July 2014 Issue Containing the August Bible Study Lessons

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‘Church of the Nations’ Worship in various languages part of San Francisco church’s continuing dream 4

FA TH™ BIBLE STUDIES for adults and youth 17

John D. Pierce Executive Editor [email protected] Benjamin L. McDade Executive Vice President [email protected] Julie Steele Chief Operations Officer [email protected] Jackie B. Riley Managing Editor [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge Contributing Editor [email protected] Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor 40 [email protected] David Cassady JOIN US FOR NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE: Church Resources Editor MONTANA, AUGUST 18–23 [email protected] Terri Byrd Contributing Writer PERSPECTIVES Vickie Frayne Art Director Remembering Vincent Harding and lessons Jannie Lister on how to disagree 7 Customer Service Manager By John Pierce [email protected] - Purging the SBC didn’t bring promised results 8 Kimberly L. Hovis Marketing Associate By Tony W. Cartledge [email protected] Baptismal mishaps and memories 9 A review by Lex Horton Nurturing Faith Resources Manager By Naomi King Walker Doug Dortch [email protected] Pastoral reflections on beginning well 14 Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus By Dennis W. Foust 15 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus Deconstructing, reconstructing soul freedom 36 DIRECTORS EMERITI By Andrew Gardner Thomas E. Boland R. Kirby Godsey FEATURES Mary Etta Sanders IN THE NEWS Winnie V. Williams Baptist Theology: A new series Survey: U.S. Latinos shifting, drifting outside By Fisher Humphreys 32 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Catholic Church 10 Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) ‘Untethered’: Nearing 90, Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) Poll shows Americans stretch truth Carter’s post-presidential legacy Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. on attending church 11 continues to build 39 Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Gallup: Stem cell research, other issues By Adelle M. Banks Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. reach new highs of ‘moral acceptability’ 12 Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Survey shows most Americans say Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. fighting global poverty is futile 12 David Hull, Huntsville, Ala. Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham, Ala. Shotgun weddings give way to cohabitation Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. in surprise pregnancies 13 Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas Jewish Americans ask: Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. What does it mean to be ‘pro-Israel’? 42 Macon Sheppard, Clemson, S.C. Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Christian leaders say Middle East Christians Jim Strawn, Dunwoody, Ga. must not be forgotten 43 Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. David Turner, Richmond, Va. Tom Waller, Alpharetta, Ga. Cover photo Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga. Page 4 READERS SERVICES

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Church of the Nations Worship in various languages part of San Francisco church’s continuing dream

AN FRANCISCO — Some dreams While encouraging the independence of — or any congregation — is not a part of most unfold over time and weave their own the ethnic congregations under the “Church of people’s identity here, she said. Scourses. Such is the case with the the Nations” banner, intentional efforts keep the “There’s no prestige to going to church like “Church of the Nations” vision that started in congregations in fellowship. Three times a year in the Bible Belt,” added Sample. the 1950s and continues to come to life along — for worship on Palm Sunday and around As a pastor, Yee said she seeks the right bal- 19th Avenue in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Christmas, and a Labor Day picnic — the ance in following up with those who visit the A diverse, English-speaking congregation various congregations gather. church without being intrusive. forms 19th Avenue Baptist Church — which “All the churches in the 19th Avenue family “People seem to need this freedom to come merged in 2005 with the primarily Chinese- get together for a multi-language service … and in and worship and look around,” she explained. American New Covenant Baptist Church. Joy then we have an international potluck meal,” “…You have to gauge how much they want you Yee, who had served as pastor of New Covenant said Yee, a San Francisco native and graduate to be involved in their stuff. It’s a dance.” for ﬁve years prior to the merger, assumed of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Finding connections that lead to deeper pastoral leadership. that earlier had a very close relationship with conversations can arise, Yee said, when someone A “hodge-podge of buildings,” as Yee the church and where the Labor Day picnic has talks about an experience that was meaningful described them, houses the congregation’s been held. to him or her. worship, educational and ministry spaces. Rick Sample, who with his wife Lita serves “I might say, ‘I’ve had moments like that,’ “Everything is a converted space.” in international ministries in the Bay Area and then explain what that experience meant to through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, me.” IN FELLOWSHIP said a new congregation has joined in the 19th Yee said she’s learned that God speaks to Avenue celebrations. people in different ways. As a pastor, she looks for Chinese, Vietnamese and Mongolian congrega- “The Karen congregation that comes over “touch points” that allow for talking about spiri- tions also meet in 19th Avenue Baptist Church from Oakland really treasures that time,” he tual matters in a nonthreatening or pushy way. facilities. A Japanese-speaking congregation now said. “It makes them feel special.” “Being pushy doesn’t work anyway,” she owns a nearby building, and a related Arabic added with a smile. congregation meets in South San Francisco. This follows a model for helping to start NO PRESTIGE various ethnic congregations and then afﬁrming “19th Avenue [Baptist Church] is more known LISTEN FIRST their growing independence while remaining in in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship than in “There’s a great deal of spirituality but people fellowship. San Francisco,” said Yee, a previous national are weary of the church,” said Yee of many she “That was the concept from the begin- CBF moderator. meets in her community. “The challenge is to ning,” said Yee. Being a part of a prominent congregation articulate what we believe.”

4 CONNECTIONS Often she finds people open to conversa- formerly worked as an accountant, is now the tions that are respectful and not too intrusive, church’s office administrator. she said. “But the (lay) leadership team is mixed - “You listen to people’s lives — and then gender,” Yee added quickly. tell them about our lives,” she said. “They learn - what we believe by default.” STILL DREAMING Sample added: “In general, there is an “It would be great to have this square combined attitude that whatever your religion, it is fine — and made into a facility that could house all of although many people are not religious. It is so the family congregations,” said Yee of the con- different from the Bible Belt.” tinuing dream of better connecting the acquired While ministry has some unique challenges adjacent properties. “The problems are zoning in this context, Yee said it is wrong to assume - and finances.” that “everything out West is heathen.” Architects in the congregation have “There are a lot of beautiful things here,” explored what a newly-designed “Church of the she said. “…There are some profound things Nations” complex might look like. about faith that can be learned here.” The late Francis DuBose, a missions Broad community concern for the environ- and urban studies professor at Golden Gate ment and efforts to stop human trafficking, for Seminary and a 19th Avenue member, “kept the example, can have faith communities following dream in front of the people,” said Yee. rather than leading, she said. “It’s humbling.” However, the balance she seeks is in con- THE DRAW tinuing the unfolding of that dream while being Many people, often singles, come to the Bay LEADERSHIP attentive to the daily ministry opportunities that Area for jobs, said Yee. But “it’s a hard place “That wasn’t intentional,” say Yee, with a smile, the fulfillment of that dream already provides. to live economically,” and they do come from when it was noted that 19th Avenue Baptist “We are enjoying what we are,” said Yee. everywhere. Church has an all-female staff. “We love the people who come our way, and “You can taste the world in your daily liv- Jen Van Camp has served as youth pastor then they move out.” ing,” she said. “There are people here from all since 2006, moving from Atlanta after graduat- Such change is a reality she’s learned to over the place.” ing from Mercer University’s McAfee School of embrace as ministry opportunities come and go. Sample, who grew up in Michigan and Theology. The Kentucky native lives in a house “San Francisco is very transient,” she said. moved to the Bay Area from Texas, said he’s that is part of the 19th Avenue Baptist complex. “We’re kind of like a train stop.” found “a great deal of respect and courtesy” in Mary Beth Johnson Deel came from And those who stop by — for whatever the ethnically-diverse region. Missouri to the Bay Area to attend seminary. time — come from a wide variety of cultural Yee said she is often asked, “What is the She has been at the church since 1984 and and religious experiences, said Yee. best thing about living in San Francisco?” serves as minister of music and worship. “The way you do ministry in the various Her two-fold answer is: “The diversity and Rachel Cockrell, a member since 1994 who cultures is so different.” the beauty.” BT

5 quotation

—Executive pastor Len Taylor, on the sale of the once-prominent Two Rivers Baptist remarks Church facilities in Nashville to the local Catholic Diocese (ABP) —Lynn Litchfield, communications and development officer for the Chaplain Prison Ministry of Virginia (ABP/Herald) —Leslie Hollon, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio (San Antonio Woman) —Saleh Sbenaty, a college professor and longtime member of the Islamic Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case of —Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian opponents seeking to shut down mosque construction Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, (RNS) who has been studying congregations for 25 years (thomrainer.com) “ : You are incidental. But the work of God in this world is most certainly not.” —Amy Butler, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, who addressed the graduating class of —William McKenzie, editorial director of the George Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (ABP) W. Bush Institute in Dallas, on China’s elusive religious liberty 25 year after the Tiananmen Square —Roger E. Olson, Foy Valentine Professor of massacre (CNN) Christian Theology of Ethics at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary (patheos.com) —Paul Roof, fired as associate professor of sociology at Baptist-related Charleston Southern University after a picture of him taken at the 2013 Beard and Moustache National Championships appeared on cans of Chucktown Follicle Brown Ale (DailyCaller) —Atlanta Braves Gold-Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons when asked what advice he’d offer to high school players —Maxie Dunnam, retired president of Asbury —New Testament scholar N.T. Wright, author of Theological Seminary in Kentucky, one of 80 United Surprised by Scripture: Engaging Contemporary Methodist ministers citing “irreconcilable differences” —R. Kirby Godsey, chancellor of Mercer University Issues, in an interview with Jonathan Merritt of in the denomination over same-sex marriage and (Macon Telegraph) Religion News Service other issues (RNS)

6 Editorial By John Pierce Remembering Vincent Harding and lessons on how to disagree

Vincent Harding, who established a use of boycotts to bring social change. King had found boycotts to be a good Mennonite ministry of justice and means by which to cripple economic systems reconciliation in Atlanta in the 1960s, and raise awareness of injustices. Jordan, on the other hand, had experienced the brunt and wrote speeches for Martin Luther of boycotts against Koinonia Farms by local King Jr., and later a biography titled, businessmen who feared his embrace of racial equality. Martin Luther King: The Inconvenient Hero Harding’s recollection of the passionate (1996, Orbis), died May 19. discussion he observed that day could well serve as a timeless model for how to construc- ews of his death brought sympathy tively wrangle with opposing opinions. for his family, a sobering reminder of He described King and Jordan as being Nhow those in the forefront of the civil Fuller Center for Housing, who coordinated a “full of grace” and noted: “Both had developed rights movement are moving on, and gratitude 2012 symposium on Clarence Jordan’s contri- a really impressive capacity to listen.” for spending an afternoon with this thought- butions, learned from Clarence’s son, Lenny. While neither persuaded the other to his ful, compassionate Christian two years ago. However, he also discovered that this signiﬁ- side, according to Harding, “they engaged Martin Luther King Jr. and Clarence cant story had never been published — and each other with loving respect and clear Jordan (the New Testament scholar who that it was the historian/activist Harding who disagreement.” believed what Jesus taught and put it into had brought his two friends together for that Too often, sadly, the former doesn’t practice on a South Georgia farm) had a lot in discussion. accompany the latter. But it should. common. To my delight, Kirk invited me to con- Thank God for those who faithfully teach Both were deeply committed to justice duct an interview and publish that story. We, us — even after their earthly races have been and willing to accept the high risks of living along with videographer Scott Umstattd, met won … people like Martin Luther King Jr., out the hard parts of the Christian gospel. And Harding at the Atlanta University Center Clarence Jordan and Vincent Harding. BT both were Baptists. where he was doing research and giving ﬁrst- While they held the same ideals and goals, hand accounts of the civil rights movement to [The article, “Loving respect, clear dis- they differed some on methodologies. And dur- current students. agreement,” from the May 2012 issue of ing the heated struggle for civil rights the two With great insight, Harding told of that Baptists Today is available at baptiststoday. met quietly in Albany, Ga., to discuss those December 1961 meeting in the home of an org/back-issues. A video excerpt from differences. Albany physician in which the two Baptist the interview is posted at youtube.com/ That’s what Kirk Lyman-Barner of the ministers and advocates for justice debated the watch?v=yZYqQxNI2lo.]

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7 Contributing Editor No surprise: Purging the Southern Baptist Convention didn’t bring promised results It should come as no surprise that purg- despite the current SBC leadership’s continued Millennials, according to the SBC’s most emphasis on hard-sell evangelism, baptisms recent Annual Church Profile. ing the SBC of non-fundamentalists did have declined for the seventh straight year. Last year 60 percent of SBC churches not usher in the great wave of evangelis- Churches don’t die easily but can be born baptized no teenagers, and 80 percent baptized tic growth promised by its leaders. quickly, so the annual tally usually shows a few either one or zero young adults 18-29. The only more churches than the previous year, but also age category in which baptisms are growing he “takeover of the SBC” — not for- fewer members — 570,000 less than in 2006, is for preschoolers age 5 and under — which gotten by the older crowd, and never according to numbers released by the SBC in should raise questions of its own for a denomi- T known by the younger — made its advance of this year’s June gathering in Baltimore. nation that prides itself on “believer’s baptism.” first push in 1979, just as the Convention was SBC leaders, as usual, decried widespread Molly Worthen, a history professor at beginning an outreach emphasis called “Bold apathy and called for churches to put more the University of North Carolina at Chapel Mission Thrust.” emphasis on evangelism. A national task force Hill, offered a helpful The mission was soon lost in the infight- of pastors was appointed to deal with the analysis in a recent article ing, resulting in a “Bold Mission Bust.” And decline, which is especially prominent among for The Daily Beast, not- ing that even the most fervent conservatism Thoughtful Christians need relevant, reliable “cannot hold off the world-historical forces of information that connects them to good ideas, secularization.” It’s not just quality resources and one another. millennials who find fundamentalism unappealing And Baptists Today needs you! To fulfill its unique and important these days. Many former church members have mission, Baptists Today relies on generous giving. dropped out because they no longer feel at home there. or more than 30 years, this news jour- Nurturing the Future of Baptists Today And the problem is not unique to con- nal has been on the cutting edge of is a three-year campaign to provide the servatives. Moderate and progressive churches Faddressing the issues individuals and funding needed to move forward in pub- can’t claim to fare better. We live in a world congregations face with courage and faith. As lishing a trusted, high-quality news journal, that is far less religious than it used to be, with times and technology have changed, so have maintaining a daily-updated web presence growing generations of folk who see more the news journal and its related resources. and producing innovative new resources. negatives than positives in organized religion. What haven’t changed are the jour- To do so with confidence and vitality, The downsides of that trend are obvi- nalistic commitments and the vital role of we ask you to make a generous three-year ous, but the picture isn’t entirely bleak. When those who support this ministry of commu- pledge. We need you! believers find themselves in the minority and nication with faithful giving. others don’t flock to church just because it’s the popular or culturally accepted thing to do, perhaps those who remain will take more seriously Please make your pledge today. Together, we can do this. the reasons for being church at all. BT

HERE’S HOW: “The only age category in which 31208-6318 or to Ben McDade (ben@baptiststoday). baptisms are growing is for preschoolers age 5 and under — which made online anytime at baptiststoday.org/donate. should raise questions of its own for QUESTIONS OR IDEAS? a denomination that prides itself on Contact Ben McDade: ben@baptiststoday / (678) 231-5600 ‘believer’s baptism.’”

