Martin Luther

A very important part of Reformation teaching is on the Will of God. What does God command? What does God forbid? And what should we do when God gives us neither a command nor a prohibition? Read more…

John Calvin

The third question above focuses on what are called “indifferent things” or “morally neutral” things (“adiaphora” – “not at the heart”)—things God neither commands nor forbids. The topic has had a huge impact on my life.

Christian Freedom has several features. One is “external freedom.” It includes, first of all, freedom from ceremonial and civil features of the Law of Moses.

Martin Luther (1483-1546), as with other key reformers, saw the Mosaic Law as having three features: moral, civil and ceremonial (for some New Testament support for these distinctions, see: Mark 7:18-19; Acts 10:9-15; Acts 15:5-11; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6).

The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) continues as binding on Christians. This law is found throughout scripture and constitutes God’s will for his children.

The civil law governed the theocratic nation of Israel and continues to provide wise counsel, but God does not place it on civil governments today.

The ceremonial law governed such matters as feasts, holy days, food laws and sacrifices and, for the Christian, does not retain governance after the coming of Jesus. Rather, the ceremonial law has pictures and types that point to Jesus and are fulfilled in his life and ministry.

Luther wrote: “Thus it does not belong to the new law to set aside certain days for fasting and others not, as the law of Moses did. Nor does it belong that we make an exception of and a distinction between certain kinds of food…
Nor does it belong to designate some days as feast days and others not.”

Then he carries this thought over into Christian ceremonial observances like ornaments, kinds of songs or instruments used in worship, altar decorations, chalices and statues, religious garments. These are indifferent things, “shadows and signs of the real things.”

“For every day is a feast, all foods are permitted, every place is sacred, every time is a time of fasting, every kind of apparel is allowed, all things are free, only that we use moderation in their use and that love…be practiced.” *

Churches likewise are limited in the degree which they may constrain the consciences and conduct of the faithful. The Church may not add new articles of doctrine, command new works or ceremonies, interfere in secular law or give bishops power to issue commands as they will. **

Churches may employ special days, ceremonies, garments and the like in the worship of God so long as these practices show themselves useful and are not made mandatory or viewed as acts of merit before God.

The man or woman who lives by faith is able to freely partake of the things legalistic religion forbids, whereas the person with an evil heart corrupts even what is good. The Christian whose heart is formed by the Holy Spirit can make use of both “useful and delightful things in a holy manner with thanksgiving.”

“Everything he does in faith, even though in outward appearance it is most unimportant—such as the natural activities of sleeping, being awake, eating and drinking, which seem to have no godliness connected with them—is a holy work that pleases God.” “Secular” tasks are as holy as so-called spiritual tasks like praying and meditating. The only restrictions are that good things not be abused and the commandments of God (the moral law) be observed.

And here is a quote from Luther that I love: Our freedom as Christians “pertains to things about which God has given no command, as for example, outward actions. At table one is at liberty to take either pears or apples, to drink either beer or wine, to dress either in white or in black, and to go either to the one friend or the other. In such matters man has a choice, and it is certain that even these optional works become a worship of God and please God if you walk in the faith and abide by the commands of God or have a good conscience. People need to be taught such things.” *** Amen to that!!!

This is but “the tip of the iceberg” on indifferent things according to the reformer Martin Luther. I will explore other aspects of “indifferent things” later. But how can we apply what we have already seen?

First, how do we know the Will of God in situations where God has given no positive or negative commandment (adiaphoristic situations)? Consider this little story (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 New International Version):

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’”

Adam (and Eve) didn’t have to wake up in the morning and pray, “God, what is your will for my life today? Should I eat apples? Pears?” God had already given a positive commandment. “You may freely eat” (a very strong statement in the Hebrew). In fact, to ask “What is God’s will?” would show a lack of faith in God’s Word! And should Adam and Eve “crucify the flesh” and eat only out of necessity, lest they enjoy the good things of life a bit too much? No, the trees of the garden were both “pleasing to the eye and good for food.”

Were there any limits on liberty? Emphatically yes. God had given a negative command. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Man also had duties: tend and care for the garden.

How does this apply to us?

We don’t have to ask about God’s will in the everyday matters of life. We are free to make our own choices bound only by God’s moral law and principles found in Scripture.

We don’t have to ask, “What is God’s will?” even in the mega-choices of this life. “Should I buy this house or that car?” or “Which college should I choose?” or “What career should I enter?” We may use our minds and hearts, prayerfully informed by the Bible and good counsel, abridged or enhanced by circumstances, to make our own decisions in these matters. ****

In 1983 I had to make a decision whether to continue to teach at a Christian university or become the pastor of a church. Someone asked me, “Don, have you asked God what his will is on this?” My heart could confidently say,
“I don’t think God cares whether I continue to teach or become a pastor!” *****

Christian Freedom increases our enjoyment of life, our participation in God’s creation, our ability to be flexible in how we respond to different people and situations. But it also increases our responsibility for the decisions we make. No “punting” to “Well, I felt ‘led of the Lord’” in something that failed or “Well, I haven’t heard from God yet” for a decision that needs to be made.

