Evil in the Christmas Story

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.
– Matthew 2:16-18 New International Version)

Tears, sorrow, anger, hatred, retribution—these and more fill my heart upon learning of the Paris massacre. Such tragic and evil loss of innocent human life. Before then the attack in Beirut; later the attack in Bamako, Mali. Forgiveness can wait for another day.

Callous disregard of human life for the sake of power is not lost in the Christmas story. The magi asked King Herod where the King of the Jews was born (Matthew 2:1-6). Herod—cunning, ruthless, paranoid—would not take a challenge to his control lightly.

Herod had a reputation for ruthlessness. Caesar Augustus reportedly once said it was better to be his pig (assuming Herod didn’t eat pork and the pig would thus be safe) than his son—Herod killed his sons. In light of Herod’s known cruelty and Bethlehem’s small population of boys under three, the biblical account seems quite genuine. Mary and Joseph and Jesus had already departed the city, having been warned by an angel.

Today’s savage cruelties remind us of Herod time. Many try to flee to a safe country—as did Joseph and his family. Others remain to suffer. And their cries rise up to God.

Human government is ordained by God to punish evil (Romans 13:4) and is divinely empowered with the “sword” to do so. We are enjoined to pray for all in authority that we might live peaceful and quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

In the United States, our constitution’s preamble sets forth the governmental duties to “…provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…” Thus, protecting our citizenry at home and abroad through just diplomatic and military efforts is a foremost responsibility of our federal government. To use a seasonal metaphor, keeping our national tree strong and firmly protected may mean that some of the expensive optional decorations on the tree need to be curtailed at least for a while.

“The Ways of God” – what he ordains, what he permits and withholds – are unknown and many philosophical questions surrounding them are insoluble, in my opinion. The Bible struggles often with evil and tragedy and asks the question “Why?” (Psalm 10).

What we do have are the promised comfort of God and frequent reminders of our own responsibilities to open our hearts and bind up the wounded, care for the afflicted, spend our resources on their needs, and serve the cause of justice the best we can. And we have the promise of God’s intervention and just judgment on the Last Day.

Remember these key themes of Christmas in the face of stark human evil.

Good in the Christmas Story

Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.
– Matthew 2:13-15

Joseph exemplifies the responsible husband and father who honors, provides for and protects his wife and children.

Human trafficking, sex slavery, abuse and subjugation of women—all these evils are in sharp contrast to the dignified actions of Joseph. Of special sorrow right now is a news report of the spousal abuse committed by Saeed Abedini, a pastor in Iranian custody whose imprisonment has been widely reported and his release widely sought by Christians internationally.

Recently his wife stopped speaking out for his release and reported a long pattern of abuse.

Naghmeh Abedini canceled all public appearances after telling supporters by email that her husband had abused her physically, emotionally and sexually…
…Since her husband’s detention in 2012 *, Naghmeh Abedini has been publicly advocating for his freedom, winning the support of top evangelical leaders and meeting privately with President Obama, which is why her accusations of spousal abuse came as shock. But those accusations also raise the question: Why do evangelical women wait so long before reporting abuse?
“Many who suffer domestic abuse feel lots of shame, are blamed by others, and do not tell anyone,” said Justin Holcomb, a Florida Episcopal priest and seminary professor who co-authored with his wife Lindsey “Is It My Fault? Hope and Healing for Those Suffering Domestic Violence.”
“Christian women, in particular, stay far longer in abusive situations and in more severe abuse than their non-Christian counterparts,” he added.
[CHARISMANEWS, November 23, 2015]

How does Joseph’s life and conduct contrast with these evils?

First, in keeping with the will of God, he wholeheartedly assumed his responsibilities as a husband and (soon to be) father of an adopted son (Matthew 1:24).

Second, Joseph honored Mary’s virginity (Matthew 1:25).

Third, he protected his family from dangers (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-22).

Fourth, with Mary his wife, he raised Jesus in accordance with the Law of God. Jesus was circumcised according to the Law (Luke 2:21), and presented for consecration in the temple according to the Law (Luke 2:22-24). His parents nurtured good spiritual habits. Annually they brought him (not “sent him”!) to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

Jesus grew up poor and in the backwater community of Nazareth. Still, he grew to be a strong child, submissive to his parents, full of wisdom and grace, pleasing to God and to those who knew him (Luke 2:39-40, 51-52).

Mary’s own Song (the “Magnificat”) proclaimed God’s judgment on abusers of power and his gracious uplifting of the oppressed (Luke 1:46-55).

His mercy extends to those who fear him…
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

So especially in the Christmas season we remember the active goodness of Joseph and the liberating word of Mary. We prayerfully work to uplift the abused and downtrodden. We may need to confess how often we put them out of heart and mind. And consider a donation this season to fight human trafficking and sex slavery.

* It is important to note that Mr. Abedini’s eight-year prison sentence has nothing to do with the abuse accusation, but is because of his involvement with Iran’s growing house-church movement. He is a convert from Islam to evangelical Christianity.

Song in the Christmas Story

A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
– Luke 2:13-14

Christmas is the sing-iest season of the year!

Churches will “raise the rafters” this month singing “Angels We Have Heard on High”. Singing Christmas carols is a cultural tradition. For people who take the Christmas story to heart, singing is a joyful celebration of its message.
It both expresses the message and internalizes it. It motivates the singer to live out the meaning of “Christ the Savior is born!”