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8 Guest Commentary By Naomi King Walker Baptismal mishaps and memories

ome faith traditions embrace infant bap- Since then, I’ve seen many other baptismal anyway, since extended family had come for this tism. These are memorable occasions ceremonies go wrong. special occasion. Sfor everyone except the child, who is too My current pastor once entered the sanc- The water was so frigid her teeth chattered young to remember anything, and only later tuary baptismal pool too early during the as she proclaimed, “Jesus is Lord!” knows of the event’s significance through photos, congregational singing, creating large shadow In my former church the opposite hap- stories and certificates. effects as he moved around behind the lighted pened. The baptism planned for the beginning For Baptists, however, baptisms are always stained glass window before it was rolled aside for of the service had to be postponed to the end memorable for each candidate as well as family baptism. (after the ushers added ice) because the water was and congregation. Baptists only immerse those On another occasion practically boiling. The candidate would’ve been who are old enough to have confessed Christ he was late returning to cooked like a lobster. When the heavy velvet cur- publicly. the worship service after tains finally opened, a huge cloud of steam rolled Sometimes Baptist baptisms are memorable baptism because his wad- out into the sanctuary. for all the wrong reasons. ers had leaked, soaking his Several years ago a video made the rounds My maternal grandmother’s church believed socks and pants leg. on social media. In it the pastor was shown that baptism should take place as soon as pos- Another of my pas- baptizing candidates, then reaching for a young sible after one’s public decision to follow Jesus. tors was nearly always wet boy who was next in line. Rather than taking Unfortunately, she chose the middle of winter to when he returned to the the pastor’s hand and stepping into the baptis- walk the aisle. service. Invariably, he rolled up the wrong sleeve mal waters, the boy impishly did a cannonball Her North Carolina church had no baptis- of his dress shirt prior to immersing candidates. instead. It took several minutes for the drenched try, so they used the local river for baptisms. The On several occasions I’ve seen short children pastor, shaking out his microphone and soggy pastor broke river ice the day he baptized my suddenly “disappear” from the congregation’s Bible, to regain any composure. grandmother. view because someone forgot to put a stool or Sometimes I think God does a belly laugh at The rural Mississippi church my dad served concrete block in the baptistry for them to stand some of the mishaps that occur as we try to have as pastor when I made a public profession of on. meaningful worship experiences together. faith had no baptistry either, but at least they My dad once lost his balance during a Despite our best planning, things often go had sense enough to wait until spring to baptize baptism, nearly dropping an obese candidate. awry as we Christians attempt to balance celebra- candidates. Several times choir members in the loft have tion and reverence, spontaneity and ritual in When the weather was warm enough, gotten splashed during baptisms. At one church baptismal services and other spiritual events. the congregation gathered at a local creek for a a candidate accidentally sloshed the baptismal When things go wrong, it helps to remember Sunday afternoon baptismal service. waters enough to create a tidal wave, thoroughly that God only looks on the intents of our hearts. After checking the area for snakes and other soaking the back two rows of the choir. It is our sincere effort, not our perfection during critters, folks stood on the small bridge overlook- At another church the new baptismal robes worship, that is most important to our Creator. ing the creek banks where others had assembled were discovered — too late — to be extremely After all, God does know we’re only near the line of baptismal candidates. transparent when wet. human. BT First, everyone sang gospel hymns accompa- One winter we discovered during Sunday nied by my mother on her accordion. Then the school that the water heater was broken. The —Naomi King Walker is music/worship pastor at baptizing commenced. candidate decided to go ahead with her baptism Immanuel Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky. When the service was done the youth swam, swinging out over deeper waters on a tire roped to a tree limb. Country baptisms were always fun events. The day of my baptism I was 7 years old. There were several other candidates, so my dad put me at the front of the line, thinking that since I’d seen other baptisms, I would set an example of proper decorum for everyone. Wrong. I didn’t know how to swim yet and had never had my head entirely underwater. When he dipped me I got strangled and emerged sputtering and crying, generally disrupting the entire service.

9 Religion News Service Pew survey ﬁnds U.S. Latinos shifting and drifting outside the Catholic Church

WASHINGTON — A new report on the “Shifting Religious Identity of Latinos” reads very much like a biography of Fernando Alcantar. ike six in 10 Hispanic Catholics in the U.S., he was born in Mexico, where “you L are Catholic as much as you are Mexican. You like jalapenos and worship the Virgin of Guadalupe,” he said. But once he moved to California after high school, his faith journey diverged — and derailed. Today, Alcantar, 36 calls himself a humanist. The Pew survey report released in May is subtitled: “Nearly One in Four Latinos Are “I think people were expecting the growth in with an Assemblies of God church. Former Catholics.” And Alcantar is one of them. evangelicals among former Catholics but the Among ex-Catholics, most told Pew they Hispanics are still a pillar of American rise of the unaffiliated was unexpected,” said either “drifted away” (55 percent) or they just Catholicism — fully a third of the U.S. church senior researcher Cary Funk. stopped believing in the teachings of their today. And their share is climbing with the childhood faith (52 percent). “There’s rarely, if overall growth of the Hispanic population. Protestant. This includes 16 percent who call ever, a single reason,” Funk said. More than half (55 percent) of the nation’s themselves evangelical, up from 12 percent Pew drew a wide range of responses to an estimated 19.6 million Hispanics identify as in 2010. open question on why people moved. Only Catholic, according to Pew’s report, which uses 9 percent said they switched because they “Hispanic” and “Latino” interchangeably. is led by the young and middle-aged. Only married someone who practiced a different But that’s 12 percentage points below 45 percent of Hispanics under age 30 are religion. Just 3 percent mentioned the clergy 2010, when 67 percent of Latinos surveyed Catholic. And four in 10 (37 percent) of sex abuse scandal as a reason for switching. said they were Catholic, the survey found. those young Catholics say they can imagine Timothy Matovina, a University of Notre “Everyone was surprised in some way leaving the Catholic Church someday. Dame theology professor who is familiar with by the findings, the first time the size of the the new survey, is skeptical that the out-the- decline in Hispanic Catholics has been mea- church for any new direction left before the door trend can be reversed, particularly for sured in depth,” said Pew research associate age of 24. millennials. Jessica Hamar Martínez. “Among all young people, it’s a challenge to “If both (immigration and shifting) That sounds familiar to Alcantar, of El keep them in a religion,” said Matovina, execu- trends continue, a day could come when a Centro, Calif. He left Catholicism at 18 and tive director of the Institute for Latino Studies. majority of Catholics in the United States Christianity altogether by the time he was 32. “Can we stem the tide among Hispanics? will be Hispanic, even though the majority of Two of his three siblings are agnostic; only one I doubt it. Can we stem the tide among non- Hispanics might no longer be Catholic,” the sister remains devoutly Catholic. Hispanics? I doubt it. It’s not only Catholics survey said. Among ex-Catholics who turned to who are struggling. Everybody is struggling.” According to the new survey: another faith, Pew found many have turned Matovina observed that American chil- to the enthusiastic worship of Pentecostal and dren don’t grow up with deeply embedded charismatic or “renewalist” faiths that celebrate cultural Catholicism. And even those who they no longer belong to the major religious gifts of the Holy Spirit such as divine healing, did — such as immigrants from Mexico, and tradition in which they were raised (not includ- receiving direct revelation from God and “a Central and South America — need more than ing changes among Protestant denominations). strong sense of God’s direct, often miraculous, that to remain with the Catholic Church. Among foreign-born Hispanics, half switched role in everyday life.” “They need a Catholicism of commit- faiths before arriving in the United States. That rang true for Alcantar’s parents. His ment, one based on a personal encounter with - mother, Teresa Foucar, is now an evangelical Jesus Christ that enlivens their faith and makes gious identity, up from 10 percent in 2010. Protestant, and his father became a deacon them stronger in this culture of religious choice

10 that is the United States,” Matovina said. “The real story is all the switching in a pluralistic culture. The hardest switch is the first one. But Fibbing on faithfulness then you can do it again and again with less Poll shows Americans stretch the truth on attending church cultural dissonance.” Alcantar’s path illustrates Matovina’s 1990s. In those studies research teams sur- concern. He was initially drawn to evangelical Religion News Service veyed Catholics and Protestants in Ashtabula Christianity for the strong sense of community County, Ohio, and compared self-reported and the beautiful promise of a personal rela- “I know what you did last Sunday,” claims attendance claims with actual headcounts in tionship with Jesus, he recalled. the title of a new survey. scores of churches. He graduated from a Pentecostal college, You skipped church. And then nearly The result: “Actual church attendance Azusa Pacific University, switched to a non- one in seven of you fibbed about attending. was about half the rate indicated by national denominational evangelical church, then went That’s according to a survey by the public opinion polls.” to work leading youth groups for the United Public Religion Research Institute released Since there’s no way to do headcounts Methodist Church. He did international in May. The study, presented at the national of people not attending, PRRI found a con- mission work with believers of many denomi- meeting of the American Association for temporary technological approach — two nations, had a Mormon girlfriend and finally Public Opinion Research, was designed to different survey formats. Both surveys of landed on a pile of questions. measure the “social desirability bias in self- American adults were conducted in 2013, “The emotional connection between reported religious behavior.” with 2,002 people interviewed by cell and me and Jesus and God was finally broken. I The survey finds that many Christians landline and a demographically comparable became angry at God for all the misery, pov- — and unbelievers, too — will exagger- group of 2,317 who answered questions erty and discrimination I saw in the world. I ate about attending worship in live phone online. finally allowed my doubts to come to the front interviews. However, when asked in an People don’t even have to be religious to burner,” said Alcantar. anonymous online questionnaire, people will inflate claims of religiosity, PRRI found. Allan Figueroa Deck, a Jesuit theolo- answer more realistically. Those one in five Americans who are gian at Loyola Marymount University in Los On the phone, 36 percent of Americans “nones” also may feel greater pressure to fib Angeles, said the findings are custom-made for report attending religious services weekly or because “they are the farthest outside general Pope Francis’ mission to the church. more, while 30 percent say they seldom or social expectations,” said Jones. “Many groups reaching out to Catholics never go. On the phone, 73 percent of “nones” say do have some level of success. But it’s not But online, a smaller share (31 percent) they seldom or never attend, but 91 percent because people want to leave the church but of people surveyed said they attended church say so when interviewed online. that the church is not present to them,” he at least weekly, while a larger portion (43 In the overall study, 19 percent of said. “Pope Francis’ reform is that the church percent) admitted they seldom or never go. adults answering online said religion was not must be totally focused on outreach. It has to People who don’t attend worship — but important to them; only 13 percent said so go to the parks and the plazas and strip malls say they did — may not mean to lie, said on the phone. and be present in the workplace.” PRRI CEO Robert Jones. However, among the “nones,” the gap

The Pew Hispanic survey was conducted People respond to phone surveys as they on the importance of religion was markedly in English and Spanish between May 24 and think “a good Christian” would or should wider — 49 percent on the phone, compared July 28, 2013, with 5,103 Hispanic adults, answer, he said. ”There’s an aspirational with 73 percent online. BT ages 18 and older. The margin of error is plus quality here,” he said. “People see themselves or minus 2.1 percentage points overall. as the kind of person who would go.” Pew’s findings dovetail with another major Once you remove the social pressure of study released in May, “The National Study speaking on the phone, “you see people will- of Catholic Parishes With Hispanic Ministry.” ing to give answers that are probably closer Hosffman Ospino, a professor of Hispanic to reality,” he said. “People feel less pressure ministry at Boston College, and research- to conform.” ers from Georgetown University’s Center for Three groups were most likely to inflate Applied Research in the Apostolate issued the attendance: study May 5. It detailed signs of vibrancy, such as the high percentage of young Hispanic families. It also 29 percent say they don’t go to church. found signs of concern. The nation’s one-in-four Online, that jumps to 45 percent. Catholic parishes that are Hispanic “struggle with finance and personnel,” many with no special Online, 33 percent. training in Hispanic ministry, Ospino said. “One of our hopes is that if the Catholic 31 percent. Online, 49 percent. Church invests more in family and youth, that these young people will stay,” he said. The PRRI study is an update of studies on “Secularization is a major threat to our future.” BT inflated church attendance conducted in the

11 Gallup: Stem cell research, other issues reach new highs of ‘moral acceptability’ identification, but previous research has shown : Suicide (19 percent); Religion News Service that age also plays a factor.” polygamy (14 percent); cloning humans Three issues — sex between an unmarried (13 percent); married men and women ASHINGTON — Americans are man and woman, medical research on embryonic having an affair (7 percent) showing more tolerance for a range stem cells and doctor-assisted suicide — showed W of behaviors, with sex between a slight increase in acceptability from 2013. Against a backdrop of sweeping legal victories unmarried adults, medical research on stem Gallup grouped the 19 issues into five in favor of same-sex marriage, the 58 percent of cells from human embryos, and doctor-assisted categories, including: Americans who rated gay and lesbian relations suicide all showing record highs and increases as morally acceptable was mostly unchanged in “moral acceptability” from last year. : birth control (90 percent) from last year’s rating of 59 percent. The Gallup poll’s annual “moral accept- : divorce (69 percent); sex Last year’s figure, however, represented a ability” scale has been conducted since 2001 between an unmarried man and woman (66 19-point shift since 2001, the largest change for and charts shifting cultural attitudes on a percent); embryonic stem cell research (65 any issue on Gallup’s list, which it started at that number of hot-button social issues. percent); gambling (62 percent); the death time. In the 2014 list released the end of May, penalty (61 percent); buying and wearing Other notable shifts over time include Gallup researchers said 12 of the 19 categories clothing made of animal fur (58 percent); having a baby out of wedlock (up 13 points reflected “levels of moral acceptance that are as having a baby outside of marriage (58 per- from 2002); sex between unmarried adults high or higher than in the past.” cent); gay or lesbian relations (58 percent); (up 13 points since 2001), and divorce “Americans largely agree about the moral- medical testing on animals (57 percent) (up 10 points from 2001). ity of several issues,” Gallup researchers said. : Doctor-assisted suicide The 2014 figures were based on 1,028 “Most say birth control is acceptable but that (52 percent); abortion (42 percent) phone interviews with U.S. adults in all 50 extramarital affairs are wrong. However, other : Cloning animals states and the District of Columbia. The poll issues show clear, substantial divides. These (34 percent); pornography (33 percent); has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 differences are largely explained by party sex between teenagers (30 percent) percentage points. BT

Survey: Most Americans say ﬁghting global poverty is futile

Todd, senior vice president for global Fatalism dominates the answers: Religion News Service advocacy, said the bleak numbers can be turned around if potential donors are better informed. espite progress in defeating extreme The survey offered a target date of 25 poor nations.” global poverty, most Americans see years for altering the lives of 1.4 billion people D no end in sight, according to a survey who need clean water, shelter, sufficient nutri- to trust.” sponsored by Compassion International. tion and basic health care such as antibiotics Christians who attend church at least and vaccines. spent on needs at home.” monthly and consider religion very important in “That is not a magic date, but if you ask their life overwhelmingly (96 percent) expressed people about fighting poverty without a time Again, Todd was not surprised. Few realize concern about the world’s poorest people. But frame, they can’t assess it,” Todd said. “They that scandalous failures — theft, profiteering, they were skeptical that global poverty could be give answers like ‘after the Second Coming.’ bungled delivery — are not the norm today, ended in the next 25 years. Only 41 percent of We know there has been incredible progress he said. “We have seen a steep rise in transpar- the group said it was possible. and the world has seen an incredible drop in ency, efficiency and democracy have led to And yet Scott Todd of Compassion poverty in one generation. But people don’t improvements.” International, the Christian nonprofit agency know this.” The survey found that four in 10 people that sponsors 1.5 million children abroad, Only 32 percent of all adults see an end to said they gave nothing in 2013 to combat remains upbeat. He sees hope in the numbers poverty in 25 years. The top five reasons they global poverty; the median gift was just $5 per of “practicing Christians” who express concern give for why this can’t be done: month for all adults. However, it was more about poverty and a willingness to do more. than double — $13 per month — for practic- Other groups — including less observant ing Christians (38 percent of all surveyed). Christians and people of other faiths or no The survey of 1,052 U.S. adults, con- faith — showed notably less concern and a ducted online between Dec. 11 and 28, 2013, higher degree of skepticism in the survey con- has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 ducted by Barna Research. percentage points. BT

12 Shotgun weddings give way to cohabitation in surprise pregnancies

— is rapidly becoming a relic of the past. USA Today New studies by researchers at Cornell, couples during the 2000s were to men and Duke, Brown and Louisiana State universities, women living together, representing just over as well as the Census Bureau and National 20 percent of all U.S. births. (RNS) — A carefully planned destination Center for Health Statistics, document the wedding finally brought Sheila and Jared steep decline in such marriages and how socio- Such changes are the result of a variety of influ- economic, racial and ethnic differences affect ences, from family and friends to characters on Elliott to the altar after twists and turns relationships. TV or in the movies and how celebrities start that included the births of two daughters, About two-thirds of couples who had a families, suggests Robert Thompson, director premarital pregnancy in the early 1960s got of the Bleier Center for Television & Popular the deaths of his parents, and buying a married in a rush. That share fell to just about Culture at Syracuse University in New York. house and car for their growing family. a quarter by the early 1990s, research shows. “A generation ago, having a child with- The latest analyses by researchers from out being married was controversial,” he says. hings don’t always go in order as those federal agencies suggest a drop to single “Now the culture has proven there are lots of planned,” says Sheila Elliott, 29, a digits as more couples opt to live together people out there raising children without being “ banker. “We had talked about mar- T rather than marry and don’t want a child to married.” riage before I got pregnant. We were already rush them into marriage. “When these things happen in mainstream working in that direction when it happened.” Among new findings: popular culture, they send a signal to the soci- Although the couple from Prior Lake, ety that this is normal,” Thompson said. “I’m Minn., weren’t living together when she got talking less about celebrities because celebrities pregnant, they bought a house and moved pregnancy was in the 1970s experienced a aren’t normal. But when it happens to characters in together a few months before their older “shotgun marriage,” compared with just on shows like Friends or Ellen or How I Met daughter Lexi, now 3, arrived. 7 percent for pregnancies since 2000. Your Mother, it sends the message this is now “At the time, everything was good, and we normal and something people do and an option had a good relationship the way it was without women who marry within three years of you can decide upon. That is what I think getting married, and we kind of just waited conception has fallen by half since the 1970s, popular culture’s biggest power is.” until the time was right,” says Jared Elliott, 39, from 51 percent to 25 percent. Most births (59 percent) are still to a machinist. married parents, said Jonathan Vespa, a The Elliotts are among a growing number cohabit by the time of the child’s birth rose demographer at the U.S. Census Bureau and of couples whose reaction to a surprise preg- from 8 percent in the 1970s to 28 percent lead author of a study that finds living together nancy isn’t a fast track to wed. The “shotgun today, while the share who married by the as a reaction to an unexpected pregnancy now wedding” — a hurry-up union before a birth birth fell from 29 percent to 8 percent. surpasses shotgun marriages by 3-1. BT Be a part of something good and growing! Baptists Today is experiencing unprecedented growth and expanding into some wonderful new ventures. Our autonomy gives us the opportunity to dream, connect and collaborate. But producing this uniquely indepen- dent news journal with excellent Bible studies requires support from those who value such efforts.

