JULY-AUGUST 2016 NURTURING The gift of ‘church kids’

FAITH nurturingfaith.net Journal & Bible Studies

INDEPENDENCE DAY God’s Handiwork Celebrating both For a century, America’s faith and freedom national parks have preserved many natural wonders

MESSIN’ WITH MUSIC Historic tunes mark the work of Bobby Horton

ASK A SCIENTIST How do you explain the Old Testament story of creation? Great Bible Study NF IS IN YOUR HANDS!J

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Nurturing Faith Journal, Bible Studies, Books, and Experiences are trademarks of the publishing ministry Baptists Today, Inc. OUR MISSION THE MISSION of Nurturing Faith Journal is to provide relevant and trusted N information, thoughtful analysis and inspiring features, rooted in the historic Baptist tradition of freedom of conscience, for reflective Christians seeking to F live out a mature faith in a fast-changing culture. J BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) OUR TEAM Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Kelly L. Belcher, Asheville, N.C. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Edwin Boland, Johns Creek, Ga. John D. Pierce Ronnie Brewer, Bristol, Va. [email protected] Janie Brown, Elon, N.C. Bob Cates, Rome, Ga. CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER CHURCH RESOURCES EDITOR Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Julie Steele David Cassady Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. [email protected] [email protected] Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. Doug Dortch, Birmingham, Ala. MANAGING EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. Wayne Glasgow, Macon, Ga. Jackie B. Riley Vickie Frayne Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. [email protected] Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER David Hull, Watkinsville, Ga. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jannie Lister Bill Ireland, Dalton, Ga. Tony W. Cartledge [email protected] Becky Matheny, Athens, Ga. [email protected] Tommy McDearis, Blacksburg, Va. Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. BOOK PUBLISHING MANAGER ONLINE EDITOR / CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cynthia Wise Mitchell, Birmingham, Ala. Lex Horton Bruce T. Gourley William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. [email protected] Roger Paynter, Decatur, Ga. [email protected] Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Winston-Salem, N.C. * * * Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. PUBLISHER EMERITUS EDITOR EMERITUS David Turner, Richmond, Va. Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga.

OUR COLUMNISTS DIRECTORS EMERITI Thomas E. Boland The Lighter Side – Brett Younger R. Kirby Godsey Ann B. Roebuck Reimagining Mission – Colleen Walker Burroughs Guy Rutland III Theology in the Pews – John R. Franke Mary Etta Sanders Mel Williams Questions Christians Ask Scientists – Paul Wallace Winnie V. Williams

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Chang Yim finds success, hope and generosity By John D. Pierce 40 60 CELEBRATION & REFLECTION: Navigating the intersection of faith and freedom By J. Colin Harris THOUGHTS 5 The gifts of raising and being ‘church kids’ By Tony Vincent

9 When five is less than two By John D. Pierce 52 ‘FEELS LIKE MISSIONS’ Mission and Theology 18 FEATURES Historic churches find By John R. Franke 10 THE LURE OF ISIS new life beyond glory years Video game themes target recruits By John D. Pierce 19 Barbie Savior By Lauren Markoe By Colleen Walker Burroughs 54 THREE VIEWS OF THE BIBLE RELIGION AND THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS By Ben Self 48 Of mountains and molehills By Bruce Gourley By Tony W. Cartledge 44 Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) 58 LAST WORDS 46 Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) Eulogy allows for memories, Faith communities as 49 grief and celebration first responders 50 FAITH & SCIENCE By Will Barnes How do you explain the 62 MESSIN’ WITH MUSIC Old Testament story of creation with Historic tunes mark the your scientific methods? work of Bobby Horton MEDIA By Paul Wallace By John D. Pierce Where humor grows 7 COVER PHOTO by Bruce Gourley. White Dome Geyser erupts in Yellowstone National Park. See the story on page 12.

Media...... 7 Editorial ...... 9 Recognition & Remembrance ...... 43 Worth Repeating ...... 8 Lighter Side ...... 20 Classifieds ...... 43 Now Available

GREAT RESOURCES from the COOPERATIVE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP at nurturingfaith.net THOUGHTS The gifts of raising and being ‘church kids’ By Tony Vincent

“Mrs. Mildred” died in her late or the particulars of many events at church. community of faith for their young people, 80s. I had not seen her for a long But I remember Mildred baking my dad’s I cringed. (And he soon apologized.) favorite coconut cake for his birthday and The churches that helped raise me, time until last year. Hearing that how she taught me to shuck corn on her and the church that is helping guide my she was ill, I drove back to the back steps. own children, are one body: young and town where I was born. I remember Mrs. Grace’s kind voice as old, together. Sometimes it is awkward we sang the books of the Bible. and messy. Sometimes your kid will cry or knew Mrs. Mildred from our church I remember Mr. Jim talking about speak out at an inopportune time. But most there. She kept me from my earliest days, baseball with me during my short-lived often it is beautiful and holy. Where else in Iloved me as her own, and never forgot me career as a Little Leaguer. His advice? “Take society will you find non-related people of as I moved away and grew into an adult. up golf, son.” Then all generations together like this? On the day of my visit she welcomed he gave me my first For many years our church has sent me into her home as always — arms opened putter. intergenerational mission teams to serve wide for a big hug and a warm smile of Today I see this God together. Watching those relationships recognition on her face. I felt the love and story continuing. blossom through shared ministry and then care that I’d known decades before. It was When our 3-year- continue as we returned home is a great a memory-filled visit that I will always old twins Caroline blessing. cherish. and Carter walk (no, There are times and places for age- As a child, my family lived in commu- run!) through the appropriate study and activities. However, nities that were not home to any extended door of our church, there are immense opportunities and family. Because of churches, however, we they are met with loving smiles and encour- beautiful joy that come from all ages being developed deep, loving bonds that have agement. They already know many people together. Investment in these relationships remained through multiple moves and life in the church by name — beyond their lies with all parties: changes. nursery caregivers and their friends. They Church leaders must encourage Through the advent of Facebook, wake up most mornings asking, “Is this a and model it. Adults must recognize the we keep in closer contact than ever before school day or a church day?” power and beauty in knowing and being and these relationships continue to flour- While loving teachers and playground known. Parents must relinquish some of ish. I have grandparents, uncles and aunts, time with their friends create a safe place their anxiety about their child’s behav- and brothers and sisters in many places to grow at preschool, they smile eagerly on ior. And churches must be diligent about with whom I share no kindred blood. Such days we can tell them, “Today is a church being safe places for everyone, especially bonding is one of the great gifts of being a day.” They know they will be deeply loved our children. “church kid.” and valued, and that people will want to While not always easy, it is beautiful, When I walked in the door, people be with them as they grow from squirmy, lasting and reflective of God’s kingdom. knew my name and I knew them. I was sometimes-irreverent kids into, well … Let’s each of us be “Mrs. Mildred” or “Mrs. loved, encouraged, chastened at times, and squirmy, sometimes irreverent adults. Grace” or “Mr. Jim” to someone. Let’s guided into a life of faith by a myriad of Recently, when mega-church pastor continue to raise “church kids.” NFJ people. Andy Stanley spoke critically of families As I said at Mildred’s funeral, I don’t who take their children to smaller churches —Tony Vincent is associate minister of recall a single lesson from Mission Friends lacking what he considers a vibrant Trinity Baptist Church in Seneca, S.C.

Thoughts 5 “…The notion of believers as CONSERVATIVE or LIBERAL in the absolute sense that these terms are being used today is a 21st-century innovation. What we are dealing with here is nothing less than a new kind of CHRISTIAN SELF- UNDERSTANDING unique to the contemporary era.”

—William E. Hull in his final book, Conservatism and Liberalism in the Christian Faith

Available now at NurturingFaith.net!

“In this last testimony, CONSERVATISM out of his knowledge and his experience, [Bill Hull] AND LIBERALISM accomplished a momentous in the and greatly needed clarity.” —Novelist WENDELL BERRY, in a letter to David Hull CHRISTIAN “Hull calls us to account, whatever our ideology of theology and gospel. Churches and schools should FAITH find it a valuable introduc- tion to ways of confronting diverse ideas and thought- Toward a Moderate Approach forms.”

—From Foreword By William E. Hull by BILL J. LEONARD

AVAILABLE NOW from NurturingFaith.net. For a limited time, get a 10% discount by entering code HULL10 with your order. Publication of this book and guide made possible by the FREE STUDY/DISCUSSION GUIDE generosity of David Hull, Susan by educator Terry Maples at Hull Walker and the Hull Legacy NurturingFaith.net. Series Committee of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Birming- ham, Ala.

6 Where humor grows By John D. Pierce

Kathryn Hamrick, who wrote Actually, the genesis of her writing columns for several years for career goes back to childhood disobedi- ence — putting her 4-year-old hands on her this news journal and for three father’s Royal typewriter that was to be off decades in local newspapers, limits. has compiled nearly 100 of her She confessed that sin in one column, adding: “Therefore, before I learned approximately 1,250 columns into phonics, the alphabet, or what it means a book titled The Farmer’s Wife. to be a Baptist, I could type faster than Daddy.” uring about half the span of her Kathryn spins tales of her husband professional writing career her taking up frog gigging upon retirement husband Cline and other family D from farming and her son Jason taking up members ran a dairy banjo as a teen — influenced by the master farm in Cleveland picking of Cleveland County legend Earl County, N.C. The Scruggs. rural setting provided Her son’s seismic shift from Prince, much fodder for Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin to Scruggs, Kathryn’s funny and the Lewis Family and Riverbend Bluegrass insightful observa- she deemed a “modern miracle.” tions on life. Shopping, writes Kathryn in another Her upbringing column, is not the best bonding experience also impacted the way for many couples: “For every marriage made the Wake Forest University graduate, who in heaven, two are finished off at Kmart.” never intended to be “a farmer’s wife,” sees In her acknowledgments, Kathryn the world. thanked her husband, children and mother “Almost everything I know about life — all who made multiple appearances in came from growing up in a Baptist parson- her writings. Also she thanked “our cows.” age,” she writes in one column. Retaining a fair dose of Baptist-induced Often she references the influences of guilt, she once wondered: “Hopefully Baptist Training Union and other experi- writing columns about my nutty mother ences of being immersed in this church is not a violation of the Ten Command- tradition with the added identity of being a ments.” P. K . Kathryn helps readers to see the humor Her move into writing inspiring and in daily experiences as well as the value of funny observations for publication began investing in enduring relationships. Perhaps at “a Rook party” — a beyond-church most importantly, she reminds readers to social gathering many Baptists considered take faith and family seriously without as much a part of their shared culture as taking oneself too seriously. potluck dinners and promotion Sunday. A sample of Kathryn’s writings (Rook was a Baptist-approved option to a and other information may be found at deck of evil playing cards prone to induce kathrynhamrick.com where the book can be gambling.) ordered. NFJ

Media 7 Worth Repeating

“You’re too smart to be a Baptist.” “We are not going to be running on the field to issue citations. The purpose of this ordinance is to encourage —Wayne Flynt, historian and Baptist minister, quoting his friend novelist Harper Lee, whose eulogy he gave at her request at a private funeral in those who are looked up to as role models February at First United Methodist Church of Monroeville, Ala. (al.com) to be role models.”

—Boston Police Lieut. Detective Michael McCarthy on the banning “What if the most significant thing you will ever do is a of all tobacco products at historic Fenway Park (Boston Globe) part of your future and not your history?”

—Barry Howard, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pensacola, Fla. “It is unconditional love when I care about your happiness without expecting anything in return.”

“Evangelicals are secular now. Over the last several —Pastor Bob Mulkey of New Covenant Baptist Church in Deland, Fla. decades they have devolved from theological (Daytona Beach News-Journal) guardians to political operatives.” —Randall Balmer, professor of religion at Dartmouth College (LA Times) “Music comes from God’s heart. It is a language of its own.”

“There are no distinct second-person plural pronouns —Beth Foster Long, honored for 50 years of service as organist in modern standard English. ‘Ye’ once served that at First Baptist Church of Ringgold, Ga. (Northwest Georgia News) purpose; a good look at the King James Version of the Bible can give a sense of the usage.” “The stained glass collection is said to be the largest —Writer Vann R. Newkirk II making a case for “America Needs Y’all” collection of English stained glass in the world, (The Atlantic) outside of Great Britain.”

—Executive Minister Dan Johnson of “For nearly 400 years Americans have been conflating Atlanta’s Peachtree Christian Church that is featured the message of the Bible with the fate of the country.” in the movie Captain America: Civil War (11alive.com) —Historian John Fea, writing for Christianity Today “I realized that I could use the same technology “For in truth, I never met with any person, that was being used to make cell phones and of any color, who had more confidence in the voice computers, the same devices that are driving people of God, as spoken direct to her soul.” apart these days, to create something that will

—Quaker Thomas Garrett, once writing about abolitionist bring people closer together.” Harriet Tubman who will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill —Israeli entrepreneur Ami Bentov who is using nanotechnology according to the U.S. Treasury Department (RNS) to put the entire Hebrew Bible on jewelry including lapel pins, necklaces and Stars of David (RNS) “Make sure both boys and girls are taught that consent is never negotiable. Kids often learn about sex from “Accepting excuses inevitably leads to an erosion of the social interactions with peers and from pornography, values we aspire to live by. Hold yourself accountable. neither of which is likely to teach about consent, Hold your congregation to its responsibility so make sure you teach it.” to live its faith.” —Pastor Kyndall Rae Rothaus of Lake Shore Baptist Church in —Psychologist Daniel Elash, a consultant with the Waco, Texas, urging churches to combat sexual violence and Center for Healthy Churches domestic abuse (Baptist News Global)

8 Thoughts EDITORIAL When five is less than two By John D. Pierce

A group of ministers in Birmingham, impact on what American evangelicals have keepers of the gate. But then, he got a whole determined to be biblical. Commitments lot worse from the ones of his own time. Ala., has formed to help voters know to the poor, the elderly, the imprisoned and Today, fundamentalist Christians and how political candidates align with the oppressed don’t really count. Fear of the their political allies specialize in provid- “biblical standards.” outsider is greater than any call to love and ing solutions to fear-induced, imaginary service. problems — from protecting preachers hese Gatekeepers, as they deemed The Gatekeepers Association of from being forced to perform same-sex themselves, take all the worry out Alabama is not the first group of conserva- marriages (even though no minister has T of carefully considering the candi- tive clergy to produce some kind of report been forced by government to officiate dates’ various positions (which often come card or voter guide that suggests a candi- any marriage) to unenforceable bathroom with much elasticity) and then prayerfully date’s biblical bona fides are tied to a narrow legislation that is nothing more than and thoughtfully reaching one’s own under- list of conservative political positions. another discriminatory swat in the lost standing of the best way to punch the ballot. The Moral Majority, Religious Round- battle of cultural dominance. The Gatekeepers have devised a way table and others have done similar things. Politicized “biblical fidelity” has little of rating the faithfulness of candidates to And there are always do with what is actually in the Bible. More so-called biblical ideals — from local officials lazy, gullible voters often it is oversized, vaguely-masked politi- to those aspiring to live in the White House. willing to buy some cal activity designed to drive a continuing The higher a candidate is rated on a five-star mislabeled packag- discriminatory and punitive agenda rooted scale by these two dozen or so ministers, the ing called biblical or in a sense of loss. more God is apparently pleased. Christian or faithful. Let us be wise and warned: More Each individual minister determines When discover- substitution than summary takes place a candidate’s probability of “exemplifying ing this latest version when we seek to reduce the gospel to our a biblical world view” if elected. Then an of rating candidates political preferences. In doing so, often we average of those scores produces the candi- biblically, I kept wondering: How many replace what Jesus revealed to be ultimate date’s resulting one-to-five-star rating. stars might Jesus rate? with an ideology foreign to his will and So exactly what are the issues that By his words and deeds, Jesus seemed ways. make a political candidate score favorably in concerned with different matters than those But then, loving God and neighbor is exemplifying a “biblical worldview”? many American Christians use to define never enough for those who, like many of From the online resources they provide, biblical faithfulness today. And if Jesus was the religiously inclined of Jesus’ time, see it is not easy to determine the exact measur- not a five-star believer, then I’m not sure we themselves as upholding the more comfort- ing sticks of the various ministers that should be seeking to be one — or vote for able and self-serving ways of religious faith. leave many candidates with only a one- or one — ourselves. Publicly, American Christians often two-star rating. But summaries tied to the Five-star ratings might work for come across as spiritual know-it-alls when ratings are more revealing: favorability is contemporary ministers seeking to be polit- claiming to stake out God’s clear position tied primarily to the candidates’ opposition ical operatives, but Jesus could muster only on every possible societal/political issue to abortion and equal rights for gay/lesbian two commandments deemed the greatest: — no matter how disconnected from the persons. simply loving God and others. biblical revelation. It seems that the things Jesus addressed How naïve. Jesus probably wouldn’t Perhaps we need more two-star Chris- most clearly and most often have little to no get one whole star from today’s religious tians based on the scale Jesus offered. NFJ

“Let us be wise and warned: More substitution than summary takes place when we seek to reduce the gospel to our political preferences.”

Thoughts 9 Isis lures recruits with video game themes

BY LAUREN MARKOE ISIS possesses a level of cinemat- From Lesaca’s vast library of videos, Religion News Service ographic sophistication — coined “Holly- he pulls out one on a typical theme: battle. wood visual style” by communication It opens like a television drama, with the The footage, to gamers who like experts Cori Dauber and Mark Robinson camera panning across the group, and — that simulates the high-quality produc- then closes in on individuals — attractive, to play “Grand Theft Auto,” looks tion values expected by viewers raised on smiling tough guys wearing military garb familiar. From the point of view American movies. Its skill, many academ- and brandishing automatic weapons. Each of a gunman looking for targets ics and counterterrorism officials agree, seems to have an identifying characteristic presents a uniquely modern challenge to — a bright scarf, a gold tooth. through the speeding car’s those trying to combat the terrorist group. The viewer follows them through window, unsuspecting people “By producing video products that battle as if he or she is one of them. The take bullets in the chest, and largely meet indus- story ends in victory, set to rousing music. try standards, ISIS Within ISIS propaganda, familiar crumple to the ground. is doing something images pop up — a man in handcuffs, for ut it’s not “Grand Theft Auto.” It’s no terrorist group example, that recalls a particularly memora- propaganda created by the group we know of has ble interrogation scene from the Showtime B that calls itself the Islamic State, ever done before,” series Homeland. also known as ISIS. And the people lying write Dauber and Sitting with his laptop in a classroom motionless on the ground are real. Then Robinson, in a piece of George Washington University’s School they die many times over on social media, on ISIS’s videog- of Media and Public Affairs, Lesaca — who after the Islamic State posts these executions raphy. Working at Javier Lesaca presented his findings to United Nations on Twitter and elsewhere online. the University of counterterrorism officials last year — clicks Javier Lesaca, a scholar who has spent North Carolina at on images of propaganda set alongside hundreds of hours studying ISIS videos, Chapel Hill, they visuals from American-made television says the terrorist organization has master- have dissected Islamic shows and video games. fully mimicked not only the look and feel State videos to under- “It’s the same! It’s the same!” exclaims of popular, violent games such as “Grand stand their use of the Spanish researcher, who is preparing a Theft Auto” and “Call of Duty,” but televi- color, camera angles, thesis on the comparisons for his doctorate sion shows — Homeland, Saw, and Person special effects, graph- from Spain’s University of Navarra. He says of Interest, to name a few — which, like the ics and composition. he has studied more than 800 Islamic State video games, feature strapping young men ISIS puts Mark Robinson videos produced between January 2014 and in cool sunglasses who kill without mercy. cameras on its fight- September 2015, and that 15 percent of “This aesthetic is not bin Laden sitting ers so that its videos have that first person them are inspired by Western movies, video in a cave,” said Lesaca, a visiting scholar at perspective, making the viewer feel that he games or other entertainment. George Washington University, referring to experiences the action for himself. It’s the “No religious imagery,” he adds, still the static video released by al-Qaida after same technique used in popular and often clicking. “Do you see any?” 9/11. “This is not the old, dusty terrorist violent video games, but also for televised The images Lesaca studies glorify the without teeth. Nobody wants to be that.” sport events, says Dauber. Islamic State and its fighters but show no The Islamic State knows that disaf- The NFL, for example, attaches small mosques, Qurans, imams or people at fected young people who love playing the cameras to players’ helmets. The result is a prayer. Young men attracted to ISIS often gunman in “Grand Theft Auto” may take visceral experience of the action that raises have little knowledge of or interest in Islam, interest in a real brotherhood that promises heartbeats and draws spectators to the edge say those who have studied their motiva- to bring the world on the screen to life. of their seats. tions. These visuals appeal not to piety but

10 Feature to a thirst for adventure, or a longing to the videos he has studied are actually bowed and fist upraised and of a warrior identify with something bigger than oneself. produced by Islamic State supporters as from the video game “Call of Duty” — can But some scholars question whether opposed to the Islamic State. Lesaca says the impress. What a challenge for those who such videos have as significant an impact as videos he has studied were all produced by hope to stop the Islamic State, Lesaca says, many suspect. the Islamic State itself. when such familiar images serve the enemy. “The research that I had read on “Some may be surprised that ISIS Lesaca says this work of the Islamic ISIS’s use of social media suggests that is producing propaganda that resembles State needs to be countered by equally the emphasis on slick video production American-made video games and television powerful videos exposing the group for its is overemphasized,” says David Schanzer, programs, but we shouldn’t be at this point brutality, and exalting the courage of those director of the Triangle Center on Terror- in 2016,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Price, who fighting against it. ism and Homeland Security, adding that heads the Combating Terrorism Center at Why, Lesaca asks, did no one make a the more crucial element is the intimate West Point. “The group has spent a lot of compelling video of the story of the Swedish relationship that is now possible to cultivate time and effort to tailor its propaganda to teenager held by the Islamic State, who was online between a recruiter and a vulnerable a variety of audiences, both internal and freed in February by Kurdish forces? Or, young person. external to the caliphate, so it is not neces- Fernandez suggests, the October rescue by “ISIS’s real power is the ability to make sarily a new threat. To be fair, however, I Kurds and Americans near Hawija, Iraq, of personal connections between Muslims in think directly tying some of these products 70 Iraqi soldiers and civilians whose graves the diaspora and those in the Middle East to specific games or television programs is a had already been dug? through social media,” he said. bit of a stretch, and not necessarily the work “There was footage!” says Fernandez, And as Dauber notes, no studies of ISIS’s official propaganda machine.” referring to video from a camera attached have established a causal link between the Alberto M. Fernandez, the State to a soldier’s helmet. “But it was cold,” videos produced by terrorist groups and the Department’s coordinator for strategic nothing like the “emotionally, aesthetically radicalization of would-be terrorists. Still, counterterrorism communications from and psychologically satisfying” material the she continues, the potential of these videos March 2012 to February 2015, agrees that Islamic State produces. cannot be dismissed. Lesaca is not the first analyst to seize upon The problem, he continues, is that the “There is a mountain of social science the similarities between Islamic State propa- West hasn’t figured out its own counter- research on the power of visual images ganda and American-made entertainment. narrative — an Islamic narrative, or a relative to words,” she says. “And in every “For those who have the misfortune of nationalist narrative. case I’m aware of where someone was having to watch this stuff for a living, that’s “It could be many things, he says. arrested in the West for participation in or not new,” says Fernandez, now vice presi- “But you have to have something against conspiracy to commit acts of violence linked dent of the Middle East Media Research something … you have to stand for to Islamist ideology, these types of videos Institute. “But he certainly is presenting it something.” NFJ were in their possession: Clearly they have in a very powerful and compelling way.” —Lauren Markoe is a national reporter for some impact on people.” Shown side-by-side by Lesaca, the RNS. This story, with support from Google, Other experts question whether Lesaca striking likeness of two images — that of a is part of a series on religious tolerance and has broken any new ground, and whether purported Islamic State fighter with his head combating hate speech online.

