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January 2021 Newsletter

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”949″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”“A Piece of My Mind”” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”January 2021 Newsletter” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Advancing Christian Faith and Values,
Defending Religious Liberty for All,
Supporting Civility and the Common Good
through Preaching, Teaching, Writing, Activism and Reasoned Conversations

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1304″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Peaceful Transition of Power for 224 Years

“The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January… and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”
– 20th Amendment to the US Constitution

President Reagan

President Reagan takes the Oath of Office as President Carter observes

Praise be to the name of God
forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
You change the times and seasons;
you remove kings and set up kings;
You gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding. – Daniel 2:20-21

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The 1961 Inauguration—Images, Words, Thoughts

“Long, long ago, far, far away” – it seems like a world away, and in some ways it is. The nation was in a time of tranquility, though living with the fears and strains of the Cold War. Republicans and Democrats didn’t seem that far apart, often differing in means more than in ends. The transition between outgoing President Eisenhower and incoming President Kennedy was smooth.

Eisenhower and Kennedy were both World War II men, and understood the world in much the same way. The world’s issues were basically black and white. There was Communism and there was the Free World. Kennedy threw down the gauntlet against Communism.

While Cardinal Cushing was giving the invocation the podium began to smoke. My grandmother was living with us at the time, and her choice words were, “Holy smoke!” The good cardinal’s prayer was so long that California Gov. Pat Brown leaned over to another and said, “If he doesn’t quit now, I’m leaving the church!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1542″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The day featured 22-degree temperature, 8 inches of snow, and bright sunlight. Poet Robert Frost couldn’t read his poem in the bright sun, so his text was shaded by Lyndon Johnson’s hat. Speaking of hats, JFK and others wore high hats to the distinguished occasion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1543″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1544″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Things seemed more amicable and civil than today. President Eisenhower is comfortable between the President-elect and his wife. Defeated presidential candidate and Vice President Richard Nixon observes at the far right.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1545″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]President Kennedy’s brief inaugural speech was a classic, to be long remembered. You may know “Ask not what your country can do for you…” and “We shall pay any price, bear any burden…” Also very important:

“The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.”

But there is one line with little relevance for us today:

“The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…”

Charles Lane wrote poignantly in The Washington Post (November 8 on-line):

President-elect Joe Biden would be the oldest American ever sworn in as president. At 78, he will be older than the previous oldest-ever president was when he left office: Ronald Reagan, at 77.

The probable Democratic House leadership team, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and her lieutenants Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) and James E. Clyburn (S.C.), will be 80, 81 and 80, respectively. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will be 78, though if Democrats get lucky in two Georgia Senate runoffs, New York’s Charles E. Schumer (turning 70 on Nov. 23) may replace him.

Schumer will be one of 23 Senate septuagenarians — six Republicans and 17 Democrats. Republicans Richard C. Shelby (Ala.), James M. Inhofe (Okla.) and Charles E. Grassley (Iowa), along with Democrat Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) are over 85.

A pessimist could view this Washington gerontocracy as yet another symptom of national decline, uncomfortably reminiscent of the ailing Soviet general secretaries who died off seriatim [“one after the other”] in the Cold War’s final years. The contrast between the power of these veterans and the prominence of youthful firebrands on the left (Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York) and right (Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri) is stark.

But it is both more optimistic and — just possibly — more realistic to suppose a cohort of politicians born in the early 1940s is exactly what the United States needs at this perilous moment.

Bible Insight – Resolution: “Get Back to Church!”

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival. (Psalm 42:4)

The psalmist is lamenting a setback in life when he is cut off from many blessings previously enjoyed. Chief among them, clearly, is worship of God and fellowship with the people of God in the House of God.

2020 was a proper year to pray this lamentation. Attending church has been a key feature of my entire life. When I was three or four, I’d come home from the Lutheran church and repeat the service with its liturgy, leading it at a windowsill that served as my pulpit. I have to say, for several years up to almost my 16th birthday (when I made a distinct dedication of my life to Jesus) I rather hated going to church. After that dedication 60 years ago, church fellowship has been in my spiritual DNA.

But I’ve only been to church twice since March of 2020.
I can understand the psalmist’s lament.

Whether the limitations imposed by governors on church gatherings are necessary is an open and hot debate. They certainly haven’t been fair. I have trouble seeing how a room of gamblers up to 50% capacity is safe while a gathering for prayer and song and hearing the Bible taught is unsafe if over 25% (with a maximum of 50, and in some places a max as low as 10). If there’s any science behind this, I’ve not seen it and I can’t imagine it. And classifying religious ministries and gatherings as “non-essential” says more about politicians’ priorities and philosophy than anything scientific.

So what is this “thing” we call “Church”? It is where God’s Spirit is uniquely present, where people of all walks of life accept and minister to one another, where corporate prayer ascends to God, where hearts repent of sin, where songs of praise uplift discouraged souls, where God’s timeless Truth is taught so we can all understand it and live by it, where the sacrament of Communion nourishes us spiritually, where we are energized to go forth to serve our world and bear witness about Jesus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Is “Being a Witness” the Church’s Only Task?
Or is it One Task among Many?

NOTE: “GraceConnect” is a publication of my denomination. The Fall, 2020 issue contained my article, “WWJD? Jesus and Today’s Political Climate.”
It also contained the article “Being a Witness”, which I respond to here.
My church in Long Beach, California began a pre-school ministry in 1972. Shortly thereafter, there was a traffic accident in front of the school. I wrote our city councilman (on church letterhead!) and observed that the yellow line separating east-bound and west-bound traffic was not in the middle of the road but instead was closer to our curb, making the traffic lane narrower and putting moving cars closer to our parked cars. Nothing was done.

Sometime later another accident occurred in the same spot. I wrote a second letter, more agitated than the first one and again on church letterhead. “Are we going to wait until a little child is hit?”

That brought action, and soon thereafter the yellow line was moved to the center of the street where it belonged. Our children were safer now.

That’s called “Christian Social Action” or “The Church involved in Society.” Call it whatever you want, it’s more than just “being a witness.”

I thought of that experience as I pondered my response to the article “Being a Witness.” It’s written by two ministerial colleagues of mine—fine students of the Bible who know their culture well. There is no need to give names. I’m glad they are thinkers on a topic that needs more light and less heat.

