>> This is the August 2014 issue containing the September Bible Study Lessons

Remembering Anne Neil 14

baptiststoday.org

Beyond the Bible Belt Exter Hardy’s westward call still compels him to serve 4

FA TH™ BIBLE STUDIES for adults and youth 17

PERSPECTIVES

John D. Pierce The value in knowing what we don’t know 7 Executive Editor By John Pierce [email protected] Julie Steele Anne Thomas Neil was a guiding star 14 Chief Operations Officer By Alicia Davis Porterfield [email protected] Jackie B. Riley The conundrum of moderate Baptist missions 29 Managing Editor By Tony W. Cartledge [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge A lesson from a duel between the sun Contributing Editor and the wind 37 [email protected] By Travis Collins Bruce T. Gourley Online Editor [email protected] IN THE NEWS David Cassady Q&A with Church Resources Editor One in five Americans see Bible as [email protected] merely ‘fables, legends and history’ 8 Clarissa Terri Byrd Contributing Writer Ranier: Sale of Glorieta for $1 Strickland 38 Vickie Frayne was ‘tough decision’ 8 Art Director Has the Internet led to more pulpit plagiarism? 9 Jannie Lister Customer Service Manager Two small Baptist colleges face FEATURES [email protected] accreditation trouble 9 Kimberly L. Hovis Baptist Theology: Part 2 Marketing Associate Hobby Lobby court victory brings By Fisher Humphreys 32 [email protected] opposition, support 10 Lex Horton Ask the Theologian: Part 3 34 Nurturing Faith Resources Manager Five takeaways from the Hobby Lobby case 11 [email protected] Saint Roberto Clemente? Walker Knight, Publisher Emeritus Court gives Wheaton College pass By Heather Adams 36 Jack U. Harwell, Editor Emeritus on birth control insurance 12

DIRECTORS EMERITI ‘Evangelical Catholics’: Thomas E. Boland New alliances shaping the political landscape 13 R. Kirby Godsey Mary Etta Sanders Winnie V. Williams

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mutual good Donald L. Brewer, Gainesville, Ga. (chairman) Community market brings Alabam congregation, Cathy Turner, Clemson, S.C. (vice chair) neighbors together 42 Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Mary Jane Cardwell, Waycross, Ga. Jack Causey, Statesville, N.C. Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, N.C. Frank Granger, Athens, Ga. Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, Mo. David Hull, Huntsville, Ala. Fisher Humphreys, Birmingham, Ala. Andrew McGill, Chattanooga, Tenn. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. Roger Paynter, Austin, Texas Kathy B. Richardson, Rome, Ga. Charles Schaible, Macon, Ga. Macon Sheppard, Clemson, S.C. Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Jim Strawn, Dunwoody, Ga. Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. David Turner, Richmond, Va. Tom Waller, Alpharetta, Ga. Clem White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Vickie Willis, Murfreesboro, TN Cynthia Wise, Birmingham, Ala. Donna Wood, Macon, Ga. Cover photo Page 4 READERS SERVICES

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Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) is published monthly by: Baptists Today Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Baptists TodayAll rights reserved. !"#$% &'( )*#"# +% ,#*' )-.$/. the Bible Belt Exter Hardy’s westward call still compels him to serve

Davis, Calif. — It’s not an easy route to the pastorate of a Baptist congre- gation in this progressive university - town on the West Coast from the veterinary medicine school at the Exter Hardy followed a divine tug rather than the easy route. ’m annoyed at how many people have a negative view of Christianity here,” “Isaid Hardy, pastor of Pole Line Baptist Church in this tidy town that’s home to the University of California, Davis. “But we’re trying to change that.” Conveying love and support to a suspi- cious community is challenging, he said. But it’s possible through service-oriented programs such as parents’ night out. “We want them to know that we’re here and we care,” he said. “If people need some- thing, they can call on us.” When he describes his congregation as loving and accepting — and with “a reputation for caring” — he speaks from personal as well as professional experience. Hardy began attending the church first, then “filling in” when the pulpit was vacant before eventually assuming the pastorate. The congregation warmly welcomed his family and stuck with him through divorce. Of his four children — two biological and two adopted — two have special needs.

‘GIFT OF FINGERS’ Exter preaches in sign language and English each Sunday. With two deaf sons, he knows the importance of reaching as many people as Though a long-held career goal, he felt Videos of his sermons are made avail- possible. “miserable” in veterinary school and dropped able online for deaf persons without access to His early interest in sign language confused out. He was being pulled in another direction. weekly preaching and teaching. A congregation his college friends who knew his vocational plan And his sign language would become an in Nova Scotia, without a pastor, makes use of at that time was to become a veterinarian. important gift as a foster parent, parent and them. “Are you going to work with deaf dogs pastor. He also served as a missionary to deaf “Instead of the gift of tongues, I have the and cats?” one of them asked. persons in Sacramento, Calif. gift of fingers,” he said.

4 BEYOND THE BIBLE BELT and family counseling from California State Balancing self-denial University, Sacramento. While a college student, Hardy attended a Baptist He offers his services to those beyond the with self-care Student Union conference in Tennessee at which congregation. Mixed reviews followed his efforts xter Hardy, pastor of Pole Line Baptist mission leader Keith Parks gave a compel- to simply hand his business card to employees of Baptist Church in Davis, Calif., ling message to leave the familiar for Christian local businesses he frequents, with the words: “If gives much attention to a needed service. E you ever need anything…” balancing act in the lives of ministers “I couldn’t stay in the Southeast after that,” Three persons sought out counseling, and and other Christian leaders. Exter recalled saying in response to the call. another wanted help with a funeral. It is the tension between the call of That call was reinforced when Hardy, then Yet an irate grocery store manager threat- Jesus to deny oneself and the promise of serving as youth minister at Central Baptist ened him and told him not to come back. Jesus to give abundant life. Church in Waycross, Ga., visited Mercer However, the new store manager said it was He tackled this issue as part of his University to hear seminary representatives. He OK for him to shop and to offer his services to doctoral work that led to the publication learned of Golden Gate Baptist Theological employees. of a workbook titled, Does Ministry Have Seminary near San Francisco. “I’m a foster parent too and I teach foster To Hurt So Much? Helpful Observations from “I felt called to missions and thought I parenting classes,” said Exter, noting that he the Life of Jesus. needed to get out of the Bible Belt to prepare,” is not identified as a pastor in that role, but a “In many ways this is my life he said. counselor whose education and experience are journey in a workbook,” he said of the He began his seminary studies on the West emphasized. ongoing struggle to give of oneself with- Coast in 1983 — and has remained in California out depleting oneself. ever since, except for a six-month ministry experi- LARGER PRESENCE In the workbook’s introduction, he ence as a seminarian in Australia. The eight Christian congregations in Davis warns of the danger that can come from work closely to create a positive image and to being out of balance. ROOTED, GROWING better serve their shared community, Exter said. “Some Christians even feel guilty Hardy’s first pastorate was in Winters, Calif., a Together they do 58 different mission projects if they take time or resources to do rural setting where his undergraduate degree in “to help the city see we are not fragmented and something for themselves,” he writes agriculture made him a good fit. that we really do care.” in the introduction. “However, when Challenging times would follow, lead- The Pole Line congregation, after a careful we Christians do not take care of our ing Exter to resign and find temporary work. study of Baptist beliefs, voted unanimously to own personal needs, we often become Following the birth of a second child, who had move from its longtime connections as Southern discouraged and even burn out in our severe medical problems, Exter became a full- Baptists and align with the Cooperative Baptist ministry.” time caretaker who stayed in an RV — parked at Fellowship. Next year, Exter will serve as modera- No one is exempt from Sabbath, he the hospital — that was provided by a family in tor of CBF West, a regional fellowship. said. And Exter has his own way of stay- Pole Line Baptist Church. “We’re focusing on being the presence of ing in check about this balance — and In March 1991 he became pastor of that Christ,” he said. it’s based on Jesus’ words in John 10:10. church which had been so caring to him. Because the church has personal relation- “If I’m not experiencing the abun- “They had five nurses and three medical stu- ships with some Southern Baptist missionaries, dant life, then I’m out of Gods will,” he dents,” he said of his church family who provided he said direct support keeps them from “aban- said. “…I live by that.” BT support and helpful information in caring for his doning those we are close to.” son. Relationships are what matter to Exter, he That son is now 23 and has a part-time job said. “I want God using me to change individual to which he walks two miles each day, his proud lives.” father said. “He’s our walking miracle.” Change rarely comes quickly, he admits. An adopted son from Brazil is also deaf. So But he acknowledges that “God has given me persistence.” Hardy’s inclination long ago to become fluent in Exter can greet people in 15 different lan- sign language is greatly appreciated today — at guages, and the congregation now hosts Spanish home and at church where other deaf persons and Korean missions along with other small attend. congregational groups. “Our church has the attitude that this is not CARE, COMPASSION our building, but God’s,” he said. In 1998, Exter told his congregation that his Openness to ethnic diversity and to persons marriage had ended and he offered his resigna- with disabilities mark the congregation’s welcom- tion, which they refused. ing spirit that makes strangers feel at home and “They said you’ve walked with us through those with special challenges to feel included. Pastor Exter Hardy (right) of Pole Line Baptist our tragedies,” he recalled. “We’ll walk through The message he and his congregation seek Church in Davis, Calif., talks with church yours with you.” to convey is very simple, he said. member Wil Bowers (left) and Bruce Gourley of Bozeman, Mont., who serves as current In addition to his two seminary degrees, “No matter who you are, you’re going to be moderator of CBF West, a regional network of Exter received a Masters degree in marriage loved.” BT Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches.

August 2014 Feature | 5 quotation remarks —Drew Dyck, managing editor of Leadership Journal and author of Generation X-Christian, in a blog titled “Millennials need a bigger God, not a hipper pastor” (aspengroup.com) —Marc Hyden, advocacy coordinator for Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (RNS) —Pastor Bill Coates in a newsletter column to the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Ga. (First Connections) —Greg Carey, professor of New Testament, Lancaster Theological Seminary, who joined a Southern Baptist church in Alabama in his teens (HuffPo) —Professor Eduardo Refkalefsky to ABC News’ Nightline about the rise in self-anointed miracle —Church historian Martin Marty (Sightings) workers in Brazil including child faith healers —Baptist Women in Ministry executive director Pam Durso, honoring the late trailblazing female minister who was ordained by Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., 50 years ago (ABP) —Constance M. Cherry, professor of worship at Indiana Wesleyan University, on personal preparation for worship (CNN) —John Chandler, leader of the Spence Network (ABP) —From a report on findings by University of —From a Southern Baptist Convention “Resolution Connecticut sociologists that employers, even in the —John DeBonville, rector of the Church of the on the sufficiency of scripture regarding the afterlife,” South, prefer applicants who are not public about Good Shepherd in West Springfield, Mass., following expressed concerns over the popularity of their religious affiliations (CNN) until his death on July 5 (CNN) so-called “heaven tourism” books and movies

6 Editorial By John Pierce The value in knowing what we don’t know

For some people there are no unan- increased awareness of one’s limited grasp of of breaking down the little worlds in which so the divine and life’s myriad complexities. Yet, many are isolated for life. swered questions. Mystery is feared again, there is great value in acknowledging Acknowledging our limited knowledge is a more than ignorance that masquer- that there remains much that we don’t know. good spiritual practice to both produce needed Conversely, there are those who seek to humility and to keep us from squeezing God ades as truth. learn little over time (and accomplish that into tiny molds of ourselves. herefore, a couple of new personal rules goal) — believing they hold a full measure of Our finite minds cannot fully grasp the have been added to my daily disciplines truth. Authoritative about matters large and infinite God and the vastness of creation. Nor T in an effort to save time and sanity: small, they are eager to can we rightly and completely mine all the First, don’t read comment streams that dispense their certainty. truths of Holy Writ. Admitting so is a sign of follow thoughtful articles. Those who say the Often such so-called faithfulness, not failure. most generally have the least to say. (That truth is rooted in well- There is actually comfort that comes from applies to situations other than comment fortified belief based on an enlarged perspective of a greater God and streams as well.) select portions of the truth beyond what we can know and fully And, second, leave online conversations Bible and everything understand. And reveling in mystery is more when a religious know-it-all dives in to domi- heard on talk radio. meaningful and perhaps more faithful than nate a discussion — or, really, what had been a The problem: Such compiling and dispensing know-it-all truth discussion. Scripture, logic and common cour- dispensers of truth don’t bombs. tesy get victimized. know what they don’t know. The late Baptist theology professor John There is great value in knowing what we “I believe…” has its proper place — espe- W. Eddins would tell his students: “What we don’t know — and seeing such limitations as a cially for those of us who are indeed Christian don’t know about God is consistent with what strength rather than weakness. believers. Yet, in many cases, “That’s possi- we do know about God through Jesus.” Experience and knowledge verify our lim- ble…” is a better response to the many aspects That assurance should be enough — ited grasp of all things rather than eliminate of life that are beyond our fullest grasp. enough to see the folly in acting like we have it them. Perhaps that’s why those who are most The irony is that we are to be lifelong all figured out. cocksure about the Bible and everything else in learners. Yet a part of knowing more is to … Enough to know, appreciate and con- life often have an underserving of both. recognize that we know less in terms of the fess that we too see through cloudy glass. Living and learning can lead to the wel- enlarged world being discovered. Also ironic is … Enough to be faithful to what we do comed discovery of fresh spiritual insights and that as the world gets smaller, in terms of com- know through Jesus — but have not lived up helpful theological concepts — as well as an munication and access, it get larger in terms to yet. BT

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7 One in five Americans see Bible as ‘fables, legends and history’

Religion News Service

merica could be experiencing a decline of literalism and the rise of A secularism, according to one inter- pretation of a recent Gallup Poll. The poll, which measured Americans’ beliefs about the Bible, found that 28 per- cent of Americans believe the Bible is the literal word of God — close to the lowest Sale of Glorieta for $1 was ‘tough point ever found in the survey. About 40 percent of Americans said the same thing in the late 1970s. decision’ says LifeWay’s Rainer Meanwhile, about one in five Amer- owners of about 65 homes at Glorieta standing icans view the Bible in secular terms, Associated Baptist Press on property typically secured through one-year described in the poll as ancient “fables, leg- leases, anticipating the day might come when ends, history, and moral precepts recorded lorieta Conference Center would the agreement would change. by man.” This was up from 10 percent in have been worth millions of dollars Rainer said the buyer, a Christian camp- the late 1970s. to a commercial developer, but it ing organization out of Texas called Glorieta About half (47 percent) of Americans G was sold last year for $1 because leaders of the 2.0, was under no legal obligation to com- continue to say the Bible is the “inspired” Southern Baptist Convention agency own- pensate the lessees in any way, but offered word of God not to be taken literally, which ing the property say they wanted the New options including purchase for a maximum of has remained relatively stable over time. Mexico campground to continue as a Christian $100,000. Overall acceptance of the Bible as ministry. Rainer said part of the problem in deter- being the “inspired” or “actual” word “We could have sold Glorieta for several mining a fair market value is the fact the of God is about the same percentage million dollars, according to the appraisal, but properties on which the lodgings were built are of Americans identifying themselves as it would have been sold to a commercial entity, leased and not owned by the homeowner. Christian: 76 percent. and we don’t know what would have been at “Some would say very little,” Rainer At the same time, the 21 percent of the place called Glorieta,” LifeWay Christian said. “They [homeowners] would certainly say Americans who view the Bible in more secu- Resources President Thom Rainer said in a more.” lar terms closely mirrors the 22 percent who June report to messengers at the SBC annual Rainer responded to criticism that the identify with another religion or no religion. meeting in Baltimore. new owners are not Southern Baptists by The poll comes after a survey found “I would rather sell Glorieta and see the reminding messengers: “We offered Glorieta to that a majority of Americans use an older gospel continue than to see a casino go on every national entity in the Southern Baptist translation of the Bible. what is this sacred ground,” Rainer said in Convention for a dollar. We made it avail- More than half of Americans use a response to a question from John Yarbrough, able to any state convention, including New King James Version Bible. Just 19 percent a retired Southern Baptist minister and one- Mexico, for the same.” read the more modern New International time home missionary who says he purchased After exhausting options for keeping the Version, according to a recent study by a home on leased property in the spirit of revi- camp under the Southern Baptist umbrella, the Center for the Study of Religion and talizing the 2,400-acre mountain campus that Rainer said LifeWay leaders were left with a American Culture at Indiana University– had mounting deferred maintenance needs. “tough decision.” Purdue University Indianapolis. Yarbrough said the decision to sell the “Do we continue to lose millions of dol- Bibles continue to sell well, with property “brought injury” to him and other lars, because we get no Cooperative Program publishers finding new variations on a homeowners because a buyout offer from the money and continue to find ways to under- theme, such as breast cancer or patrio- new owners was below fair market value. write that where we do not have funds, or do tism. Thomas Nelson will publish The “So I’m asking you, Dr. Rainer, would you we go on and sell it to a Christian ministry?” Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible in provide a fair market value to homeowners and Rainer said. October. BT churches that were invested in the campus of “We made the decision to sell it to what Glorieta?” asked Yarbrough, a messenger from was then called Camp Eagle, a Christian camp First Baptist Church in Carrollton, Texas. out of Texas, and now called Glorieta 2.0, for Rainer said he feels sympathy for the the very reason that they want to continue the ministry that is there,” Rainer said. BT