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13 Editor’s note: This article in the series “Transitions: Helping churches and church leaders in changing times” is provided in partnership with the Center for Healthy Churches (healthy-churches.org). Pastoral reﬂections on beginning well By Dennis W. Foust

In his book, The Trouble with the Church: and he was really concerned with the This deliberate process allows a church to social and ethical aspects of his business. study itself regarding identity, vision, worship A Call for Renewal, (1965, Harper & But obviously it had never occurred perspectives, staff and pastor profile strengths. Row) German Protestant Theologian to him that the housing shortage had All issues that can be addressed during the Helmut Thielicke tells this story: anything to do with one’s relationship to transition will enhance the start of the next God and our neighbor. … His spiritual minister and extend that person’s tenure. A very well-to-do church council- house stood apart, separated from and After the hard work is completed dur- man had invited me to tea in his very unconnected with the rest of his life. ing the transition, the congregation is ready fine and tastefully furnished home. to move forward and receives the new min- I expressed my regret that during the The purpose of this story is not for you to ister with clarified identity and vision. If the war even this gem of a house had not consider whether there is a gap between your congregation truly invests in the challenging been spared by the bombs, leaving only “spiritual house” and the rest of your life. conversations that are essential to spiraling a small portion of it standing (though Rather, I include this story forward, it will create a new culture passing this had now been beautifully restored). to point out how some through a season of prayerfulness and renewal. His reply was, “Don’t talk about regret. people can fail to see what Entering into these situations has enabled Even in this loss I experienced the grace is obvious to others. me to invest my first years of ministry in some of God.” And the first thing I thought For example, as con- touch-points that promote congregational was: ‘How devout this man is, how gregations go through health and vitality: humble he is — and what a superficial transitional times between and sentimental way to have addressed pastors, some see and use An open culture with clear bound- him!’ Then he went on to say: “God left these months to address aries of influence and positive energies me with just enough room so that I did issues that may be poten- An intentionally relational not have to take in any refugees after the tial points of conflict, and others jump right community open to every person war.” I shall not now expatiate upon into their search process for a new pastor without much reflection. A desire to deepen relationship the shock which this alternating hot and with God for kingdom purposes cold shower of statements produced in Some congregations are like the fellow in me. I confine myself simply to making Thielicke’s story: they are missing the obvious. An expectation of spiritual this theological point: The man was For 26 of the past 38 years, I have been maturity to become obedient servants of God really devout, he worshiped and prayed, blessed and privileged to serve as a senior min- An outward focus on living and ister. In my two most recent pastoral roles, I sharing God’s good news revealed in Jesus joined congregations after they completed a deliberate transition process. An investment of resources NOW AVAILABLE Each employed a minister who was trained in the kingdom of God through networks and to serve a purposeful short-term role between partners ministers and was not a candidate for the per- A commitment to balance and manent position. The church agreed to consider nurture servant (missional) commitments potentially sticky matters related to identity and vision during this short-term relationship. I am thankful these two congregations chose to This role of being intentional about the be deliberate about using their time wisely, and time between pastors emerged in the 1970s I am thankful for the two ministers who led and begs the question, “How did we fail to see them. The next time your church finds itself in the importance of this time for so long, one a transition, please invest in the health of your that is now so obvious?” congregation and your next pastor by redeem- A wise congregation is willing to ask ing the transition time. and answer difficult questions. Further, it To me, it is obvious. I hope you can see welcomes legitimate observations that require the connection. BT Available as a digital download church members to take an honest look at (ebook) or in print at their church’s health and guide them to initiate —Dennis W. Foust is completing his necessary changes through open conversational third year as senior minister of nurturingfaith.info processes. St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C.

14 A Pastor Preaching Media Overcoming Sermon Block A review by Doug Dortch

Having something to say and saying it well

Regardless of how gifted pastors may be in the various areas of their pastoral min- section that are as inspiring as they are illustrative. istry, they will ultimately be judged by their effectiveness in the pulpit. Preaching In Overcoming Sermon Block, Tuck deals remains the number one expectation congregations have for their pastoral lead- more with the “nuts and bolts” of the preacher’s work and the persistent challenge every ers, and pitiable is the clergyperson who fails to take that expectation seriously. preacher faces to move beyond those barren periods that make preaching feel flat. ranted, this expectation can be a bur- vast experience as both a pastor and professor Tuck breaks down the preacher’s task, densome one at times. Every preacher of homiletics and offer readers solid guidance from invention to delivery, and offers concrete Gworth his salt understands what’s at on how to craft sermons that are theologically suggestions on how one might maintain vital- stake when he steps into the pulpit. sound and effectively spoken. ity in the face of a pastoral task that seems to Regardless of how much a preacher works In A Pastor Preaching, Tuck addresses the come around every other day. to convince herself that the hour of worship question of “what constitutes the content and Though the book draws upon lectures doesn’t rise or fall on her background of authentic Tuck developed for the performance, she knows preaching,” (p. viii) which classes he taught as a homi- that her inability to speak he defines as a form of proc- letics professor, each chapter God’s truth into the lives lamation that connects the concludes with questions and of God’s people could revelation of God’s Word to reflections that give the book indeed seriously hamper the felt needs of a gathered a more conversational tone. the hour — if not spoil it congregation. It is a “must read” for those completely. Each section of the book who have just begun preach- Therefore, the chal- deals with different aspects of ing and a welcome refresher lenge preachers face is how one makes such a con- for those who consider them- two-fold: to have something to say Sunday in nection, concluding with a selves preaching veterans. and Sunday out, and to say it well. series of chapters that point The bibliography at Content and delivery are a double-edged out the possibilities of con- the end of the book makes sword that every preacher seeks to handle temporary literature and the an excellent resource for the without hurting one’s self — much less the arts as a source of great help preacher who wishes to build congregation. Attending to one of these edges in bridging divine revelation his or her homiletics library. at the expense of the other only renders one’s with human need. We preach in an age preaching substantive but Preachers who are seri- where many speak of the decline of preaching, dull or entertaining but ous about their craft and want though those of us who preach each Sunday empty, neither of which is a others to think the same way know better. We feel the weight of what’s at viable option. about the place of preaching stake each time we stand to speak on behalf of Fortunately, William in the life of the church will God — which when you think about it, is an Powell Tuck has written surely appreciate the numer- audacious thing to do. two books in recent months ous citations of theologians Bill Tuck understands both the weight that speak to ways preachers in the book that reflect how and audacity, and offers these books as a way might manage this dilemma deeply each valued the role to help preachers minimize the frustrations and show faithfulness to the of the pulpit. And for those and capture the joys of this holy calling. We Gospel in the process. who might want examples would do well and surely preach better by A Pastor Preaching of how they might apply a taking his words to heart. BT (Nurturing Faith, 2012) and particular section of the Overcoming Sermon Block book to their own preaching (Energion Publications, ministry, Tuck offers sample —Doug Dortch is senior minister of Mountain 2014) draw upon Tuck’s sermons at the end of each Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

15 From Faith BOOKS

BOOKS FOR KINDLE, NOOK, AND iPAD — OR IN PRINT — AT NURTURINGFAITH.INFO

nurturingfaith.info

Theological Reflections STEPHEN N. JOHNSON A compelling exploration of grace

E. B. SELF Understanding the Divine through Scripture, reason Inspiration and observation JIM DANT CHUCK QUEEN A journey toward hope and healing Challenging reﬂ ections on Christianity

BRETT YOUNGER Humorous, yet meaningful observations

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

Teaching resources at nurturingfaith.net

For adults and youth HOW TO USE THESE BIBLE STUDIES August lessons in this issue 1. Order a copy of Baptists Today news journal for EACH MEMBER of the class. The Bible Words about Words — from God Lessons are found only here. Aug. 3, 2014 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all A Picnic to Remember of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply Matthew 14:13-21 click on “Adult” or “Youth.”

Teaching the Lessons Talking Tough After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge Aug. 10, 2014 starting on page 18, teachers can access No Distinction Youth Lessons helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at Romans 10:5-15 are on pages nurturingfaith.net. These include: 22–23. Aug. 17, 2014 * Tony’s video overviews * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan What about Israel? * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver Romans 11:1-32 * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and ”The Hardest Question” Aug. 24, 2014 * Links to commentaries, multimedia Everyone Is Gifted resources and more Romans 12:1-8

How to Order Aug. 31, 2014 The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted A Labor of Love and not to be photocopied. Romans 12:9-21

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

with Tony W. Cartledge

Aug. 3, 2014 Matthew 14:16 – A Picnic to Remember “Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give an you think of something them something to eat.’” you have done that everyone Cremembers? Hopefully it wasn’t a public faux pas that became your most embarrassing moment. We would all like to be remembered — I suspect — not for our mistakes, but for the good things we have done, the love we have shown, the people we have touched. In a setting where stories get told, you may notice that people often remember the same event in different ways, and some may insist they remember it correctly, even when shown evidence to the contrary. We can be grateful for memories, and especially thankful that those who followed Jesus passed on their memo- When needs become pressing place along the shore, but the word soon ries of his impressive miracles and (vv. 13-16) got out. By the time Jesus landed, he was inspirational teachings. Like us, those Many charitable organizations, includ- greeted by a mass of people with a multi- followers whose memories gave rise to ing a number of Baptist groups, have tude of needs. the four gospels didn’t all remember the become very good at meeting physical Jesus didn’t have to look hard to see same things, or recall the details in the needs on a large scale. Through disaster physical needs, emotional needs, and same way. relief units that are trained and ready to spiritual needs. He “was moved with Surprisingly, only one of Jesus’ serve, dedicated volunteers have pre- compassion” for the people, Matthew “mighty works” (not counting the resur- pared and served literally millions of said (14:14). rection) is recorded in all four gospels, meals in the wake of disasters caused by For Jesus, compassion was not only and its story included a healthy dose earthquakes and hurricanes, tornadoes something one feels, but also some- of embarrassment for the disciples. and terrorists, famines and wars. thing one does, even when tired. Jesus We usually call it the “Feeding of the When people are hungry, these volun-patiently waded into the crowd for hours, Five Thousand,” and it’s found in Matt. teers know what to do. They have trucks, teaching about the kingdom of God and 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, equipment, and food supplies at the ready. healing many who were sick. and John 6:1-14. Tell them that you need 5,000 meals by As the day grew long, with no The story’s appearance in all four suppertime, and they won’t blink an eye. refreshment stands or food trucks Tell a dozen bearded disciples who around, the people began to grow hun- disciples considered this event to be. have neither training nor resources, and gry. Wouldn’t you? You know what the you’ll get a different response. disciples did: they asked Jesus to call it thousands of people, but also provided Jesus and his disciples were already a day and send everyone home for sup- important lessons for those who would tired and in need of rest when this story per, but Jesus had other ideas. Maybe he follow Jesus. begins. They had faced rejection in wanted to show that the gospel has social Nazareth (13:54-58) and had learned as well as spiritual dimensions, or maybe that Jesus’ cousin John had been arrested he wanted a lot of people to witness an Additional background information and beheaded (14:1-12). Physically and amazing act that they’d never forget. online where you see the “Digging emotionally drained, Jesus set out across Or maybe he just wanted to teach Deeper” icon the Sea of Galilee in search of a quiet the disciples a lesson. “You give them

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes something to eat,” he said. Imagine the look on their faces! are available at It would have been a lot like our own nurturingfaith.net one for each disciple, if we assume that expression if someone put us in charge only the Twelve were involved. Their of feeding 5,000 hungry men – not to obediently share what we have in weariness must have known no bounds, counting women and children – and we assets or abilities, and to trust Jesus to but witnessing such an act of grace and had neither food to give them nor money make that enough. power must have been energizing, too. to call a caterer. Even so, Jesus’ disciples must have We can’t overlook an important It was a rather shocking demand, been muttering to themselves as Jesus aspect of discipleship here: The work was don’t you think? If we didn’t already done when Jesus looked to heaven, broke know this story, how could we imagine it green grass – a reminder that though they the food, and then gave it to the disciples ever being done? had sought “a deserted place,” it wasn’t a for distribution to the hungry crowd. desert. To this day, that’s the way it works When disciples become prepared All three synoptic gospels note that when we seek to live out the kingdom (vv. 17-19) Jesus took the food in his hands and of God on earth. We receive the bless- Matthew has a tendency to tone down “looked up to heaven” before bless- ings of God that come through Christ, the implicit criticism of the disciples ing and breaking the loaves (John says then share them with others. Whether that is often found in Mark. Perhaps that only that he gave thanks, John 6:11). God gives us material goods or spiritual is why he does not include their dumb- This seems intended to remind readers wisdom, a love for children or joyful founded response (Mark 6:37) that even as well as those present that Jesus was enthusiasm, we are called to share with a 200 denarii wouldn’t be enough to buy never wholly apart from the Father, and world that is hungry for more than bread drew his power from the fullness of the a year’s salary for someone earning an Godhead. average wage. In John’s version, it was If you can imagine the disciples’ When needs become Phillip who did the math (John 6:7) and opportunities for service (vv. 20-21) said that six months of wages would their job to feed the multitude, consider hardly get them a mouthful apiece. Jesus’ miraculous multiplication of the But Jesus had given the job to them. to discover that, no matter how many How could they feed such a crowd? If times they passed the baskets among the the multitude, but perhaps even more we had only Matthew’s gospel, we’d people, they always returned full. assume the disciples themselves had The gospels are silent on the manner from Jesus that deep compassion gives some provisions, but not much: “We of the miracle, but it must have occurred us energy to keep going, even when at the “point of contact.” Otherwise, Jesus we’re feeling drained. would have been inundated by a pile of They also learned by experience that Neither Matthew, Mark, nor Luke the most overwhelming situations are not says anything about the small boy we much for the disciples to carry. When without hope. As Christ’s followers trust know from the text in John, the boy Jesus broke the paltry provisions into in Jesus, offer to him their abilities, and Andrew found who was willing to share fragments and put some in each disciple’s obey his commands to love, marvelous his meager lunch. basket, the disciples probably expected things can be done – even in the face of nothing more than to offer an appetizer obstacles that may seem insurmountable very much when the “loaves” are prob- to two or three people each, but the food to us. was replenished as quickly as it was When all was done and the people Sometimes we might feel about as How long did the disciples’ initial basket for each disciple suggests that ill-equipped for other demands that come excitement over the miraculous multipli- Jesus’ power not only makes our service to hand, and we wonder how we can do cation last before their task turned into effective in helping others, but also what needs to be done. Jesus wanted mere labor? If it was up to the 12 alone provides for our own needs. the disciples to look beyond the normal to serve the crowds, as the story implies, The purpose of Christ’s miraculous human resources that came to mind. He each would have been responsible for lesson was not just inspirational; it was wanted them to consider what could be carrying food to 500 or more people. motivational. What physical and spiritual done, not just on their own, but with And they thought they were tired before! needs do we see in the world about us? God’s help. The job wasn’t over when it was What gifts can we offer toward meet- The story reminds us that serving over, though. Whether by innate frugal- ing those needs? And what are we doing Christ faithfully involves the willingness ity or direct instruction, they returned with that basket in our hands? BT