But I disagree with their basic arguments. If I followed them, I would have never gotten involved with changing the line on the road in front of church.

I will quote from the article (in green) and give my responses.

“The church is to be a witness of Jesus Christ, in word and in deed. It should testify to the transformation Jesus brings about in the life of those who believe in him, as well as in the local church. The church exists to be a witness and that is the essence of its influence. It does not exist to bring change to moral, cultural, or political structures here on earth.”

I agree completely with the first sentences. I take exception to ““[The church] does not exist to bring change to moral, cultural, or political structures here on earth.” It’s not either/or, but both/and. Read “The Song of Mary,” known as “The Magnificat” (Luke 1:51-53). Study the influence of the church and individual Christians that contributed to the abolition of slavery.

Being Jesus’ disciples means endorsing the Word of the Old Testament as he did (Matthew 5:17-19). The Old Testament says much about God’s will for cultures. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because they were ”overfed and unconcerned” and “did not help the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49). The Prophet Daniel counseled the Babylonian King to renounce his sins “by doing what is right” and “being kind to the oppressed” (Daniel 4:27). Before he denounced God’s covenant people (Judah and Israel) for breaking the revealed Law of God, the Prophet Amos denounced the surrounding non-covenant nations for brutal crimes against humanity (Amos 1-2).

The Voice of God called Israel to do what any civilized people should do: “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17).The Jewish captives were to strive for the wellbeing of Babylon while living there (Jeremiah 29:7). The Doctrine of Common Grace calls everyone to work for positive values, and Christians can cooperate with non-Christians to see a society become better when these values thrive.

“…the church should not be a direct supporter of any particular political party, ideology, or economical system. It cannot be limited to any earthly regime. Outside of the kingdom of God, there is no corresponding system which fulfills the requirements given by God. The church walks in obedience to a totally different value system, which it first imposes on itself. It must not, through its teaching or by the public opinions of its pastors, back a specific political candidate…”

As my own article conveyed, I strongly differentiate between any earthly regime and God’s ultimate rule. But a Christian has duties to both, and a church has a home in both. While a church should be “a-political” in that it never identifies a political movement with the Kingdom of God, it rightly and properly needs to commend social trends in accord with the rule of God and condemn social trends in opposition to the rule of God. Pastors have a right and often a duty to express public opinions on value-laden social issues and (off-pulpit) on candidates. Example: if legalizing euthanasia is on the ballot.

California has prominent politicians who openly oppose religious liberty on some key issues. Our Attorney General supported requiring pro-life counseling ministries to provide information on abortion services—that is until the U.S. Supreme Court said this violated freedom of speech. Covid-19 restrictions have hammered religious gatherings very unfairly, but now the Supreme Court is pushing back. Legal scholar Ilya Somin recently said, “The courts are actually doing a good job of protecting religious liberty, which today enjoys stronger judicial protection than at virtually any other time in US history.” I’m convinced this would not be true if Christians and their churches had banned themselves from social action.

Speaking of the writings of Jesus’ apostles,“We don’t find any exhortation to believers in these letters telling them to take action to change society.”

Mostly true*, but (as the article notes) the Book of Acts covers only the first 30 years of Christian history. The apostolic writings fall within or shortly after these years. The church’s world was governed at that time by a flawed Roman system that nonetheless did what governments should do—encourage what’s right and oppose what’s wrong, by force if necessary. Jesus’ word “Render to Caesar” in New Testament times (under authoritarian government, when voting was unheard of) would be viewed differently than “Render to Caesar” within a participatory democracy where citizens and organizations can really make a difference and support rights important to the church. My point is, the church needs to be all it can be in its own contemporary circumstances. (*But read Titus 3:1 – “Be subject to rulers…be ready to do whatever is good.”)

“We distinguish the role of the church as a body (a legal entity represented by its leaders) from that of Christians who take public social responsibility through their professional, artistic, or familial involvement. This distinction between the disciple of Christ and the church is not always easy to identify in the New Testament, but it exists.” [BOLD mine]

Agreed, the distinction between the individual disciple of Christ and the church“is not always easy to identify.” When I wrote the City of Long Beach about street safety, was I writing as an individual Christian or as a representative of the church? BOTH, I’m sure. When the Apostle Paul asserted his Roman citizenship so he would be treated justly, was he protecting himself as an individual or claiming a right that would benefit the mission of the church? Again, BOTH.

In the above quote, the church as“a legal entity” is a KEY CONCEPT. This would not have been a reality in the New Testament (early) church. But virtually all churches and Christian ministries today ARE legal entities, incorporated in their states with all the rights and duties that come therewith.

Churches and all Christian ministries must actively exercise their rights under their legal charters. That’s part of “doing ministry.”If they do not, these rights may vanish.Operating a school—anything from a preschool through a graduate seminary—requires keeping a watchful eye on city, state, and federal governments in order to support what enables these programs and vigorously fight all that opposes them. If this means fighting an abortion insurance mandate or church members filling up city council chambers on the night a bad ordinance is under consideration, so be it!

Churches must vigorously oppose (through social action and legal recourse) attempts to limit the free exercise of religion, and free speech and assembly. They must keep a watchful eye on challenges to tax exemptions and the fair use of property. We can’t just say, “Let’s pray and witness!” We need to revive the ministry of Nehemiah who, when faced with opposition to his building program, both prayed to the Lord AND posted a guard (Neh. 4:9).

In 2019, presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke was asked by CNN if he thought “religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities, should…lose their tax-exempt status if they oppose same-sex marriage.” “Yes,” he said to great applause. Do we want secular governments to set the rules on church policies and punish us when we don’t uphold their rules? If not, churches must “pray to the Lord and post a guard” by defending their freedoms to the fullest.

Finally, “Being a Witness” says “the church has its claims [behavioral standards] upon its members, not upon society.” Totally agree. But what if the state makes a church liable for civil damages if it disciplines a member? What if the state forbids a church from dismissing a teacher in its Christian school for violating its moral teachings?These are not hypotheticals!

Bottom line, the church must live out its witness and make the Gospel its only message. But the Gospel is not just about personal conversions. It is a comprehensive moral vision. And to proclaim it in word and deed requires social action in many forms—defending The Faith against foes, displaying The Faith in action, expanding The Faith’s moral vision.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Another Voice…

I Was Wrong: The False Dawning of a New Age
By John Addison Teevan

John is a colleague of mine in Christian Ministry. He is a careful thinker whose mind often “colors outside the lines.” Here are excellent thoughts from one who (like me) lived in the 1950’s and 60’s and often viewed the world through that lens.