Churches will be singing churches if they are truly biblical, Holy Spirit-filled churches. I don’t mean rehearsed singing by a few before passive crowds, but robust singing by congregants. I don’t mean just singing by fine choirs, though I enjoy that and it is certainly appropriate, but singing worshippers. The smartest churches realize most people, including visitors, love to sing traditional Christmas carols.

Keith Getty, author of the immensely popular praise chorus “In Christ Alone”, makes this sobering observation:

Each week, upwards of 100 million people in America make it a point to attend church, listen responsively to the sermons, and pray sincerely. But when it comes time to sing the hymns, the level of engagement drops hugely and seems to be continuing in its decline, quite dramatically.

I’d like to see this trend reversed in December, as I’m sure Keith Getty would. We can do our part by heartily singing the great Christmas carols. “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing!” is the best! And there are many, many more.

I also encourage family singing in addition to worship at church gatherings. One way to do this is by setting up the “Advent Wreath” with its five candles. Each week before Christmas one candle is lit. Then Christmas Eve the fifth and center candle. Scripture reading, prayer and singing can fill the home each time.

Officer Garrett Swasey loved Law Enforcement, his Family, his Church, his God

The Denver Post (Nov. 28) reported: “The police officer slain in a shooting spree at a Planned Parenthood branch here was an evangelical church elder who was the married father of two children.
Garrett Swasey, 44, a six-year veteran of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police force, was described as an avid teacher of scripture who played guitar and loved his work in law enforcement.”

As a pastor and police chaplain, I sent a condolence email to his church, Hope Chapel.
I said: “I suspect that Officer Swasey’s personal convictions were not at all supportive of Planned Parenthood. Yet, he fulfilled his sworn oath to protect others and uphold the law. And he lived out the commandment to love his neighbor as himself.”

This Christmas season, as we celebrate beside many we love, let’s be sure to pray for the loved ones and coworkers of Officer Swasey and others who have given their lives in the service of law enforcement. According to the “Officer Down Memorial Page” 115 have died in the line of duty to-date in 2015.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

December 24 – Sing “O Holy Night” (duet) in Christmas Eve Services (5:00 and 6:30 p.m.) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

April 1 – Give Keynote Address at New Life Beginnings banquet, St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach.

Hear My Message: “Healthy Churches Live Out the Meaning of Christian Baptism”
(November 8 at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach)

http://gracesealbeach.org/media.php?pageID=28

Good News from Grace

www.gracesealbeach.org

Upcoming Special Christmas Programs at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

December 6 at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 worship services—Children’s Christmas musical program by “The G-Kids”

Christmas Eve Services at 5:00 & 6:30

A Very Merry Christmas to All!

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

On “All Saints Day” (November 1) we remember saints of the past—their faith and struggles, victories and failures, lives and deaths, examples and teachings. Here is one:

John Newton
(1725-­1807)

Slave Trader Convert to Christianity
Author of “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”
Abolitionist

God’s grace is his unearned, undeserved, unobligated favor.

This Thanksgiving be thankful for –

God’s Saving Grace and
God’s Common Grace
By Donald P. Shoemaker
Published in GraceConnect (Fall, 2015)

I was finishing some yard work in front of my home on a recent Saturday morning when I saw them coming—a group of eight Jehovah’s Witnesses. I went to my porch and read the front page of the morning paper and then fiddled in the yard until they reached me. The two who talked to me spoke of the importance of good fathers. So did an article on the front page of my newspaper. In both cases, I rejoice in the grace of God that was revealed!
More about that experience later.

“Grace” is God’s unearned, undeserved, unobligated favor.

Christians are well acquainted with God’s “saving grace”. We usually have this in mind when we speak the word “grace”. But there is another important dimension to God’s grace—his “common grace” to all humanity.

We’ll explore both dimensions of God’s grace. But I will emphasize common grace for it is the dimension we tend to overlook.

God’s Saving Grace

God’s saving grace operates as we are brought into the sphere of faith and forgiveness. Grace is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross so our sins may be forgiven (Ephesians 1:7) and God can declare us righteous (Romans 3:24). By grace we are saved through faith, which itself is a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Because of God’s saving grace, we sing “Amazing grace…that saved a wretch like me.” No matter how great our sin, God’s grace is greater (Romans 5:20).

God’s saving grace continues actively in us as we walk our Christian pathway “through many dangers, toils and snares.” We are not passive under grace—we must continue and grow in this grace (Acts 13:43; 2 Peter 3:18).

God’s grace especially sees us through our weaknesses, low points, and when prayer isn’t answered our way (2 Corinthians 12:9). It makes us strong and steadfast when we suffer for Christ (1 Peter 5:10).

By God’s grace, spiritual leaders are called to their positions and believers have spiritual gifts (“charismata”—works of grace) bestowed on them for service (Ephesians 4:7, Romans 12:6).

Saving grace is never without good morals. Grace “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (Titus 2:11-12 New International Version). Like a sleek train designed to speed on carefully laid rails, God designs us to do the good works he has already set before us (Ephesians 2:10)!

And on the great day when Jesus appears, saving “grace will lead me home” (1 Peter 1:13).

God’s Common Grace

Common grace is a different dimension of God’s grace. The term is an umbrella we give to a number of biblical thoughts we pull together. Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology, 657) defines it as “the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation.” * People benefit from this grace whether they love God, believe in God, obey God or not.