LESSON FOR AUGUST 3, 2014 | 19 Romans 10:5-15

with Tony W. Cartledge

Aug. 10, 2014 No Distinction

ome texts are harder than others. That’s the way it is with S Bible study. For the rest of this month, we’ll be considering four tricky texts from Romans and asking what they could possibly have to do with our lives. of salvation, or being in a right relationship with God. Who is eligible for it, and how might one obtain it? For those of us who know what it is like to feel lost and apart from God, that sounds like important stuff. Romans 10:12 – But do we know what Paul means “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is when he talks about salvation? It’s generous to all who call on him.” far more than just getting our ticket punched for the heaven-bound glory be dangerous heretics, and persecuted the matter of their salvation” (Romans, train. Paul’s message centers on having them. Interpretation [John Knox, 1985], 167). a right relationship with God that affects But meeting Christ on the Paul had come to believe that Christ our daily lives as well as the potential Damascus road had changed Paul’s life, was the “end” or “goal” of the law. for eternal life. and it changed Paul’s perspective on the The word telos can carry the sense of The righteousness of the law law. He came to believe that God had (v. 5) given the law, not as a means for obtain- To help his readers understand the dif- ing salvation, but as a life-guide for ference, Paul contrasts the righteousness To understand Paul’s argument in vv. those who had already been granted the that comes through the law (v. 5) and 5-13, we need to look back at vv. 1-4, gift of a covenantal relationship with righteousness that comes through faith where he repeats an argument from the God. (vv. 6-13). previous chapter relative to the place of The Jews, in Paul’s mind, had failed Quoting Moses, Paul illustrates the Jews in God’s ongoing plan. This is to understand this. Unwilling to accept “righteousness that comes through the a major issue for Paul, and it pervades God’s free gift of relationship to be law” with a quotation from Lev. 18:5: his letter from chs. 9-11. guided by the law, they believed that “the person who does these things will Paul had been born and raised as live by them.” If you put your trust in a Jew, then trained as an expert in the have a right relationship with God. the law, you have to live by the law. law and thus a leader among Jews. He Rather than seeing the law as a Putting one’s trust in the law creates means for engendering faith and trust in at least two problems. First, the very inside out, and was once such a stalwart the God who had already chosen them, effort to keep the law becomes a type of defender of the faith – as understood they saw it as a means for earning God’s idolatry. The idea that one can earn his by the Pharisee party – that he con- favor through religious activity. As Paul or her way into a right relationship with sidered Jews who followed Jesus to Achtemeier puts it, “They were so reli- God is in effect a rejection of God’s gious that they did not want to settle for grace. Additional background information something God could give them. They The second problem is that no one online where you see the “Digging wanted to be religious enough so that is able to perfectly keep the law: “The Deeper” icon they could become partners with God in whole problem with the law is that if

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes common for people to think of faith basis for one’s relationship with God, are available at as a purely personal thing that is no that is the only basis that relationship nurturingfaith.net one else’s business. We often hear the will have” (Achtemeier, 168). phrase “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” In contrast, Paul expected those who Moses insisted that “the word is very believe inwardly to express their faith traditions, our churches, our parents, near to you, it is in your mouth and in outwardly and identify with the believ- or our peers may lead us to believe that your heart” – and Paul adds: “(that is, ing community. we must follow a list of do’s and don’ts the word of faith that we proclaim).” if we’re to be fully accepted by God. By this method, Paul takes an Old The sharing life If we’re trusting in our own behavior, Testament text about the nearness of the (vv. 14-15) however, we’re not fully trusting in law, and reinterprets it with reference to Paul wanted his readers to remember Christ. the nearness of Christ, whose presence needs not be sought in heaven or in Jews and Gentiles alike – who need to The righteousness of faith Sheol, but acknowledged as present and hear the good news of salvation through (vv. 6-13) available to those who put their trust in faith. In vv. 14-15 he presents an effec- To present the approach of faith over God. tive string of rhetorical questions that law, Paul creates a literary character We don’t have to go looking for could refer back to the Jews who have named Righteousness by Faith, and Jesus in heaven, as if we could get rejected Jesus, or forward to those who gives her the power of speech through- there, or in the world of the dead, as have yet to hear. out vv. 6-13: “But the righteousness that if we could go there and come back. How can anyone call on somebody comes by faith says …” The righteousness that reconciles us to they don’t believe in? How can they Speaking as “Righteousness by God is as near as the life and teaching believe if they haven’t heard about them? Faith,” Paul cites phrases from Deut. and death and resurrection and spiritual How can they hear if no one brings them 9:4 (“Do not say in your heart”) presence of Jesus Christ. the message? How can someone preach and 30:12b (“Who will ascend into As Moses had spoken of God’s the good news unless they are sent? heaven?”), replacing the question “Who word being “in your mouth and in your Still speaking as “Righteousness by will cross over the sea?” from Deut. heart,” Righteousness by Faith declares Faith,” Paul concludes with quotes from 30:13 with an allusion from Ps. 107:26, that “one believes with the heart and Isa. 57:2 and Nah. 1:15 – few things are which says “they ascend into the heav- more beautiful than the feet of people ens and descend into the abyss.” the mouth and so is saved” (v. 10). Paul who run to bring good news. In the Deuteronomic context, Moses goes on to adapt the promise of Isa. No matter how attractive the was arguing that the Israelites did not 28:16 to insist that “anyone who trusts preacher’s feet, however, faith is not have to go in search of the law. It was in him will never be put to shame” automatic. As those who proclaim need neither in heaven nor across the sea, but (v. 11). Isaiah’s prophecy spoke of a to be responsible witnesses, those who as near to them as their own hearts. Thus, tested and precious cornerstone that hear must be responsible listeners. they did not need to send anyone on a God would lay in Zion, which Paul “Faith comes from what is heard,” Paul quest to ascend to heaven or cross the interpreted as a prophecy of Christ. said, “and what is heard comes through sea; they needed to accept the law that The reference to both heart and the word of Christ” (v. 17). It is possible was already in their midst. mouth leads Paul to declare that a sav- to hear with the ears but not listen with Paul mixed and matched the texts ing relationship with God is available the heart. When our hearts are dulled in order to contrast the vertical distance to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, between the highest heaven and the for “Everyone who calls on the name it’s a belief that we can be reconciled deepest depths, in part because he has of the Lord shall be saved” (v. 13) – yet to God through obeying the law or just adapted the questions to refer to Christ another Old Testament quotation, this being a “good person” – we can become rather than the law. We can see this time from Joel 2:32. spiritually hard of hearing. in the interpretive comments he adds, Paul’s reference to “believing in While Paul’s primary concern is the denoted by parentheses in the text: your heart” and “confessing with your response of those who hear, his words “Who will ascend into heaven? (that mouth” is not really a two-step pro- also remind believers of our need to be is, to bring Christ down), or Who will cess, as it is sometimes presented, but good witnesses, proclaiming the good descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring two sides of the same coin. Those who news through both word and deed. The Christ up from the dead)” (vv. 6b-7). truly trust Christ inwardly will want question still lingers: “How can they Paul continues adding commentary with to express their faith outwardly. In our believe in one of whom they have not v. 8, taken from Deut. 30:14, where postmodern, cocooning society, it is heard?” BT

LESSON FOR AUGUST 10, 2014 | 21 Youth Lessons by David Cassady and online youth teaching resources (at nurturingfaith. net) by Jeremy Colliver build off of the Bible lessons by Tony Cartledge.

Youth lessons are made possible through the generous YoAugust 3 — August u31, 2014 th support of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation.

Dinner Is Served AUGUST 3 Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus doesn’t order the boat to be turned Think About It: around, but is rather “moved with compas- The boy who brought his food to Jesus love holidays. Being with family is great. sion” as he senses the needs of the people. blessed an entire crowd because of his gift. Seeing the faces of others as they open The disciples know that the people What gifts do you have that you can use to gifts is awesome. But I really love the are hungry and quickly realize how much I serve Christ? food that goes with holidays! At holidays food they don’t have and how much money there is food everywhere; you munch all it will take to feed all of them. But Jesus day on your favorite snacks before you insists that “you give them something to even get to the main course of a meal. eat.” Make a Choice: After you eat, a full belly can even bring on In Matthew’s telling of the story we Every day we see needs that we can do some- the urge to take a nap. don’t know that the loaves and fish that thing about. Sometimes this means giving up Our passage from Matthew 14 are brought to Jesus come from a little boy, something we want in order to give some- revolves around people gathered and food, but because this story is told in all four thing to another person. How can you choose but the excitement comes because of a gospels, we know where the food origi- to serve others instead of yourself? different reason. nates. Still, the disciples likely feel worried Jesus and the disciples need rest and with only this little amount of food. As the recuperation, so they head off across the food is distributed and then re-gathered, Pray: Sea of Galilee hoping to find a quiet place. it becomes apparent that Jesus has multi- Remind me, oh God, that you can do unex- Instead of finding a quiet shore, though, plied the food that was originally offered pected and wonderful things with even my they are met by a massive group of people. so that all would be fed. smallest gifts.

Ticket Punched AUGUST 10 Romans 10:5-15 law is to shape a relationship with God, Think About It: not to gain salvation by living by the law. Claiming to live for Christ is more than just t might be getting your team jersey or Paul reminds the Israelites that Moses had “ﬁre insurance.” Living for Christ means put- learning the right handshake. It might even told them not to search for the law ting him in the center of your life. What do even be knowing the correct sequence because it was “in their hearts” and they I you do that shows others you live for Christ? of buttons to push as a video game begins. needed to accept the law that was in their These are just some of the ways that peo- midst. ple “get their tickets punched” to be part of Of course, Paul wants the Israelites to a special group or club. realize that the law has been in their midst Make a Choice: In today’s scripture, the Jews are try- in the person of Jesus and is still with them Salvation is about making a choice, but not ing to do something special to earn their in the Holy Spirit. just one choice. You will choose again and salvation: they are being overly religious. This saving grace in Jesus Christ is again to trust Christ or yourself. Where is Paul addresses this over-religiosity in available to all people; all one has to do is your trust? Romans 10, urging the faithful not to rely call out the name of the Lord. Through this on the law but to trust Jesus. calling out, others can hear the good news Paul believes it is better to trust in of the gospel of Jesus with their ears and God rather than the law. The goal of the their heart. Pray: Dear God, help me better listen for your guidance and help me trust in the loving, humble ways of Jesus.

22 AUGUST 17 God’s Chosen People Romans 11:1-32 Jews because of this. If God had rejected Think About It: the Jews, God wouldn’t have tracked Paul Do you think God still choose outsiders to here have long been groups that down on the road to Damascus. do God’s work? Why or why not? claim to be God’s chosen or special Paul also points to the encounter T people. They ﬁ ght over this title and that Elijah had with God and how God had the land. In Romans 11, Paul calls out the “reserved” some of the people as God’s Make a Choice: people of Israel and explains what God people. In both of these instances, it is God How will you choose to treat others so that plans to do with them. who continues to claim the “outsiders” they will know God has chosen them? Jesus was the Messiah that had been even when others had given up on them. hoped for and promised. Paul recognized Paul also points out that because the this and also recognized that the Jews had Jews rejected Jesus, there was a completely rejected Jesus. But from personal experi- new group of people who would claim God Pray: ence, Paul doesn’t believe God rejected the as their own: the Gentiles. Dear God, help me to see all people as your chosen children.

AUGUST 24 Transformers Romans 12:1-8 done with after one time, but are living Think About It: and are able to be transformed and cause Of the spiritual gifts that are listed in this ransformers have become popular transformation in others. By continually text, which do you believe you possess? again. A series of summer blockbust- offering ourselves as a sacrifi ce, we wor- T ers tells the story of beings that seem ship God by living in a way that points not normal, but can transform into something to ourselves but to God. Make a Choice: that has special powers. In Romans 12, Paul also reminds us not to give in to How will you choose to transform the world Paul reveals that we each have the ability what the world would have us to be, but for Christ instead of allowing the world to to be transformed by Christ and blessed to transform into something that God has change you? with gifts that can continue to create the created us to be. When we live this way, Kingdom of God. we function as a body — each with unique We are to present our bodies as living gifts and talents, and no one better than Pray: sacrifi ces — sacrifi ces that aren’t over and the other. Help me to be transformed by your presence so that I may use my gifts to bring you glory.

AUGUST 31 Job Description Romans 12:9-21 that.” It is one of those passages you wish Think About It: you could forget, because you know that it Among the series of traits listed in Romans ave you ever wanted a clear list of will challenge every part of who you are. 12, which ones do you ﬁ nd the hardest to things that Christians should do? It is not surprising that Paul begins live out in today’s culture? HWould this make your life easier as a with love. This is not a passing love, but a follower of Christ? real and genuine love. If we know what we At the end of Romans 12, Paul pro- are to love, we also know we should avoid Make a Choice: vides a bit of a job description to each of evil and hold onto the good. Which of these traits will you choose to us who claim to be a Christ follower. We are to do these things, not in practice this week? After reading Paul’s job description passing, but with zeal. Even in those rela- of how to live for Christ, it would be easy tionships that are hard, and where there is to close your Bible and walk away think- hate, we are to overcome bad feelings with Pray: ing “There is no way I could ever do all of love. God, help me to develop those traits that are pleasing to you.

23 Romans 11:1-32

with Tony W. Cartledge

Aug. 17, 2014 What about Israel?

erhaps you have heard the epi- gram, “How odd of God to Pchoose the Jews.” Usually attrib- uted to William Norman Ewer, a British journalist who favored socialism and spied for the Soviet Union during the 1920s, the anti-Semitic barb drew several ripostes, including this one from American businessman Cecil Browne: “But not so odd as those who choose a Jewish God, yet spurn the Jews.” Jews have experienced prejudice, Romans 1:1a – persecution, and hostilities through “I ask, then, has God rejected much of their existence, with the his people? By no means!” in a long string of atrocities. All too often, the people who carried out the with few exceptions, Paul observed that did not still have a plan for the people pogroms called themselves Christian the Jews had rejected Christ. Would this that God “foreknew,” there would have and claimed to be doing the will of God. defeat God’s purpose for Israel? Would been no need for God to call Paul. Such animus has its roots in human God turn against the very people God Paul’s experience, then, led him to weakness and suspicion, not in the had chosen from all the nations to be the believe that God’s grace was fully avail- Bible. Still, from the beginning, those mediator of God’s grace to the world? able to the Jews, and his knowledge of who followed Jesus have sought to So Paul asked, “Did God reject his the scriptures reminded him that this was understand how the Jews – known in people?” And immediately he answered: the Old Testament as God’s chosen “By no means!” faithful remnant even when the majority Paul was fully committed to Christ, of Hebrews had gone after other gods Paul – who was born and trained as but not ready to turn against his heritage and sought their salvation elsewhere. a Jew par excellence – struggled with or his people. He defends his belief that Thus, he points to the story of how the issue, and much of Romans 9-11 is God had not given up on the Jews by Elijah complained that Israel’s rejection given to explaining his position on the citing two examples, beginning with and Jezebel’s persecution had left him past, present, and future relationship of himself. as the only Israelite still holding on to God and the Jews. “I myself am an Israelite, a descen- faith. God, however, revealed to Elijah dant of Abraham, a member of the tribe that there remained 7,000 who had not Has God rejected the Jews? of Benjamin,” Paul said (v. 1). His read- gone over to Baal (vv. 2-4). If God had (vv. 1-10) ers would have known Paul’s history preserved a remnant in the past, Paul rea- as a Jewish zealot who had persecuted soned, “So too, at the present time there Paul had come to believe that Jesus Christians (Acts 22:3-5, Gal. 1:14) – is a remnant chosen by grace” (v. 5). and yet God had called him out on the Paul sees the initiative as lying had hoped for, the promised Messiah road to Damascus. Jesus appeared in a wholly with God, who had “reserved for who would deliver them from their blinding vision that left Paul sightless myself” the remnant in Elijah’s day, and enemies and usher in a new age. Yet, for three days and led to his conversion who continued to preserve a remnant (Acts 9). through divine grace, not human works Additional background information If God had given up on the Jews, (v. 6). online where you see the “Digging Paul reasoned, he would have been For Paul, if some were “elect” to Deeper” icon rejected with the rest of them. If God receive grace, then the others must have