8 Has the Internet led to more pulpit plagiarism?

It’s not the first time Murphy has found searchable online, watchdogs have better means Religion News Service his work in the hands of others; he was “mind- of cataloging, searching and reporting offenses. ing my own business in the back row of a Last year, an Episcopal priest in Mass- hou shalt not steal another pastor’s ser- church” when he heard the preacher use the achusetts, John E. McGinn, was accused of mon? Recent cases of high-profile pastors same material from the article in The Door. plagiarized sermons from Sermons.com. He T who have been accused of lifting others’ When questioned, the pastor said he had found was suspended by his diocese and said he material are raising questions about whether it in the best-selling book Not a Fan, by Kyle planned to retire. pulpit plagiarism is on the rise — and whether Idleman. Richard Land, who was president of the it has become a more forgivable sin. Murphy flagged the issue for the publisher, Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll Zondervan, and the attribution was fixed in the Religious Liberty Commission, came under fire was accused last year of plagiarism in material next printing of the book, he said. According to in 2012 after being accused of plagiarism in his he wrote with Tyndale House Publishers and Murphy, Multnomah has also inserted a footnote radio broadcasts. He has since become president InterVarsity Press. “Mistakes were made that I with attribution in Groeschel’s text, although of Southern Evangelical Seminary. am grieved by and apologize for,” Driscoll said Groeschel never admitted to lacking earlier attri- Preachers have always borrowed and in a statement. bution, maintaining the content was his. quoted and voiced other preachers, said More recently, popular Oklahoma City- “I feel strongly about giving credit and Richard Lischer, a professor of preaching at based megachurch pastor Craig Groeschel has have done so over and over again in sermons Duke Divinity School. “Christianity is not as been accused of plagiarizing the work of writer and books,” Groeschel said in a statement. focused on issues of copyright as other sectors in and comedian Danny Murphy. Groeschel is the “We first used this idea in a sermon illus- academics.” pastor of Lifechurch.tv, a tech-savvy megachurch tration video, which I sincerely thought was an Congregations might also be more willing founded in 1996 that has quickly grown to one original concept developed before the author’s to forgive a pastor who has plagiarized than they of the nation’s largest churches, with 80 weekly article. To be above reproach, I asked my pub- might have been in the past, said Ron Cook, “worship experiences” across 19 campuses in lisher to give this author credit, which is already a professor at Baylor University’s George W. five states. reflected in the most recent reprinting of the Truett Theological Seminary. On his blog, Murphy suggested Groeschel book where this illustration is used.” “Not giving credit is not stigmatized as used material that Murphy wrote in the now- As more instances of plagiarism are being much as it was a quarter-century or even a decade defunct magazine The Door in 2000. The alleged, it’s unclear whether plagiarism is more ago,” Cook said. “In some cases I’ve known in material was later used by Groeschel in a ser- common, or if it’s being reported more often. recent years, the congregations are more willing mon and in a book now titled Love, Sex, and The ease of the Internet could be a double- to give their pastor a second chance.” BT Happily Ever After, printed by Multnomah edged sword for some pastors looking for Books. Murphy’s name never appeared with it. material. With sermons and books so easily (Greg Horton contributed to this article.)

Two Baptist colleges with controversial leaders face accreditation trouble

and reconsider their ruling in our appeal this Joe Aguillard, into an emeritus role earlier this Religion News Service August.” year and appointed an interim president. Many Confronted with “discrepancies and mis- say Aguillard was part of the Baptist college’s small Baptist college now led by statements” about Caner’s background, Liberty transition to a more fundamentalist direction. outspoken evangelical Ergun Caner University in 2010 decided not to renew “Although the decision is disappointing, it Ahas lost its accreditation. The Caner’s contract as dean of its seminary. Caner represents an opportunity for Louisiana College Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has attempted to get YouTube to take down to address the issues in preparation for the arrival Commission on Colleges recently voted to videos of past speeches posted by critics. of a new president,” Argile Smith, the school’s remove Brewton-Parker College in Georgia Brewton-Parker chose Caner in 2013 president pro tempore, said in a statement. from membership one year after it placed the because of his past controversies, saying he “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question school on probation over finances. has endured “relentless and pagan attacks.” in any way the excellent classroom work being Caner stirred a debate within evangelical The college has filed an appeal challenging the done by our professors and students. The issues circles over whether he exaggerated his testi- accreditation loss in the courts, according to a have to do with administrative areas.” mony as a convert from Islam to Christianity. statement from the college. While putting the school on probation, “We are operationally in the black, our The same accrediting agency also placed the accreditor raised an “integrity issue,” and present budget is balanced, we project finish- another small Baptist institution, Louisiana a failure to comply with the accreditor’s stan- ing this fiscal year in the black, and our Board College, on probation for a year. The school dards regarding “external influence,” according of Trustees approved a balanced budget for has been in and out of trouble with its accredi- to Inside Higher Ed. Internal documents allege 2014-2015,” Caner said in a statement, not- tor amid a series of governance and other issues that a former college administrator forged ing that enrollment is also up. “SACS leaders dating back a decade. signatures on a document submitted to the will take all of these changes into account The college moved its controversial leader, school’s accrediting agency. BT

9 Religion News Service Hobby Lobby victory

ASHINGTON — As soon as the Supreme Court decided for Hobby W Lobby and against the Obama administration’s contraception mandate on June 30, critics called for the repeal of the 1993 law that the justices relied on to make their 5-4 decision. A Washington Post editorial suggested the next day that the statute — the Religious Freedom Restoration Act — could be narrowed in scope. A hashtag popped up on Twitter: #repealRFRA. The Freedom From Religion Foundation asked its constituents to lobby Congress to scrap the law. Yet at the same time, 10 prominent religious leaders sent a letter to Congress, imploring lawmakers not to touch the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. “Do not amend or appeal RFRA, one of our nation’s most vital legal protections for Demonstrators rallied at the Supreme Court on June 30 the religious freedom and rights of conscience of every person of every faith,” read the letter, whose signatories included Matthew Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri of birth control to women, and that in the In the wake of the ruling, Sarah War- Synod; Russell Moore, president of the Ethics process the mandate trampled on the religious below, legal director of the Human Rights and Religious Liberty Commission of the rights of the evangelical Green family that Campaign, a national gay rights group, said it Southern Baptist Convention; and Gary E. owns Hobby Lobby. and allied groups “must remain vigilant in the Stevenson, presiding bishop of The Church of Marci A. Hamilton, a Benjamin N. event business owners attempt to use this deci- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Cardozo School of Law professor who has been sion to justify other forms of discrimination, RFRA sits at the heart of the Hobby trying to repeal RFRA since Congress passed it including against LGBT people.” Lobby case, perhaps the most debated on the nearly unanimously in 1993, said the Hobby Could the movement to repeal RFRA Supreme Court’s docket during its just-finished Lobby case shows how RFRA invites religious go anywhere? So far, no member of Congress session. The case revolved around the ques- people to use their beliefs to discriminate has stood up to advocate repealing or even tion of whether employers had to cover all against others. tinkering with it, though some have said the types of birth control, including ones that their “The genie is out of the bottle,” Hamilton Supreme Court misinterpreted it. religious convictions held out as morally objec- said. “RFRA is an extreme standard, and with “I’m not nervous for RFRA,” said the tionable. But it hinged on little-known RFRA. Hobby Lobby it becomes crystal clear that Southern Baptists’ Moore. “I think RFRA is RFRA says federal laws can’t substantially RFRA yields results that are in opposition to secure in law and that it has the support of the burden a person’s free exercise of religion the vast majority of Americans’ views.” Congress.” unless the law furthers a compelling govern- Most Americans, a Kaiser Health Tracking Still, the attacks against RFRA, Moore ment interest (in this case, getting free birth Poll released in April showed, believe that an continued, are unsettling, and reflect a move- control to women) and uses the least restrictive employer’s religious beliefs should not trump ment on the political left to redefine religious means possible. employees’ rights to all types of birth control liberty protections as licenses to discriminate. In the Hobby Lobby decision, the court’s promised by law. “We do see religious liberty coming under conservative majority ruled that privately Many critics of the Hobby Lobby decision harsh rhetorical attack in ways I don’t think held corporations, not just people, have rights say it not only tramples women’s health care could be anticipated years ago,” he said. “We’re under RFRA. And while it assumed the con- rights, but also opens the door to other busi- attempting to be Paul Reveres for religious traception mandate furthered a compelling ness owners who want to invoke their religious liberty protection and warning people ahead of interest, it ruled that the mandate was not the rights to discriminate by, for example, refusing time that there are crucial rights that must be least restrictive means of getting a full range to hire gay employees. protected.” BT

10 Religion News Service

Five takeaways from the Hobby Lobby case

WASHINGTON — Five things to know The Supreme Court answered Breyer’s 4. This court is rah-rah religious rights. about one of the most anticipated Supreme question in the affirmative in this opinion: Chief Justice John Roberts’ court is shaping up Court decisions of the year: There are ways of getting contraception to be pretty darn protective of that free exercise to women that don’t substantially burden clause. Less than two months ago, the court 1. Corporations can’t pray, but they do the Green family’s religious beliefs. Justice ruled 5-4 that the town of Greece, N.Y., could have religious rights. Anthony Kennedy, in a concurring opinion, regularly convene town meetings with sectar- suggested the government could pay. Hobby Lobby isn’t a person. It’s a chain of ian Christian prayers. crafts stores owned by a religious family. And And in 2012, the court ruled 9-0 that a 3. The American people would have ruled though the evangelical Green family objects to differently. Lutheran school could fire a teacher who had parts of the Affordable Care Act’s emergency some ministerial responsibilities, despite the contraception mandate, it’s not the Greens but There are nine U.S. Supreme Court justices, government’s argument that her dismissal vio- the company that writes the check for employ- and most of them ruled for Hobby Lobby. But lated the Americans With Disabilities Act. ees’ health insurance. what if a softball team composed of a random In all these cases, the court sided with The first question the justices had to sample of nine American adults got to decide religious rights over other rights. answer was this: Does Hobby Lobby have reli- this case instead? Well, the team would have “The Roberts court has been a great gious rights? To many Americans, this sounds likely come up with a very different decision. champion of religious freedom,” said Lori a little nutty. Does a craft store believe in God? In a Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, released Windham, senior counsel at the Becket Fund A majority of the justices held that a in April, Americans expressed solid support for Religious Liberty, which represented closely held company such as Hobby Lobby for the contraception mandate, backing it by Hobby Lobby. does have religious rights. The court didn’t a 2-to-1 margin. Kaiser also asked specifically apply those rights, however, to publicly held about requiring coverage in the Hobby Lobby 5. Hobby Lobby won, but the next com- corporations, where owners’ religious beliefs scenario: Should a for-profit business owner pany to cite religious objections might would be hard to discern. with religious objections to birth control be well lose. subject to the requirement? But well before the justices had delivered Contraception mandate fans painted terrible Again, a majority (55 percent) said yes, their verdict on this question, many legal schol- scenarios of religious rights run amok in the they should, “even if it violates their owners’ ars said they wouldn’t be surprised were they to case of a Hobby Lobby win. personal religious beliefs.” affirm the company’s religious rights. American What if a Jehovah’s Witness invokes her corporations do have some of the rights and religious rights and says she won’t cover blood responsibilities we usually associate with people. transfusions in her company’s health plan? And in the 2010 Citizens United campaign What if an employer says vaccinations conflict finance case, the justices overturned bans on J. Brent Walker, executive director with his beliefs? corporate political spending as a violation of of the Baptist Joint Committee: The Hobby Lobby decision may certainly freedom of speech — corporations’ free speech. embolden religious employers to object to laws they consider burdensome. But that doesn’t 2. The Affordable Care Act isn’t the only mean they’re always going to win. way to get contraception to women. The court made clear in this ruling that The justices in this case interpreted not only religion should not always trump the law, and the 225-year-old Constitution but also the said its decision applies to the contraception - mandate, not other insurance mandates. The 21-year-old Religious Freedom Restoration Act. One of the things RFRA says is that if a court also specified that an employer could not federal law is going to substantially burden use religion to get an exemption from laws that someone’s religious freedom, the feds must prohibit discrimination — on the basis of race, make sure that the law uses the “least restric- for example. tive means” to achieve its purpose. The justices were silent, however, on In this case, the purpose is providing birth whether employers’ religious beliefs could over- control to female employees at no cost. ride laws that prohibit discrimination on the Justice Stephen Breyer asked the “least basis of sexual orientation. restrictive means” question when this case was Also unclear, legal experts say, is how this argued before the court: Instead of making the decision is going to affect religious non-profits company provide insurance that conflicts with and religiously affiliated schools and hospitals its owners’ beliefs, how about the government that want the same sort of exemption the jus- pays for it? tices awarded to Hobby Lobby. BT

11 USA Today Wheaton College gets pass from SCOTUS

ASHINGTON (RNS) — The Noting that appeals courts across the coun- solution for profit-making companies such as Supreme Court offered a further sign try are divided on how religious nonprofits such Hobby Lobby. W that it favors letting employers with as charities, hospitals and colleges should be han- Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices religious objections avoid the Obama adminis- dled under the regulation, the court said “such Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan, tration’s so-called contraception mandate. division is a traditional ground for certiorari” — dissented from the order. She said the accom- Over the vehement objection of its a decision by the justices to resolve the issue. modation already granted to nonprofits “is the three female justices, the court July 3 blocked In the meantime, the court said women least restrictive means of furthering the govern- the administration from forcing evangelical employees of Wheaton College outside Chicago ment’s compelling interests in public health and Wheaton College to sanction insurance cover- should be able to get emergency contraception women’s well-being.” age for emergency birth control, even though it services from private insurers — without requir- “Those who are bound by our decisions would not have had to offer the coverage itself. ing the college to sign a form it claims would usually believe they can take us at our word. In doing so, the court made clear that it’s make it complicit in the transaction. Not so to day,” Sotomayor said. Declaring insuf- not done with the religious liberty issue follow- Ironically, it was that arrangement — in ficient the very accommodation it held out ing the court’s June 30 ruling that closely-held, which objecting religious nonprofits would sign earlier as a possible solution for Hobby Lobby for-profit corporations with objections to cer- over their responsibility to offer contraception “evinces disregard for even the newest of this tain contraception methods do not have to offer coverage to insurers or third-party administra- court’s precedents and undermines confidence this type of coverage to their employees. tors — that the court cited earlier as a potential in this institution,” she said. Under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, the Health and Human Services Thoughtful Christians need relevant, reliable Department issued a regulation requiring employers to offer women’s preventive health information that connects them to good ideas, insurance coverage, including contraception. The administration exempted churches and quality resources and one another. other religious institutions from the require- ment. After religious nonprofits objected, it And Baptists Today needs you! To fulfill its unique and important devised its accommodation: They could fill out mission, Baptists Today relies on generous giving. a form registering their objections, which would trigger provision of the coverage by insurers. or more than 30 years, this news jour- Nurturing the Future of Baptists Today Two types of lawsuits grew out of the nal has been on the cutting edge of is a three-year campaign to provide the contraception mandate. Dozens of nonprofits Faddressing the issues individuals and funding needed to move forward in pub- challenged that arrangement, and dozens of congregations face with courage and faith. As lishing a trusted, high-quality news journal, for-profit corporations — mostly closely-held, times and technology have changed, so have maintaining a daily-updated web presence family-owned companies — sought exemptions the news journal and its related resources. and producing innovative new resources. as well. What haven’t changed are the jour- To do so with confidence and vitality, “We continue to believe that a college nalistic commitments and the vital role of we ask you to make a generous three-year community that affirms the sanctity of human those who support this ministry of commu- pledge. We need you! life from conception to the grave should not nication with faithful giving. be coerced by the government into facilitating the provision of abortion-inducing drugs,” said Please make your pledge today. Together, we can do this. Wheaton president Philip Ryken. Following the Hobby Lobby ruling, those HERE’S HOW: for-profit companies can expect favorable treatment in the lower courts, a process the 31208-6318 or to Ben McDade (ben@baptiststoday). Supreme Court already began by denying some government petitions and directing courts to made online anytime at baptiststoday.org/donate. reconsider private challenges. This more recent order points toward simi- QUESTIONS OR IDEAS? larly favorable treatment for other nonprofits Contact Ben McDade: whose status is the same as Wheaton’s. Beyond ben@baptiststoday / (678) 231-5600 denying contraceptive coverage without co- payments to hundreds of the college’s employees Baptists Today, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with a strong commitment and students, Sotomayor said, the order “will to stewardship. Your gifts are both needed and appreciated. presumably entitle hundreds or thousands of other objectors to the same remedy.” BT