One obvious common grace is the vast blessing God gives humanity through his abundant creation. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17). God “makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth, wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart” (Psalm 104:14-15). And you know? God enjoys every minute of it (Psalm 104:31)!

God’s many ways of keeping our humanity humane are works of common grace. Fundamental to this is the value and dignity that flow from our being made in the image and likeness of God. Because we are all made in God’s image, human life at all stages is precious and must not be taken except as God requires or permits. **

We must treat others respectfully, especially in our words. We can’t bless our Creator and then curse people made in God’s likeness (James 3:9-10).

God has also bestowed to everyone a basic sense of right and wrong. When the Protestant reformers talked about our “total depravity” they nonetheless spoke of this universal sense of morality. The Canons of Dort *** (1619), which articulated the Calvinist doctrine of depravity, also said, “Unbelievers retain glimmerings of natural light that provide some knowledge of God, of natural things, and the difference between good and evil.”

Parenting and family structure show God’s grace. Even unrighteous people want what is good for their children (Matthew 7:9-11). When God permits this grace to be lifted, we see the resulting family and societal chaos.

Human intelligence, creativity, artistry, achievements (cultural and scientific), and wholesome enjoyments are all by God’s grace. All can be corrupted, of course, but this does not change the fact that they are capabilities bestowed by God’s gracious providence.

Another common grace is how God uses human authority to promote justice, punish evil, encourage good, and secure peace (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). No government is perfect—certainly not the Roman government of Paul and Peter’s time. But God works his grace through this instrument of clay and calls his children to honor it, though this doesn’t at all mean that we shouldn’t address the injustices of the state when they occur.

Last, we note God’s restraint of evil, lest the world become even more intolerable and ungovernable. God may restrain individuals (Genesis 20:6) or the whole of humanity (2 Thessalonians 2:7). We don’t know how much God does this, and we must acknowledge much mystery because we see so many instances of ruthless depravity in history and the present.

Should we cooperate with God’s common grace? Absolutely!

• Encourage good stewardship of God’s creation.
• Bless others—just or unjust—with good, as our Father in Heaven does.
• Reason with non-Christians about good and evil, faith and unbelief, and ultimate issues—God is the author of logic.
• Strive for points of commonality with opponents to enhance peace in a diverse society.
• Cooperate with non-Christians for the good of the culture.
• Encourage and participate in wholesome deeds (Reformation thought recognizes the “civic good” unbelievers may perform, though such deeds do not merit salvation).
• Commend good and oppose evil in society.
• Work to diminish grief and suffering.
• Participate in government at all levels.

Finally, remember that if we emphasize either saving grace or common grace and minimize the other, we easily fall into error. Minimize common grace and you may fall into cultural withdrawal, abandoning all efforts in the world except evangelism. Minimize saving grace and become fulfilled in what you accomplish with your non-Christian colleagues and you may fail to tell them the way of salvation.

Now back to the story of my morning newspaper and Jehovah’s Witnesses who came by. Whether from a secular source (the newspaper) or from a religious source not at all orthodox ****, truth came forth. Families hurt and society suffers when fatherhood fails. Where fatherhood is uplifted and strong, people thrive. This truth overflows all secular and religious borders. Strong fatherhood, wherever it blossoms, is God’s common grace at work!

Reprinted with permission from GraceConnect (Fall, 2015), published by the Brethren Missionary Herald Company. The material below is not part of the article.

“God’s Saving Grace and God’s Common Grace”
Bible Quotations and Notes

“In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace.” – Ephesians 1:7 (all Bible quotes are from the New International Version)

“[All] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
– Romans 3:24

“By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works…” – Ephesians 2:8-9

“Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” – Romans 5:20

“Paul and Barnabas…urged them to continue in the grace of God.” – Acts 13:43

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:18

“[The Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
– 2 Corinthians 12:9

“The God of all grace, …after you have suffered for a while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10

“To each of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” – Ephesians 4:7

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” – Romans 12:6

“We are God’s workman- ship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

“Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13

* Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994).
Chapter 31 – “Common Grace” (657-68)

“May the Lord rejoice in his works.” – Psalm 104:31

** “Image of God” – “man is like God and represents God” (Grudem, 442)
See: Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 9:6

“With the tongue we praise our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”
– James 3:9-10

*** Canons of Dort: www.rca.org/canons

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11

“The authorities that exist have been established by God… [The authority] is God’s servant to do you good…an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” – Romans 13:1, 4

“[Authorities] are sent by [God] to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
– 1 Peter 2:14

Example of addressing injustice—the prophet Daniel to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar:
“Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be then that your prosperity will continue.” – Daniel 4:27
(see also Acts 16:35-39 and Acts 22:22-29)

“Then God said to him in a dream, ‘Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me.” – Genesis 20:6

“The secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:7

**** Jehovah’s Witnesses are outside historical Christian orthodoxy in many ways, major and minor. This group denies the equality Jesus shares with God the Father (John 1:1; John 5:18; Philippians 2:6-11). It rather bizarrely uses the words of Revelation 7:1-8 about “the 144,000” as a regulatory principle for explaining much of the New Testament, such as inviting to partake of Communion only those who sense they are part of the 144,000 (but the Book of Revelation hadn’t even been written at the time these other NT passages were written and first taught). They forbid blood transfusions based on a strange expansion of the prohibition against drinking blood in Leviticus 17:10-12. They refuse to vote or serve in the military, yet they have used the court system to protect their religious rights.

In Ohio, You Are Indeed in Football Country!!!