Second, what about church ceremonies and practices? Have you ever known a Protestant church that argued over choir robes? Or pews? Or what garments the ministers should wear? Or how Communion ought to be served? Or what kinds of songs are “God’s songs”? (And you can think of many more!)

These are all areas of Christian Freedom. Many times a church has to make a decision because it can’t do things every way (like when services should start, their length and optional details). In these cases, members should speak their piece and then live in peace, following what their leaders decide.

Third, what about rules on how we choose to live our lives (such as what we may eat or drink)? Many churches and Christian institutions are very un-Reformation-like in their rules. If Jesus declared “all foods clean” (Mark 7:19) and the Apostle Paul instructed us that the Kingdom of God is not what we eat or drink (Romans 14:17), can’t we accept these clear words and mold our conduct and attitudes by them, offering liberty rather than judgments?

* Martin Luther, “Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors,” Luther’s Works 40, p. 304.
One who observes some contemporary worship scenes today should wonder what has happened to “moderation” along with modesty.

** Martin Luther, “On the Councils and the Churches,” Works of Martin Luther V, pp. 193-99.

*** Martin Luther, Lectures on Genesis II, Luther’s Works, II, pp. 348-50.

**** I recommend Decision Making and the Will of God (Multnomah, 1980; revised 2004) by Garry Friesen. My views on knowing God’s will are basically the same, but I had already arrived at them before reading the book and discussing issues with Garry.

***** When we feel we must find positive signs of God’s will, we are also likely to take setbacks and failures as signs that we are not in God’s will, forgetting that problems and setbacks, even rejection and persecution, are features of life and service.

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

President Trump’s Executive Order on Religious Liberty and its impact on the “Johnson Amendment”

– By Donald Shoemaker

President Trump has often leveled strong criticism against the “Johnson Amendment.” With a lot of fanfare the Trump Administration issued an executive order [reproduced in an addendum at the end of this newsletter] on May 4 which, in fact, did nothing about it—after all, it is the law of the land and can only be changed by Congress.

What the president did do was to usher in a new ethos, a supportive spirit on religious liberty issues, a commitment “to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech.”

The “Johnson Amendment” forbids tax-exempt churches and other 501(c)3 organizations from endorsing or opposing a candidate for political office. It also forbids these groups from using a “substantial” portion of their resources to influence legislation. “Substantial” may be understood as “more than 5%”, a threshold that only the most politically activist churches would be in danger of crossing.

The “Johnson Amendment” had a nefarious origin. Lyndon Johnson, facing some pesky opposition to his re-election to the Senate in 1954, pushed this through Congress to stifle his critics. Johnson’s wily action meant it did not go through any of the proper vetting or hearing processes. As a result, there was no “sense of Congress” understanding that would help clarify exactly how the limitation applies [see endnote in addendum]. So it has had a murky history ever since.

It is my understanding that Johnson received support from the Catholic Church in his re-election bid. If so, it is unlikely that Johnson ever intended or thought about the sort of sweeping limitations on churches that have existed ever since. It is also quite unlikely that the ban was originally intended to influence what was said from pulpits.

President Trump’s executive order protects what the “Johnson Amendment” never forbade: the right of ministers and religious organizations to speak out on “moral or political issues from a religious perspective” so long as such speech would not be viewed as participation in a political campaign.

While I’m all in favor of the president restating religious rights and committing his administration to defend those rights, we should not make more of this statement than it actually said.

What may we say about repeal of the “Johnson Amendment” itself? Its repeal would be good news and bad news. Some observations…

First, it should be obvious but isn’t, restrictions on political activism by churches is not a First Amendment issue. It’s an issue of statutory law (the “Johnson Amendment”). We may feel it is in the “spirit” of the First Amendment, but Constitutional Law it is not. I mention this because some criticism of repealing or not enforcing the “Johnson Amendment” is so ballistic you would think the Constitution was at stake.

Second, it is odious that any person or any organization should have to give up their Constitutional right to free speech in order to receive a tax exemption. A court might someday overturn the “Johnson Amendment” on First Amendment grounds (free exercise of religion and freedom of speech).

Third, even if pastors were free to endorse or oppose candidates or to get heavily into political issues, I do not recommend this as healthy for churches. While our Gospel certainly has societal and political implications,
I truly believe we will be diluting, if not even corrupting, our message by lowering ourselves into the muck of partisan politics.

(I see rare exceptions to the above. For examples, if a state or national politician shows deep animus against religion in general or your own faith in particular, or if a local politician is outspokenly opposed to a church’s presence or ministries in the community, why should the church have to be neutral about such politicians?)

The biblical prophets and Jesus said much about issues that touch politics. But Jesus also said, “My kingdom is not of this world”. The Apostle Paul asserted his citizenship rights on occasion, but he also stressed, “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

We should encourage good citizenship, participation by our members in the political process, social critiques and activism, and vocations in government (in the great biblical tradition of Joseph, Nehemiah and Daniel). But the church’s message and mission does not include partisan politics.

I don’t want to go to church to hear a politicized message. I want the church to be open to liberals and conservatives alike—a witness to the world that the love and truth of Christ transcend temporal barriers like politics.

