a Christian nation but is not anymore, including blacks and Hispanics, 56 percent Overall, a majority (53 percent) say the most “still wish we were,” said Cox. This shift agree that such protests benefit the country. country today is not setting “a good moral is a bad thing, said 61 percent. Only 29 percent Even more (65 percent) agreed that when example for the rest of the world.” favor this cultural change. black Americans protest unfair treatment it They were not asked for examples, but Cox Cox said he is “continually shocked” by makes the country better. BT
11 Prime minister says Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Ten British schools must Commandments monument must go root out extremists Religion News Service Religion News Service KLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered ANTERBURY, England — O a Ten Commandments monument Headmasters and teachers at removed from the state Capitol grounds June C Britain’s privately owned and state- 30, three years after its installation sparked a run schools have been ordered to be on the religious feud. lookout for Muslim extremists attempting The American Civil Liberties Union of to “groom” youngsters to their cause. Oklahoma first filed a lawsuit challenging the The new legal requirement came after monument’s constitutionality in 2013. terrorists killed some 30 British tourists In a 7-2 ruling, the justices said the June 26 at Sousse, one of Tunisia’s best- monument was in violation of Article 2, known holiday resorts. Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The rehearing. Gov. Mary Fallin also released a It was the worst terrorist attack article states that public money or property statement, in which she indicated that she against Britons since 2005, when 52 people cannot be used or donated “ … for the use, would be talking to Pruitt’s office about legal were killed in a series of bomb attacks in benefit, or support of any sect, church, denom- options. London. ination, or system of religion … ” The monument was erected in 2012. In a statement, the British govern- The wording is critical because the monu- Since then, several other religious groups have ment was purchased with private donations ment explained that no military action asked to place their own monuments on the but placed on public land. would be taken without the permission of state Capitol grounds. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt The decision likely affects a proposed Parliament. released a statement saying the justices got it satanic monument that New York’s Satanic But Prime Minister David Cameron wrong. Pruitt argued that the monument is Temple applied for in 2013. After that applica- said another kind of war is underway — nearly identical to a Texas monument that was tion, as well as one from a Hindu group, the one aimed at making the British public found constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission “more intolerant of intolerance.” He said he plans on petitioning for a put a hold on all new monuments. BT Cameron told MPs: “We will not give up our way of life or cower in the face of extremism. This is not the war between Islam and the West, which (ISIS) wants Episcopal Church elects first black presiding bishop people to believe. It is a generational strug- the “Jesus movement.” He said he would focus gle between a minority of extremists, who Religion News Service on evangelism and acts of service, along with a want hatred to flourish, and the rest of us, “church-wide spiritual revival.” who want freedom to prosper.“ SALT LAKE CITY – Episcopal bishops have While he must lead and tend to day-to- The new guidelines require public made history again. day functions as chief executive officer, Curry bodies such as city councils, schools and On June 27, during a private meeting at said his job is more than that. prisons to take responsibility to prevent the St. Mark’s Cathedral in downtown Salt Lake “In this mission moment of the church’s spread of terrorism. City, they elected Bishop life,” he said, “the primary role of the presiding Employment checks will be devised to Michael Curry as the bishop must be CEO in another sense: Chief bar extremists from working with children. first African-American Evangelism Officer, to encourage, inspire and To prevent a form of Shariah, or presiding bishop of the support us all to claim the calling of the Jesus Islamic law, from taking root in parts of 2.5 million-member faith movement.” England, police chiefs will be ordered to group. Curry, 62, spent 12 years as rector of St. ensure that Muslim communities do not Curry won in a land- James Church in Baltimore before his election operate parallel justice systems. slide vote in a race against as bishop of the N.C. Diocese. He and his wife, “We must take on the radical narrative three other candidates. Sharon, have two grown daughters, Rachel and that is poisoning young minds,” Cameron The vote came nearly a Elizabeth. He will succeed Presiding Bishop said. “The people who do these things do decade after the bishops Katharine Jefferts Schori, the faith’s first female it in the name of a twisted and perverted chose their first female leader. presiding bishop, who completes her nine-year ideology which hijacks the Islamic faith and Leading up to his selection, Curry, who term Nov. 1. holds that mass murder and terror are not has served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese The U.S. Episcopal Church is a branch of only acceptable but necessary.” BT of North Carolina since 2000, said he envi- the 80 million-member Anglican Communion, sioned a church committed to being part of with churches across the globe. BT
12 Pope Francis moves to hold bishops Jury: gay-to-straight accountable in sex abuse crisis conversion group
the Survivors Network of those Abused by committed fraud Religion News Service Priests. “This move will give hope to some,” Religion News Service ope Francis has approved the first- Clohessy said. “But hope doesn’t safeguard ever system for judging, and possibly kids. Punishing men who endanger kids n June a New Jersey jury found a gay-to- P deposing, bishops who fail to pro- safeguards kids. That should have happened straight conversion therapy organization tect children from abusive clerics, a major decades ago. … That’s not happening now. guilty of consumer fraud in state Superior And that must happen — strongly and soon I step in responding to Catholics who have Court. Three gay men and two parents sued been furious that guilty priests have been — if the church is to be safer.” JONAH, or Jews Offering New Alternatives defrocked while bishops have largely escaped The main feature of the new system will for Healing, saying that it made gross mis- punishment. be a tribunal — effectively a church court — representations in the sale and advertisement The five-point plan on accountability for set up in the Congregation for the Doctrine of its program and that it constituted an bishops originated with the special sex abuse of the Faith, the power- unconscionable commercial practice. commission that Francis set up to deal with ful Vatican department After just two and a half hours of the ongoing crisis. that oversees orthodoxy deliberations, the seven-person jury “Very pleased the Pope has approved the and has also become the awarded the five plaintiffs $72,400 in Commission’s proposal on accountability,” clearinghouse for judging damages for individual and group therapy tweeted Marie Collins of Ireland, one of two priests accused of abuse. sessions in which clients were asked to victims of sex abuse by clergy who sit on the The new tribunal undress and touch themselves in their Pontifical Commission for the Protection of will “judge bishops with therapists’ presence and beat effigies of their Minors. regard to crimes of the mothers with a tennis racket. Peter Saunders of England, the other abuse of office when The plaintiffs claimed that JONAH; victim on the commission, also called the connected to the abuse of minors.” The pope its directors, Arthur Goldberg and Elaine new system “good news,” telling the Catholic is expected to name a special prosecutor and Berk; and one of its counselors, Alan news site Crux that “this is a positive step a staff for the tribunal, perhaps before he Downing, violated New Jersey consumer that clearly indicates that Pope Francis is arrives in late September for his first trip to fraud law by misrepresenting JONAH as listening to his commission.” the U.S., which has been ground zero in the scientifically based. Saunders’ support is especially notable clergy sex abuse crisis. “My clients needed help,” said James because he has said that if the pope did not Several gray areas remain: For example, Bromley, a lawyer from the Southern institute a reliable system for holding bish- the new protocols do not say who is respon- Poverty Law Center, which represented the ops’ feet to the fire he would leave the panel. sible for reporting bishops to the Vatican, plaintiffs. “They went to JONAH. JONAH Victims advocates in the U.S., who for and how such complaints will be filed and lied, and JONAH made it worse.” years led efforts to break the clerical wall of handled. The defense argued that JONAH’s silence on abuse, took a much more skeptical Still, Vatican observers say Francis has ideology and methods were both scientific stance on the new moves. set up the new system quickly, given the gla- and based on Jewish values. “Accountability necessarily involves con- cial pace at which the Roman Curia usually JONAH lawyers used verses from the sequences for wrongdoers. Whether a new, operates. And he seems to want to go around Bible to bolster their case. They also evoked untested, Vatican-ruled process will mean many of the usual bureaucratic and canonical their clients’ First Amendment rights to consequences for wrongdoers remains to be roadblocks to establish a relatively simple and treat homosexuality as a spiritual disorder. seen,” said David Clohessy, director of SNAP, independent tribunal. BT The jury was just unconvinced. BT
Conservative Jews furious over scrapped bar mitzvah service
The ceremony, for four boys with The cancellation of both ceremonies Religion News Service autism, was scheduled after the ultra- hit a raw nerve with non-Orthodox Jews Orthodox mayor of the city of Rehovot because non-Orthodox rabbis and institu- ERUSALEM — Conservative Jews in refused to allow the bar mitzvah, long tions have no legal standing in Israel and, the U.S. and Israel have accused Israeli planned by the Conservative movement, to unlike the Orthodox establishment, receive J President Reuven Rivlin of canceling a be held at a Conservative synagogue. The virtually no government funding. bar mitzvah ceremony at the official President’s Conservative movement has been running a Conservative Jews, called Masorti Jews Residence because one of the rabbis scheduled bar/bat mitzvah program for Israeli children in Israel, said Rivlin’s decision amounts to a to conduct the ceremony is non-Orthodox. with disabilities for two decades. de-legitimization of non-Orthodox Jewry. BT
13 Media Story and photos by John Pierce
I Promise. Rejoice! A Daily Life Guide Learning to listen Author’s ‘daily life guide’ grew out of farmland, lakeside solitude
OCKY MOUNT, N.C. — For about the North Carolina coast where they lived by The notebooks were passed around to 30 years Carol Boseman Taylor put her an inland lake. At the waterside she settled in others. One woman even sent $200 to Carol, R prayer requests into journals. with just a pen, journal and Bible. urging her to publish the reflections. The “Almost every day I’d have my prayer After her Bible reading, Carol made no money was set aside. time and write down what I’d prayed for,” she list of petitions this time. “I just sat there.” Finally, her daughter Blythe took matters recalled. “I’d look back to see how God had During that time of quiet reflection and into her own hands: “I’ll be your agent because answered [my prayers].” attention to God’s leading, her pen began to you won’t do this yourself!” About 10 years ago, however, someone flow again — this time in a different direction: One publisher wanted to make too many gave her a copy of Wally Paton’s book, How to sensing what God was offering to her rather changes, said Carol. “Nurturing Faith was the Listen to God: Overcoming Addiction Through than what she was requesting from God. right place; they have tenderly cared for this Practice of Two-Way Prayer (2000, Faith With “It was a holy experience,” she said. book.” Works Publishing). While these principles were So she took this new listening/journal- While many would rightly call the book directed toward those addressing addiction ing approach into daily practice. After eight a collection of devotionals, Carol prefers the through Twelve Steps Programs, the disciplines years she had filled a notebook from which she subtitle: “A Daily Life Guide.” were more broadly applicable, she found. pulled reflections for each day in a year. As an act of commitment, Carol had Carol said she realized that she had been At Christmas, she gave copies of these always concluded each daily writing with the doing too much of the talking. readings to Chuck and their three daughters. affirmation, “I promise. Rejoice!” — which became the title of the book. LISTENING Carol hopes the book will encourage WIDER USE “I wondered if I could listen and have God tell others to more actively listen to God — “It’s me what to do,” said Carol. She decided to Her family was moved by the daily reflections such a life-giving force.” She and her daughter give it a try. and urged her to get them published. But Blythe Taylor are planning to lead retreats as She and her husband Chuck had moved to Carol said, “I was afraid to put it out there.” well on “how to listen to God.”
