Where is the inspiration?

The state of American preaching is pathetic to say the best and benign to say the least. The last two Sundays are a case in point.
Last week a retired Presbyterian minister with a Ph.D. from U. of Edinburgh spoke at FBC Asheville. His subject was "faith" and the best example he could come up with was we get it from the example of others. His example was his wife sitting in a rocking chair and his two year old grandchild copying her actions. That's as deep as it got. Delivery was PAINFUL and mercilessly too long.
Today was Montreat Conference and a Presbyterian minister from NYC with a degree from Princeton. His subject was "Do prayers get answered?" Guess what his answer was!
Where are the Marneys, the Claypools, the Owens, the Kings? Where is thoughtful, intellectual, challenging oratory and content? Where is the prophetic message that calls us to social justice like a Micah or an Amos? The malignant state of religion in this country should not surprise anyone. The confusion of self-serving individualism and "Christian" capitalism and patriotism with "God's" will as articulated in the authentic words of Tanak and Jesus has reduced American religion to a sham and hollow idol.
The most authentic Word I have been confronted by is present in the indescribable bounty of green mountains and blue skies and melodious bird songs.
"All I have needed, Thou hast provided." In that awareness there is only one authentic prayer: "Thank you."

#3 Ethics

When your whole worldview is built on the assumption of a metaphysical reality that denies the meaningfulness, importance, and  significance of this world, it follows that you will deny and ignore the depth and reality of the present (time). Enslaved by this "lie," ethics become hollow and self-serving, regarded only as a means to a delusional, non-existent future. The goal and purpose become self preservation and ego serving.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that to do the right thing, for whatever reason, is necessary and beneficial for humankind. It is the motivation that concerns me and that I address today. I remember Richard Burton's portrayal of Becket and his agonizing soliloquy at the alter. To paraphrase---"Do I do the right thing for the wrong reason? What benefit is that to me?"
Judaism grasped early the meaning and purpose of ethics. The Law is a gift that enables us, guides us in the expression of joy and gratitude for the life we have been given. It, the Law, doing the right thing, does not earn us anything. Its purpose is NOT the attainment of some reward in a non-existent future. Ethics are our purpose for being, raison d'etre as we used to say in graduate school. Christianity, beginning with Paul, misunderstood. It and he misdirected us from the life-giving path of communal purpose to the path of life-taking individualism. "God" does not want show-boating, self-serving, egotistical proclamations. What does "God" want? Micah said it over 2600 years ago:
DO JUSTICE, LOVE KINDNESS, WALK HUMBLY. This is the "good."

#2 Time

On June 18 I introduced Reality, Time, and Ethics. It is time for the second installment. Remember I deplored and dismissed the Platonic, metaphysical foundation on which Christianity is built. In a nut shell this means Christianity is built on sand; its whole concept of reality is false and hollow. It dismisses reality (the physical cosmos) and dwells in an unrealistic perspective.
A second consequence of this perspective is a neutering of time. The western metanarrative of linear time is sound. The theory of time with a beginning and an end is supported by the science of physics and cosmology. To say that our cosmos and our time will have an end does not negate parallel universes or a conclusion to the physical cosmos as we know it and a second (3rd? 4th? infinite?) Big Bang [see string theory, The Elegant Universe, The Physics of the Impossible, et al]. That meaningful concept of linear time is Jewish. Judaism has, does, and I assume always will emphasize the ultimate importance and meaningfulness of the present. This is where we are living the gift we have been given in service to others and in gratitude and joy. When Christianity did not get the victory in the hellenized messiah it worshipped, it projected that victory forward into "the next life." Guess what Christianity, Jesus is not coming back.
But more to the point. By diminishing the ultimate purpose and singular opportunity of this time, Christianity has neutered time. Its position is, no matter we don't get what we want now, we will "later." While it might prefer a different history, Christianity takes consolation in otherworldly victory and salvation. Such an assumption encourages lack of engagement in the world, lack of responsibility for the world, moral indifference, really immoral inaction.
Length, breadth, depth, and time [not to ignore 7 (?) more dimensions] is reality, our reality. What a gift! Let's celebrate!

Love and Hate

As some of you know our younger daughter Shanon was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (breast cancer). She had her first chemo treatment Monday June 24. She and we are thankful that one is behind. She and we dread #2, 3, and 4. She is amazingly strong and determined. The good news is that everything is in her favor: youth, early detection, and otherwise good health.
We have a love/hate relationship with chemotherapy. It is "poison." We hate how it makes a recipient feel. We hate what it does to someone outwardly. We hate the "negative" side effects. We LOVE what the intended outcomes are. We LOVE expecting and hoping for wholeness. We LOVE the future of joy and shared life and anticipated experiences. We LOVE the closeness we share and the enhanced gratitude for this wondrous gift of life.
She inspires us!
In quiet moments I reflect on the power of this experience as a metaphor for life as a whole. How often painful, dreaded experiences ultimately bring joy and love and wholeness. Childbirth (I'm told :) ) is about as painful as it gets. But consider the inexpressible joy that eliminates the memory of that pain. Some of us lived through the sixties. They were painful. Change is frequently painful. While that change was frightening to some (whites?), it was wonderful and liberating for others. Change in laws regulating marriage is frightening to some but allows freedom and joy for others. Allowing people to marry whom they will does no harm to those who choose heterosexual marriage for themselves. When change is constructive and ends in wholeness and the increase of love, acceptance, and affirmation, while uncomfortable and painful temporarily, consider the potential.
No one is guaranteed tomorrow, but if our actions and decisions are guided by service to others and love for all, we can trust and HOPE in the future with confidence.