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Feature 11 "#$%& '() *+$#$" ,& ,%-./ 0$-%1/& HandiworkGo!" For a century, America’s national parks have preserved natural wonders

Weary of election-year politics? Dread the daily commute? Is screen time too all-consuming, the job too demanding, the bills too many, the stress too much, your sleep too little? When was the last time you felt truly alive? hile faith offers comfort, meaning and hope in the midst W of life’s daily toils, spiritual renewal can remain elusive. Two thousand years ago Jesus often

fled the cities and villages of his day for quiet Bison in Yellowstone Park spiritual reflection in the Judean wilderness. But modern escapes trend toward loud need to reconnect with yourself and God. spiritual things from his own observations restaurants, flashy amusements, noisy stadi- It is your land, my land, our land, public of nature, because all truth can be found in ums or extravagant entertainments within land … land long infused with a sense of Nature. There is a spiritual beauty in the bustling cities. the sacred, land now preserved in America’s realization that the world has been delib- In the midst of the frenzied chaos of National Park System, land that can right- erately made or created, and is in perfect modern urban living it is all too easy to fully be considered temples of nature. balance ecologically.” forget that you as an American citizen As long as some 12,000 years ago There is much wisdom in traditional own tens of millions of acres of the most Native American peoples roamed the Native American religion. Inherently sacred, spectacular, awe-inspiring, soul-restoring landscape of today’s United States. Collec- land belongs to the Great Spirit, who wilderness landscapes on planet earth. tively they shared a belief in a creator Great graciously allows humans to walk thereupon. Spirit manifested through nature as a Massasoit, leader of the Wampa- YOUR LAND universally encompassing presence. noag nation when the Pilgrims arrived Let me say that again: you own tens of The late Cherokee Chief Eli Gatoga at Plymouth in 1620, expressed disbelief millions of acres of spectacular, restorative said of this nature-centric religious faith: over the strange European concept of land real estate to which you can go when you “The Indian made an effort to know of ownership.

12 Feature native peoples on their own terms, and became the first European to learn and record the Wampanoag language. Saved by Massasoit’s family when driven out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony by theocratic Christian leaders, Williams thereafter founded the Rhode Island Colony, a haven for freedom of conscience and religion, upon gifted tribal lands. Apart from a few open-minded persons such as Williams, however, Euro-Americans for hundreds of years in the New England and Middle Colonies pursued the conquering, containment and exploitation of native peoples, often with violent means. From humanity to nature the slaughter extended. Felling the forests of an ever-expand- ing frontier, settlers plowed vast swaths of newly exposed earth and forged cities and towns by the hundreds. Game succumbed or fled before the onslaught, factories belched black smoke into the air, and once-clean streams and rivers turned murky and toxic. Finally, in the early 19th century some Americans reconsidered the utilization of nature as a commodity to be exploited for private gain and corporate profit. Roman- tic and Transcendentalist writers with New England roots led the way, includ- ing William Cullen Bryant, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Each embraced the “wildness” of nature as scenic and beautiful, finding restorative, healing and spiritual powers within unspoiled woodlands, mountains, valleys and meadows.

Yosemite Falls PRESERVATION Although sculpted urban public parks “What is this you call property?” he heretical. They battled the indigenous emerged in the Northeast as early as the asked incredulously. “It cannot be the earth, peoples for control of the wilderness. 1830s, the Transcendentalists pined for the for the land is our mother, nourishing all her Slaughtering many, they forced Chris- raw beauty of nature. So did others. children, beasts, birds, fish and all men. The tianity upon survivors. Herded to and Against the backdrop of an urban woods, the streams, everything on it belongs constrained upon less desirable lands, and industrialized Europe, by the mid-19th to everybody and is for the use of all. How natives at the point of extermination signed century America’s remaining wilderness can one man say it belongs only to him?” documents transferring land ownership became a symbol of American identity. from the Great Spirit to humans. Celebrated in writing, art and early photog- American Baptist founder Roger EXPLOITATION raphy, a dawning recovery of nature’s Williams was an exception among early Early European settlers dismissed Native exceptionalism fostered a nascent conserva- settlers. He befriended Massasoit, accepted American spirituality as childish and tion movement.

Feature 13 In 1864, Vermont native George Fearful that commercial interests extensively and otherwise used his growing Perkins Marsh published Man and Nature; would destroy “Wonderland,” the U.S. influence to advocate for the national or, Physical Geography as Modified by Congress passed and Pres. Ulysses S. Grant preservation of wilderness lands. Human Action, an analysis of problems signed legislation designating Yellowstone In 1890 his advocacy helped establish associated with deforestation, including as the world’s first national park. Yosemite National Park in the area adjacent over-grazing, soil erosion, enhanced flood- to Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoia ing and droughts, and wildlife degradation. HOLY WILDERNESS grove. Marsh recognized the interconnected nature Setting aside more than two million Later serving as the first president of the of species. His formative work represented wilderness acres “as a public park or Sierra Club, an organization for mountain an early example of ecological thinking, pleasuring-ground for the benefit and lovers, Muir helped bring about the 1906 influencing forest conservation of the late enjoyment of the people,” the 1872 Yellow- transfer of the state-owned valley and grove th th 19 and early 20 centuries. stone Act prohibited private settlement into Yosemite National Park during the The same year as the publication of and occupancy. In designating Yellowstone presidential administration of Theodore Marsh’s volume, U.S. President Abraham as the nation’s park, the government paid Roosevelt, an avid outdoorsman, enthusiastic Lincoln signed legislation deeding the homage, whether explicitly or not, to the naturalist and passionate conservationist. Yosemite Valley and the nearby Mariposa traditional Native American concept of A mountain mystic and devoutly Big Tree Grove of giant sequoias to the state sacred, communal land. religious, Muir, raised in a Christian home, of California “upon the express conditions As the Yellowstone saga unfolded, often spoke and wrote of the relationship that the premises shall be held for public Scottish-born immigrant John Muir left between God and nature. use, resort and recreation.” a factory job in the upper Midwest in the “God’s love is manifest in the landscape Yosemite thus became the first tract of 1860s, wandered about for several years, as in a face,” he noted in 1909. “The good American wilderness set aside by federal law and eventually landed in California. There Lord put [wilderness] here as a free gift that for preservation and public use. he visited, fell in love with, and built a cabin he who chooses may take with joy, and he Among the last regions of the Ameri- in Yosemite. who will not walk out of the smoke of the can West to be mapped and conquered Emerson, while visiting the park, spent cities to see them has no right to them.” stood the interior Yellowstone Plateau, a time with Muir. As later summarized by Late in life while reflecting upon his vast and largely inaccessible wilderness naturalist author John Tallmadge, “Emerson first summer in the Sierra Mountains, Muir ringed by high mountains at the juncture of was delighted to find at the end of his career wrote: “As far as I can, I must drift about Wyoming, Montana and Idaho territories. the prophet-naturalist he had called for so these love-monument mountains, glad to be Officially “discovered” by organized long ago…. And for Muir, Emerson’s visit a servant of servants in so holy a wilderness.” expeditions in 1869 and 1870, the spout- came like a laying on of hands.” Muir spoke of his beloved Yosemite ing geysers, towering waterfalls, teeming Muir soon set about studying geology Valley as “a temple far finer than any made wildlife and vast chasm of the Grand and biology in order to better understand by human hands.” Canyon of the Yellowstone River captivated nature. Traveling throughout the West and “Oh, these vast, calm, measureless the public’s imagination. Alaska as America’s frontier closed, he wrote mountain days, inciting at once to work and rest!” he wrote. “Days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. Never- more, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the blessings of one mountain day; whatever his fate, long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever.”

‘FRESH LIFE’ Muir wanted all Americans to experience the wilderness. “Go now and then for fresh life. Go whether or not you have faith. Go up and away for life; be fleet!” he urged. “Every- body needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body Bryce Canyon and soul alike.”

14 Feature Roosevelt shared with Muir a belief in the transcendence of wilderness. As Grand Tetons president, he signed legislation establish- ing 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, 18 national monuments, and five national parks, including Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Altogether, Roosevelt protected some 230,000,000 acres of public land, a remarkable presidential legacy. Against the backdrop of growing national awareness and appreciation of national parks and monuments, Pres. Woodrow Wilson on Aug. 25, 1916 signed the National Park Service Organic Act. The legislation created a new government agency, the National Park Service (NPS). Charged with oversight of the then-35 western national parks and monuments, as well as future designated lands, the NPS was WONDER, AWE Four years before the creation of charged with protecting “the scenery and the National Park Service, from an alleg- For many Christians, however, spirituality the natural and historic objects and the wild edly cold, dreary, leaky and windowless remains a vague and suspicious concept. A life therein and to provide for the enjoy- basement in the heart of the manufactur- basic understanding of spirituality is that ment of the same in such manner and by ing Northeast, the American songwriter of the self encountering and experienc- such means as will leave them unimpaired C. Austin Miles wrote the longing words of for the enjoyment of future generations.” ing divine or higher realities that in turn what would become a classic hymn: Infused with the spirituality of indig- evoke emotional, intuitive or sense-based “I come to the garden alone / While enous peoples, Emerson, Muir and other responses, beyond rational thought, that the dew is still on the roses / And the voice wilderness advocates, the NPS stewarded produce feelings of mystical union. I hear falling on my ear / The Son of God lands considered sacred by many Americans. Many studies of national parks have discloses.” From the beginning, Park Service inter- observed that visitors frequently report On this centennial of the National Park preters recognized a relationship between one or more of the following experiences: Service, venture from the daily confines of wilderness and spirituality. wonder, awe, joy, peacefulness, stillness, your life into the wilderness of one of your In Freeman Tilden’s Interpreting our calm, tranquility, therapeutic benefits, and national parks. Bring a friend or two, or Heritage, considered the most widely read connection with God or a higher power. your family. book among contemporary NPS inter- All can, and often are, construed as Leave behind city noises and smells. preters and revised multiple times since spiritual in nature. More than any other, Turn off your cell phones. Come with its original publication date of 1957, the visitors report having experienced the receptive senses. author states: Creator God associated with Christianity. Shoulder a backpack and take a hike. “Thousands of naturalists, histori- Engaging wilderness while away from Stand on sacred ground. Run your finger- ans, archaeologists and other specialists are one’s daily routine is, for many persons, a engaged in the work of revealing, to such spiritual experience. Nature-based activities tips over boulders hundreds of millions of visitors as desire the service, something of such as hiking, camping and canoeing often years old. the beauty and wonder, the inspiration and embody spiritual dimensions. Smell the clean, clear mountain air. spiritual meaning that lie behind what the One study of national parks found Hear the snort of a bison, the howl of a visitor with his senses perceives.” that nearly three out of four visitors wolf, the rhythm of ancient waters, the The Park Service interpreter, Tilden perceived spiritual well-being benefits from rustle of wind in the treetops. notes, is someone who facilitates the connecting with nature. By facilitating Gaze at the star-filled heavens. Listen “enrichment of the human spirit and mind.” visitors’ spiritual encounters, the National to the Spirit speak. Numerous other scholarly books and Park Service fosters a type of inclusive, Come and connect with creation articles addressing the spiritual dimensions nature-centric civil religion transcendent and the Creator in ways that restore your of national parks have been published in of sectarian doctrine, dogma, ritual and humanity and renew your soul. recent decades. human-made structures. Return home more alive than ever. NFJ

Feature 15 Vice Chair Cathy Turner presents the Judson-Rice Award to Fisher Humphreys on behalf of the Baptists Today/Nurturing Faith Board of Directors and the Judson Rice Society. #fe Photo by Bruce Gourley AND WORDS BY J OHN D. P IERCE Theologian Fisher Humphreys honored; o!ers challenge

IRMINGHAM, Ala. — Church shaping theology students, preaching and “He dealt in profound subjects with historian Walter B. Shurden offered teaching in churches (Baptist, Episcopalian the clearest of words,” said Shurden of B two reasons for theologian Fisher and other), and writing numerous articles Humphreys. “But simplicity never meant Humphreys being honored with the annual and books, added Shurden. simplistic.” Judson-Rice Award: “his life and his words.” “Fisher has taught us about our “Fisher has led with his heart and head, In a tribute, Shurden described theological traditions and called us to bibli- but also with his hands,” added Shurden, Humphreys as “a quiet, contemplative, cal faithfulness,” said Shurden. noting the theologian’s willingness to tackle serious scholar” — widely known to be hot-button ethical issues as part of what polite, kind, caring, humble, cautious, “We need leaders and Christian theology is all about. irenic and careful — who “never struts his The Judson-Rice award was presented stuff, though he has much to strut.” institutions and publications that April 21 by Nurturing Faith, the publish- “Excruciatingly, irritatingly kind,” ing arm of Baptists Today, Inc., during a nurture our non-fundamentalist, Shurden added, “Fisher has led by how he well-attended dinner event at Birmingham’s lives.” non-secular faith. You are doing Mountain Brook Baptist Church. He quoted Dean Timothy George After receiving the award Humphreys of Samford University’s Beeson Divinity that at Nurturing Faith.” thanked Shurden for the tribute, noting the School, from which Humphreys retired retired Mercer University professor once and was named professor of divinity emeri- However, he added, “theology for unintentionally gave the best understand- tus, who called Fisher “one of the finest Fisher has never been a theological playpen; ing of the objective of Christian higher Christians I’ve ever known.” … it’s been ministry.” education. While Humphreys has never turned Shurden noted that a book of essays He recalled asking Shurden casually over tables or stormed the microphone in a published at the time of Humphreys’ retire- about his teaching of university students meeting, Shurden warned of seeing him as ment was aptly named Theology in the and hearing him say: “I’m trying to get my timid or fainthearted. Service of the Church. students to take seriously the things Jesus Rather, Humphreys — while leading Also he commended Fisher for writing took seriously.” with consistency and civility — has made and speaking with more clarity than any Humphreys offered encouragement to a major impact through his many years of theologian he has ever read. those who take that challenge as well.

16 Information “Millions of us who have faith in Jesus mentalism and secularism,” he said. “But try to walk a path between two opposite the way is still not marked out very clearly.” problems,” he said. “On our left there Those seeking to walk such a path need is secularism, and on our right there is guides, he added. fundamentalism.” “We need leaders and institutions and While these two perspective are differ- publications that nurture our non-funda- ent, Humphreys said they have this in mentalist, non-secular faith,” said Humph- common: “Neither one has a gospel; neither reys. “You are doing that at Nurturing one gives us much reason to hope for our Faith.” troubled world or for our mortal selves.” He commended the non-profit Fundamentalism, he said, presents us publishing ministry for its newly named YES! with a legalistic God who, a little bit like and redesigned Nurturing Faith Journal. WE CAN! Noah, is rescuing a few chosen people from “With the human interest stories you a coming destruction. And secularism tells tell, the news you report and interpret, the his three-year us we are all alone in the universe; we are on interviews you conduct, the Bible studies you campaign, through our own. publish, the opinion pieces you provide,” he generous gifts, “Many of us cannot believe either one said, “you are nurturing your readers’ faith in Tpledges and endowment of those messages,” said Humphreys. “We Jesus and faith in his way of life.” are with St. Paul who wrote: ‘We have our Humphreys said he welcomes the new designations, will fund hope set on the living God who is the savior columns on missions, science, theology and the important mission of of all people and especially of those who history in the journal — as well as the Bible believe’” (1 Tim. 4:10). study curriculum and books published by Nurturing Faith in three ways: Not everything is wrong with funda- Nurturing Faith. mentalism and secularism, said Humphreys. “You are showing what it means in our 1. SUPPORT He noted that fundamentalism is right world to pray and work that God’s kingdom in wanting to identify the fundamentals of may come and that God’s will may be done To raise $1.5 million for ongoing Christianity — what is most important in on earth as it is in heaven,” he said. “You’re operations over three years the Christian faith. helping us to take seriously the things Jesus “But I think [fundamentalists] are took seriously.” wrong about what the fundamentals are,” Humphreys thanked his family and the 2. STRENGTHEN said Humphreys, “and I don’t share their many representatives of Baptist and Episco- To build a strong reserve fund attitudes toward other people who are not pal congregations where he has preached of $800,000 fundamentalists.” and taught for their presence at the award Secularists are right about wanting dinner. government to be secular, Humphreys As part of his earlier tribute, Shurden 3. SECURE affirmed. noted that through his longtime friendship “The way to provide maximal freedom with Humphreys he has never heard Fisher To grow the endowment to for citizens of a religiously diverse society is criticize another person in a nasty fashion — $3 million through direct gifts for government to remain neutral toward smilingly wondering if perhaps he ever had. and estate designations religion — neither promoting religion nor Shurden then added: “We all know interfering with it except in the interest of that the reputation of many a saint depends some compelling public interest,” he said. on the silence of his family.” Please mail your contribution to “… The American experience continues to The Judson-Rice Award was created Nurturing Faith prove that it can work.” in 2001 to commemorate the contribu- P. O. B o x 6 31 8 However, Humphreys believes the tions of early Baptist leaders Adoniram and Macon, GA 31208-6318 secular vision of reality is mistaken. He Ann Hasseltine Judson and Luther Rice, urged faithfulness to a middle path. and to recognize a current leader who has “Hundreds of millions of Christians demonstrated significant leadership while of a lot of churches and denominations are maintaining the highest integrity. This was Thank you for walking in the middle way between funda- the 16th annual presentation. NFJ your support!

Information 17 THEOLOGY IN THE PEWS Mission and Theology By John R. Franke

It is often said that mission is impulse for theology was minimized. purpose of blessing the nations, and reaches The substance of the Western Christian it revelatory climax in the life, death and the mother of theology. In the tradition took its distinctive shape during resurrection of Jesus Christ. history of the church it is the the long period in which the mission- It continues through the sending of ary impulse of the church was largely the Spirit as the one who calls, guides and missionary attempt to bear faith- dormant. The intuitions and assumptions empowers the church for mission. This ful witness to the gospel in the that governed the practice of theology were missional calling is captured in the words of midst of surrounding cultures those of an assumed Christian culture rather Jesus: “As the Father has sent me, so I send than a missionary encounter. This situation you” (John 20:21). that provides the context for all had a profound effect on the discipline of Hence, the outworking of God’s theological reflection. theology and led to its virtual separation mission in the world looks like this: God the from the missionary witness of the church. Father sends the Son; Father and Son send n fact, the New Testament may be best These patterns are so ingrained that the Spirit; and Father, Son and Spirit send understood as a collection of writings even as our context changes and we enter an the church into the world. I focused on challenges of missionary increasingly post-Christian environment, Viewed in this way, mission defines the witness and practice. For instance, the theology is still church as God’s sent people and is therefore letters of Paul are written in connection generally viewed as a at the very core of the church’s reason and with his missionary activity, particularly in specialized academic purpose for being. Mission is not simply relationship with the gentiles. They focus discipline focused one of the many programs of the church; it on questions of faith and practice that arise on the debates and should shape all that the church is and does. from his engagement with both newly concerns that arose The challenge is to move from being formed Christian communities and the from its formation in a community with a mission program to worlds around them. Christendom rather becoming a truly missional community. To The Gospels are missional reflections than a church-based fund this missional re-imagination of the on the life and ministry of Jesus that arise discipline focused on church, the relationship between mission in the context of particular cultural settings the mission. and theology must be restored. and concerns. Indeed, the origins of all the The effort to repair this divide and In other words, the discipline of theol- New Testament documents are found in the restore the inherent relationship between ogy, if it is to serve the witness of the church, witness of the earliest Christians who were mission and theology evidenced in the must move from theology with a mission telling the story of Jesus and reflecting on New Testament and the early Christian component to a truly missional conception the implications of that story for themselves community has resulted in the emergence of of theology in which mission is at the center and the world around them in the common missional theology as an alternative model of its methods and concerns. This restora- idioms of their day. for theological thinking. It arises from the tion is vital to the future of the church in From this perspective, the use of the conviction that God is missional and there- North America if it is to navigate the oppor- adjective “missional” to describe theol- fore the church of this God must also be tunities and challenges of its post-Christian ogy would seem redundant since theology missional. future. NFJ sprang from mission. However, with the Mission is at the heart of the biblical advent of Christendom, a system of church- narratives concerning the work of God in —John R. Franke is theologian in residence state partnership in which the Christian human history. It begins with the call to at Second Presbyterian Church in religion maintains a unique, privileged and Israel to be God’s covenant people and the Indianapolis, and general coordinator for protected place in society, the missionary recipient of God’s covenant blessings for the the Gospel and Our Culture Network.

18 Thoughts REIMAGINING MISSION Barbie Savior By Colleen Walker Burroughs

any of us with ministry jobs keep but hasn’t considered emergency evacuation, a folder of sermon ideas, current member care and other important factors? M event stories or market trends. What happens when a church with Thanks to the Internet, my paper files are multiple denominational affiliations sends its thinning out in lieu of digital ones. mission teams to work with missionary field My job as vice president of communica- personnel, but doesn’t support the mission tions at Passport, Inc. requires keeping close offering on a regular basis that provides such tabs on our organization’s voice and making full-time personnel? sure our teams of leaders are in harmony What happens when a church eager to with that voice. Every organization seeks to keep peace between those affiliations waters clarify how its mission is communicated — down the global mission message and leaves and how it should not be communicated. its congregation unaware that there is a

Tagged in my digital file for the latter WRONG MESSAGE: From the satirical “barbie- difference between the missional voices of is an Instagram account named “barbie- savior” with the caption: “Orphans take the BEST the sending agencies? savior.” It is a satirical example of what our pictures! So. Cute. #whatsyournameagain” Passport has a long history of support- organization consciously avoids. ing Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Satire can help reveal blind spots. fully strike out on their own mission Missions because we trust the coordination For example, we who are Baptists pride adventures independent of collaboration? and long-term viability of its field personnel. ourselves on our missional DNA, but are we We trust that the voice of CBF is in line with paying attention to our own selfies? The answer is yes, of course we can. But Passport’s thoughtful theology of mission, The Southern Baptist mission narrative should we? justice and grace. Therefore, a portion of our was informed by a sending board in Virginia Following our hearts to the ends of the summer offerings is designated not only to a and circulated by a media house in Nashville. earth because someone in our congregation specific project, but also for overall support Cooperative Baptists picked up the global has a connection to that area can feel like an the field personnel. mission baton with a strong story of “Doing obvious open door for a church. Steven Porter and Sam Harrell, coordi- Missions in a World Without Borders.” A group of volunteers travels abroad nator and associate coordinator for CBF At some point our new network and comes home ready to raise the support Global Missions, are seasoned mission outpaced the old model, or maybe the needed to build a house, school, clinic or professionals. They think about the long new system struggled to keep up with an orphanage. Eventually church leadership view and orchestrate a vision that we can inspired stride of desired hands-on engage- moves on to a new congregation or another participate in at every level. They lead a ment. Whatever the cause, the local church door opens, and the long-range plan for the team devoted to thinking systematically and (Baptist or otherwise) began to create its prior missional engagement loses traction. creatively about how we can best invest in own avenues for doing global mission. What is the testimony of the body the lives of people participating in meaning- Some congregations have had success, of Christ when hopeful communities and ful work around the world. though objective evaluation of the “success” empty buildings fade from the church’s Likewise, Passport seeks to commu- of independent ventures is hard to track or vision? nicate a mission that involves fewer Barbie quantify — which raises some questions: I fear the orchestration of long-term, selfies and more family portraits of people large-scale collaborative mission is at risk of collaboratively working to build a broader, extinction when individual churches decide more beautiful fellowship of Christians. NFJ navigate the changing landscape of cross- they are autonomously capable of large- cultural ministry on its own? scale mission. Perhaps this is a blind spot. —Colleen Walker Burroughs is vice president What happens when a large church of Passport, Inc., and founder of organizations (such as Passport) thought- sends a couple to another part of the world Watering Malawi.