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes been “hardened” so that they would be Ultimately, Paul believed, all Israel spiritually blind and thus reject God’s are available at would be saved. As is his custom, Paul way (v. 7). To support this, he quotes nurturingfaith.net cites scripture to support his view. We loosely from Deut. 29:4 and Isa. 29:10, might expect him to quote something purposes – and that same call had been like 1 Sam. 12:22, “For the LORD will made the people spiritually near-sighted extended to the Gentiles: “if the root is not cast away his people, for his great and hard of hearing (v. 8). Surprisingly, holy, then the branches are also holy” name’s sake, because it has pleased Paul then adds an imprecation from Ps. (v. 16). the LORD to make you a people for 69:22-23, crediting to David a wish that The reference to root and branch himself.” his personal enemies would become leads Paul into an extended metaphor in Instead, Paul loosely quotes Isa. blind and fall into their own trap. The which he compares the people of God to 59:20-21a, with allusions to Isa. 27:9 reference to eyes becoming dim or dark an olive tree. When some of the original and Jer. 31:33-34, asserting that God’s ties the three texts together. branches (the people of Israel) turned ultimate intention was to restore all A modern teacher of biblical stud- away from God, they were broken off, Israel. ies or homiletics would warn his or her making room for “wild olive branches” God’s plan for the Jews was a students against loosely mixing and (the Gentiles) to be grafted onto the tree mystery, Paul said: Who would have matching texts to support a position, but in their place (v. 17). This did not give imagined that God would cause the Paul followed the rabbinic traditions Gentile believers any reason to boast, Jews to turn away in order to bring of his day, which had no compunction however, as if they inherited their place about the salvation of Gentiles, who against fusing phrases from disparate by an intrinsic right or superior perfor- would then bring Jews back to faith? In texts in order to make a point. mance. Some of the Jews had been cut writing to the Romans, Paul sought to off due to unbelief, while the Gentiles explain the mystery of how God could Can rejection lead to salvation? had been grafted in because of their harden the very people God wanted to (vv. 11-24) belief, but such belief was possible only save, in order to save not only them, but because of God’s grace. And where is Paul’s argument leading? also the rest of the world. He reinterprets the mishmash of texts to One cannot presume upon God’s Disobedient Gentiles can come support his belief that the Jews had stum- grace, which is free but never cheap. to Christ only because disobedient bled in darkness, but not of their own The Gentile believer-branches had Jews brought about God’s mercy, Paul doing. They did not “stumble in order to their place on the tree because of God’s argues. If that can be true, how much fall,” he said, but God had engineered enduring kindness, but were also sub- more would God also extend mercy to their rejection in order to bring salvation ject to being removed if they turned them? In a sense, the only thing any of to the Gentiles, with the result that the away (vv. 18-22). us contribute to our redemption is the Jews would then become jealous of how Ultimately, Paul saw a day when stumbling disobedience that makes it God had blessed the Gentiles and thus the “natural branches” would be grafted necessary (vv. 30-32). turn back to God (vv. 11-12). back in to their rightful place, with both Paul’s ultimate desire is that all argument to be circular or unconvincing producing fruit as part of a single tree – not just all Israel, but all – will be on logical grounds, but it is based on his (vv. 23-24). saved. Surely it seems mysterious to us that God had not given up on the Jews, Can all Israel be saved? that God would use disobedience in and that ultimately God wants all to be (11:25-32) order to bring about obedience, or saved. Paul had not given up on the Jews. He employ disbelief to engender faith, Though writing to Gentiles as “an believed that Israel’s rejection of God but Paul insists that this is the case. apostle to the Gentiles,” Paul insisted was a necessary prelude to the salvation Recognizing what a stupendous thought that his ministry also served “to make of the Gentiles, and that the redemp- this is, Paul shifts to hymnic praise of my own people jealous,” so that they tion of the Gentiles would then lead to the rich wisdom, unsearchable judg- might come to faith (vv. 13-14). If a new reconciliation between God and ments, and inscrutable ways of God, God’s choice of Israel and later harden- the Jews. who cannot be understood, but only ing of their hearts could bring Gentiles This argument may seem a bit praised (vv. 33-36). to God, Paul thought, their future accep- strange to us, and indeed, Paul calls it a We may be glad that judgment is tance would be cause for even greater “mystery,” this notion that God inten- in God’s hands rather than ours. May rejoicing (v. 15). tionally hardened the hearts of Israel we also harbor the hope that all will Paul believed that God had called in order to open the door of faith to respond to God’s amazing, mysterious Israel to be holy – set apart for God’s Gentiles (v. 26). grace. BT

LESSON FOR AUGUST 17, 2014 | 25 Romans 12:1-8

with Tony W. Cartledge

Aug. 24, 2014 Everyone Is Gifted

ow long has it been since you went out of your way to be kind Hto someone who wasn’t related to you by kinship or friendship? Can you name the last time you exercised your God-given talents to help someone in need or to make the world a better place? Coming to know Christ is a trans- forming experience, and those who follow Jesus are called to be salt and Romans 12:1 – ence in society. We may think the things “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, we do are only drops in a sea of what to present your bodies as a living sacriﬁ ce, holy and acceptable to God, needs doing, but every drop makes a which is your spiritual worship.” difference. God’s Spirit equips believers to transform their world through abili- food or build houses for the poor with- ties or attitudes that we call “spiritual to us inspires our service to others. out our hands? Could we offer a hug gifts.” Paul urges his readers “to present to the lonely without our arms? Could Do you feel “gifted”? and acceptable to God, which is your we share God’s love or proclaim good A transformed life spiritual worship” (NRSV). The word news to others without having our bod- (vv. 1-2) translated as “worship,” like its Hebrew ies involved in the process? Paul wrote counterpart, can also mean “service.” from the Hebrew perspective that our The subject of spiritual gifts was impor- The translation “spiritual” renders a spirits, minds, and bodies are part of a tant to the Apostle Paul, for he addressed word (logikos) that normally means whole. it in his letters to the churches in Rome, “rational.” Thus, the KJV’s familiar ren- In v. 2, Paul makes another con- Corinth, and Ephesus. In Romans 12:1-8, dering as “reasonable service” seems a nection: We present our bodies to God his discussion of spiritual gifts marks a better option. shift in emphasis from weighty theologi- And how do we serve? Early change in our minds. If we remain con- Hebrews worshiped God through offering formed to our culture, we’ll stick to a personal relationships and church matters self-focused path, but if we are mentally transformed to become like Christ, it was that Christians serve God by serving goes back as far as the Psalms (see 40:6- becomes our nature to serve. Paul uses others. 8; 51:15-17). As Christ’s life, death, and the word metamorphousthe, from which Paul’s appeal is based on “the mer- resurrection opened the doorway of grace, we get “metamorphosis,” a word that cies of God,” the primary motivation for it is only reasonable that we should offer a describes a radical change, as from a our worshipful response. The word for mercy is plural, a reminder that God’s A popular philosophy in Rome con- Paul said, we learn to follow God’s will deep grace has been manifest in many sidered the human body to be evil, but by doing “what is good and acceptable acts of mercy toward us. God’s mercy and perfect.” Neuroscientists tell us that, as chil- Additional background information God. dren, our brains must learn how to think online where you see the “Digging How else could we serve, if not in productive ways. Chemical patterns Deeper” icon with our bodies? Could we prepare that support certain ways of thinking

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes become “hard-wired” into our brains as to persevere. Whatever our roles, we we develop, not all of them positive. If are available at all face emotionally trying days. Phone we want to generate positive changes in nurturingfaith.net calls, e-mails, or thoughtful cards can our behavior or outlook, we must begin be just what we need to keep going. by changing the way we think. Encouragement is the gift that keeps on these gifts in vv. 6-8. His list is not giving. A transformed mind exhaustive, and some of the gifts he Did you ever think of “generosity” (vv. 3-5) mentions are quite generic, but all of as a gift? Paul did. Two people, whether Paul continues his thoughts on thinking them are important to the functioning of rich or poor, may have comparable in v. 3, where he encourages believers a healthy congregation. resources, but one may clutch every cent to avoid arrogance and evaluate them- while the other shares freely, thinking of selves “with sober judgment.” To live “prophecy,” or “inspired preaching.” how much they can give rather than how and serve rightly, we must understand Prophecy might occasionally involve much they have left. A generous heart, what we can and cannot do, without the future, but is mainly about tell- Paul believed, is a spiritual gift, and either conceit or false modesty. No ing the present by communicating the those who give should do so sincerely: spiritual gift makes us superior to other gospel within our current context. An the word translated as “generosity” in believers, and no gift is too small to effective sermon that brings together the NRSV means “simplicity.” We don’t be used. Those who practice “sober human needs, God’s care, and how the give by careful calculation of the tax judgment” do not covet other people’s two can meet would be a good example advantages, or in order to make a show, abilities, but recognize and accept their of prophecy, which Paul says should but simply and sincerely, because we see own abilities as gifts from God, and be “in proportion to faith” (see “The a need that we can help meet. then put them to use. Hardest Question” online for more on Paul recognized the importance of All believers are needed by the what this means). “leadership.” The word he used could church, which Paul often referred to “Ministry” translates diakonía, the describe one who directs or presides as the body of Christ (Eph. 3:6, 5:23; word used to describe the proto-deacons over an organization or group, so we Phil. 3:21; Col. 1:18, 24, 3:15). In of Acts 6 who were put in charge of might naturally think of pastors, but lay- 1 Cor. 12:12-27, as here, Paul compares distributing food to the poor. “Ministry” people can lead as well as professional the church to a human body in which is not limited to the hungry, of course. ministers. Leadership is not as com- hands, feet, and other parts are equally Whether we volunteer in a soup kitchen, plicated as expensive seminar leaders necessary. If writing today, Paul might assist with disaster relief, help clean up might want us to believe. Whenever we have described a complicated machine the fellowship hall, labor on a commit- - like an automobile or computer that has tee, or spend time listening to someone tate something that needs to be done, many parts and relies on all of them to in grief, we are serving others through we are exhibiting the spiritual gift of function properly, even though some are the gift of ministry. leadership. Paul says we should do this internal and never seen. The gift of “teaching” is self- with “diligence” (NRSV). The under- Paul’s admonition does not call us to explanatory, and we are grateful for lying word speaks of doing something downplay our abilities, but to own and effective instructors. Teaching is broader with zeal or exertion. A good leader identify the gifts and abilities with which than the formal setting of a Sunday doesn’t just sit back, but makes things God has endowed us – including the school class or home Bible study, how- happen. sense of humanity that binds us to others ever. We all have opportunities to teach The last gift Paul mentions is “com- and makes us capable of serving them. by example – a thought that should passion,” which could also be translated lead us to ask what kind of lessons we as “kindness” or “acts of mercy.” Differing gifts are offering to our children, friends, or Compassionate people should demon- (vv. 6-8) co-workers. The ability to teach is to be strate their gift with a cheerful spirit, Paul understood that the church in exercised with discernment, so the les- Paul says. As Joseph A. Fitzmeyer has Rome consisted of diverse people, not sons we teach will be appropriate. noted, “The spirit in which the acts are only in their ethnic or religious back- “Exhortation,” next on the list, might done is as important as the acts them- grounds, but also in their personalities, better be translated as “encouragement.” selves” (Romans, The Anchor Bible vol. interests, and abilities. All were capable Do you know anyone who constantly 33 [Doubleday, 1992, 649]. of service, though not all in the same encourages you? What a gift that is. Every gift Paul mentioned serves to way. Each person’s giftedness could Some people who may never preach a make the world a better place through make particular contributions to the sermon or teach a class can support those sharing the love of Christ in word, deed, good of the whole. who are in more public roles as they or both. What are you doing with your The apostle describes seven of compliment good work and inspire them gifts? BT

LESSON FOR AUGUST 24, 2014 | 27 Romans 12:9-21

with Tony W. Cartledge

Aug. 31, 2014 A Labor of Love Romans 12:11 – “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.” as it ever struck you as strange that we celebrate “Labor Day” Hby taking the day off and not laboring? The name would suggest a day devoted to work. Labor Day is one of those landmark dates that helps us organize our calen- dar. Labor Day means “back to school” for many children. Labor Day means “the last blast of summer” to those who enjoy camping or long weekends in the mountains or at the beach. For some folks, Labor Day will mean just more labor. For believers, every day is an opportunity to work in God’s behalf.

Real love requires labor (vv. 9-13) us. When Paul became a Christian, he to philadelphia: Godly love will express In Rom. 12:1-8, Paul calls for Christian accepted that command and taught it to itself in brotherly love. Here Paul believers to be transformed from secu- others (Rom. 13:9, Gal. 5:14) – but he appears to be speaking of the church lar citizens to servants of God. In the community when he says “outdo one remainder of the chapter (vv. 9-21), As typical job descriptions begin with a another in showing honor.” We honor Paul offers a job description showing others through personal encourage- what that transformed life looks like. expectations, Paul offers detailed expec- ment and care, including the support of If Paul’s instructions were formatted tations for Christian workers. as an itemized list, it would include 30 Paul begins with love, as we might bullets. For Paul, faith in Christ is our Alternate translations are “showing primary vocation, the basis for all else Romans he uses the word with eagerness in honoring one another” that we do. reference to Christians as well as to (NET) or more literally, “leading the You know what it is to see a real way in honoring one another.” labor of love: an immaculate lawn or The participles continue in v. 11, no verb: Paul begins with the noun for which could be translated as “not lag- mobile or antique, a detailed painting love, then adds the adjective “unhypo- ging in zeal, being fervent in spirit, or quilt. Hobbyists devote hours upon critical,” as if he is saying: “Love: for serving the Lord.” NRSV translates hours to such projects because they love real!” Translators usually supply a verb with imperative statements: “Do not to get “Let your love be genuine.” lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the product. The God-inspired love Paul is talk- Lord.” Christian living is a total labor of ing about leads us to “hate what is evil” Have you ever been around some- love. Jesus summed up his own teach- and “hold fast to what is good” (v. 9). one who seemed aglow with the Spirit, ing in the straightforward command This is evident in our behavior. If the eager to serve God and others? Their to love one another as he had loved love and devotion others see in us is not enthusiasm for helping others and their Additional background information genuine, our witness may do more harm willingness to go the extra mile makes online where you see the “Digging than good. them delightful companions who encour- Deeper” icon With v. 10, Paul shifts from age us to render more avid service, too.

28 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes The instructions continue in v. 12: want to hurt those who hurt us, but Paul urges believers to rejoice in hope are available at Jesus taught us to love our enemies, and persevere in suffering, never giv- nurturingfaith.net and Paul insists that we do the same. ing up on their prayers. The trouble is, Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. many people do give up on loving, giv- Our responsibility – to the extent that ing, serving, or praying. They lose heart it lies in our power – is to live in peace when hard times come, and withdraw believing community is love that brings with all people (v. 18). from community rather than seeking the unity, the believer’s life in the world Hostility is never a Christian encouragement it can offer. should be marked by love that fosters characteristic. In addition to being Sometimes we give up due to a peace. Such love calls us to “rejoice unchristian, hostile attitudes are with those who rejoice” and to “mourn unhealthy. Doctors know that hostile motives. Whether consciously or not, with those who mourn” (v. 15). It’s not people have higher blood pressure and we may expect faithful service to bring unusual to feel the need to reach out greater risk of heart disease. Replacing us tangible rewards or put us in such to those who are suffering, but just as hostility with humility not only provides good standing with God that we will be important to congratulate and encourage a positive witness to others, but is also a divinely protected. others in their happy times. smart and healthy thing to do. Others believe that God will grant Believers do not limit their love Our response to those who hurt any request if we pray long enough. or outreach to people who are like us should not be limited to the refusal When rewards don’t come – or tragedy themselves – a prime reason that many to engage in hitting back or verbal does come – it’s tempting to give up, churches are struggling. We are to avoid retaliation or posting passive aggressive but God has never promised temporal pride or conceit and “be willing to asso- comments on Facebook. Paul says we rewards or special protection. ciate with people of low position,” Paul should take the initiative in showing Jesus told his disciples to expect says (v. 16). Our society may not be as kindness to our enemies, not allowing hard times. If Paul had not anticipated wrong to prevail, but overcoming evil that his readers would face suffering where slaves and indentured servants with good (vv. 19-21). or persecution, he wouldn’t have urged shared the streets with plebians and Paul adds an interesting comment them to persevere in the midst of it. patricians, but we may still be quite to this theme. In actively caring for Understanding how hard life can be, class conscious, separated by economic, enemies, he says, “you will heap burn- believers motivated by love will con- ethnic, and cultural differences. ing coals on their heads” (v. 20). tribute to the needs of others and seek Using an unconventional phrase, While a surface reading of this ways to show hospitality to others Paul says we should “think the same verse sounds more like retaliation than (v. 13). Paul’s consistent use of kindness, the meaning must be a posi- present participles, which indicate toward one another.” The translation “live in harmony” (NRSV, NIV, NET) tive one. Perhaps Paul is suggesting that continuing action, suggests that people acts of kindness will cause enemies to motivated by love will never get obscures the sense of equality and mutual esteem that Paul wants to fos- feel the heat of shame, or the warmth through loving and serving and praying of God’s love – either of which might and giving, because those things are at ter. “Be of the same mind toward one another” (KJV, NAS95) comes closer to urge them toward repentance. (For more the heart of our life, and without them on this, see “The Hardest Question” we would not be who we have become Paul’s intent. We are not to think ourselves better than others, but be willing online.) with God’s help. We have learned to However we interpret this verse, it to associate with people of low station, or to share in menial labor (“give your- must suggest the idea of overcoming evil in purpose through letting our life be a with good. That instruction frames the channel of blessing to others. selves to lowly tasks” is an alternate translation). entire job description, which begins with the instruction to avoid evil and do good Relationships take work (v. 9), and concludes with the charge to (vv. 14-21) when relating to people who act toward overcome evil with good (v. 21). While vv. 9-13 seem primarily focused teaching (Matt. 5:44-47 and Luke 6:27- on the Christian community, vv. 14-21 28), Paul insists that believers should believers. As we commit ourselves to look beyond the church to the broader “bless those who persecute you; bless showing genuine love to others, to over- society, including people who don’t like and do not curse” (v. 14). It is tempting coming evil by doing good, we may just us, who make our lives miserable, or to repay evil with evil, but followers of who we might consider to be beneath Jesus should “be careful to do what is we never knew before. our station. right” (v. 17), to answer evil with good. Here is our job description. Let’s As the hallmark of life in the It is a very natural thing for us to get to work! BT