My wife and I were in Ohio in mid-­‐October—about 70 miles north of Columbus, where The Ohio State University plays football. And when they do, it’s an all-­‐state event! On football evening our hotel was filled with those who attended the game 70 miles away.

This reminded me of an incident a few years ago, not far from Columbus.

A mega-­‐church known for its flair for things dramatic had erected a giant statue of Jesus along a busy interstate highway. Remember, now, this is football country. So when motorists saw the way Jesus’ arms and hands were lifted, the statue was quickly dubbed “Touchdown Jesus”!

Well, “Touchdown Jesus” was destroyed by lightning one stormy night in 2010. A few weeks later I saw the metal skeleton when I drove by. I even stopped at the church and took pictures. And I wrote this little poem…

The church put up a statue—the likeness of her King. She looked for the attention this mighty work would bring.
But the Lord looked down and frowned—burned the statue to the ground, Leaving us to try to say why things in life turn out this way.

Good Government?
Don’t be cynical—in spite of the facts!

In the article on God’s grace (above), I said this about government: “No government is perfect—certainly not the Roman government of Paul and Peter’s time. But God works his grace through this instrument of clay and calls his children to honor it…”

But why do government leaders do so much to make it hard to honor the system?

I wrote to my congressman in October to show my support for the school voucher program in the District of Columbia. It was coming up for a renewal vote in Congress. I wrote this (all emphases are mine):

I encourage you to SUPPORT the voucher program for the DC schools, to help a large number of students get better education. The voucher program provides funding for children, not direct assistance to any particular school, so I do not believe there are any significant church-­‐state issues and the program easily passes the scrutiny of such programs set up by the Supreme Court.

Thank you. Donald Shoemaker

My congressman wrote back:

Thank you for contacting me to express YOUR OPPOSITION to federal funding for private schools. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond to your comments.

LIKE YOU, I AM OPPOSED to legislation that would increase federal funding for private school vouchers.

Go figure. No wonder we get cynical about government. We wonder if anyone is really listening to us and why we should bother getting involved!

But don’t give up!

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

November 8 – Speak in morning worship services (8:00, 9:30, 11:00) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

“Healthy Churches Live Out the Meaning of Christian Baptism” (1 Corinthians 10)

A Most Important Thanksgiving Prayer

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and
quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”
– 1 Timothy 2:1-­‐3 (English Standard Version)

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

The Pope in Cuba

Pope Francis was welcomed to Cuba by President Raul Castro last month. Let’s revisit TIME Magazine’s commentary on the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba in 1998:

“A 100-year-old ideology that proposed a collective paradise of social justice and economic equality on earth will confront a 2,000-year-old belief in the eternal power of devotion to the divine and reverence for human dignity.”

“The Pope‘s goal is nothing less than the global establishment of a completely Christian alternative to the once alluring Marxist philosophies of this age. Yet even after communism imploded in virtually every other corner of the planet, Fidel Castro remains faithful, a true believer in a god that failed. ‘History will absolve me,’ he proclaimed at the start of his revolution, and he believes it will absolve him still.

“John Paul II is equally certain that his religion will one day soon sweep away even this last vestige of godless communism.”

The Original Saint Francis

The Original St. Francis lived c. 1182-1226. His love of and service to God’s Creation has so impressed me that we bought a “St. Francis” fountain for our front yard!

If you are privileged to belong to a church that still benefits from the richness of Christian hymnody, you likely will sing his 800-year-old hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King.” * I share here two outstanding verses:

Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
let them God’s glory also show!
O praise ye! O praise ye!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All ye who are of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O praise ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care!
O praise ye! O praise ye!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The hymn is in the spirit of Psalm 148, which calls all of creation to praise God—angels, sun and moon, stars, sea creatures, storms, mountains, animals large and small, birds. Then it summons kings, princes, people old and young, men and women, all the saints, and ultimately Israel (“the people close to his heart”) to praise.

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13)

The hymn and psalm both perform the valuable service of calling us to cherish God’s creation while never making the mistake of turning it, itself, into a god.

* This hymn was sung and played magnificently at the September 25 Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Madison Square Garden.

Message of the Month—“To Heaven and Back?”

Doc Brown: “I just sent you back to the future!”
Marty McFly: “But I’m back! I’m back from the future!”
– “Back to the Future II”

Once again a movie has emerged about a person who went to heaven and came back to tell the story.

I’m not going to argue, “it happened” or “it didn’t happen.” I simply will set forth two scriptures that rise to relevance in light of claims like this. First:

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. – 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (New International Version)

Commentators generally believe that the Apostle Paul speaks of his own experience, putting it in the third person for rhetorical reasons. Be that as it may, here are some thoughts from the verses:
1. The man with the heavenly experience didn’t know whether this was an “in the body experience” or an “out of the body experience.” Whichever it was, only God knew—it didn’t matter to the man who experienced it! With modern claimants, it matters a great deal.
2. Next to nothing is said about what this person saw or experienced. “Heaven” and “paradise” are the only words used. Drawing doctrinal conclusions from experiences that go beyond what is said in Scripture is always a risky thing to do.
3. The person of 2 Corinthians 12 heard “inexpressible things” and he is emphatic that no one is permitted to repeat what was heard. This man will not be writing any books, giving talks, or making a movie!
This scripture downplays the very things that are important to those who make the modern claims. And there’s one more scripture to ponder…

Jesus told the story of “the rich man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31). In death, the closed-hearted rich man was punished but Lazarus was at peace. The rich man argued for Lazarus to be sent back from the dead to warn his brothers, “You don’t want to come where I am!” He was certain that a visitor from the dead would bring them to a change of heart.