Thoughts 19 THE LIGHTER SIDE Don’t cover that gray By Brett Younger

When I go to Cracker Barrel, water aerobics or a Baptist meeting, I look fairly young. But at church, people my age are considered past their prime. The older we get, the less credit we get.

hen thirtysomethings join and others are especially good congregations from retirement centers hire youth the church, members rush to for those who are more mature. ministers instead of senior adult minis- W say, “It’s so encouraging when A common lament in church circles ters? Why do more churches build gyms young families join the church.” has to do with the number of “gray hairs” than gardens? Why are there more church They are right. It is encouraging. who show up for church events. A room softball teams than church bridge teams? When seventysomethings join, we do full of old Christians is often understood to Some of our churches need to cater to the not usually hear these same members say, be a bad thing, while a room full of young fastest growing portion of the population. “It’s so encouraging when old families join people would, presumably, be interpreted At some churches, all of the bulletins the church.” as a godsend. The should be large print. Wednesday night That would be right, too, but the common assumption suppers could start at 4:30. The volume applause is never quite so loud — except in is that youth equals on the organ could be turned down and the hearts of thoughtful pastors. growth, while old the volume on the pulpit mic turned up. Ministers are delighted when anyone age means decline. Committees could meet in the afternoon. chooses to be part of the congregation, Yet when Congratulations could be offered in the but in general, ministers have a minor- you look at the church newsletter when members get their ity opinion on which age group makes a demographic situa- AARP card. greater contribution to church life. tion in the United While our culture idolizes youth, we Seventysomethings — and this is a States, in many ways recognize that the Bible is a fan of old age: huge generalization — work harder, give the opposite is the “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained more money, complain less and are more case. Senior citizens represent the fastest in a righteous life” (Prov. 16:31). When we likely to still be around in five years. growing segment of the population. The look around the sanctuary and see gray we (If you are a young person who wishes current total of 40 million Americans who should give thanks, because, “Gray hair is you were reading another column, feel free are 65 or older will grow to more than the splendor of the old” (Prov. 20:29). to walk away. Don’t send email. I know that 71 million by 2030. To put it in crassly We need to recognize the gifts that many people in their twenties are wonder- commercial terms, older adults represent come with age. Old age offers perspec- ful. My children are in their twenties, the most promising “growth market” for tive. When we move slower, we see more. but they are not going to read this, and the church. For many senior adults, forgiveness comes you might enjoy reading something by The “graying” of the population — far easier. Prayer seems more natural. Recog- someone closer to your own age.) from being something to lament — repre- nizing that we do not have forever helps us The ageism of our culture can work to a sents a potential benefit for congregations appreciate each day. church’s advantage. Some churches are more that use the gifts and talents of older We should be encouraged that the attractive to people after their faith matures. adults. future of the church is gray. We can When the median age of a church rises, Churches with older populations can continue to adore young adults, but it it might mean that the church is growing embrace their strengths and be one of the should never be at the expense of anyone stronger in its understanding of faith and minority churches that pays attention to who has used a rotary phone. NFJ thus attracting more experienced Chris- older families, welcomes baby boomers, tians. Some churches tend to be wonderful and celebrates gray hair. —Brett Younger is pastor of church homes for beginners in the faith, Why do churches across the street Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

20 Thoughts LESSONS FOR JULY / AUGUST 2016

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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 richness of the biblical texts for honest learners.

IN THIS ISSUE IN THE NEXT ISSUE GUIDE FOR LEADERS Getting on in Galatia: Sept. 4, 2016 1. Order a copy of Nurturing Faith Paul’s Angriest Letter Getting Into Shape Journal for each class member. July 3, 2016 Jeremiah 18:1-11 2. Access free teaching / enrich- Living Like You Mean It Galatians 6:1-16 An Apostle’s Apprentice: ment materials at nurturingfaith.net: Lessons from Timothy Nothing ‘Minor’ Sept. 11, 2016 About These Prophets Bad Starts Can Be Redeemed notes, “The Hardest Question” July 10, 2016 1 Timothy 1:12-17 discussion by Tony Cartledge The Leaning Tower of Israel Amos 7:7-17 Sept. 18, 2016 It’s Not About You July 17, 2016 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Full Pockets and Empty Hearts resources, etc. Amos 8:1-12 Sept. 25, 2016 Group Subscriptions: Find Contentment Where You Are July 24, 2016 1 Timothy 6:6-19 $18 each / groups of 25 or more A Seriously Broken Home [email protected] Hosea 1:1-10 Oct. 2, 2016 (478) 301-5655 Keep the Faith P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 July 31, 2016 2 Timothy 1:1-14 A Love That Won’t Let Go Hosea 11:1-11 Oct. 9, 2016 Adult teaching plans Don’t Be Ashamed by Rick Jordan of the Faith Matters: Lessons from Hebrews 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Cooperative Baptist Aug. 7, 2016 Fellowship of North You’re Not the First Oct. 16, 2016 Carolina are available Hebrews 11:1-16 Read the Instructions at nurturingfaith.net 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Aug. 14, 2016 Thanks, sponsors! You’re Not Alone Oct. 23, 2016 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Finish the Race These Bible studies for adults and youth 2 Timothy 4:6-18 are sponsored through generous gifts Aug. 21, 2016 from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship All Shook Up Oct. 30, 2016 (Bo Prosser, Coordinator of Organizational Hebrews 12:14-29 Little Big Man Relationships) and from the Eula Mae and Luke 19:1-10 John Baugh Foundation. Thank you! Aug. 28, 2016 Remember – and Do Hebrews 13:1-16 Bible Study

July 3, 2016 Paul’s conclusion, “For all must Galatians 6:10 – carry their own loads” (v. 5), may “So then, whenever we have an seem to contradict his admonition to Galatians 6:1-16 opportunity, let us work for the good Living Like You Mean It of all, and especially for those of the bear one another’s burdens, but Paul family of faith.” is not disputing himself. There are burdens we can carry on our own, ew things are more appealing and we should: we cannot expect than the sight of pantry shelves others to meet our every need. On the stocked with canned tomatoes, demonstrate Christ-like love by bearing F other hand, there are burdens of grief squash, green beans, and other color- one another’s burdens, looking out for or temptation or severe trial that we ful produce. Such bounty represents a the spiritual health of others as well as cannot bear alone, and we need faith- labor of love – and a productive garden. their own. “My friends, if anyone is ful friends to help us in those times. Successful gardeners know that a fruit- detected in a transgression, you who Paul’s assertion that “those who ful garden requires serious preparation, have received the Spirit should restore are taught the word must share in all planting, and cultivation before one such a one in a spirit of gentleness. good things with their teacher” (v. 6) ever gets around to the harvest. Take care that you yourselves are not may appear to be a change of course, The Apostle Paul understood the tempted” (v. 1). but it is a natural outgrowth of the principle. In drawing his fervid letter Transgressions can be doctri- earlier instruction to live in love and to the Galatians to a close, he spoke nal as well as moral or ethical. bear one another’s burdens. Paul was of the personal responsibility that goes Whether brothers and sisters fall to not appealing for personal support, but with planting, cultivating, and growing the temptation of misguided beliefs or probably had in mind other ministers a healthy church. misdirected behavior, fellow believers or teachers who devoted themselves to In chapters 1-5, Paul had warned have a responsibility to gently coax building up the church. his readers against a legalistic gospel them back into the fold of faithful that ties salvation to law keeping, followers acting in love. Sowing and reaping as well as a libertine approach that To “bear one another’s burdens” (vv. 7-10) promotes loose living. He summarized in this sense can be risky and hard, but the ideal Christian life this way: “the Paul deepened his appeal to loving only thing that matters is faith working the law of Christ” (v. 2). As Jesus behavior with an agricultural illustra- through love” (Gal. 5:6). That is a had instructed his followers to show tion: “God is not mocked,” he said, powerful phrase. We are saved by faith, love and kindness, even to those who “for you reap whatever you sow” and we do God’s good works through oppressed them (Luke 6:27-31), so (v. 7). Those who put their trust in love for the one who has saved us. The theme of “faith working through love” law of Christ” by helping each other carries over into today’s text. carry their respective loads. Remem- those who “sow to the Spirit” would ber his mantra: “the only thing that “reap eternal life from the Spirit” (v. 8). Bearing and sharing matters is faith working through love.” Life can be unpredictable, the (vv. 1-6) Those who seek to help others road can be hard, and results are not immediate. Nevertheless, believ- Turning his letter toward a conclusion, aren’t “holier than thou,” but seek ers should “not grow weary in doing Paul urged the believers in Galatia to to be self-aware and “test their own work,” not thinking of themselves as what is right,” Paul said, believing that superior to weaker members but offer- “we will reap at harvest-time, if we do Additional information at ing their help in a spirit of humility not give up” (v. 9). Thus, “whenever nurturingfaith.net (vv. 2-4). we have an opportunity,” the apostle

22 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. 22 Feature insisted, “let us work for the good brought forth 30-, 50-, even 100-fold. more quickly than sinful people grow of all, and especially for those of the If we didn’t expect to reap more than weary of doing evil. It is not uncom- family of faith” (v. 10). we sowed, there would be no point in mon for an individual or a church to Opportunities abound for positive planting. Those who sow to the sinful begin a project with blazing zeal, but living that works for the good of all – nature reap a death that lasts far longer and if believers aren’t kind and helpful than the time enjoyed sowing wild is slow in coming. Our temptation is to to each other, how could their witness oats. In contrast, the eternal glories give up: to stop reaching out to others, ever extend beyond the church? and joys of heaven far surpass even the to stop giving, to stop attending church Paul’s illustration has obvious best seeds we plant on earth. – but that is exactly what Paul warns implications. First, we reap what we The principle also works in this us against. “At the proper time we will sow. If a farmer sows silver-queen corn, present life. The prophet Hosea once reap,” he said. he doesn’t expect to harvest watermel- got so worked up over Israel’s sin that The truth is, we are all sowing ons. Any gardener with the brains of a he said “You sow the wind, but you seeds every day, whether we fancy mustard seed expects to reap the same will reap the whirlwind!” (Hos. 8:7). ourselves to be farmers or not. What sort of thing that he or she sows. If we Harmful deeds sown in the passion of kind of seeds are we planting, and what plant the seeds of faith in God and love a moment can bring a harvest of much kind of harvest will they bring? for others, we can expect a harvest of personal joy, a better world, glory for On the other hand, Paul wrote in Boasting and following God, and everlasting life. On the other 2 Cor. 9:6 that “Whoever sows sparingly (vv. 11-18) hand, if we sow sin and reject God’s will also reap sparingly, but whoever To this point, Paul had apparently way, we can expect to reap unhappi- sows generously will also reap gener- been dictating his letter to a scribe, ness, emptiness, and death. ously.” A few seeds of love sown along or “amenuensis.” Beginning in Perhaps Paul knew that some life’s way can result in great blessed- v. 11, however, Paul took the pen and of the libertines in Galatia had been ness later in life. Those who spread inscribed the closing words in his own - hand, showing the depth of his feeling with no apparent consequences. That on the issue: “See what large letters I more important than mere money. We make when I am writing in my own sin, or engender doubt as to whether may reap personal peace and satisfac- hand!” (v. 11). God really cared. tion from knowing we did the right With his own distinctive hand- Paul insisted that the lack of immediate retribution does not mean by those we help. warning against the danger of follow- sin has no consequences. “Do not be Here is a third corollary: we not ing the legalistic preachers who insisted deceived,” Paul said. “God cannot only reap what we sow and more than that Gentile Christians must accept be mocked. A person reaps what he we sow, but as a rule, we reap later than circumcision and follow the Jewish sows.” To mock God is to thumb we sow. The vegetables we eat, freeze, law (vv. 12-13). “May I never boast of one’s nose at God without concern – or can in the summer were planted in anything except the cross of our Lord but Paul was convinced there would the spring. No one but the youngest Jesus Christ,” Paul said, “by which the be repercussions, and they would not child can plant a seed one day and look be pleasant. Sadly, innocent people for cucumbers on the next. Perhaps this the world” (v. 14). often get caught up in someone else’s is why Paul added “let us not become It’s not circumcision that matters, harvest of trouble. That makes it even weary in doing good, for at the proper more imperative for us to sow what is time we will reap, if we do not give which believers can experience God’s good. up.” mercy and become a “new creation” We reap what we sow, but also A major obstacle to faithful living (v. 15) in Christ, led by the Spirit. Those more than we sow. We expect one is despair. When we don’t see immedi- “who follow this rule,” Paul said – who black-eyed pea to become dozens, and ate results of our labor, we are often remember the bottom line – are those one grain of corn to become hundreds. tempted to give up. Sometimes, Chris- Jesus spoke of farmers whose crops tian people get tired of doing good of God.” NFJ

LESSON FOR JULY 3, 2016 23 Feature 23 Bible Study

July 10, 2016 them inferior products (8:5-6). People Amos 7:8 – of means could take the poor to court “And the LORD said to me, ‘Amos, and bribe the judges in order to take Amos 7:7-17 what do you see?’ And I said, The Leaning Tower ‘A plumb line.’ Then the Lord said, their land (8:12). ‘See, I am setting a plumb line in The concept of a covenant of Israel the midst of my people Israel; I will community of equals had fallen never again pass them by.’” prey to a new economy, even though he “Leaning Tower of Pisa” the upper classes of Samaria – like gained fame, not because of adherents of modern prosperity theol- T its architectural genius, but century, when Amos was active. They ogy – thought of themselves as quite because the 186-foot-tall bell tower is were able to collect tolls on caravans religious. They offered regular sacri- noticeably off kilter. Built on a faulty using the highways that ran through foundation of soft soil, the tower began Palestine, and some smaller nations they were especially favored by God, to lean even while under construction, nearby paid tribute as the price for but Amos told a different story. which stretched over two centuries. peace. Export industries such as wine Chapter 7 begins with an account To compensate for the lean, build- making sprang up to complement of three consecutive visions God ers added extra blocks to the lower side the traditional reliance on agricul- showed to the prophet. First, Amos - ture, bringing much wealth into the saw a plague of locusts devouring the ture a slight curve. Modern efforts to kingdom (2 Kings 15:20). crops, leaving the land without grain. shore up the foundation have reduced The wealthy could afford elabo- The prickly prophet took no joy in the slant, but the tower’s tilt is as rately built vacation homes (3:15, judgment, but pleaded with God to obvious as its fame. 4:11), where they could eat and drink forgive: “How can Jacob stand?” he Today’s text deals with a leaning like royalty (6:4-6) while reclining on asked. “He is so small!” His prayer couches inlaid with ivory and covered was effective, and Yahweh relented foundation – and a lonesome prophet’s with silk (3:12, 5:11). (vv. 1-3). unappreciated attempts to straighten it But not all shared in the wealth. Amos next saw “a shower of out. Daily life in Israel was a far cry from what was prescribed in the law. The advanced on the land. Again Amos A visionary prophet egalitarian ideal in Israel was that begged God to relent. “This also shall (vv. 7-9) every family should have land to call not be,” Yahweh replied (vv. 4-6). But The prophet’s name was Amos, a man its own, but that system had seriously there was a third vision yet to come. who hailed from the land of Judah but eroded. Over time, the rich bought up This time, Amos saw a vision of went north to proclaim God’s message the lands of the poor, and the disparity the Lord “standing beside a wall built in Israel. Amos planted his pulpit in between classes became increasingly with a plumb line, with a plumb line Bethel, one of Israel’s two sanctuary obvious. Some Jews were forced to in his hand” (v. 7). The plumb line – cities. There, he faced a social and sell themselves as slaves to fellow basically a pointed weight tied to a religious climate that contemporary Jews in order to pay their debts. string – has been used for as long as Amos preached to a people who humans have been building walls. Both Israel and Judah had were sharply divided. Wars and The weight hangs straight and tells prospered during the mid-eighth periods of drought and famine affected the builder if the wall is vertically those in poverty disproportionately, “plumb” or if it’s leaning. Additional information at producing a bumper crop of widows God was standing beside a wall nurturingfaith.net and orphans. Amos accused the rich that had been built with a plumb line of overcharging the poor and selling – presumably an indication that God

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. had built Israel true to plumb from own spiritual blindness show. state can long progress that exiles its the beginning, calling the people into Amaziah’s order that Amos return prophets and exalts its fools.” to Judah and “earn your bread there” And yet, too often, prophets to keep them straight. Now, God had was probably intended to be deroga- are still without honor in their own returned with a plumb line to test tory. Itinerant prophets typically lived country. Voices that call for fairness whether they had remained true. on the donations and good will of fall on deaf ears when the ears belong Surprisingly, Amos does not others. Perhaps Amaziah was insinu- follow through with the obvious ating that Amos had come to Bethel people would oppress others directly, conclusion that the nation had devel- in hopes of accessing deeper pockets but when the system is rigged so that oped a dangerous lean. The simple minimum wage laborers cannot work presence of the plumb line was Amos’ response moved from their way out of poverty, prophetic evidence enough, so that God declared voices are needed, if not wanted. “I will never again pass them by; the that he ever wanted to be a prophet, It is helpful to remember that Amos high places of Isaac shall be made and had no wish to claim the title. was a layperson. He was not trained to desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel He described himself as a farmer and be a pastor or priest, and did not make shall be laid waste, and I will rise his living as a religious professional. against the house of Jeroboam with the That gave him the ability to say things sword” (vv. 8b-9). prophet’s son, Yahweh had called him that the religious establishment found it hard to say. It also gave added weight A sharp confrontation my people Israel” (vv. 14-15). Amos to his words, because anyone could (vv. 10-15) did not speak with the authority of see there was nothing in it for him. He Amos’ visions and the concluding the king, as Amaziah did, but with the didn’t get paid for prophesying, but words of judgment found their way into power of God. caught a lot of grief for doing what he his preaching, which caused consid- felt God leading him to do. Nobody in erable consternation to the religious A painful prognosis their right mind would do that unless leaders in the temple. They had a good (vv. 16-17) they really did believe that God was thing going under Jeroboam. Profes- Amos’ self-effacement did not leading them. All of those things gave sional temple prophets predicted the prevent him from proclaiming the extra power to what Amos had to say. prosperous future they were paid to word God had given him, includ- Amaziah, defending his govern- foresee, and Amos’ ruinous visions ment-sponsored sanctuary, so much were not welcome. Amos pronounced a series of stereo- as said to Amos: “If you’ve got to Amaziah, the leading priest in typical curses: the priest would live preach, don’t do it in church!” That’s Bethel, reported Amos’ negativity to to see his wife forced into prostitu- actually not bad advice, at least to the the king (vv. 10-11) and attempted to tion, his children cruelly slain, and his extent that prophetic voices should quiet his troublesome voice by order- land given to others – then he himself not be limited to church: we must also would die “in an unclean land” as the call for justice in the secular arenas of your bread there and prophesy there,” people of Israel were forced into exile work and politics. We must live just he said, “but never again prophesy at (vv. 16-17). lives in our homes and communities. Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, Prophetic words are needed, but Laypeople have an especially and it is a temple of the kingdom” not always welcome. This remains powerful witness, because Chris- (vv. 12-13). true in our own world. tian living is not what they do for a Note that Amaziah said nothing Harry Golden, a Jewish-American living. We all deal with the question about the temple’s purpose as a place to immigrant who published a journal of whether we will live as the world worship. Rather it was a royal sanctu- called The Carolina Israelite from lives, or live as God has called us to ary and “a temple of the kingdom” 1944-1968, promoted equality during live. As we get up each morning to – more emblematic of government the hottest days of the Civil Rights face that world, we can know that God than of God. By describing it this way, era. Speaking of how many Southern- is with us, and our lives carry more Amaziah was claiming royal authority ers sought to silence those who called to banish Amos while also letting his for racial justice, he once wrote, “No Where is our prophetic voice? NFJ

LESSON FOR JULY 10, 2016 25 Bible Study

July 17, 2016 never again pass them by …” (7:8). Amos 8:11 – In today’s text, God showed Amos a “The time is surely coming, says the basket of ripe fruit and proclaimed “the Amos 8:1-12 Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, end has come upon my people Israel; Full Pockets or a thirst for water, but of hearing I will never again pass them by.” the words of the LORD.” The image recalls the Passover and Empty Hearts story from the Exodus, when God instructed the Israelites to slaughter hen considering the wonder – but in the sense of one who sees a lamb at twilight on a certain day, of the world and the bounty divinely inspired visions. The previous daubing blood from the lamb on the W of nature, we can all be chapter described visions of locusts, doorposts of their homes before eating grateful for fruit. We love familiar fruits the lamb with unleavened bread and such as strawberries and pears, blue- Israel’s failure to remain true. Chapter bitter herbs. When God struck down berries and grapes, apples and bananas, 8 describes yet another vision: a basket oranges and raspberries, cherries and of summer fruit. night, Hebrew homes bearing the mark The book of Amos was not written of blood were passed over (Exodus mangos, papayas, and pineapples. with great artistry, but its straight- 11-12). Now, however, God declared Given the chance, we might learn as forward nature has a power of its own. “I will never again pass them by.” well to appreciate more exotic fruits “This is what the Lord GOD showed Instead of redemption, the people such as the rambutan, mangosteen, and me,” Amos said, “a basket of summer would face judgment, beginning at dragonfruit of Southeast Asia. fruit.” When God asked Amos what he their places of worship: “the songs of Fruits come in a wide variety of saw, he replied “a basket of summer the temple shall become wailings in sizes and shapes, colors and tastes. We fruit” (vv. 1-2a). that day,” God said: “the dead bodies enjoy fruit most when it is perfectly The repetitive dialogue may not shall be many, cast out in every place.” ripe, but we also know that even the be scintillating, but it does include The sentence concludes with a single, most delicious fruit can quickly go an intriguing play on words. God surprising word: “Hush!” (v. 3). from ripe to rotten. Limp bananas, pronounced: “The end has come upon Judgment was coming, but why? moldy strawberries, and mushy apples my people Israel; I will never again are more likely to be candidates for pass them by” (v. 2b). The word trans- Rotten people the mulch pile or garbage bin than the lated as “summer fruit” is , (vv. 4-6) snack bowl or dinner table. which basically means “summer,” Having revealed four devastating In a prophet’s eyes, ripe fruit can and by extension crops that ripen visions, Amos paused to explain God’s be more than a tasty treat. For Amos, in the summer. In Amos’ day, those motivation. The people were ripe a basket of fruit became a powerful for judgment because their lives had metaphor. olives. The word that describes Israel’s become rotten, with the nation’s greed- coming “end” is the similar-sounding enhanced economic disparity standing Ripe fruit (pronounced ). Israel had at the top of the list. As one example, (vv. 1-3) produced its fruit (), and would the prophet pointed to conniving Amos was a visionary – not in the soon meet its end (). The fruit was merchants who “trample on the needy manner favored by leadership gurus ripe, so the time was ripe for judgment. and bring to ruin the poor of the land” Note the similarity to the previ- (v. 4). They scrupulously observed Additional information at ous vision, in which Amos had seen religious festivals and Sabbath days, nurturingfaith.net a vision of God holding a plumb line but saw them less as opportunities for against the people, declaring “I will worship than as obstacles delaying