14 Carol refers to herself as a simple believer “I always found a sense of God’s presence From I Promise. Rejoice! A Daily Life who is called to pray. Yet she also calls others on the farm,” she said. “It is where I learned to Guide (NurturingFaith.net) to STOP (telling) and START (listening). lean on God and to pray.” ou may feel sometimes that time “Sit quietly and wait, and you will surely Her husband Chuck said that Carol sees is passing quickly, child, but I am a sense my presence with you,” she records in the spiritual aspects of life all around her. She Y timeless God. I am the God of always — one daily entry. “Speaking aloud is unnecessary. even refers to human bodies as “earth suits,” he yesterday, today and tomorrow. Always Listening is essential. I await your attention — noted, “because we’re spiritual.” with you. Always providing. Always protect- your full attention. When you rest in me, I can Nature has helped with that perspective, ing. Always loving. Always. commune with you. I promise. Rejoice!” she said, particularly an expansive farm full of Time does not constrain me. Time is memories and family ties. not my enemy, and neither is it yours. So “Our hope is that this will always be a WINDY OAKS go forth not on time, but on me. I am bless- place where family can come,” said Carol, “Home” for Carol Taylor and her family is a ing your moments and your days until time noting that the larger family planted a garden stately farmhouse on 600 acres in Rocky Mount, will be no more for you — until you will be together in the same soil where family roots N.C. Her kin have farmed the land for more with me and your loved ones for eternity. I also run deep. BT than a century. promise. Rejoice! (Reading: Eccl. 3:11-15) Carol’s mother lived in the house, built as a Victorian in the 1890s and remolded in brick in 1926, for more than 72 years before moving into an assisted living facility earlier this year. The farm is called “Windy Oaks” though, ironi- cally, strong winds took down the imposing oaks. Large magnolias now consume much of the front yard enjoyed from a wide porch. Across the street where tobacco once grew is a 50-acre field with row-after-row of reflective solar panels. The Boseman Solar Farm pro- duces five megawatts of renewable energy per hour according to a workman checking on the equipment. The farm had been owned by Robert Henry Ricks, a Civil War veteran, successful businessman and a founder of North Carolina State University, and his wife Tempie. With no children, they took in William David Boseman, Carol’s grandfather, as a foster child. He was educated at NCSU, and later inherited the farmhouse, land and a dairy. Tragically, Carol’s grandfather was killed in a tractor accident. The farm was passed on to her father, Robert Ricks Boseman, an innovative farmer and a quiet, spiritual man, she said. “I grew up an Episcopalian, but make a pretty good Baptist,” said Carol. A step toward modern technology and changing agrarian life occurred when her father negotiated the placement of two cell phone towers on the property — which provided more steady income than seasonal farming. Her cousin now farms portions of the land not occupied by solar panels. Carol and her brother, she said, have no desire to sell the farm.
DEEP ROOTS Windy Oaks is full of memories for Carol, who grew up on the farm that she has managed since 1998 when her father became too ill. As a young girl she would sit on a fence and pray while the cows made their way across the field to greet her.
15 +% ,#*' )-.$/. Randall Lolley’s gifts — and ours Sponsor gifts sought for publication of book of sermons hose blessed to know Randall Lolley as ‘preach/teach’ series that climaxed my pastoral seminary president, pastor, visionary career as well as my seven years at the First T leader and/or friend are aware of his Baptist Church of Greensboro, N.C.” many gifts. One is his insightful and effective The purpose of these sermons, he said, was communication of the gospel. to “review the entire biblical landscape, and to Now the gift of Lolley’s preaching will discern once more the interconnectedness and become a larger gift to us all. interrelatedness of the Holy Scriptures.” Randall and his wife, Lou, have given a The book will be titled JOURNEY WITH collection of sermons — in which he preached ME: Redemptive threads woven through the through the Bible to the First Baptist Church Bible. of Greensboro, N.C. — to be published as a “Hopefully, the redemptive threads woven book by Nurturing Faith. from Genesis to Revelation have come to light This generous gift from the Lolleys in these sermons,” said Randall. “Perhaps, also, Baptists Today will benefit two good causes: Baptists Today Bible study teachers and other lay leaders will and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of find them a ready reference through the years.” North Carolina’s Lolley Fund for Theological Want to be a part of this project? Those Sponsorship gifts may be made by check to Education. making sponsoring gifts of $100 will have their Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA “This preaching journey through the names listed in the book (if received by Sept. 31208-6318, or online at baptiststoday/ Bible was undertaken January 1995 through 30) and receive a signed copy when the books donate. Please indicate that the gift is for the September 1996,” said Randall. “It was a first come off the press. Lolley book. BT
New web site offers books, resources and experiences in one place Rapid growth of the Nurturing Faith by Rick Jordan and Jeremy Colliver — are all there. publishing venture has led to the These remain free for subscribers but launch of a new expanded web site. now require a one-time login setup. Just follow the steps provided. If you have ques- urturingFaith.net provides easy tions, email [email protected] or call access for ordering Nurturing Faith (478) 301-5655. N books (digital or print), the new For those who aren’t currently subscrib- Nurturing Faith Bible Study Series by Tony ers, either digital or print subscriptions to Cartledge and other helpful resources. Baptists Today are available online as well. The new site also provides information Subscription revenue — especially from on the various Nurturing Faith Experiences group subscriptions — allows for provid- planned throughout the year. Registration ing the excellent and abundant teaching can be completed at the site. resources at no additional charge. A book proposal submission form is Nurturing Faith publishing efforts in rela- So please check out BaptistsToday.org available for potential authors interested in tionship with the authors. and create a login to access all the content exploring the author-friendly publishing Now the online teaching resources for the news journal offers and the teaching approach of Nurturing Faith, a non-profit the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies inside resources. Of course, there are exclusive venture that uses the latest in publishing Baptists Today have moved to BaptistsToday. daily posts including blogs by Baptists Today technology and in-house marketing. org. These resources — Tony Cartledge’s editors and friends along with religion A talented team of writers, copy edi- video overviews, Digging Deeper and news hand-selected by Bruce Gourley from tors, designers and marketers guides the Hardest Question, along with lesson plans sources around the world. BT
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 baptiststoday.org
HOW TO USE THESE September lessons in this issue BIBLE STUDIES Serious Church: 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible Lessons for the Book of James Lessons are found only here. 2. Teachers can go to baptiststoday.org to access all Sept. 6, 2015 of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply True Faith click on “Adult” or “Youth.” James 2:1-26
Teaching the Lessons Sept. 13, 2015 After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge Pure Speech starting on page 18, teachers can access James 3:1-12 helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at baptiststoday.org These include: Sept. 20, 2015 * Tony’s video overviews Highborn Wisdom * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan James 3:13-4:10 * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and Sept. 27, 2015 ”The Hardest Question” Fervent Prayer * Links to commentaries, multimedia resources and more James 5:13-20 How to Order The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted 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. Organizational Relationships) 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 James 2:1-26
with Tony W. Cartledge
Sept. 6, 2015 James 2:18— True Faith “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have o you have any electrical appli- works.’ Show me your ances or tools that no longer faith apart from your D work? If an electric screwdriver works, and I by my works will no longer drive screws, can you still will show you my faith.” call it a screwdriver? If a remote control button stops opening the garage door, it may be remote, but is it still a control? The man who wrote the book of James asked the same questions, but of people. He saw those who call themselves “Christians” acting bothered him. He sought to help them understand that true faith is demon- strated not by form, but by function – not by talking the talk, but by walking the walk. Is it a steeple that makes a church? while poorly dressed or unkempt people another. This made the church especially Or pews? Or hymn books? Is it the were pushed to the rear. That didn’t attractive to the needy, but it also put a outer shape of a building, or the inner strike him as being very Christian. real strain on the available resources. life of a congregation? If the church My college career happened to Perhaps this made the members trip family functions more as a social club coincide with the “Age of Aquarius.” over themselves in welcoming wealthy than a ministry organization, can you Somewhere along the way, I became guests. First-century society was very still call it church? acquainted with an unwashed young class-oriented. The privileged aristocracy And what makes a Christian? Is it a man who called himself “Link.” Day in ruled over the middle and lower classes. stated belief in Christ? Is it membership and day out, he wore the same ragged Widows, orphans, and slaves huddled at in a church? If someone lives with little jeans, dirty T-shirt, and stained sweat- the bottom of the social ladder. Showing or no reference to Christ, is it still appro- band in his long and unruly black hair. favoritism to the rich was only natural – priate to use the name “Christian”? Link professed to be a Christian, but that did not make it right. In today’s text, James proposes and one Sunday evening I persuaded James dares to question whether the a series of tests to help his readers him to attend church with me. As we faith of those who showed favoritism determine whether they should continue strolled down the aisle, I could see was genuine. Pushing aside a poor sister to call themselves by labels such as some of the same people who had who was rich in faith in order to show “Christian” and “church.” welcomed me as a clean-cut Baptist boy special attention to a wealthy patron now looking at Link as if he were from was dishonorable and inconsistent for The problem with partiality Mars. But, as I settled into a pew beside those who claimed faith in Christ. So he (vv. 1-7) my long-haired, bearded, sandal-clad asks, “Do you with your acts of favorit- James had observed well-dressed and friend, a little girl whispered excitedly ism really believe in our glorious Lord jewelry-studded people getting a warm on the row behind us. “Mommy,” she Jesus Christ?” (v. 1). Genuine faith welcome when they came to worship, gurgled, “is that Jesus?” produces genuine care; ignoring the poor and downtrodden while catering to Additional background information the same hypocrisy that was rife in the the rich calls the sincerity of one’s faith online where you see the “Digging into question. Deeper” icon pooled their resources to help one The poor people that James has in
18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes mind were not just low wage earners, James’s second example is a more but people who were destitute and are available at unlikely character. The woman Rahab unable to provide for themselves due baptiststoday.org is generally thought of as a prostitute. Yet, when she came in contact with anyone deserves special care, it is the God through Israelite emissaries who poor. Recall James’s earlier insistence in loving works, and false faith revealed had come to spy out the town, she was that real religion is shown in acts of in empty words. Note that James is not willing to risk her life to hide the men charity and personal purity (1:27). teaching that salvation results from and to help them escape. Rahab was no works, but that those who are saved by theologian, but she understood that faith The law of love faith will prove it by their actions. requires action (vv. 25-26). (vv. 8-13) What good is it to claim faith if Faithful Christians and faithful James knew that the problem of partial- one’s life does not show it? How can churches seek a balance in life: We ity would not exist if believers seriously those who show no compassion claim believe in Christ and call on others to followed what he called the “royal law,” to know the love of Christ? The poor trust in Jesus for their eternal salvation. summed up in the command “You shall are not aided by words, but by works; At the same time, we are aware that love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 8, not by best wishes, but by best efforts. persons have physical and emotional “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is citing Lev. 19:18). needs, so we also share Christ’s love in dead,” James said (v. 17). Faith without “neighbor” as anyone with a need (Luke tangible ways. We educate the mind, action is not really faith. 10:27-37). Those who show partiality care for the soul, and feed the body. We This is common sense. James toward the rich at the expense of the demonstrate both faith and works. shouldn’t have to explain it, but he poor are guilty of breaking the law by When we examine our lives, what continues in the same vein, arguing that failing to love the neighbors who truly true faith is no faith if it serves only need them. claims the name, or faith that truly plays self. James had learned from Jesus that James resorted to an argument the game? Does our faith work? not everyone who called him “Lord” typical of the Jewish rabbis to illustrate One of my favorite musicals is Les the serious nature of partiality. Break- would enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21; Miserables. The lead character, Jean 25:31-46), and even Paul, that great Valjean, had been imprisoned for 19 guilty of transgressing the whole law proponent of grace through faith, taught years for a crime no greater than steal- in general, he argued (vv. 9-11, cf. Gal. that Christians saved by grace are called ing bread to feed a starving nephew. 