12 Religion News Service How new alliances are shaping the political landscape

ow many voters know that former to Majority” conference this summer featured Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a Roman a keynote address from New Jersey Gov. Chris H Catholic? Or that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Christie, a Catholic. “Now, there are a lot of is a Southern Baptist, not a Latino Catholic? Or evangelicals who greatly admired Pope John that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio worships at both Paul II and some would look to Pope Francis a Catholic parish and an evangelical church? for leadership.” More importantly, does it matter? What changed? For one, leading Catholics Actually, it does in today’s Republican and evangelicals decided they could do more Party, where a number of factors have forged a together than working against each other. new religious identity that supersedes familiar Twenty years ago, former Nixon aide Charles old categories. Look no further than the stunning Virginia Colson and the late Richard John Neuhaus, primary victory of Dave Brat, These prominent Republicans are emblem- founder of the ecumenical magazine First atic of the new religious amalgam that, in many Things, started the group Evangelicals and instances, has helped refashion denominational Catholics Together, and the cross-pollination it differences that were once almost insurmount- promoted is having practical effects. able. Look no further than the stunning Virginia “The alliance forged in the trenches primary victory of Dave Brat, a Catholic with have been less so. Although Catholic voters between evangelical Protestants and faithful degrees from a Reformed Protestant college in have historically tended to be Democratic, Catholics in the struggle to defend human life Michigan and Princeton Theological Seminary, recent elections have shown them to be the and marriage have blossomed into [soemthing] who took down House Majority Leader Eric ultimate swing vote. They backed Al Gore much greater than a mere marriage of conve- Cantor in mid-term elections. in 2000 (50 percent), George W. Bush in nience,” said Princeton University’s Robert P. Running in a conservative district in the 2004 (52 percent), Barack Obama in 2008 George, the de facto leader of the Catholic intel- Richmond suburbs, Brat is described as both (54 percent) and again in 2012 (50 percent), lectual political movement. “What has emerged a Catholic and Calvinist, labels that would according to the Pew Research Center. is a spiritual fellowship that I think was not be considered incompatible in almost any Evangelicals, on the other hand, have been anticipated at the beginning by anybody.” realm. He’s a champion of a resurgent move- much more consistently Republican — 79 per- Catholics have a lot to learn from evangeli- ment among Catholic intellectuals that seeks cent for Mitt Romney in 2012, 73 percent for cals, George said, pointing to a book by George to marry Catholic social teaching with free- John McCain in 2008 and 79 percent for Bush Weigel, another Catholic intellectual heavy- market economic libertarianism. in 2004. weight at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Recent presidential elections have elevated The newfound Catholic appeal among the arguing for a more evangelical Catholicism. several evangelicals, including former Arkansas GOP can be seen in the number of high-profile The challenge, he said, is for Catholic Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Alaska Gov. Sarah conversions to Rome. Republicans to speak in authentic ways to a Palin and Texas Gov. Rick Perry. But in 2014, Jeb Bush, who comes from a classic blue- largely evangelical base. Former Pennsylvania several of the Republican Party’s emerging lead- blood Episcopal family dynasty, converted to Sen. Rick Santorum, a Catholic, has figured it ers are Catholic, including some who maintain Roman Catholicism years ago. Louisiana Gov. out, while others, like 2012 vice presidential evangelical backgrounds or tendencies. Bobby Jindal was raised Hindu but converted nominee Paul Ryan, struggled. The challenge for Catholic politicians to Catholicism. “I’m so goofy with that stuff,” Ryan told might be finding the balancing act between Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback converted Buzzfeed after a service where he sang with a Catholic and an evangelical appeal, said to Catholicism, but his wife and family still extended hands. “It’s just not my thing. I’m Amy E. Black, a political science professor at attend evangelical churches. And former House Catholic!” Wheaton College in Illinois. Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was a Southern The central challenge for Catholic “While the Catholic faith used to be a Baptist for most of his life, converted to his Republicans, said Wheaton College’s Black, liability, it might even be an asset now,” Black third wife’s Roman Catholicism in 2009. is twofold: Not alienating fellow Catholics said. “Evangelicals are a solid voting bloc in the More than 50 years after John F. who say Brat-style economics is anathema to Republican Party, whereas Catholics are likely Kennedy’s Catholicism stirred fears that he Catholic social teaching, and appealing to the to be swing voters. Republican presidential would be more loyal to the pope than to the evangelical base in a way that’s authentic. candidates know they need to appeal to evan- people, Catholicism isn’t nearly the political “It doesn’t mean a successful candidate gelical voters, and they want to win over as liability it once was. has to be an evangelical, but they have to be many Catholic voters as they can.” “Growing up, the fact that someone was able to connect with them,” said Black. “They Evangelicals have been relatively predict- Catholic would give someone pause,” said vet- need to be able to talk about their faith in a able in the past few elections, while Catholics eran GOP strategist Ralph Reed, whose “Road personal way.” BT

13 +% &0-/-& (&1-! )#$".$2-.0(

EDITOR’S NOTE: Anne Thomas Neil, beloved missionary, mentor and justice advocate, died June 8 at age 94 in Raleigh, N.C. This is a tribute to her life and ministry.

Guiding star ‘matron saint of Baptist women’ everywhere

hen I started Duke Divinity School in 1994, green as a new leaf, I W knew exactly no one. In Abrahamic fashion, I left a network of family, church and campus ministry support that had shaped me until the day I crossed the Georgia line. Though I knew I had heard God say “Go,” I felt like a stranger in a strange land as I navigated the bizarre road system of Durham, N.C., and the Methodist-centered world of the divinity school. Baptists Today- Dozens of times I had to explain what it meant to be a moderate or progressive Baptist, how I could be a Baptist woman in ministry — instinctively understood the deep roots of Baptist Later, I would meet Anne at Baptist Women and especially why I didn’t just chuck it all and history that nurtured my call. I was home. in Ministry state and national gatherings. We become a Methodist. After all, they told me, Like most homes, this one harbored its would serve together on the Advent Center for they’d figured out this women minister stuff share of arguments, laughter and difficult Spirituality Board, and I would interview her for decades ago. decision-making. A volunteer group with a BWIM, NC’s 25th Anniversary DVD. Blank stares met my fumbling attempts to small budget, we had to Anne was every bit as impressive in real put words to the power of the free church tradi- be creative and judicious life as on paper. tion or to sketch the rich history of missions. as we made our way in a But even early on, when I just heard bits Others looked at me with pity, sure I’d drunk the brave new Baptist world. and pieces of her story, I sensed I’d found a Kool Aid at the (lowly) Baptist communion table. Thankfully, we had spiritual mother. As I struggled to find a sense Even my closest Methodist friends strug- a guiding star: Anne of pastoral identity and my voice as a preacher, gled to understand why I wanted to remain in Thomas Neil. I longed to hear a prophet calling out in the a larger tradition that didn’t honor my call. I first heard her name wilderness. Then, soon after graduation, someone when the board discussed God gave me Anne. invited me to serve on the board of Baptist choosing a recipient of the In later years, as I served again with Women in Ministry of North Carolina (BWIM, annual Anne Thomas Neil BWIM, NC, we claimed Anne as our “matron NC). I immediately recognized the spiritual dia- award. The person next to saint.” Unknowingly, Anne had blazed a trail lects when I walked into my first meeting. me whispered a sketch of Anne’s life: missionary for women in Baptist life as she did the pro- Here was a room full of Baptists who not to Africa, champion of women in ministry and found work of following God. only supported women in ministry, but also justice issues. Though we admired her missionary

14 ‘Thankfully, we had a guiding star: Anne Thomas Neil.’ service, it was her “second career” as advocate of North Carolina. Anne realized she had more deeply as a spiritual friend, mentor and and mentor for women that paved the way for stepped into “uncharted territory.” counselor. us. After returning from Africa in 1981, Anne “I couldn’t find the map, and neither did Once, after I preached at Anne’s church, was called into leading roles in moderate and I find overwhelming affirmation as had been Millbrook Baptist in Raleigh, she took my progressive Baptist life. the case so often in the past” as a missionary, hand, looked deeply into my eyes, and offered Though she never sought leadership, she recalled. But affirmation came from new a blessing as powerful as any a priest might Baptists caught in the mire created by the funda- directions. offer a Catholic pilgrim. mentalist resurgence sought Anne for guidance. The next year, in March, a group gathered The gist was this: “That was a beautiful Steeped in mission tradition, we looked to a in Louisville, Ky., to explore creating a women- and prophetic sermon. You clearly have gifts trusted missionary to help us find a path. in-ministry group within the Southern Baptist for preaching. Use them well. I look forward to Thankfully, we got much more than we Convention. In June the group hosted the first all God will do through you.” had bargained for. Southern Baptist Women in Ministry meeting I carry Anne’s blessing with me to this day. In Nigeria and Ghana, Anne’s call to in Pittsburgh. At the October gathering, Anne We had many other conversations after justice had flourished from seeds sown in her was unanimously elected by secret ballot to that one — including the summer I preached segregated South Carolina childhood. Serving chair the steering committee. again at Millbrook and wore shoes that made as a medical missionary opened Anne to the Later, Anne recalled her response: “‘I was noise as I followed the acolyte out of the sanc- curses of colonialism and global injustice. not prepared for this. I can’t possibly do this!’ I tuary. I remarked about it to Anne after the She embraced the cultural blessings of was the oldest person there. I’d been out of the service, surprised that the shoes were so noisy. nurturing community and valuing elders. country for 27 years. I was running to catch “I noticed that,” Anne responded with Anne’s natural bent toward empowering women up.” Even her husband Lloyd agreed that this eyebrows raised. I never wore those shoes to became an intrinsic part of her ministry. was not the role for her. preach in again. The best saints know how to So when Anne returned stateside and Eventually Baptist trust in Spirit-through- challenge and cherish. began teaching at Southeastern Baptist majority-rule convinced Anne to accept the Thanks be to God for Mother Anne, Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in 1982, her appointment. Thirty years later, Baptist matron saint of Baptist women in ministry. lifelong connection between faith and justice Women in Ministry and the state group she For following wherever God led, even when it spilled over into everything she said and did. helped found, BWIM of North Carolina, are was off the map, and for guidance and advice, Though she never intended to rock any boats, still going strong. for courage and challenge, we give thanks. BT simply being who God had shaped her to be Later, Anne said yes to leadership in what sent shock waves into Baptist life. would become the Alliance of Baptists. She —Alicia Davis Porterfield is recipient of the On Missionary Day at SEBTS, Anne deliv- found herself called out again to help birth 2014 Anne Thomas Neil Award from Baptist ered a message on “Many Other Women” about the Baptist Peace Fellowship and the Advent Women in Ministry of North Carolina. A the lives of women in global missions, naming Center for Spirituality. As so often happens, mother of three boys and part of a clergy gender inequities in the Baptist mission system Anne’s sisters and brothers in Christ recognized couple, she edited the collection A Divine and urging parity for women missionaries. her gifts for leadership before she did. Duet: Ministry and Motherhood (Smyth & “We need to tap the resources of all of us But beyond these roles, Anne had a gift Helwys) and manages a community blog on — women as well as men — at every level of for mentoring, affirming and blessing women MinistryandMotherhood.com. Quotations in Bold Mission if we are to meet the challenge of in ministry. Countless women in Baptist life this article are taken from Journey Without these awesome days,” she asserted. have an “Anne moment,” a time when Anne Map: Words of Hope for Changing Times by This call for parity found its way into The reached out to encourage and call out the Anne Thomas Neil with Karen L. Caldwell and Biblical Recorder, the Baptist state newspaper gifts she saw in them. Others knew Anne Karen S. Moore (Trafford Publishing).

$15 (single copy) Now half price! $150 (case of 14) This 224-page narrative includes more than 160 photos and illustrations, presents selected accounts of the lives and work of well-known and lesser-known Baptist men and women, and gives attention to groups generally overlooked within Baptist cir- cles: women, ethnic minorities, and small Baptist denominations.

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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 “Hard Lessons” Lessons are found only here. Sept. 7, 2014 2. Teachers can go to nurturingfaith.net to access all Confrontation and Community of the free resources needed for presentation. Simply Matthew 18:15-20 click on “Adult” or “Youth.” Teaching the Lessons Sept. 14, 2014 The Power of Forgiveness After reading The Bible Lessons by Tony Cartledge Matthew 18:21-35 starting on page 18, teachers can access helpful teaching resources (at no charge) at nurturingfaith.net. These include: Sept. 21, 2014 A Question of Fairness * Tony’s video overviews Matthew 20:1-16 * Adult teaching plans by Rick Jordan * Youth teaching plans by Jeremy Colliver * Tony’s “Digging Deeper” notes and Sept. 28, 2014 ”The Hardest Question” Who decides what is right? * Links to commentaries, multimedia Matthew 21:23-32 resources and more Youth Lessons How to Order are on pages The Bible Lessons in Baptists Today are copyrighted 22–23. and not to be photocopied.

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

© Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org | 17 Matthew 18:15-20

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 7, 2014 Confrontation and Community

ave you ever gotten your feel- ings hurt? Of course you have. HIt happens with uncomfortable familiarity. Let’s face facts: Sometimes our feelings are hurt because we’re overly sen- sitive, or because we misunderstood what someone else intended to say or do. Sometimes, though, someone may say something hurtful on purpose, or may undermine our efforts for their own ends. They may seek attention or opportunity at our expense, putting self- advancement over relationships. How do we respond when that happens? Is there a better option than Matthew 18:15 — retaliation, or licking our wounds? Both “If another member of the church sins against you, go are common reactions, and both of them and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If are easy. the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” Jesus taught his followers a better way to deal with hurt feelings, damaged circulating among the churches. Or, where several distinct teachings focus on egos, bruised reputations, or lost oppor- perhaps its orientation toward Jewish relationships among fellow believers. tunities. It’s not so easy. In fact, it can be Christians led to its position, since Jesus quite hard. But when relationships are at had said that he came fi rst to the Jews. When a brother offends you stake, it’s worth the effort. Matthew’s gospel appears to have (vv. 15-18) been written within a largely Jewish- Matthew’s gospel Perhaps you have heard someone refer Christian context. The author portrays to “the Matthew 18 way” of dealing This month we’ll be looking at four Jesus as a teacher who was both human with confl ict. Some churches have a teachings of Jesus found in the Gospel and divine, a prophet who spoke with confl ict resolution process, based on of Matthew, so a little background may the authority of God, as the Messiah Matt. 18:15-18, written into their be helpful. Matthew appears as the fi rst who fulfi lled the Old Testament prophe- constitution. book in the New Testament, although cies, as redeemer and risen king over all. How, then, did Jesus instruct his it was certainly not the fi rst one writ- Matthew was also concerned with disciples, and what sort of offenses are ten (Paul’s letters have that honor), and the church. His is the only gospel, in involved? probably not the fi rst of the gospels. fact, to use the word ekklesía, a word The text consists of fi ve “if” state- We cannot be certain why the early referring to a defi ned assembly that ments, followed by a conclusion. All church gave Matthew pride of place as came to be used as the New Testament together, they appear to constitute a the canon of authoritative scriptures word for “church” (16:18 and 18:17). four-step process for attempted recon- emerged. Perhaps Matthew was the We should recall that the church ciliation following an affront. most popular of the gospels that were did not yet exist during Jesus’ time on But fi rst, what kind of issues are we earth, so when Matthew portrays Jesus talking about? The text appears to deal Additional background information as speaking to the church and its needs, with a case in which one member of the online where you see the “Digging he is adapting earlier materials for the church offends another in some manner. Deeper” icon new situation. This is the case in ch. 18, Most translations have something