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. their ability to open their shops and Coming judgment swear by Ashimah of Samaria, and say take advantage of the poor. (vv. 7-14) ‘As your god lives, O Dan,’ and ‘As the Unethical merchants could use With v. 7, Amos launched into a litany way of Beer-sheba lives.’” Here Amos various stratagems for cheating their of woes that God had sworn to bring probably has in mind a literal as well as customers (vv. 5-6). They could “make against such disappointing people. the ephah small” by using contain- The list begins with upheavals on a faint and fall, never to rise again (v. 14). ers that held less than the standard cosmic scale, eschatological judgments reminiscent of other prophetic works. that the people were swearing oaths a bushel. They could also “make the A day would come, Amos said, by deities other than Yahweh. Ancient shekel great” by using weights that when the land would “tremble on this oaths typically consisted of a promise were heavier than they appeared as a account,” suggesting an earthquake reinforced by an appeal to a god who way of overcharging customers when that would cause the land to heave up might punish one’s failure to keep weighing their payment. and down like the waters of the Nile, the oath. Swearing by Yahweh was A third strategy for cheating which famously rose and fell with the acceptable, but the Hebrews had begun customers was to simply rig the scales seasons (vv. 7-8). swearing by entities associated with so that they weighed in the merchant’s On that day, Amos declared in Samaria, Dan, and Ber-sheba that they favor, and a fourth method was to mix God’s behalf, “I will make the sun go presumed to be divine. low quality grain or trash (“the sweep- down at noon, and darken the earth in Though we are guided by many ings of the wheat”) with what the broad daylight” (v. 9). A total eclipse of the same principles and worship the customer received. would not damage the land, but could same God, followers of Christ do not When impoverished people ran cause considerable fear among people live under the same covenant as did the out of money and credit, they could be who believed the world had come to an Israelites of old. The church exists in a forced to surrender their land, or even end – and for many, their world would new covenant through Christ, a body sell themselves or their children into end when judgment came. Feasts of believers scattered throughout the slavery to ward off starvation. Amos normally given to celebration would be spoke of merchants who brokered turned into mourning as bitter as that nation. We do have modern doomsday such arrangements, “buying the poor for the loss of an only child. prophets who think of America as a new for silver and the needy for a pair of As troublesome as those woes may Israel and claim to connect every natural sandals.” sound, Amos saw an even worse thing disaster with national sin, but we have Israel’s covenant called for the coming. There would be a famine, he no reason to expect the same sort of Hebrews to extend special care to said, not caused by the lack of food or judgment that Amos predicted. widows, orphans, and immigrants. water, “but of hearing the words of the What, then, might the passage say to LORD” (v. 11). This suggests that God us? Even more so than Israel, Christian for them to glean (Lev. 19:10). If would abandon the people in such a believers are called to practice justice, to way that they would feel God’s absence care for their neighbors, to love others as viscerally and wander the world over Christ loved us. Yet, we live in a nation to their aid and prevent their land from in search of the prophetic word that as economically divided as ancient being lost (Lev. 25:25-53). They were indicated God’s presence, but would Israel. We may not have the where- withal to change the system, but Amos with their neighbors, but open-handed Why would God turn away from would challenge us to practice justice in and generous (Deut. 15:7-11). the very people chosen to live in our own business dealings and personal But was this happening? No. Can covenant relationship? Because they relationships. We can work to see that you conceive of people so crooked that had already abandoned God. We gather all people are treated fairly rather than they would cheat their own neighbors this from Amos’ charge in v. 13 that being shut out of an economic system into the depths of poverty, take their even beautiful young women and young that is rigged against them. land in lieu of debts, and then sell them men – those who were most physically Each of us must answer for as indentured servants or slaves? Is it our own actions. What will the answer any wonder that judgment was due? Israelites, they were among those “who be? NFJ

LESSON FOR JULY 17, 2016 27 Bible Study

July 24, 2016 care for others and exploiting the poor Hosea 1:9 – in unjust ways (12:7-8). “Then the LORD said, ‘Name him Hosea’s prophecy consistently Hosea 1:1-2:1 Lo-ammi, for you are not my people and I am not your God.’” reminded the people of how God had delivered Israel from Egypt and called A Seriously them into a committed covenant Hosea’s world Broken Home relationship, which the people had not Hosea was probably active during kept. Even so, Hosea held to a belief osea the son of Beeri was the third quarter of the eighth century in the steadfast love of God that won’t a crazy man – or so people BCE. At the time, Israel was a large let go. That central theme comes to Hsaid. You might have thought and fertile country, home to some of the fore in the marriage metaphor that so, too. Imagine that a young non- the best farmland and pasturage in all begins the book. denominational preacher of our own of Palestine. The land was so extensive day went down to an established brothel - Hosea’s marriage and picked out a prostitute to marry. ern kings, established two sanctuaries (vv. 1:2-3) as worship centers, hoping to keep his According to the text, God instructed he names him “Manhattan,” and drives subjects from traveling south to the Hosea to take a “wife of harlotry.” Can around in an old bus with big signs temple in Jerusalem. you imagine that God would instruct painted on it saying “My son’s name is In these sanctuaries, at Dan and Hosea to do such a thing? Manhattan: the church is about to fall Bethel, Jeroboam placed golden calves Some commentators don’t think like the Twin Towers on 9/11.” as symbols of Yahweh’s presence. As Later, when his wife gives birth time passed, however, the Canaan- to a daughter, he names her “Ugly,” ite gods Baal and Asherah were also history. Others accept the marriage and changes his bus signs to say “My worshipped, and other sanctuaries, as real, but debate whether Gomer daughter’s name is – even God such as Beth-aven and Gilgal, became was already a prostitute when Hosea can’t love somebody like this.” When a popular (4:15, 9:15, 12:11). married her, or whether she was second son is born, the irascible preacher Hosea’s preaching reportedly initially chaste but later gave in to a calls him “Illegitimate” and changes his began during the rule of another promiscuous spirit. Those who believe signs to say “This isn’t my son, and you Jeroboam, whose long and stable she was a prostitute to begin with are no longer God’s people.” tenure (786-746) was marked by question whether she was a cultic You would probably judge a man relative peace and prosperity. Hosea prostitute or a common harlot. like that to be several fries short of a accused the people of becoming so The text contains few details. Happy Meal, and the original Hosea Hosea described his wife only as an faced a similar reaction. His contem- turned their backs on God (4:1-6), , which means “woman poraries, according to 9:7, called him a trusting in their own military might or of harlotry” or “adulterous woman.” “fool” (’awîl, common in wisdom liter- political alliances (8:14, 10:13-14). ature for an empty-headed person) and The people’s practice of religion used for cultic prostitutes (: a “crazy man” (meshugga’, still used in had confused Yahweh with other gods: literally, “holy women”) and used it in Yiddish). Hosea accused them of ignorantly 4:14, but did not apply it to his wife. Would Hosea get a hearing today? consulting wooden idols, offering Even so, it is possible that Gomer was among the women who served in Additional information at prostitution in hilltop groves (4:11- Israel’s syncretistic worship. nurturingfaith.net 5:7). Like Amos, he also charged them However we choose to understand with ignoring covenant commands to Gomer’s background, the symbolism

28 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. of their marriage soon becomes clear: while l’ means “not.” In the face of division between north and south, Hosea represents God who is loving Israel’s persistent sin, Lo-Ruhammah’s v. 11 predicts that the peoples of Judah and faithful, while Gomer and her name suggested that there was a limit and Israel would be reunited under one children personify a people who are to divine compassion for Israel, though leader, “for great shall be the day of God had not yet given up on Judah Jezreel.” Whether Hosea’s marriage was (vv. 6-7). Some scholars believe 2:1 real or parabolic, it serves as a powerful After Lo-Ruhammah was weaned belongs with 1:10-11. In it, the latter metaphor for Israel’s relationship with – a reminder that these events would two children’s names are reversed, as God. Give this some thought. What are have taken place over some time in some possible meanings inherent in a land where children were typically “Say to your brother: “Ammi!” (that that marital metaphor? breast-fed for two or three years – is, “My People!”). And say to your Gomer gave birth to a second son. sister “Ruhammah!” (“Loved!”). The Hosea’s children Again claiming to follow God’s Hebrew text has the plural form for (1:4-9) instruction, Hosea named the child both “brother” and “sister,” perhaps In due time after their marriage, Gomer “Lo-Ammi,” a name that plainly raised indicating the plurality of Israelites gave birth to a boy. Following God’s a question about patrimony, as it means who were represented by the symbolic instruction, Hosea gave to him the “not my people” (vv. 8-9). The name siblings, or the inclusion of both Israel prophetic name “Jezreel,” saying “for not only suggested that Gomer had been and Judah. in a little while I will punish the house unfaithful to Hosea, but also symbol- Because of the quick and of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I ized Israel’s abandonment of God. unexpected shift in tone, many schol- will put an end to the kingdom of the This effectively reversed the covenant ars believe the promise of 1:10-2:1 is house of Israel” (v. 4). terminology by which God had consis- the work of a later editor. Whether the The fertile valley of Jezreel was tently referred to Israel as “my people” words originated with Hosea or a later the breadbasket of Israel. A city of the (Exod. 6:7, Jer. 7:23, Ezek. 36:28, and disciple, they attest to the inspired same name nestled at the foot of Mount others). No more. hope and belief that God had not given Gilboa, about 20 miles southwest of the Sometime after this, Gomer up on Israel. The people had broken and Hosea were separated. The text their covenant with God, so that God for Hosea was two-fold. provides no details about Gomer’s was no longer bound to bless them. First, the city was the site of a departure, but Lo-Ammi’s name and Still, Israel held to an abiding hope bloody slaughter during the northern what follows in chapter 2 leads one to king Jehu’s revolution and rise to power, assume that Gomer became unfaithful his faithless people. according to 2 Kings 9-10. (See “The to Hosea and either left on her own, or What can modern believers make Hardest Question” online for more.) was cast out for adultery. of a text like this? History reveals Secondly, the name “Jezreel” means that people bearing the name “Chris- “God sows.” Originally a reference to Hosea’s hope tian” have been guilty of their own the region’s fertility, in Hosea’s proph- (1:10-21) Jezreels: the Crusades, the Inquisition, ecy it became a prediction that God Verse 10 brings a shift that may and other bloody plays of power have would sow judgment. Hosea’s proph- surprise and puzzle the reader, but been carried out in the name of Christ. ecy predicted the end of Jehu’s dynasty. is characteristic of Hosea. While We have also dallied with the gods of the children’s names in 1:4-9 declare wealth, pleasure, and power. We have as the son of Hosea, saying that Gomer unadulterated judgment on Israel, failed in multiple ways to live up to “conceived and bore him a son,” but the 1:10-11 offers hope. Lo-Ammi’s name Jesus’ command that we love others issue is more ambiguous for the next means “Not My People,” but v. 10 and live by the values he taught. two children. When the second child declares the Israelites would become We have not always been faithful, was born, a daughter, Hosea named her like the sand of the sea, and could yet we can also believe that God has “Lo-Ruhammah,” which means “not once again be called “Children of the not given up on us. Mercy abounds pitied,” or in this context, “not spared Living God.” Although Jezreel’s name and hope endures. We may trust that (from judgment).” Raham means “to had provoked the bloody memory have compassion” or “to show mercy,” of a treacherous event that brought thankful. NFJ

LESSON FOR JULY 24, 2016 29 Bible Study

July 31, 2106 Hosea 11:8a – Baal to ensure the annual rains. New- “How can I give you up, Ephraim? comers could have accepted that as Hosea 11:1-11 How can I hand you over, O Israel?” “local wisdom” and begun to partici- pate in worshiping the fertility gods. A Love That more beautifully or poignantly than in As Hosea saw it, the people had Won’t Let Go Hosea 11. forgotten how Yahweh delivered them from Egypt and taught them to walk in any people enjoyed The Lion Looking back a covenant relationship (vv. 3-4). The (vv. 1-4) King, a Disney movie that wilderness experience was a time of M became even more popular You may know how it feels to raise both discipline and grace. The Israel- as a musical production on Broadway your children with all the love and ites stumbled, but God picked them and world tours. Integral to the imagi- ability you have, only to see them turn up and set them on their feet time and native story is the lion king Mufasa, away from you or your chosen way of time again. who died while saving his son Simba life. You may know how it feels to be When they complained of hunger, from a stampede of wildebeests the child who walked away. All of us, God provided manna from heaven and engineered by his jealous brother Scar. at some point, have gone our own way. quail on the wind. When they turned Overcome with fear and shame, In vv. 1-4, Hosea imagines what our against Moses because of thirst, God Simba ran away and chose a life of rejection must feel like to God. brought them water from a rock. When escapism rather than returning to face enemies threatened, God gave them down his usurping uncle and live up to Israel as a parent loves a child. “When victory. Surely the same God could his potential. After being challenged Israel was a child” refers to the nation’s have blessed their crops with no assis- by the spirit of his father Mufasa, early history. Though Israel’s name tance from Baal – but Israel seemed Simba returned to his rightful place – goes back to Jacob and its calling to and learned to roar. Abraham, there is a real sense in which There is deep beauty in this Today’s text offers a stirring the nation of Israel was conceived in picture of God as parent. Sometimes it promise of hope in the midst of a Egypt and born at Sinai: “Out of Egypt is most appropriate to think of God as gloomy prophetic cloud, and concludes I called my son” (v. 1). high and mighty and lifted up, but the with an image of the eternal Lion King But Israel was a rebellious child: Bible insists that God is also person- who roars for God’s lost children to “the more I called them, the more they ally, lovingly involved with people. return from across the earth. went from me” (v. 2a). As an example, God deigns to come to where we are Before we get to God as the Lion Hosea points to the way Israel so and lift us to a higher plane. “I was facilely adopted the idolatrous religion to them like those who lift infants to another picture – an image of God as practiced by the indigenous peoples of their cheeks,” Hosea said of Yahweh. the weeping parent, torn between love “I bent down to them, and fed them” and justice, determined to do what is Baals, and offering incense to idols” (v. 4). best for children gone astray. (v. 2b). This image of God reminds us of Images of God’s love for the Why might that have happened? Jesus sitting with children on his knee, lost are common in the Bible, but When the Israelites moved into the scolding the disciples who sought nowhere is this deep truth expressed land of promise and adopted a more to keep them away (Matt. 19:13- agrarian lifestyle, they naturally 15). Despite God’s deep and abiding Additional information at would have inquired about local love, the children of Israel lost faith nurturingfaith.net farming methods from their Canaanite and turned away. That problem was neighbors, who explained how they not limited to the ancient Israelites.

30 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. We who follow Christ are also subject people’s sin were looming, but God prophecy, this promise applied to to putting our trust in self or in other would not, could not forget them. Hear Israel, who would be scattered east and gods. Hosea’s testimony of divine love: west by the Assyrians, but not forever. Think about your own position as “How can I give you up, Ephraim? God would call the people home. In a child of God. In what ways have you How can I hand you over, O Israel? one sense, this has not happened: the turned your back on God as a child … “My heart recoils within me; my northern kingdom was not restored, might do to a parent? compassion grows warm and tender” and its people became known as the (v. 8). “ten lost tribes.” Later, the people of Looking forward God chose to hold back the full Judah would be exiled to Babylon but (vv. 5-9) extent of what Israel deserved. God allowed to return about 50 years later. This is where we learn the true depth would not destroy the people, despite Exactly where the northern Israelites of God’s love – and the extent of their rebellion, measuring discipline went after the kingdom fell in 722, and God’s pain. Hosea’s message suggests by the need of the child rather than how many of them may have returned that Yahweh believed discipline was the wrath of the parent. “I will not later, is a mystery. necessary and that Israel should learn But, Hosea’s prophecy extends for itself the tragic consequences of again destroy Ephraim,” Hosea said in beyond Ephraim. This text holds God’s behalf: “. . . for I am God and words of hope for every child of God parent, and in that sense, God is no no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, who knows what it is like to sin and exception. and I will not come in wrath” (v. 9). suffer. Because of God’s stubborn In vv. 5-7, Hosea describes the Child abuse is a perpetual problem love, we can know that our exile is natural consequences of Israel’s sin in our society and others. Unable to not forever. Our suffering on this earth and the pathos God felt in allowing control their inner rage, stressed-out will end. In the person of Jesus Christ them to learn their lessons. Because parents sometimes overreact to their – called the “Lion of Judah” in Rev. the people had turned from God, children’s faults and punish them 5:5 – the Lord God has roared a call their nation had grown weak and without mercy. Often, they learned for all to come home. become easy prey. They might call to this behavior from their own parents. Hosea’s prophecy suggests that the “Most High” (a reference to El, What can we learn from our heavenly the punishment we deserve is more the high god of the Canaanites), but parent? than God is willing for us to bear, and he would do nothing for them (v. 7). so in Christ God has come down to Armies would soon ravage their cities Looking way ahead where we are. In some way beyond and they would be back in bondage – (vv. 10-11) our understanding, Jesus took upon not in Egypt, but in Assyria. In even the bleakest of days, when himself the ultimate and terrible Hosea believed God loved Israel God is involved, there is hope. Exile punishment that our sin deserves. He enough to let them go and let them does not last forever. Hosea saw a day has given us new birth so that he can learn. Mature parental love is strong when God would shout for his children lift us up and hold us close. No matter enough to know when it is better to to come to his arms, to come home. where we go, no matter what evil allow children to learn the hard lessons Now we meet the cosmic Lion comes into our lives, we can know that of life without rushing to rescue them King. Hosea declared: “They shall God is near, God’s love never fails, from their own foolishness. To show go after the Lord, who roars like a that kind of love may be the hardest lion; when he roars, his children shall Hosea’s prophecy and the gospel thing a parent can do. come trembling from the west. They message together lead us to imagine Allowing Israel to experience shall come trembling like birds from a day when God will stand upon the punishment does not mean that God Egypt, and like doves from the land of stars and give voice to a great roar of gave up on them. He would not allow Assyria; and I will return them to their eternal victory. We who believe may them to be wiped out like Admah and homes, says the Lord” (vv. 10-11). The come with quivering expectation to Zeboiim, smaller “cities of the plain” lion’s roar might cause them to come follow God’s voice. Our time of exile that had fallen along with Sodom fearfully, trembling, but God’s desire will be over, and our God will lead us and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24-28, Deut. would be to bring them home. home, for the Father’s love will reign 29:23). The just consequences of the In the context of Hosea’s triumphant.

LESSON FOR JULY 31, 2016 31 Bible Study

August 7, 2016 things in life may be the things we Hebrews 11:1 – can’t see. Our faith in an unseen reality “Now faith is the assurance of things compels us to live in such a way that Hebrews 11:1-16 hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” we make it present and discernible. This is how God worked in You’re Not the First creation, the author suggests: “By translating Heb. 11:1-3, Jordan faced faith we understand that the worlds hat does the word “faith” a statement that may seem obscure to were prepared by the word of God, mean to you? Do you think contemporary readers: “Now faith is so that what is seen was made from of it as a set of beliefs? As W the substance of things hoped for, the things that are not visible” (v. 3). The the inner assurance of some truth? evidence of things not seen” (KJV), or act of creation was unseen, but the As a step beyond hope? As belief put “Now faith is the assurance of things results are apparent. Those who have into action? Today’s lesson begins hoped for, the conviction of things not faith can see the visible evidence of a month-long series of studies from seen” (NRSV). When Jordan trans- God’s unseen work in making the the book of Hebrews, and all of them lated the truism, he gave it wings: worlds. relate to the role of faith in the life of “Now faith is the turning of dreams the believer. into deeds; it is betting your life on the Faith in action Clarence Jordan was a man of (vv. 4-16) unseen realities.” faith who grew up in South Georgia - Beginning with v. 4, the writer takes us and earned a degree in agriculture ing out, of things hoped for – the through a literary “Hall of Faith” that as well as a Ph.D. in New Testa- turning of dreams into deeds. Faith features people who put their hope into ment Greek. Jordan believed that is trusting the evidence of things not action – even when they died before true faith was an active faith, and seen – betting one’s life on the deep receiving the anticipated reward. The he put his faith to work by founding unseen realities of God that govern the ancestors who received approval did the Koinonia farm deep in the south- universe. so through their faith, the author said ern part of Georgia. He dreamed of True faith, by its nature, exhib- (v. 2). Their actions demonstrated an blacks and whites living and working its faithfulness. As “the assurance of understanding that “Life is lived by and worshiping side by side. Despite things hoped for” and “the conviction faith, by recognition of what constitutes threats and acts of violence, despite of things not seen,” faith is essentially the really real” (Edgar V. McKnight, legal and economic reprisals directed hope in action, a hope so strong that Hebrews and James, Smyth & Helwys against him, he and his partners in it leads us to bet our lives on it and to Bible Commentary [2004], 263). community living had faith and made behave in such a way that we live into Let’s start the tour: Faith is a young the dream live. it, rather than giving up on it. man named Abel (v. 4, cf. Gen. 4:3-5a), The author’s elaboration on faith who “by faith” offered a prime lamb Unseen realities is a natural carryover from his strong (vv. 1-3) exhortation toward the end of the previ- offered grain. The Genesis story gives Jordan also wanted people to under- ous chapter, where he charged readers stand the scripture, and translated not to abandon their faith, but to endure more acceptable than Cain’s, or even what he called the “Cotton Patch” and remain “among those who have how the brothers knew that Yahweh version of the New Testament. When been saved” (Heb. 10:35-39). accepted one and not the other. For In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s the writer of Hebrews, it appears to be Additional information at The Little Prince, a fox tells the lost a matter of faith alone: “By faith Abel nurturingfaith.net prince that “What is essential is invis- ible to the eye.” The most important Cain’s,” he said, and “Through this he