5:3). As far as James was concerned, to do good works (Eph. 2:8-10). After his release from prison, a Faith without works is dead because priest showed Valjean mercy and it ignoring the indigent were no less it is not true faith to begin with. A changed his life. As an ex-convict, law-breakers than someone who had majority of Americans continue to tell committed murder or adultery. pollsters that they believe in God, but however, he was rejected on every hand But while Jews lived under the they are practicing materialists: their until he violated his parole by chang- Mosaic law, Christians were called to primary allegiance is to their stuff. ing his name and identity, no longer live under the law of liberty that sets Those who think they are Christians us free from the heavy weight of ritual simply because they believe in God are prison record. demands and calls us to love others victims of a poor and shallow theology. He became a successful business- as ourselves. James stressed that even The evidence of genuine faith is not man and was even elected mayor of under this law, sin is serious, judgment found in the words of a creed, but in the his town. On a fateful day, however, is real, and those who withhold mercy works of a changed life. Valjean saw the police arrest another from others can hardly expect to receive man, accusing him of being Jean mercy from God (v. 13a). Creeds without Test cases Valjean and taking him to jail. Valjean deeds accomplish little, and those who (vv. 20-26) knew the innocent man would suffer profess faith without practicing faith James closes the chapter with two Old for no reason, and decided to risk his betray lack of true love for Christ. Testament illustrations of his point. own life by stepping forward to confess his identity to save the other man. One A test of common sense was famous as a man of faith (Heb. of the most moving scenes in the play (vv. 14-19) 11:8-12), but his faith was demonstrated has him singing a song that asks the James’s appeal to common sense is by obedience to God. He followed God question: “Who am I?” undoubtedly the best-remembered Who am I – really? Of many names section in his epistle. Here he draws a his faith-in-action, God “counted it to that might apply to me, is “Christian” clear distinction between true faith seen him for righteousness” (vv. 21-24). one of them? BT
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 | 19 James 3:1-12
with Tony W. Cartledge
Sept. 13, 2015 James 3:10— Pure Speech “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. illiam Archibald Spooner My brothers and sisters, (1844-1930) was an Anglican this ought not to be so.” W priest and warden of New College, at Oxford, England. Spooner was known for an unfortunate tendency to reverse the initial letters of two or more words as he spoke. In one address, he referred to a “crushing blow” as a “blushing in trying to describe the joy of riding a “well-oiled bicycle,” he called it a “well-boiled icicle.” In a memorable sermon, Spooner declared: “the Lord is a shoving leopard” – not the “loving shepherd” image he intended to portray. The late country comedian Archie Campbell took “Spoonerisms” to a new control is serious business. The tongue can be put to power- level, delighting audiences with the ful use in teaching. Since teaching story of “Rindercella,” who went to a letter, James encouraged believers to be “bancy fall,” “lell in fove with a prand- people whose faith was demonstrated others, James argues that teachers “will some hince,” and “slopped her dripper.” by their works, not just their words. He be judged with greater strictness.” Thus, Do you ever trip over your tongue never intended to suggest, however, that he does not encourage just anyone to or put your foot in your mouth? Start wear the teacher’s robe. Not everyone your tongue before putting your brain tremendous potential to bring good or is equipped to teach, and those who in gear? Did you ever suffer, as a friend evil. In that sense, the tongue may be teach wrongly leave themselves open to of mine used to put it, from chronic the strongest muscle in our bodies. judgment (v. 1). diarrhea of the mouth? This bit of advice, while true in a Our speech problems typically The power to direct general sense, may have been directed (vv. 1-5a) result less from Spoonerisms or Freud- toward persons who wanted to teach ian slips than from speaking words that James was aware of the immense ideas that James considered to be are careless, hurtful, or untrue. power – and the two-edged nature – of incorrect at best, or heretical at worst. The misuse of speech can lead to the tongue. But why broach the subject This chapter follows one in which serious consequences. One can break here? James must have been address- James heatedly insisted that faith not a heart with a single word or lose a ing a situation in which certain persons evidenced by works is dead. He may friend with an unkind remark. Thought- had said things that caused harm to have been targeting persons who taught less comments can wreak havoc with a the church, perhaps through teach- that one’s actions were unimportant. child’s self-esteem – or with the social ing shallow and twisted theology, or James admits that no one is perfect. fabric of a church family. Getting our through speaking ill of brothers and Many of us may be tempted to take tongues under some semblance of sisters. James argued in the previous James 3:2a as our life verse: “For all chapter that the legitimacy of our faith of us make many mistakes.” In social Additional background information is revealed by our works. One of most online where you see the “Digging important works we can do is to tame to direct our speaking in consistently Deeper” icon the tongue. positive ways. Anyone who can control
20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes their tongue, James argues, is “able to be perverted. James describes a situa- keep the whole body in check” (v. 2b). are available at tion in which someone utters a prayer Two illustrations drive home the baptiststoday.org of blessing to God, and then – with the author’s point. A small bit in the mouth same tongue – pronounces words of of a horse can direct a large and powerful cursing upon persons who are God’s animal (v. 3). A small rudder on the back our relationships. The social world children (vv. 9-10). of a ship can guide a huge sea-going in which we live has no neat borders. James is not talking about the use vessel (v. 4). Both illustrations show Once we speak a word, there is no of “curse words” as we understand it is not the tongue alone that causes telling where it will end up or how large them, although he would undoubt- problems, though it appears to be the it will grow or how many people it will edly oppose their use, as well. Ancient fulcrum of action. The horse is guided by hurt. Try as we might, once we say peoples were not hesitant to wish evil the will of the rider, and the ship is kept something, we can’t take it back. upon others while calling on their gods on course by the will of its pilot. The bit “How great a forest is set ablaze to enforce the curse. The modern phrase and the rudder are powerful tools used “God damn” still preserves some of the by the one who controls them. character of a curse: “May God damn we speak have the power to do incredi- So, when James speaks of the you to hell” is what it means. ble harm. If we teach distorted doctrine, tongue boasting of its great exploits The essence of cursing comes in for example, we could actually lead (v. 5), we know that he is speaking other forms, as well. Any words we people farther away from Christ, rather metaphorically. He knows very well speak that demean others or cause them than closer to him. If we make disparag- that the tongue only does what the mind to think less of themselves are in effect ing remarks about another, we not only tells it to. We cannot avoid respon- words of cursing: they invoke a dimin- hurt that person, but we also damage sibility for harmful words by saying ished spirit. Parents in particular must our own reputation and bring shame “Oops! My tongue slipped!” The tongue be careful to speak words of encour- upon the name of Christ. only gives outward expression to our agement to their children. Childhood inner thoughts. These verses reinforce James used his own tongue unspar- egos are fragile, and constant criticism James’s earlier assertion that an unbri- ingly in describing the destructive can shatter them. Words of support dled tongue and worthless religion go power of speech. The tongue is a focal that build up our children’s self-esteem hand in hand (1:26). point of iniquity, a stain that pollutes are truly blessings. Critical words that make them feel “not good enough” are The power to destroy (vv. 5b-8) in hell (v. 6). The phrase “sets on nothing more than a curse. Cursing others is contrary to the One cold afternoon when I was a boy, whole of human existence, from one’s nature of a Christian. We don’t expect an older cousin and I were playing in a family of origin onward (as in 1:23). In - essence, James seems to be saying that that was dry and dormant in the winter the tongue has the power to wreck one’s contradictory for a Christian to speak chill. My cousin happened to have some entire life. It is an untamable thing, a words of both blessing and cursing. A matches in his pocket, and proposed good spring does not yield both good (vv. 7-8). water and bad at the same time, nor can could pile up a little straw, play with the The forceful nature of this intense the ocean be both salty and fresh (vv. language is designed to underscore the 11-12). For a Christian, to bless God serious nature of the matter. Humans and curse his neighbor is the height of or the strength of the wind. Soon, the appear capable of taming every other hypocrisy. creature on earth, but cannot control I remember hearing a personal and our dancing efforts to stamp out something as small as their own management guru speak of personal the blaze were fruitless. Ultimately, my tongues. This does not mean we are to weaknesses as “potential areas for self- mother had to call the forest service for stop trying, but to give extra care to our assistance. management.” James would have every speech and seek always to bring our Christian to put the careful use of speech words under Christ’s control. high on their list of areas that need Every year we see news footage of further growth. If not, our own internal The possibility of perversion inconsistency will be our downfall, and (vv. 9-12) acres and destroy hundreds of homes. may bring others down with us. Sometimes it is the result of just one That is not a desired outcome in carelessly tossed cigarette. So it is in example of how the gift of speech can anyone’s book. BT
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 | 21 James 3:13-4:10
with Tony W. Cartledge
Sept. 20, 2015 James 3:18— Highborn Wisdom “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” nvy. Jealousy. We don’t like to admit it, but all of us have been E acquainted with what Shake- speare called the “green-eyed monster.” Whether we have envied someone else’s cool reputation, their car, their appear- ance, or their spouse, we know what it is like to long for more than we have. A touch of envy might spur us to work harder toward desired goals, but in larger doses, jealousy is poison – so dangerous that church tradition consid- ers it one of the “seven deadly sins.”
Gentle wisdom (3:13-18) Having pointed to the dangers inherent in undisciplined or intentionally hurtful and boastful pride (3:14). These marked by consistent love. speech (3:1-12), James challenges attitudes are not from God, but from a Persons who embody such gentle readers to adopt a godly wisdom. wisdom promote peace in their family, James was Jewish by birth, as were most godly (3:15). Bitterness and pride are in their church, in their world. There is of his readers. Unlike Paul, who was potent weapons for getting one’s way, a reward for this. Jesus said “Blessed a trained rabbi but abandoned Jewish but that power comes at the price of are the peacemakers, for they shall be scruples except when it would cause disorder and discord (3:16). called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9). offense to others, James belonged to a In contrast, the “wisdom from James adds “And a harvest of righteous- faction of the early church that retained above” engenders the kind of speech ness is sown in peace for those who more of its Jewish identity. and life that bears witness to Christ’s make peace” (3:18). James’s readers, then, would be love (3:17). Marked by an inner integ- familiar with the most important of rity, such speech is “peaceable” – it Harsh cravings proverbs: “The fear of the LORD is draws believers together rather than (4:1-4) the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10, instigating division. Divine wisdom James had apparently learned of serious Ps. 111:10, see also Prov. 1:7 and 4:7). also produces a spirit that is “gentle,” dissension among his readers, and now Wisdom that has its roots in a proper from a word that can also be translated reverence for God results in a life of “gracious.” It suggests a willingness to disputes among you, where do they humility. Thus, James urges readers accept another’s affront without retali- come from? Do they not come from to “Show by your good life that your ation, to respond with forbearance and your cravings that are at war within works are done with gentleness born of patience rather than with anger. wisdom” (3:13). Reverence for God produces a people often result from the inner The opposite of gentle wisdom is heart that is “willing to yield,” from a term that can mean “open to reason” or between the way of Christ and the way “willing to listen.” There is no outward of the world. Additional background information show of partiality, no inner problem of James uses vivid military terms online where you see the “Digging hypocrisy. The wisdom that comes from Deeper” icon God leads the believer to a gracious life plural forms suggest that he was not