When I was in college, I had lived just long enough to recognize that we lived in a new post-war and post-depression world. This new world was full of prosperity, life changing tech and health advances, and in general we had new levels of human decency and fairness including Civil Rights. We even reached the moon.

At last we would have a nation that was substantially educated and typically reasonable. Civilization had become the pervasive norm, or so I thought.

I was wrong. I thought I saw new world-changing realities dawning. Imagine me growing up in the 1950-60s knowing that the Japanese and the German enemies of WWII were defeated by men like my dad, who served in the Pacific. The evil desire for domination through war and the collateral damage of hatred and torture were not only gone, but, I figured, gone forever.

Imagine me asking my dad what all those rural grain bins were for and him telling me that we grew so much grain that even after selling it abroad we had to store the surplus on every farm. Starvation was not gone, but it would be almost gone soon. And it is.

Imagine me growing up hanging around complex rail sidetracks near my suburban Chicago home to watch the trains shuffle the cement cars and meeting, just once, a hobo. I knew that the Depression was tough, but that kind of depression was gone forever. He was a relic.

Imagine me in the back seat of our ’57 Ford Fairlane going through Birmingham on the way to our Florida vacation just before the interstate was built. As we crossed a rail yard there were endless shanties. I was shocked by the poverty of the African Americans. So, when I watched Little Rock and Selma and saw the victories of President Eisenhower and the Warren Court and ML King and the Voting Rights Act, I knew that the racism and bigotry were finally demolished.

Want more? I watched the African colonies become independent nations knowing that the colonial economic oppression of people was over, and that Africa would soon be prosperous former colonies.

My sister had a life-threatening infection, but excellent new medical care delivered her. Medical advances were here to stay. Polio took my classmate, Jimmy; I saw him at home on Vine St. in his iron lung.

I carried a rabbit’s foot in fifth grade and was careful of ladders and the 13th, but soon realized that superstitions were ignorant and irrational and would soon be gone too.

All my friends attended Mary Seat of Wisdom School in our suburb. In the 1960s the Latin mass was changed dramatically, and the mysterious authority of the church seemed to be democratized. Gone was dogma (and fish on Friday) seemingly forever.

I met Bobby Kennedy with my dad and then watched the Kennedy tax cut fine tune our economy into a full-employment prosperity machine. We licked the economy! What could be bigger but maybe licking the weather? I saw the UN headquarters built in New York City for world peace with Miss America pleading for world peace.

I watched Elvis and the Beach Boys and knew that fun was here and would stay forever.

In short, I believed not only in the goodness of man, but in the fact that we had arrived. No wonder Boomers regard all that happened before our arrival on earth as trivial. Not because it isn’t interesting, but because that old world, that bumped along for millennia, was gone. Gone!

We even had fast cars, TV, and transistor radios. I grew up near O’Hare Airport and saw the dawning of commercial jet air travel. Even distance had been conquered.

Imagine me in my 1967 Mustang. I couldn’t wait to become an adult and live in this wonderland. The old boring days of squeaking by were over. The maniacs and the bad times were gone. Violence and abuse and meanness would soon follow into extinction.

But I was wrong. Superstition, incompetence, arrogance, dogma, hatred, and corruption are all part of human nature, and they are here to stay.

God help us![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Religious Liberty Vigilance –

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must…undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” – Thomas Paine

Have You Seen
“The New First Amendment”?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1549″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or the right of the people to PROTEST…” [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1550″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course, it doesn’t really say that. But I’ve seen many, many times when current Covid-19 restrictions have been put forth exactly this way:

All public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for religious services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.[italics mine]

Get that? Both religious services and protests are constitutionally protected rights. As if co-equal. As if parallel freedoms.

It wasn’t looked on this way very long ago. In April 2020 Mayor de Blasio (New York City) personally intervened to stop a Jewish (religious) funeral procession. But soon he was openly supporting protesters. Religious gatherings were limited to 10 or 25 people; protests were unlimited. Religious services, thus, were inferior to protests.

But then, a day before Thanksgiving, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo that religious gatherings couldn’t be put at a comparative disadvantage with other gatherings.

The Supreme Court provided “injunctive relief”. Here are excerpts:

The applicants have made a strong showing that the challenged restrictions violate “the minimum requirement of neutrality” to religion. …the regulations cannot be viewed as neutral because they single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment.

In a red zone, while a synagogue or church may not admit more than 10 persons, businesses categorized as “essential” may admit as many people as they wish. And the list of “essential” businesses includes things such as acupuncture facilities, camp grounds, garages, as well as many whose services are not limited to those that can be regarded as essential…

The disparate treatment is even more striking in an orange zone. While attendance at houses of worship is limited to 25 persons, even non-essential businesses may decide for themselves how many persons to admit.

It is hard to believe that admitting more than 10 people to a 1,000–seat church or 400–seat synagogue would create a more serious health risk than the many other activities that the State allows.

Does the Constitution protect protests? Yes. “Freedom of speech” and “the right of the people peacefully—that’s peacefully—to assemble” are protected.

But no, protests are not protected parallel to the way religious expression is protected. Protests are simply one example of a host of protected free-speech/freedom-of-assembly events. You have the right to gather to support things as well as protest them. You can gather for remembrances or to celebrate things, like national bug week or whatever is important to you.

I’ll put it this way: Freedom to exercise your religion is a direct guarantee of the First Amendment. Freedom to protest is a deduced guarantee.

Don’t let these two expressions of freedom be treated as co-equals.
They are not.

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Representative Desecrates Prayer in Congress

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) desecrated prayer in his January 4 invocation opening the new session of the House of Representatives. Is this an omen of a worsening attitude toward religion in Congress?

Mr. Cleaver ended his prayer “A-men and A-woman.” Now, “Amen” is a simple affirmation—“So be it.” Very common in prayer and with no gender connotation. Was he being cute? Or is he expressing his conviction?

One misspoken word can end a career if it offends gender, race, or sexuality. What will happen here? Nothing. As a minister, he should know better.

Finally, at the end of 2020 –

A Scary Picture for the End of a Difficult Year. What is it?