32 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. received approval as righteous.” Cain, Abraham and Sarah have prime Hebrews apparently believed that implicitly, did not exhibit the same kind positions in the “Hall of Faith.” God had credited their faith to them of faith. Abraham had come of age in a land as righteousness. As Abraham had Moved by jealousy, Cain murdered that worshiped other gods, but when followed God, not knowing where his brother, after which Yahweh God called him to leave his family and the road would lead, so the author of confronted him, saying “your broth- travel to a land he did not know, he Hebrews insisted that trustful patri- er’s blood is crying out to me from the pulled up stakes in Haran and set them archs had inherited a “better country, ground” (Gen. 4:10). Abel’s witness down in the land of promise. Abraham that is, a heavenly one,” a future even did not end there. Through his faith, the remained there, living as an alien in better than they could have imagined. author said, “he still speaks.” the land “by faith,” as did his descen- Faith in your life Faith is an old man named Enoch dants, “Isaac and Jacob, who were (vv. 5-6) who lived a life of such faith heirs with him of the same promise” Where is faith in your life? Faith is the that it was thought that he “walked (vv. 8-9, cf. Genesis 12-20). person sitting in your chair, thinking with God” straight from this world into For the writer of Hebrews, your thoughts, dreaming your dreams, the next without having to bother with Abraham’s sojourn in Canaan was a making the choice to act on faith, to dying. The Hebrew text of Gen. 5:24 prelude to the greater inheritance of turn your dreams into deeds, to bet your says only that the father of Methuselah a “city that has foundations, whose life on the unseen promises of God. “walked with God; and then he was no architect and builder is God” (v. 10). Faith is a young man standing up more, because God took him.” Whether Abraham ever envisioned to the pressure of peers who would The writer of Hebrews quoted from a heavenly Jerusalem, the author of lead him to behave in ways that are the Greek Septuagint, which could Hebrews saw that as his reward and dangerous to himself and to others, be translated “Enoch pleased God, ultimate destination. because he knows that God has called and He was not found, because God Abraham was not alone in demon- him to a life that is better than that. transformed him.” The Greek word strating faith. He and his wife Sarah, Faith is a young woman refusing describing Enoch’s experience means so old she was “as good as dead,” put to surrender her virtue in exchange for “to change from one state into another.” their faith in God and were rewarded popularity or acceptance because she The writer of Hebrews subscribed to with a child who would open the door understands that God has a better plan the traditional interpretation that God to countless descendants (vv. 9-11, cf. for her life, for her present and for her converted Enoch’s earthly existence Gen. 15:1-6, 17:15-22, 18:9-15). future. into a heavenly one. These and other illustrious ances- Faith is a businessperson who Citing the Septuagint’s comment tors “died in faith without having insists on dealing with honesty and that Enoch pleased God, the writer of integrity and fairness because he received the promises,” the author Hebrews assumed Enoch knew that knows that is the Christian way. wrote, “but from a distance they saw “without faith it is impossible to please Faith is any person who goes and greeted them” (v. 13). Abraham him.” Such faith begins with believing out of his or her way to share anoth- and the other faithful forbears did not that God truly is, and that God rewards look back, but always forward, desir- faithful followers. because that is what following Jesus ing “a better country, that is, a heavenly Faith can be seen in a man named is all about. one” where God has “prepared a city Noah (v. 7, cf. Gen. 6:8-9:17), build- Faith is a church made up of for them” (vv. 14-16). ing an ark in the middle of the desert ministers to each other who are not The writer, of course, was apply- because God said so. He also believed afraid to cry, not afraid to love, not ing a New Testament hope to Old God about “events as yet unseen,” and Testament people who had no concept acted in the hope of saving his family. and worldly goods for the sake of of heaven similar to that which devel- Noah believed God, and turned his faith others who need them, for the sake oped in later periods. They would into the life-saving substance of the ark. of living out a dream that we are truly not have used the same terminol- His example served to “condemn the called to love as Jesus loved and make ogy or anticipated the same end, world” while making him “an heir to our world a better place. the righteousness that is in accordance but they lived in the constant hope Faith is the turning of dreams into of God’s good future. The writer of with faith.” deeds. NFJ

LESSON FOR AUGUST 7, 2016 33 Bible Study

August 14, 2016 Moses’ parents showed faith Hebrews 12:1 – in preserving his life, while Moses “Therefore, since we are surrounded himself demonstrated faith as he chose Hebrews 11:29-12:2 by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw o" everything that to align himself with God’s oppressed You’re Not Alone hinders and the sin that so easily people rather than to live in luxury as entangles, and let us run with perse- an Egyptian (vv. 23-28). verance the race marked out for us.” Today’s text begins with v. 29, as anyone ever cheered for which recalls how Moses and the you? It makes a difference, people of Israel showed faith in cross- doesn’t it? H A race of faith ing the sea on dry land as they escaped My life was strongly shaped by (11:29-40) from Egypt (v. 29). Later, the people the experience of playing high school The book of Hebrews can be read as a saw Jericho fall after obeying God’s football: I learned a great deal about lengthy sermon. It was written for the surprising command to march around discipline and teamwork – as well as f a Christian community, most the city for seven days (v. 30). about having dreams and dealing with of whose members were probably born reality. Jewish. Some believers were growing list was Rahab, a native of Jericho who In practice, we spent a lot of time in their faith, while others were strug- chose to put her faith in the God of running wind sprints and other drills. gling. Living as a Christian under Israel, hiding spies sent by Joshua and To this day, I can hear the coaches allying with the Hebrews rather than shouting “Run hard! Run hard!” When piece of cake, and some were tempted her Canaanite compatriots (v. 31). we grew tired or weary, they would yell to turn back from the faith. With v. 32, the writer shifted from “Suck it up and go!” The author of Hebrews urged his individuals to groups. “Time would On Friday nights, we learned the readers to never give up, never stop fail me,” he said, “to tell of Gideon, value of our hard work as we competed growing, never stop struggling to Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and before a great crowd of witnesses – become all that God wanted them to Samuel and the prophets who through including many former players who be. Like my high school coaches, he faith conquered kingdoms, adminis- understood the game – giving our best exhorted them to “Run hard!” tered justice, obtained promises, shut efforts to win each game. The writer offered encouragement the mouths of lions, quenched raging I recall those sweaty days and by recalling a string of Hebrew heroes sometimes painful nights when I read who had demonstrated faith. He began won strength out of weakness, became this exhortation from the author of with Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and mighty in war, put foreign enemies to Hebrews: Sarah (11:4-19), arguing that they all In addition to “Therefore, since we are sur- lived in faith while looking forward to the named characters, the references to rounded by such a great cloud of a future inheritance. witnesses, let us throw off everything He continued with further stories Daniel and his three faithful colleagues that hinders and the sin that so easily of the patriarchs. It was by faith that (Daniel 3, 6). entangles, and let us run with persever- Isaac invoked future blessings on his Nameless but faithful women ance the race marked out for us.” sons Jacob and Esau, he said (v. 20); came to the author’s mind with the To whom was the author writing? by faith that Jacob blessed his 12 sons mention of women who “received their Why were they running, and how? from his deathbed (v. 21); and by faith dead back by resurrection” (v. 35a), a that Joseph saw the end of the exile probable reference to the widow of Additional information at and asked to be buried in the land of Zarephath (1 Kgs. 17:17-24) and the nurturingfaith.net promise (v. 22). woman of Shunem (2 Kgs. 4:18-37).

34 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Both saw their dead sons raised to life prelude to the next chapter, for the It is a willingness to keep on running after the intercessions of Elijah and writer wanted his struggling readers even when it hurts – as my coach used Elisha, respectively. to know that they were not alone: the to say, to “suck it up and go.” The persons mentioned to this point saints of the past and the saints of the The race we run in Christ’s name gained victories or deliverance, but with present were watching. “Therefore, can be a joyful race, but not always an vv. 35a-38, the author turns to praise since we are surrounded by a great easy one. Times of temptation and trial others who suffered without victory, cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside will come, but because God’s faithful but did not lose faith. Those who “were every weight and the sin that clings so saints through the ages are cheering tortured, refusing to accept release, in closely, and run with perseverance the us on, we do our best. Because we are order to gain a better reward” probably race that is set before us …” (12:1). surrounded by a world that is desperate refers to a story from the apocryphal As athletes who play popular for God’s love, we run with determina- book of 2 Maccabees, which tells of sports may compete before a host of tion, and we run hard. an aged priest named Eleazar who fans, the writer of Hebrews reminds us We cannot see the whole course willingly died on the rack rather than that our daily walk takes place before a or know every place the track will cloud of witnesses. As we take courage lead, but we run while “looking to idol during the cruel reign of Antiochus from saints past and present, we are Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our Epiphanes (2 Macc. 6:18-31). A mother faith, who for the sake of the joy that and her seven sons also refused to eat thing is to lighten the load. When we was set before him endured the cross, have to run a long distance, we don’t disregarding its shame, and has taken story, suffering barbarous torture before carry a backpack, dress in bulky his seat at the right hand of the throne death (2 Macc. 7:1-42). clothes, or wear heavy shoes. of God” (12:2). The reference to persons being The weight we are to discard for the The author carefully refers to - Christian race is “the sin that so easily “Jesus” rather than “Christ” because onment could apply to many situations, besets us.” We don’t need a theologian he wants us to recall Jesus’ earthly life, including prophets such as Jeremiah - the trials he faced, and his willingness (Jer. 20:2, 7; 29:26; 37:15). Jewish ness. Discord. Self-destructive behavior. to suffer the cross “for the sake of the traditions accorded other prophets the Hurtful words. Exploitation of others. joy that was set before him,” that is, the fate of having been stoned to death, Apathy. Meanness. Gossip. Anything prospect of sitting at the right hand of sawn in two, or forced to live in poverty that causes harm to another. “Everything God. in desolate places. that hinders and the sin that so easily Rather than dwelling on our trials Though “commended for their entangles,” as the NIV11 puts it. and hardships, we look to the example faith,” the author said, these “did not of Jesus, who pioneered and perfected receive what was promised, since God behavior and run this race any more the kind of persevering faith we are had provided something better so that than we could win a marathon with a called to emulate. Jesus endured not they would not, apart from us, be made only the ordinary struggles of life, perfect” (vv. 39-40). The implication thing is to throw off what slows us but also hostility from a sinful world. is that heroes of the past died in faith, down. As we consider Jesus and the road he looking toward a future resurrection that The second thing is to run persis- traveled, we are less likely to “grow tently. The course ahead is beset with weary or lose heart” (12:3). of Christ, a better hope than even they obstacles, problems, and distrac- When we run faithfully, not entan- imagined. In this way, God’s saving gled by sin but encouraged by Jesus and work would bring the faithful people of we must “run with perseverance the a great cloud of witnesses who know the past, present, and future together. race that is set before us,” willing to what faith means, we can run hard, and continue steadfast even in the face of run with perseverance, and be assured A cloud of witnesses metaphorical mud holes that set us that we will stay on track until we take (12:1-3) back or tempt us to leave the path. It our place among those who will cheer The extended catalog of the faithful is the willingness to keep running even on future generations of believers. in Hebrews 11 serves as a rhetorical when we know the path ahead is uphill. Isn’t that worth running for? NFJ

LESSON FOR AUGUST 14, 2016 35 Bible Study

August 21, 2016 to touch in order to meet a God who Hebrews 11:28 – was present but inaccessible. The “Therefore, since we are receiving dread of God’s palpable but menac- Hebrews 12:18-29 a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we o"er ing presence led the people to draw All Shook Up to God an acceptable worship with back rather than come forward. But reverence and awe.” that was the old covenant, which the author intentionally painted in such lvis Presley topped the music stark terms so he could contrast it with charts in 1957 with a song touched,” though no one was allowed the new covenant in Christ. E called “All Shook Up,” and to at the time, for it was marked by “a rockabilly artist Jerry Lee Lewis reigned with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ and a tempest (or whirlwind), and the The heavenly Zion Goin’ On” in 1963. The two songs sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose (vv. 22-24) were popular, not just because of their words made the hearers beg that not “You have not come to something frenetic, driving beats, but because we another word be spoken to them” that can be touched,” the writer said all know what it is like to be shaken (vv. 18-19). (v. 18a), “But you have come to Mount by surprising news, by grief, by fear, The vivid, hair-raising descrip- Zion and to the city of the living God, or by heartache. Even so, none of our tion is drawn from accounts in Exodus the heavenly Jerusalem” (v. 22a). The experiences could hold a candle to the (19:16-22, 20:18-21) and Deuter- part of Jerusalem called Mount Zion, shaking that goes on in today’s text, onomy (4:11-12, 5:22-27), in which generally thought of as the location of where the author of Hebrews recalls the temple, was a tangible place, but past prophecy and speaks of a coming accompanied by thick black smoke, the writer transposed it to a place that day when both the earth and the thunder and lightning, and the blast of could not yet be perceived, a heavenly heavens will be “all shook up.” a trumpet growing louder and louder. Jerusalem as the “city of the living While the mountain shook, God called God.” The earthly Sinai Moses to come up, speaking in thunder The seven descriptive terms for (vv. 18-21) while the panicky people shrank Mount Sinai are matched by seven back. depictions of what believers would of the faith (ch. 11) and an exhorta- As if the menacing theophany tion for believers to remain faithful was not enough to keep people away After introducing Mount Zion as the and guard against apostasy (12:1-17), from the mountain, any who dared “city of the living God, the heavenly the author of Hebrews reinforces his to touch the holy site were promised Jerusalem,” the writer adds six further appeal with a tale of two mountains death by stoning (v. 21). In the features: “and to innumerable angels and a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Exodus account, Moses appeared in festal gathering, and to the assem- though the writer does not name it. He not to be afraid (Exod. 20:20), but the in heaven, and to God the judge of all, recalls Israel’s frightening encounter author wanted to draw a picture of and to the spirits of the righteous made with a fearsome God through seven wholesale alarm, so he quoted loosely perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of descriptive words or phrases. Mount from a different occasion when Moses a new covenant, and to the sprinkled Sinai was “something that can be expressed fear (Deut. 9:19), adding blood that speaks a better word than the word “trembling” to suggest that the blood of Abel” (vv. 22b-24). Additional information at The “innumerable angels in festal nurturingfaith.net Israel had come to a touchable gathering” offers an inviting contrast mountain that they weren’t allowed to the dark clouds of Sinai, where

36 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. angels were also thought to be present God, for whom and through whom all blood of Jesus that speaks, however, (Deut. 33:2). Here the angels are not things exist, in bringing many children but God the creator and judge threatening but joyful, perhaps extol- to glory, should make the pioneer who is at the heart of the passage. ling the victory of Christ. Believers of their salvation perfect through Verse 26 takes the reader from are invited to join angels clad in party sufferings” (2:9-10). Sinai to the present and on to eternity. clothes for a heavenly celebration. “At that time” (back at Sinai) God’s With the angels are “the assem- with “the sprinkled blood that speaks “voice shook the earth.” Now, a better word than the blood of Abel.” however, readers hear a present in heaven,” an apparent description Why bring up Abel? In the writer’s promise of a future event. “Yet once of all the saints through all the ages. earlier paean to heroes of the faith, more I will shake not only the earth but The word translated as “assembly” is also the heaven” is a reworked quota- ’ekklesía, the same word that can be (11:4). Abel offered a more accept- tion of the postexilic prophet Haggai’s translated as “church,” but here it has promise that, despite the diminished a broader meaning. While people and who responded with violence. Though state of the rebuilt temple, God would angels were separated at Mount Sinai, Abel died, the author said, “through shake the earth, the heavens, and the on the heavenly Mount Zion they his faith he still speaks.” worship happily together. The testimony of Abel’s faith riches and splendor (Hag. 2:6-7). The fourth encounter for believers was powerful, but paled in compari- The shaking to come would remove is with “God the judge of all,” the one son to the blood of Christ. Moses had all that is transitory, leaving only the who has exonerated the “assembly of sealed the covenant between God eternal kingdom of God and its inhabit- ants (v. 27). The kingdom has present of the righteous made perfect,” who from the altar and sprinkling it over and future aspects: the continuing sense are mentioned next. That these are the people (Exod. 24:8). The author of “we are receiving a kingdom that “spirits” who have been “perfected” now applies that metaphor to Christ, cannot be shaken” (v. 28a) suggests suggests that the author has in mind whose “sprinkled blood” was far more that we enter the kingdom when we faithful persons who have already trust in Christ and are called to live as died and been judged righteous, made mediating between God and people kingdom people, spreading Christ’s perfect through the saving work of (see 9:13-15). love wherever we go. At the same time, Christ (compare 10:14). While the we look forward to the full revelation The unshakeable kingdom of the kingdom at the end of the age, could comprise saints past, present, (vv. 25-29) when we need no longer fear, but will and future, “the spirits of the righteous Having contrasted the earthly Mount see God face to face. made perfect” probably refers only to Sinai of the old covenant and the spiri- In the meantime, we are called to those who had already died and been tual Mount Zion of the new covenant, be thankful while offering to God “an judged righteous. the author concludes by urging readers acceptable worship of reverence and The sixth meeting is with “Jesus, to “See that you do not refuse the one the mediator of the new covenant,” who is speaking” (v. 25a), by which avoiding apostasy as we remember whose saving work has instigated the he means one who is speaking from that “indeed our God is a consuming heavenly celebration. The author heaven. If those who ignored God’s intentionally uses the name “Jesus” to warning from Sinai did not escape stress Christ’s humanity, which made judgment, he asks, “how much less author’s challenge? Are you fearful, God more approachable than at Sinai. will we escape if we reject the one concerned about whether you might who warns from heaven?” (v. 25b, be slipping away from God – or “but we do see Jesus, who for a little compare 2:2-3a). while was made lower than the angels, The image of heavenly speak- Either could lead you closer to God: now crowned with glory and honor ing comes from the closing words of the author believed the greater danger because of the suffering of death, so v. 24, which referred to “the sprinkled was apathy: God has spoken, and we that by the grace of God he might taste blood that speaks a better word than are called to take God’s challenge the blood of Abel.” It isn’t just the seriously. NFJ

LESSON FOR AUGUST 21, 2016 37 Bible Study

August 28, 2016 community. Roads could be treach- Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday travelers frequently depended on Hebrews 13:1-17 and today and forever.” the hospitality of others for lodging. Nothing about the verse, however, Remember — and Do limits the call for hospitality to Chris- to the previous chapter’s insistence tians (witness Jesus’ story of the o you like learning new words? that God has granted us “a kingdom “good Samaritan,” Luke 10:30-37). Not long ago, a youngish that cannot be shaken,” for which we As added motivation for enter- writer for our local news- should be thankful and “offer to God D taining strangers, the writer added paper used the expression “totes an acceptable worship with reverence “for by doing that some have enter- and awe” (11:28). The word translated tained angels without knowing it” Googled the expression and learned as “worship” also means “service.” (v. 2b). This does not suggest that we that it’s urban slang, meaning “totally The following verses explain what should anticipate visits from angels in on point,” or “looking really good.” A constitutes acceptable service to God. disguise, but recalls stories in which The writer begins with the bottom both Abraham and Lot showed hospi- Today’s lesson offers the opportu- line: “Let mutual love continue” tality to visitors who turned out to be nity to learn an old word that may seem (v. 1). “Mutual love” translates the angels (Genesis 18-19). new. “Parenesis” is a relatively techni- Greek term philadelphía, or “broth- We see this also in the writer’s cal term used by students of literature erly love.” It was not common in the call to “Remember those who are in and rhetoric. It derives from a Greek Greek and Roman world to describe prison, as though you were in prison verb meaning “to exhort,” and refers anyone other than biological siblings with them; those who are being to instructions that encourage people as “brother” or “sister,” or to assume tortured, as though you yourselves to do good. It can include various obligations to people beyond the were being tortured” (v. 3). The types of advice, proverbs, exhorta- family. Secular writers sometimes primary reference probably concerns tions, comparisons, and commands, commented on the Christians’ odd ministry to fellow Christians who all employed for the purpose of inspir- penchant for calling each other had been imprisoned or persecuted ing positive behaviors. The adjective “brother.” for their faith, but such ministry can form is “parenetic.” True love is not transitory or extend beyond fellow Christians. The Bible has many examples inspired by occasional feelings. of parenesis. If we pay attention to The verb in the sentence means “to were often dependent on visitors or today’s parenetic passage, our lives remain” or “to abide.” Love for one family members for food, clothing, another should be a constant in the blankets, or other needs. Caring for lives of believers. It should also a Christian prisoner could be danger- What we should love stretch beyond our homes or our ous, for it could raise suspicions about (vv. 1-6) church. The author insists that we not the visitor. Still, the demands of love fail “to show hospitality to strangers” Our text addresses issues of what we required that fellow Christians take (v. 2a). While the philadelpía of v. 1 should (or shouldn’t) love (vv.1-6) and the risk of showing love to those who speaks of family love, the philaxenía who we should (or shouldn’t) follow were in need. of v. 2 calls us to love people we don’t (vv. 7-17). The passage is linked Believers should know who to know. love, and what (or who) not to love. The immediate context may Additional information at Married people should avoid falling have concerned itinerant evangelists in love with someone other than their nurturingfaith.net or other believers unknown to the

38 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. spouses, for example. The author and to remember that leaders are also Believers are to leave the old warned believers to remain true to accountable to God. camp behind, venturing outside the their marriage partners, lest they fall Words about leaders in vv. 7 and gate to join Christ and face the possi- under judgment (v. 4). 17 provide a frame for a consideration bility of suffering abuse with him The writer also understood the of what leaders teach. The much loved (v. 13). We can face such trials dangers of materialism: “Keep your v. 8 (“Jesus Christ is the same yester- because “here we have no lasting city, lives free from the love of money, day and today and forever”) may but we are looking for the city that is and be content with what you have” appear to have no particular relation to come” (v. 14). (v. 5a). to what comes before or after, but it The Bible often connects sexual serves as an effective bridge between have sought to hide behind the façade immorality with covetousness. In the v. 7 and vv. 9-17. The writer uses of Judaism, which was an accepted Ten Commandments, the prohibi- the familiar confession to remind his religion in the Roman Empire, rather tion of adultery is followed closely readers that Jesus has not changed, than claim Jesus alone and face the by warnings against stealing and thus setting the stage to warn them risk of persecution, but the writer covetousness. Contemporary Jewish, against getting carried away by “all would brook no such compromise. Greek, and Roman writings also kinds of strange teachings” (v. 9a). Perhaps he recalled Jesus’ instruction frequently connected the two. They The “strange teachings” appear to would-be disciples that they should understood that both immorality and similar to the legalistic dogma that deny themselves, take up their own greed are grounded in the kind of plagued the churches of Galatia crosses, and follow him (Mark 8:34). As Christian believers, we do not from God. Paul. Some early Jewish Christians believed that Christians must continue (or begin) following Jewish customs, of praise,” which the writer described the care of a God who had promised: including kosher foods. as “the fruit of lips that confess his “I will never leave you or forsake Believers should seek strength name” (v. 15). With this thought, the you.” Likewise, Christians could of heart through grace, not through writer returned to his earlier instruc- confess with the psalmist, “The Lord eating certain foods, the writer argued tions for lives that offer acceptable is my helper; I will not be afraid. What (v. 9b). True religion is an inner worship and service to God. “Do not can anyone do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). experience with the God of grace that neglect to do good and to share what works itself out in a life of goodness, are pleasing to God” (v. 16). Such Who we should follow not a relationship based on external behavior recalls the earlier exhorta- (vv. 7-17) criteria such as food or rituals. tions to love the right things and to With v. 7 the writer urges readers to Contrasting the Christian faith to turn away from the wrong things. pattern their lives after faithful church We serve a Lord who went leaders. He begins with past leaders, writer argued that Christians “have an outside the camp to reach a lost world “those who spoke the word of God altar from which those in the tent have and even die for the sake of others. To to you.” He challenges believers to no right to eat” (v. 10). In Hebrew follow Christ faithfully, our religious consider their example and to “imitate experience should not be limited to their faith” (v. 7). Later (v. 17), he while others were n stained glass and cushioned pews, but challenges believers to trust their offered on the Day of Atonement was must reach into the world of people current leaders as well, using words taken outside the camp and burned: outside the camp – the world for as strong as “obey your leaders and only the blood was sprinkled on the which Christ died. submit to them, for they are keeping altar. The writer compared the burning watch over your souls and will give an account” (v. 17a). Note that believ- respond? Did they heed the call? We ers are not to follow their leaders gate” of Jerusalem, where his death have no way of knowing. How will blindly but to “consider the outcome served to “sanctify the people by his we respond? That is the question that of their lives” before imitating them, own blood” (vv. 11-12). matters. NFJ

LESSON FOR AUGUST 28, 2016 39 THOUGHTS Celebration and reflection Navigating the intersection of faith and freedom By J. Colin Harris