18 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes like “sins against you” (NRSV, NIV84, attempts had failed. It is more likely, HCSB, KJV), but the words for “against are available at however, that it refers to the authority you” do not appear in the oldest and nurturingfaith.net to hold the offender guilty or to grant best manuscripts. While it is possible forgiveness – with heavenly import: that the words were in the original text witness shall not suffice to convict a “whatever you bind on earth will be and were accidentally deleted, it is more person of any crime or wrongdoing in bound in heaven, and whatever you loose likely that the shorter version is more connection with any offense that may on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This original. In that case, the condition is be committed. Only on the evidence of comports with Matt. 16:19’s reference to simply that a fellow believer has sinned two or three witnesses shall a charge be granting Peter the keys to the kingdom in general. Thus, NET has “if your sustained.” of heaven, and with John 20:23, which brother sins” (see also NIV11). If the accused still refuses to respond speaks directly to forgiveness. While this may seem a minor mat- positively – implied by “does not ter, the implications can be huge. Is listen” – the offended person, along When Christ is among you (vv. 19-20) the text directed only to persons who with the witnesses, should present the have been personally offended and the matter to the church, offering the per- The final two verses of today’s text – fellow-Christian who has caused them son charged with wrongdoing a final about asking for “anything” from God pain? Or does it invite any believer to chance to acknowledge and repent of the and receiving it – have been the subject rebuke another believer for any offense, wrongdoing. If the offending person of much misunderstanding. Many read- with the possibility of getting the entire still refuses to listen (implying a lack of ers, preachers, and teachers through the church involved? confession, remorse, or repentance), the years have divorced v. 19 from its con- It is unlikely that Jesus’ intent was church is to “treat him as a Gentile or text and taken it as a blank check from for his followers to create an inquisition a tax collector” (v. 18). [See the online God that can be written and cashed so mentality, or to set up a system of exclu- “Hardest Question” for more] long as two or three persons endorse it. sion designed to keep members in line We note that the responsibility for Claims of some TV preachers aside, with standards of culturally accepted initiating reconciliation lies primarily it doesn’t work that way, as anyone who behaviors. The text does allow, how- with the offended party. This may seem has tried it should know. The first words ever, for individuals to approach fellow strange to us, for we typically think of v. 19 – “Again, truly I tell you …” – believers whose behavior threatened the the person who has offended us should bind the following words to the previous well-being of the church. take the initiative to ask for forgiveness. context. The “two of you” in v. 19 prob- The word translated as “sin” is a This is easier said than done, however, ably reflects the multiple witnesses from strong word for wrongdoing, used only especially when the sin is grave. The v. 16, and “on earth” reflects v. 18. here and at 27:4 in Matthew’s gospel. offended party is thus better positioned The statement “If two of you on This suggests that the offense is a serious to initiate reconciliation than the sinner. earth agree about anything you ask,” matter, not something that can be easily It is also apparent that Jesus wanted may use the word “anything,” but the brushed aside, but requiring a response such matters to be handled as privately context has to do with binding or loos- for the good of the church. as possible, respecting the feelings and ing an unrepentant sinner. Thus, v. 19 The instructions are straight- reputation of the offending party as well reiterates v. 18, that what the commu- forward. If a person has offended a fellow as the one offended. Believers should nity of believers bind or loose on earth believer, the injured party is to approach never hold one another up to public will be bound or loosed in heaven. the offender privately (“when the two of ridicule or shame, even when they have This statement carries with it great you are alone”) and “point out the fault” done wrong. responsibility, and assumes that the stated to him or her. If the guilty party “listens Verse 18 is virtually identical to prayer is offered carefully and in a full to you,” Jesus said – implying repentance 16:19, where Jesus gave to Peter the attempt to seek that God’s will be done. and a request for forgiveness – “you have “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” with While v. 19 is not the free offer that regained that one” (v. 15). The ideal authority to “bind or loose” on earth, some take it to be, the promise of v. 20 situation is one in which a private conver- with heavenly consequences. In 18:18, holds true, that Christ’s Spirit is pres- sation leads to personal repentance and that responsibility is transferred to the ent wherever believers gather in Christ’s restoration within the community. entire fellowship of believers: the words name, that is, in a spirit of worship and But sometimes that doesn’t hap- are the same, but the verbs are plural. openness to the Spirit. pen. In this case, Matthew quoted Jesus The language of binding and loos- Hard things are hard, and confronting as saying the offended party should ing may suggest the difference between broken relationships is among the hardest. approach the sinner again, this time being “bound” to seek reconciliation With the promise of Christ’s presence to with two or three others to act as wit- up to a point, and being “loosed” from strengthen and guide, however, we can do nesses, following Deut. 19:15: “A single that responsibility after the prescribed what needs to be done. BT

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 | 19 Matthew 18:21-35

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 14, 2014 The Power of Forgiveness o you fi nd it easier to forgive or to bear a grudge? Forgiveness Dcan be hard, especially when the offense is extreme or the offender is cal- lous. Yet, learning to forgive is essential if we are to know peace in this life. To begin with, we must forgive if we are to cultivate healthy relationships. Even the best of friends may occasionally offend each other, and we are subject to being used or abused by others who advance their self-interests with no concern for ours. People may hurt us intentionally or unintentionally, but it hurts either way. If we are to be recon- ciled with those who have hurt us, we must learn to forgive. Matthew 18:21 — This is for our benefi t as well as the “Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member one who has offended us, for harboring of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive?’” hurts and refusing to forgive are like an emotional cancer that can eat away at our soul and make us miserable people, to one another with humility (vv. 1-4), Peter may have intended for his sug- roiling in a bitter stew of unresolved warned against leading others astray gestion of seven-fold forgiveness to be feelings. (vv. 5-9), and emphasized the impor- overly generous. The rabbis held differ- Learning to forgive is one of the tance of seeking and restoring those who ing opinions about how often someone great secrets of a joyful, fl ourishing life. were lost (vv. 10-14). In vv. 15-20 we should be forgiven for the same type of fi nd instructions for dealing with inter- sin, with some teaching that three times A curious question familial confl ict, when one member was the limit. (vv. 21-22) of the community has sinned against Peter’s question may also refl ect a another, and today’s text expands on the teaching of Jesus in Luke 17:3-4, where Matthew 18 is presented as a discourse theme of forgiveness. Jesus insisted that his followers should in which Jesus talks to his disciples Peter was often the foil for Jesus’ forgive anyone who asked for forgive- about relationships within the fellow- parables, the question-raiser who could ness, even seven times in one day: ship. The church did not develop as appear both obtuse and perceptive. “And if the same person sins against an entity until after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was portrayed in the gospels as you seven times a day, and turns back to but the growing community of men a temperamental sort who could bear you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you and women who followed Jesus would a grudge, so it is not surprising that must forgive” (Luke 17:4). have experienced the same sort of inter- he would query Jesus on the limits of The Hebrews considered seven to personal issues that would later come up forgiveness. be a number of completion or perfec- in the early church. How often should a person forgive? tion, largely because of the tradition that Jesus taught his followers to relate Is once enough? Peter wanted to know, God created the world and rested on the so he asked: “Lord, if another mem- seventh day. Thus, forgiving seven times Additional background information ber of the church sins against me, how suggests complete forgiveness. online where you see the “Digging often should I forgive? As many as seven Whether Peter was recalling an ear- Deeper” icon times?” lier teaching or feeling magnanimous,

20 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes his proposal of forgiving seven times now-freed debtor departed (did he even came up short, for Jesus said “Not seven are available at express thanks?), and soon met a fel- times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven nurturingfaith.net low servant who owed him a hundred times.” denarii. Three months’ wages was not There are two ways to look at this. who is thereafter referred to as a “lord” insignificant, but was microscopic in On the one hand, imagine that we are over his servants (vv. 27, 32, 34), and comparison to the amount he had just considering multiple offenses. Suppose who decided to hold a judgment day of been forgiven. Incredibly, the ungrate- someone hurts your feelings, but asks sorts in which all debtors will be held ful servant caught his colleague by the for forgiveness. Tomorrow the culprit accountable. He must have been an neck and harshly demanded immediate does it again, but begs pardon. On the incredibly generous king, for one of the payment. When the poor man begged third day, he or she is rude yet again. servants, Jesus said, owed him 10,000 for more time just as the other servant Would you continue to forgive someone talents (whether of gold or silver is not had done, the forgiven man showed no who persists in offending you? Jesus’ stated). This would have been a stag- mercy, but had his fellow servant thrown words suggest that we should. gering sum: The talent was the largest into prison (vv. 28-30). But consider another scenario. unit of currency in use at that time, and As one might expect, the churlish Suppose someone has caused you such 10,000 was the largest number com- servant’s heartless actions were soon pain that it’s very difficult to get past monly used in arithmetic. The word reported to his “lord,” who called him in it. You may want to forgive – and you translated 10,000 is the Greek myriad. for a tongue-lashing: “You wicked slave! may speak words of forgiveness – but As in English, it could also refer to an I forgave you all that debt because you the hurt is so deep that it remains astronomical but indefinite number. pleaded with me. Should you not have unresolved, and every time you feel the Even if the servant in question was had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had pain or loss the other has inflicted, you a governor or some other high offi- mercy on you?” (vv. 31-33). feel resentment welling up again. In cial, it is inconceivable that he could “In anger” Jesus said, the king rein- this case, you may need to consciously have owed so much: Josephus recorded stated the formerly forgiven debt and express forgiveness multiple times for that the total take in taxes from Judea, threw the heartless servant into prison the same offense – not to the other per- Idumea, and Samaria in 4 BCE was only “to be tortured” until the entire debt son each time, but in your own heart. 600 talents. Jesus deliberately spoke in was paid – something that could never After a drunken driver killed my hyperbole, exaggerating the numbers happen (v. 34). 7-year-old daughter in 1994, I found for shocking effect. None of his hearers The parable concludes: “So my heav- it hard to forgive him for the selfish, could imagine owing that kind of debt, enly Father will also do to every one of thoughtless actions that led to a hor- much less paying it – but they could you, if you do not forgive your brother or rific crash and the death of a loving, appreciate the relief that should come sister from your heart” (v. 35). promising child. Showing grace was not from being forgiven such a hopeless Is it time to take a deep breath? something that could be done in one fell amount. That’s quite a warning. The threat of swoop. Every time I thought of what When the servant professed his unending torture is probably just as he had done and the old resentment inability to pay the jillions of dollars he much hyperbole as the inmate’s stag- returned, I had to forgive again. I came owed, the king ordered that he and his gering debt, but intended to stress the to believe that we are called to live with family be sold into slavery – a not uncom- seriousness of the matter. Those who a forgiving spirit at all times. It’s not mon practice in the ancient world. The follow Christ have been forgiven of a really about numbers, whether 3 or 7 cash return would be miniscule compared sin-debt that no amount of good works or 77 or 490; it’s about learning to have to the amount owed, but would prevent could repay. Could believers be as cal- such compassion for others that we can the king from facing a total loss and lous as the man in the parable and refuse take on Jesus’ forgiving nature. would impose a penalty on the debtor, forgiveness toward others? sending a message that one should not For believers, forgiveness is not an A pointed parable borrow what one cannot repay. option. Holding grudges is not only bad (vv. 23-35) The thought of his family being for our emotional health, but also for To illustrate the importance of forgive- sold into slavery sent the debtor into a our spiritual health, for our attitude in ness, Jesus told a story that is found only paroxysm of penitence as he shamelessly relationships with others directly affects in Matthew. It is a parable played out in begged for more time, though everyone our relationship with God. three scenes, an obvious analogy based involved knew he could never pay it Here’s the bottom line: those who on a hypothetical kingdom: “the king- all (v. 26). Surprisingly, the king took wish to receive forgiveness must learn to dom of heaven may be compared to …” pity on the servant and forgave the entire forgive – both readily and repeatedly. The parable has eschatological mind-boggling debt (v. 27). Do you feel forgiven? If not, have implications, beginning with a king In Jesus’ telling of the tale, the you wondered why? BT

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 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 YoSeptember 7 — September u 28, th2014 support of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation.

Problems SEPTEMBER 7 Matthew 18:15-20 private and explain how you have been Think About It: offended. If you work things out, then the How do you deal with conflict? Do you han- ave you ever been aware of someone relationship is healed. If not, meet with dle it in a healthy way? If not, how might the talking about you behind your back? the person again, but this time with two guidelines suggested in today’s lesson help Usually this means there is already or three others present to act as witnesses. H you resolve your issues in a healthier way? conflict in the relationship. Talking behind If this doesn’t work, present the offense your back doesn’t help the situation at all, to the entire church body. If there is still and in fact, it makes it worse. no repentance, then the offending party Make a Choice: The Gospel of Matthew offers five “if” should be treated like an outsider to the Talking to someone directly is not always the statements to help us deal with conflict. church body. easiest thing to do, but it is the right thing to Matthew 18 refers to someone in There are two things that may seem do. How will you choose to handle conflict the church who offends another person in strange to us in this passage: (1) The the next time it happens? Will you talk to the church — although “offend” might be offended person initiates the discussion, others about the person with whom you too easy of a word. The word “sin” is used and (2) the ordeal should be kept as private have a problem or go to the person directly? only in this passage and one other place in as possible. Maybe this does make sense Matthew, meaning that it has to be a seri- because sometimes we don’t know we ous offense. have offended someone, so the discussion Pray: So what are you supposed to do when should start with the offended party. By Dear God, help us handle conflict in a way someone offends you? meeting together in private, the reputation that honors everyone so the body of Christ First, approach the other person in of the offending person isn’t harmed. may be whole again.

77 times! SEPTEMBER 14 Matthew 18:21-35 is considered to be perfect and represents Think About It: completion, so forgiving seven times would Jesus wants us be a forgiving people. What orgiveness is hard. It doesn’t seem to be forgiving perfectly and completely. But makes it so hard to forgive? How can your be the “natural” thing to do. Doesn’t even “seven” would pale in comparison to faith help you become more forgiving? Frevenge seem like a more normal what Jesus asks of his followers. response? We don’t want to forgive Jesus calls us to forgive 77 times! because we feel like we have been wronged Imagine someone sinning against you 77 or we want to get back at the other person. times and you forgiving them all 77 times. Make a Choice: In Matthew 18, Jesus says we are supposed For smaller things we probably wouldn’t When someone offends you, it’s your choice to forgive, but not just once, or even seven think twice about it. But what if it was a whether or not to forgive that person. How times, but 77 times! deep hurt? Can you imagine forgiving a per- do you choose to forgive someone? The fact that it is Peter in this story who son 77 times? You might not even be over asks Jesus about forgiveness shouldn’t be the first offense before the next one occurs. a surprise. It isn’t because Peter has sinned Seventy-seven times would have been against his fellow disciples all the time, a mind-boggling number, so much so that Pray: but rather he seems edgy. Peter thinks he is Jesus told a parable to explain it further. In Dear God, thank you for forgiving us again going over and above when Jesus says Peter the parable a man fails to learn that to be and again and again. May our hearts be should forgive seven times, because that is forgiven, he must also learn to forgive. Each shaped so that we also can be generous in twice what the rabbis teach. Maybe Peter of us has been forgiven by God, and not only showing forgiveness. is going with the number seven because it 77 times, but an infinite number of times.

22 Life’s Not Fair SEPTEMBER 21 Matthew 20:1-16 but we like its teaching? Think About It: In the parable, each person who has Although none of us deserve the grace we ow many times have you said, “Life’s worked receives the same wage at the end receive, sometimes we don’t want to give not fair!”? If you ask your parents, of the day, no matter if he has worked grace to others. Why do we not want to give they might roll their eyes and laugh all day or part of the day. On top of that, H others the grace we ourselves have received? at you because they hear it so often. everyone receives the pay they had earlier There are many times when life agreed to earn. It still doesn’t seem right. doesn’t seem fair, but that is usually Working more should mean more pay, Make a Choice: because we are looking at the situation right? from our own perspective. The more dis- We want to hear the parable through It is human nature to judge others by what tance we have from a situation, the more our sense of fairness. Jesus wants us to we think they deserve rather than giving fair someone else’s perspective may seem, read it thinking about grace. The parable is them grace. How can we learn to better fol- because it is no longer happening to us. not about the pay someone should receive low God’s example in how we treat others? Reading the parable in Matthew 20 for a day’s work, but instead the reward makes us want to say, “That’s not fair!” The we will receive in God’s kingdom. It doesn’t parable ends with one of the most quoted matter when we accept God’s grace; it only scriptures: The fi rst shall be last, and the matters that we accept it. Grace is not Pray: last shall be fi rst. What are we supposed to something that is pro-rated, but an all-or- Dear God, thank you for the grace we have do with a passage that doesn’t seem fair, nothing kind of gift offered by God. received and do not deserve. May we freely pass that same grace on to others.

That Jesus? SEPTEMBER 28 Matthew 21:23-32 him. Instead, Jesus fl ips the tables (not Think About It: literally this time) and asks the priests a Some people fi nd it easier to talk about hen you hear the name “Jesus,” question. They are stumped by the ques- what they believe and why they believe it, what images enter your head? For tion and have to answer with “We don’t while others fi nd it easier to live out their most people it is the image of a know.” Because the priests don’t provide W faith. If you had to describe yourself, would gentle Jesus with a lamb or children sitting an answer, Jesus doesn’t tell them by what you be a “walker” or a “talker”? at his feet — maybe around a table eating authority he does the things he does. and laughing. Another image of Jesus, also Jesus then tells the priests a parable very real, is him confronting people. and asks them to identify which son they Make a Choice: In today’s lesson, Jesus has trav- are in the story. Those who hear Jesus’ eled and taught far and wide but has story, no doubt, understand that Jesus is We say all kinds of things every day without now returned and is going to teach in the calling out the priests for not being recep- even opening our mouths. We speak with temple. When he arrives at the temple, he tive to the will of the Father. our actions. What do your actions say about doesn’t like what he sees. There’s an old saying: “Do as I say, not what you believe and who you follow? Likewise, the priests at the temple as I do.” In this encounter, Jesus is pointing have heard about him and aren’t thrilled out how the priests’ actions do not match with him being there. They question Jesus their words. We have to both walk the walk to try and trap him so they can get rid of and talk the talk. Pray: God, may our words and deeds point to you and show your care and love to others.