But he was told, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (verse 31).

The take-home lesson is this: the “evidences and apologetics” value of a “death and back” experience is zilch. The power to change lives comes from the divine message found in the books of the Bible.

A Somber Message for Evangelicals as well as Catholics

“The days of acceptable Christianity are over.
The days of comfortable Catholicism are past.”
– Princeton University Professor Robert George

Good News from Grace

www.gracesealbeach.org
www.sealbeach100.com

Grace Community Church of Seal Beach, CA joins its community in October to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Seal Beach! For over 70 of those 100 years, the church has joyfully served Jesus and the community.

Grace Community Church has its idyllic location one block inland from the pier, on palm-treed 8th Street.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

October 6 (6:30 p.m.) and October 9 (9:30 a.m.)
Teach on the second chapter of Genesis Women’s Bible Study at Grace Community Church.

2 Sundays – October 4 & 11 at 11:00 a.m.
Speak on “Hi-Speed Social Change: How to Understand and Respond to What’s Happening to our Values” (2-part seminar) 11:00 adult class at Grace Community Church.

November 8 – Speak in morning worship services at Grace Community Church “Healthy Churches Live Out the Meaning of Christian Baptism”.

Religious Liberty Vigilance –

“ No provision in our constitution ought to be dearer to man, than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.”
– Thomas Jefferson

Recent Thoughts on Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis’ Refusal to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

Kim Davis had been in the Rowan County KY clerk’s office for 16 years working under her mother, the elected county clerk. In 2014 Ms. Davis ran as the Democratic candidate and was elected County Clerk in her own right.

As everyone knows, the U.S. Supreme Court validated same-sex marriage in all 50 states this past June. Thus, the conscience issue for Ms. Davis’ is very recent, filling a tiny, tiny proportion of the time she has served. Could this be a hypothetical comparison? Suppose a Muslim has been an outstanding employee of Starbucks since its inception, but very recently refused out of religious conviction to handle alcoholic beverages in a location now introducing them. Should he or she be accommodated? Or should the new requirement lead to firing if the employee refuses to serve alcohol?

The main difference is, Kim Davis is a government official. As a general rule, I would (1) seek accommodation for her to work in accord with her religious convictions, if this can reasonably be accomplished or (2) suggest she resign her position (many conservative commentators have called for just that).
She, on the other hand, may be convinced that the issue is larger than any one employee’s predicament and thus refuses to resign and must be prepared to take the consequences. I understand that, too. But I do not expect her to prevail in the courts on anything.

As of this writing, it appears that an accommodation is in place though the situation remains fluid. Deputy clerks can issue same-sex marriage licenses; her name will not appear on them. In a free society that sometimes has to balance competing rights, a “win/win” situation is often best, even if not always logically coherent and even if, for sure, each side isn’t fully satisfied.

I issue here a call for consistency. A government official is required to uphold the oath of office that was taken, which in one way or another requires the official to follow the state and federal constitutions and the law. If the issue is same-sex marriage, this should apply to either side in the debate.

So here’s a situation that is comparable, in my opinion. But it is more troubling because of the high government position involved. The California Attorney General takes an oath of office that says (emphases mine):

“I, ___________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.”

Attorney General Kamala Harris took that oath but later she refused to “defend…the Constitution of the State of California”:

SAN FRANCISCO (March 26, 2013) — Attorney General Kamala D. Harris issued the following statement on today’s Proposition 8 arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court:

“I declined to defend Proposition 8 because it violates the Constitution. The Supreme Court has described marriage as a fundamental right 14 times since 1888. The time has come for this right to be afforded to every citizen.”

Now, on June 26, 2015 five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with her. But her job as Attorney General was not to make that judgment. It was to defend a provision of the California Constitution in court, like it or not.

She refused to do that. Following her refusal to defend the state constitution, the court found in 2013 that the proponents of Proposition 8 lacked standing before the federal courts.

Furthermore, in citing Supreme Court decisions, she should have looked back ten more years to 1878 (Reynolds v. United States), when the court ruled against the Mormons and said bigamy was not a right.

One can be neutral on both cases but still believe that both the Attorney General in California and the County Clerk in Kentucky are placing their personal convictions above their oaths of office, and the consequences for one should be the consequences for the other. How can one be celebrated and the other castigated?

Theology Insight: Kim Davis’ “Apostolic Church”

Kim Davis belongs to Solid Rock Apostolic Church in Morehead, Kentucky. Here are some facts about this church’s denomination*:

• It is a Pentecostal denomination.
• As a very traditional Pentecostal group, its expectations of its members on lifestyle are very strict **. With almost all other Pentecostals and Evangelicals, it would oppose same-sex marriage.
• It is non-Trinitarian—often called “Oneness Pentecostal” or “Jesus-only Pentecostal” ***. Around 1915 a big dispute over the doctrine of the Trinity split the new (1906+) Pentecostal movement. “Oneness” Pentecostals are a sizeable minority within Pentecostalism.
• “Jesus-only Pentecostals” believe that Jesus alone is God—he himself bears the titles Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (This makes the baptism scene of Jesus taught in Matthew 3:13-17 quite awkward—Jesus must be quite a ventriloquist, to have the Father’s voice sound from heaven while he is in the water here on earth!)
• “Jesus-only Pentecostals” baptize “in the name of Jesus Christ,” taking Acts 2:38 as a verbal formula. They do not believe Matthew 28:19 gives a formula when it says, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” For, after all, they believe Jesus bears all three titles.
• These groups separate themselves even more with the claim (argued from Acts 2:38) that a person is saved this way: (1) repentance, (2) baptism in the name of Jesus, (3) receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (which, by Pentecostal understanding, is evidenced by “speaking in tongues”).
• Bottom line, they teach that those baptized by Trinitarian baptism are not truly saved, and those who don’t speak in tongues are not truly saved (or at least haven’t entered into a “complete New Testament experience”, though I have more often encountered the absolutist position). In my mind, this poses quite a problem because it means that Pentecostals who are baptized by Trinitarian baptism and speak in tongues are not truly saved. What, then, is the source of inspiration for the “tongues” they speak?

I’ve had interaction with “Jesus-only Pentecostals” over the years. I’m open to any new information that would cause me to rethink my observations.

* The denomination to which Kim Davis belongs ( www.apostolic-churches.com ) is not to be confused with the Apostolic Christian Church of America, known for its simple, conservative worship and lifestyles. ( www.apostolicchristian.org ).

** The pastor of a church belonging to a similar denomination once told me that roller-skating was wrong because it was “dancing on wheels”!

*** While the dispute around 1915 had to deal with a supposed “revelation” that denied the Trinity, there’s nothing new about “oneness” doctrine. In early Christianity and at times since, the notion of “modalism” (one God manifest in different modes) has been around. Ask some people in a typical evangelical church to explain God, and you will likely get a few modalistic notions (“I think God is like water—it may be in the form of steam or liquid or ice, but it’s all water”)!

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Two Great Commemorations

• The Magna Carta (800th Anniversary)

• The Declaration of Independence

“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.”
– President John F. Kennedy
(Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961)

“This June and July we recall two of history’s greatest documents. As July 4 approaches, we recall our own Declaration of Independence. It was rooted in
The concept of a Creator, Lawgiver, Protector and Judge.

Lesser known, of course, is the Magna Carta of 1215. An attempt to bring a modicum of peace between King John and the country’s barons, it was ignored by both sides and nullified by Pope Innocent III. Much of it is obsolete in terms of the issues we either celebrate or struggle for today. Nonetheless, it prevailed as one of the earliest ancestors to our Constitution and has legendary status in
the march to acknowledge human liberties.

Of worthy note is the religious liberty upheld in the document’s first point:

FIRST, THAT WE HAVE GRANTED TO GOD, and by this present charter have confirmed for us and our heirs in perpetuity, that the English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired.

The American experiment will take it one important step further: there will be no national church established in the United States.

The Magna Carta reflects more the second “prong” of religious liberty found in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights: the “free exercise” of religion must not be prohibited. There is no chance that a national or even a state church will emerge in America. It is possible, however, for a secular ideology—a counterpart to religious doctrine—to so dominate society that religious freedom (free exercise) is impaired. The bigger the state gets, the greater the risk it will crowd out religious convictions and assume for itself the role of quasi–‐deity, with its own doctrines and commandments.

This would be a secular version of the forbidden “establishment of religion”. I fear this trend far more than domination by any one religious faith. There are other statements in the Magna Carta of enduring value. I note this one (#39), which finds expression in our Bill of Rights:

No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in
any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.

We should not live under the illusion that America is “God’s Country” or a Christian nation. But we would be naïve and ahistorical to ignore the role of religion, especially the Christian faith, in shaping who we are and ought to be as a nation.

For that formative role I give thanks as Independence Day approaches and every time I heartily sing,

America, America, God mend thine every flaw.
Confirm thy soul in self-­‐control, thy liberty in law.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

July 21-26 – Attend the Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches in NYC

– Present a seminar: Hi-­‐Speed Social Change: How to Understand and Respond to What’s Happening to our Values
– As Associate Endorsing Agent for Military Chaplains, participate in honoring our denomination’s endorsed military chaplains
– As Chairman of the Social Concerns Committee, present resolutions on contemporary social issues to the delegates of the Conference

August 16 – Speak in Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30, 11:00) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

Message of the Month—Should We Forgive?

Do we forgive the man who massacred nine people at a Bible class in Charleston, SC? We hear calls to forgive. But is forgiveness the gift to offer him? Is it the Christian thing to do?

No, not at all. Christians are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). God’s forgiveness is conditional and ours should be too. At a minimum it requires repentance by the wrongdoer—a condition of heart we have not seen or are likely to see in this perpetrator.

Individuals may forgive, but in this case the primary individuals who were violated are not here to forgive. The state is called to dispense justice, not forgiveness. Justice calls for permanent removal of this man from society, should he be found guilty, through one effective penalty or another.

We can comfort and support the grieving in their distress. We can help them overcome bitterness of heart and rage and malice, but this is not to be confused with forgiveness. We can pray and work for peace in our country. We can renew our commitment to the causes of justice. We can pray for the murderer’s repentance and for hearts willing to forgive. But no, now is not the time to forgive.

Unconditional forgiveness cheapens the enormity of the wrong and misunderstands both love and grace.