22 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes addressing an isolated instance, but closer relationship. His counsel takes a persistent problem. Most of us are available at the form of 10 imperative verbs. First, know what it is like to face a chronic baptiststoday.org Christians are to submit themselves war within, prompted by our inner to God, and to resist the devil (4:7). “cravings” (the Greek term is the root of Consciously, they are to draw near to answered because they are living in God (4:8a) by recognizing the depth keep us at war with ourselves, and that spiritual adultery. Like Israel before of their sin. “Cleanse your hands” and them, they had become such friends of “purify your hearts” (4:8b) suggest the world that they had become enemies repentance from both sins of action and talks as if his readers were murdering of God (4:4). sins of motive. Since Jews often prayed each other in the aisles (4:2a)! That could As with the reference to murder, with upraised hands, the symbolism of James probably speaks of “adultery” in “clean hands” was especially graphic. language was intentionally shocking, but “Lament and mourn and weep, let should probably be taken as hyperbole. less serious. Earlier, he had used murder your laughter be turned into mourning” He wanted his readers to understand the and adultery to illustrate the seriousness (4:9) exhorts the believers to a deep gravity and the consequences of their of partiality (2:11). Now, he charges and heart-felt repentance. James is not talking about a half-hearted “I’m sorry.” 5:21-22, Jesus also suggested that hostile one’s relationship with God as adultery Remember that he has accused his words were akin to murder. is devastating to a marriage. There is a readers of murderous attitudes and spiri- Violence doesn’t necessarily require limit to how friendly a married man can tual adultery. When a spouse confesses be with another woman and still be true to an adulterous relationship, a simple murder someone’s reputation, to kill to his wife. And, there is a limit to how “I’m sorry” is not enough. Serious a friendship, or to shatter someone’s friendly we can be with the ways of the lamenting and mourning and weeping world and still be faithful to God. are appropriate to demonstrate one’s motives often leave broken hearts and This is not to suggest that we deep awareness of guilt, sorrow for sin, wounded feelings in their wake. should isolate ourselves in a cloister. and commitment to future faithfulness. What is it that the members want so We cannot be the salt of the earth and Nothing less will do. badly that they are willing to “murder” the light of the world if we separate Humble their fellow Christians in order to get it? ourselves entirely. We can be in the yourselves before the Lord” (4:10), In ancient churches as well as modern world without being of the world (cf. ones, the most likely answer would be Rom. 12:2, 1 John 2:15). yourselves to the Lord.” James has been James charges his readers with hitting on the issue of human pride has its roots in a struggle for control, spiritual adultery against God whenever throughout the letter. When people whether doctrinal or decorative. Jesus they choose to devote greater love to rebel against God, they choose to trust had made it clear that while power the world than to God, a practice that their own judgment instead of God’s struggles were in fact the way of the creates both distance from God and commands. True repentance is impos- world, his followers were called instead division within the church. sible without the humility that makes to humble service (Luke 22:24-27). one obedient to God’s teaching. James concludes the thought with Deep longings James’s instructions call for serious a curious sentence: “You have not (vv. 5-10) change. The good news is that three because you ask not.” People have James’s words are harsh, but not hopeless. of his commands are combined with often taken that verse out of context He thinks of his readers as being far from promises. These assure us that those to support a gospel of prosperity, but God, but he wants them to know that who resist temptation can overcome it, James meant nothing of the sort. “You God desires to be near, and feels sorrow ask and do not receive,” he wrote, when we follow the way of the world. God drawing near to them, and those “because you ask wrongly, in order to James emphasizes this point with what who humble themselves before God spend what you get on your pleasures” appears to be a familiar quotation: “Or will be elevated by God (4:7, 8, 10). (4:3). His readers were seeking what do you suppose that it is for nothing that Isn’t that what we want? To defeat they wanted, not what they needed. the scripture says, ‘God yearns jealously temptation? To feel close to God, and Effective prayer must be offered for the spirit that he has made to dwell in to be drawn into closer fellowship with for the right reason and derive from us’?” (4:5). the Lord who is both perfect power and a right relationship with God. James Having demonstrated how far his perfect love? implies that many of his readers are far readers have come from God, James Which will we choose? Far, or from God and do not have their prayers offers advice for those who desire a near? BT
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2015 | 23 James 5:13-20
with Tony W. Cartledge
Sept. 27, 2015 Fervent Prayer James 5:16— “Therefore confess your ow often do you pray – really? sins to one another, and We bow our heads in church pray for one another, so that you may be healed. while others pray, and may say H The prayer of the righteous a perfunctory blessing at the table. We is powerful and effective.” may breathe a quick “God help me” before tackling some uncomfortable or daunting task, but how many of us spend extended time in prayer? Do we need to? are not measured by the time we spend at it, but the attitude and spirit we bring to it. As James came to the end of his letter to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the world, he returned to a subject that began the letter (1:5-8) and focused his closing words on prayer. culties: “Are any among you suffer- good feelings that prayer may be the Praying in sorrow and joy ing? They should pray” (v. 13a). What last thing that comes to mind. (v. 13) options do we have in times of trial? We James knew that everyone experiences can be stoic or in denial. We can cry. Praying in sickness ups and downs in life, and encour- We can complain. We can call attention (vv. 14-15a) aged believers to be faithful in prayer to ourselves with a big pity party. Or, James’s readers lived in a time through every season. But James also we can pray. when good medicine was virtually knew there are right and wrong ways Note that James offers no instruc- non-existent. Poor people had no access to pray, prayers that are effective and tion as to what to pray for. He does not to such physicians as there were. They prayers that are mere noise. tell us to pray that the suffering will be were left to rely on magical charms, Has your prayer life changed over, or for acceptance in the midst of medicinal oils, or visits to a shrine of through the years? The innocent, trust- suffering, or for those who have caused Asclepius in search of healing. James ing prayers of our childhood often the suffering. Any of those prayers urges his readers to put their trust in give way to more manipulative and might be appropriate, and James appar- God rather than in superstition. self-focused prayers as we grow older. ently trusts the reader to know. The How are we to understand this text, When we don’t get what we ask for, important thing is not what we pray, but which seems to offer a blanket promise the disappointment may lead us to stop that we pray. In times of suffering, the that God will heal those who call on praying altogether, or to reduce our presence of God is especially needful. the elders of the church to anoint them prayers to an empty formality. Perhaps Suffering is real, but so is joy, and with oil and to pray for them? Some there were persons in James’s audience that is also a time for prayer. “Are any believers have taken James’s words so who had given up on prayer. cheerful?” James asked: “They should literally that they limit their medical sing songs of praise” (v. 13b). And we care to the realm of prayer. Christian should, too. But how often do we mark bookstores often carry small bottles of happy days by spending extra time in olive oil from Israel for use in anointing Additional background information prayer? Sorrow often drives us to our the sick as they follow James’s advice. online where you see the “Digging knees with empty hearts or darkened Nevertheless, we know that people Deeper” icon spirits, but joy can leave us so full of often remain sick, suffer, and die
24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes despite the most earnest of prayers Praying together being offered in their behalf. are available at (vv. 19-20) Was James wrong, or do we fail baptiststoday.org James closes this section by reminding to understand him? If James means to believers that we should not only be say that the prayer of faith will save the the author of 1 John reminds us: “If we patient in our own attitudes and faithful sick, and the people for whom we pray confess our sins, he who is faithful and in our prayer life, but that we should do not recover, does that mean our faith just will forgive us our sins and cleanse also look out for others. James seems is faulty? Many persons have suffered us from all unrighteousness” (1:9). particularly concerned about those who from well-meaning advisors who The prayers of the righteous make grow tired of waiting for Christ’s return suggested that healing would have come a difference, James insists: they are and leave the church. He urges believers if they had prayed with greater faith. “powerful and effective.” However, to care enough about their wandering It can be helpful to take a closer those who think prayer is about getting brothers and sisters to go after them: look at James’s terminology. Notice what we want must not overlook the “My brothers and sisters, if anyone what he says: The prayer of faith will word “righteous.” The prayers of the among you wanders from the truth and save the sick, and “the Lord will raise righteous are powerful and effective. is brought back by another, you should them up.” The Greek words can speak In this context, being righteous is not know that whoever brings back a sinner of renewed physical health, but they are from wandering will save the sinner’s also typical vocabulary choices to speak devotion to the will of God. Earlier, soul from death and will cover a multi- of eternal salvation and the promise James had noted that the elders should of resurrection at the last day – which anoint persons “in the name of the tude of sins” (vv. 19-20). James had discussed in the verses Lord” (v. 14). Could it be true that “the church leading up to today’s text (5:7-11). Prayers of the truly faithful are that prays together stays together”? It may be that James is not promis- always offered in the context of God’s James believes that the conscientious ing a guarantee of physical healing will (cf. 4:15), not our own. James church will not just stand by when one after all, but the assurance of eternal closes the section by calling on the of its members wanders from God. life for those who give themselves into prophet Elijah as both illustration and Rather, members will take notice when God’s care. Note that James connects inspiration regarding the power of fellow believers are missing. They will this statement with a promise that such prayer. Elijah once prayed that it would pray for them. And, they will go after prayer leads to the forgiveness of sin. not rain, and there was no rain for three them and try to bring them back into the Both sickness and sin lead to isolation. and a half years – until Elijah changed supportive fellowship of the church. A prayerful visit from the elders would his prayer and asked for the drought We must be careful not to wrongly bring balm to the sick. Salvation is the to be broken (cf. 1 Kings 17-18). The interpret v. 20 as a promise that the most potent healing of all. reader should remember, however, that, one who reclaims a wandering brother as a prophet, Elijah acted on God’s obtains bonus forgiveness points, like Praying in sin instructions rather than his own initia- a bounty paid to cowboys who retrieve (vv. 15b-18) tive, and the vocal prayer was designed lost cattle. It is the errant brother or When James speaks of praying for the sick, he promises that they will be with Elijah (cf. 1 Kg. 18:1). and thus is saved from spiritual death. saved, that they will be raised up, and James has warned against presump- In a sense, this is what James is attempt- that their sins will be forgiven. This tion throughout his letter, and he ing to do with his entire letter. He sees implies that the sick person who has certainly would not have Christians the churches wandering away from called for the elders is praying, too: presume that they can tell God what to their faithfulness to God, and seeks by the scriptures do not teach that the do or whom to heal. If we cannot make his loving advice to lead them toward prayers of one person can save another. assumptions about our own life (4:13- repentance and restoration, to forgive- James appears to be speaking of corpo- 15), we can hardly presume to know ness and faith. rate prayer when he says: “Therefore God’s will for others. Still, it is always As the plainspoken apostle comes confess your sins to one another, and appropriate to pray for one another. to the end of his letter, he leaves believ- In doing so, we assist each other in pray for one another, so that you may be ers with a call to get serious about their healed” (v. 16a). our spiritual growth and sense of faith, because following Jesus is serious The greatest healing we can experi- “connectedness” with God, so that we business. If James had spoken our ence is the healing of our wounded experience forgiveness. In the mutual modern vernacular, he might have said spirits. God may not always heal our confession of sins and in the shared “Put up or shut up.” broken bodies, but will always heal the prayers of the church, there is great Well? BT broken souls of those who seek him. As power indeed.
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 | 25 In the Know Classifieds of the South. A former ABCOTS president, he comes from the pastorate of Main Street Baptist Seminary of Kentucky has been Baptist Church in Smithfield, Va. He succeeds accredited by the Association of Theological Walter L. Parish II, who served as executive Senior Pastor: Schools for its Master of Divinity degree. minister for 36 years. The seminary, started in 2002, is housed Jamie McCallum is pastor of Belfair (Wash.) on the campus of Georgetown University in Community Church. She previously served as Georgetown, Ky. Greg Earwood is president. associate pastor for youth and congregational Rhonda Abbott Blevins is the new coordi- life at First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas. nator for the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, Mary Day Miller is executive minister of the having previously served as the group’s asso- American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, ciate coordinator for missions. She comes a regional organization with 66 churches. She from Tellico Village Community Church in comes from Mid-American Baptist Churches London, Tenn., where she has been associate where she was associate executive minister. pastor for congregational leadership. Barrett Owen is pastor of First Baptist Church John Bunn, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist of Waynesboro, Va., coming from National Church of Sylva, N.C., died on June 25. Heights Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ga., Laura Edgar, a 2015 graduate of the Baptist and McAfee School of Theology where he was Seminary of Kentucky, is associate pastor for associate director of admissions. youth, college and young adults at Auburn Larry Yarbrough is pastor of Deermeadows (Ala.) First Baptist Church. Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., coming James Mitchell Harrison is regional execu- from First Baptist Church of Gallatin, Tenn., tive minister for American Baptist Churches where he served as pastor for 10 years. BT
