What the Pope doesn't Get 

Celibacy is an honorable and legitimate lifestyle. What is terribly wrong is abusive and authoritarian Church leadership interfering in a person's private choice, encouraging an unalterable vow. Some people who have made a vow of celibacy in their youth will experience a sexual awakening later in life. Even Saint Paul, who once recommended celibacy did not make it an irrevocable vow. In fact he said that it is better to marry than burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:9), an option made impossible by a cruel irreversible vow. What the popes have not understood, is that an irreversible vow which would mandate someone scarring their conscience if broken, is wrong in the first place. Many people in and out of the Catholic Church see the need to return to common sense. Even the early Apostles recognized that an elder would normally be someone married with a family (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

Opinions

All Christians are free to express their opinions, but do not always feel free to. In Romans 14:1 we are encouraged to accept others "without passing judgment on disputable matters." So what happened? Starting at Nicea, the Church began to pass judgments on disputable matters. Rather than teaching people to be non-judgmental in non-essentials, thereby creating unity in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3), unity in doctrinal minutiae became the new standard. Later in history some were even burned at the stake by overzealous civil bodies with Church complicity. Church oppression and financial corruption caused the Protestant Reformation. So have we Protestants learned, or do we continue to detract from freedom in Christ? Most of what divides us are non-essentials, and in those non-essentials we are all entitled to our own opinion. How then can we be united? Would a non-judgmental attitude in non-essentials and the bond of peace help?

Are the Poor Lazy ━ 

Some hard-hearted people say that the poor deserve to be so because they are lazy. That thought is at the heart of our western democratic traditions, where we like to think that everyone has an equal opportunity and that laziness would be the only obstacle to personal economic opportunities. That may be true in some cases. But, there are many other reasons why people are poor. While it is a wonderful ideal, equal opportunity has never been achieved anywhere. Why? Poverty is also caused by oppression, taxation, unavoidable debt, usurious money lending, medical crises, disease, war, crime, unscrupulous business practices and other ills of this world. Greed and injustice are part of this life. Sometimes even honest, hard-working people become poor because dishonest people have oppressed or swindled them and taken their money. Maybe that's why Jesus said, "You will always have the poor among you." (John 12:1-11)

Nard 

Nard or spikenard is an aromatic ointment from a plant which grows in the Himalayan Mountains 2-4,000 meters above sea level. The 10-30 centimeter long pungent fibrous rhizome root of the nardostachys jatamansi plant is quite rich in an amber-colored essential oil which is separated out by steaming. It would have been an expensive import at the time of the Apostles. Nard was often stored in an onyx-marble or oriental alabaster box and has a warm, musk aroma. Among its uses are as a diuretic, an antifungal, a sedative and for stress-relief in paliative care. It was also traditionally used by the ancient Romans to anoint people of high honor due to its incredible expense. These reasons may have motivated Mary Magdalene's anointing of Jesus before his death (John 12:1-11). With such thoughts in mind, it doesn't sound nearly as sensual as some like to imagine the scene.

Conservative or Liberal

Which is better, to be conservative or liberal? The debate stretches from politics to religion. Both liberal and conservative Christians believe in God. Both believe viewpoints that are historically recent. Both actually agree on much but misunderstand each other. Conservatives generally emphasize literal interpretations of the Bible and Liberals non-literal. Yet, the Bible is a book which contains both literal and non-literal genres. Liberals tend to obey Bible directives for justice for the oppressed. Conservatives tend to obey Bible directives for morality. An honest examination of the opposite side may shock us and eventually bring us to the conclusion that neither is superior. Is it possible that each side has strengths and weaknesses and that each falsely accuses the other? Certainly before God each is equal. In Rome there were also two sides and Paul's conclusion there was that neither side was any better than the other (Romans 3:9-18).

The Two Lost Sons 

Most of us may think that the parable of the prodigal son is only about one lost son. May I suggest that it is actually about two lost sons. The one is obvious. The other is the son who did not squander his inheritance on loose living but rather stayed at home faithfully by his father's side. Why is he also lost? I might propose that he is lost because he does not understand mercy and grace. Instead, he only understands hardheartedness and unwillingness to forgive a brother. Are some of us in the Church, who have perhaps not strayed as far as others, in that same frame of mind? Do we carry a grudge against anyone who has left and is trying to find their way back home? Are our judgmental attitudes an obstacle between others and God? Let's rejoice because, "He was lost, but now he is found."

A Legalistic Prodigal Son Story 

Can you imagine the parable of the prodigal son if given by a legalistic Jesus? Would the father in the story first demand an apology from his son? Would he turn his back and say that he is no longer a son? Would he perhaps demand he wash the pig dirt off his body so as not to defile himself with the filth from an unclean animal? Would he have demanded proof of a change in his life before he allowed him to come back? Would the father have given the son a probation period instead of a party? Would he accuse the wasteful son of embarrassing the family and hurting its name? If the story was formulated by the Pharisees, it could have easily contained some of those ingredients. How do we treat those who are taking cautious, awkward steps out of the stench of life's tragically bad decisions?

God Runs to You 

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about the parable of the prodigal son is the parent running to greet a returning child. Have you been away from God for a time? Perhaps you have neglected to talk to him in prayer. Perhaps you have been offended by the weak and faulty Christians which make up his Church. Perhaps you just wanted to start a business and do your own thing for a while. Yet at some point it all began to seem empty to you and you longed to be back in the simple beliefs and comforts of your childhood home with God. You found out the truth in the business world. It is cruel and heartless. You discovered the truth of materialism. It leaves you poor in soul. What kind of reception will God give you? He will run to greet you and welcome you with great delight. (Luke 15:11-32)

Afraid to Go Back to Church 

Are you a person who has not been to a church for sometime? Are you apprehensive about going, not sure if you will be welcomed? Perhaps a look at the parable of the prodigal son will encourage you. The story was told by Jesus precisely because he knew that people returning not just to church, but more importantly to God, would be uneasy. A very encouraging part of the story is found in Luke 15:20. It says that the father fell on his son's neck and kissed him. Similar words are used to describe how the Holy Spirit fell on early Christians. Don't expect too much from people. The parable pictures how God will receive you. Human beings can fall far short of that. If people disappoint you, give it time or try a church which warmly welcomes you. Remember, heaven is rejoicing and throwing a party in your honor.

