Say it Isn't So

WARNING: This is more of a rambling thought than anything coherent. I don't plan to come to any conclusions on the matter, but it is worth a thought.

I was wondering about assumptions we in society hold. Some of these assumptions have kept us from God, confused us, and led us away from true wisdom. Here is my list of things that make me go, hmmm.

• Fossil fuel. I've been wondering about our ideas about energy. I've been doing some research, and I found out that our assumptions may not be accurate. In fact there is more debate than I thought. Is fuel really made from fossils, or are we badly mistaken? Is it a limited source or renuable source of energy? I guess it depends more on what you believe than what we actually know.
• War. The conventional wisdom is that war is wrong and bad, and peace is right and good. But is that really true? Is peace always good? Is war always bad? When you think about it, if war is wrong, then all forms of enforcement is wrong, because war is a form of enforcement—a government's will over another government, people, or country. And this can be either good or bad, like the enforcement of discipline upon its own citizens. Also, peace can exist when someone is oppressed. That is evil, isn't it?
  
• Poverty. Rick Warren wants to end poverty. Can that really be done by man? Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. Is that really true, or can we end poverty? What constitutes poverty: lack of essentials, or decisions? What are the solutions? Give people stuff, teach people stuff, change the social system, all, or none? What are we talking about?
• Truth. Is truth subjective, objective, or both? Can we know the truth, and if so, how? How would we know if we don't know?
  

If I Were Wise

I've asked God to give me wisdom. And I've learned that wisdom doesn't even begin until I submit myself to God's will, because following the will of God is wise.

My will in subjection to God's will. That is wisdom.

But this gets me thinking. What would it look like to walk in wisdom, and to speak with wisdom? I don't have to go too far to have an idea of what that would look like. I can look at Jesus. I can notice what he did, hear what he says, see his reaction to different people's perspectives, and even talk to him about his thoughts.

So what do I find?

If I were wise, these are the things I should expect to see in my life:

• I will have a deep, abiding connection with God, through the Holy Spirit.


• I will have God's Word on my heart, mind, and lips.


• My lifestyle will be attractive.


• I will acknowledge God's role in my life and in the world.


• Some people will listen and learn from me. But most will find me troublesome. And of those who listen to me, most will not follow my advice.


• Whatever I pass on to others, it will honor God.


• Although people will frustrate me, I will remain patient with them.


• I will have no interest in controversial subjects unless it is of benefit to those who listen.


• My focus will always be on God's will, not on getting people to like me.


• People who are threatened by me will treat me unfairly. And those who are sympathetic, may even desert me. But my trust will be in the Lord.


• I will not seek honor. But will wait on the Lord.

High Degree But Cold as Ice

When did this happen?

I've met too many seminary-trained people who don't believe in God, let alone the theology they espouse. Doesn't anybody care? People still see these guys as especially close to God, because of their training and position. Yet, they don't believe.

Since when did a degree in Bible or Theology mean that a person is to be considered close to God? I know not everyone who pursues a degree in some Christian endeavor is doing so to be perceived as being especially close to God. But in our culture, it has become more and more difficult to tell the difference. In fact, the general public normally see those who graduate from some seminary as having a special authority.

Again, I am not criticizing those who pursue degrees in Christian thought. I am just beginning to find it odd that it has become a pass to maturity. Yes, it is natural to expect leaders to be trained in the ways of Christ, and in how to think about the Christian faith. But sometimes in the Christian community we expect people to be trained in a manner that is no different than the world.

What I mean is that Christian degrees are often seen more as an entryway into employment, success, and popularity doing Christian stuff. (Get it all, plus God!) There are those who are proud of being called "Father" everywhere they go. They love the most important seats, and the honor that is obviously due them.

Conversely, churches receive resumes from these people with varying levels of skill, training, and degrees. And to some extent, I suppose that it is necessary, given we often don't know who we are hiring. (Do we really hire ministers?) But think about it. People typically assume that those who pursue degrees in Christian thought are close to God — not just trained in some way. Does that strike you as odd? It does to me.

When did this begin to be the norm?

Are men who are led by the Spirit to become janitors, or computer tech support people not as close to God as someone pursuing a degree in theology? Is a stay-at-home mom spiritual? Is the person who pursues a degree in mathematics qualified to lead others in the Christian faith? Is being a good single-father less noble than preaching sermons or writing (yet another) book?

I know everyone who reads this thinks that this issue is not important. After all, everyone serves in different ways and God is the God of all. But what is our practical attitude? Is this issue more important to God than to us?