Minister of Children and Families: Haggray to lead American Baptist home missions he Board of Directors of American According to an ABHMS release, search Baptist Home Mission Societies committee chair Clifford Johnson said Haggray’s T (ABHMS) unanimously voted June 24 vitality, knowledge and experience will enable “a to call Jeffrey Haggray as bright future” for domestic missions. the new executive direc- American Baptist Churches, USA gen- tor. He succeeds Aidsand eral secretary Roy Medley also commended F. Wright-Riggins III who Haggray for his leadership skills in reaching will retire in October. across racial/ethic lines as well as the theo- Haggray, former logical spectrum. executive director of the “He has a passion for the life of the District of Columbia church as it faces the challenges of ministry Baptist Convention and in North America and the capacity to lead former pastor of First ABHMS in its response,” said Medley. Baptist Church in the A native of Savannah, Ga., Haggray City of Washington, now serves as interim pas- holds degrees from the University of Virginia, tor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the Yale Divinity School and Wesley Theological Atlanta suburb of Roswell, Ga. Seminary. BT
Only $10 (single copy) | $125 (case of 14) Includes shipping! This 224-page narrative includes more than 160 photos and illustra- tions, presents selected accounts of the lives and work of well-known and lesser-known Baptist men and women, and gives attention to groups generally overlooked within Baptist circles: women, ethnic minorities, and small Baptist denominations. Orders / Information: [email protected] (406) 600-7433
26 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger The Bible in just six words
emingway’s “For sale: baby shoes, never worn” is the most famous Elijah takes fast and furious chariot. (2 Kings 2) six-word story, but others have also tried to tell an entire story in Naaman bathes in muddy river, spotless! (2 Kings 5) H just six words: Beauty pageant winner takes down anti-Semite. (Esther) Job’s wife gets raw deal, too. (Job) “Hmm, that’s new,” the doctor said. Daniel refuses meat. Lions refuse Daniel. (Daniel 1-6) Python eats porcupine. Regrets it later. Whale eats upsetting prophet, throws up. (Jonah) Convicted hacker escapes using hidden file. Christmas: only cold day in Bible. (Luke 2) Only child, but never the favorite. Wise Men too dumb to stay. (Matthew 2) “Don’t marry her,” warned future me. King Herod has no Christmas spirit. (Matthew 2) My headstone was a participation trophy. Simeon stops looking for blue blankets. (Luke 2) Twelve-year-old Jesus gets lost at church. (Luke 2) What if we tried to tell the stories in the Bible with only six words? John the Baptist, Willie Nelson’s haircut. (Matthew 3) Jesus gets baptized. Father attends ceremony. (Matthew 3) God makes good stuff really fast. (Genesis 1) Satan tempts Jesus with temple bungee-jump. (Matthew 4) Sly snake. Sneaky woman. Stupid man. (Genesis 2-3) Jesus calls. Zebedee loses free labor. (Matthew 4) Should have created more brotherly love. (Genesis 4) Jesus heals mother-in-law; son-in-law mostly relieved. (Matthew 4) Rain. Boat. Animals. Noah gets drunk. (Genesis 6-8) Nazareth congregation unhappy with the preacher. (Luke 4) Tall tower falls. No United Nations. (Genesis 11) Blessed are the who? For sure? (Matthew 5) Abraham leaves for God knows where. (Genesis 12) Jesus suggests fasting; church potlucks nonetheless. (Matthew 6) Isaac starts to hate Father’s Day. (Genesis 22) Jesus tells storm to shut up. (Mark 4) Momma’s boy tricks slow big brother. (Genesis 27) Jesus brings Sauvignon Blanc to party. (John 2) Climbing Jacob’s ladder makes great song. (Genesis 28) Nic at Night, prominent minister flummoxed. (John 3) Jacob is, surprisingly, a big-time wrestler. (Genesis 32) Jesus takes a little boy’s lunch. (John 6) Joseph dreams, tells brothers. Road trip. (Genesis 37) Adulterous woman caught. Where’s the man? Potiphar’s wife acts like desperate housewife. (Genesis 39) (John 8) Pharaoh’s dream gets Joseph early parole. (Genesis 41) Jesus walks on water. Don’t try. (Matthew 14) Baby in boat. Questionable parenting decision. (Exodus 2) Good Samaritan makes priest look bad. (Luke 10) Blood. Frogs. Gnats. Flies. Six more. (Exodus 7-12) Rich fool’s sons inherit big barns. (Luke 12) Charlton Heston parts the Red Sea. (Exodus 14) Fatted calf wishes prodigal stayed away. (Luke 15) Ten things you should not do. (Exodus 20) Lazarus waves at wealthy weenie in hell. (Luke 16) Aaron learns to make golden calf. (Exodus 32) Leper comes back, provides Thanksgiving text. (Luke 17) Ikea-style instructions for a tabernacle. (Exodus 35-40) Rich guy’s name not in Bible. (Luke 18) Ten cowardly spies. Two James Bonds. (Numbers 13-14) Sycamore tree in Jericho becomes famous. (Luke 19) Poisonous serpents. Bronze pole. Confused commentators. (Numbers 21) Jesus misses Lazarus’ funeral, makes amends. (John 11) Talking donkey smarter than the preacher. (Numbers 22-24) Jesus rides donkey, but crowds cheer. (Luke 19) How’d they know where Rahab lived? (Joshua 2) Jesus curses defenseless fig tree. Huh? (Mark 11) Jericho’s thin walls can’t handle trumpets. (Joshua 6) Jesus ruins stewardship day at temple. (Matthew 21) Sun stands still. Explain that, Copernicus. (Joshua 10) Widow’s two pennies, stewardship day saved. (Matthew 23) Samson becomes argument for long hair. (Judges 13-16) Jesus washes feet, doesn’t catch on. (John 13) Cute foreigner seduces rich old farmer. (Ruth) Peter promises to be brave; fails. (Matthew 26) King Saul is candidate for recall. (1 Samuel 16) Jesus promises the cross, then delivers. (Matthew 27) David doesn’t need a 10-foot pole. (1 Samuel 17) Men hide, women go to tomb. (Luke 24) David and Jonathan, Batman and Robin. (1 Samuel 18) Christ is risen, is risen indeed! (Luke 24) King David dances in his skivvies. (2 Samuel 6) Spirit interrupts first church business meeting. (Acts 2) Absalom’s hair gets him hung up. (2 Samuel 18) Stephen should have rotated off diaconate. (Acts 6-7) Solomon passes on cash, chooses wisdom. (1 Kings 3) Fire-breathing Saul knocked off high horse. (Acts 9) Solomon says, “Cut the baby!” “No!” (1 Kings 3) Paul in prison: favorite hymn night. (Acts 16) Solomon has more wives than wisdom. (1 Kings 11) Old Jerusalem done, New Jerusalem upgrade. (Revelation 21-22) Ahab marries Jezebel; should’ve dated more. (1 Kings 16-22) Elijah sets off big fireworks display. (1 Kings 18) What if we try to sum up the whole Bible in six words? Dogs lick up Ahab’s blood. Yuck. (1 Kings 22) We mess up. God loves anyway. BT
27 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 (chchurches.org). Keys to a healthy approach to change By Michael S. Lea
Earlier this year our congregation voted conversations that included all members. We didn’t make unanimity Even if everyone didn’t fully agree with the to adopt new guiding documents that outcome, they confirmed the process by which our goal. will replace our existing constitution we went about this significant change. Those leading this process knew that not everyone would agree with the change. As one and bylaws. The process that led to this Key lay leaders had ownership church member confessed in the process, “I simply don’t like change.” vote was both exciting and challenging. and buy-in. So, we didn’t make unanimity a goal in ere are some keys to what made this As the pastor, this change was not my own per- the process. Instead, the church welcomed dis- process and the acceptance of this sonal pet project for the church. I certainly have agreement through mutual love and respect in H change a healthy journey for our had influence in helping lead the church through open conversation. congregation: this process, but the actual movement toward This environment allowed for healthy dia- making a shift occurred because a significant logue that was difficult, at times, but ultimately There was clarity about the number of key lay leaders ensured that everyone was heard. This approach purpose for change. had ownership and buy-in. also gave a broader perspective to and influenced A majority in the the development of the new guiding documents. The decision to change to our existing con- church wanted to make stitution and bylaws was grounded in our a change, and they were We exercised patience church’s commitment to live into our vision, clear about why change and persistence. mission and core values. Several years ago, was needed. Yet, they our church completed an envisioning process struggled with how to go The approval of the new guiding documents through which we identified the church’s core about such a change. was about a four- to five-year process. For some values and prayerfully developed the vision and My role as pastor churches that may sound like an eternity, while mission we believe God has given our church. has become an enabler and coach who has for others it may sound like a rushed decision. Within the first two years after this pro- empowered the congregation, particularly key As a congregation, we genuinely moved at cess, leaders evaluated our constitution and lay leaders, to take steps toward following what the pace that worked for us. We simply were bylaws to determine whether it was consistent they believe is God’s direction for the church. not ready to make this shift immediately after with the newly revealed values, vision and our envisioning process. mission. They eventually determined that it We communicated often, However, if we would have waited much was necessary to rewrite these documents that longer, the energy for such a change might helped guide our church’s life together. openly and clearly. have diminished and the failure to make a deci- The words of Jesus in Matt. 9:17 provided Staff and lay leaders communicated as often sion, one way or another, could have left the inspiration, for the majority of leadership agreed as possible through the various outlets of the church in perpetual identity limbo. We were that simply editing the existing constitution church’s communication system to keep the both patient and persistent in following God’s and bylaws to fit our values, vision and mis- congregation informed and to solicit their leadership in this move. sion would be like putting new wine into old involvement. Church newsletters, social media, wineskins. our church’s website, congregational meetings, We built in time for sermons, worship, Bible studies and prayer transition(s). We followed our congrega- meetings have all been conduits of communi- Even though the church approved the new tional process. cating and framing this process. We also have been intentionally trans- guiding documents in the spring of this year, Every congregation has a process by which it parent about the work, making leadership the new documents and the new structure and makes decisions. For us, it was very important available for private conversations with church ministry paradigm that the documents create to clarify the process for going about such members and addressing questions and con- will not go into effect until January 2016. change and to follow that process. cerns that have been raised during the process. This gives adequate time for the church to We looked both to our existing constitu- do the necessary work that will hopefully lead tion and bylaws and to recent experience as to a healthy transition in the implementation guides. In the end, the process was one led My role as pastor has become of this new way of life together. BT by key leadership, including the Constitution an enabler and coach who has and Bylaws Committee, and involved con- —Michael S. Lea is pastor of gregational meetings that consisted of guided empowered the congregation. First Baptist Church of West Jefferson, N.C.
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NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCES 2015 THE AMERICAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 REGISTRATION FEE of $45 per person First Baptist Church includes all programming, dinner and tours. CIVIL WAR @150 401 Gateway Ave. Register online at nurturingfaith.net or send Chattanooga, Tenn. OCTOBER 22-23 a check payable to Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31210. Deadline to register Chattanooga, Tenn. 5:30 p.m. – Registration and Reception is Oct. 12. After that date, call (478) 301-5655 6:00 p.m. – Dinner / Presentations to check on availability. Questions? Call (478) Leaders: Bruce Gourley, Bobby Lovett, Panel Discussions 719-1033. John Pierce “Who Is on the Lord’s Side? How Baptists HOUSING Sponsored by Baptists Today, Baptist History North and South, White and Black, Claimed Rooms at the discounted rate of $139 (plus tax and Heritage Society, First Baptist Church Divine Favor” and parking) are available at the Courtyard by of Chattanooga, and Tennessee Cooperative —Bruce T. Gourley, Ph.D., Executive Director, Marriott, 200 Chestnut St., near the beauti- Baptist Fellowship Baptist History and Heritage Society ful riverfront in downtown Chattanooga. To reserve a single king or double queen room at his two-day experience offers a closer “Legacy and Loss: How the Civil War Still this price, call (423) 755-0871 (ask for Baptists look at Baptist involvement in and reac- Impacts American Society” Today group) by Sept. 10. T tion to the Civil War — as well as how —Bobby Lovett, Ph.D., Retired Senior the war’s legacy continues to impact American Professor, Tennessee State University society a century and a half later. The setting, rich in Civil War history, will Dialogue — Facilitated by John D. Pierce, enhance the learning experience. Executive Editor of Baptists Today
Fellowship/Book Signings
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Tour of Civil War Sites
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is the oldest and largest Civil War park. Historians will share perspectives on the war during visits to Lookout Mountain (site of the “Battle Above the Clouds” and Point Park) and the Chickamauga Battlefield.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of articles by historian Bruce Gourley on the religious faith of U.S. presidents. Gourley is online editor and con- tributing writer for Baptists Today and executive director of the Baptist History & Heritage Society. His latest book, Baptists and the American Civil War: Crucible of Faith and Freedom, a compilation of articles from the recent series on Baptists and the American Civil War, is now available from Nurturing Faith.