23 Matthew 20:1-16

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 21, 2014 A Question of Fairness

remember it all too well: When I was a boy, my neighbor Herman decided Ito go into the egg business, and he hired me to help assemble the wire cages that would be mounted inside the long chicken houses he was construct- ing. Each cage contained eight or ten compartments designed to hold three hens each, with a sloped wire fl oor that allowed eggs to roll onto a wire shelf Matthew 20:15 — while droppings fell to the ground “Am I not allowed to do beneath. what I choose with what I gave no thought at the time to belongs to me? Or are whether the system was humane to the you envious because I am chickens: I just wanted to make some generous?” scratch for my fl edgling bank account. Building the cages correctly required patience, an attention to detail, and So much for motivating your if we were to see an apparent inequity strength enough to hold things in place employees! based on an employer’s generosity while using a special pair of pliers to I remember taking shelter inside a instead of greed? wrap a metal ferrule around adjoining large cardboard box during a thunder- We would not be the fi rst to wires. storm toward the end of that day. My wonder. Herman offered to pay me some- dad came to pick me up so I wouldn’t Men at work thing like 60 cents per cage, but after have to walk home in the rain, and he (vv. 1-7) I got the hang of it, I could start early, found me so frustrated by the unfairness work steadily, and build enough cages to of it all that my tears competed with the Matthew alone recounts Jesus’ parable earn seven or eight dollars in a day. raindrops. of the workers in the vineyard, which All was fi ne until my uncle talked We have strong feelings about fair- could just as well be called the parable Herman into hiring my cousin to do ness, don’t we? It can frustrate us to of the generous landowner. The story the same job, but he was less industri- recognize that women consistently get concludes a series of conversations ous, built fewer cages, and consequently paid about 20 percent less than men for about rewards at the end of things. The made less money. He complained to my doing the same work, for example, or to fi rst was an encounter between Jesus uncle, who persuaded Herman to pay realize that jet-setting CEOs routinely and a young man who was willing to both of us a fl at fi ve dollars per day, no earn from 200 to more than a thou- keep any number of laws to gain eter- matter how many cages we built. sand times the amount of their average nal life, but was unwilling to part with When told of this new arrangement, employees. his possessions (19:16-22). Afterward I felt betrayed by my boss and ill-treated The offense we take at such ineq- Jesus remarked how diffi cult it was for by my uncle, who helped his son earn uity grows from the greed of employers, wealthy people to adopt the sacrifi cial more without working any harder, while whether it was my late neighbor try- lifestyle of kingdom followers (19:23- robbing me of extra money I could earn ing to save a few dollars per day, or a 26), and responded to the disciples’ by being productive. contemporary executive who brings questions about what sort of rewards home $10 million per year while his they might receive after following him Additional background information minimum-wage employees struggle to faithfully (19:27-30). online where you see the “Digging pay the rent. With the question of fi nances Deeper” icon Would we take the same offense and fairness in the air, Jesus told his

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes followers a challenging parable that still landowner insisted that justice had not are available at has the power to make us squirm. The been violated. The early-bird work- story builds on the preceding verse: “But nurturingfaith.net ers had agreed to the “denarius a day” many who are first will be last, and the scale, and that’s what they had been last will be first.” It then concludes with they slept late or had other business paid (v 13). The employer had treated the same thought, but in reverse order: earlier in the day, or had they been them with perfect fairness – what they “So the last will be first, and the first waiting there all day without being could not accept is that the latecomers will be last” (20:16). chosen? (See “The Hardest Question” had received more than justness: he had The parable seems to address a online for more.) Whatever the case, the treated them with gracious generosity. question Peter had raised about what vineyard owner quickly took care of the The parable, no doubt, would have reward he and the other disciples could problem: “You also go into the vineyard.” angered legalists who expected eternal expect: “Look, we have left everything rewards in return for a lifetime of and followed you. What then will we Wages, and grace following the law. Jesus’ free acceptance have?” (19:27). (vv. 8-16) and forgiveness of sinners, no matter The story continues to trouble the So far, so good. The only unusual what their past or how lately they had legalist in all of us who thinks people thing about the parable is the apparent turned to God, turned the theology of should get only what they deserve. urgency shown by a man who is so anx- legalism upside down. That, of course, Legalism has always had a hard time ious to get his grapes off the vines and was the point. Those who receive the understanding grace. into the winepress that he’s still hiring kingdom and its rewards do so because The rabbis taught that a full work- day labor so near the end of the day. God is good, not because they have day lasted from dawn until the first Jesus’ parables often contained a earned it. stars became visible, and Ps. 104:22-23 surprise twist, and the surprise arrived as A life of faithfulness is not without suggests that same thing. The widely the day wound down and the landowner reward, but Jesus calls disciples to accepted wage for a day laborer in instructed his paymaster to distribute steadfast service that is motivated by Palestine was one Roman denarius per the men’s wages. Surprisingly, he told generous love, not the expectation of day, roughly equivalent to the Greek the men to line up in reverse order of a payday commensurate with either drachma described as payment for a day when they were hired, with the last hired experience or competence. in Tobit 5:15. to be the first ones paid. The issue has to do with generosity The parable describes a landowner Any person would expect those and resentment, grace and jealousy. The who went out early in the morning hired last to be paid a smaller, pro-rated landowner asked: “Am I not allowed to – probably about 6 a.m. – and hired amount of the day’s wage: the landowner do what I choose with what belongs to laborers to work in his vineyard, had promised to pay those hired later me? Or are you envious because I am contracting to pay the standard daily in the day “what is right.” When those generous?” (v. 15). wage of one denarius (vv. 1-2). He workers surprisingly received a full We may find it hard to receive grace returned to the marketplace about 9 a.m. denarius, those who had worked a full we did not earn, and even harder to and found other day laborers who had day naturally expected such a generous accept God’s generosity to others whom gathered to seek work. The owner hired employer to pay them more, but they we believe earned it less than us. Jesus’ additional hands, promising “I will pay also received the standard scale of one insistence that “the last will be first you whatever is right” (vv. 3-4). At noon denarius each (vv. 8-9). and 3 p.m. the employer returned seeking Can you imagine the ruckus that and the first will be last” (v. 16) was a additional help, presumably making the erupted from those who had “borne the way of emphasizing God’s freedom and same offer (“he did the same,” v. 5). burden of the day and the scorching desire to extend grace to all people – It must have been harvest time, with heat”? “They grumbled against the land- even those who come late or who others grapes begging to be picked before they owner,” Jesus said (vv. 10-12). might consider unworthy. spoiled on the vine, for the desperate You bet they did – and we would We can only imagine how the landowner returned as late as 5 p.m. to have grumbled, too, if we had come to disciples responded to Jesus’ story, but seek more workers. Finding job hunters the end of the day weary of bone and the important thing is how we respond. still available, he asked “Why are you stinking with sweat, only to receive the Did we, like the all-day workers, react standing here idle all day?” (v. 6). The same pay as someone who has sashayed with resentment? It’s hard to rejoice men insisted that the problem was not in and worked a single hour. We would with people who appear to be rewarded laziness on their part, but a lack of think it completely inequitable: note the beyond what they deserve, but that’s opportunity: “Because no one has hired worker’s complaint that “you have made what makes it grace – and without us” (v. 7). them equal to us.” grace, none of us would make it out of Why had no one hired them? Had Though the workers cried foul, the the field. BT

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 | 25 Matthew 21:23-32

with Tony W. Cartledge

Sept. 28, 2014 Matthew 21:23 — Who decides what is right? “When he entered the temple, the chief priests he Jesus we fi nd in today’s text and the elders of the is not the gentle teacher and people came to him as T healer we like so much, but a he was teaching, and bold revolutionary who wreaks havoc in said, ‘By what author- the temple and challenges the religious ity are you doing these authorities supporting the system that things, and who gave had held Judaism together for the past you this authority?’” 500 years. Jesus was no friend of tradition when something better was at hand, and the something better was in him- self, in his teaching of a new way, in his demonstration of power that pointed to God’s in-breaking kingdom, and in the redemptive acts that he was yet to accomplish. What do we do with a Jesus who is not in comfort mode, but who makes us distinctly uncomfortable? As we consider conquering king. Jesus, the debater the text, can we see something of our- That story and its aftermath are (vv. 22-27) selves in the authorities who held tightly told in all four gospels, though not all to their doctrine and could not accept As bold as shiny new brass, Jesus walked in the same way. As Matthew tells it, the new thing God was doing? back into the temple in order to teach, Jesus went straight to the temple, where but ran into the path of a religious rip- he took such offense at the carnival Jesus, the radical saw. “The chief priests and elders of the atmosphere surrounding the festival people” were waiting for him, hoping If the establishment leaders who con- week that he resorted to uncharacteristic to derail the popular train he was driv- fronted Jesus used our vocabulary, they force. Can you imagine it? The gospels ing, and they did so with a measure of would have called Jesus an insurgent, insist that Jesus angrily overturned the desperation: Jesus’ message of the in- and possibly a terrorist: at least one of tables where men with scales and bags of breaking kingdom of God was a direct his disciples was identifi ed with Galilean money were converting Greek or Roman challenge to the religious traditions they group known as the Zealots, and they coins into Jewish shekels acceptable for had developed. had been known to use violence. the payment of temple taxes. He then The offi cials asked Jesus, in so many What are we to make of this story went about releasing doves and other words, “Who died and made you chief about Jesus getting “in your face” with animals being sold for sacrifi ce (at a nice priest? Who gives you the authority to do these scribes and Pharisees, priests and profi t) – and not politely. these things?” (v. 23). The question was elders, the religious and ethnic leaders Expressing heated disdain that intended to trap Jesus and leave him of his day? Out of nowhere, Jesus had commercial business had taken over tied up in the path of their spinning saw come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey the temple court intended as a place of blade. If Jesus claimed to be acting on with hundreds of people shouting praise prayer for Gentiles, Jesus cried out “It God’s authority, they could just hang and crying “Hosanna,” as if he were a is written, ‘My house shall be called a him for heresy and be done with it. If house of prayer’; but you are making it a he could cite no other authorization Additional background information den of robbers!” (21:13). With no other for his actions – and they were the only online where you see the “Digging words recorded, he left Jerusalem – but sanctioning body – they could evict him Deeper” icon the next day he was back. from the temple.

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted by Baptists Today. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Order at: baptiststoday.org Resources to teach adult and youth classes But Jesus was quick on his cognitive religious elite had seen the revival John’s feet, and not easily trapped. Thinking are available at preaching had sparked, but refused to fast, he turned the question back on his nurturingfaith.net believe John’s message – presumably critics and laid a trap of his own: “I will the part about a greater one who would also ask you one question; if you tell me come after him, the one he identified as the answer, then I will also tell you by Jesus (Matt. 3:11-17). what authority I do these things. Did the teachings of Jesus we find in scripture, So, as Jesus asked his critics, what baptism of John come from heaven, or and make a conscious effort to seek do you think? Could this story possibly was it of human origin?” (vv. 24-25). Christ’s leadership through prayer. We have anything to say to our time, to our Jesus knew his inquisitors could not live in a changing world with questions church, to our ideas about organized answer that question. If they agreed that and possibilities not evident in the bibli- religion? If there’s anything inauthentic John’s authority came from God, they cal world, but the promise of Christ’s about them, it would. Jesus took it to would have to admit that their refusal continued presence means that new the most religious folk of his day because to believe John meant they had failed words can still be heard. they appeared to be all show and no go. to heed God’s messenger. If they denied They talked the talk, but they didn’t that John was a legitimate prophet, Jesus, the challenger walk the walk. however, they would have a mob of (vv. 28-32) In contrast, a lot of folk who weren’t John’s disciples to deal with, because Having put his accusers on the defense, welcome at the temple had begun fol- the Baptizer was very popular with the lowing Jesus in baptism and walking on Jesus shifted to his own line of attack by people (vv. 25-26). a different road. For much of their lives, asking the officials a pointed question in Knowing they were caught, but they had said “No” to God’s way, but the form of a story. The story concerns seeking to avoid a greater defeat, the now they were changing their hearts and a farmer who instructed his two sons officials gave the only other possible their lives. Zacchaeus was paying back to go and work in the family vineyard. answer: “We don’t know.” the extra tax money he had extorted, and One of the sons said he would not go, Their inability to answer provided Matthew (also a former tax collector) but later changed his tune and went to Jesus with a way out. If they could not was following Jesus all around the coun- work. The second son responded with a identify the authority behind John’s try. Former prostitutes were among the polite “Yes, sir” – but never showed up baptism, how could they claim to judge women who also followed Jesus, using (vv. 28-30). Jesus? Claiming his verbal victory, Jesus their resources to help the poor and tell- “What do you think?” Jesus asked said “Neither will I tell you by whose ing others about how to be forgiven, – pushing his accusers deeper into a cor- authority I am doing these things” giving their hearts to walking in the way (v. 27). ner. “Which of the two did the will of of God as revealed in Jesus. The question of authority is a seri- his father?” (v. 31a). So, where does that leave us? Do ous consideration. When churches ordain There was only one answer, but we honestly want people to judge us by ministers, for example, they grant author- in pointing to the one who initially what we do, or do we live in the vain ity to teach, preach, and preside over the declined but later went to work, the reli- hope that others will believe everything ordinances with the endorsement of the gious authorities condemned themselves. we say? What can we point to that sets church. When pastors preach, they often They were like the son who claimed to us apart and identifies us as true follow- claim that their message comes on the be obedient but would not accept God’s ers of Jesus? authority of scripture, which owes its new covenant in Jesus, while the other We might indicate financial contri- authority to God. son represented sinners who had violated butions, perhaps, or volunteer work, or Knowing what to believe, how- the law but later repented and followed the time invested in church activities. ever, is not so easy, for today’s religious Jesus. Lest there be any misunderstand- Even so, most of us could probably con- authorities – like those Jesus confronted ing, Jesus announced that prostitutes fess that we are sometimes so concerned – are also subject to misinterpreting the and crooked tax collectors would enter with sounding good, looking good, scriptures and failing to perceive new the kingdom of God before those who feeling good, and making good that we things God is doing in the world. treasured their religious authority but don’t get around to being good, espe- The question about Jesus’ authority refused to accept what God was doing in cially if it means challenging traditions is a reminder that Jesus did teach with Jesus. and being open to what feels like radical the authority of God, and remains our Tying the parable to the earlier ques- new ways of showing Jesus’ love in the highest authority. As we seek to under- tion, Jesus reminded the officials that world. stand various issues of the day, we must they had also rejected John the Baptizer Are you living the faith, loving the seek not only to understand scriptural while sinners of all stripes had flocked to people, walking the walk? If Jesus told a evidence, but also weigh it against the him, repenting and being baptized. The story about you, what might it be? BT

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 | 27 Classifieds Pastor In the Know Church Profile: Senior Pastor: Ilie Coada, a Baptist pastor in Moldova who worked tirelessly against human traf- Qualifications: ficking and the sex trade in his country, received the Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award at the July 6-12 meeting of the Baptist World Alliance in Responsibilities: Izmir, Turkey. Howard Cobble died July 4. He was pas- - tor twice of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton, Ga., where he was named pastor emeritus. Other pastorates included Severns Minister/Director of Music: st Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, Ky., and First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates in Atlanta. Andy Hale oversees the Church Starts Initiative for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He serves as pastor of Mosaic of Clayton in Clayton, N.C. Previously he was associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Five-Year Pastoral Degree Program Director Clayton. Benjamin Franklin Lowe Jr. died April 26. He was academic dean of Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., from 1968-2001, Shine - where he also taught religion classes. Sunday school curriculum! Shine: Living in God’s Light Ben McDade, who has served in develop- ment and marketing with Baptists Today since 2012, has accepted an advance- ment position with Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. shinecurriculum.com.