Why Go to Church 

I recently spoke with a man who had not attended a church in decades. He believed in Jesus but was annoyed by the faults of the Church. He correctly pointed out that there is no command to attend church anywhere in the Bible. Why did Paul encourage us to continue to meet with other Christians when for some people that meeting causes pain and heartache? Perhaps we have forgotten an important ingredient of the church meeting. Many passages speak of God's people being united and together, but there is only one New Testament verse that directly encourages assembly. A Catholic author once said that the purpose of Christian gathering was the Eucharist and not fellowship. Some say that the main purpose is for worship. However, in Hebrews 10:25 Paul says that a main purpose for Christian assembly is encouragement. Let's go looking for encouragement and also remembering to give it.

God does not Give Up 

How long are we willing to search for someone even though it may take us away from the comforts of home and loved ones? In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7, Jesus described a shepherd willing to look for that one lost member of his flock "until he finds it." Notice that the shepherd did not leave the search to a servant, but he searched himself. He did not give up, but kept searching until the job was done. If we feel lost at times, and wonder if God really cares, perhaps we ought to take notice of this story and realize that God will never give up on us, until he is successful. When we are found, he will carry us on his shoulders safe and sound and throw a party to rejoice once we are back in the flock. He loves us just that much.

Who is that Lost Sheep 

Have you ever wondered if the lost sheep in the parable from Luke 15:4-7 was anyone in particular? Could it represent the town drunk or a local whore? Could it be the degenerates who sell drugs on the street corner or perhaps the addicts they sell to? Could it be a local politician spoiled by bribes from big business or a union steward fighting business corruption via organized crime? Could it be us? Surely not! Undoubtedly it must be others who are lost, because we are the found. That was precisely the self-righteous attitude of the religious leaders who opposed Jesus. They could not see their own faults, only those of others. So, perhaps the answer is this: the lost sheep is you and me. And perhaps the amazing thing is that the shepherd, Jesus, has left the rest of the flock to look just for you and me. Wow!

A Glass 99% Full 

We often describe a positive person as saying that a glass is half full and a negative person as saying that a glass is half empty. It's the exact same quantity either way, 50%. What about a shepherd who has lost only one sheep from a flock of a hundred? Can we imagine a neighbor consoling him and encouraging him to forget all about the lost one? After all he still has 99 left. His glass is still 99% full. Yet, in Luke 15:4-7, Jesus seems to be saying to the whole world that as long as his glass is even just 1% empty it is not good enough. He will not be satisfied with anything less than 100% when it comes to his flock. We mount very expensive rescue operations to save just one person. All heaven is on a rescue mission to save us from death and destruction.

Dirty Jobs 

The show on TV about dirty jobs sometimes fascinates and often repulses. Many of us are unwilling to do dirty jobs and yet at times they pay very high compensation. Jesus, as God with us, was willing to be born in a filthy stable, share life with a corrupt humanity and die a horrible death to rescue us all. He could have continued to live in the universe's most opulent luxury with best angelic company, but he was rescuing lost sheep. He was criticized for spending time with degenerate people in order to help them. Part of his reply was the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7. He was quite willing to search for lost souls anywhere, even if it was at times a dirty job. How many of us are willing to look for the lost everywhere except the dirty places, precisely where most lost sheep congregate?

Ad Hominem 

The ad hominem argument is a familiar fallacy. Verbal abuse and personal attacks often avoid the real issues. Accusing someone of evil motives is a weak argument. Outlining why their idea is unworkable is valid. A gullible public naively swallows bad political logic and biased reporting. However, there is a legitimate use of ad hominem. Jesus did so in his parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7. Religious leaders had condemned him for the company he kept. He asked, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" [NASB] Jesus turned the criticism on them by stating that they would do the same with a lost sheep. What about us? Do we just sit and criticize motives or do we get involved helping others?

Going to Bars 

Much is made in some circles that a Christian ought never to be found going to bars. I beg to differ. In fact, I believe that Jesus deliberately spent time among the ancient equivalent of such company. It was the Pharisees who criticized him for eating with tax traitors and loose women. In Luke 15:4-7 he spoke of the lost sheep. If we are looking for lost sheep today, where might we find them? If all we do is spend time among "good" people, we may never find the "lost" people. There may also be one more angle to this. Perhaps some of those who refuse to be found in bars are themselves also among the lost, because they are not where Jesus is. He is on the job, looking for the lost sheep. So, if you're looking for me, I'll be at the local. Will I see you there?

God among our Family and Friends

Why did Jesus in Mark 6:4 say that a prophet is honored everywhere except locally among family and friends? A theology professor once commented that if relatives think you're weird or nuts, you may just be a preacher of the Gospel. What is it about being an out of towner that makes a person seem more authoritative than someone that we all know very well? Why does a native create so much disbelief and scoffing in other locals? Is that why people travel to faraway conferences and send money to distant evangelists while local ministries are neglected? Do we simply believe that God must be far away rather than that he will use local friends and family in powerful ways. God is doing marvelous things right in our own backyards. Let's not miss out because of unbelief. Let's look for and discover what God is doing among family and friends.