Independence Day, like all birth- Amos spoke forcefully the word of the Lord: “Take away from me the noise of your songs; days, is a time of appropriate to the melody of your harps I will not listen. celebration — and needed reflec- But let justice roll down like waters, and tion. As we celebrate the birth of our righteousness like an ever flowing stream” (Amos 5:23-24). nation, let us give careful thought The rest of the prophetic tradition, for to the meaning of this intersection the next 200 years (especially Isaiah, Micah, of our faith and our freedom. Hosea and Jeremiah), speaks forcefully against the corrupting influence of a too GUIDING VOICES close alliance of religion and political power. In a later and very different political There is an interesting relationship in our context, someone asked Jesus: “Is it lawful lives as a people of faith — that transcends to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” He replied: national, political, geographical and social “Render therefore to Caesar the things that boundaries — and as citizens of a nation to are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are which we pledge allegiance. It isn’t always God’s” (Matt. 22:17, 21). easy to maintain that delicate balance. Paul offers counsel on living responsi- So it is good to reflect on the relation When the covenant community of bly in the world, without letting the values of our faith and our freedom. Since we are Israel occupied the Promised Land, they of the world shape who we are: “Do not committed to them both, and we don’t asked Samuel to appoint a king. When be conformed to this world, but be trans- have to choose between them, maybe the Samuel warned them that a king would formed by the renewal of your mind, that best question to guide us is: What does our change them from being a people of God you may prove what is the will of God, freedom do for our faith, and what does our to being a people of the king, forcing their what is good and acceptable and perfect” faith do for our freedom? young people into service and taking their (Rom. 12:2). We have guidance in thinking about property to enrich the few and to reduce the And further: “Let every person be this question from those who have traveled many to poverty, still they insisted on a king, subject to the governing authorities. For this journey before us. Their voices offer so they could be “like the other nations” there is no authority except from God, and counsel as we embrace our roles as followers (1 Sam. 8:20). those that exist have been instituted by of Christ and as citizens of our nation. Three generations later, when this God. ... For the same reason you also pay prediction had come to pass, the Lord said taxes, for the authorities are the ministers BIBLICAL WITNESS to Solomon, “Since this has been your mind of God, attending to this very thing. Pay A few voices from the Bible speak directly to and you have not kept my covenant ..., I all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes the relation of covenant faith and national will surely tear the kingdom from you ....” are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, life. The Ten Commandments begin: (1 Kgs. 11:11). respect to whom respect is due, honor to “I am the Lord your God, who brought you A century later, when the alliance whom honor is due” (Rom. 13: 1, 6-7) out of the land of Egypt, out of the house between Israel’s religion and its government As helpful as these texts are in pointing of bondage. You shall have no other gods had become so entwined that it was sanction- to the delicate relationship of religious faith before me” (Exod. 20:2-3). ing all manner of injustice, the prophet and the political/governmental dimension

40 Thoughts of life, they do not speak as directly to some exchanged the God whose presence had agendas. “You shall have no other gods of our contemporary concerns as we might sustained them in the wilderness for a god before me” seems to include the god of wish. of success, power and prosperity. nationalism as well as the fertility gods of Canaan. BROADER MESSAGE 2. The early Christian movement was a barely recognized fledgling group of BAPTIST CONTRIBUTIONS Sometimes we need to look beyond specific renegade Jews and alien Gentiles for its first “proof texts” to get a sense of the larger The Baptist movement was birthed in few generations. Churches were planted, message of the biblical testimony. The faith 17th-century England in a commitment to many in secret, throughout the dominant journeys of the mothers and fathers of our religious liberty and the need for separation empire of Rome. Letters and gospels were part of God’s family offer some interesting of religion from the constraints or support written that have become our scriptures, all features: of the state. Thomas Helwys spoke directly in relative obscurity in the shadow of the First, the people of the covenant have a to King James I that the king is not God and mighty Roman Empire. Things changed citizenship in a community that transcends has no authority over the consciences and in the fourth century when the emperor all earthly kingdoms. God’s covenant people souls of his subjects. Constantine made Christianity the official have been wandering nomads, slaves in Roger Williams, also in the 17th century, religion of the empire and the church became Egypt, a wilderness people, illegal aliens in was banished from Massachusetts by the an arm of the empire rather than a covenant the land of Canaan, a prosperous kingdom, Puritan authorities for his commitment to community that defined itself by the teach- a defeated and exiled people, frightened religious liberty. He founded Rhode Island, ings of Christ. When the community of faith discoverers of a new sense of who God is, and the first Baptist church on American became synonymous with the nation, they soil, as a haven of freedom from the tyranny subjects of the Roman Empire, and citizens both lost the core of their identity. of just about every nation of the world. Yet, of state-sponsored religion. Williams God has said, “I am with you,” and that 3. A more contemporary example of what affirmed in 1640: “An enforced uniformity commitment has never been limited to a happens when a biblical faith gets too of religion throughout a nation or civil state, particular context. closely identified with a national agenda is confounds the civil and the religious, denies Second, covenant community is at the Holocaust. “Christian” Germany lost the principles of Christianity and civility, greatest risk of being unfaithful when it is its moorings and justified the murder of and that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” closely identified with any kingdom. Three millions of people who were identified by John Leland, a Baptist from Virginia, examples illustrate this point: manipulators of fear and ignorance as the influenced James Madison to push for “Jewish problem.” It is a sobering reminder a constitutional amendment to protect 1. The kingdoms of David and Solomon of what can happen when a concern for religious liberty. We know the result of that were the high point of ancient Israel’s politi- national purity wraps itself in the cloak of influence as the first amendment to the cal power and economic prosperity. Foreign religious righteousness and identifies the Constitution. rulers came from all over to Jerusalem to “others” as worthy of removal. In 1773 Isaac Backus, another colonial see the magnificence of the capital city, its Baptist, offered: “Religious matters are to be palace and its temple. But the historians Voices of our faith heritage are clear: the separated from the jurisdiction of the state, and the prophets of a later period evaluated covenant community is always in a world not because they are beneath the interests this golden age as the low point of Israel’s and part of a world, but it loses itself when of the state, but quite the contrary, because covenant faithfulness, because they had it is defined by any of the world’s national they are too high and holy and thus are

T C  C R  S U is receiving applications for the James A. Auchmuty Fellowship in congregational leadership. Available to clergy and lay congregational ministers from any denomination, regardless of race or gender, the fellowship provides an award of $5,000 for professional development and renewal goals. Applications will be received through September 2016. For more information, call the Center for Congregational Resources at 205-726-4064 or go to samford.edu/congregational-resources.

SAMFORD UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION/EMPLOYER.

Thoughts 41 beyond the competence of the state.” rejoice that in this land the light of truth destinies if each is allowed to develop and The commitment to religious liberty and reason has triumphed over the power refine itself without the controlling influ- of these early Baptists was not just for of bigotry and superstition and that every ence of the other. themselves, but for everyone. person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart.” The 1796 THE QUESTION FOUNDING VOICES Treaty between the United State and Tripoli Now back to the question: What does our The earliest English settlers and colonists stated: “The government of the United freedom do for our faith, and what does our wanted to establish a Christian common- States is not, in any sense, founded on the faith do for our freedom? wealth. The Puritans had their issues with Christian religion.” Freedom allows for faith to grow the Church of England, but their desires James Madison noted in 1822: “We without constraint of external coercion. It to control the religious dimension of life in are teaching the world the great truth that encourages an open and honest search for North America were no less rigid. Governments do better without kings and truth and a context for shared discovery. Literature from the time speaks not nobles than with them. The merit will be It enables free expression without fear only of the desire for a kind of Christian doubled by the other lesson that religion of judgment, punishment or rejection. It utopia, but also of stern discipline (remem- flourishes in greater purity, without than promotes an atmosphere of appreciation ber the Salem witch trials) of those who did with the aid of government.” and respect for all faiths, while encourag- not conform. By the late 18th century, when Later, in 1947, Hugo Black, the only ing the deepest levels of commitment to our the revolutionary spirit was leading toward Baptist to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, own. the Declaration of Independence and the affirmed that neither state nor federal On the other hand, faith gives charac- formulation of the Constitution, colonial government may pass laws that aid one ter and substance to our freedom, helping leaders had benefitted from a century of religion, aid all religions, or prefer one it move beyond selfish and superficial philosophical and political thought, as well religion over another. expressions (concern for one’s own “rights” as a century of experience with the tensions These testimonies and others respected or thinking of freedom as being able to do of religion and governance. the sacredness of the religious dimension whatever one wants) — moving beyond They were quite clear in their concerns of life too much to institutionalize it in the the seasonal fireworks and flag waving of a for the proper role of religion in American frameworks of the government of this nation. Fourth of July celebration to a deeper-seated public life. The clearest expression is in However, the experiment in liberty was not commitment to the principles of opportu- the first amendment to the Constitution: without its flaws. The freedom some early nity, justice and compassion. “Congress shall make no law respecting an advocates affirmed left out the half of the That is something to celebrate on this establishment of religion, or prohibiting the population that happened to be female and Independence Day — along with commit- free exercise thereof.” The principle of the the significant percentage that were slaves. ting ourselves to protecting against both separation of church and state was clearly But they laid the foundation for later direct and subtle distortions. NFJ in the minds of the founders as the way to refinements that would expand liberty protect both the integrity of religious faith beyond the limits of their time. Part of that —J. Colin Harris is professor emeritus of and the liberty that was so dear to them. foundation was the realization that religion religious studies at Mercer University and For example, George Washington and government (faith and freedom) will a member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church in affirmed: “We have abundant reason to flourish better toward their respective Stone Mountain, Ga.

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42 Thoughts RECOGNITION & REMEMBRANCE GIFTS TO Editor’s note: For a more timely delivery of information about people and places, NURTURING FAITH along with breaking news, visit the expanded nurturingfaith.net. In honor of … International missions leader chosen Brian Foreman has been named as found- Fisher Humphreys Sharon T. Koh is the new executive director ing director of Campbell University’s new From Wayne Flynt of American Baptist International Minis- youth theology institute Fides: Exploring *** tries. She comes from Evergreen Baptist Faith & Vocation. Church in Los Angeles, where she has In memory of … served as senior associate pastor of mission Brett Younger is pastor of historic Plymouth Bill Hull and community life. She succeeds Reid S. Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., coming from From Ruth and Gene Gillin Trulson, who retires the end of August. Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology where he taught preaching. He is Rev. and Mrs. James F. Yates CBF endorses 1,000th chaplain a columnist for Nurturing Faith Journal and Rev. and Mrs. Harold A. Shirley Erin Walker Lysse, a chaplaincy resident the author of Lighter Side: Serving Up Life From Linda Lou Jenkins at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Lessons with a Smile (Nurturing Faith) in Winston-Salem, N.C., is the 1,000th chaplain endorsed by the Cooperative L. Gregory Jones is executive vice president Gifts in honor or memory of someone Baptist Fellowship. and provost at Baylor University, coming may be sent to Nurturing Faith, from Duke University where he was a P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA Roebuck to Belmont University post professor of theology and ministry and 31208-6318 or by calling Jon Roebuck, pastor of Nashville’s senior strategist for leadership education at (478) 301-5655. Online gifts made be Woodmont Baptist Church for 17 years, Duke Divinity School. made at nurturingfaith.net. became the first executive director of the newly-formed Belmont Institute for Margaret Brooks is recipient of the Addie Church Leadership at Belmont University Davis Award for Outstanding Leadership June 1. The institute will “equip church in Pastoral Ministry from Baptist Women Senior Pastor: First Baptist Church of leaders with progressive resources gleaned in Ministry. She is a student at Baptist North Wilkesboro, N.C., is seeking a senior pastor to lead the congregation from business, music, law and theological Seminary of Kentucky. in the next chapter in our history. Our leadership,” said university president Bob church family enjoys a 123-year tradi- Fisher. Elizabeth Coates is the Addie Davis Award tion of meaningful worship and active winner for excellence in preaching from mission involvement, and has long Boswell assumes Charlotte pastorate Baptist Women in Ministry. She is a student supported women in ministry. We relate to the CBF, CBFNC and the Baptist Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, at Mercer University’s McAfee School of State Convention of North Carolina. We N.C., installed Benjamin Boswell as its Theology and associate pastor for disciple- have a total membership of 495, and sixth pastor on May 1. ship and spiritual formation at First Baptist feel it is important that all who choose Church of Gainesville, Ga. to worship and serve with us have the Thorne sets retirement from ABC opportunity for personal growth through Leo Thorne will retire Aug. 31 from Ameri- Joel Snider retired in May after 21 years Christian education, our ministry teams, and fellowship. The senior pastor will can Baptist Churches USA, where he has as pastor of First Baptist Church of Rome, possess strong preaching skills and served as associate general secretary for Ga. In tribute, local newspaper publisher have excellent abilities in relationship mission resource development for 10 years. Otis Raybon wrote that Snider “has been a building and be an inspired leader, He previously served on the board of direc- shepherd to every member of this church in guiding and directing the church spiritu- tors for Nurturing Faith Publishing. more ways than I have space to write.” ally and administratively. We are seeking a pastor with an advanced theological degree from an accredited seminary or divinity school, with experience as a CLASSIFIEDS congregational minister. Résumés and $1.25 per word (one month web) references will be accepted until July 1 $2.00 per word (two months web) at pastorsearch#[email protected] or $2.00 per word (one print issue) Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 458, North Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Contact: [email protected]

Information 43 RELIGION AND THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) By Bruce Gourley

umble beginnings marked the life anti-slavery petitions, opposed slave trade of the 13th president of the United between states, and sought the eradication H States. Born in 1800 in a log cabin of slavery in the nation’s capital. in the wilderness of Cayuga County, N.Y., Although supported by many north- Millard Fillmore’s nearest neighbor lived ern abolitionists, Fillmore failed to secure four miles distant. the Whig nomination for the presidency Books in the Fillmore household in 1844, the party’s southern wing being consisted of an almanac, Bible and hymnal pro-slavery. Returning to New York, he — the lot representative of many poor, rural served as the first chancellor of Buffalo families of the era. Religion, however, played University and comptroller of New York. no discernible role in the Fillmore family. National affairs turned his way in The son of a hardscrabble farmer, a 1848 as Whigs, nominating the southern young Millard sought a better life. Lacking slaveholder and war hero Zachary Taylor education, at the age of 17 he obtained a as president, selected Fillmore as their dictionary, reading it eagerly. In 1819 he vice-presidential candidate to placate anti- attended a nearby academy, where he fell in slavery northerners. The Taylor-Fillmore love with his teacher, Abigail Powers, two ticket won the 1848 election. years his elder. Upon the sudden death of Taylor on Ambitious and determined, Fillmore liberal and tolerant bent. Abigail, raised a July 9, 1850, Fillmore ascended to the presi- soon apprenticed as a lawyer. Admitted to Baptist, declined to join the Society. dency, the second from New York to attain the bar in 1823, he set up practice in East A rising political star, Fillmore won the office. Aurora. Millard and Abigail married in election to and served in the U.S. House Hoping to position the Whig Party in 1826, followed by Fillmore’s election as an of Representatives from 1833 to 1835 as the political center of the national slavery attorney for the state’s supreme court and a National Republican. Declining to run controversy, President Fillmore backed a his entry into local politics. for re-election, he switched loyalties to series of proposals, known as the Compro- An elected member of the New York the Whig Party, the short-lived National mise of 1850, designed to reduce friction State Assembly from 1828 to 1831, Fillmore Republican Party having dissolved. New between northern and southern states. wrote and secured passage of a state law Yorkers returned Fillmore to the House The five parts of the Compromise abolishing imprisonment for debt. from 1837 to 1843 as a northern, moder- consisted of: 1) admission of California He also sought to repeal a colonial-era ately anti-slavery Whig. into the Union as a free (non-slave) state; law requiring state court witnesses to swear During his six-year stint as a Whig 2) abolition of the slave trade in the District belief in God and the afterlife. Proclaiming congressman, Fillmore supported Morse’s of Columbia; 3) organization of Utah the law “absurd” and based upon “the narrow telegraph, cutting-edge technology of the Territory under popular sovereignty, thus feeling of prejudice and bigotry,” Fillmore day. Slavery, a centuries-old practice from allowing citizens to vote on slavery within nonetheless failed in his quest to separate colonial days, he opposed. the territory; 4) an expanded Fugitive Slave religion from state in the court system. Fillmore opposed efforts to annex Act requiring federal officials to arrest Moving to Buffalo in 1830, he became Texas as a slave territory, allied with John escaped slaves and return them to their a charter member of the city’s new First Quincy Adams (then a congressman) in an owners; and 5) the selling of some Texas Unitarian Society, evidencing his religiously unsuccessful attempt to allow congressional lands in order to pay off the state’s debts.

These are the 13th and 14th in a series of articles by historian Bruce Gourley on the religious faith of U.S. presidents. Gourley is online editor and contributing writer for Nurturing Faith Journal 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 available from Nurturing Faith.

44 Feature Of the Compromise, Fillmore said: the party’s Nativist platform, he nonetheless views or lack thereof, during the 1856 “God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an lost in resounding fashion. presidential campaign Millard Fillmore existing evil, for which we are not responsi- The last Whig president and the only expressed unequivocal support for America’s ble, and we must endure it, and give it such American Party presidential candidate, heritage of church-state separation, repeat- protection as is guaranteed by the Consti- Fillmore retired from national politics. edly declaring, “In my opinion, Church and tution, till we can get rid of it without Returning to Buffalo, he expressed relief to State should be separate, not only in form, destroying the last hope of free government be “no more harassed with the cares of state.” but fact — religion and politics should not in the world.” Religiously, Fillmore remained an be mingled.” Yet, rather than ushering in a truce enigma. In an 1849 letter declining an On the political front, a post-presiden- regarding slavery, the Compromise angered invitation to speak at a Boston Unitarian tial Fillmore opposed Lincoln’s anti-slavery both North and South. During the 1852 church meeting, he declared: “I sympathize Republican Party and the Emancipation presidential campaign, Fillmore’s unpopu- with those who enhance liberal Christianity. Proclamation. After the war he supported larity with northern Whigs for having But yet I am not a member of the Unitarian Andrew Jackson’s conservative Reconstruc- signed the Fugitive Slave Act prevented his church.” tion policies. Moderately anti-slavery as nomination as the party’s candidate. Nonetheless, as president he sometimes president, in later life he could not accept The Whigs subsequently lost the attended Washington’s Unitarian Society. racial equality. election to Democrat Franklin Pierce. In During an 1855-56 tour of Europe, the No final religious words attended addition, Fillmore suffered personal loss in former president allegedly told an English- Fillmore’s deathbed. But upon his passing the death of his wife Abigail in late 1852 woman, “The more we forget station in on March 8, 1874, Buffalo’s Unitarian and his daughter Mary Abigail shortly religion, the nearer we are to Christianity.” minister claimed that in a letter the newly- thereafter. In 1861 Fillmore accompanied presi- elected president had indicated “how deep Following defeat in 1852, the Whig dent-elect Abraham Lincoln for a visit to he felt his dependence on God, and with all Party, unable to project a coherent position Buffalo’s Unitarian church. Yet in his exten- his heart sought his guidance.” on slavery, dissolved. Nominated for the sive writings Fillmore rarely referred to Future generations were left to strug- presidency in 1856 by the American Party, God, and never in a personal manner. gle with the religious enigma of Millard Fillmore ran a passive campaign. Ignoring Regardless of his personal religious Fillmore. NFJ Good reading for summer

he 150th anniversary of the American Civil War provides a grand opportunity to consider precisely what Baptists — North and T South — 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 devasta- tion has given way to peaceful fields and quiet woodlands. nurturingfaith.net

Feature 45 RELIGION AND THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) By Bruce Gourley

Franklin Pierce, the nation’s 14th president, began life as had his predecessor — in a log cabin in the North. There the similarities ended.

orn in New Hampshire in 1804, The Congregationalist, pro-temper- Pierce in his childhood and youth ance Jane tried to convince Franklin to B enjoyed privileges unknown to a abstain from alcohol. Her abhorrence of young and impoverished Millard Fillmore politics, and especially Washington, D.C., of New York. Father Benjamin, having hung like a dark cloud over the household. distinguished himself as a military officer The childhood deaths of their first two sons in the Revolutionary War, afterward moved brought great suffering. from Massachusetts to Hillsborough, N.H. With little support from his wife, There he commanded the state militia and Pierce served in the House for five years, served in the state House of Representatives. his tenure entangled in the most pressing A prosperous Benjamin purchased issue of the era: slavery. Although morally a tract of land in 1804 and built a family opposed to the practice, he took offense at estate. Son Franklin’s birth took place in a the “religious bigotry” of abolitionists who fought in the war with mixed results. Battle- temporary log cabin during the construc- labeled their opponents as sinners. hungry and longing to be a hero, ill-timed tion of the large family home. “I consider slavery a social and political injuries and sickness unfortunately sidelined Two of Franklin’s older brothers evil,” Pierce declared during this time, “and him from most of the action, leading to followed their father’s military footsteps, most sincerely wish that it had no existence lingering charges of cowardice. fighting in the War of 1812. Benjamin upon the face of the earth.” And yet, “One Even so, in 1847 New Hampshire served as New Hampshire’s 11th governor thing must be perfectly apparent to every welcomed Pierce’s return with a hero’s from 1827-1830. intelligent man. This abolition movement reception. Educated in a town school, Frank- must be crushed or there is an end to the Resigning from the military and resum- lin then enrolled in and graduated from Union.” ing his law practice in Concord, Franklin Bowdoin College in Maine. Law studies Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1837 Pierce defended, among other cases, the followed, then admission to the New at the age of 32, Pierce proved a capable religious liberty of the Shaker sect, a small Hampshire bar. A photographic memory senator who took an interest in the nation’s religious group accused of child abuse. paired with a charming personality and a military affairs. Facing an ascendant Whig Retaining his voice in national politics deep voice served Pierce well, leading to his Party, however, Pierce resigned from the from afar, Pierce supported the slavery election as Hillsborough’s town modera- Senate in 1842. Moving to Concord and Compromise of 1850 as the key to preserv- tor in 1828 and to the state’s House of returning to law, he often represented poor ing the Union. Although abolishing the Representatives. citizens for free. slave trade in the nation’s capital, the Chosen as speaker of the state House Remaining prominent within the Compromise allowed for the possibility in 1831, the young and rising Democratic struggling Democratic Party, Pierce of slavery in the Southwest and provided star won a seat in the U.S. House of advocated for the westward expansion of greater legal enforcement of the Fugitive Representatives the following year. slavery. In addition, the Mexican-American Slave Act, legislation mandating that slaves Marriage to Jane Means Appleton War afforded the former senator an oppor- escaping to the North be returned to their in 1834, however, led to personal and tunity to serve in active military duty, as had owners upon capture. political challenges. Her religious devotion his father and brothers. A discordant Democratic Party, contrasted with her husband’s irreligiosity. Appointed a brigadier general, he fractured North and South over the issue of

46 Feature slavery, sought a return to power in 1852. to attend her husband’s inauguration and bloodshed and violence between pro- and Deadlocked over who to nominate for the making no public appearances during her anti-slavery factions. presidency, on the 49th ballot Democratic initial two years as First Lady. “Bleeding Kansas” overshadowed the National Convention delegates chose For his part, Pierce became only the national political landscape, spilling over Franklin Pierce as a dark horse candidate. second president to refuse an inaugural into the U.S. Senate when South Carolina The nomination stunned Pierce. His swearing upon a Bible, instead affirming Representative and planter Preston Brooks wife Jane fainted. Son Benjamin, their only the presidential oath on a law book. (The viciously assaulted Massachusetts Senator surviving child, siding with his mother, first to dispense with a Bible had been John and abolitionist Charles Sumner, a beating hoped his father would not win the election. Quincy Adams.) Pierce also distinguished from which it took Sumner three years to Unfortunately for Pierce’s family, himself by becoming the first president to recover. the Whig Party, also divided over slavery, deliver an inaugural address from memory. Amid the slavery-driven violence and ascended into greater turmoil than the A period of financial prosperity rancor that characterized Pierce’s presi- Democrats. Although his opponents cast marked Pierce’s ascension to the presidency. dency, the Democratic Party in 1856 Pierce as a coward and alcoholic, he won the Despite his hope that the slavery question declined to re-nominate him. Returning election of 1852. From that point, things had been put to rest in the Compromise to New Hampshire an embittered man, he only grew worse. of 1850, Pierce’s pro-slavery, westward witnessed the arrival of a civil war that he Traveling from Boston by train on Jan. expansion agenda plunged the nation into had helped bring about. 6, 1853, the president-elect’s family encoun- further discord. Even as the president voiced Upon Jane’s death in 1863, Pierce tered tragedy when their car derailed and affirmation of America’s commitment to retreated into a private life. In mourn- rolled down a steep embankment. Franklin “universal religious toleration,” a vast and ing and hoping to appease a distant God and Jane survived, only to watch 11-year- irreconcilable theological chasm stood as his life drew to a close, on the second old Benjamin be crushed to death. between abolitionist northern Christians anniversary of his wife’s death the former Both parents suffered prolonged and pro-slavery southern Christians. president was baptized in Concord’s St. Paul’s depression. Jane believed the accident to be Passage of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Episcopal Church. God’s punishment upon the family for her Act opened both territories to the possibility Four years later in 1869, Franklin husband’s pursuit of high political office. of slavery through local balloting, resulting Pierce, a broken, lonely and irreligious man, She remained in mourning, refusing in political manipulation and widespread passed away. NFJ Faith Your partner in publishing an excellent history of your church or organization

The team that managed the editing and designing of our book of history did a remarkable job helping us to format our history with the inclusion of photographs that made us proud of the finished product and grateful to their staff. It was a great experience to be guided by professionals who were so detail-oriented and created a timetable to get our published history in advance of the time we would need it. Their suggestions related both to content and layout resulted in a product that exceeded our expectations. —Dr. William L. Hardee, Pastor First Baptist Church, Griffin, Ga.