Steve Nethery is executive director of His Nets, an organization supported by many Baptists to distribute insecticide-treated bed And the winner is… nets to those most vulnerable to malaria. He ommy Deal of the First Baptist Church is experienced in net distribution in Ghana, of Dalton, Ga., took home a Samsung West Africa. T Galaxy Tab4 from Nurturing Faith, the book and church resources publishing arm Samuel Tolbert is president of the National of Baptists Today. The drawing took place at Baptist Convention of America. He is pas- the June assembly of the Cooperative Baptist tor of Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Fellowship in Atlanta. Church in Lake Charles, La. Nurturing Faith Books are available in John M. Yarborough Jr. died June 20 at print or as digital downloads for all devices at age 79. A dermatologist and musician, he NuturingFaith.info. was longtime organist at St. Charles Avenue Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Baptist Church in New Orleans. BT Tony Cartledge are inside Baptists Today Place your order online or call 478- with free and abundant teaching resources 301-5655 or 1-877-752-5658 for a group (including Tony’s video lessons) online at subscription for your church or Bible study NurturingFaith.net. class. BT

28 Contributing Editor

The conundrum of moderate Baptist missions

oderate Baptists don’t support missions — at least traditional missions — engagement toward short-term trips for members. That has led to a wider awareness Mthe way we used to. There’s no denying that, and leaders of the Cooperative of human needs and broader participation Baptist Fellowship (CBF) made no attempt to pretend otherwise during this year’s in missions, which is terrific — but it also uses dollars that could support long-term missionaries. were frequent, but the response left something to be desired. The passion generated by such trips hasn’t translated into stronger support for traditional missions. Most churches can raise $30,000 to CBF was formed, in part, because many Many places in the world are now send a mission team to Zimbabwe or Ukraine moderates believed in missions but could not more Christianized than America. The center or India far more easily than they can raise the support the Southern Baptist Convention’s of global Christianity has moved south of same amount to support someone who could shift to an evangelism-only strategy that sac- the equator — and it’s stay long enough to learn the language. It’s also rificed hospitals, schools and social programs often more conservative easier to raise partnership support for a mis- while tightening restrictions on who could be and more charismatic missionaries and what they had to believe. We than the faith most of us sionary known and loved by the church than it didn’t want to be a denomination so much as practice. Nagaland, in is to collect a large offering for global missions an alternate missions-sending agency. northeast India, may be in general. The early years saw a flurry of activity and the most Baptist place on excitement, with money flowing to the move- earth. In parts of Africa, The church in general is suffering ment’s growing missions program, some SBC Asia, and the Middle decline, whether mainline or evangelical. With missionaries coming to do missions through East, polarized conflict societal trends leading to a more secular and CBF, and several fully-funded missionaries between Christians and other religious groups less religious population, churches are strug- being appointed every year. Keith Parks, for- spills into murderous violence and reprisals gling to support their staff and maintain their mer head of the SBC International Mission on a large scale. We may feel hesitant to pour buildings. When compounded by broader Board, came over to lead CBF’s new global more fuel on the fire. economic struggles, churches can become more missions effort and preached stem-winding concerned with keeping the lights on at home sermons that had us walking the aisles to vol- The paradigm that once compelled than with spreading the Light of the World. unteer for missions and opening our wallets to us to sacrificial giving was based largely on a When church receipts decline, we can become give sacrificially. call to “win the lost at all costs,” with images depressed and defensive, more focused on our Global missions makes up just over half of millions of souls who were destined for own needs and less concerned about others. of the budget and designated spending for perdition if we didn’t persuade them to follow CBF, but financial support for the program Christ. The more progressive we are, the less The result is that CBF mission personnel has faltered. Fully-funded appointments have likely we are to believe (a) in hell as an eter- have to work on a shoestring budget and spend disappeared: New missionaries have to raise nal torture chamber, and (b) that God would significant portions of time raising support a considerable portion of their own funding damn people to eternal punishment for failing rather than doing the work. Our networking from family and church friends or other part- to accept a gospel they’d never heard. and partnering with other groups is desirable nering organizations. and essential, but may also diminish a sense of I’ve been wondering why, and I suspect While CBF’s 2012 Task Force report ownership in the mission — and if we don’t the following factors all play a part: calls for mission engagement “with the least feel ownership, we’re less likely to ante up. evangelized and most neglected persons of the We can spin it as “the way God is work- Progressive Christians are more world,” the most apparent focus is on social ing” in the world today, but we can’t ignore the aware that the mission enterprise is so identi- ministries that make life better for people, reality that moderate Baptists have not sup- fied with colonialism in many parts of the seeking to touch those who are the most ported mission efforts the way we could and world that it’s no longer well received. Well- impoverished or oppressed. That mission is the way we should. intentioned missionaries through the years both laudable and appropriate, but doesn’t I hope that if we truly believe in the have sometimes done more harm than good, seem to spark the same excitement as the call Great Commandment as well as the Great whether by bringing new diseases along with to save lost souls. Commission, we’ll find a way to become as the gospel or introducing new customs that energized by improving people’s lives as by destabilized cultures and set neighbor against An obvious factor noted by both saving their souls. If we can see the global neighbor. I suspect this is one of the reasons CBF missions coordinator Steven Porter missions line in CBF’s budget start trending CBF no longer uses the term “missionaries,” and executive coordinator Suzii Paynter is upward again, the future of CBF itself will but appoints “field personnel.” that many churches have shifted missions start looking a lot brighter, too. BT

29 Online Editor In their own words

AND THE AMERICAN

his month is marked by a string of Battle of Mobile Bay, United States victories over the reel- 5 August 1864 T ing Confederacy. Most notable is the Union’s rousing naval victory in Alabama’s CSS Ten- Mobile Bay early in the month, a victory nessee that provides a badly-needed boost to U.S. USS Chickasaw- President Abraham Lincoln’s re-election campaign. USS Hart- As if on cue, the fall of Mobile Bay fordUSS Winnebago seems to open the door to further Union suc- cesses, including in the Atlanta Campaign. By the end of the month, Union forces arrayed against Atlanta have driven as far south as Jonesborough, severely disrupting Rebel supply lines and overwhelming Confederate defend- ers. The fall of the key southern city seems only days away. 150 years ago North Carolina Baptists lament the loss of Nonetheless, a brief and brilliant ray ! many ministers who have been killed in the of hope shines across the south land this great conflict, while most Baptist pastors in month. On the afternoon of August 21 in August 1864 Middle Georgia reject calls to minister to what becomes known as the Second Battle soldiers, choosing instead to remain in their of Memphis, Confederate raider Maj. Gen. pulpits. Nathan Bedford Forrest and 2,000 cavalry tem- that would commit such outrageous acts Enslaved Baptists, sitting in the galleries porarily occupy and cause havoc in Memphis, on helpless women and children as theirs of white-led congregations, remain silent but Tenn. Forrest withdraws after a glorious two has been guilty of. I would to God that attentive in the presence of white Baptists, a hours, taking prisoners and supplies with him. our entire Amy were true Christians … quietness belying their faith in an abolitionist Forrest’s Memphis raid aside, some Pray the Lord to spare me though this God of whom Lincoln is the new Moses des- Southern Baptists in the trenches reflect this cruel war, and that I may do some good tined to lead God’s people to freedom. month upon a cruel war seemingly without end. in the name of my master’s cause. I have For their part, Northern (American) Hosea Garrett of Co. G, 10th Texas Infantry, tried to make a Christian soldier as well Baptists believe defenders of black slavery to engaged in the defense of Atlanta, writes to as a soldier for my country’s rights. In be cruel and unbiblical. In sermons and writ- his uncle, Hosea Garrett Sr., in Chappell this I pray to be sustained. ings they decry slavery and rejoice that the Hill, Texas. Garrett Sr., a prominent Texas evil practice will cease when the Confederacy Baptist and president of the Baptist General Garrett is among many white Southern is defeated. One such sermon this month, Convention of Texas, is one of the richest plan- Baptists, whether soldiers or ministers or lay preached at the white Lima Baptist Church tation owners in Washington County, Texas. leaders, who remain firmly committed to the in New York, celebrates “the freedom and Confederacy’s “rights” of white supremacy divinity of man” and “the glorious claims of We are all quite tired of this war ... and black slavery. Not a few are quite public human brotherhood.” New black Baptist con- I can’t believe that God will let such a in their sentiments, their diatribes not infre- gregations in the North and Union-controlled people [Northern soldiers] go unpun- quently criticizing Baptists of the United areas of the South celebrate both freedom and ished. I believe that the day for their States for pandering to Lincoln’s abolitionist brotherhood. overthrow is not far distant. I have despotism. The decades-old competing Baptist claims heard that they cut the throat of a very Among the Southern Baptist churches in for the moral high ground on the issue of black wounded man that they came across in the Confederacy unshuttered from the ravages slavery have changed not a bit. But the course Miss… And I heard that some of our of war, national anxieties hover ever close. In of the war over slavery has shifted, and reality men found some of their wives tied to revival meetings, religious conversions offer is pointing toward a victory for those yet living stakes and dead from the cruel treat- some relief from hardships. Funds for army in bondage. BT ment that they received from their foul missions are a staple of associational gather- hands. If such as this will not make men ings. A Virginia Baptist layman charges that —Bruce Gourley is executive director of the desperate, what will? We are not what apart from the pulpit, his state’s clergy talk Baptist History & Heritage Society. we should be in a religious point of view, only of the war and the Confederacy. In other For a daily log of “This Day in Civil War but I am certain that we have no soldier pulpits, the war mingles with the gospels. History,” see civilwarbaptists.com.

30 The Lighter Side By Brett Younger

Your complete guide to the Trinity

ost of the things we talk about in deep within us. God draws us to abundant life church on Sunday still sound fine on through the wonder of creation, the love of Jesus MMonday — sharing, listening, being and the hope that holds us. God is over us as kind — but others only sound right in church. Creator, with us as Christ and in us as the Spirit. “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and The Trinity reveals the creative, ethical and to the Holy Ghost.” mystical nature of God. The essence of God is “I baptize you in the name of the Father, that God creates. Jesus shows us how to live. Son and Holy Spirit.” That is ethics. The mystical is the Spirit, the “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, presence of God. God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” If we think through it, we see that the doc- We sing, confess our faith and baptize new trine of the Trinity offers direction on how we Christians with Trinitarian formulas, but you should live. This picture of God is a gorgeous seldom hear someone in line at Starbucks say, interaction between the creative, ethical and “How ’bout that God in three persons?” versus substance seem obscure. The analogies I mystical. Since we are created in the image of The Trinity is confusing. We usually say was taught in Sunday school are inadequate, but God, we are to live with the same fullness. We Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but sometimes are still helpful in catching a glimpse of how one are most like God when the creative, ethical and we hear Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer; God can work in three different ways at the same mystical are at work in us. When our imagina- or Almighty God, Incarnate Word and Holy time. Father, Son and Spirit are like water in the tion, commitment and openness are awake, then Comforter. I heard this one recently: Womb of form of liquid, ice and steam. They are like the we live in the hope of God. Life, Word in Flesh, Brooding Spirit. This may sun, the rays of the sun and the heat generated If we believe that God created all of the become your new favorite: Primordial Nature, by the sun. They are like the memory, under- world, then our attitude will be concern and Consequent Nature and Superjective Nature. standing and love that exist in the same heart. celebration. If we believe that God was in Christ, We sing “God in three persons,” but one theolo- I am not recommending the idea that Jesus then we will follow Jesus’ example of caring. If gian suggests it would be more accurate to sing is the pitcher, the Spirit is the catcher and God we believe that the Spirit is present, then we will “God in three hypostatic modes of being.” That the Father is the umpire. My junior high Sunday stop judging everyone and everything and begin is not going to catch on. school teacher liked that one. to look for the ways God is at work. BT The Bible does not contain the word Ultimately, the Trinity is impossible to Trinity. Jesus does not talk about it. Not until explain. The discussion seems so esoteric that we —Brett Younger is associate professor of preaching the fourth century did church leaders formalize are tempted to think it does not really matter, at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. the idea at the Council of Nicea. but it does. Different theologians express it in different T.S. Eliot suggested that humans, as a spe- ways. cies, cannot bear too much reality. So we spend NOW AVAILABLE John Calvin: “To the Father is attributed most of our lives dealing with little questions the beginning of activity and the fountain and that are easy to answer: What’s for lunch? Who wellspring of all things; to the Son, wisdom, won the game? Who is rich? Such questions pass counsel and the ordered disposition of all things; the time. But now and then we realize that stay- but to the Spirit is assigned the power and effi- ing on the superficial surface keeps us from the cacy of that activity.” good gifts that are down deeper. Too bad that will not fit on a bumper The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that sticker. there is always more to God than we conceive, This is Karl Barth: “God is the speaker, more of God than we can explain, more than we without whom there is no word and no mean- can sing or preach or prove. God is as near as our ing, the word who is the speaker’s word and the breath, but not so familiar as to be completely bearer of the meaning, the meaning which is understood. God is beyond time and space, but as much the meaning of the speaker as of the not so mysterious as to be inaccessible. The word.” Trinity is difficult, but it is also delightful. Available as a digital download Glad he cleared that up. The Trinity is the understanding that God (ebook) or in print at For most of us, the hairsplitting intellectual is at work in an abundance of ways. God is in gymnastics of arguments concerning essence the world, in the story of Christ and in the hope nurturingfaith.info

31 +% 2-!*.$ *34)*$.%! Baptist theology

his is the second in a series of six articles The book is enriched by the author’s utili- about academic theology written since zation of the results of the work of the biblical In a 1991 survey of how systematic theology is 1950 by Baptists. We will begin with theology movement. Moody was passionately T being taught in America, Gabriel Fackre discov- textbooks of systematic theology. ecumenical, and his ecumenism was wider than ered that Baptist Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology was being used as a text in more most theologians can manage. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGIES schools than any other single-author book. For example, in his chapter on eschatol- ogy he spends one page arguing with Albert When we hear the phrase “systematic the- There is now an abridged version of this Schweitzer and the next page arguing with C.I. ology,” we tend to think of those massive 1,300-page volume; Erickson delights in telling Scofield. volumes that have been both loved and hated people that it is popularly known as “Millard by students who were required to study them light.” Moody displays an enthusiasm for the in seminaries and divinity schools. During our Erickson is a mediating theologian. For Bible and for theology that is infectious in the period, Baptists have written many such books. example, he makes a conscientious effort to way James Leo Garrett’s enthusiasm for histori- do justice to both sides of a debate in which cal theology is. Baptists have engaged continually for almost I begin with a three-volume, 1,400-page book four centuries: the debate about predestination. He affirms divine sovereignty and human by R.T. Kendall titled Understanding Theology. Grenz wrote a 900-page systematic theology It is extraordinary in that it consists almost freedom, and he says that God’s work of pre- titled Theology for the Community of God. He exclusively of outlines. There are very few destination is compatible with humans making did not follow the traditional procedure of prose paragraphs. free choices. I appreciate mediating theology, beginning with an affirmation of the authority Fortunately most of the points and sub- but I don’t think there is a coherent middle of Scripture and then moving on to systematize points, and sub-sub-points are full sentences, ground here. what he finds in Scripture. so it isn’t difficult to follow Kendall’s thinking. Predestination is an either/or issue. If you His section on Scripture does not come His career is as extraordinary as his book. believe that prior to creation God made a sov- until the middle of his book. It is in a chapter Kendall is a Southern Baptist who served ereign decision, without reference to the future on the Holy Spirit in which Grenz says that for 25 years as pastor of Westminster Chapel conduct of individual humans, to save certain the Spirit uses the Bible to carry out the Spirit’s in London. Like his predecessors G. Campbell individuals and not others, you are a Calvinist. work in the church. Morgan and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Kendall If you don’t believe that, you aren’t. In not placing the Bible at the beginning is a master of biblical exposition, but in this of his book, Grenz was following the example systematic theology he intentionally addresses of the First London Confession rather than of current issues as well. He is charismatic, and Mikolaski’s Theological Sentences: A Study in the Second. It was a great loss to Baptists and he longs for a reuniting of the Word and the Christian Critical Realism is unusual in several to the wider church when Grenz died in 2005 Spirit. ways. One is that the book was brought into print at the age of 55. just last year, when the author was 90 years old! Another is that he employs a numeri- Grudem’s 1,300-page Systematic Theology has cal format similar to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s The period under consideration saw the publi- been abridged into a 530-page book titled Bible Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. The author inter- cation of what I believe to be the most original Doctrine, which in turn has been abridged into acts thoughtfully with an exceptionally wide systematic theology ever written by a Baptist. a 160-page book titled Christian Beliefs. range of conversation partners, especially with It is the three-volume Systematic Theology by Grudem, like Kendall, defends both scientists, philosophers and church fathers. James Wm. McClendon. Calvinism and charismatic experience. He is a His title is borrowed from the medieval It is conventional for theologians to begin Third Wave charismatic: At one time he par- theologian Peter Lombard. This book is a with method, then present doctrines, and then ticipated in a Vineyard Fellowship, though he splendid example of how to present the good trace out moral implications. McClendon is a Baptist. news to contemporary intellectuals. reverses that sequence. His first volume is titled In his book he argues for a complementar- Ethics, his second is Doctrine, and his third is ian understanding of men and women. Women Witness. and men are equal in value before God, but Of the Baptist systematic theologies published What lies behind this sequence is a con- God has assigned them different, complemen- during our period, perhaps the most intensely viction that people are drawn into Christian tary roles. Grudem is a master communicator, biblical is The Word of Truth by Dale Moody. I communities by the way of life the com- and his book is now being used as a text at estimate there are 3,000 references to Scripture munities practice. They then absorb the many seminaries. in this 600-page book. community’s beliefs the way children absorb

32 the language of their families of origin. Only later, as they begin to think more intentionally The most beautiful theology book I have ever about the community’s doctrine and ethics, read is Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy do they feel the need for warrants for those Spirit by Clark Pinnock, published in 1996. He beliefs. wrote that “Theology ought to be beautiful, McClendon worked with life narratives as because its subject is so beautiful.” much as with abstract concepts. In doing this The triune God “is not at all like Aristotle’s he is, of course, following the example of the god, thinking only about thinking. God is pure Bible. ecstasy — each Person exists in loving relation- To the best of my knowledge, McClen- ship with the other Persons, and the joyous don’s Systematic Theology has been discussed by fellowship spills over into giving life to the a wider range of persons than any other Baptist creature.” systematic theology in the past 60 years. I “The Trinity is an open, inviting fellowship, believe it deserves this attention and respect. and the Spirit wants the church to be the same.” “When we look at salvation from the MONOGRAPHS standpoint of the Spirit, we view it in relational, affective terms.” We turn now to some theological monographs, “Being saved is … like falling in love with books on a single theological topic, that show God.” the range and creativity of Baptist theology. Pinnock describes salvation as union with God, beatific vision, communion, and theosis, not just as acquittal in a courtroom. The first theological monograph to be consid- Of the possibility that people who are ered is A Scandalous Providence: The Jesus Story not Christians may be saved Pinnock wrote: of the Compassion of God by Frank Tupper, first “There is no way around it — we must hope published in 1991. The footnotes show that that God’s gift of salvation is being applied the author has read widely, but he is wrestling to people everywhere…. Let us not forget to with life as much as with literature. hope…. We are good news people. Negativity In 1981 he and his wife Betty learned that does not become us.” she had cancer, and she died in 1983. Early in Pinnock takes seriously the challenge that his book Tupper briefly describes her ordeal, in this hope he may be motivated by wishful and then at the end of the book he recounts thinking, but then he turns the tables and asks conversations the two of them had in the those who disagree with him to consider their weeks leading up to her death. For him, own motives. providence is a life-and-death issue. Are they like Noah who resented God’s Tupper writes extended theological mercy to Ninevah? Or like the elder son who resented the welcome that his father gave the meditations on stories about Jesus from his prodigal son when he returned home? Pinnock birth to his death and resurrection. He also concludes, “Let us never give up hope for those reflects on the stories of contemporary persons, who have not yet believed.” some famous and others not. This is narra- Pinnock believes that the Spirit plays tive theology at its best, not using stories to a cosmic role. He advocates for a Spirit illustrate concepts or to inspire readers, but Christology, but he is thinking of the Spirit, mining them for their theological and religious not as the divine in Jesus, but as the Third meanings. Person of the Trinity. Tupper defines God’s providence as “the He emphasizes the presence of the Spirit loving care of God in relationship to creation, in the sacraments. He explains why the char- history, and each of our lives.” His principal ismatic renewal has meant so much to him thesis is that God always does the best God can and to millions of others. He says that God’s do, given the limitations of any situation. mission includes not only saving souls, but also This doesn’t mean that the universe limits bringing peace and justice and the renewing of God, though Tupper considers that idea. It the whole world. BT means that God has voluntarily accepted limi- tations as part of creating the kind of world —Fisher Humphreys is professor of divinity, we live in. Tupper doesn’t attempt to describe emeritus, of Samford University in Birmingham, the limitations, presumably because Christians Ala. This series is a revision of part of a longer know from their own experience the kind of article titled “Baptist Theology Since 1950,” things the loving God might have done if the published in Baptist History and Heritage limitations did not exist. (Fall 2013) and used by permission.