–Picture from The Wall Street Journal, December 18, 2020

1) It’s the Emperor from Star Wars appearing before his loyal followers.
2) Or, it’s from the 1984 Superbowl XVIII commercial by Apple that introduced Macintosh, the break-through competition to IBM.
3) Or, it’s Russia’s Vladimir Putin holding an end-of-the-year press conference remotely.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Corona Virus and the Constitution

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Protest Gatherings – Yes! 

Funeral Gatherings – No!

“Mayor Bill de Blasio lashed out at Hasidic residents of the Williamsburg section in Brooklyn late Tuesday night after personally overseeing the dispersal of a crowd of hundreds of mourners who had gathered for the funeral of a rabbi who died of the coronavirus.” – The New York Times, April 28

Hizzoner dispatched the police Hong-Kong-style to break up the gathering.

“Something absolutely unacceptable happened in Williamsburg tonite: a large funeral gathering in the middle of this pandemic,” the mayor said in one post. “When I heard, I went there myself to ensure the crowd wasdispersed.  And what I saw WILL NOT be tolerated so long as we are fighting the Coronavirus.”

At this point let me be very clear: I fully support lawful, peaceful protests in the wake of the horrible murder of George Floyd.

But any common-sense assessment of local government responses to recent large crowds would have to wonder, “What has happened to all the concern about the spread of the coronavirus, that once led to government clamp-downs on large gatherings, most extremely seen in de Blazio’s actions in New York?” 

Any honest examination of coronavirus statistics (featured prominently in my local newspaper every day) shows that the cases have risen somewhat in recent weeks.  They are no longer declining.

And whatever happened to “Science-driven social policy”?

Just a few days ago, Yale epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves, was literally accusing President Trump of “genocide” for not taking stronger measure to contain Covid-19. Today, he signed the “protests against racism are more important than stopping the spread of Covid-19” letter.  – David Bernstein, “What Happened to the Public Health Emergency?” The Volokh Conspiracy, June 3, 2020

Local governments are in a lose-lose position.  If coronavirus cases and deaths increase, they will have themselves to blame for allowing large crowds to assemble with little protections and precautions.  If the cases and deaths don’t increasebecause of large crowds gathering, their tight and sometimes heavy-handed limits on religious gatherings (which they regard as equal to crowds at sports and entertainment venues) are unnecessary and excessive.

Three principles of Constitutional Law are being mauled today:

  • Viewpoint Neutrality– the First Amendment’s freedom of speech provision forbids the government from giving advantage or disadvantage to any person or group based on the content of what is being expressed.
  • Equality before the Law– the Fourteenth Amendment forbids the government from preferring one group or individual above another in the administration of justice.
  • Free Exercise of Religion – While religious gatherings need to submit to neutral laws of general applicability, they must not be placed at a disadvantage compared to others.

“The Great Commission” – What’s so Great about It?

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What’s So Great about “The Great Commission”?

 Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

Then Jesus came to them[his disciples] and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:16-20

Christians rightly draw on many, many scriptures for direction.  High on the list are the two Great Commandments: love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).  But no assignment from Jesus gets more attention for “missional direction” than “The Great Commission.”

What makes “The Great Commission” so great?

  1. Jesus made a GREAT AFFIRMATION about himself.

He makes the astounding claim, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me!”  Either this is the boast of a self-deceived self-promoter, or it is a claim to be taken seriously.  The church takes it seriously.

The Apostle Paul sets forth this same claim about Jesus in what was probably a “praise chorus” sung in Christian gatherings.  Jesus humbled himself obediently to death on a cross.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…  (Philippians 2:9-10)

If Jesus is who he claimed to be, his instructions need to be obeyed.

  1. Jesus gave a GREAT ASSIGNMENT to his followers.

Now, I’m going to be a bit picky here, because this assignment is often misunderstood. For example, it’s commonly taught that Jesus gave four commands: “Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.”  If this is so, then “make disciples” pretty much equals “lead people to Jesus” (then baptize and teach them).   Discipling = Evangelism.

But that’s not what Jesus commanded.  In fact, THERE IS ONLY ONE COMMAND IN THE GREAT COMMISSION—“MAKE DISCIPLES”.  Around this one imperative verb are three participles (“going, baptizing, teaching”) that tell us HOW TO OBEY THIS ONE COMMAND.

“Going” – We can talk about following Jesus all we want, but if we do not penetrate the world around us, we will never make disciples for Jesus.

“Baptizing”– The New Testament assumes that one who believes the Gospel will be baptized.   In fact, “unbaptized Christian” is an oxymoron.

Baptism is Trinitarian—it confesses God’s work in our salvation.  God the Father loved us, God the Son died for us, and God the Holy Spirit empowers us to faith and good works.

Baptism is in water—a fitting mode to depict washing sins away (Acts 22:16).

What does our baptism declare to the church and to the world?

  • “I hereby confess Jesus as Lord and I cross the line to be on Jesus’ side.”
  • “I have moved from the old life into the new.”
  • “I’m now a citizen of God’s Kingdom, a member of his family.”
  • “My sins are washed away—I stand forgiven!”
  • “The Holy Spirit has been given to me”
  • “I’m willing to follow Jesus in obedience and suffering.”

“Teaching”– The baptized convert is to be instructed in all the commands of Jesus.  Baptism takes a few moments—one single step in being a disciple. Teaching all Jesus commands is a life-long process—continual steps in becoming a disciple.  Thus we never “arrive” at full discipleship in this life—we are always “Pilgrims in Progress.”

How does Jesus direct our lives?  A few points among many:

  • “Follow me in baptism.”
  • “Accept the authority of the Old Testament just as I do.”
  • “Keep God’s law in its depth, not just on the surface.”
  • “Love God and love your neighbor.”
  • “Show regard for all people, not just to other followers of mine.”
  • “Get down where the people are. Touch the leper, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bind the wounded.”
  • “Keep the Supper I established for you, in remembrance of me.”
  • “Watch and pray. Be prepared when temptations come and face them as I did.”
  • “I will return at an unknown hour. Be faithful and prepared.”
  1. Jesus speaks GREAT ASSURANCE to us as we fulfill this assignment.

Jesus will be with his church as we do the task he calls us to do—empowering us, encouraging us, walking with us, helping us when we face persecution.

He is present when we are baptized in his name and as we face temptations and struggle to be his disciples and to lead others to be his disciples.