This said, I would stress that liberal churches seem to transgress on this matter more than conservative churches do. And scarcely an election goes by where liberal and leftist candidates don’t get lauded in church services and receive the endorsement of ministers. I believe a leftist church is much more likely to alienate attendees who don’t share its political message. Still, excluding people over politics is a practice that crosses the religious spectrum.

Fourth, while endorsing or opposing candidates should not be part of our message and mission, the church shouldn’t look to the government to restrain it from doing what it shouldn’t do, or from being what it shouldn’t be. That’s one government aid to religion we don’t want or need!

Good News from Grace

www.gracesealbeach.org

I had the privilege of writing and delivering the vows to the congregation and to the pastor when Grace Community Church of Seal Beach installed its new pastor on May 7. Pastor Bob Wriedt has been an associate pastor since 2006, beginning under my ministry. In fact, quite remarkably our church has called its new pastors from within the congregation four consecutive times.

Here are the vows for the Congregation:

As scripture requires, will you respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you? Will you hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work? If so, all together you may say, “We will!”

Will you live in peace with each other for the wellbeing and testimony of Christ’s church and strive to keep it a place of joy? Will you strive to “love one another as Christ loves you,” so that people who know us in the community will see us as Jesus’ disciples? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you, as the flock of Grace Community Church, follow the shepherds of this congregation as they lead you according to the Word of God and as they keep watch over you as those who must give an account? Will you honor and follow them so that their work may be a joy and not a burden? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you honor Pastor Bob as senior pastor? Will you pray for him often? Will you support and encourage him and his family? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you see the pastor as a finite human being, not expecting more of him than should be expected of any man or woman deeply committed to the church? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you discover and nurture the spiritual gifts God has given you, so that together we may all work for the building up of the church, remembering that the duties of church life fall on all of us, not just on the Pastor? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you live and serve for the good of the church today, appreciating the past but not bound to it, striving to build up the church through outreach and service in the present, and anticipating the great future God may have in store for our church? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

June 4 – Pentecost Sunday – Speak on the meaning of Pentecost (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach’s Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00). Lead a “Communion Service” in the tradition of the first Christians, who broke bread together.

June 26 – Speak on “Forgiveness” at Stephen Ministry meeting at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

July 25-27 – Attend the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, meeting in Fremont, Ohio. Present resolutions to the delegates as Chair of the Social Concerns Committee. Participate with the military chaplains as Associate Military Endorsing Agent.

July 30 – Speak at Sunday Morning Worship Services at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Memorial Day 2017

Thanks to God for all who have protected our country! A sticker on a car near my home said it well:

“All gave some; some gave all”

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

Addenda:

Endnote on the Johnson Amendment:

The 1954 addition of the “political activity” ban to § 501(c)(3) was proposed by Senator Lyndon Johnson. However, because Senator Johnson’s amendment was made on the floor, there was no opportunity for it to be debated in committee. Accordingly, the legislative history contains no discussion of the intentions of Senator Johnson or the 83rd Congress’s thoughts on the definition of “political activity.” Thus, the prohibition began without a clear indication of the activities the amendment sought to prohibit, and it remains with the same limited clarity today. [Page 117 of “EYES WIDE SHUT: THE AMBIGUOUS ‘POLITICAL ACTIVITY’ PROHIBITION AND ITS EFFECTS ON 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATIONS”, pages 114-141 of Houston Business and Tax Journal, 2008.]

President Trump’s Executive Order on Religious Liberty (May 4, 2017)

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to guide the executive branch in formulating and implementing policies with implications for the religious liberty of persons and organizations in America, and to further compliance with the Constitution and with applicable statutes and Presidential Directives, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom. The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views were integral to a vibrant public square, and in which religious people and institutions were free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the Federal Government. For that reason, the United States Constitution enshrines and protects the fundamental right to religious liberty as Americans’ first freedom. Federal law protects the freedom of Americans and their organizations to exercise religion and participate fully in civic life without undue interference by the Federal Government. The executive branch will honor and enforce those protections.

Sec. 2. Respecting Religious and Political Speech. All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall, to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech. In particular, the Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that the Department of the Treasury does not take any adverse action against any individual, house of worship, or other religious organization on the basis that such individual or organization speaks or has spoken about moral or political issues from a religious perspective, where speech of similar character has, consistent with law, not ordinarily been treated as participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate for public office by the Department of the Treasury. As used in this section, the term “adverse action” means the imposition of any tax or tax penalty; the delay or denial of tax-exempt status; the disallowance of tax deductions for contributions made to entities exempted from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, United States Code; or any other action that makes unavailable or denies any tax deduction, exemption, credit, or benefit.

Sec. 3. Conscience Protections with Respect to Preventive-Care Mandate. The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13(a)(4) of title 42, United States Code.

Sec. 4. Religious Liberty Guidance. In order to guide all agencies in complying with relevant Federal law, the Attorney General shall, as appropriate, issue guidance interpreting religious liberty protections in Federal law.