LESSON FOR AUGUST 31, 2014 | 29 Classiﬁeds In the Know

Senior Pastor: is pastor of Riverside Church retired June 30 as coordinator for in New York City, coming from Calvary the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, a position Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. he held for 16 years. Earlier he served with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and as a pastor. is pastor of First Baptist Church He is the author of Building Bridges During of Greenville, S.C. He previously served the Interim: A Workbook for Congregational Highland Hills Baptist Church in Macon, Leaders (2012, Nurturing Faith). BT Ga. Shine , aCertiﬁed Fund Raising Sunday school curriculum! Shine: Living Executive (CFRE) with more than 28 in God’s Light years of ministry experience, is director of development for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Since 2002, he had served as executive associate pastor at Tabernacle shinecurriculum.com. Baptist Church in Carrollton, Ga. - From Faith BOOKS

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“When I was a child selling postcards to the change from that to tourists, I never thought I would childhood to becoming write a book. Being raised in the director of the Domari Center Gypsy culture was like a movie with gave me an incentive to tell my sweet parts mixed with painful times. story and show the world what it In my childlike thinking, I had no is like to be a Gypsy woman.” idea how that drama would continue or how it would end. Looking back —From the memoirs of Amoun Sleem Orders: nurturingfaith.info

30 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger

The ‘real housewives’ of the Old Testament

he promo for the new reality series fatale betrays her country to help a couple of begins, “Compared to this cast, The spies who know their way around the red-light T Real Housewives of Orange County, district. Freewheeling Rahab tells the police she Beverly Hills, and Atlanta might as well live in just kissed the strangers good-bye and, if they Mayberry.” hurry, they can probably still catch them.

Eve: Being the only woman in the world Ruth: After her first husband dies, this hope- seems simple, but this forbidden fruit has no less romantic begins a new chapter in her life choice but to keep falling into the same clue- by catching the eye of a wealthy farmer. Boaz less arms. The playful temptress avoids some is long in the tooth, and interethnic marriages complications — no mother-in-law, no old are tough. So, he is amazed when the impish flames, no other woman wearing her dress to a enchantress “comes softly and uncovers his feet party. Then a serpent shows up, an epic fling, and lays herself down.” and Eve ends up rivaling Snow White as a cautionary tale against eating apples. Jezebel: Parents who name their daughter Jezebel are asking for trouble. The Phoenician Sarah: This vivacious vixen is such a hottie princess walks all over her puny husband that her shabby, self-serving husband tries to Ahab, king of Israel. Even when this danger- pass her off as his gorgeous sister for fear that ous woman loses a contest with a prophet, someone will take him out. The brazen beauty she does so in spectacular fireworks fashion. is desperate to have children. Sarah gets so what was in store for him, Jacob would have When Ahab wants a vineyard, ruthless Jezebel upset. she comes up with a reckless plan. cried first. His slimy father-in-law tricks him arranges for the owner’s demise. The queen into working 14 years for a dowry. ends up being thrown from a palace balcony Hagar: When Sarah suggests that her and eaten by dogs. husband sleep with the Egyptian maid, the Leah: Rachel’s dad forgets to tell Jacob that he … ill-advised strategy leads to disaster for the has to marry the sister with the good personal- You might think that compared to these stars, underemployed beauty. Hagar has a baby ity. On the morning after the wedding, Jacob the rest of the cast would be dull, but you boy and the nerve to smile about it. The tells her he wishes her little sister had come on would be wrong: two women go Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya the honeymoon. Leah cavorts with mandrakes High-spirited hammers a tent peg Harding. Even if the boss’ wife says it is OK to (plants that promise fertility and are shaped so through a foreign general’s skull. sleep with the boss, it is not. as to cause middle school boys to giggle) and , determined to have it all on gets even by having the most children (six sons her own terms, becomes a judge in a court in Rebekah: Sarah’s son Isaac spots the high- and a daughter, not the easiest way to win). which women cannot be witnesses. spirited Rebekah and has his pick-up line , relentless in pursuing what she ready. “Please offer your jar that I may drink.” Tamar: This cheeky siren is known for her wants, uses her feminine wiles to destroy a hunk. She responds like a saucy minx. “Drink and I skill in the art of seduction. When her first two wins the Miss Persia contest and will water your camels.” Ooh la la. She runs husbands die and her ex-father-in-law will not surrounds herself with palace intrigue. off with a stranger to start a family, but her order his third son to marry her, Tamar thinks marries Hosea even though she twin sons make Cain and Abel look like Bert outside the box. She dresses as a prostitute, is Kim Kardashian tying the knot with T.D. and Ernie. This manipulative mother deceives covers her face, seduces her father-in-law, and Jakes. her aged husband and betrays her firstborn steals his signet ring. Several months later … with unwashed gym clothes and homemade when it’s obvious that this single lady is preg- The resilient women of the Old rabbit stew. nant, Judah orders Tamar to be burned. As Testament left behind amazing legacies. In a they prepare to light the briquettes, she reveals culture that treated women like property, these Rachel: Don’t hate her because she is beauti- Judah’s conniving ways. females refused to be kept down. Not much is ful. This sassy, flirty Angelina Jolie entices more real than that. BT Jacob just by watering her sheep. In a moment Rahab: This serious career woman also has a of macho bravado he lifts the heavy stone well- rich social life. She lives in a tavern frequented —Brett Younger is associate professor of preaching cover, steals a kiss, and cries. If he had known by men untroubled by scruples. The femme at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology.

31 Baptist theology

f theology is thinking about God, then every Kimball is an expert on Islam who once had facto a prescription that they believe it. Baptist has a theology. This article is the the extraordinary experience of being asked by A good example of this is the work of I first in a series of six articles about Baptist the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran to talk to him Frank Stagg. His book New Testament Theology academic theology found in books and articles about Jesus. is the product of careful biblical scholarship written since 1950 by pastor-theologians and Mark Heim has written three books about wedded to the author’s passionate concern lay theologians as well as by professors of other religions. In the third, The Depth of the about social and personal morality. It is an theology. Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends, account of New Testament teachings, but it is he makes the fascinating suggestion that the also a call to live in the way of Jesus. BRIDGE THEOLOGIES claims of the world religions about salvation Stagg also advocated for particular causes. may all be true because, even though they seem His concern for racial justice is evident in his Across the centuries the principal conversa- to be mutually exclusive, the religions under- groundbreaking commentary on Acts in which tion partner for Christian theology has been stand salvation very differently. Buddhists may he argued persuasively that the principal barri- philosophy. That continues to be true for many be right that the Eightfold Noble Path leads to ers the church had to surmount in its struggle academic theologians today, but sometimes Nirvana, and Christians may also be right that for an unhindered gospel were racial rather theologians engage in dialogue with other disci- redemption leads to everlasting communion than geographical. He and his wife Evelyn plines. During our era three of those disciplines with the Holy Trinity. wrote a book titled Woman in the World of Jesus were science, other religions and literature. advocating for a change in women’s role in the church and society. Baptists such as Paul Fiddes, John Killinger In building bridges between theology and sci- and Ralph Wood have made contributions to ence, practicing scientists naturally possess the study of relationships between theology Baptists have excelled at the academic discipline special authority. At least three scientists who and literature. of church history, especially at interpreting are or have been Baptists have made important their own history and theology. Two outstand- contributions to this field. ADVOCACY THEOLOGIES ing examples are the “Makers of the Modern Charles Townes received the Nobel Prize Theological Mind” series and the “Studies in Theologians sometimes advocate for particu- for work that led to lasers. Sir John Houghton Baptist History and Thought” series. lar causes. For example, J. Deotis Roberts is co-chair of the scientific assessment work- Baptist systematic theologians usually advocated for black theology in his 1971 book ing group of the Intergovernmental Panel on make use of historical theology in their work. Liberation and Reconciliation, and Will D. Climate Change that received a Nobel Prize During the past six decades this was done in a Campbell did the same in his 1972 book Race for its work. He is the author of The Search for very detailed and authoritative way by James and the Renewal of the Church. God: Can Science Help? Leo Garrett in his two-volume work, Systematic Jann Aldredge-Clanton advocated for Francis Collins is a convert from agnosti- Theology. cism who during his years as a Baptist directed feminist theology in her 1991 book In Whose

the largest scientific research project in his- Image? God and Gender. Miguel A. de la Torre tory: the Human Genome Project. Now the advocated for Hispanic moral theology in Director of the National Institutes of Health, his 2010 book Latino/a Social Ethics: Although many Baptists have been interested he has written a book about science and theol- Moving Beyond Eurocentric Moral Thinking. in philosophy of religion, only a few have ogy titled The Language of God. written philosophical theologies. Eric Rust, an English Baptist, taught at THEOLOGICAL DISCIPLINES Langdon Gilkey probably has been the the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Academic theology embraces several distinct most influential Baptist doing philosophi- in the mid-20th century when Karl Barth’s disciplines including biblical, historical, philo- cal theology. His books include Naming the influence was discouraging theologians from sophical, moral and pastoral theology as well as Whirlwind and Message and Existence. exploring relationships between theology and systematic theology. Another Baptist philosophical theo- science. Eric Rust rowed against that current logian is Kenneth Cauthen, whose major and wrote repeatedly and wisely about science work is titled Systematic Theology: A Protestant and theology. Perspective. In some circles, biblical theology is purely descriptive — simply displaying what is in the Bible. For Baptists the situation is more com- Harvey Cox wrote about the relationship plicated. Because Baptists are so serious about In the period we are considering, Baptists who between Christianity and other religions having the Bible as their Holy Book, a descrip- have written at length about moral theology in his 1988 book Many Mansions. Charles tion of the Bible’s theological content is ipso and social ethics include Henlee Barnette,

32 T.B. Maston, Anna Robbins, R.E.O. White, theology contribute meaningfully to the lives Glen Stassen, David Gushee and Dallas of Christians who desire to understand their Willard. There are many others. faith better. Out of many such books written Some Baptists who have been influential by Baptists in the past six decades I will men- in public life have written about moral issues. tion just two. Three who have had enormous influence are In the U.S., most Baptist academic theo- Al Gore on the moral issues involved in global logians teach in Baptist schools. Dallas Roark warming, Jimmy Carter on human rights, and is an exception in that he was teaching at Martin Luther King Jr. on civil rights and the Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia war in Viet Nam. State University) when he wrote The Christian In terms of influence on public policy, Faith: An Introduction to Christian Thought. King may have been the most influential Because Roark was in a state school it is Baptist theologian of the 20th century. not surprising that, in addition to chapters A milestone in Baptist ethics was reached on the usual theological topics, he began with the publication in 2003 of David Gushee with two chapters whose titles are: “Why and Glen Stassen’s 500-page Kingdom Ethics: Believe in God?” and “Why Christianity of Following Jesus in Contemporary Context. They All Religions?” In his book Roark made an use Jesus’ teaching, especially the Sermon on important theological proposal, namely, that the Mount, as their principal criterion for the diverse biblical accounts of the meaning making ethical judgments. of Jesus’ atoning work can all be expressed in This has been done in monographs writ- terms of the new covenant. ten by other Baptists such as Tony Campolo Bruce Milne, a Scot, wrote a winsome (Red Letter Christians), but, so far as I’m aware, introduction titled Know the Truth. This this is the first time it has been done in a com- book is unusual because British Baptists, prehensive textbook of Christian ethics. unlike Baptists in the U.S., do not often write introductions to theology. Milne has taught theology in London and served as a pastor in In the discipline of pastoral theology also, Vancouver. Baptists have done important work. Even His book is gently Reformed and contains today, 15 years after his death, Wayne Oates a strong apologetic component. Apparently he remains a towering figure in this field. Oates is a well-wisher but a bystander of the charis- coined the word “workaholic,” which seems matic movement. fitting: he wrote 57 books. Baptists have created a sub-category of The lines between these five kinds of introductions to theology, namely, surveys of theology sometimes get blurred. For example, distinctive Baptist beliefs such as freedom of some books dealing with suffering and faith conscience. In his book More Than Just a Name, are simultaneously biblical, historical, moral, R. Stanton Norman lists about 25 such books philosophical and pastoral. This is evident written in the past six decades. A splendid in three fine books on this subject written by example is We Baptists published by the Baptist Warren McWilliams: The Suffering of God, World Alliance. When You Walk through the Fire and Where Is Books such as these help to provide a the God of Justice? sense of identity for Baptists. On the other hand, some readers may mistakenly assume that the distinctively Baptist beliefs are more SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY important than the beliefs that Baptists hold Systematic theology is theology written in an in common with all Christians, which isn’t the orderly manner to commend traditional and/or case. Faith in Jesus Christ is more important original theological ideas to readers. From now than faith in baptism by immersion. on I will use the word “theology” to refer to Next month we’ll begin with theology systematic theology. textbooks. BT Theology books tend to be of three kinds: introductions, textbooks and monographs. —Fisher Humphreys is professor of divinity, emeritus, of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. This series is a revision of By mediating between church members and part of a longer article titled “Baptist Theology the sometimes inaccessible writings of aca- since 1950” published in Baptist History and demic theologians, introductions to Christian Heritage (Fall 2013) and used by permission.

33 Ask the Theologian: Part 2

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — At the April meeting of the Board of Directors of Baptists Today, editor John Pierce posed questions to theologian Fisher Humphreys during a session titled “Ask the theologian.”

The wide-ranging questions were submit- John and Paul, did settle on one particular ted by those who serve on the board with response as the fundamental response to God. Humphreys. His responses appear here in print It was the response of faith. We often overlook (as the second entry in a series) as well as in how highly original this was. full on video at baptiststoday.org. The New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann wrote: “In Christianity, for the first QUESTION from David Hull, pastor of First time, ‘faith’ became the prevailing term for Baptist Church of Huntsville, Ala.: man’s relation to the divine; in Christianity, FH: It’s natural for us to think of God’s judg- but not before it, ‘faith’ came to be understood When we read about the judgment in Matt. ment as terrifying. The covenant people in the as the attitude which through and through 25:31-46, it seems that the Lord will judge us biblical era did, too, but they also had another governs the life of the religious man.” based on our works, such as feeding, welcoming, understanding of judgment. They knew that in In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus’ teach- clothing and visiting. People are divided into our world judgment is always happening. ing doesn’t include much emphasis on faith. eternal reward and eternal punishment based Someone is always judging, making dis- Presumably such an emphasis would not have on what they had done. How do we square that criminations, ordering the way things are. And been an effective way for Jesus to carry out with a passage like Eph. 2:8-10 which tells us they knew that those who are doing the judg- his work. His work was directed primarily to that our salvation is “by grace through faith … ing are doing it badly, unjustly. So they looked Israel. Believing in God was not a problem for not the result of works”? Justice and grace are forward to a time when God would judge the Jesus’ contemporaries; they already did that. important themes of these passages, but how do world. Their problem was that many of them we live with the tension of both of them related They knew that God’s judgments will be misunderstood their responsibilities as God’s to our salvation? just, and God will order the world the way it covenant people. Jesus’s work was to help is supposed to be. An example of this positive them understand those responsibilities. He FH: Across the centuries human beings have side of God’s judgment is Isaiah’s famous vision was doing that in his teaching about the final made many different kinds of responses to their of the peaceable kingdom (Isa. 11:4). judgment. gods. They sing, they worship, they build tem- Judgment is just when it rewards those I think it is unlikely that in that teach- ples, they obey the gods’ commands, and so on. who are good and punishes those who are bad. ing Jesus intended to be dismissive of faith. I My favorite example is Pythagoras, the But judgment is about more than retribu- expect it is more likely that he intended to be Greek thinker who originated the theorem tion. It is also about protecting the powerless, critical of faith that does not produce works. about triangles. He taught that the gods want reforming the wrong-doers, healing the cov- In summary, we all begin with faith, us to abstain from eating white beans. enant community, and setting the world right. with trust in God to be our God and to show Modern evangelists like Billy Graham Judgment is a morally serious idea. us mercy. And we all believe in good works place great emphasis on the response we The stories of Israel in the Old Testament because we know that faith without works is should make to God, our decision for Christ. follow a pattern: God makes a covenant with dead (Jas. 2:17). The earliest Christians did not do that. They the people / the people break the covenant / emphasized what God had done in Christ God punishes the people / the people repent / QUESTION from Cynthia Wise, lay rather than our responses to God’s work. God makes a covenant with the people. leader in Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in They were flexible about our response. At In this pattern, the last word is never Birmingham, Ala.: various times they called it repentance, faith, punishment; the last word is God’s covenant. confession and baptism. I think it’s wise for us How do you understand judgment, punish- Today we say the same thing: punishment to retain some of the flexibility of the earliest ment/discipline both in this world and the should be restorative as well as retributive. Christians. next? How do you think about it in connec- In Romans 7 Paul writes that sin is not Two of the writers of the New Testament, tion with those who are agnostic or atheists? just something we do that is wrong. It is an evil force that enslaves us, and it is destructive

“Judgment is about more than retribution. It is also about protecting the powerless, reforming the wrong-doers, healing the covenant community, and setting the world right.”