He walks beside us as we walk through life’s greatest challenges and sorrows.  He assures us he knows the path, for he has walked it before.

He is there to serve his people not just at the start but until the end of the age.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,

the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,

and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

– “How Firm A Foundation” (1787, authorship uncertain).  Originally sung to the tune “ADESTES FIDELIS” [“O Come, All Ye Faithful”], it is usually sung today to the tune “FOUNDATION.”

When the Holy Spirit Redirects Priorities

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Message for Pentecost Sunday

When the Holy Spirit Redirected Priorities

Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

So when they [the apostles whom Jesus had chosen] had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

[Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:6-8 (New English Version)

“Life after the Coronavirus” will not be like “Life before the Virus.”  Church priorities and ministries (what we should do and how we should do it) will not be the same.

Now put yourself with Jesus’ disciples, who were with him after his resurrection and before his ascension (return to Heaven). What will God’s work in the world be once Jesus is no longer with them?  They need answers, because “Life after Jesus’ Ascension and the Day of Pentecost” will not be as before.

Jesus’ followers had one overriding question: “Lord, is it NOW, finally, that you will restore the kingdom to Israel?  We’ve watched you and listened to you.  We’ve gone through the pain of your death and, now, the joy of being with you in your resurrection.  NOW will we see the kingdom restored with Israel having her rightful place in it?” *

Jesus’ answer must have disappointed them.  It certainly will refocus them if they listen.  Without zeroing out God’s promises to Israel, Jesus zeros in on “NOW”. What is God’s timing when it comes to fulfilling his promises?

Jesus clearly and forcefully told them, “The question of when prophetic events will come to be (‘times’) and the exact nature of these events (‘seasons’)—these are none of your business.  Don’t worry about these ‘times and seasons.’  My Father in Heaven has determined them and they are well under his control.  Instead, do what I assign you to do, which the Holy Spirit will give you the power to do.”

“Times” (Greek word: chronos) refers to the sequence of events(this, then this, then that).  “Seasons” (kairos) refers to the significance of the events.  If I say, “It is 12:00 noon” that’s a chronos moment, a tick of the clock.  But if I say, “It’s going down today at hi-noon” that’s a kairos moment–something significant is going to happen. **

When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the waiting disciples at Pentecost, it will notbe to enlighten them about the future, either its times or details.  Instead, the Spirit will be given so they will have the power to do a task—to bear witness to Jesus—his life and ministries, his death and resurrection, his teachings—throughout the world beginning in Jerusalem (verse 8).

How often have you heard preaching that is very certain about “the times and the seasons”?  If we listened to a lot of “Bible prophecy” teaching throughout the Twentieth Century and up till now, we might think Jesus should have just saved his breath.   Many teachers on prophecy talk confidently about when prophecies will be fulfilled and what the exact sequence of things will be.

We have divided our churches and judged the orthodoxy of other Christians over how we think the “times and seasons” will unfold.

  • “Pre-tribulationists” believe that Jesus will return and remove the saints before the Great Tribulation occurs. After the Tribulation he will return dramatically to end human history as we know it and usher in his kingdom (the two “returns” together are the “Second Coming of Christ”—Second Coming A and Second Coming B, if that’s reasonable).
  • “Mid-tribulationists” believe that the saints will be removed from earth in the middle of the Great Tribulation. The first half is bad, but “you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet” – God is saving his fiercest wrath against evil for the second half.  After this, Jesus will return to set up his kingdom.
  • The “Pre-wrath” view teaches that believers will go through the Tribulation almost till its end, and be removed just before God’s fierce wrath is unleashed against evil. They will then return with Christ.
  • “Post-tribulationists” believe there is only one climactic “Second Coming” event at the end of the Great Tribulation.
  • Some simply teach a “second coming” without trying to fit it into other details (for example, they may not relate it to a Great Tribulation era).

Another opinion, the “partial rapture” view, believes that only Christians who are “ready” (they have reached a particular level of spirituality, or have had certain experiences, or belong to the correct church) will be raptured to be with Jesus when he first appears.  The Christians left behind (the “have not’s”) will have to go through the Tribulation, which thus becomes sort of a Purgatory for them.  This view isn’t widely held, but those who do hold it are quite sure of their own righteousness and don’t mind saying so.

What can we say about all this?   In my opinion, the whole debate is a great tribulation.  It reflects the assumption that we can know “times and seasons” details which Jesus said we cannot know.

I’m opposed to churches and denominations setting forth prophetic timetables and using them as litmus tests to say who’s in and who’s out. I’m opposed to how the dogmatism stifles honest study and open debate.

The sooner we can rid ourselves of doctrinal statements that split hairs on prophecy and try to map it out, the better.  My right hand of fellowship (if we can still extend our right hands after the coronavirus) is ready to accept you, whether you are a “pre-tribber”, “post-tribber” or whatever.   Please accept me.  Let’s study together and learn prophecy to the extent it can properly be known (Deuteronomy 29:29).  And let’s join our voices in the prayer:

“Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

* John Stott, following Calvin, believed that the disciples’ whole question revealed several faulty notions about the Kingdom of God, not just a timing problem about Israel’s role (The Message of Acts, p. 43).  I limit their error to the matter of “timing.”  This reveals another major rift in how Evangelicals understand prophecy. Does Israel have a distinct future in the Kingdom (my view) or are promises to Israel spiritualized in the kingdom (common Reformed view)?

** Stott explains “times and seasons (dates)” differently: “times” are “critical moments” and “seasons” are the orderly development of God’s plan.  F.F. Bruce explains the words much as I do, but notes that the meaning is found in the words as a pair, not separately (The Book of Acts, p. 35).

Love, Law, Liberty – 3 Essentials During the Coronavirus Crisis

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Love, Law, Liberty

3 Essentials During the Coronavirus Crisis

Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

I suggest that our country’s response to the coronavirus be looked at as a stool with three legs: Love, Law and Liberty.  If balanced and embraced by most, we will overcome.  I gave three points in my last newsletter, which I’ve now made the three legs of the stool:

LOVE: Out of love for our neighbor, the second great commandment Jesus taught, we do what is best for the greater good of society (Mark 12:31).

LAW: Out of respect for authorities (Titus 3:1) and the medical knowledge they gather to the best of their ability, we agree to the prohibitions and adjustments set forth by our local, state and federal governments, so long as they are fair and equitable.