Sec. 5. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 6. General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Donald J. Trump,
The White House, May 4, 2017

West is a self-described “radical democrat” who supported Bernie Sanders. George is a prominent conservative intellectual.Both are academics (Harvard and Princeton, respectively). But they have more in common than that. Both are committed to Free Speech; both oppose silencing Free Speech on campuses! Read on…

Truth Seeking, Democracy, and Freedom of Thought and Expression – A Statement by Robert P. George and Cornel West
March 14, 2017

The pursuit of knowledge and the maintenance of a free and democratic society require the cultivation and practice of the virtues of intellectual humility, openness of mind, and, above all, love of truth. These virtues will manifest themselves and be strengthened by one’s willingness to listen attentively and respectfully to intelligent people who challenge one’s beliefs and who represent causes one disagrees with and points of view one does not share.

That’s why all of us should seek respectfully to engage with people who challenge our views. And we should oppose efforts to silence those with whom we disagree—especially on college and university campuses. As John Stuart Mill taught, a recognition of the possibility that we may be in error is a good reason to listen to and honestly consider—and not merely to tolerate grudgingly—points of view that we do not share, and even perspectives that we find shocking or scandalous. What’s more, as Mill noted, even if one happens to be right about this or that disputed matter, seriously and respectfully engaging people who disagree will deepen one’s understanding of the truth and sharpen one’s ability to defend it.

None of us is infallible. Whether you are a person of the left, the right, or the center, there are reasonable people of goodwill who do not share your fundamental convictions. This does not mean that all opinions are equally valid or that all speakers are equally worth listening to. It certainly does not mean that there is no truth to be discovered. Nor does it mean that you are necessarily wrong. But they are not necessarily wrong either. So someone who has not fallen into the idolatry of worshiping his or her own opinions and loving them above truth itself will want to listen to people who see things differently in order to learn what considerations—evidence, reasons, arguments—led them to a place different from where one happens, at least for now, to find oneself.

All of us should be willing—even eager—to engage with anyone who is prepared to do business in the currency of truth-seeking discourse by offering reasons, marshaling evidence, and making arguments. The more important the subject under discussion, the more willing we should be to listen and engage—especially if the person with whom we are in conversation will challenge our deeply held—even our most cherished and identity-forming—beliefs.

It is all-too-common these days for people to try to immunize from criticism opinions that happen to be dominant in their particular communities. Sometimes this is done by questioning the motives and thus stigmatizing those who dissent from prevailing opinions; or by disrupting their presentations; or by demanding that they be excluded from campus or, if they have already been invited, disinvited.

Sometimes students and faculty members turn their backs on speakers whose opinions they don’t like or simply walk out and refuse to listen to those whose convictions offend their values. Of course, the right to peacefully protest, including on campuses, is sacrosanct. But before exercising that right, each of us should ask: Might it not be better to listen respectfully and try to learn from a speaker with whom I disagree? Might it better serve the cause of truth-seeking to engage the speaker in frank civil discussion?

Our willingness to listen to and respectfully engage those with whom we disagree (especially about matters of profound importance) contributes vitally to the maintenance of a milieu in which people feel free to speak their minds, consider unpopular positions, and explore lines of argument that may undercut established ways of thinking. Such an ethos protects us against dogmatism and groupthink, both of which are toxic to the health of academic communities and to the functioning of democracies.

Cornel West is Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy in the Divinity School and the Department of African and African- American Studies at Harvard University.

Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.

Bible Insight –
The Meaning of Jesus’ Ascension
By Donald P. Shoemaker

And [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. – Luke 24:50-51 (English Standard Version)

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He 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.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. – Acts 1:6-9

“He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead…”
– The Nicene Creed (325 AD)

The “Ascension of Jesus” is the back book cover to Jesus’ earthly life. While Good Friday and Easter are big days for most Christians as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, Ascension Sunday*** gets little or no attention in many Evangelical churches. Odd.

Yet the Ascension is clearly taught in the Bible and has great significance.
In his “ascension” Jesus, having completed his earthly tasks, left earth and his followers and entered the dimension of “Heaven” at the right hand of God the Father. There he assumed the glory and tasks befitting the Ascended Lord.

As to artistic and laypeople’s impressions, your guess is as good as mine on what it looked like when Jesus ascended. The biblical material is incredibly conservative and cautious in what it conveys.

Here are some features of this event:

1. Jesus ascended into Heaven where he took his place at the right hand of God. Here he offers sympathetic intercessory prayer for all who believe in him.

“Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God and indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

As our “high priest who has passed through the heavens” he is fully able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. He knows from experience the power of temptation. So we can confidently “draw near to the throne of grace” and “find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

2. Jesus ascended into Heaven so he might be exalted as Lord of all that is in heaven and on earth—the “Lord” whom we are to confess.

Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (1 Peter 3:22)

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:8-10)

3. Jesus ascended into Heaven to pour out his Holy Spirit upon his followers.

“Exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:33)

4. Jesus ascended into Heaven to give gifts of leadership and empowerment to his followers, for the spiritual benefit of his Church.

“When he ascended on high…he gave gifts to men… And he gave the apostles…the prophets…the evangelists…and the shepherds [pastors] and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:8, 11-12)

5. Jesus ascended into Heaven, from where he will return to earth in glory, to judge us all and rule as King of kings.

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word…” (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Jesus was faithful and obedient to his Father in throughout his earthly life and is now enthroned in Heaven. He is our example of steadfast obedience through great difficulties. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set us, looking to Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

* * *

*** Ascension Thursday falls 40 days after Easter, reflecting Jesus’ 40 days on earth between his resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3). Ascension Sunday is the following Sunday. In 2017, Ascension Thursday is May 25 and Ascension Sunday is May 28.