34 “When you hear someone say, ‘No one can believe that today,’ you are hearing someone who isn’t paying attention to our world.”

of our lives. It is because God loves us that Old Testament pattern of covenant / sin / pun- There are other possibilities. Jesus may God opposes the sin that is destroying us. ishment / repentance / covenant will continue have been a good man who made a mistake An English theologian, P. T. Forsyth, said to be repeated until everyone is in the covenant. in thinking he was the Son of God, or he may that only if God cares enough to condemn our I have three friends who are atheists. I try have been a good man who never thought that sin does God care enough to save us. to take their concerns seriously and to respond himself but his followers thought it about him The question is: In the life to come, to them as well as I can. after his death. I wouldn’t use that argument. does divine judgment on sin continue to be I think that for some of them their unbe- Of course, we Christians believe that restorative? lief is not morally culpable. I think they are Jesus was more than a good man and a teacher Before I try to respond, I want to point conscientiously trying to know the truth, and I of morality and religion. We believe he was out that in our increasingly secular society, feel sure God respects that conscientiousness. uniquely related to God. anyone who affirms the life to come is already I do hope they will arrive at a tipping In Paul’s words, he was declared to be the a person of faith. point where the light dawns and they see the Son of God with power by the resurrection There are several views about what glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus. In (Rom. 1:4). In John’s words, he was the Word happens in the life to come. the meantime, we keep on talking. of God Incarnate and the only-begotten Son of One is that everyone will be saved; there God. In the words of the Nicene Creed, he was is no punishment in the afterlife. This is QUESTION from Roger Paynter, pastor of true God and true man. We believe that it was universalism. First Baptist Church of Austin, Texas: because he was uniquely related to God that he Another is that some will be saved and was able to save the world. In an age of “spiritual but not religious,” others punished eternally in the afterlife. This The question is, “Can modern people there are many folks in my community who is the traditional view. genuinely feel a connection to God but have accept all this?” The answer is: “Of course they A third view is that in the afterlife many no place for Jesus other than a good role can.” will be saved and others will be punished, but model. What is the importance of Jesus to the Hundreds of millions of them do. There only temporarily. Following their punishment, modern-day seeker? are about 7,160,000,000 people in the world. they may be saved (this is the purgatorial view About 2,375,000,000 of these are Christians. of punishment) — or they may cease to exist FH: Jesus is probably the most famous person Even if 200 million or 300 million of the (this is annihilationism). who ever lived. John Lennon said the Beatles Christians have a deficient understanding of All of these proposals seem unsatisfactory to were more famous than Jesus, and maybe for a Jesus, more than 2 billion are committed to the me because they all seem to over-reach, to involve while they were, but I expect Jesus has the title traditional understandings of Jesus. speculation about a state of affairs, the afterlife, again now. When you hear someone say “No one can which none of us has yet experienced. So I feel it’s And Jesus is one of the most respected believe that today,” you are hearing someone best to say, “We don’t choose any of these.” people in the world. For many Buddhists, Jesus who isn’t paying attention to our world. But there are some things that we can say was a bodhisattva. For Muslims he was a great Of course, what Walter Lippmann called and that we should say, I think. prophet of God. For many Hindus such as “the acids of modernity” are continuing to do One is that God is going to do what is Gandhi, Jesus was a great religious teacher. For their corrosive work in the lives of many of right. God is not vindictive. God is not filled enlightenment thinkers like Thomas Jefferson, these people. We need to take this seriously, with hatred and rage toward people. God will he was a great moral thinker. but we don’t need to worry. do what is right. I think we should welcome these positive Jesus is still drawing people to himself. Another is that God takes our lives seri- attitudes toward Jesus. They don’t say every- What we need to do is to love people and to ously and we should too. What we do here and thing about him, but they are true as far as tell them the good news. The gospel is still the now has an effect on us then and there. they go. power of God unto salvation. BT Another is that from the beginning God’s We should remember that we also don’t purpose has never wavered. God is creating a say all that needs to be said about Jesus. —Fisher Humphreys of Birmingham, Ala., community of persons who freely choose to Whatever any of us is able to say about Jesus has written several books on theology includ- love God with all their hearts and to love their in a positive way can serve as a foundation on ing Thinking About God: An Introduction to neighbors as themselves. I believe that God which to build a fuller understanding. Christian Theology, The Way We Were: How will continue to pursue that purpose until it is There is an ancient argument that runs Southern Baptist Theology Has Changed and carried to completion. like this: Because Jesus claimed to be God’s What It Means To Us All, Fundamentalism It would be over-reaching to claim to know Son, either he was God or he was not a good (with Philip Wise) and God So Loved the that everyone will be saved, but surely we may man. It’s a popular argument, and it’s well- World: Traditional Baptists and Calvinism hope that will happen. We may hope that the intentioned, but I think it’s false. (with Paul Robertson).

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series sponsored by an endowment gift from the William H. Whitsitt Baptist Heritage Society to help carry on the former society’s mission to advance understanding of historic Baptist principles. Deconstructing, reconstructing soul freedom

Walter Shurden’s 1993 book, The Baptist conscience was understood on an intellectual From this perspective, anything related to level. The freedom of conscience was differ- the idea of “truth” becomes integrally related Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms, articulated entiated from the freedom of the will, which to Mullins’ understanding of soul competency. Baptist identity in terms of Bible free- served as the “ability to choose the good, and Concurrently arising with Mullins’ eschew the evil, or to choose the evil, and understanding of soul competency was Walter dom, soul freedom, church freedom refuse the good.” Rauschenbusch’s emphasis on “personal and religious freedom. Freedom of conscience operated in the experience.” province of thought, which related to action Within the Protestant liberal tradition of hile many individuals within mod- and praxis, but remained separate. In this Fredrick Schleiermacher, “experience” rather erate and progressive Baptist life can way, freedom of conscience was inherently than “truth” became the important factor in W generally agree on these principles, individualistic as it related to the thought of how the individual related to the divine. The it seems that “soul freedom” may perhaps be individuals. idea of experience stood against the mental the most fragile of our “Baptist distinctives.” Despite this individualistic nature, con- religious requirements of memorization and This fragility arises from the numerous histori- science did remain a source of justification for recitation. cal expressions of this distinctive. actions of the will — For Rauschenbusch, “when the mental Shurden conveys this elusive characteristic either individualistic or exercise of memoriter recitation is made the of Baptist identity, but he collapses a number communal. This under- test for admission to the Church and its sacra- of historical perspectives on this distinc- standing of conscience is ment, personal experience is supplanted by tive into a singular “soul freedom.” Unlike directly related to indi- something totally different and inferior.” the other freedoms verbalized in this work, vidual thought and belief. Experience existed outside of the realm of “soul freedom” has historically been commu- In the early 20th mental and cerebral religious understanding. nicated in a number of different yet related century, E.Y. Mullins Christians, and specifically Baptists, did not fit ways revolving around the ideas of “thought,” articulated this rela- neatly into a definition of beliefs and doctrines “truth,” “experience” and “imago Dei.” tionship between the because faith was something experienced on a Similar to a rubber band, these articu- individual and God personal level. lations stretch — and speak to our shared through the term “soul competency.” In his Because experience, something inher- humanity and how we as humans relate to God. 1908 The Axioms of Religion, Mullins explained ently subjective, served as the criteria for The earliest articulations of this relation- the distinctive as “Man has a capacity for God, evaluating an individual’s relationship with ship between the individual and God appear in and God can communicate with man.” the divine, Rauschenbusch explained that the some of the confessions written by early 17th- Writing in response to more community had the responsibility to hear and century Baptists Thomas Helwys hierarchical understandings of verify individual experience. He suggested and John Smyth. Christianity — specifically Roman the community may ask about one’s conver- Helwys and Smyth Catholicism — Mullins believed sion, calling, encounters of the divine, or even used the term “con- that humanity was competent to doctrinal beliefs in order to confirm a personal science” to convey how relate to the divine, and the divine experience. the individual related to to humanity without the necessity The community probes and helps the indi- God. The use of conscience of some type of intermediary. vidual to refine and articulate his or her personal specifically addressed this This understanding of experience through Socratic experimentation. In divine/human relationship in soul competency was also con- so doing, individuals “enrich and broaden” their the context of an overarching textualized within the height own faiths through listening to the experiences civil government. of modernism. Because of of others. For Rauschenbusch, “experience” According to the 1612 modernist influences, soul became the distinct characterization of how the confession, Propositions and competency was completely individual relates to God. Conclusions Concerning True linked to an objective under- Finally, soul freedom has become the more Religion, “the magistrate is not standing of “truth.” modern articulation of this Baptist distinctive by virtue of his office to meddle According to Mullins, every advance regarding the way humanity relates to God. with religion, or matters of conscience, to force within society speaks to soul competency. He Baptist religious liberty advocate James Dunn or compel men to this or that form of religion, contended, “Every significant movement of our has become the figurehead for this expression. or doctrine.” day is one form or another of that high pur- (See Aaron Weaver’s James M. Dunn and Soul It is important to recognize that pose of man to make his way back to God.” Freedom).

36 Dunn articulates soul freedom through an from one another. capacity to think about the divine, to grasp understanding of Imago Dei. In this way, indi- These articulations revolving around concepts of truth and to experience God. viduals relate to God because individuals are “Thought,” “Truth,” “Experience” and “Imago Even despite the reality of sin, to be created in the image of God. Dei,” are different explanations for how human means to be created in the image of Critics have suggested that Dunn’s humanity is able to relate to the divine. Each, God. understanding of soul freedom is inherently however, points to something that is believed The fragility of this freedom is compli- individualistic. But this is a drastic misinterpre- to be inherently part of what it means to be cated by many questions.Negotiating these tation of Dunn’s articulation of soul freedom. human. questions is important, but they generally For him, “The overriding fact about Humanity is capable of thinking and misunderstand that “soul freedom” and other [humanity] is our oneness.” Humankind must making decisions related to belief. Humanity articulations of this distinctive are about be seen as a singular entity in which all indi- is capable of discerning truth. Humanity can human nature. viduals are a part. experience the divine. Humanity is created in Questions regarding shared communal In this sense, soul freedom shatters any the image of God. belief and practice are important. Questions notion of individualism through emphasiz- These are not articulations of something raised by attempting to understand what it ing the birth of humanity from a central and that is foreign to our persons. Instead, part of means to have freedom in Christ are impor- singular deity. Individuals have the ability to our humanity means that we can relate to the tant. But even before we get to these questions, relate to God because they see both themselves divine at the least cerebrally. we have soul freedom. and others as created in the image of God. Critics of this particular approach to We have soul freedom because we are Universal human rights become the natu- freedom have misinterpreted this distinctive as creations of a divine creator, and not only this ral outgrowth of this concept of soul freedom something that is affective in nature. Soul free- but we are creations made in the image of this that envelops the oneness of God and created dom is not inherently an affective distinctive. divine creator. BT beings. Soul freedom allows the individual to It is an ontological distinctive with affective relate to God, because the individual looks like implications. —Andrew Gardner, a native of Yorktown, Va., God. It is about being and not necessarily and a graduate of The College of William and Each of these articulations of this complex doing. This distinction explains what it means Mary, is a student at Wake Forest Baptist distinctive is different and yet similar to be human. To be human means to have the School of Divinity.

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37 Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

lthough June’s victory in the Battle of Cold Harbor offered a brief reprise, the A ill fortunes of the Confederacy are now in a free fall. The tenuous nature of the South is such that the Confederacy offers to negoti- ate for peace in Canada. Negotiations do take place, but Confederate officials refuse Lincoln’s conditions of restoring the Union and abolish- ing black slavery. Meanwhile, Confederate Gen. Jubal Early, trying to relieve pressure on the Confederate capital of Richmond, attempts an unsuccessful invasion of Washington, D.C. In Georgia, Confederate forces, having for more than two months been pressed ever further southward toward Atlanta, are defeated on July 22 in the Battle of Atlanta near Decatur. The city does 150 years ago and offers of mercy under their feet. not fall at this time, but it now seems inevi- ! And the number of these is not small. table that Atlanta will be captured by Union Let those who think that our armies are forces. July 1864 all, or nearly all, converted to God, go At the same time, the Battle of Petersburg among them in their regiments, or along continues as Union forces attempt to cut our public highway, and they will soon Richmond’s supply lines. The battle is so Elder Mason has also organized the be convinced that, notwithstanding so spread out that some soldiers do not know how “Christian Association of Waterhouse’s much has been done, there remains yet the fighting is going. Thomas Cheney of the Brigade,” composed of the members of the much, very much more, to be done. First New Hampshire Voluntary Light Battery different denominations, who, laying aside and a member of the First Free Baptist Church, all sectarian prejudices, have convened Southern white piousness aside, the thou- Manchester, N.H., writes his brother, revealing at the altar to worship God, and do all sands of former slaves who are Baptists and are how little he knows: they can for the promotion of the much now wearing the Union blue know that spiri- neglected cause of Christ. Committees are tuality and the gospel cannot be detached from … up around the City of Petersburg appointed from the different regiments, human freedom. In Virginia and Georgia and there is almost continual fireing, and whose duties are to visit the sick and pro- beyond they fight for freedom for all blacks, Occasionaly it is very heavey, what it is cure every possible comfort for them… enjoying the support of most white Baptists of for or what is being done there I have the North. At the same time, freed persons of to get from the Papers the same as you South Carolina Baptists also celebrate the Baptist faith on the home front enjoy and cele- do. successes, and acknowledge the challenges, of brate freedom of worship in a revival atmosphere, Baptist army missions: their congregations growing and prospering in As the Confederacy reels from setback fol- Union-controlled areas of the South. lowing setback, Lincoln and the United States We have found that the more our breth- The Fourth of July serves as a snapshot of are growing increasingly confident that vic- ren have gone among these men, the racial and regional Baptist moods this month. tory is inevitable. Amid growing optimism the more they are anxious to preach to them While free black Baptists join Baptists of the U.S. repeals the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act that the saving truths of the Gospel. They North at large in enthusiastic celebration of the mandated the return of escaped slaves to their find among them the same classes we holiday, most of their white Baptist counterparts masters and had remained in effect for slaves of have at home — the young and the old, in the South have little enthusiasm for observ- Union loyalists in the Border States. the learned and the unlearned, the good ing the anniversary of the U.S. Declaration Most white Baptists of the South, and the bad. Here are the same hard- of Independence, a document that long ago however, still refuse to acknowledge the hearted, careless, godless sinners, who declared “all men are created equal.” BT wrongfulness of black slavery. Focusing on care neither for God nor regard man, spirituality rather than social justice, Texas who profane His holy name, who violate —Bruce Gourley is executive director of the Baptists celebrate the ecumenical work of one His Sabbaths, who despise His laws, Baptist History & Heritage Society. of their own, army missionary W.A. Mason, as and who count even the blood of Christ For a daily log of “This Day in Civil War reported in one newspaper: an unholy thing, and trample His grace History,” see civilwarbaptists.com.