NOTES: Published in the Long Beach CA Press-Telegram June 28, 2015. You may still listen to my sermon on the forgiveness petition of “The Lord’s Prayer”, delivered at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach on March 22. Go to this link and access 3/22/15:
http://www.gracesealbeach.org/media.php?pageID=28

Church on the Move—Loving Its (far off) Neighbor

When an out-of-season tornado smashed through Nappanee, Indiana in 2007, Grace Community Church of nearby Goshen cancelled Sunday services and transported members by the hundreds to do cleanup work. Members could be seen wearing blue “Grace In Action” shirts as they served in Nappanee.

What to do for an encore? The church has responded to many crises. But how about a trip to Iraq?

Pastor Jim Brown was burdened by the terrorism and suffering there and pondered a Bible verse, 1 John 3:17, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”

Not exactly known for being stationary, Jim’s response to that verse was most unique. The church raised $70,000 for the trip and for supplies—16 trunks of food, water and medical supplies. A team of eight men from the church was off to Iraq.

One of many encounters came in the city of Erbil where they surprisingly met 100 of the town’s leaders and, through a translator, explained their mission and prayed for them. “In the middle of ISIS-­‐ridden Iraq, we told these leaders about the hope of Jesus Christ.”

The team would leave many lasting impacts. Just before departing, they responded to the huge refugee problem by renting apartments for 12 families, with plans to do more.

I told Jim, “That is salt and light—‘social concerns’ in a big way, and Beatitude living too—‘Blessed are the merciful…blessed are the peacemakers.’ Thanks for putting vision into action. And setting the bar high for others.”

Jim replied, “We just couldn’t sit there and do nothing. The good news is that we have 41 apartments with over 300 precious people rescued and now connected to a church in Erbil!”

The work continues: “Our church rallied around the cause and gave almost 1/4 of a million dollars… We now have the group of refugees connected to a local church and growing in their faith and new converts.”

NOTES: The “salt and light” metaphors and the “Beatitude” come from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in the Gospel of Matthew (5:1-­‐16). They describe the impact Jesus desires his followers to have in the world. Information on the trip to Iraq was gleaned from the Spring, 2015 alumni publication by Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana (my alma mater).

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on Same-Sex Marriage—Two Initial Responses

1. Christians who disagree with the court’s decision must commit themselves anew to modeling what they believe the Biblical teaching on marriage is. This is not just simply defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. It is a life-long commitment that is deep and nurturing and supportive. It is a union that weathers the difficulties and celebrates the achievements. It is a union consummated in sexual union (the “marriage sacrament”) from which God providentially brings offspring who need the nurturing, protective presence of a father and a mother. It is a union that witnesses positively to our faith in the teachings of Jesus and his apostles on marriage.

2. We must passionately and actively uphold the longstanding, though eroding, American commitment to religious liberty. This is not just freedom for “houses of worship” and for clergy. It is for people, whatever their deep religious conviction, to live the tenets of their faith in their public lives without fear of government backlash or penalty or ridicule.

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Killing bald eagles is excused by the federal government if the poor birds happen to collide with a wind turbine that’s generating electric. But you better watch out if you are a Native American using eagle feathers in a tribal ritual! Robert Soto of the Lipan Apache Tribe found that out the hard way. Read more to see how he stood up for his religious and cultural liberty—and won!

Religious Liberty Vigilance –

“”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – 1st Amendment

My good friend Robert Soto is a pastor in my denomination and a member of the Lipan Tribe of Apache Indians. Here’s what happened…

On March 11, 2006, undercover federal agents interrupted a pow-­‐wow and confiscated 50 eagle feathers from Robert Soto, pastor of the Grace Brethren Church in McAllen, Texas, and member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas -­‐-­‐ a group only acknowledged by the State of Texas. Ever since, Soto, who faced severe fines and imprisonment for supposed illegal possession of the eagle feathers, has been involved in a nine-­‐year legal battle to get back the tribe’s feathers.

Soto says “When it comes to American Indians, it is the government who determines who can or cannot worship God as a Native, as they also determine who is or is not an American Indian. Now they come into our family gathering that we have been having since 1970, and threaten to arrest me…”

Soto continues, “After I was released from any criminal charges, God led me to two Native lawyers in Texas who had never tried an eagle feather case but were willing to try. They stuck with me for eight and a half years until we won the case…”

On March 9, 2015, the feathers were finally returned under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). *

Pastor Soto said, “My faith in God is what has given me the strength to fight for the last nine years and win.” He intends to continue fighting to change laws and uphold Native American rights.

[ * This information is excerpted from GraceConnect eNews where it first appeared and is used with permission. See my May, 2015 Newsletter to learn about RFRA.]

Message of the Month for Father’s Day— America’s Great Need: Responsible Fathers

“If I’m giving a commencement at Morehouse * …I will have a conversation with young black men about taking responsibility as fathers…and I make no apologies for that.

The reason is that because I am a black man who grew up without a father, and I know the cost that I paid for that. And I also know I have the capacity to break that cycle, and as a consequence I think my daughters are better off.”

– President Barack Obama

The President spoke as a panelist at the Catholic-­‐Evangelical Summit on Overcoming Poverty held at Georgetown University on May 12. ( * Morehouse College is a private, all-­‐male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta.)

One day over 15 years ago I was driving through downtown Long Beach, California on my way to a meeting of clergy. “Whap! Whap!”—five times something hit the top of my car. It was from a large bird (Godzilla lives?).

I looked at my messy car and thought how I wouldn’t want anyone at my meeting to see it. I turned away from the ocean and onto a residential street and immediately found myself in a minority neighborhood. A group of teens were in the street having (would you guess it?) a car wash!