LIBERTY: Recognizing our constitutional rights, we keep a wary eye on any edicts from government that might limit these rights.  We insist on a quick end to limitations of our rights once the crisis has passed.

Unfortunately, the “Liberty” leg is coming up short. Here is a letter in my local newspaper which, I fear, reflects commonly-held thinking:

Yes, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion.  It also guarantees freedom of assembly, but that right has been temporarily suspended for the common good. [emphasis mine]

Temporarily suspended?  By what authority?  In World War II the rights of 120,000 Japanese-Americans were “temporarily suspended.”  Where in the Constitution does it say that the rights guaranteed therein are subject to suspension?  Of course the rights are not absolute.  Freedom of religion does not give one the right to sacrifice children or deny minors lifesaving treatments.  Freedom of speech doesn’t include the right to cry “fire” in a crowded theater, to use Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ analogy. **

Agree or disagree with policies, we should all acknowledge that the “free exercise of religion” and “the right of the people peaceably to assemble” are being infringed upon.

I wonder what the reactions would be if “freedom of speech or of the press” were infringed upon in a comparable way at the present time. It is not beyond reason that during the present crisis some might call for limits on speech and publications if the speech is contrary to the “ruling orthodoxy.” Just follow curtailment of speech on public campuses to see how this works.

What are some of the more egregious violations of freedom of religion and assembly?

  • California: Pastor Roy McCoy found it necessary to resign as a councilman in Thousand Oaks, California because he decided to offer a Communion Service at his church that fully conformed to limits on cleanliness and distancing.
  • Mississippi: People who attended a drive-in service by sitting in their cars with the windows up were issued $500 tickets. The Department of Justice intervened in favor of the church, arguing the church was being singled out for more restrictive rules.
  • Kentucky: the mayor of Louisville imposed a ban on drive-in services.The church won in court, the judge saying that people were being permitted to sit in their cars for other purposes, so why not church?

Government cannot target religious exercise unless it shows a compelling state interest in restricting that right.  And—very important—the government must use the least restrictive means necessaryto achieve that compelling state interest.  Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute, notes that as time passes the government’s claim for a compelling state interest will decline while a church’s position will get stronger every day.

Local and state governments should make clear that religious gatherings and services are “ESSENTIAL” services.  To put it another way, government is outside its legitimate role to declare in-person religious gatherings “non-essential.” And it certainly is not being “neutral” toward religion. ***

In my 36 years as a pastor in Seal Beach, California I’ve seen first-hand how the presence, ministries and gatherings of a church provide critical spiritual and emotional support to the community in times of crisis.

A handful of unwise pastors have filled their churches with crowds in blatant disrespect for the government.  Their behavior doesn’t cancel the positive role that a church gathering can now play when proper distancing, cleanliness and a limit on attendance are in force.  Offering Holy Communion during Passion Week is a valuable spiritual uplift to those who come and seek it.

Having places of worship closed while “essential” cannabis dispensaries and liquor stores are open is ethical dissonance almost beyond imagination.

* The good governor said, “Science says people should stay away from each other.”  Science says nothing of the sort.  Science tests theories on how the virus spreads.  The order to separate is a judgment made from looking at the current science.  A hypothesis of science is capable of being applied in a number of directions by others, according to their own societal convictions.  In fact, what does “science” say that would lead us to have liquor stores open and churches closed?

**  Oliver Wendell Holmes gave this analogy in 1919 to argue that a defendant’s speech in opposition to the draft during World War I was not protected free speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution.  Would we agree with him today?

*** The U.S. Supreme Court said religious organizations “contribute to the well-being of the community” and called for the government to have a position of “benevolent neutrality” toward religion (Walz v. Tax Commission, 1970).

Ministers MUST pay into Social Security

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Ministers MUST pay into Social Security

 Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

In 1985 I proposed to the Conference of my denomination (The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches) that a study committee be appointed to develop a strong, contemporary retirement program for our ministers.  The proposal passed, and I became one of the committee members.

My task at one point was to analyze a survey we sent to our ministers.  I divided the responses into three age categories (below 40, 40-55, above 55).

I found that most of the pastors in the 55+ group were participants in the Social Security program (NOTE: for many years participation in Social Security was OPTIONAL [opt-in] for clergy—not so in recent decades).

Surprisingly, I found that most of the pastors below age 40 had opted out of Social Security.  Furthermore, most of these opt-outers had not created any kind of a substitute plan for funding their retirements.

Maybe Jesus will return first!

Here are some plain facts:

  • Ministers are regarded as SELF-EMPLOYED by the IRS when it comes to paying into social security (Self-employment Tax). This means they must pay twice what employees pay into the program (15.3% instead of 7.65%).  Many church boards may not be aware of this burden on their pastors.  An enlightened church board would reimburse pastors for at least half of this tax.
  • By law, ministers MUST participate in the Social Security program, except in very narrow circumstances. To be specific, only by conscientiously signing and submitting Form 4361 to the IRS may a minister “opt out” of paying into this system.
  • What does Form 4361 require? The minister must declare:

“I certify that I am conscientiously opposed to, or because of my religious principles I am opposed to, the acceptance (for services I perform as a minister…) of any public insurance that makes payments in the event of death, disability, old age, or retirement; or that makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care…”

Read that again, carefully.  In addition, Form 4361 requires that the minister has previously communicated this conviction to the ordaining body of his church.  Finally, under penalties of perjury, the applicant declares,  “I have examined this application and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true and correct.”

  • Many clergy have opted out of Social Security not from religious convictions, but simply because (a) they didn’t want to pay it and/or (b) they thought they could benefit more by investing this amount elsewhere. Seminaries may even have facilitated this thinking.
  • Many clergy therefore lied, or at the least got bad advice, didn’t check it out on their own, and didn’t read Form 4361 before signing it. In fact, a tax guide for ministers came out several years ago that actually advised them, if questioned by the IRS, NOT to say they opted out for financial reasons, but because of their church’s doctrines.  This was simply not true in a vast number of cases.
  • My assessment of clergy responses when I served on the retirement study committee is that many had not invested in an alternate, comparable retirement program. Thus, they will find themselves coming up short when the desire or need to retire comes.
  • If a minister lives in church-owned housing his retirement prospects may be even worse. Unless he has prepared for his retirement housing, he will find himself with no parsonage and with no equity.