Nurturing Faith Publishing provides the level and detail of service needed — whether starting with concept and writing or our receiving a completed manuscript with art. To begin the conversation, contact Managing Editor Jackie Riley at [email protected].

Feature 47 DIGGIN’ IT Of mountains and molehills By Tony W. Cartledge

An eclectic team of scholars 16 letters studied were written by at least six that dig beneath the surface of the Bible different persons. are completely unfazed by the unspectacu- from Tel Aviv University recently That’s interesting, but not surprising. lar announcement that some of Judah’s published research indicat- Even in a land where most people were illit- military officials could read and write. And ing that some Israelite military erate, one would expect military officials no reputable scholar I know claims that any — who can’t operate if they can’t commu- of the Old Testament was developed during personnel serving around 600 nicate — to be trained in the art of reading the intertestamental period (between the BCE knew how to read and write. and writing. writing of the Old and New Testaments), Both authors of the original article and which would be a contradiction in terms. wo Southern Baptist seminary the seminary professors sought to apply the Warner fails to note that even those professors, contacted by Baptist findings to the longstanding debate over who believe multiple authors contributed to T Press, seized on the findings as how the Hebrew Bible came to be written. the Pentateuch over a long period of time evidence that most of the Hebrew Bible was More conservative scholars tend to take suggest that the earliest strata may go back written hundreds of years before. Go figure. literally internal claims that Moses wrote to the 10th century, hundreds of years before Authors of the study analyzed 16 letters the Pentateuch, that the Arad Letters were written, even though among the hundred or so notes scribbled on Joshua wrote the we have only the sketchiest of very primitive broken pieces of pottery (called “ostraca”) book of Joshua, and Hebrew inscriptions from that period. that archaeologists led by Yohanon Aharoni so forth. If anything, the team’s findings found in the southern Judahite fortress of Scholars taking support the idea that the years leading up to Arad some 50 years ago. Those short letters a more analytical the exile, when literacy was becoming more (rarely more than a paragraph), along with approach point to a widespread, would have been a fruitful time similar ostraca from the same time period broad spectrum of for literary enterprises. found in the fortified city of Lachish, have evidence indicating Those taken into exile and exposed been known to the scholarly community for that, while oral tradi- to the highly developed corpus of Babylo- decades. tions and possibly nian literature could have been even more Having these handwritten letters some written documents may well go back capable — as well as theologically motivated — mostly military orders and lists of provi- as far as Moses (when the Hebrew language — to take the various sources they had and sions to be supplied — is exciting, but not was just developing), much of the Old compose lengthy biblical texts, such as what earth shaking. The letters are clearly written Testament was put together in its final form critical scholars refer to as the Deuterono- by several different people of varying just before, during and in the years follow- mistic History, a thematically united series skill. Some may be from as early as the ing the exile (roughly 597-538 BCE). of narratives stretching from Joshua through 8th century, while most come from around Nothing in the Tel Aviv team’s findings 2 Kings. 600 BCE and represent correspondence calls this view into question, though Daniel It’s good to know that Israeli mathe- between an official named Elyashib and his Warner of New Orleans Baptist Theologi- maticians and handwriting experts think superior officer. cal Seminary told Baptist Press that the findings such as the Arad Letters are worthy Members of the Tel Aviv team, who research “really puts a damper into the liber- of additional study. Even so, it’s a long published their findings in the Proceedings als who have hounded us that most of [the stretch from an order that Elyashib should of the Academy of Sciences of the United Old Testament] was developed during the “Issue Shemaryahu one lethek ration of States of America, said they used “novel intertestamental period or the Babylonian flour” to an extended theological history of image processing and machine learning captivity. That’s just one more nail slammed Israel’s fortunes stretching from their deliv- algorithms,” along with techniques from in the coffin.” erance from Egypt to their exile in Babylon. handwriting analysis, to determine that the It is no such thing. Analytical studies Molehills do not mountains make. NFJ

48 Thoughts BEING CHURCH IN CHANGING TIMES A column provided in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Churches (chchurches.org) Faith communites as first responders By Will Barnes

e stand at the door of one of from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the most tremendous opportu- their service to our country. Mild-Traumatic Brain Disorder (m-BTI) W nities in the life of the church and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). since post 9/11: to have a thriving, effec- and veterans and their families. However, there is another injury tive ministry for our veterans and current related to these wars that is not clinical military members and their families. On any given Sunday morning, we would or medical in nature. It is called “Moral According to research, from Sept. 11, likely find more persons in the pews without Injury,” defined as: 2001 until 2016 we had in the combined knowledge of military culture than persons wars of Iraq and Afghanistan 3,185,000 who are aware. Yet the Pew Research Center persons serving in the Army, Air Force, indicates that military culture members seek face when their actions in battle contradict Navy, and Marines including active duty, community involvement, a sense of belong- their moral beliefs reservists and the National Guard. If we ing, volunteerism and spiritual renewal. include all veterans and active members The church is a has their actions deemed as unfit who served in the first Gulf War to now, it quiet giant that needs would exceed 6.5 million service members. to be aroused and heart tells you is wrong. This long-term conflict has been educated on how it Moral injury is a spiritual injury or trauma. waged for the first time by an all-volunteer can forge a meaning- The church can provide the following for force, and the reserve component has been ful and significant our military service people: deployed at its highest level in 50 years. ongoing ministry to Due to force reduction by the down- military members sizing of active and reserve components and and their families. support the return of reservists from recent mobili- We have a moral zations, military persons and their families obligation to help churches become the are flooding back into our communities. “best lifesaving stations” for our warriors forgiveness and compassion One of the places veterans and their families who have served during the longest contin- are seeking out is the church. ued wars in modern history. One writer place and spirits are renewed However, less than one percent of suggests the church can be the “best preven- our society is directly impacted by those tive medicine” for wellness and healing for Churches must be trained, kept informed with military service. This small popula- our 6.5 million veterans and their families. and equipped for this unique minis- tion percentage leaves our understanding, National surveys indicate that persons try because the church is often the “first knowledge and empathy limited to a very in crises, civilian or military, are more responders.” NFJ small number of citizens. comfortable talking with clergy or chaplains According to the Pew Research Center, than with mental health professionals. —Will G. Barnes of Clemmons, N.C., is which studied war and sacrifice, the under- Therefore, churches and clergy need to be a retired Army chaplain and a marriage standing of civilians is broken down into better equipped to meet the needs of our and family therapist who taught at Eastern three mindsets: military members. Baptist Theological Seminary. For informa- The four most common injuries of tion on training your congregation to be first the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are Post- responders, contact him at drwillgbarnes1@ our country. Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), injuries gmail.com or (336) 970-0509.

Thoughts 49 Questions Christians ask scientists How do you explain the Old Testament story of creation with your scientific methods? — Adam Elkin, Edina, Minn.

In one sense I don’t. The Genesis accounts of creation (there are two) were not written with modern science in mind, and scientific accounts of origins cannot be made to match up in any specific, chrono- logical ways with biblical stories. ot that people don’t try: Some look to 2 Peter 3:8 that says “with the N Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day” to warrant their claim that the six days of creation match up with six particular periods of cosmic history. In this view, God’s words “Let there be light” (Gen 1:3) correspond to the flood of BY PAUL WALLACE photons that emanated from the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, the separation of Paul Wallace is a Baptist minister with a doctorate in experimental nuclear physics from the earth from the waters (Gen 1:9) corre- Duke University and post-doctoral work in gamma ray astronomy, along with a theology sponds to the formation of the planet 4.5 degree from Emory University. He teaches at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. Faith- billion years ago, and so on. science questions for consideration may be submitted to [email protected]. Others go further. They appeal to Einstein’s theory of relativity, which tells us that time is relative. This means, for modern strain on scripture. encourages the practice of science. example, that six days from one perspective By forcing ancient texts to fit into Ancient Israel, unlike other ancient — or “frame of reference” — is equivalent the categories of contemporary science, it civilizations, considered the world to be to billions of years in another. distorts them beyond their breaking point. neither divine nor corrupt. To the west, the This is true. Time is relative and does The text becomes a code to be cracked Egyptians thought the sun and the moon not flow at the same pace for all people at all rather than a reality to be lived. and the soil and the Nile River — among times. The real point of the Genesis stories other parts of the natural world — This effect is not obvious to us in is theological and relational: they tell us manifested aspects of gods and goddesses; our daily lives, but if we routinely zipped how God, human beings, and the cosmos these parts of creation were themselves around at speeds close to that of light — or are interrelated. They tell us who we are sacred. if the speed of light were much less than it and what the cosmos is in the context of To the east, the Babylonians viewed is — this strange flexibility of time would divine creativity and love. And it does so the material world as essentially corrupt; seem commonplace to us. And it is in fact using the primary medium of the age: prose their creation account said that the earth possible to find two frames of reference such and poetry, not the abstractions of modern and sky were constructed from two halves of that a certain set of events lasts six days in physical science. a goddess’s ruptured corpse and that human one and 13.8 billion years in another. It is unwise to apply specific scientific beings were made to be slaves of the gods. But just because it’s possible to look theories to the interpretation of scripture, yet Israel took a middle way. This is at the Bible through the lens of relativity I find deep and broad resonances between evident in Genesis, which describes the doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. This kind the Old Testament and scientific accounts cosmos as a thing of great goodness and of thinking places a strange and uniquely of creation. For starters, Genesis actually integrity but not sacred of itself: the sun and

50 Feature moon are lights, not gods. Also creation is the character Job is beaten down by a nities from which human civilization itself not intrinsically debased: the heavens and series of terrible losses despite his morally appears peripheral and unimportant. God, earth were produced not through violence unimpeachable life, he pleads to God for it turns out, loves more than us human but through a series of ordered and deliber- justice, and God eventually responds with beings. ate divine words. the longest divine speech in the Bible. In Job’s cosmos we are the marginal Also, for ancient Israel as for us, human In this speech God does not explain ones. Job therefore has much in common beings were viewed as free and worthy or defend Job’s suffering, nor does the Lord with contemporary scientific views of the creations, not slaves of God or gods. offer an apology. Instead, God takes Job on universe in which we seem to be an after- According to Genesis, matter is a most unexpected tour of the cosmos, a thought at best: we are recent additions to valuable and worth studying in its own right hard ride through the cosmic outlands. a vast and ancient and evolving cosmos that because it’s pronounced good by God. And In one of the most unusual passages has no center and no edges, that favors no because it is not divine, we are free to study in the Bible, God sweeps Job up off the ash planet and no star and no galaxy, that has it on its own terms. We who have inherited heap upon which he mourns, draws him a remote and violent past and is expanding Israel’s creation story are free to do science! down to the roots of the earth, shows him ever-more-rapidly into an uncertain future. There’s more. The Bible describes the expanse of the sea and the fountains of If the book of Job were written today, God the cosmos itself as having the capacity to the deep, and catapults him through the would show Job all of this: evolution both generate life. It is integrated and robust, just constellations. But this is just the beginning. cosmic and biological, the disorienting scale as biology tells us. Job is treated next to a series of close of things, and maybe even extraterrestrial I cannot help but hear overtones of looks at individual wild animals. Almost life. evolution in God’s command for the sea to without exception these creatures inhabit Again, there are other Old Testament “bring forth swarms of living creatures” and the barren and dangerous wilderness at the takes on creation. Psalm 104 celebrates the for the earth to “bring forth living things of periphery of Job’s world — the mountain same cosmos as Job but from the perspec- every kind” (Gen 1:20, 24). goat, the wild ass, the ostrich, and the tive of joy and not loss. I don’t mean that the authors of Genesis vulture are central exhibits. Finally, God The author of Ecclesiastes, ever the foresaw evolution in any meaningful way. brings Job face-to-face with Behemoth and cynic, casts the cosmos as cyclical and point- But the writer(s) must have observed just Leviathan, mythic and terrifying creatures less. Isaiah 40-45 imagines a new creation to how vigorous and sturdy and life-producing that represent cosmic chaos. accompany the end of exile and the return the world is, and how creation itself holds Goats and ostriches do not seem of Israel to their homeland. the potential — drawn out and realized cosmic to us. Here in Atlanta we have these (For more on the varied perspectives on through the divine word — to create. animals in the zoo, some in the petting zoo creation in the Old Testament, see William But Genesis is not the only book in the even, along with vultures and other creatures Brown’s outstanding book The Seven Pillars Old Testament that addresses creation. This mentioned in Job. But for Job these beasts of Creation [Oxford, 2010].) is a point often missed in discussions of were marginal, never thought about, gamey The relation between biblical creation science and scripture. Distinct perspectives and embarrassing and bloody dots on the and the cosmos as we know it today is not on the cosmos may be found in Psalms, outer fringe of his consciousness. simply a matter of finding scientific concepts Isaiah, Ecclesiastes, Job and others. But in the light of God’s tour they buried like so many secrets in the text of the Perhaps the strangest such perspec- are seen to be beautiful and free creatures Bible. It is much deeper and broader — and tive is found in the book of Job. When living in their own communities, commu- much more interesting — than that! NFJ Women in Baptist Life TOPICS INCLUDE WRITERS INCLUDE SPRING ISSUE Reinterpretation of Gender Ideology Carolyn D. Blevins Theology of Women in Ministry Eileen R. Campbell-Reed On sale Ordaining Baptist Women Pamela R. Durso now! Journey to Ordination Elizabeth Flowers Ministering to the Cities Carol Crawford Holcomb $10 Women and the Baptist Experience Kay and Walter Shurden C. Delane Tew

Orders: BH&HS, 151 Broadleaf Dr., Macon, GA 31210 | [email protected] | (406) 600-7433

Feature 51 ‘ Feel$ %ike mi&ion$’ Historic churches find new life beyond glory years

BY JOHN D. PIERCE

TLANTA — A century ago Druid Hills grew into prominence as a A desirable Atlanta neighborhood. Designed with a series of parks by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the community held stately homes surrounded by treetop canopies. Nearby Druid Hills Baptist Church took its prominent place along Ponce de Leon Avenue. In its glory years, throngs of well-appointed worshipers flocked to the stately Beaux-Arts sanctuary with massive columns to hear the preaching of denomi- national statesman Louis D. Newton. Were Louis D. to drop into that setting today, he likely wouldn’t believe his eyes. Pastor Mimi Walker, in the sanctuary of Atlanta’s Druid Hills Baptist Church, says the newly named Church at Ponce & Highland congregation o"ers “a progressive faith in a traditional style of worship.”

MANY CHANGES “They want the church to be here for years “It’s been a fascinating process,” said Decades of changes — from suburban flight to come.” Mimi, who first served as co-pastor for three to gentrification with new Sunday options On the other hand, she noted that years, beginning in 2008, with her husband — have impacted the community along younger members are the ones creating Graham Walker who teaches at Mercer with the much-smaller and more diverse a history room at the church to preserve University’s McAfee School of Theology. congregation that now goes by the name archives and to honor the heritage of Druid The mix of old and new continues The Church at Ponce & Highland. Hills Baptist Church, which remains the for the congregation, she noted. The choir And more change is underway. Two legal name of the congregation. pulled out a cantata from the 1930s last year buildings erected behind the sanctuary in the and, according to Mimi, everyone loved it. 1950s were sold to a developer who is replac- OLD WAYS, NEW WAYS “We’re offering a progressive faith in a ing them with apartments, townhomes, The sanctuary — which now draws about traditional style of worship,” she explained. restaurants, shops and a parking deck. 70 worshipers each Sunday — has refin- The name change was an intentional effort Funds from the sale have allowed the ished hardwood floors, wider spacing to identify more closely with the surround- church to restore the 1920s sanctuary and between pews and the all-important center ing neighborhoods. other spaces for current ministry needs said aisle for weddings. “We put a lot of energy into being a pastor Mimi Walker. And it all meets one of The westward view continues to show community church,” she said. the congregation’s top priorities: “We want the close proximity to the city center, but While the church retains its Baptist ties to stay here,” said Walker who shepherds behind the sanctuary is something new to (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Alliance the faithful longtime members who have behold. The new development rises with of Baptists) and identity, removing the witnessed great change as well as newcomers. the final stages of construction and lots of B-word from the sign was a strategic move, “The elderly people here are onboard promise for new ministry opportunities — said Mimi. “People think, ‘I could visit that with change,” said Walker, appreciatively. along with much-needed parking. church but I didn’t grow up Baptist.’”

52 Feature A mixed-used development rises behind a DIVERSITY historic Atlanta church seeking new ministry opportunities in a changing community. While many churches talk about diversity, the varied ministries at Gaston exemplify it. “Today there are seven congregations located at Gaston Christian Center,” said Cook. “This includes the original Gaston Oaks congregation, three congregations from Myanmar/Burma (Karen, Chen and Zomi), and three other congregations made up of people from Bhutan, Central Africa, and various Latin American countries.” Each congregation has its own pastor, said Cook, with the ministers meeting have taken place for Gaston Oaks Baptist COMMUNITY MINISTRIES monthly for coordination and encourage- Church — earlier known as Gaston Avenue. ment. The congregation participates in collab- Two decades ago the historic and “The bond that has developed among orative ministries with other neighborhood declining congregation that once boasted these six men and one woman has been churches and provides opportunities for a membership of 7,000 relocated from one of the greatest blessings of my life,” members to engage in service — which downtown to the northeast side of the city said Cook. “The pastors and congregations appeals to many younger residents moving in an effort to reach new families. Yet the support each other in ministry and mission into the area. desired results were not met. efforts in their native countries.” “They are looking for a place to give In an act of courage and stewardship, On occasion each year, he added, the back,” she said. the congregation re-envisioned its mission seven congregations share in worship as one The church takes a wide embrace in — opening its facilities to multiple congre- church. welcoming members and others who might gations of varied ethnicities and forming A former office building acquired by wish to share in worship or various activities new community ministries under the the church allows for a variety of minis- of the congregation. Varied gifts are needed name Gaston Christian Center. tries by offering space to non-profit groups and put to use, said Mimi. Gary Cook, who came out of retire- that provide medical and dental care to the “It feels like missions,” she said of the ment to lead the new ministry efforts, working poor, refugee support and train- unique pastorate. first served as interim pastor beginning in ing, food for the hungry, tutorials for at-risk Mimi would know; she was a mission- 2009. His enthusiasm for the ministries children, and more. ary for many years, teaching at the Philippine that continue to arise is contagious. “Today, young families with many Baptist Theological Seminary before coming In May of last year, the church voted children fill the halls,” said Cook. “The ‘old to Atlanta where she taught spiritual forma- unanimously to deed its facilities and folks’ of Gaston Oaks are like proud grand- tion and served as pastor to the community property to the Gaston Christian Center as parents, and they are thrilled at how the at McAfee School of Theology. the new vehicle for an expanded ministry. building they provided is now being used Like many churches, Druid Hills “I am often asked how I was able to for Kingdom purposes.” Baptist was struggling to maintain its lead a congregation whose average age was For some historic churches, the glory massive and aging facilities. The air condi- 83 to make this kind of radical change,” th years continue to fade into memories. For tioning crashed just before the big 100 said Cook. “The question implies way too others, they are looking in new places for anniversary celebration. much credit for me. The answer is: it was different kinds of glory yet to come. NFJ So the new mixed-use development not that difficult, and the vast share of the behind the church represents both an credit goes to the present membership of opportunity for the congregation to restore Gaston Oaks.” and reconfigure its facilities for its current The English-speaking congrega- ministries and also to welcome those who tion, he noted, even agreed to change its will be their new close-up neighbors. long-held worship schedule to allow the Times have changed — and are fast-growing Chen congregation to meet at changing. a desirable time. Cook said proudly: “These amazing TEXAS-STYLE people were true to their more than In Dallas, “change” seems too small of a 100-year mission’s legacy … The Gaston word to describe the various transitions that Christian Center gives them hope!” Karen congregation baptism

Feature 53 THREE VIEWS Discerning the different ways believers look at the Bible

BY BEN SELF heavenly prospects of such a dissenter. being willing to admit ignorance. Whatever The rationale for this view is simple. may have been Plato’s full intentions, his There are many questions God is believed to be perfect. The Bible is story about Socrates added to the reputation thought to have come from God, so it must of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi as free of concerning the Bible. What is be perfect. Any human element that could error. in the Bible? What is not in the have led to error would supposedly have Muslims are another example of Bible that people often think is in been overcome by God’s power. people who have extremely high regard This basic view is not exclusive to for their special source of authority, the the Bible? How much should the Christians. Others have had similar high Qur’an. While there is no official statement Bible be followed? How much is ideas regarding their sources of authority. regarding inerrancy, various references have the Bible followed? According to Plato’s dialogue “The circulated that indicate the great respect Apology,” Socrates shared with many most Muslims have for their honored book. mong the many inquiries is the ancient Greeks the view that the oracle of One claim is that the Qur’an was let question of how the Bible itself Apollo at Delphi was never wrong (sounds down from heaven by a golden thread. Ashould be viewed, I think there are like inerrancy). What startled Socrates was Another idea is that all earthly copies of the three major views of the Bible. hearing that the oracle had said there was no Qur’an are reflections of the perfect Qur’an one wiser than Socrates. But Socrates did not in heaven. FIRST VIEW consider himself to be wise. Socrates decided Not all Muslims would express their According to one view, the Bible is the to prove that the oracle was wrong in this views in these ways, but Muslims in general divinely inspired, infallible (or inerrant) case. are very distressed when others burn copies Word of God, even when taken completely of the Qur’an. I saw a televised report on literally. This opinion represents an exalted Many find great hope a Muslim who could not read the Qur’an because he was illiterate, but he was willing view of the Bible. in the Bible along with Those who hold this view think the to die for it. Devotion can be intense. Bible is absolutely perfect in every way serious warnings. Whatever may be the exact content for whether dealing with religion, history, various sources of authority, there does seem science or anything else. When Socrates used questioning to to be in many people a desire to believe Advocates of this view sometimes call find someone wiser than he, there was an in something that is completely trust- themselves “Bible-believing” Christians. unexpected result. He could not find any worthy. The wish is there even when specific Some qualify the view by saying that this such person. Socrates had claimed that he religious beliefs differ. conviction applies strictly to the original knew nothing. Thus I think people with this view are manuscripts of the books of the Bible. He encountered others who boasted not necessarily lacking in cognitive skills. Followers of this view think that that they knew something but really did They are heavily motivated to seek assis- tance for life’s questions and difficulties. Christians should believe such claims as: not. Socrates concluded that he truly was People with an exalted view of a source of the world was created in six days, humans wiser than they, because he admitted his authority may be impatient and even angry first existed as adults, the sun once “stood ignorance while they claimed to know when they perceive a threat to their sense still” for several hours, and Jonah survived something but did not. Socrates thought of security, but their wanting special help is after being in the belly of a big fish for three that the oracle was correct after all. understandable. days. All biblical events are thought to have In this case, as in some others, the happened exactly as reported. oracle of Apollo at Delphi had the benefit Everything said in the Bible is regarded of ambiguity. There is ambiguity in the SECOND VIEW as completely true. Anyone who does not meaning of wisdom. A second view of the Bible is that not only have such beliefs might be considered an Not everyone would define wisdom the is it not infallible or inerrant but is instead unbeliever or, at best, not a true believer. same way. The oracle was correct according largely unreliable. This view is basically There may be some doubt about the to Socrates’ interpretation of wisdom as skeptical. There is the general idea that