Religion and the American Presidents Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
ero and antichrist. Champion of true private disdain of religious orthodoxy contrasted former colonies; on the other, secularists and faith and enemy of God. Architect of a with judicial utilization of religious symbols dissenters — especially Baptists. Adams, despite H glorious new era in human history and as social devices. In each of the communities his unorthodox religiosity and opposition to tyrant of an unparalleled dark age. Jefferson lived (Charlottesville, Philadelphia theocracy, as a churched candidate garnered the Contemporary opinions about Thomas and Washington), he customarily gave financial support of the former, while Jefferson enjoyed Jefferson (1743-1826), principle author of the donations to all the churches in town, although the enthusiastic accolades of the latter. Declaration of Independence and the nation’s infrequently attending services. Many traditionalists labeled Jefferson an third president, tended to the extremes. Baptists In short, Jefferson reflected a time in which atheist and “arch-infidel” intent on burning en masse adored the man, while many other few Americans attended church but almost Bibles in America. Baptists, other dissenters and Christians despised him. everyone believed in God in some fashion or secularists championed Jefferson as one of their In the 1820s the first Christian Right another. own. Jefferson won the bitter contest, as well as movement coalesced and, in opposition to To the disappoint- the 1804 presidential election. During his eight Jefferson’s freedom ideals, sought to turn a secu- ment of traditional presidential years, however, the national schisms lar America into a Christian nation. Until the Christians, Jefferson remained. 1830s the Philadelphia public library, reflecting shared with religious During his presidency many Baptist groups widespread public views of Jefferson as anti- dissenters the conviction North and South wrote Jefferson, praising christ, refused to carry any book concerning the that state churches should his commitment to church-state separation. life and writings of the former president. be abolished. Frequently, Jefferson responded to such letters, And yet, among scholars and the public Allied with Virginia’s offering words of appreciation for Baptists’ sup- alike to this day, Thomas Jefferson’s freedom dissenters in the early port and their commitment to mutually shared legacy, anchored in the ideals of human equality 1780s, Jefferson advocated for religious liberty religious principles. and justice, reflects America’s identity more than for all and church-state separation, foundational One of Jefferson’s letters, composed in any other president in the nation’s history. Baptist principles since the sect’s beginnings 1802, epitomized the tone of his presidency The story of Thomas Jefferson is the story in the pre-Enlightenment, early 17th century. regarding religious matters. Responding to of America, an America ever complex in matters Bolstered by thousands of dissenters’ religious Danbury Baptists of Connecticut, Jefferson civil and religious. liberty petitions, Jefferson penned and state appropriated, intentionally or not, early Baptist A slave-owning but abolitionist-espousing legislators enacted the 1786 Virginia Statute for language to describe church-state separation. Virginian, Jefferson was raised an Anglican, his Establishing Religious Freedom. The First Amendment established a “wall colony’s mandated state religion. As a young man Marrying traditional Baptist principles of separation between church and state,” of the gentry he was elected to an Anglican vestry, with Jefferson’s Enlightenment worldview, the Jefferson noted, echoing a metaphor first used a governing board of civil and religious elites. statute became the basis for the religious clauses by American Baptist founder Roger Williams While attending college at William and of the 1791 U.S. First Amendment separating in 1640 to describe the appropriate division Mary in Williamsburg, his studies of the church from state: “Congress shall make no law between religious faith and earthly governance. Enlightenment pointed him toward rejection respecting an establishment of religion, or pro- Writing in 1808 to Baltimore Baptists, the of Christian doctrines. Later, in a letter to a hibiting the free exercise thereof.” president referred to “this happy separation” nephew in 1787, Jefferson advised the young In the years following Jefferson’s gover- between church and state. man to pursue rationalism and question “even norship, he ascended the ladder of political Yet during Jefferson’s presidency the “wall the existence of god; because, if there be one, leadership in the newly-minted United States: of separation” faced challenges in Washington, he must more approve of the homage of reason, minister to France, secretary of state, vice presi- D.C., the nation’s newly-constructed, but not than that of blindfolded fear.” dent and, finally, president. yet complete, capitol. For a number of years the Essentially deistic, Jefferson envisioned a By the time of the 1800 presidential elec- only large buildings in town were government benevolent God who had little, if any, inter- tion pitting Jefferson against John Adams, the facilities. est in humanity’s affairs. With Enlightenment religious divide in America was stark. On one Meanwhile legislators, acknowledging the thinking as his basis for truth, he seemingly side stood traditional religionists, adherents of place of religion in American culture, selected walked a fine if commonplace line between theocratic ideology modeled in many of the local ministers to serve as chaplains, tasked with
30 opening sessions in prayer and presiding at funer- infidel, and themselves Christians and preachers the human mind.” Nonetheless, Jefferson’s com- als and memorial services. In 1800, prior to the of the gospel” are not. Often condemnatory of mitment to human liberty did not lead him to construction of local houses of worship, the chap- Christian ministers, in an 1821 letter to John release the bulk of his slaves. lains asked for and received permission to use the Adams he called preachers “the greatest enemies On July 4, 1826 Jefferson passed away, “Chamber” of the House of Representatives for to the doctrines of Jesus.” dying on the same day as did John Adams. community non-sectarian services. Deistic and Unitarian — anti-Trinitarian Whether he believed in heaven and hell is ques- In reality, the community weekly service — principles infused his correspondence. tionable, but there was no doubting that he became a platform for wide-ranging religious From 1804 to about 1820, Jefferson took to his grave a conviction that Christianity discussions, social events with no religious assembled together the fragments of the Gospels had little to do with the bulk of the Bible or emphasis, and thinly-veiled politicized dis- to which he subscribed. Now known as the the clergy at large. The third president’s legacy course. Jefferson sometimes attended these “Jefferson Bible,” these efforts he described as was that of atheism in the minds of many weekly gatherings, which lasted through his his attempt to “abstract” Jesus’ true identity Christians, yet Baptists and other religious tenure and beyond. It was here in January 1802 and teachings “from the rubbish in which it is dissenters of old were enormously grateful for that the Baptist evangelist and religious liberty buried.” He viewed his work as separating “the his role in separating church and state, first in hero John Leland presented Jefferson with the diamond from the dung hill.” Virginia, then in America. famous mammoth cheese, replete with a dis- Dismissing the supernatural elements of Amid the controversies, Jefferson’s religious course praising the president’s commitment to the New Testament, Jefferson posited Jesus as “a contributions were among his most cherished the principles of liberty. man, of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, accomplishments. As explicitly instructed by Although deeming as harmless the eclec- (and an) enthusiastic mind, who set out without Jefferson himself, the marker over his grave reads: tic, chaplain-sponsored Sunday gatherings of pretensions of divinity, ended in believing them, Washington’s elite families that bisected the reli- and was punished capitally for sedition by being HERE WAS BURIED gious, social and political dynamics of the city, gibbeted according to the Roman law.” THOMAS JEFFERSON President Jefferson refused to follow his prede- In 1819 Jefferson declared, “I am a sect by AUTHOR OF THE cessors Washington and Adams in proclaiming myself.” Religion, Jefferson noted several times DECLARATION national days of fasting and prayer. in correspondence, is a private matter between OF In private correspondence, however, the individual “and his maker.” AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE Jefferson discussed religion frankly. “I am a What, exactly, was true Christianity in OF THE Christian,” he acknowledged in an 1803 letter, Jefferson’s mind? Perhaps an 1801 letter pro- STATUTE OF VIRGINIA opposed “to the corruptions of Christianity” but vides the president’s most succinct answer. FOR open to “the genuine precepts of Jesus himself.” True “Christian religion,” Jefferson RELIGIOUS FREEDOM In 1816 he re-iterated that “I am a real declared, “is a religion of all others most friendly AND FATHER OF THE Christian,” and “the Platonists, who call me to liberty, science, and the freest expansion of UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIABT A new release he 150th anniversary of the American Civil War provides a grand opportunity to consider precisely what Baptists — North and South T — were saying from their pulpits, in the press, and through official resolutions from that time. Bruce Gourley brings such perspectives to life by making good use of careful and significant research, creatively taking a chronological approach using primary sources. He highlights the role of various kinds of Baptists, for example: Robert Smalls, Thomas Hill Watts, Basil Manly Sr., Gov. Joseph Brown, Gov. Sam Houston, Isaac Taylor Tichenor, Crawford H. Toy, and Frank and Jesse James — most of whom went on to great prominence in politics, religion or education. Gourley’s firsthand accounts of how Baptists on both sides sought and claimed divine favor and righteousness provide lessons as plentiful as the statues and markers that dot the many battlefields where the devastation has given way to peaceful fields and quiet woodlands. nurturingfaith.net
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Above: Susan Cartledge (left) brushes dirt Right: The smiting god figure
Dirty work, keen eye lead Dig in! to finding a ‘smiting god’
ACHISH, Israel — I didn’t go digging at several sites in the Levant, and are typically STRATEGIC CITY in Israel to search for God, but found portrayed in a threatening pose, striding for- one anyway. ward with the right hand brandishing a club Lachish is about 30 miles southwest of L Jerusalem, in the rolling hills of southern This one, however, was not the God I first — as if to smite those who do not worship Judah. Occupied since the Pottery Neolithic learned about in Sunday school, but the image them rightly. In Canaanite iconography, the period (6,000-4,500 BCE), Lachish became of a deity worshipped by the Canaanites more tall, pointed hat is a divine crown. a powerful Canaanite city-state during the than 3,200 years ago. So, how does one go about exhuming Middle and Late Bronze Ages, though it was The bronze figurine follows the typical Bronze Age gods from the Judean hills? largely subservient to Egypt. pattern of what archaeologists call a “smiting After deciding that we wanted to experi- The city was destroyed in the 12th century. god,” and is probably a representation of Baal, ence an archaeological dig with significance The book of Joshua (10:31-34, 12:11) says the the weather god who was so popular among to the Old Testament, my wife Susan and I Israelites did it, though David Ussishkin, who the Canaanites and a constant temptation to joined the Fourth Expedition to Lachish, now ancient Hebrews. excavated Lachish from 1973-1994, believes in its third year. the Philistines may have been responsible. The dig was directed by Yosef Garfinkel of In either case, the site remained largely LUCKY DAY Hebrew University, who invited us to join the unoccupied until an unknown king of Israel or It was my lucky day, a happy highlight of three expedition, and co-directed by Michael Hasel Judah ordered that the city be rebuilt and forti- weeks of digging. and Martin Klingbeil of Southern Adventist fied, probably as a defense against the powerful “Smiting god” images have been found University in Collegedale, Tenn. Philistines.