Ascension Sunday is a day for majestic singing! Great Ascension Songs:

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
“Look Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious; See the Man of Sorrows Now!”
“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Majesty”
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (The Venerable Bede, 8th Century)

If you want to be creative, sing the words of Charles Wesley’s “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” to the tune EASTER HYMN which churches use to sing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”

Message of the Month (Part 2) —Are We Called to be “The Church of the Immediate Moment”?

In the April Newsletter I took exception to the idea that contemporary worship should include only what is very recent and trendy. In this column I will talk about when that philosophy is appropriate and when it is not.

“Youth For Christ” had a huge impact on my life when I was a teenager. The main YFC event was the Saturday night “rally” in a school auditorium. Most of the snazzy event took place on the platform—those who attended were the “audience.” Everything, especially the music, was geared to teens, whether they were Christians or possible prospects to becoming Christian (we were always encouraged to invite our high school friends).

In other words, this was an evangelistic event, and every feature of it was planned to impact a specific demographic group in a contemporary way.

But here is the key: Never would we have thought that this “targeted outreach” was “church” for us, or that it replaced “church” for us.
No, “church” happened the next morning. There we found ourselves in a much more pluralistic context. The service didn’t cater to any one group.

Nor should it. To be biblical about it, “church” is where diversity happens: ethnic, social, gender, age, economic, educational diversity, and more.
And “church” also has diverse levels of spiritual growth, passions, priorities, and spiritual abilities (see 1 Corinthians 12). There may be exceptions to this diversity, especially when the church is in a community without it. Military, college and retirement communities are examples that come to mind.

What does this have to do with our worship, music and singing? Much! At the youth evangelistic meeting the music, verbal and instrumental, should be contemporary, carefully planned, rehearsed, and performed. But in the worship gathering of the church the music, verbal and instrumental, should be varied and very congregational*** (hence, not performed but engaging the people, with songs generally known to them). The focus is primarily the worship of God and building up of believers rather than evangelistic outreach.

Contemporary songs have their role to play in the church gathering. So do songs long established in the church that have ministered to people over decades.

One elderly brother in my church remembers the fearful days of World War II. His coastal community in Nova Scotia, with its ideal harbor, knew what it was to have German U-boats (submarines) waiting off the coast and ready to pounce on shipping like flies over fresh meat. Hardly anyone in the region didn’t know someone who had died because of a German torpedo.

For this brother, God was Strong Protector and Comforter. A chorus that sustained many in those fearful days will always minister him to:

God is still on the throne,
And he will remember his own;
His promise is true,
He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.
Lyrics and Music by Kittie L. Suffield (1929)

Christian congregations must minister to those with songs of this era and style as much as they also reach to those other categories of people we talk about: baby boomers, Gen. X, and Gen. Y (Millennials). (If I missed Gen. Z, was it because they sleep in on Sundays?)

I conclude with a dictum I wrote in “Part 1” of this 2-part series:

Growth as disciples of Jesus leads all of us to move outside our immediate comfort zones and preferences and learn from others. This includes the voices and heritage of earlier generations and today’s generations.

“The Church of the Immediate Moment” misses this heritage and the vital spiritual cross-pollination it brings, and is all the poorer for it.

*** Through my pastoral years I led the worship committee. We strove to emphasize congregational participation in worship and to avoid ever thinking of the people as the “audience.” One who used the “A” word at a committee meeting paid everyone else 25c.

Religious Liberty Vigilance – Get the Government out of the Bathroom!

“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

During the 2016 election campaign, the Libertarian Party advertised that it stayed out of your wallet and out of your bedroom. California’s state government keeps digging deeper and deeper into our purses and wallets, but it does stay out of our bedrooms. But look out! It has just entered our bathrooms—at least public restrooms!

A new law (AB1732) took effect in California on March 1, 2017.
“All single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or state or local government agency shall be identified as all-gender toilet facilities by signage…”

What issues does this law create? Before listing some, I note that most of the opposition to this law during legislative debate was not because of religious convictions, but out of concern for cleanliness and good hygiene. Most women, for example, would prefer to use their own restroom at their Bible study rather than one used by the junior high boys during their game night.

First, concern from a secular standpoint: this law is another example of government intrusion and meddlesomeness. Issues like this should be between management, their employees, and their customers.

Second, enforcement of the new requirement: who will enforce the law? Answer: inspectors, building officials, and other local code enforcers will check for compliance on this issue. So, instead of inspections for legitimate safety issues, the local official becomes a member of the “Ideological Police.”

Third, churches and religious organizations are not necessarily exempt. Are churches places of “public accommodation”? Many say yes; many say no. Some states (recently Iowa and Massachusetts) have claimed that some church gatherings, like dinners, are “public accommodation” events. There has been enough pushback on this that proponents of this way of thinking have relented for now. But it must be closely watched.