38 Religion News Service Untethered Nearing 90, Carter’s post-presidential legacy continues to build

WASHINGTON — There was Jimmy “I have become convinced that the most Wake Forest Divinity School, said of Carter. serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge “He’s very realistic. He’s very direct about Carter the president, Jimmy Carter the is the deprivation and abuse of women and what he thinks should be done, but under- Habitat home builder and now what girls, largely caused by a false interpreta- neath that is what I would call this Baptist tion of carefully selected religious texts and a progressivism.” you might call Jimmy Carter 3.0: inter- growing tolerance of violence and warfare,” Timothy George, dean of Samford national advocate for women’s rights. Carter wrote in his new book, A Call to Action: University’s Beeson Divinity School, was sorry Women, Religion, Violence and Power. to see Carter leave the SBC and thought his s he nears 90 and the twilight of his Carter, of course, is no stranger to reli- emphasis on the differing views on women was public career, scholars are taking gious controversies. He famously broke ties “out of proportion.” But George, one of the A yet another look at Carter, a Baptist with the Southern Baptist Convention after it more conservative Baptists who agreed to meet Sunday school teacher who continues to find called for women to submit to their husbands with Carter before he left the SBC, respects ways to use his four years in the Oval Office as the former president for his attempts to bring a springboard for his faith-fueled passions. Baptists together and his efforts to eradicate The Nobel Peace Prize winner is now overlooked tropical diseases such as Guinea more free to pursue his global crusade than worm. he ever was as president, says Randall Balmer, “He’s done so many wonderful things in author of the new biography, Redeemer: The his humanitarian role, which grows out of his Life of Jimmy Carter. faith,” George said of the projects promoted “Religion always functions best at the through the Atlanta-based Carter Center. margins of society and not in the councils of Carter also has not given up on his belief power, and I think Jimmy Carter’s career illus- that Baptists can bridge racial and theologi- trates that beautifully,” said Balmer, chair of cal divides for the common good. Working Dartmouth College’s religion department and with the Atlanta-based Cooperative Baptist a noted scholar of American evangelicals. Fellowship and other Baptist groups, this sum- “He doesn’t have to worry about getting mer he is highlighting “covenants of action,” the approval from Congress on an initiative in the next stage of the New Baptist Covenant he Africa on river blindness. He’s not tethered by began almost a decade ago. political considerations any longer.” So far, there are five pilot interracial proj- Perhaps it’s the age of Obama that has - ects of Baptists from local congregations from Washington PostA Call to prompted a reassessment in some quarters of Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power” Georgia to Texas working on issues such as the ex-president with the wide toothy grin, predatory lending and literacy. when progressive Democrats like Carter and The people who share Sundays with him Lyndon Johnson are cast in a softer, more and not be pastors. Men who feel they are at his home church in Plains, Ga., say none of sympathetic light. Or maybe it’s growing nos- superior to women, he said, can find a Bible Carter’s current work strays from the faith he talgia for a distant era when politics seemed verse “here or there” that might legitimize their has long embraced. more decent, less dysfunctional. Or maybe it’s belief. “What he teaches on Sunday he lives because Carter just won’t slow down, drawing But he prefers to focus on the example of seven days a week,” said Jan Williams, a praise for his humanitarian work even from his Jesus. member of Maranatha Baptist Church, which critics. “It would be a fruitless search to look attracts hundreds of visitors when the former Though unsuccessful in securing rati- through the Scriptures and find one single president is in town — and just dozens when fication of the Equal Rights Amendment as instance where Jesus did not treat women he’s not. president, Carter has emerged as an advocate either equal or superior to men,” he said at a Jeremy Shoulta, Carter’s new pastor at against the abuse of women across the world. recent forum at The Washington Post. Maranatha, likewise sees Carter’s faith in Jesus’ From the chair next to late-night talk show Historian Bill Leonard compared Carter’s teachings in the scope of his post-presidential host David Letterman to the halls of the faith-based commitment to human rights to life. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, he can discuss Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership on civil “I don’t see someone who has sort of a the intricacies of female genital mutilation and rights. compartmentalized faith, where sometimes you the high rates of sexual abuse of women at uni- “There’s this strong head and heart in see it here and then you look and, well, it’s not versities and in the military. him,” Leonard, professor of church history at there,” the pastor said. BT

39 NURTURING FAITH EXPERIENCE montana august" 18-23, 2014

his “experimental experience” in Big Sky Country, MONDAY —,AUGUST 18 Aug. 18-23, will be a unique retreat opportunity. While addressing key issues impacting congrega- someone’s ﬂight is delayed, transportation will still be provided. T tional ministry today, the group also will shape a model and overview of plans for future events in Montana. Sponsors include Baptists Today, Baptist History TUESDAY —,AUGUST 19 and Heritage Society and The Pittman Center of Gardner-Webb University. Programming will make good use of the many talents within the group as well as leaders in Montana. WEDNESDAY —,AUGUST 20 COST $1,200 (based on double occupancy) and includes: THURSDAY —,AUGUST 21 side trip National Park FRIday —,AUGUST 22 LODGING side trip SATURDAY —,AUGUST 23 room throughout the week, please add $250. (Please make departing ﬂights for noon or later.) REMINDER optional activities.

To secure a spot, please send the $1,200 registration fee to Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 marked as “NF Montana.” questions?, Email [email protected] Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org Revising the offering envelope By John Pierce an exhaustive (though maybe exhausting) expression of weekly Christian faithfulness. But ow is faithfulness defined or measured? perhaps some other “points” should have been Can one’s commitments be counted? If added, such as: so, which ones? H Some churchgoers of a particular generation Loved my neighbor (who’s a $$%^^&#**) or two remember the six-point offering envelopes T reated people fairly this week regardless of that called one into account for certain actions Therefore, Christian faithfulness was race and social status considered to be evidence of faithfulness. marked by presence, punctuality, bringing a Late to church because I stopped to help a After placing one’s tithe and/or offering in daily-read Bible and money to church, studying stranded mother and child a rectangular envelope, a good church member the Sunday school lesson (likely while polishing Paid the utility bills for my neighbor who lost would check the little boxes printed on the front shoes on Saturday night during The Lawrence his job as an indication of faithfulness. Welk Show), and not slipping out before the Took a vacation day to build a wheelchair With variations, the envelope would sermon to attend a family reunion or to get an ramp T utored some challenged kids after school include some combination of (mostly) these: early start on a Sunday drive. Stood up to my co-worker’s racist rants Some envelopes even graded faithfulness Gave my work bonus to disaster relief Present — with lesson preparation counting 30 percent and giving an offering at 10 percent. (What On Time The list could go on and on — as does the were they thinking?) Bible Brought call to Christian faithfulness. Most envelopes asked about the “Contacts” Accountability is good. However, care must Bible Read Daily one had made during the previous week — be taken against narrowing the measurements of Offering with varied specificity. Visits, letters and phone faithfulness so much that the most challenging Lesson Studied calls might be listed separately and then added aspects of following Jesus are missed. Preaching (or Worship Attendance) together as “Total Contacts” on behalf of the In fact, Jesus called for a two-point system: Contacts church and the Kingdom. Love God with all of your being and your All of these are good things, though not neighbor as yourself. BT

Sacred space

By Tony W. Cartledge project the speaker’s voice in the days before microphones. recent visit to Duke Chapel The sounding board at Duke reminded me of how some Chapel is in the shape of a tall spire, Aplaces take on the nature of the pointing upward, as if to remind sacred. the speaker that his or her words are There’s just something about being heard by God as well as the them. With their high, vaulted ceilings, congregation. formal sanctuaries such as Duke Like many similar chapels, the one Chapel and any number of cathedrals at Duke includes a couple of wooden I’ve visited are designed to generate a mice, as a reminder that God hears any sense of personal smallness that helps prayer, even one whispered so softly one feel a bit of awe and wonder that is that only a mouse could hear it. enhanced by the glow of stained glass The nice thing about sacred spaces windows and the pattern of shadows on — whether in a majestic cathedral, a the ﬂoor. rural church, or a beautiful outdoor Pulpits in such places tend to be setting — is that you don’t even have to elevated and topped by an elaborate whisper a prayer. When struck by God’s sounding board designed to help presence, your soul does it for you. BT

41 Religion News Service Jewish Americans ask: What does it mean to be ‘pro-Israel’?

WASHINGTON — Who speaks for the American Jewish community? 1.9 million people. There are places within the Jewish On most any topic, there is no single answer. But on Israel, the U.S. gov- community where Jacobs says he sees “an intol- ernment has come to rely on one group: the Conference of Presidents erance and a narrowness and at times even an arrogance that there is one authentic way for of Major American Jewish Organizations. But today that group, charged Jewish practice to be expressed, or for love of Israel to be expressed, or for one’s theology to with presenting a united front, looks anything but unified. be expressed.” “That’s never been the hallmark of our reated at the request of President Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies people,” Jacobs said. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who wanted said “it’s unclear whether the Conference of That tension between more liberal and C to hear a single Jewish-American Presidents can reconstitute itself and provide more traditional Jews is now focused on the voice on the newly founded Jewish state, the an umbrella for the full range of perspectives J Street membership application. Founded in conference includes the heads of some embraced by American Jews.” 2008 as an alternative to the American Israel 50 Jewish denominations, phi- “If it can’t,” he continued, Public Affairs Committee, which has domi- lanthropies and political “it means that the orga- nated pro-Israel lobbying, J Street bills itself as organizations. nized Jewish community devoted to the Jewish homeland, but not sup- This spring, the will devolve into rival portive of every Israeli government policy. conference rejected, factions and lose its While J Street did not garner the neces- by a 22-17 vote, the capacity to express a sary two-thirds vote of conference members membership bid of united viewpoint.” to gain admission, Jacobs and others said J Street, a growing But those who the rules unfairly allow right-leaning groups, pro-Israel group, but opposed admitting representing a minority of American Jews, to one that is more dovish J Street warn against predominate. than the conference as a blowing the vote and He noted that all the member orga- whole. its aftermath out of nizations of the Reform and Conservative In response, the head proportion. movements, “which encompass the overwhelm- of the congregational arm of the “I don’t believe this ing majority of American Jews,” had voted Reform movement, representing more was a crisis for American Jewry,” to add J Street. They were joined by, among American Jews than any other, threatened to said Rabbi Leonard Matanky, head of the others, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, pull out of the conference because it “no longer Rabbinical Council of America, a the Anti-Defamation League and serves its vital purpose of providing a collective leading Orthodox group. “This the left-leaning Americans for voice for the entire American Jewish pro-Israel was a case where people Peace Now and Ameinu, or community.” with strongly held feelings “our people” in Hebrew. The J Street dispute plays out against a wanted a vote to go one Like Jacobs, sev- backdrop of long-standing resentment among way but did not succeed. eral presidents said that some more liberal Jews over the outsized influ- For them to call into while they don’t agree ence of the smaller Orthodox movement, question an entire orga- with J Street on every especially in Israel, where Orthodox Jews nization is unfair.” issue, it deserves a seat control the religious establishment. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, at the table because it There, only Orthodox rabbis may pre- president of the Union for supports Israel and meets side over Jewish marriages and conversions; Reform Judaism, said the all membership criteria. only recently were a few non-Orthodox rabbis conference must grow more But Matanky, of the added to the state payroll. The J Street debate inclusive or risk losing Reform Orthodox RCA, said that even seemed to underscore for more left-leaning and Jews, and that he’s hopeful that an agree- without J Street, the conference reflects a less traditionally minded Jews that their fight ment can be reached. wide spectrum of Jewish opinion and practice. for respect in Israel must also, at times, be Reform Jews, according to the Pew “It’s probably the most diverse, the most rep- fought at home. Research Center, account for more than a third resentative Jewish organization that exists in Theodore Sasson of Brandeis University’s of the 5.4 million adult Jews in the U.S. — America today,” he said. BT

42 Religion News Service

Christian leaders say Middle East Christians must not be forgotten

ASHINGTON — Catholic, principles of pluralism and religious freedom. and, I confess, I cry because my loved ones are Protestant and Orthodox leaders They also seek assurance that religious minorities leaving,” he said. “I used to say, ‘I’m not leaving W joined forces recently to call for an receive access to U.S. refugee assistance. you. Don’t you leave me.’ I can’t say that any- end to the silence over persecuted Christian “The current trajectory, marked by political more because I know if my loved ones stay, they communities in Egypt, Iraq and Syria. violence and, in the cases of Iraq and Syria, full- might be killed. I know that if my loved ones “What we are seeing here is ecumenical blown war, risks a Middle East largely emptied remain, the chance of them surviving is very cleansing,” said Leith Anderson, president of the of the millennia-old presence of Christians,” little.” National Association of Evangelicals, who called reads the statement, citing cases of executed Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl said the region “the unsafest place in the world for Christians, demolished churches, kidnapped that if people wonder how atrocities like this Christians.” clergy and forced conversions. violence and persecution can be occurring, it is “It’s an ecumenical cleansing that is forcing Wolf said he hopes the clergy involvement because others are silent. people who are Christians, by whatever label, will help call greater attention to the plight of “If history has any lesson to teach us about out of countries where their roots are from the Christians and other religious minorities who are silence, it’s not a good one,” he said, urging both beginning.” facing an “existential crisis which threatens their the churches and lawmakers to take action to Anderson and others were joined on very survival.” protect the religious freedom of Christians and Capitol Hill in May by the co-chairs of the Andrew White, a chaplain at St. George’s other religious minorities in the Middle East. Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus, Anglican Church in Baghdad, said the people Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan of the Reps. Frank Wolf, R-Va., and Anna Eshoo, he sees at a church-related clinic wonder if Armenian Apostolic Church of America said that D-Calif., who have pushed for the appointment Christians in the West have forgotten them. while there has been humanitarian aid from the of a special envoy focused on Middle East reli- He said the number of Christians in Iraq has West, there has not been enough attention to gious minorities. dropped from a high of 1.5 million to about the growing discrimination and hardship facing More than 180 clergy, seminary professors, 200,000. Mideast Christians. authors and activists have signed a “pledge of Members of his congregation are leaving, “It is not an exaggeration to state that today solidarity and call to action” that advocates for and he has personally been shot at and kid- Christians in the Middle East are experiencing the special envoy in addition to a regional review napped and rebuilt his church after a bombing. one of the darkest days since the persecutions dur- of U.S. foreign aid to ensure recipients uphold “So many have gone. All the time they leave ing the early years of Christianity,” he said. BT

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THE JUDSON-RICE SOCIETY Supporting the mission of Baptists Today

Those making annual gifts of $1,000 or more comprise the Judson-Rice Society, formed in 2001 to honor faithful, generous supporters of Baptists Today. These donors are recognized as part of the annual Judson-Rice Award Dinner as well as in the news journal and other ways. The following persons form this year’s Judson-Rice Society based on gifts to Baptists Today in 2013:

ifts from individuals are extremely impor- Jimmy R. Allen R. Kirby and Joan Godsey Neal and Pam Wacter tant to the ongoing and expanding ministry Joel and Nannette Avery Ben and Helen Gross Josephine Warren Gof Baptists Today and its Nurturing Faith Patricia Shield Ayres John Lawrence Clem and Carole White resources. Ann T. Beane Charlotte Marshall Winnie and Woodie Williams Our goal is to expand the Judson-Rice Society Jack C. and Eve Bishop Ben McDade Scott and Vickie Willis to 200 persons this year — a good number since 200 Tom and Doris Black P.L. and Margaret McCall Eddie and Donna Wood years ago Luther Rice and Ann Hasseltine Judson and Tommy and Beth Ann Boland Andrew and Mary McGill Adoniram Judson were launching their own ministries Don Brewer Elizabeth R. McKinney of missions, education and communication. Huey and Charlotte Bridgman John and Teresa Pierce Will you join us? Whether sending a monthly gift Frieda H. Byrd Roger Pittard of $100, as some do, or in another way, YOUR GIFTS Mary Jane Cardwell Kathy B. Richardson may be made by check or online at baptiststoday.org/ Bob and Martha Cates Macon and Boo Sheppard donate. Hardy Clemons Walter and Kay Shurden All persons making annual gifts of $1,000 or Toni Clevenger David M. Smith more in 2014 will be recognized as part of the Judson- Virginia Boyd Connally Bob Stephenson Rice Society. However, knowing of your plans to Kenny and Shirley Crump Roy and Charlotte Cook Smith support Baptists Today this year helps us to plan. Janice Frank Dewey and Ramona Teal Contact Ben McDade at [email protected] Sarah A. Frost Ed and Sarah Timmerman or (678) 231-5600 to indicate your support — and/or W.M. Gilbert Jr. Joe and Cathy Turner return the information below. Pat Ingle Gillis Estate of H. Edgar Twine

SUPPORT BAPTISTS TODAY BY BECOMING PART OF THE JUDSON-RICE SOCIETY

I/we will give $______in NAME ______support of Baptists Today in 2014. PHONE ______Please indicate how the gift EMAIL ______will be given: _____ One-time gift enclosed ADDRESS ______One-time gift paid online ______Monthly gifts of $______Other: ______STATE ______ZIP ______Please return to Baptists Today, P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318. Baptists Today Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under the careful stewardship of a trusted, self-perpetuating Board of Directors.