I pulled up and stopped. They were raising money, they said, for the funeral of a cousin. While they washed my car I went onto a nearby porch where a little boy brought out a chair for me. Filthy rap music was playing from a stereo. Then one of the teens—a girl—brought her new baby out to show me. Soon the car was clean; I gave a donation and left. Not much later I was back in Seal Beach with its $600,000+ homes around my church **.

Many times I have prayed for that baby—now a teen. Many times I have wished I had taken him in my arms right then and had a prayer for him while his mother and others stood around. I didn’t do that, to my lasting regret. Is he OK? How is he maturing? Is he learning wisdom and knowledge? Are there good male role models in his life? Is he going the right way or the wrong way? I don’t know.

I do know that failed fatherhood is growing in America and is rampant in many minority communities. It is the greatest reason, without ignoring others, for young men and young women growing up dysfunctionally—unable to cope in society and unable to handle life’s challenges positively or set goals for themselves. Without positive fatherly role models, boys are more likely to grow up with guns and girls grow up with babies.

Scripture gives us many lessons on positive fatherhood and motherhood. Just read the Book of Proverbs and see the life lessons fathers and mothers teach to the young by word and example. How to earn and spend money; how not to be lazy; how to relate to the opposite sex; how to speak wholesome words; how to handle social pressures and respond to negative situations in ways that are civil rather than harmful.

Through good fathers, we learn what God is like:

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)

I’m thankful that I grew up with a good dad and I want God to use me to share a good word and example with boys and girls who could benefit.

I’m convinced that no level of spending or social programming, ever so well intentioned, can compensate adequately for failed fatherhood.

I commend our President for serving on a panel (which is not typically a “presidential thing” to do) and opening his heart and voice on this critical topic (which is not a “politically correct” thing to do, either!).

[ ** I was then serving as Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church of Seal Beach, California, which is one block from the Pacific Ocean. I now serve as Pastor Emeritus of the church. And property prices are now much higher!]

Bible Insight – Key Texts on the Death Penalty

“You shall not murder.” – Exodus 20:13

“You are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for
bruise.” – Exodus 21:25

Does the death penalty violate the commandment against murder? The Law of Moses didn’t think so. Exodus chapters 21, 22 and 23 unfold some of the Ten Commandments so we might know how they apply in various situations (case law)—very interesting reading.

For examples:

• The basic requirement is: “Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death” (21:12).
• The death penalty doesn’t apply to unintentional killing (21:13).
• But the death penalty does apply to deliberate, scheming killing (21:13),
  such as the murders by Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

The “eye for an eye” statement is often viewed as barbaric and uncivilized. Not so! First, it limited the punishment so it was proportionate to the harm done. Even today, punishments may be disproportionate to the wrongs done. On the street, a perceived insult can mean death. Just read the news of the shootout in Waco, Texas last month between rival motorcycle gangs.

Second, the context says, “as the judges decide” (verse 22). The punishments are not meted out by personal vengeance but by a judiciary. There must be a just sentence based on a fair review of the facts (see Numbers 35:12).

Third, a victim might decide that it makes more sense to be paid a fair price for his wound rather than have his assailant wounded in the same way. So a settlement might be reached. This is done all the time today.

But a price could not be paid to compensate for murder. “Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die” (Numbers 35:31).

These words don’t settle “the death penalty” issue. But they should give pause to those who say it can’t be reasonably supported from the Bible.

Tasteless in More Ways than One

Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh,
Let my people go. –
Negro spiritual (mid 1800’s)

It was Passover season, 2015, when I saw this giant piece of matzo bread on display at our local Albertsons supermarket. The text (Exodus 7:16) is the Word of the Lord through Moses to Egypt’s ruler. It is time to end the slavery and oppression of the Israelites and let them leave the land as God directs.

The same phrase had special meaning during America’s time of emancipation of slaves. Matzo bread is a feature of the Jewish Passover meal and of many Christian Communion Services.

It took a few extra moments for me to see what was really for sale. It’s a toilet seat cover! It would be hard to think of many worse ways to trivialize such an important, eloquent, powerful biblical thought on human emancipation. The words are written in “phony Hebrew” script and on a toilet seat cover they have, shall we say, a different connotation.

I wrote to Albertsons but received no response.

Michael Josephson shares a word on cheating…

“Pressure is no excuse for cheating, but it’s a frequent cause. Those who play the stretch-­‐goal game are accountable for the predictable side effects of relentlessly pursuing numbers, especially if they don’t place even greater emphasis on honesty and integrity.”
– Michael Josephson (www.whatwillmatter.com)

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

July 21-­‐26 – Attend the Annual Conference near NYC of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

– Present a seminar: Hi-­‐Speed Social change: How to Understand and Respond to What’s Happening to our Values
– As Associate Endorsing Agent for Military Chaplains, participate in honoring our denomination’s endorsed military chaplains
– Present resolutions on contemporary social issues to the delegates of the Conference

August 16 – Speak in Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30, 11:00) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

“Lord, I Need Your Help to Forgive!”

You may listen to my sermon on the forgiveness petition of “The Lord’s Prayer”, delivered at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach on March 22, at:

http://www.gracesealbeach.org/media.php?pageID=28

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

 

 We’ve all heard the acrimony over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed in Indiana in March along with the “fix it” legislation that followed, which supposedly “clarified” the new law.