32 Lachish remained a strategic city in Judah 587 BCE search of smaller finds that were missed in the throughout the period of the kings. When the (Level 3) the Judean or Israelite city that initial digging: that’s how we uncovered a vari- Assyrian monarch Sennacherib conquered the Sennacherib conquered in 701 BCE ety of beautiful beads — and the “smiting god.” city in 701 BCE, he was so proud of the feat (Level 4) an earlier fortified city that may have Digging continued until 9 a.m., when that he decorated part of his palace with large been damaged by an earthquake breakfast, with an unchanging menu, was reliefs depicting the siege. Lachish rebounded, (Level 5) the earliest Israelite habitation offered: tomatoes and cucumbers, tahini sauce, but fell victim to king Nebuchadnezzar in 587, (Level 6) the Late Bronze Age Canaanite city canned tuna, boiled eggs, soft cheese or yogurt, just prior to the Babylonian exile. (Level 7) the Middle Bronze Age city and some sort of corn flakes for those who pre- fer cereal. Tuna never tasted so good. DIGGING LIFE The current work is in search of Level 5, which Thus fortified, we trudged back to the is proving elusive. square for another two hours of digging, Archaeological digs do not happen by chance. brushing, sifting, removing finds, and whatever They begin with the vision of an accomplished else needed to be done. By this time it was archaeologist who can persuade the Israel REGIMENS really hot and we were covered with layers Antiquities Authority to grant permission for Life on an archaeological expedition feels of dirt. The square supervisor constantly the excavation. like a cross between boot camp and summer reminded us to drink water. Garfinkel, Hasel and Klingbeil, in a camp, with a regimented schedule to organize At 11 a.m. we paused briefly for a seven-year dig at Khirbet Qeiyafa (the biblical the day. In Israel, the weekend is Friday and watermelon break, where an Israeli hybrid Shaaraim), uncovered a one-period fortress city Saturday. The workweek starts on Sunday, as cantaloupe shaped like a football was usually exhibiting clear urban planning. Radiocarbon did the dig. th available as well. Sometimes we’d have a few dating placed it in the 10 century BCE, the Volunteers arrived at Kedma Youth Village days of the early monarchy. Garfinkel has (a boarding school for at-risk youth during peaches, apples or lychees too. argued convincingly that it was populated by the school year) by late morning, had an early A welcomed breeze usually picked up in Israelites from Judah. lunch, and left by 12:30 p.m. to dig until late morning. With the breeze and the shade, The hope is that a five-year dig at Lachish 8 p.m. Upon return, after a shower and a late the heat was more tolerable than the dust. We — another day’s journey from Jerusalem — dinner, we collapsed into bed. continued digging until 12:15 p.m. or so and might find similar remains dating to the early Monday through Thursday, we arose early then stopped to clean the site, finish the sift- monarchical period and shed light on Israel’s enough to get our gear ready, load the bus, and ing, and gather the tools. emergence as a political entity. leave promptly at 4:40 a.m. Latecomers were Soon we’d take down the tarp and roll the With permission granted, organizers must left behind. wheelbarrow back to the container where all the raise money from both institutional and indi- A 20-minute ride brought us to the foot tools were sorted and stored. The finds of the vidual sources; find a suitable place to house of Lachish, where we’d climb the tel in the dim day, carefully marked and collected in colored and feed participants; deal with logistical issues light of earliest dawn. Reaching the top, we buckets, were whisked away in a truck while we from equipment to transportation; handle could barely see the shipping container filled tramped back down the dusty road to the bus. administrative matters; and develop a strategic with work tools. plan for the dig itself. On arrival there was a mad rush as the MYSTERY Previous digs have focused mainly on the supervisors of each square started filling wheel- southwestern and central portions of the tel Lunch at Kedma is the only meal of the day barrows with big and small picks, heavy hoes, (a mound composed of ruined cities super- that contains meat. The camp keeps kosher, square and pointed trowels, dust pans, hard imposed on one another). A four-chambered so we used different plates and silverware for and soft brushes, lots of black buckets for dirt city gate was found on the southwest side, lunch and other meals, lest meat and dairy where the Assyrian siege ramp and a defensive and fewer color buckets for finds, along with products should mingle (a rabbinic rule, not a counter-ramp were built. surveying equipment, a tool chest, and sifters biblical one). The central part of the tel was home to a made from wood and wire mesh. After lunch we would take showers and a huge palace or fortress complex. The gate com- After erecting the poles and screens that much-needed break until 4:30 p.m., when all plex and palace-fort contain the most massive shade the workspace, the square supervisors hands were expected to wash the newly found architecture of the period yet found in Israel. gave instructions. We would dig in the early pottery sherds. Garfinkel had a hunch that the city might light, either quickly or more carefully, depend- Pottery washing continued until 6:30 — have had a second gate, on the northeast side, ing on the circumstances, until the camp staff followed by a field school lecture from one of near the city’s well. So he, along with Hasel and shouted “Coffee break!” the professors or a visiting archaeologist before Klingbeil, decided to focus on three locations in We would stop briefly at 7 a.m. for cof- a late dinner. that area, carefully laying out five-meter squares, fee or tea, and the makings for peanut (or Little time was left for trying to find a with one-meter baulks between them. hazelnut) butter and jelly sandwiches. Fifteen Wi-Fi signal and getting in touch with family After surveying, the squares are outlined minutes later we were digging again, with the or friends back home. Soon we were headed to with sand bags and the digging begins. Once sun climbing and our backs beginning to feel bed with the knowledge that the alarm would the topsoil is removed, remains begin to appear the pain. go off again at 4 a.m., and that the following from these periods: Workers in some squares would dig and day would be very much like the previous one. dump their soil in a waste pile, sometimes using Yet, one great mystery remained: what we (Level 1) Hellenistic and Persian a bucket chain if far below the surface. Other might find beneath the next layer of dirt. And (Level 2) the late Israelite period that ended in squares, such as ours, sifted every bucket in that made it all worthwhile. BT
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‘FULFILLING TIMES’ Chaplain Leah Boling provides ministry among service members in Hawaii Air National Guard
The first woman to serve as a an old lady, who was a member of our church, much prayer, she decided to pursue theological going into the emergency room,” she said. “I education. chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces followed her and noticed that she was visiting At the Philippine Baptist Theological was commissioned by the Navy in patients and their families.” Seminary, Leah focused her studies on pastoral Curious, Leah asked her mother why Lola care and counseling. For an internship, she was 1973. Lt. Col. Leah Botona Boling, a (Filipino for “grandma”) Pada was going to the immersed in three months of Clinical Pastoral hospital. Her mother explained that Pada was chaplain with the 154th Wing of the Education (CPE) at a hospital. a volunteer chaplain — and what that entailed. Graduating from the seminary in 1990, Hawaii Air National Guard, is carry- she spent the following year in CPE residency CALLING at Makati Medical Center in Manila. She ing on that ministry tradition. Years later, in 1985, Leah graduated learned that several CPE centers in the U.S. was probably around 6 years old when I with a Bachelor of Science in Customs were hiring for their residency programs. first heard the word ‘chaplain,’” she said Administration (BSCA) from the Holy Cross She applied and was accepted at Interfaith “Iin an interview with Baptists Today. of Davao College. While doing an internship Ministries of Hawaii (now Pacific Health Born and raised in a Southern Baptist fam- at the Bureau of Customs in Cagayan De Ministries) in 1991. ily in the Southern Philippines in what was then Oro City, she was involved with Masterlife While in Hawaii, Leah met and married called Mati, Davao Oriental, Leah recalled play- Discipleship Training. her husband, Jeff, who was in the Air Force ing on the grounds of the Mati Baptist Hospital. “It was through this group that my calling at that time. He introduced her to military “One day while we were playing, I noticed into the ministry solidified,” said Leah. After chaplaincy.
34 INFLUENCES REWARDS Born and raised in what is now called Mati In her 13 years of military chaplaincy, Leah has City, Leah attended school from kindergar- had many meaningful ministry experiences. ten through high school. After college and “I’ve performed weddings and burials seminary in the Philippines, she went to the for our service members. I have also helped College of William and Mary in Virginia for an intervene with someone who is suicidal. I have Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Professional followed them up with visits to the mental Counseling, finishing in 1996. While in health hospital to make sure they are receiving Virginia, she was licensed in both marriage and the appropriate care and support.” She has found gratification in helping a family therapy (LMFT) and in professional counseling (LPC). couple that struggled through marital issues Beyond her academic training, Leah is and came out of counseling in a much better Another unique component of military place. She has shared in the grief of a couple quick to note the other significant shaping chaplaincy, she added, is the chaplain’s role in factors in her life and calling to ministry. through the death of their baby. And she has advising commanders with regard to moral, supported a service member who was sexually “My mother is number one on my list morale, spiritual and ethical issues. Then there of major influences,” she said. “She was very assaulted. is the unique combat setting. Hospital visits, she said, is a common active in the church life from WMU to choir to “We also have the opportunity to be with and meaningful part of military chaplaincy. teaching Sunday school. Even at a young age, our ‘parishioners’ in a combat environment and But there are challenges also. she modeled for me what a woman can do in offer our ministry in the trenches,” she said. “Having to work on a weekend or being and for the church.” “One of the most fulfilling times I’ve had was deployed somewhere away from family when “The next person is my oldest sister, Eva,” when I was deployed in support of Operation something important is going on in your added Leah. “She fulfilled her role as the eldest Enduring Freedom, Philippines, through the home is challenging,” she said. “Missing sibling by helping my parents financially as Joint Special Operations Task Force.” major milestones in your child’s life because well as my sister and me through college. In the In addition to her ministry with U.S. you have to be sent somewhere is another Philippines, it is common practice for the eldest service members, Leah also ministered to the hardship.” sibling to take on major responsibilities as a ‘sec- Armed Forces of the Philippines’ service mem- And unlike most ministers, military ond’ parent. My sister Eva did that and more!” bers. She also served in the local communities chaplains face fitness standards that require She acknowledged Kenny Mills, a through the orphanages and the center for “having to maintain physical fitness through Southern Baptist missionary in Mindanao at street kids and human trafficking. running, push-ups and sit-ups — whether the time, as a third major influence. He led While leading worship is associated with you like it or not!” her discipleship training and his wife, Jenny, ministry broadly, military chaplains have a “We are tested yearly, and we have to helped her as she struggled to respond to God’s different context: being able to provide wor- reach at least the minimum numbers to pass,” call to the ministry. ship services even in the midst of combat or said Leah. “On the upside, it motivates me to conflict. stay active and healthy.” MILITARY LIFE “What better way to be the representative Another challenge, she added, is that While military chaplaincy was not on Leah’s of the Holy in the midst of deployment?” Leah chaplains juggle family life and ministry while radar when affirming a call to ministry, it fits asked rhetorically. completing all the necessary Professional her unique gifts. Chaplains need good training in counsel- Military Education in order to get promoted. “Just like church pastors, we get involved ing as well, she acknowledged. But it’s worth it all, she said. with the service members’ lives from birth to “With the rise of issues such as Post “Being able to minister to the service death,” she said. “However, one of the unique Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic members and their families in all aspects of things about military chaplaincy is our ability Brain Injury (TBI), suicidality, depression, their lives is rewarding,” said Leah. “It is a to work in a pluralistic environment.” etc., it is crucial that a chaplain can quickly great privilege to be involved in our service “Even though I’m expected and mandated triage and make referrals when necessary,” she members’ lives, knowing that they put their to perform according to my denominational said. “It is not enough that we are solid in our trust in you completely.” endorser (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship), I theological stance. We also need to be skilled in Unlike some denominational and church am still able to work with other chaplains and dealing with real human emotions.” settings, Leah has found military chaplaincy to service members of different faiths to ensure Relating to a wide range of persons is also be affirming of her as a female minister. everyone’s freedom of religion,” she continued. critical, she added. “I am so fortunate that at the 154th Wing “We are not allowed to proselytize. However, “A chaplain must have the ability to engage of the Hawaii Air National Guard where I if a service member broaches the topic about with everyone from the lowest ranking to the serve, everyone seems to embrace me,” she religion or their beliefs or faith, then we can highest ranking member of the Command,” she said. “I do not feel any sense of being discrimi- definitely engage them and we can share our said. “Someone has probably coined this term, nated against or being disrespected because I own beliefs and faith.” but I call this ‘the ability to gab.’” am a woman!” BT
35 Religion News Service
mikvah
Israeli home renovation leads to significant discovery
ERUSALEM — An Israeli family expe- and traces of fire that might constitute evidence Amit Re’em, an archaeologist, said the rienced the surprise of a lifetime when, of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple discovery was important because until now, the J during a home renovation, workers around the years 66-70 were discovered inside archaeological remains in Ein Kerem were “few discovered a 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath, the bath. and fragmented.” called a mikvah. In addition, fragments of stone vessels were The discovery of the ritual bath reinforces The discovery lends weight to what some found that were common during the period. the hypothesis that there was a Jewish settle- archaeologists have long suspected: that a A mikvah is a pool of water — some of it ment in Ein Kerem. The area is also important Jewish community existed in Jerusalem’s Ein from a natural source — in which observant to Christians, he said, because it is where John Kerem neighborhood during the time when married Jewish women are required to dip once the Baptist was born and where his pregnant Jesus lived. a month, seven days after the end of their men- mother, Elizabeth, met with Mary, mother of Christians believe John the Baptist was strual cycle. Jesus. BT born in Ein Kerem, a popular pilgrimage site and home to several monasteries and churches. In July, the Israel Antiquities Authority briefly showed the ritual bath to journalists and “BUY 1, GET 1” SALE! awarded the owners, Oriah Shimshoni and her Purchase ONE of these (your choice): husband, Tal, a certificate of appreciation for _____$10 The Story of Baptists in the United States (Durso & Durso) reporting the discovery, which “contributed to _____$25 The Twelve Baptist Tribes in the USA (Wardin) the study of the Land of Israel,” the IAA said. Reporting an archaeological find on one’s property — something that happens quite fre- Receive ONE of these (your choice): _____free A Capsule History of Baptist Principles (Brackney) quently in Israel — can be a disruptive process _____free A Capsule History of Baptists (Gourley) when the state’s archaeologists feel it necessary _____free A How-to Manual for Your Church’s History (Deweese, et. al.) to excavate the site. _____free Baptist Heritage Library (any 13 booklets) The 11.5-foot-by-8-foot bath was discov- _____free Henry Clay Vedder (Honeycutt) ered complete. _____free No Longer Ignored (Deweese & Durso) “It is rock-hewn and meticulously plas- _____free On Mission with God (Durso & O’Brien, eds.) tered according to the Jewish laws of purity,” the IAA said. A stone staircase leads to the bot- Orders / Information: tom of the immersion pool. [email protected] Pottery vessels dating to the first century (406) 600-7433
36 Reblog
Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org Nostalgic and critical
However, I ignored the over- critical at the same time as well. whelming reality that the SBC had Admitting a history of racism — and been birthed in defense of slavery. repenting of our own attitudes that have I presented the cause as being contributed to such pain — does not require more noble — a commitment to abandoning appreciation for one’s own roots. By John Pierce missions. It does require abandoning defensiveness. Sort of telling the truth is not being Mississippian Kate Campbell’s moving eloved professor Bill Hoyt chaired the truthful. The dividing issue between Baptists, song, “Look Away,” reminds me of the poten- Religion and Philosophy Department North and South, was whether slaveholders tial to be both nostalgic about my roots while B at Berry College in the 1970s, when could be appointed as missionaries. being critical (honestly analytical) about a his- I was one of the few students on the world’s In a gracious act, my gentle Presbyterian tory less than kind to all of God’s children. largest campus who chose such a major. It was professor acknowledged the accuracy of much “It’s a long and slow surrender,” Kate a wonderful opportunity to benefit from a seri- of my writing and gave a better grade than I reminds us, “retreating from the past.” ous academic approach to such subjects at the deserved. Then he added this wise note: “One For me, it is possible, even helpful and hands of thoughtful, Christian scholars. can be loyal and critical at the same time.” hopeful, to relish in the warm sunshine, to For my first research paper in my first It was a needed lesson, and one I have enjoy pinto beans (with chow-chow) and church history class I wrote on the formation of never forgotten. In fact, it is a lesson that can cornbread, to speak in a Southern drawl, while my then-beloved Southern Baptist Convention. be expanded a bit as well. confessing sins of exclusion, past and present, Accurately, I pulled information (time, place, In light of recent events involving sym- and seeking to make amends for injustice. etc.) about the 1845 gathering in Augusta, Ga. bols, racism, murder and forgiveness, I would To look back; to look ahead; to look that brought about a new convention. add that it is possible to be nostalgic and away. BT
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SOUL-SEARCHING Shamed city took a closer look at itself following JFK assassination
ALLAS, Texas — On Nov. 22, 2013, DIVERTING ATTENTION Nov. 22, 1963. Later the books were removed when Dallas marked the 50th anniver- and the building boarded up, said Fratena. D sary of the assassination of President Shame swept across the city following the “Still, people came,” she said. City leaders John F. Kennedy, church bells throughout the presidential assassination, said Fratena. That’s could not erase such a large scar. city tolled followed by a moment of silence. why there is no significant memorial to JFK at It was 12:30 p.m., the same moment that the the site frequented by visitors. ‘GHOST TOWN’ president had been murdered and a city fell City leaders sought to “draw attention into a state of anguish and shame. away” from the event that had stunned a On that fateful day in 1963, an estimated Helen Fratena, a member of Dallas’ nation and labeled Dallas as a “city of hate.” crowd of 250,000 people gathered to see the Wilshire Baptist Church, is a certified tour Dealey Plaza, honoring a late journalist, presidential motorcade, said Fratena. That guide who specializes in the Kennedy assassi- was already in place at the site, she noted. A represented about one-fourth of the city’s nation. In June, she led a group of participants boxy memorial to Kennedy was erected on population — a particularly large number, she in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General the other side of Old Red, the former Dallas noted, since Kennedy was a Democrat and Assembly on a walk down to Dealey Plaza County Courthouse that is now a museum. Dallas was heavily Republican. where the tragic event occurred. Visitors don’t typically see it en route to the The president, she said, had asked that the She sought to separate fact from false- assassination site. top of the car be removed so he could be “more hoods and speculation — and to give particular The nearby seven-story brick building, accessible” to the people. “He was far more attention to the role of faith communities where schoolbooks were stored, became a snip- vulnerable than we allow our presidents to be following the assassination. er’s perch for employee Lee Harvey Oswald on today.”