Churches must be exempt from this law because how they designate restrooms should be based on their ministry needs and how they feel attendees are best served. Where ideology is involved (in this case, the religious doctrines on humanity and human sexuality), churches must follow their own religious ideals, not those of the government.

But there’s more concern. If churches are places of “public accommodation,” then other rules apply. A person must be free of “harassment” in places of “public accommodation”—no harassment by staff (read: sermons by preachers and lessons by teachers), or even customers (read: church members and attendees). All of a church’s restrooms must be accessible to people based on their gender identity. A church that harasses or denies access by these rules faces legal action because of discrimination.

Churches MUST NOT be viewed as places of public accommodation. Churches MUST BE FREE to define human sexuality by their own religious doctrines. Churches MUST REFUSE to comply with government mandates that violate their beliefs.

Public accommodation laws are well-intentioned; their goal is to ensure that all citizens have equal standing in society and public life. But these laws should not infringe on freedom of conscience. Therefore, churches should not be considered places of public accommodation…

Churches are physical embodiments of religious convictions… The First Amendment protects church autonomy from state intrusion by means of a “wall of separation.”
– “Churches are not places of public accommodation”
by Caleb Wolanek, Harvard Journal on Line, November 28, 2016)

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

June 4 – Pentecost Sunday – Speak on the meaning of Pentecost (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach’s Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00). Lead a “Communion Service” in the tradition of the first Christians who broke bread together.

July 25-27 – Attend the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, meeting in Fremont, Ohio. Present resolutions to the delegates as Chair of the Social Concerns Committee. Participate with the military chaplains as Associate Military Endorsing Agent.

July 30 – Speak at Sunday Morning Worship Services at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Mother’s Day 2017
“The Virtuous Mother”

She looks well to the ways of her household?
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;?
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,?
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,?
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
– Proverbs 31:27-30 (ESV)

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

A Divine Word on Judicial Appointments

(And should one not believe in God, these words still represent the wisdom of the ages rather than the shifty politics of the moment.)

“You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”
– Leviticus 19:15 (New International Version)

“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his suit. Keep far from a false charge, and do not slay the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.” – Exodus 23:6-8

Bible Insight – What Makes “Good Friday” Good?

“Ashes represent sorrow, remorse and repentance. Ashes look forward to God’s promise of forgiveness and blessing. God promises “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3).

A long tradition in Christianity observes Ash Wednesday as the start of the Lenten Season. I’ve come to appreciate this observance and have led an Ash Wednesday prayer and Communion service at my church for several years now.

If you are local to Seal Beach, California, I welcome you to our service on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. Grace Community Church is at 8th Street and Central Ave. in “Old Town” Seal Beach, one block from the ocean. Otherwise, please consider attending Ash Wednesday services at a church in your area.

“… in a democracy, civility is not an option, it’s a precondition that makes our system possible . . . Without civility, political discourse becomes hostile and polarized. In the resulting chaos we become vulnerable to tyranny.” – Charles Colson

Bible Insight:

Nehemiah—A Great Reformer Then and Now

The beginning of each new year is a great time to think about REFORMATION. 2017—this new year—will be unlike any other on that topic. My intense prayer is that genuine, biblical reformation, spiritual renewal and revival will be the experience of every major tradition within Christianity. I pray, too, that our major Christian traditions will strive to understand each other. That is needed before we can honestly agree or disagree with one another.

Nehemiah was God’s agent for reform—an important official in the Persian government in the years (5th Century BC) when Jewish people were resettled into their land after many years of exile. His heart was grieved when he learned of the broken condition of Jerusalem’s walls and the suffering of his people there. So he received permission and authority from King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem and oversee the city’s restoration.

Restoration (reform and renewal) is never a “done deal”! There are setbacks. People regress to their old ways. Revivals, it seems, just “don’t last.” The evangelist Billy Sunday once quipped, “Neither does a bath, but it does you good!” The church is “never so good” that it doesn’t need fresh repentance, change and visitation from God.

So, from the final (13th) chapter of Nehemiah’s book, we learn lessons when Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem again and sees the need for fresh reform.

1. Nehemiah saw that the House of God had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:4-14)

A man named Tobiah had been given a room in the Temple for his own use. But Tobiah was a dedicated enemy of Nehemiah’s effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (2:10). His presence dishonored the Temple.

To make matters worse, the people were not contributing as they should to support the ministries of the House of God (13:10). As a result, the ministers who should have been supported by contributions had to work in the fields and the ministries of the Temple suffered.

Nehemiah’s responses were quick and effective: (1) He threw Tobiah’s household goods out of the Temple and cleansed the room (remember: Nehemiah was a government official with authority, not a freewheeling religious zealot); (2) at his direction, the people restored their contributions to the proper level so the ministries of the Temple would be as they should be.

Lessons for us:

• Without being narrow-minded, we must be sure that the church does not support what is incompatible with our convictions.
• We must give generously so that our church’s ministries and worship are accomplishing what we desire—and even more, what God desires.

2. Nehemiah saw that the Sabbath Day had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:15-22)

The Jewish people were working on the Sabbath Day (13:15). Gentile traders also brought their goods into Jerusalem on the Sabbath (13:16). These actions broke the Sabbath law as found in the Ten Commandments.