33 +% 2-!*.$ *34)*$.%! &'( ,#*' )-.$/. Ask the Theologian: Part 3

Baptists Today the board with Humphreys. His responses appear here in print (as the third entry in a series) as well as in full on video at baptiststoday.org.

QUESTION from Roger Paynter, pastor of I think this would be true even if we could First Baptist Church of Austin, Texas: not explain how there can be freedom in a world governed by deterministic laws. In fact, How are we to understand the issue of whether however, in addition to our own experience of God intervenes in our world or not? If God is not being actors in the world, we know of at least to disappoint them both and to preach the involved in our world, why bother with inter- two things that suggest determinism isn’t the message of the crucified Jesus. I expect it’s cessory prayer? If God IS involved, why is there so whole story. alright for us to adopt a similar attitude. little sign of that involvement? One is that modern physics allows for In summary, God works principally through the regularities of the world rather FH: Jews and Christians believe that God acts contingency in the behavior of particles at the than through interventions. Historically, God in history. God’s acts in history are an indis- sub-atomic level. This was a point about which has intervened occasionally, as in the resurrec- pensable part of traditional Christian faith. Albert Einstein and Nihls Bohr radically dis- tion of Jesus. God is free to intervene today, This belief sets them apart from most if not all agreed, and apparently Bohr’s view is now part and we are free to pray for God to do that. other religions. Alfred North Whitehead put it of the standard model of the universe. Divine intervention will always be rare; it is succinctly: “The Buddha gave his doctrine… The other is that we know that as we God’s work through the regularities of the Christ gave his life. It is for Christians to move from simpler to more complex beings, world that is frequent and normative. discern the doctrine.” new factors emerge, and these factors are real. There are two kinds of divine acts in his- For example, as we move from physics and chemistry to biology, we find an emergent QUESTION from William Neal, president of tory. We see both kinds in the events of Good Developmental Disabilities Ministries of new factor: life. As we move from botany to Friday and Easter Sunday. God was acting in Georgia: the suffering and death of Jesus, and God was zoology, we find another emergent new factor: acting in the resurrection of Jesus. consciousness. And as we move to the human What are the implications of a 24/7 mobile society The first act was a natural event; it is sciences such as psychology and sociology and on the traditional view of worship being concen- natural for crucified people to suffer and bleed history, we find another emergent new factor: trated around a special day of the week? Is the and die. The second act was a supernatural freedom. Freedom is an emergent property of church fighting a losing battle when it comes to event, a miracle, an intervention; it is not natu- human evolution. imposing an old model of life in cycles of activity, ral for a dead man to be raised from the dead. Returning to the Bible, we notice that i.e. the traditional “day of rest” in contrast to the Divine interventions are especially prob- almost all of God’s interventions occur in just work week? lematic for modern people. We moderns think three periods in Israel’s 1,500-plus year history: that the world operates in accordance with at the Exodus, in the work of the prophets FH: I suspect that in most places in the United certain natural laws such as the laws of gravity Elijah and Elisha, and in the work of Jesus and States we have moved far enough away from and electromagnetics. This makes it difficult his apostles. our biblical heritage that blue laws to shut to understand how God acts in the world and This means there are entire centuries of down commercial activities on Sundays are how we human beings act in the world. Jewish history in which there were no divine counter-productive. Nevertheless, I think the If everything that happens in the universe interventions. This did not prevent God’s peo- church should encourage its own members — is determined by unbreakable natural laws, then ple from living faithfully. They were able to do and anyone else who will listen — to take the there would seem to be no room for human this by remembering God’s mighty acts in their idea of Sabbath seriously. freedom, for making decisions, and for being past. We still do that today. Jews remember the Sabbath serves two purposes. It provides intentional about how we live. A deterministic Exodus, and Christians remember Jesus’ death a time for rest, and it provides a time for wor- universe seems to exclude fully personal human and resurrection. shipping God. The Sabbath commandment beings as well as a personal God. One more thing: With the exception of was a radical, life-affirming commandment. On the other hand, we all experience the resurrection of Jesus, interventions tend to In the ancient world where those with power ourselves as actors in the world. I think that be downplayed in the New Testament. Jesus compelled other people to work every day, it entitles us to affirm that we act in the world, said that it is an evil generation that seeks for was humane to command everyone to cease and that opens space for the idea that God acts signs. Paul wrote that the Jews seek signs and working and to rest. in the world. the Greeks seek wisdom, and that he intended All of the modern labor laws of which we

34 are so justly proud — the 40-hour work week, the lives of people and to the mission of the Baptists avoid them, but we can still recognize overtime pay, safety for workers, minimum church. Once we accept it, we move into a their stabilizing effect on the churches that wages, against child labor, and the like — all large world just waiting to be explored, a com- have them. of these taken together have not contributed as munity of churches and people and theologians Here are some ways that Baptists and much to the well-being of working-class people and philosophers and social thinkers and activ- evangelicals have changed: The original as the Sabbath commandment given to Israel ists and missionaries. I think one appeal of Baptists were anti-Calvinists, but many later in the Sinai desert (Pierre Joseph Prudhon Calvinism to the young, the restless, and the Baptists have been Calvinists. Many Baptists made a similar point about 1850). We need Reformed is its comprehensive, thoughtful, and evangelicals believe in the inerrancy of Sabbath for rest. biblical worldview. the original manuscripts of the Bible, but so We need it for worship, too. In the last My second suspicion is that some of the far as I can tell no one appealed to the origi- century there was a Christian philosopher at success of Calvinism should be attributed to nal manuscripts before the early 19th century. Oxford named Eric Mascall. When young peo- the efforts of its proponents. Calvinists believe Many evangelicals and Baptists have become ple said to him, “I can’t hear God,” he replied, deeply, they strategize shrewdly, they organize charismatics, part of a movement in the church “Of course you can’t. Turn off your radio.” We wisely, and they labor energetically. They work that is barely a century old. Many Baptists and need a Sabbath so we can turn off the distrac- at the emotional and rational levels, and at the evangelicals have embraced the need for social tions that keep us from hearing God. popular and academic levels. ministry and for social action, something most For many people, Sunday can’t be a My sense is that the increasing popular- of their spiritual ancestors rejected when it Sabbath. Many years ago I led a retreat for some ity of Calvinism probably won’t make much went under the name of “the social gospel.” BT golfers in the Women’s Pro Golf Association. difference in moderate Baptist life, but the These women can’t worship on Sundays; that’s Southern Baptist Convention is being rocked —Fisher Humphreys of Birmingham, Ala., when they play tournaments. They had their by Calvinism. For many of us, Calvinism is has written several books on theology includ- weekly worship services on Thursday evenings simply one of several alternatives to our vision ing Thinking About God: An Introduction to before the tournaments began. of Christianity. For the SBC it is the greatest Christian Theology, The Way We Were: How And it isn’t just pro golfers. Many pastors threat to its unity. Southern Baptist Theology Has Changed and and other ministers on church staffs can’t take What It Means To Us All, Fundamentalism their Sabbath on Sundays. They may or may QUESTION from John Pierce: (with Philip Wise) and God So Loved the not be able to worship God on Sundays, but World: Traditional Baptists and Calvinism Sometimes we assume that what some claim as they can’t rest. For many of them, Sunday is the (with Paul Robertson). “essential Christian beliefs” are timeless, but in day of the week when they work the hardest. reality they often emerge over time. What do They need to find another day for a Sabbath. Baptists and/or Evangelicals tend to emphasize And, of course, there are other forms of now that once weren’t considered so important? Sabbaths such as retreats and conferences. The FROM point is pretty simple, really. Work is impor- FH: Doctrines are not timeless. Like ourselves, tant, but you are more than a worker. You Faith they change and evolve. Academic theologians need the Sabbath to connect you with your call this “the development of doctrine.” non-work life and to nurture it. That includes They point out, for example, that the New connecting with God through worship. Testament does not contain an intentional doc- BOOKS trinal formulation of the Trinity, but the Nicene QUESTION from David Hull, pastor of First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Ala.: Creed does. The development of doctrine is expressed in some familiar metaphors. For You have written about Calvinism. Why is this example, it is said that doctrine is “based on” theological position gaining such popularity today the New Testament or that the New Testament especially among younger people in Baptist life? contains the seeds of the doctrine. What impact will this have on moderate Baptist As doctrine develops, everything that was churches in the years to come? present at the beginning is not lost at the end. Christians today talk about the same things FH: I have two suspicions about the growing the first Christians did: about God and Jesus popularity of Calvinism. The first is that it and the Spirit, about the church and Christian owes something to the fact that we live in a hope, about sin and salvation, about grace and time of rapid and radical change. Rapid change faith, and about discipleship and worship. is disorienting and causes anxiety. It is natural There is continuity as doctrine develops. for us to want an authoritative voice that tells The Bible is the principal source of continuity, us the way things are. Calvinism provides this. and all the churches share it. Many churches It is a closely reasoned set of ideas and also have creeds and formal liturgies that pro- practices. It can claim some justification from vide continuity. Because creeds and formal Order now at the Bible. It has a long and honorable history liturgies can be used by both the state and the nurturingfaith.info in the church. It has contributed hugely to church in ways that stifle sincere religion, most

35 Religion News Service Saint Roberto?

Richard Rossi is on a crusade of sorts, trav- independent filmmaker in Hollywood, made it one of the bigger parts in his movie, Baseball’s eling to cities across the country to collect Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories. stories about the fabled healing powers of Now, Rossi and a group of volunteers are baseball great Roberto Clemente. listening to people’s stories about Clemente, and they’re using the scientific tools of His goal? Nothing short of making X-rays and medical records to verify tales of Clemente an officially recognized Catholic saint. Clemente’s miraculous healing touch. “He had a calling to be a great baseball Under normal circumstances, miracles are player,” Rossi said, “but he had a calling considered much later in the process, after the beyond baseball.” church has officially opened a sainthood cause. Clemente played right field for the Catholic teaching says miracles attributed to a Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-1972. He saint — two are needed for canonization, after and show him his movie. “I think he is the reached 3,000 hits and won the National his or her death — are evidence that the person perfect pope for this — No. 1, being Latin League MVP trophy in 1966. has God’s ear in heaven. American. But No. 2, he thinks outside the box.” On Dec. 31, 1972, Clemente boarded a “One reason the Catholic Church has lasted Carmen Nanko-Fernandez, a Latina theo- flight in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to ferry relief a couple of thousand years, it has this kind of logian at Chicago Theological Union, is writing supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. process, they’re very slow and so we want to make a book about Clemente, El Santo! Baseball and Soon after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing sure we present something that, you know, has a the Canonization of Roberto Clemente. Clemente and four others. lot of credible evidence,” Rossi said. She said anything is possible with Rossi was only 9 years old when Clemente Rossi already has several supporters on his Pope Francis, but due to a canonization process died but remembers going to Pirates games for side, including Duane Rieder, executive direc- that can stretch on for centuries, she isn’t so $1 with his father. Since then, Rossi said he’s tor of the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh. sure Clemente will make the cut. read almost everything written on Clemente and Rieder said he has spent time talking to “All evidence seems to point to that talked with many more people who knew him. family, friends and nuns who knew Clemente; Clemente was a good guy who tried to live After talking to several people, including they say he predicted his own death through his life well. So in that sense, you know, does a nun, Rossi said, he learned the religious side dreams of him dying in the ocean and his body he have a chance at being considered a saintly to Clemente had been left out of most biog- not being found. person? Sure,” she said. “Will that make him raphies. So, Rossi, a 51-year-old Catholic and But Rieder said he feels that the most into the canonization process that makes him important part is not the way Clemente died, an officially recognized saint in the Catholic but the way he lived his life for others. Church? I’m not so sure.” “He’s the only true baseball hero. He’s But Nanko-Fernandez said Hispanic the only person, player that ever gave up his Catholics can continue to venerate and honor life helping other people. Everybody else, you him, making him an unofficial saint. know, Babe Ruth wasn’t a hero. He was a hell “It’s not necessary for one to become an of a baseball player,” Rieder said. “Roberto official saint to be considered a saint,” Nanko- Clemente was the only true baseball hero.” Fernandez said. Rossi is also looking for support from bish- For Rossi, Clemente is needed as a saint ops, including Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez for “ordinary” people to look up to. Clemente Nieves of San Juan — and even Pope Francis. lived his life for others and died in service to “The purpose of my writing is to humbly the poor, Rossi said, and what could be more ask your blessing on my efforts to defend the saintly than that? beginning of the canonization of Puerto Rican “When we look at the process of can- athlete humanitarian Roberto Clemente,” the onization, unfortunately, it’s very weighted letter says. towards celibate people that choose the voca- As the archbishop of San Juan, Nieves tions of being a priest or nun,” Rossi said. “I would have to sign off on Clemente’s saint- mean, there’s a very small percentage that walk hood cause and move the process along to the it out in the real world as a family-first man, as Vatican. a husband, as a father, in a secular culture, as a Rossi also hopes to meet with Pope Francis baseball star.” BT

36 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).

A lesson from a duel between the sun and the wind By Travis Collins

hen I was a little boy, my mom told a Christian and a business leader, wrote, circulating in some circles that one cannot me the fable of a contest between “Compassion without accountability produces be compassionate and lead a church through W the sun and the wind. They were sentimentalism. Accountability without com- necessary transitions. I fear that the propaga- arguing about which of the two was the stron- passion is harsh and heartless.” tion of that assumption is fostering a harshness ger, when along walked a man wearing a coat. Certainly, courageous and visionary deci- among some ministers that is both unbecom- The wind challenged the sun by saying, sions must be made. Opposition must be ing and unnecessary. “I’ll bet I can get his coat off him quicker than endured, and inappropriate opposition has to I can’t decide if this is a martyr complex, you can,” and the sun accepted the challenge. be met head-on. But even when the Christian a Messianic complex or megalomania. One So, the wind blew and blew and blew leader must engage in thing’s for sure: it is over the top. until the man could hardly keep his feet on legitimate confrontation, Could it be true that some vocational the ground. But the harder the wind blew, the it should be done in love, ministers assume the domineering role when more tightly the man pulled his coat around with an attitude of humil- we are least confident in who we are and what him. ity and respect. we are doing? The wind finally gave up. Callousness is not an Reggie McNeal thinks so. In A Work of The sun then began to shine gently on the admirable attitude for a Heart, he wrote, “Some leaders … claim to man. The sun caressed the man with warmth spiritual leader. operate from ‘spiritual authority’ when in until the man eventually removed his coat. Nastiness, unfortu- fact they are operating out of a deep sense of The moral of the story is that warmth and nately, seems to be on the insecurity.” gentleness are stronger than might and rage. rise in some ministerial circles. I have heard Insecure ministers are tempted to throw That certainly is true of spiritual pastors brag about the uproar they raised while their weight around, thinking that if they do, leadership. bringing about changes. they will alienate many people and have a dif- Ephesians 4:3 offers helpful words for the In conversations with fellow pastors, I ficult time. spiritual leader: “Speak the truth in love… Get have heard some disparage the old spoilsports Good leaders aren’t tyrants, and tyrants rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling who opposed the pastors. Some of the pastors aren’t good leaders. and slander, along with every form of malice.” have even appeared proud of the number of Of course, mousiness will get you and Kindness, of course, is not synonymous people who have left the church. your church nowhere. But kindness, genuine with indulgence or lenience. Remember The arrogant ministers have collected kindness, goes a long way. BT that in the Bible there are two values that those stories of church clashes like the notches must be kept in balance: compassion and on a gunslinger’s pearl-handled revolver. That —Travis Collins is a consultant with the accountability. attitude disturbs me more than a little bit. Center for Healthy Churches, and the In Loving Monday, John Beckett, There seems to be a popular idea author of Tough Calls (New Hope, 2008).