38 Following the assassination, however, Jimmy Allen, then leading the Texas Baptist “He said, ‘We did the best we could in the people fled the city, she noted. “The heaviness Christian Life Commission, stated: time frame we had with the resources avail- was too much.” “The demands of these days will be great. able…,’” recalled Browning. Downtown businesses began relocating Hatred’s bonds will not evaporate. They must Cooper, he said, added that the evidence and fewer events were hosted. “It became a be cut through one step at a time with the was strong enough to point the guilty finger at ghost town,” she said. intensity of the torch of Christian love. Hate Oswald — whether others were involved or not. The one exception, Fratena noted, was must be rooted out on each form in which it Browning said he put a lot of trust in that the city’s places of worship became sanctu- has fixed itself upon our nation. Extremism Cooper, whose funeral he spoke at in 1991. aries for those traumatized by the shooting and must be rejected not just in a great declaration “He truly was a compassionate conser- shame that followed. but in a constant dedication.” vative long before it was ever coined,” said She recalled reading about one congregant Browning, who at the funeral noted that who marveled at how packed the synagogue THEORIES Cooper “made power a healthy word.” became the night of the shooting. But another Although in opposite political parties, “Theories of the [JFK] assassination are like responded: “Where else would they go?” Cooper and Kennedy, who had been Senate recipes for potato salad,” said the tour guide. colleagues, shared a close working relationship “Everybody has one, and some are better than SUNDAY AFTER as well as personal friendship. others.” Two days after the assassination the churches Fratena said she doesn’t have enough of Dallas filled as well, she noted. Some heard evidence to use the three-shot theory of some AFTERMATH the healing words they sought while others conspiracists. “I’d dare say the only two things you know were resistant to appeals for change. She noted that the Zapruder film, though about Dallas are J.R. [Ewing from the old TV “Dallas was called the ‘City of Hate,’” she not the only recording of the assassination, was series Dallas] and JFK,” said Fratena to a gath- noted. “Some ministers, two days later, said the most detailed. And that same film was used ering tour group. we’re a city of fear.” by both the Warren Commission and those At the end of the tour, however, visitors A full-page ad in the local newspaper, who reached different conclusions about the know more: that a city can come back from on the day of the assassination, had accused assassination. shame — and that faith communities have an Kennedy of being soft on communism. Dallas In her final analysis, she noted: “I don’t important role in social transformation. had earned a reputation for harboring extrem- know how many [shots] there were.” The assassination of President John F. ism, and some pastors took it head-on. Other tour guides, with a bent toward a Kennedy, she said, provided Dallas with an Writing in November 2013, commemo- particular conspiracy, are readily available for “unwelcomed source of soul-searching.” th rating the 50 anniversary of the assassination, those who want to explore such speculation. While painful at the time, such intro- Sam Hodges of United Methodist News More historically accurate information is avail- spection and action were helpful in the long Service recalled how one young Methodist able in the Sixth Floor Museum that opened run, she noted. Such is true for every person pastor in Dallas needed police protection fol- in 1989 in the old book depository that had — in every city, town or community. BT lowing his post-assassination sermon in 1963. become city offices. “While he didn’t blame Dallas for the “Dallas didn’t really come back to life crime itself, [William] Holmes unflinchingly until the Sixth Floor Museum opened,” said described the city as an incubator for politi- Fratena. “It was a hard sell to get businesses cal extremism and incivility, the kind of place back downtown.” where many worried an assassination might occur,” reported Hodges. MOVING ON After his bold sermon, “One Thing Worse Than This,” Holmes, pastor of Northhaven President Lyndon Johnson was eager to move Methodist Church, began receiving death threats. on from the assassination that had paralyzed According to Hodges, Holmes “argued the nation. So, by many accounts, he pushed that Dallas couldn’t wash its hands, Pontius for the investigating Warren Commission to Pilate-like, of the tragedy that had occurred work quickly. in its midst. Good people of Dallas had for Bob Browning, now pastor of First Baptist too long, he said, stood by silently, giving free Church of Frankfort, Ky., had a close friend- reign to political extremists.” ship with U.S. Sen. John Sherman Cooper who Not everyone was ready to confess and served on the Warren Commission. He was atone for such sins. an active member of First Baptist Church of At the conclusion of his sermon, Holmes, Somerset, Ky., when Browning was pastor. like other Dallas preachers that day, was Browning said Cooper shared with him handed a note that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald that President Johnson told the Commission to had just been gunned down by Jack Ruby. have a report on his desk in six months, adding In the days following, Baptist leader “We’ve got to move on.”
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Dylann Roof’s radicalization resembles U.S. recruits to Islamic State, says Attorney General he social forces that have assisted in the The federal government and state authori- FBI Director James Comey said there are Islamic State’s radicalization of dozens of ties are conducting investigations into the “maybe thousands” of people across the coun- T Americans are very similar to what drove murders. Federal authorities are pursuing pos- try who are receiving recruitment overtures Dylann Roof to embrace an extreme racist ide- sible hate crime offenses, though Lynch said from the terrorist group or directives to attack ology before he launched an attack that left nine that all charging options would be considered, the U.S. Leveraging the power of Twitter and people dead inside an iconic African-American including domestic terrorism. other social media platforms, Comey said the church, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said. While the attorney general declined to group targets “disturbed people” who could be Lynch, in an interview with USA Toay, comment on what, if any, charges would be vulnerable to launch attacks. said the themes of social disconnection and an filed, she has suggested that crimes prompted Roof’s link to white supremacist doc- attraction to radical thought expressed online by hate reflect the earliest definitions of domes- trine was brought into sharp relief with the are common in the recent stream of cases tic terrorism in the U.S. emergence of a 2,000-word racist manifesto involving recruitment of U.S. citizens by the “Hate crimes are the original domestic and photographs of Roof with a gun and a Islamic State and other homegrown violent terrorism,” Lynch said, referring to the early Confederate flag published on a website linked extremists. hate-inspired criminal campaigns waged by the to the 21-year-old suspect. “(It’s) very similar to Roof,” Lynch said. Klu Klux Klan and other white supremacist The written document, which authori- “People disaffected, people being radicalized groups. South Carolina officials said they expect ties believe is consistent with Roof’s views, online. Roof picked this racial hatred theme, state prosecutors to pursue the death penalty indicates that he had “no choice” but to target and that’s what fueled him. Others picked the against Roof. But Lynch said no decisions have African Americans whom he derides as “stupid ISIL theme, and that’s what fuels them.” been made in the ongoing federal inquiry. and violent.” The similarities, the attorney general Meanwhile, the comparisons drawn Roof, authorities allege, carried those said, also are contributing to a public debate between Roof’s apparent radicalization and views along with a .45-caliber handgun into over whether the shooting at Emanuel African ISIL’s recruitment in the U.S. represent a con- Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church, where he Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, vergence of law enforcement’s most serious uttered racial epithets as he opened fire on a S.C., should be characterized as “terrorism.” concerns. group engaged in Bible study. BT
Different approaches to forgiveness discussed in aftermath of evil
excusing behavior. Forgiveness doesn’t mean number of people who would be eyeless.” Religion News Service giving up moral judgment. It means giving up Forgiveness, Syeed said, “ultimately helps on enacting vengeance. From what I saw from us to create a society where we are concerned hree days after Dylann Roof allegedly the South Carolina families, it was the desire to about the children of other people, and when gunned down Sharonda Coleman- speak a different word when faced with hate, we see that they are going the wrong way, it T Singleton at Charleston’s Emanuel and not to return hate with hate. becomes a collective responsibility to put them African Methodist Episcopal Church, her son “In Christianity we would talk of forgive- on the right path.” forgave him: ness being a moral necessity. That doesn’t “We already forgive him for what he’s mean it comes cheap and it doesn’t mean it can AN OBLIGATION done, and there’s nothing but love from our be wrested out of our hands. It’s something we Rabbi Edythe Mencher, Union for Reform side of the family,” said Chris Singleton. have to offer. We do not do it to let the perpe- Judaism: Many other relatives and friends of the trators off the hook. We do it to preserve our “God can forgive us for sins we have com- nine church members slain on June 17 also own humanity.” mitted against God, but only other human offered Roof forgiving words. beings can forgive us if the sins are ones Three religious leaders offered their ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE directed against them. When we have made thoughts on forgiveness: Sayyid Syeed, national director of the Islamic these efforts we can hope to be forgiven and Society of North America: to have our relationships restored. We are FORGOING VENGEANCE “Yes, the Bible and the Quran speak of absolutely obligated to forgive those who have J.C. Austin, vice president of Christian lead- ‘an eye for an eye.’” But the Quran also sug- offered apology, sincerely repented and tried ership formation at Auburn Theological gests an alternative to answering violence with to repair the damage their actions may have Seminary, New York: violence: forgiveness. Were everyone to follow caused and who have refrained from repeating “Distinguish between forgiveness and ‘an eye for an eye,’ you would have “a huge the original offense. BT
42 A new release from Faith BOOKS
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hile emerging from Ledford says this is “not a the author’s own book to read” but rather “a book W responses to read- to pray.” It is her intent that each ing through the Gospels, these person who delves into its pages prayers are also written with a will “encounter the truth of God’s sense of community to foster love in a fresh way and be encour- dialogue between the Word of aged to follow his son Jesus down God and the reader — and with the path of life with increasing the world. and unwavering fidelity.”
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