Nehemiah rebuked his people for this violation and locked the gates of the city on the Sabbath so the tradesmen could not come in (13:17-22).

Lessons for us:

• Of all the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath command is the hardest for Christians to apply to their lives in the modern world. But surely there is a principle to be followed: setting aside one day in seven for rest and for worship is a sign that we put God first, not our vocations and money.
• We need a dedicated time each week for coming together in worship, prayer and hearing Scripture—we should guard this time zealously.

3. Nehemiah saw that the Institution of Marriage had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:23-31)

Some had married gentiles who didn’t share their religious faith (13:23). And half of their children were not being taught “the language of Judah” (13:24). Instead, they spoke languages of the non-believing people around them.

Nehemiah’s corrections were bold and decisive (and offensive to many “moderns”). He cursed them, physically punished some of the men, and ordered the people not to marry those outside their faith (13:25-28). He warned them that such compromise had brought God’s judgment in the past.

Lessons for us:

• We live in a pluralistic world. That’s simply the way it is and we must live out our faith accordingly. “The Kingdom of God is no longer identified with any geopolitical kingdom on earth. It is no longer the era of driving the nations out of God’s holy land but of living side by side with unbelievers in charity.” – Michael Horton, The Christian Faith
• At the same time, the distinctive faith, morals and lifestyle of the Christian faith must be practiced in our world. Church life especially must reflect these distinctives, for the church is not the same as the world—at least it shouldn’t be.
• Marriage within The Faith is still affirmed in the New Testament.
• What does it mean for us to teach our children to speak the “language of Judah” today? How about making sure they know:

The books of the Bible
The Ten Commandments
The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles Creed (and what its points mean)
The importance of Baptism and Communion
The great hymns and songs of the faith

Listen to my sermon on Nehemiah 13

http://www.gracesealbeach.org/sunday/sermons

“Time for a Great Reformation” (go to October 23, 2016)

Honoring Two Very Dedicated Public Servants:

Retiring Los Angeles County Supervisors

Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich

Fifty-six years of combined service on the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors has come to an end with the retirements of Don Knabe and Mike Antonovich. Both of these men are dedicated Christian public servants.

Don was mayor of Cerritos, among other tasks, before becoming a county supervisor. He would mark August 31, 1986 as a critical day in his career—the day an Aero Mexico plane plunged into a Cerritos neighborhood, killing 83 including 15 on the ground. A few years ago he spoke at a men’s breakfast at my church and explained how his Christian values interface with his government service.

One of his accomplishments is the “Safe Surrender” program, which allows the mother of a newborn who feels she cannot provide for the child to bring the child to any fire station or hospital within three days of birth.
No questions, no shame. And no abortion or abused child either.
“Safe Surrender” has received 148 newborn since it began in 2001.

Mike came to the Board of Supervisors after serving in the California Assembly, where I first met him. He was and is a staunch pro-life advocate. During one of his terms as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors I met him in a hallway at the State Capitol in Sacramento. What would we talk about? He wanted some Bible verses on a particular topic!
Mike advanced many causes, including children’s issues, adopting animals and protecting land for public use. Both leaders supported keeping a small cross on the county seal (on top of a depiction of a mission, which it would seem is right where it should be) as a symbol of the county’s heritage. One wonders why this should be an issue with anyone!

Both gentlemen are fine examples to men and women on fulfilling opportunities to serve God through dedicated public service.

On January 9th, 2017, partnering organizations in support of law enforcement officers nationwide will promote National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult career they have chosen, in public service to us all.

There are many positive signs of appreciation that citizens can show. One of the best is simply to thank the law enforcement officers you meet for their protection and service. Donate to C.O.P.S. or your local police foundation.

I urge each congregation in America to take time on Sunday, January 8 to recognize and pray for all who serve in Law Enforcement.

One New Year’s Resolution:

“I will speak no sentences with ‘Look!’ or ‘you know” or “I mean’!”

Religious Liberty Vigilance – throughout the World

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
– United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (Article 18)

The U.S. Government has seemed slow in responding to threats against religious freedom around the world. I was therefore heartened to learn that President Obama signed the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act on December 16, a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen the U.S. response to religious persecution in the Middle East and elsewhere.
(Please click on the bill title to read the text of this new law.)

“The new effort to bolster the U.S. response to threats against religious freedom across the world is raising hopes that Washington will make the treatment of religious minorities a key issue in its bilateral relations with countries like Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and India, U.S. allies with a poor record on religious freedom.” (National Catholic Reporter, December 21)

For example, the law calls on any American institution of education that operates in a foreign country to “make every effort in all negotiations, contracts, or memoranda of understanding engaged in with a foreign government to protect academic freedom and the rights enshrined in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights.”

Religious persecution is a subject near to my heart. I believe churches must earnestly pray for those persecuted and help them in every way possible.
I applaud every effort to oppose such persecution, no matter what faith is being persecuted.