One of the best words of advice I ever received is when the board of my first congregation as a senior pastor advised me to stay in the Social Security program when I could have opted out (in those days, without declaring an “objection of conscience”).  They sweetened that advice by paying my social security taxes.  I now am beneficiary of that wisdom.

Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 – A Great Wrong

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The Great Wrong of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942

 Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

Highway 395 runs north/south on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.  I have driven it many times on my way to backpacking or hiking in the Sierra or to visit Mammoth Lakes.

Along one bleak, arid segment of the highway you come to Manzanar, where 11,000 Japanese Americans were placed during World War II (120,000 were interned in ten relocation centers).  I remember the first time I stopped there when the only thing to see was the old guard house at the entrance along with a couple of plaques.  Even then, it was a very moving experience.

Now the location has a fine museum and you can drive around and see signs telling you what buildings were at various locations.  Manzanar was not a “concentration camp” by any means, but it was not a retreat either.   Winters were cold; summers very hot.  The centers were essentially prisons for those who had done nothing wrong—they were simply Americans of Japanese descent.

In post-Pearl Harbor America there was much fear of what might happen on our West Coast.  Would an attack come? Would people of Japanese descent support Japan?  There was no evidence that they would and there were no acts by them against the U.S.  Still, President Roosevelt, encouraged by California Governor Earl Warren, signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942 that led to the internment camps.

Beside the forced and quick internments, these prisoners in most cases lost their livelihoods, possessions and properties.

As a descendent of German immigrants, how would I feel had the government rounded up German Americans and put them in such places?

Let the memory of this great wrong keep us from doing anything like it again.

Youth in Church Leadership?

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Youth in Church Leadership?

Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12 (New International Version)

In January 1970, shortly after my 25thbirthday, my wife and I boarded a plane in South Bend, Indiana to fly via Chicago to Los Angeles.  The runway in South Bend required the use of a snowplow before the plane could land to get us.  We found the Los Angeles area to be one fine place in January!

I was candidating to become the pastor of Los Altos Brethren Church in Long Beach. When the church extended a call to me a couple of weeks later, I accepted.  We followed the plan to move in the summer, and I became the pastor of that church in August of 1970.

To a few who didn’t want me as pastor, I was “that kid.”  I was having breakfast at Bob’s Big Boy one morning when another pastor phoned the restaurant to reach me.  I saw the waitress come down the row of booths and ask at each table, “Are you a reverend?”  But when she came to my table, she looked at me and walked right on to the next table!

I was pretty GREEN and I made my share of mistakes.  But one thing I did rightly was to show respect to the older believers in the church and listen to them.  (By “older” I mean those who were as I now am, 50 years later!)

The Apostle Paul’s words to young Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12 above) were relevant to me.  Of course, Timothy was likely well into his 30’s and it’s a valid question to ask how far Paul’s words can be stretched to fit church leaders in their 20’s.  Yes, I had my master’s degree from seminary and was trained in pastoral and theological matters, but was I seasoned enough to lead a congregation?

What should a young church leader do and not do?

First, the young leader must repudiate today’s “Cult of Youth.” *  This was strong in 1970, with the campus unrest and protests.  Remember “You can’t trust anyone over thirty”?  Of course, no one from that era still believes that!

The church should be a counter-culture to the “Cult of Youth.”  Instead, in church life the “cult of youth” is as bad today as it was in 1970.   Biblically speaking, the leader must be someone with knowledge and wisdom, who learns from the past and is seasoned by years of testing (Hebrews 5:18).  Today the Apostle Paul could rightly insist, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are OLD, but set an example for the YOUNGER believers…”

Second, the young leader must avoid shooting his toes off by making foolish mistakes in words or actions, and especially in attitude.  “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” – Proverbs 16:18.

“You are to follow me because God put me over you!” (Pastor, where did you get the idea you alone are Spirit-filled and above accountability?)

“I’ve got the education to know what the issues are and what’s best for the church!”  (But maybe you are answering questions no one is asking!)

“I just preach The Truth and let the chips fall where they may.”  (You may find yourself in the “chipper”!)

“I unfold the Bible’s meaning in great depth.” (But you don’t need 50 minutes to do it.  A 25-30 minute sermon will be a better sermon.)  In seminary we thought ourselves to be clones of John MacArthur.)

What other presumptuous words, attitudes and actions can you think of?

Third, the young leader must follow the FULL meaning of 1 Tim. 4:12.  The verse has a “do” phrase as well as a “don’t” phrase.  If the young pastor wants to avoid being looked down on, this pastor must earn the people’s trust as a leader.  And it is done by being “an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My mentor in my early pastoral career (1968-70) was Pastor Gordon Bracker, under whom I served as associate pastor in Elkhart, Indiana.  At my installation service in Long Beach in 1970 he gave me three words of advice in front of all, “Love the people, love the people, love the people.”

* TIME Magazine featured the “cult of youth” twice recently (Dec. 23-30, 2019 and Feb 3, 2020).  Greta Thunberg, 16, is TIME’s “Person of the Year” showing “The Power of Youth.”  But the real “Persons of the Year” were the protestors in Hong Kong and Venezuela.

The Book of Revelation — How to find truth in it

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Finding Truth in the Book of Revelation

Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

Everyone yearns for a better tomorrow.

The Book of Revelation takes us through the turmoil and trials of life and leads us to a better tomorrow—an eternal city.   Interpretations abound on how to understand this fascinating and yet bewildering book. Here are my guidelines:

  1. Always keep this fundamental principle of interpretation in mind: The Book of Revelation was written to seven existing churches in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey).  Read chapters 1-3 to see this fact.  It had great significance to First Century Christians facing severe testings.  Any interpretation of this book that does not see it through the eyes of these believers is suspect!
  2. Try reading this book doxologically – as a Book of Worship (which it certainly is). The book has many themes and poetry that have led to rich Christian music.  For examples, check out these passages: 1:4-7; 4:6-11; 5:6-14; 11:15-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-8 and “The Holy City” by Frederic Weatherly (1892).
  3. The Book of Revelation has lots of symbolism and drama (like The Chronicles of Narnia)—don’t get too dogmatic over the details!   The details add to the drama without each of them calling for interpretive significance.
  4. The Book of Revelation depicts heaven and earth as places of conflict between good and evil. Experience tells us that’s true on earth, but are we open to the possibility of such conflict happening in the unseen realm of spirits?
  5. The book’s basic message is this: The present times are tough—it may look like evil is winning. But God still rules.  His plan is on schedule.  “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11:15).
  6. The book’s challenge is: Stay strong, resist evil, keep the faith—Judgment Day is coming, with vindication and reward for the “overcomer.”
  7. Finally, the Book of Revelation extends this invitation to everyone: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come. And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (22:17).  This invitation to come to Jesus still stands.