54 Feature many historical claims in the Bible are suspi- with some other problems, holders of Holders of this third view also have cious at best and that accounts of miracles this second view tend to reject the Bible reservations about considering the Bible are scientifically absurd. altogether. They make little allowance for as the Word of God. According to the first They resonate with the character anything worthwhile in the Bible. Their chapter of John, the Word was in the begin- “Sportin’ Life” in the musical Porgy and Bess, skeptical view of the Bible often involves ning, was with God, and was God and then who sings “The things that you’re liable to disillusionment. became flesh. read in the Bible — they ain’t necessarily so.” None of those statements apply to the People with this second view of the THIRD VIEW Bible. They apply instead to the second Bible do not think of the book as a reliable person of the Trinity, who became flesh in source of information for the nature of Those who hold to a third view of the Bible Jesus Christ. the universe or for help with life’s great regard it as less than infallible but still as Not everyone accepts those beliefs, but difficulties. valuable and helpful. They consider both the statements in John’s account do end with Many advocates of this view have been literalism and symbolism. They are open a somewhat veiled reference to Jesus Christ strongly influenced by advances in science. to inquiry and new knowledge. There is a rather than to the Bible. From the perspec- A few have a confidence that borders on willingness to make adjustments. tive of John’s gospel, applying references arrogance. Those with a condescending There is some skepticism in this about the Word to the Bible appears to be attitude can be very irritating to those with view but also an appreciation for deeper misguided and even to verge on idolatry. a high view of the Bible. meanings. While opponents may think of But should not the Bible still be It is the completely literal interpretation less charitable names, advocates of this view considered the Word of God because of the of the Bible that is especially objectionable probably would consider it to be realistic. belief that it is a message from God? The in this second view. For example, I have As to problems with interpreting the difficulty here, in accord with the principle heard a comedian/talk show host speak in Bible as inerrant, more than 100 examples that assertion is not proof, is the idea that a ridiculing way about the “talking snake” of what could be considered inconsisten- something claimed to be from God is not of the first part of Genesis. It seemed that cies have been noted. There are variations necessarily from God. he finally became aware that he could not in numbers of concerns with different In spite of the sincere beliefs of believe a detail of the story. interpreters as well as defensive replies, but Muslims, not everyone thinks that the There are indeed people who insist consider the first two chapters of Genesis. Qur’an was given by God. Its followers have on taking the Bible literally everywhere, There are different statements regard- a high reputation for morality, but many are but they have no objection to such liter- ing the number of days of creation, whether not convinced that God is behind The Book ary devices as personification outside of the animals came before or after human life, of Mormon. Why should we be surprised or Bible. In the story of the three little pigs, is and the time between male and female offended if there are doubts about the Bible? there anyone over the age of three or four human life. In the New Testament there are Depending on one’s conception of who thinks that pigs can use a hammer and differences in the various accounts of the God, not everything in the Bible sounds as a saw and other tools? resurrection of Jesus, including the number though it came from a divine source. Was Yet people get the idea from the story of women involved and where and when the creator of this immense universe really that pigs who “built” houses of straw and appearances took place. obsessed with minute details of Noah’s ark wood were poorly prepared for the wolf. Not all of the alleged inconsistencies and of the tabernacle? Were commands to The pig who “built” his house of brick are genuine or significant, but there are kill vast numbers of people, who thought was well prepared. The story is about enough to show that the idea of the infal- they were defending their land from proper preparation, not about construction libility of the Bible is not beyond question. invaders, really from God? capabilities of swine. Perhaps the writer of Genesis was not The place to go between issues of the Nurturing Faith Journal is the all-new asking for belief in a serpent with vocal ability. Perhaps he was using a colorful (and memorable) way to portray the power of NURTURINGFAITH.NET temptation. Saying that Eve had a bad thought > Blogs, breaking news, and the latest books, resources would have been more realistic but much and experiences from Nurturing Faith less effective. Critics of the Bible should > Daily religion news from around world, handpicked realize that not everyone takes all details by online editor Bruce Gourley literally but can still derive meaning. > Teaching resources, including video overviews and lesson Because of objections to completely plans, for the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge literal interpretations of the Bible along > And more!

Feature 55 Most Christians allow for not always taking the Bible literally, but do not completely agree on when that should be done.

Questions such as these are not questioning God but are questioning those who claim to speak for God. Those with this third view tend to think of the Bible not so much as the Word of God but as words of men of faith about God. Those words, however, may not always accurately reflect God. Advocates of this third view may note that Christians are not entirely consistent about whether or not to interpret the Bible literally. Most Christians allow for not always taking the Bible literally, but do not completely agree on when that should be done. Catholics take literally the words of Jesus when he referred to bread and wine as being his body and blood. Baptists do not have a literal but a symbolic interpretation of the biblical words of Jesus in this matter. Baptists do take literally the biblical word for baptism as meaning immersion, and allow nothing else. Catholics also think the biblical word for baptism literally referred to immersion. Yet they believe the meaning of baptism somehow extends to a rite of initiation and spiritual cleansing that can be symbolized in ways in addition to immersion. Would it be good to recognize, without hateful arguing, that there may be reasonable differences over how much many parts of the Bible should or should not be interpreted literally? be the power behind the Big Bang, which some symbolic interpretation as appro- In spite of various questions and started the entire universe. Perhaps God priate. Others may deem the Bible as problems concerning the Bible, those with did not create humans as adults, but may not completely infallible while affirming this third view still have high regard for the be ultimately responsible for life, conscious- that the major teachings of the Bible are Bible. There is much in the Bible about ness and intelligence. absolutely reliable. And many people may God, thoughts that should be considered not be well informed about the issues and very carefully. MUCH TO CONSIDER may not be clear about their views. There is much about mercy and love But perhaps a consideration of these and forgiveness. The Bible presents a The Bible may not have all the answers three ways of viewing the Bible will be strikingly accurate picture of humans at that some claim for it, but it has much to helpful to those seeking to better discover both their worst and their best. There are consider. its truth. NFJ important beliefs about origins, present How many people hold each view? It circumstances and future possibilities. is hard to tell, partly because there are varia- —E. B. (Ben) Self of Hopkinsville, Ky., Many find great hope in the Bible along tions of the views. is the author of Ways of Thinking About with serious warnings. Perhaps God did not For example, some people may God: The Bible, Philosophy, and Science create the world in six days, but may well view the Bible as inerrant but also accept (Nurturing Faith, 2013).

56 Feature CBF@25 Stories of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

AARON D. WEAVER, EDITOR Available Features July essays 1! from scores of contributors, young and old, on an evolving movement of free and faithful Baptists

“We have shared aspirations for lives of spiritual vitality and peace, for renewal of the church in our time, and for discarding the encumbrances that would hinder us from God’s great realm that is both at hand and yet to come. We all need a journey, and we all need a home.” —From the Afterword by Suzii Paynter Executive Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Order online at nurturingfaith.net offi[email protected] or call (478) 301-5655. LAST WORDS Eulogy allows for memories, grief, celebration

EDITOR’S NOTE: Micah Spicer graduated in remembering: power to convict us, feelings, and speaking for the audience help in May from Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. power to shape us, and ultimately power to us to grieve together.” This article is adapted from his academic change us,” said Spicer. “Remembering the writing on funerals. deceased is a vital part of the eulogy.” CELEBRATING While there are various ways of remem- Though difficult, celebration is essential for arly in his ministry, Micah Spicer, bering someone at the end of their earthly believers, said Spicer. pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort life, Spicer said, “storytelling is a great place “We celebrate the loved one by Thomas, Ky., confesses to trembling to start.” Personal memories connect the E remembering, by reading scriptures, and by when fulfilling one of his pastoral duties. worshiper to the loved one, he added. revealing God’s truths,” said Spicer. “Celebra- “In my five years of pastoral ministry, I tion connects the worshiper to God.” have found nothing more intimidating than GRIEVING Spicer suggests using scripture in standing beside a casket while addressing a “Dealing with grief is vital as we plan the one or more of these four ways: a familiar mourning family,” he said. eulogy. The faces that we look over are often text such as Psalm 23, a text requested by Yet, responses from those receiving hearts in turmoil,” said Spicer. the family, one known as a favorite of the such pastoral comfort reinforced the impor- Eulogies are for deceased or one descriptive of that person. tance of this ministry task. the living, he noted. For example, said Spicer, the deceased “While feelings of inadequacy still Therefore, the minis- person’s kindness might be compared to surface, I can honestly say that more people ter’s goal is to connect the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. But approach me concerning the content of the worshipers to he warns of being sure that a comparison is the eulogy than they do following my best their inner feelings. appropriate for the situation. Sunday morning sermon,” said Spicer. The eulogy, he “Comparing the deceased to Judas “This confirms that people are more recep- added, helps mourn- Iscariot, for instance, would never be tive to God’s words in days of despair than ers acknowledge their appropriate.” they are in ordinary circumstances.” feelings so that they As a result, Spicer considers the eulogy can work through them. OFFERING HOPE to be one of his most important tasks — “Although this is a difficult task — one as he seeks to “honor God, as well as the I have struggled with mightily —ministers Spicer said the eulogy should end with the deceased person.” In doing so, his focus is must enter into the depths of emotions,” minister offering hope to the family. on leading worshipers in “remembering, said Spicer, admitting that he finds it diffi- “I speak plainly: ‘Your loved one is grieving and celebrating.” cult to share his own emotions with others. in good hands. Your loved one is in nail- Ministers, however, said Spicer, repre- scarred hands. Your loved one is now with REMEMBERING sent their congregations in shared burdens. God, and will be forever. And now, through “The importance of remembering was “My awareness of the mourners’ Christ, they are just waiting for you and me emphasized by Jesus during the Last needs for grieving has led me to express my to join them when our life is done.’” Supper,” said Spicer. “As Jesus shared the feelings not as ‘I’ but as ‘we.’” It is a time to be straightforward, Passover with his disciples, he informed He credits the late preacher, Fred Spicer reaffirmed. them of his imminent death … [and] Craddock, for teaching that ministers “speak “Do not take for granted our core belief initiated a new ritual for his disciples.” for the audience, not to the audience.” that Christ has defeated death and given us Jesus’ instructions called for disciples “By expressing my own feelings, I new life,” he said. “We will honor our Lord to gather to eat bread and drink wine in his am actually giving others permission to Jesus Christ, as well as the deceased person, memory. acknowledge their feelings …,” said Spicer. as we say goodbye by committing them to “Jesus understood that there is power “Acknowledging emotions, naming those their eternal home with God.” NFJ

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Recent release from JOURNEY WITH ME Redemptive Threads Woven Through the Bible BY W. RANDALL LOLLEY

his collection of sermons is a generous gift from Randall and Lou Lolley, and a collaborative e!ort between Baptists Today/Nurturing Faith and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina. Royalties from all sales will benefit the Lolley Fund for Theologi- Tcal Education, an initiative of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina Endowment Trust. ORDER NOW (print or digital): nurturingfaith.net New discoveries Chang Yin finds success, hope and generosity

STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN D. PIERCE

DALTON, Ga. — Christianity is for women and poor people. That’s what Chang Yim learned growing up in his native Korea where his prominent family — like almost everyone else of privilege at the time — was Buddhist. But the now highly successful businessman and community supporter has experienced a lifetime of new discoveries.

LESSONS LEARNED In 1957 Chang — an admitted “trouble- maker” in school — came to the U.S. to study at Central Missouri University. The English he had learned in Korea was insufficient for such a setting. “I couldn’t understand one word they were saying,” he said of his professors. But rather than give up, Chang bore down. “I never slept more than four hours a night,” he said. “I was studying.” Math and science classes were much easier than the history course that required hearing, reading and writing in an unfamil- iar language. By the end of the term, however, Chang had managed a grade of “C” in his history class. Georgia businessman Chang Yim often references the book The Two Koreas by Dan Oberdorfer That grade along with grades of “A” in when sharing about the history of his homeland which he believes will one day be reunited. math, physics and chemistry made him an government allowed, but Chang didn’t dollar possible. honor student — something that seemed really need the additional funds. So he Soon he had amassed $3,000 in savings impossible upon arrival. suggested that his father use such money to — a significant amount for a student in the “When you set your mind to it, you help poor people in Korea. 1950s. “I was so happy,” said Chang. can do it,” said Chang. The result, however, was that his father After graduation he attended the stopped sending money altogether, includ- University of Missouri where he received a NEW CHALLENGE ing funds for tuition. master’s degree in chemistry — and traveled Language was not the only challenge faced “I took a job at the school cleaning to various U.S. cities including Los Angeles. by the young Korean student who had trash cans,” said Chang, a lowly position for There he was offered a job where his chemis- always been financially secure. It was an act someone from a family of such prominence. try expertise could be used in the making of of generosity that led to a new hill to climb. And, for the summer, he worked at a hotel rubber backing for carpet. His father sent a $150 gift that the in upstate New York and put away every But the job was not in L.A., he was told,

60 Feature but in the “Carpet Capital of the World,” grandchildren — whose pictures Chang is converted to Christianity after marriage — Dalton, Ga. To which Chang responded: always eager to show. came to Atlanta for a missionary conference. “Where in the … is Dalton, Georgia?” Their sons are highly educated and Chang was delighted to be her host in successful as well. And in recent years Alice Georgia — picking her up at the airport, CROSS COUNTRY began investing in real estate with good sharing meals and taking her to her hotel. In 1964 Chang moved to the small north- success. But she had other ideas. west Georgia town that was vastly different Together Chang and Alice formed a “She started trying to make me a Chris- from Los Angeles, most notably in the foundation called RAHYE — which repre- tian,” said Chang, who expressed no interest. absence of Asians. sents “Respect and honor your elderly.” She insisted that he attend one of the Walking down the streets of Dalton, he That is something Asians do well, he noted. meetings and when he refused, she refused noticed being watched by those who were The couple had noticed that many to eat. So he placated her my attending one not used to seeing an Asian around. He felt elderly people in their area lived in nursing of the Korean worship services. a sense of responsibility for how Koreans homes that were often very depressed places. He described the preaching, singing and other Asian people would be perceived. They grew to have great respect for nurses and crying as “all crazy people.” And the “I represented all Asians — for good or and others who served these communities. notion that someone who was hit would bad,” he said with a smile. “So I had to be So they created an award that is given turn the other cheek to be hit again made very careful.” along with a cash gift to nurses who show no sense to Chang. Chang’s exceptional abilities led to his exceptional service to persons living in “I could not understand,” he confessed, becoming vice president of the chemical nursing homes. They began with the nursing and made no plans to return. But his sister company — which provided opportunities homes in their own area but “my wife and I persisted. for international travel including Asia. dream of expanding widely,” said Chang. On the second day, Chang said he His curiosity and business sense were listened more carefully and began to under- always in play. He would see a product and PASS IT ON stand that the most important things in life get an idea that would lead to an opportu- “I came to this country empty-handed; are “love, forgiveness and hope.” On the nity for a new enterprise. Then he would I achieved with family and business,” he third day, he professed his faith in Christ. find a partner and start a business. added. “For the rest of my life I want to give Putting his life into perspective, he “I’ve started 29 companies and six were back.” said: “The Korean War created a sense of no successful,” he said. But some of those were Chang is often invited to speak to hope, but Christianity brought hope.” very successful. school groups and community organiza- “Business is hard,” Chang confessed. tions. He speaks not only of his business ON COURSE “If your mentality is negative, there is not ventures, but also his roots. Returning to Dalton, Chang made his way much success.” He tells of the Yalta Conference in 1945 to the First Baptist Church where he was A three-fold philosophy emerged that and the resulting impact on his now-4,349- baptized by then-pastor Billy Nimmons. has guided Chang in his endeavors: Find an year-old homeland. Like Germany, he says, The then 60-year-old successful business- honest person for a business partner; keep a Japan was to be divided at the end of World man was resurrected to new life. positive mentality; hope that the timing is War II, “but they cut the wrong country.” An avid golfer, Chang tells of taking right. He recalls the start of the Korean Nimmons to The Farm, a prestigious golf Of the latter, he now says: “Try your War during his youth and expresses hope club near Dalton. On a par-3 hole, Chang best and leave it up to God.” and belief that his country will one day be hit his tee shot to the green — closer to the His businesses have ranged widely reunited. pin than his pastor. from selling rubber doormats in Japan to Chang has been honored in both the So, as customary, Chang marked the manufacturing in Dalton the popular hand U.S. and his native Korea. His work as presi- placement of his ball to allow Billy to play warmers sold widely to outdoor enthusiasts. dent of the Korean American Chamber of up, and then put the ball back in place. At age 78, Chang is still on the hunt for new Commerce led to the prestigious Ellis Island However, Chang set his ball several ideas that lead to business opportunities. Medal of Honor in 1997. Other recipients feet further from the hole than where it had that year included actress Jane Seymour and landed. Billy told him of his mistake. INVESTMENTS baseball hall of famer Mike Piazza. But it was no mistake, said Chang. Chang considers his family to be his great- He confessed: “No, before I was a est asset. He and his wife Alice — “the most LIFE CHANGE Christian I cheated about 1 inch each time. important in my life” — have been married The greatest experience in Chang’s remark- Now I’m making up for it.” for 53 years. able life, he said, came unexpectedly and Then his face lit up and he added: “But Together they have three sons and nine with resistance. His sister — who had I made the birdie.” NFJ

Feature 61 *+$#$" ,& ,%-./ 0$-%1/& "#$%& ,& 2$+( ). *3/%./ Me&i(’

“Music has always beenw an important' part of my life,” says BobbyMusic Horton, whose musical roots run deep and mix with a love of American history. Historic tunes mark the work of Bobby Horton

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Multi-instrumentalist and composer Bobby classical music and his maternal grandfa- ther, John Camp, played banjo and listened Horton has provided the musical scores for many Ken Burns to old-time string music, Southern gospel documentaries including Baseball, The Civil War and The National and Sacred Harp. Parks. He has also worked with the National Park Service on 16 films. His paternal grandmother, Leta Horton, who loved classical music and played piano, would often play the organ at ince 1985, Bobby has performed EARLY INFLUENCES “Songs and Stories from the Civil a Methodist church in Birmingham. War” from coast to coast, using Bobby’s musical influences were many and “Then the Beatles came to America S varied — with one limitation. He never when I was 11 or 12, and I discovered Otis period instruments while exploring the stories of both sides in the conflict. He has heard his father play the trumpet “because Redding in high school,” Bobby recalled. been deemed “the premier artist of Civil he lost his bottom front teeth sometime “Music has always been an important part War music.” during World War II.” of my life.” In addition to solo (and duo with his But his father enjoyed big band music, So his musical roots run deep. friend Bill Bugg) performances, Bobby so Bobby grew up hearing the likes of “I can’t remember when I began to has toured long and far with the musical Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Louis mess around with trumpet and banjo, but comedy group “Three On A String.” Armstrong. His father also loved Alabama’s I was fairly young,” he said. “In my mind, More on his works may be found at own Hank Williams. you played baseball, football, basketball and bobbyhorton.com. Bobby said his mother preferred music; that was considered normal when

62 Feature Faith is often highly present in the countless songs and stories that Bobby has preserved from American history. In fact it is often faith expressed through music, he noted, that has sustained people through troubling times.

and where I grew up in the western part of Bobby of one of his school buddies. scenes on top of it. Birmingham.” The young soldier, Bobby learned, was “This adds a layer of emotion that killed in the Battle of Malvern Hill in 1862. you feel but may or may not consciously REAL HISTORY Bobby recalled being “deeply moved.” notice,” said Bobby. “Most films come to Many of the male influences in Bobby’s life you ‘locked,’ so you lay down the tracks to — relatives, Sunday school teachers, coaches, MOVIE MUSIC fit what is there.” band director — were World War II veterans Producing and performing music for the With a long list of completed projects, whom he “learned to fear, revere and love.” film series by Ken Burns began with an Bobby said he is in conversation now about “So history became real to me early introduction in 1991. the next one. on,” he said. “… Through their stories I Burns was discussing his Civil War knew they made history when they were project with the editor of American FAITH STORIES young men.” Heritage Magazine who told him: “There’s Whether in his own family or the various His first connection between music a fellow in Alabama you need to listen to.” persons he admires from history, Bobby and history was quite personal for Bobby Soon Bobby received a call from Ken’s said there is a common trait of a firm faith. — growing out of his father’s own story. brother about using some of Bobby’s music “They were very strong people who “My dad found himself in North in the series. were all tested in their lives,” he said. Africa in 1943, not really knowing where he “I have been working for Ken ever “Their faith was consistent throughout, was,” he said. “He was homesick and sad” since,” said Bobby, gratefully. and it truly is at the core of who they were — fearing he would never go home again. Bobby said Ken’s team at Florentine and are.” However, his father’s best Army buddy Films now feels like family to him. Faith is often highly present in the found a “busted radio” that with a little “Ken is such a joy to work for,” said countless songs and stories that Bobby has tinkering came to life and was tuned to the Bobby. “He is a wonderful fellow who does preserved from American history. In fact it BBC. business on a handshake. He and all the is often faith expressed through music, he “Glenn Miller’s ‘In The Mood’ was folks I deal with are incredibly talented, and noted, that has sustained people through playing and my dad had an emotional very smart.” troubling times. turnaround,” said Bobby. “That incident Bobby said that Ken takes an unusual And in a uniquely talented way, Bobby literally changed everything for him.” approach in film production by laying Horton is passing along those stories and down the music track first and building the songs from generation to generation. NFJ COMMEMORATION As a boy in the ’60s, Bobby was intrigued by Bobby Horton the U.S. commemoration of the centennial (left) and Bill Bugg, retired from the of the American Civil War. music faculty of “There were many articles and TV Samford Univer- programs about the war that fascinated sity, share stories and songs during me,” he said. a spring Nurtur- So his interest broadened to an earlier ing Faith event at conflict in American history than the stories Mountain Brook of those he knew personally. Baptist Church in Birmingham. “I instinctively understood that history is made by common folks,” he said. Digging into Civil War history, he came across a photograph of a young soldier from Georgia who seemed to be looking directly at him. The young man reminded

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