NEW RELEASE from Nurturing Faith books

“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

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

Unlike many other employees of what merged with the Baptist Cooperative Missions CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter calls Program, Inc., which was the initial expres- ative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) had much a “denominetwork,” Clarissa said she “had the sion of this new movement which originated high privilege of being around for the whole with the consultation meeting called by Daniel ride.” Vestal that took place in Atlanta the previous on the job. Through the years she has Executive Editor John Pierce asked Clarissa August. shifted from one position to another as about her experiences and the lessons that have It was basically a funding arm (or the arisen from her long tenure on the CBF staff. “bucket” as it was famously named by David the Fellowship has grown. Sapp) for people to use who felt that in good BT: When did you start to work for the er good-humored, hardworking presence conscience they could no longer contrib- Fellowship, and what were your tasks? Can now comes to an end with retirement. ute to much of what the Southern Baptist you describe the setting for the organiza- When recognized at the recent CBF Convention was doing at the time. H tion at that time? So, yes, we began as a reactionary move- annual assembly, Clarissa recalled the time she accidently flushed her keys down a toilet. CS: I began work in June of 1991. CBF ment. I was hired on a temporary basis for “Except for that day,” she said, “I count it had just been “named” at the first General a day or two a week — which turned into a all joy.” Assembly a month earlier. It had not yet 23-year employment. Intended brevity of my hiring turned into longevity. Office space at that time was one room in a small office building in downtown Decatur, Ga. As I recall, our first office furnishings were hand-me-downs from Baptists Today — then called SBC Today.

BT: You have taken on various responsibili- ties over the years. What were they, and how did they end up in your lap?

CS: At first, I was pretty much a generalist — answering the phone, cleaning up the database of duplicates, doing whatever needed to be done. Our one-room office included one phone line with call waiting and one computer. There was no fax machine in those early days, much less email. Since I was also on CBF’s first coordinat- ing council, I had asked Daniel Vestal, the chair of the interim steering committee, if my employment would be a conflict of interest. Since it was so part-time and so temporary, he said no. As we took on more structure and with the advent of Cecil Sherman as the first execu- tive coordinator, it was decided that I should choose between employment and being on the council. I chose the option that paid a bit of money. With the hiring of David Wilkinson in 1993 as the communications coordinator, my duties changed and expanded. I began to do a

38 great deal of proofreading for publications that CS: If you mean significant in terms of the column in Baptists Today is one of your most came out of the Resource Center. Fellowship, there have been so many. Early widely read articles each month. People like to In 1994, I was asked to take on the duties on, when the Southern Baptist Convention laugh. People need to laugh! of logistical support for the General Assembly. voted to no longer accept funds passed to them (Coincidentally, I worked closely with Suzii through CBF, calling such monies “tainted,” BT: What will you take away from your Paynter who was hired to help with that on that freed us to re-tool budget-wise and turn time with Fellowship Baptists that you’ll a contract basis. As I watched her in that all funding toward our own initiatives. It was treasure most? context, I began to see her as one of the most a first step toward freeing us from the rancor CS: Without a doubt, it is the relationships. competent people I had ever known.) that led to the formation of the Fellowship. I feel as though I have been on an amazing I have been fortunate in that the people Another one of those moments was the 23-year journey that has been made so by the who supervised me over the years recognized carefully constructed decision to not become traveling companions. any gifts they thought I might have and put a denomination, but to be what Suzii Paynter These relationships reflect the diversity me in areas where I could use them — includ- has recently termed a “denominetwork.” The of the Fellowship which we have strived so to ing, you know, those ubiquitous “other duties vote of the Baptist World Alliance to accept maintain. I have loved my visits to our partner as assigned.” CBF into membership — at great economic divinity schools and seminaries. My friendships For the last 12 years or so, I have coordi- cost to them — is another. More recently, the with these young leaders have been just as nated CBF’s efforts in reference and referral 2012 Task Force report has given us a clear deep and meaningful as friendships with those as we work to connect churches with effective blueprint for moving forward. closer to my own age. ministerial leadership. It has been real ministry Of course, each time we have called a new This is also true in my relationships with for me. executive coordinator has signaled another my colleagues in the CBF Resource Center. I I have tried to remember that behind each shift for our movement. These three leaders treasure all of them. of the many résumés that have come before me — Cecil Sherman, Daniel Vestal and now Suzii is a real person who is trying to discern God’s Paynter — have each put their own finger- BT: Please tell us something (or some call in her or his life. It has been sacred work prints on who we are — all hugely gifted, but things) we should do and/or not do that for me. very differently so. And each has seemed to be will make us better? Former coordinator Cecil Sherman passed the right person at the right time. CS: I feel rather presumptuous in offering my my desk one day in the earlier years and said, Personally, each time my job description opinions. There are far wiser thinkers among us. “You know, this is just the perfect job for you!” changed and I was moved to the direction There have been times when we have And that is how I have felt for 23 years — of a new coach or manager was a watershed tried to do too much for the size organiza- regardless of my specific job description at any moment. Each was a caring taskmaster and tion we are. I think sometimes we have spread given time. mentor who helped me grow as a person and, ourselves too thin to be really effective in some I hope, as an effective employee. They have cases. The 2012 Task Force report has brought also been my friends. These included David BT: As with any organization, CBF has a more laser-like focus to our efforts. evolved. What do you see as some of Wilkinson, Terry Hamrick, Bo Prosser and One of my passions has been women in those shifts, emphases and transitional Harry Rowland. ministry. While we have made great strides, landmarks? there is a long way to go. I would love to see BT: At both planned and unplanned times CS: For me, the seismic shift has been from our churches be more open to the whole idea you have brought needed humor to the being a reactionary organization (reaction to Fellowship. Do you have some philosophy of women as pastors. the takeover by the SBC, which was our first of humor’s role in faith? Or do you just see It is going to take the continued help of stance) to one with its own mission, goals and things from that viewpoint? Or both? male pastors who will see that their congrega- priorities. This was surely not an overnight tions have opportunities to see women in the occurrence, but one that has taken place over CS: In her book Plan B, Anne Lamott calls pulpit. May it be so. the years. laughter “carbonated holiness.” I love that It is very important that we strive to Then there has been the shift to a “part- whole idea. maintain and widen our diversity, giving all a nership model” which has cut across the whole I think humor and laughter are God’s place at the table — across the demographic movement. Our intentional focus on young gifts to us. In my own life, even in some pretty boundaries we often speak about. Our diversity Baptists has yielded positive change in our tough times, I have often been able to see at has been an area of achievement for us — but leadership within the staff as well as those in least a bit of dark humor or irony that has an ongoing challenge for the future. elected places among us. helped me find a way through. As I have tried to prepare for my personal This is so easily seen in the many young And I must admit that there is great grati- life transition, I read Richard Rohr’s Falling faces at our General Assemblies. Then the fication in making people laugh. It just plain Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. whole missional church movement has also feels good. Rohr says, “…to go forward there is always been an important swing. I think it is important that I not take something that has to be let go of, moved myself so seriously and that we as an organiza- beyond, or ‘forgiven”’ to enter the larger BT: Are there a couple of “moments in tion not take ourselves so seriously that we picture of the gods.” time” that stick out in your mind as signifi- cannot poke a bit of fun at ourselves. I would Certainly a good word for Clarissa … cant ones for you? imagine that Brett Younger’s “Lighter Side” maybe a good word for the Fellowship as well. BT

39 Reblog

Selections from recent blogs at baptiststoday.org

“at-risk” situations. She meant that they Who’s at risk? seemed to have a more financially secure home life than the others. By John Pierce However, I noted that there are risks other than the scarcity of resources. In fact, an icking up my daughter from a week of overly-enhanced sense of self-reliance and self- volunteerism at a camp for at-risk chil- importance arising from abundance without P dren meant that the leisurely Saturday appreciation may be the riskiest way for a child drive home would be filled with enthusiastic to be reared. reports of newfound friends and continuous The resulting, swarming culture of self- efforts at taming a cabin full of squealing girls. I heard stories about kids who live the focused adults puts everyone at risk. The pretty teen I taught to catch snakes, rest of the year in very challenging situations. There is much to teach children about life: frogs and other creatures said she was called Camp was a not only a unique environment faith, hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, the “man of the house” for her willingness to for many of them, but also a rare opportunity gentleness and self-control — and that the deal with the various bugs that came indoors to have focused attention on their potential for world doesn’t revolve around any one of us. with the kids. There is just something about good. … Oh, and how to get a granddaddy camp that every young person should experi- Two of the young girls in her cabin, long-legs spider out of the cabin without ence — as often as possible. my daughter noted, didn’t really come from screaming your head off. BT

Bible Odyssey: A digital adventure awaits

By Tony W. Cartledge

ible literacy may be at an all-time low. Surveys consistently show that many Bpeople can’t identify important Bible characters or themes, or think that people like Joan of Arc or sayings such as “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” are in the Bible. The Internet is populated with a num- ber of Bible study sites, but many of them come with an agenda, such as promoting a fundamentalist or pre-dispensational millen- nialist interpretation of scripture. One I’ve found useful is bible.org, publisher of the NETBible. It takes a more neutral approach and provides lots of con- tent, but it’s uneven and often leans toward more conservative interpretations than I would choose. What to do if you want a well-written website designed to convey a good academic understanding of the Bible? What you do is visit bibleodyssey. com, the fruit of an ongoing project by the timelines, interactive games, multiple texts Those threatened by new ideas or chal- Society of Biblical Literature. SBL recently of the Bible and a condensed version of the lenges to long-held notions might want reached a milestone in the 5-year-old project HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. to stay away. However, for those seriously with a public launch of the very helpful site. It has hundreds of quality contribu- interested in a deeper and broader under- Bible Odyssey contains well-executed tors and is written in an accessible style, but standing of the Bible, Bible Odyssey is the photographs, artworks, videos, essays, maps, from an academic approach. site for you. BT

40 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 important to the ongo- Ging and expanding ministry of Baptists Today and its Nurturing Faith resources. Our goal is to expand the Judson- Kathy B. Richardson Rice Society to 200 persons this year — a Macon and Boo Sheppard good number since 200 years ago Luther Don Brewer Walter and Kay Shurden Rice and Ann Hasseltine Judson and Huey and Charlotte Bridgman David M. Smith Adoniram Judson were launching their own ministries of missions, education and Frieda H. Byrd Bob Stephenson communication. Mary Jane Cardwell Will you join us? Whether sending a Bob and Martha Cates Dewey and Ramona Teal monthly gift of $100, as some do, or in Hardy Clemons Ed and Sarah Timmerman another way, YOUR GIFTS may be made Toni Clevenger Joe and Cathy Turner by check or online at baptiststoday.org/ Virginia Boyd Connally Estate of H. Edgar Twine donate. Kenny and Shirley Crump All persons making annual gifts of Josephine Warren $1,000 or more in 2014 will be recog- Clem and Carole White nized as part of the Judson-Rice Society. Winnie and Woodie Williams However, knowing of your plans to sup- port Baptists Today this year helps us to Eddie and Donna Wood plan. Simply return the form below with your pledge and/or gift. Or, call toll-free at 1-877-752-5658 to indicate your sup- Charlotte Marshall port. Thank you! Ben McDade

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ELHAM, Ala. — Crosscreek Baptist Church is nestled inside a quiet, suburban P neighborhood outside of Birmingham, Ala. If you don’t know about Crosscreek, you might have a hard time finding it behind the ranch-style houses and big oak trees. However, news about the church is travel- ing fast this summer, thanks to the success of the Crosscreek Community Market. Heather Jeffcoat, editor of the national mag- azine, Entertain Decorate Celebrate, and a member of Crosscreek Baptist Church, had the idea mov- ing about in her mind for more than a year. “My husband, Brad, and I had been talk- ing about this for a year or so,” she said. “We kept thinking that it would be great to bring a farmers market to Pelham and encourage other residents in our community to taste fresh pro- duce and see how many talented local farmers and artisans we have near us.” She continued: “When our new pastor, Brandon Hudson, came on board and began talking about how we could invite our commu- nity in, we thought that our church parking lot would be a wonderful location since it is inside a community.” Hudson, who became the pastor of at Crosscreek … that we want to be a force “Heather had been working to find out Crosscreek last year, embraced the idea. for good in our geographical community,” he what it would take for us to get the market “Heather approached me one day at added. “We are a church that values the local going, and I was concerned we would have church and shared her thoughts about the use and the hand-made. A community market was some bureaucratic hurdles, but the mayor of our space for the good of the community,” a perfect fit.” wanted to help us help the community,” said said Hudson. “It was something she had been It seemed like a good idea to others in the Hudson. “It was a great example of the local pondering for a while, and she had the connec- congregation, too. So Brandon and Heather government, the church and local growers tions and skills to make it a reality.” went to see the mayor of Pelham to share their working together for the mutual good.” “Heather was really helping to find a thoughts and to make sure that he would be on Heather also wanted to introduce the idea practical way to embody one of our key ideas board if they decided to move forward. of food trucks to Pelham — which are very popular in the city of Birmingham, but rarely seen in smaller towns or communities. “Food trucks were not … a part of Pelham, but I love them and wanted to bring them to our city,” said Jeffcoat. “They are a great way for people here to try new cuisine without having to drive downtown. The mayor loved our idea and even said he thought we would outgrow our parking lot one day.” Such markets are popular in Alabama, but most happen on Saturdays. However, Heather was committed to a weeknight market in the summer.

42 “We wanted to have it on a weeknight an idea that we are in this particular location because that would give the vendors and farm- for a reason,” he continued. “…We under- ers an additional time during the week to sell stand one aspect of our reason for being as to their items,” said Jeffcoat. “I am friends with a be a blessing and resource for the community, farmer in Selma, and something he said made because all of our neighbors are our brothers me think that a weeknight would be more and sisters. This has been a great way to get to beneficial since there are quite a few Saturday know our neighbors.” markets.” “We also want to promote a holistic The planners settled on Tuesday evenings understanding of health,” said Hudson. from 5:30 to 8 p.m. as the designated time. Jeffcoat agreed. “I think our goal was to “People can come for dinner at the food bring our community together and share with trucks and then do their shopping,” said the residents what it means to eat local and Jeffcoat. shop local, a continued effort to encourage The Crosscreek Community Market has wellness and health of the total body. Fresh brought people to the church parking lot each produce picked that morning tastes so different week to buy fresh vegetables and fruit, enjoy than the produce you get in a grocery store. dinner, and get to know their neighbors. Plus, you get to talk to the farmers and under- “We have had ‘regulars’ who are non- stand their love of farming. Our artisans have a church members who have come with their true gift to share, and it is so great to see others family every week to shop and eat and hang being inspired by their passions.” out,” said Hudson. “We’ve also had new faces As people visit the market, they occa- human being who is hopefully learning to every week and church members who come sionally find their way inside the doors of the trust a new resource and partner in their to help and shop; that has created an atmo- church on a Sunday morning or Wednesday community.” sphere of familiarity and energy that has been evening as well. Jeffcoat said working together on this wonderful.” “We are approaching this as a longterm project has brought current church members In creating the market, congregational relationship-building exercise,” said Hudson. together more closely. leaders had two primary focuses: an embrace of “…When I meet people at the market, I try “We have always been a very close-knit the community and promoting holistic health. to communicate to them that we value them church, and this has just strengthened us even “Crosscreek was founded in this commu- as neighbors more than we value them as more,” she said. “There are outreach opportu- nity roughly 40 years ago,” said Hudson. “It potential church members. Of course they nities we engage in that some members can’t has members who live in the community and are welcome and we have information, but I do, like going to Haiti or Arkansas, but this those who have moved but continue to come believe that people who are not regular church gives our church members an opportunity to here to church.” attenders are too accustomed to feeling like be involved and help connect with those in our “We have a concept of a theology of place, a ‘prospect.’ I want them to feel like a valued area. And that is a great thing!” 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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