The Bible’s “Herod’s”

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Narratives of the Bible’s “Herods”

Blog by Donald P. Shoemaker

1.  Herod the Great – No Room for God’s Son

“Better to be Herod’s pig than his son,” said Herod’s friend Augustus Caesar.  The pig was safer.

Herod the Great, whose kingship over the Jews was due to the good grace of the Roman Senate, was known for his ruthlessness as well as his largesse. One of his many great projects was the renovation of Jerusalem’s Temple.  But he also slew many in his own family including one of his wives, Mariamne.

This Herod ruled for 37 years.  Readers of the Bible meet him in the Gospel of Matthew, when the Magi approach him with the question, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews?  We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:3).

Not a man known for tolerance, Herod tried to trick the Magi.  “Go and make a careful search for the child.  As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (2:8).

The Magi found the Christ Child in Bethlehem.  They bowed before him in worship and presented him gifts.  But after being warned by an angel, they returned home without returning to Herod. *

Realizing he was “had,” Herod furiously ordered the death of all the Jewish boys in Bethlehem ages two and under—another account to add to history’s long list of atrocities against the Jewish people. **  Jesus’ family fled to Egypt.

Herod died shortly thereafter.  Joseph and Mary and Jesus immigrated back to Israel from the relative safety of Egypt. Fearful of Herod’s son Archelaus who now reigned in Herod’s stead in Judea, Joseph settled his family in Galilee.

Herod the Great against Jesus—He reminds us that the world often has no tolerance for Jesus—not for his teachings, not for his people, not for him.

* Here we have another New Testament instance of Civil Disobedience. I previously wrote of the Apostle Paul’s civil disobedience (see the two-part series on Civil Disobedience in my 2020 September and October newsletters).  The Magi obeyed “higher” authority when it conflicted with the “lower authority” of Herod.

** While this account has not been verified in any secular histories, it is totally consistent with Herod’s ruthless and paranoid disposition.   Josephus writes about Herod: “Antiquities of the Jews” Book 14, Chapters 9-33; “Wars of the Jews” Book 1.

 

2.  Herod the Tetrarch – No Room for God’s Law

The next “Herod” we meet in the Gospels is “Herod the Tetrarch,” one of Herod the Great’s many sons.  Also known as “Herod Antipas,” he ruled Galilee for over forty years, till A.D. 39.

The House of Herod would make quite a soap opera series today, with its many intrigues.  Antipas divorced his wife so he could marry Herodias, wife of his brother, Herod II (Philip).  Josephus put it this way: “Herodias took upon her to confound the laws of our country, and divorced herself from her husband while he was alive, and was married to Herod Antipas.” *

Enter a strange prophet, the forerunner to Jesus whom we call “John the Baptist.”  He denounced Herod with “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18). **

John “spoke truth to power” (to use a tattered phrase), so Herod jailed him and wanted to kill him.  Irony of ironies, Herod knew in his heart John was a righteous man and liked to hear him speak.  Herod is thus a type of many a person who knows truth when he hears it and rectitude when he sees it.  But when conviction strikes the heart he wants to “kill the messenger.”

Read the dreadful story of how John was executed as a birthday gift to Herodias’ daughter (Mark 6:17-29)!

We meet Herod the Tetrarch one more time, when the Governor, Pontius Pilate, sent Jesus to stand before him.  Herod was delighted, for he had heard about Jesus and hoped Jesus would perform a miracle for him. ***

But Jesus does not cast his pearls before swine. So Herod ridiculed and mocked him and sent him back to Pilate, who soon thereafter ordered Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 23:1-12).

Herod the Tetrarch—against God’s Law and against Jesus.  He reminds us that the Word of God cuts us to the heart and exposes our evil thoughts and deeds.  He also reminds us that we can’t have Jesus on our own terms.

* Again, Josephus is our source: “Antiquities of the Jews” Book 18, Chapter 5.           John the Baptist was popular with the Jewish people and many regarded the later destruction of Herod’s army as punishment from God for killing John (18:5:2).

** Herod broke the Law of Moses: the 7thand 10thcommandments plus Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21 against sexual relations with, and marriage to, a brother’s wife.

*** For an amazing depiction of this scene complete with ragtime piano, see Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” (1970).

“Prove to me that you’re divine.  Change my water into wine!”

“Prove to me that you’re no fool.  Walk across my swimming pool!”

 

3.  Herod Agrippa – No Room for God’s Glory

There is one more story about a “Herod.”  Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, who had actually killed his own son, Agrippa’s father.

Herod Agrippa’s political rise was due to his good “connections” with Rome.  When his childhood friend Claudius became emperor, Agrippa became ruler over all of Judea and Samaria.

But only for three years.  In the Book of Acts, chapter 12 we learn that the first apostle to be martyred, James the brother of John, was killed at Agrippa’s hand.  Crowd-pleaser he, he also imprisoned the Apostle Peter with plans to execute him as well.  But God’s angel released Peter, who then visited the believers who had earnestly prayed for him and quickly left town.

Shortly thereafter, Herod went to the seaside city of Caesarea.  The people there sought an audience with him. Apparently (politicians, take note!) Herod let the fawning and flattery of the crowd go to his head.

“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.  They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’  Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:21-23)

If we’re skeptical of the biblical account, once again Josephus comes to our aid:

“The king did not rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery…  A severe pain also arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner…  And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life, being in the fifty-fourth year of his age…”

The crowd that had flattered him then celebrated with feasting and garlands, ointments and libations, “drinking to one another for joy that the king had expired” (“Antiquities of the Jews” Book 19, Chapter 9).

Beware of flatterers!

Herod Agrippa – Crowd-pleaser and unprincipled Man of Pride.  He is a type of all, politicians and preachers especially, who think more highly of themselves than they ought to think; who use their position for their own aggrandizement and not for the praise and honor of God; and who forget they stand by God’s appointment alone and that God is able to humble all who are full of themselves.