At the very least, these seven protections must be sought and maintained:
1. The right to believe as one chooses, without fear of punishment by a government or by a mob.
2. The right to worship as one chooses. This includes the right to be safe while worshipping and the safe preservation of places of worship.
3. The right to live out the dictates of one’s faith in the many arenas of life.
4. The right to raise children according to the family’s belief system.
5. The right of a religious organization to fulfill the obligations it believes it ought to fulfill, free of government interference.
6. The right to evangelize others to seek to convert them to one’s faith, and the right of every person to convert from one faith to another, or from unbelief to faith, or vice versa.
7. The right to secular employment or to service in government without having to meet any kind of religious test.

Cliff Barrows, songleader for Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades, passed away on November 15.

Mr. Barrows was a very personable and unpretentious man—free of the “full of oneself” problem that affects many in music. When Billy Graham held a crusade in Southern California (1985), my wife and I sang in the crusade choir he directed—a desire I had long cherished.

Months prior to the crusade a retreat for pastors was held in the local mountains. Only a couple of dozen pastors were there, and Cliff Barrows was there with us. I joined him for lunch one day and we talked about the very beginning of Billy Graham’s evangelistic ministry. It grew out of a prayer meeting held at a hotel in Winona Lake, Indiana. I worked at that hotel many years later while attending Grace College. It is now part of the college campus.

I cherish the memory of Cliff Barrows, his persona and his legacy for quality heart-felt song. For the record, he was 93 when he passed away. George Beverly Shea, long-time soloist for the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, passed away in 2013 at the age of 104. Billy Graham lives on at 98.
Evangelistic music must be good for the body as it is for the soul!

Good News from Grace
www.gracesealbeach.org

January of 2017 is a milestone month for my wife and family and myself. During this month 40 years ago we came to this church (known then as “Grace Brethren Church”) in Seal Beach and sat in the back row as first-time visitors.

This led to an incredible journey with many milestones, including serving this church for 28 years as its senior pastor. Other roles have included organist, choir director, board member and, now, Pastor Emeritus.

God bless this church as it moves forward in its eighth decade of service to God and the community.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

January 17, 2017 – Present “Religious Freedom Day Proclamation” to the Long Beach (CA) City Council

January 31 (7:30 pm) and February 3 (9:30 am) – Teach on the Epistle to the Galatians at Women’s Bible Study, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

A New Year’s Confession and Prayer

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Teach us to number our days aright,
That we may gain a heard of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:1, 12 (NIV)

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

“Let’s recap this wonderful country of ours! They say this election made history (in fact, they’re right).
Yet let’s do some inventory into history ourselves—back to as early as the ones who made our nation even possible. Thank God! Imagine what it was like for them… Talk history! If it were not for them, there would be no us.”

Missing the Pulse of the Buckeye State
By Donald Shoemaker

 

 

“I think there needs to be a profound change in the way the Democratic Party does business. It is not good enough to have a liberal elite. I came from the white working class and I am deeply humiliated that the Democratic Party cannot talk to the people from where I came.”
– Bernie Sanders on CBS Good Morning America (November 14, 2016)

I keep a buckeye on my desk to remind me of my roots, prior to having a good professional career in California for almost 50 years *.

I grew up in a home along a gravel road in a somewhat-poor neighborhood just outside Mansfield, Ohio—a “rust belt” city. Our home at least had running water and a phone (neighbors would occasionally come over to make a call). We knew our neighbors; we didn’t lock our doors; most of us owned guns—I did.

When I reached the 4th grade the post-war baby boom hit the public schools. An old school building on the other side of town was reopened. Kids from my neighborhood and from “Little Kentucky” by the steel mill were bussed to it every school day for three years. For sure the kids from more well-to-do neighborhoods weren’t bussed. We didn’t care—we loved the old building.

Ohio soil germinates a lot of hard-working, blue-collar people with good values, like my father. Most were union members. Over the years, it seemed to me the party that many had once voted for became less and less interested in what I call “lunch bucket issues”.

The factory where my father worked is gone **. The union hall where my father played pinochle and I ate donuts is no more.
I think the recent election supports what I’ve observed over the years. The great celebrity event in Cleveland just before the election was irrelevant to most Buckeyes. Cleveland is the Indians and the Browns, not super-wealthy (and some f-word) singers who knew little and cared less about Ohio.

A traveller was amazed by the yard signs as he drove from Philadelphia to his home in Canton, Ohio. “Once you got to the middle of Pennsylvania, it was Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump…
It was the same in Ohio. When we got home, I told my wife that this election is a complete lock.” (New York Times, Nov. 13)

The despair and the disparity were much greater in next-door West Virginia. News reports have depicted the shack-like living conditions and joblessness of many decent people proud of their past and feeling ignored by the political establishment (Ted Koppel, CBS News, Nov. 13; Jesse Watters, Fox News, Nov. 6).

I’m convinced Bernie Sanders is indeed correct.

* I still remember as a high school teen waking up late at night to hear my parents downstairs discuss how they would pay (sacrifice) for me to go to college. In college, I believed I owed them the best grades I could possibly earn. To the best of my knowledge, I’m still the only college grad on my father’s side of the family. My career in California has been as a pastor (38 years) and as a university professor (8 years).

** The movie “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed in the Mansfield area. The shuttered factory (now demolished) where my father worked contained the cellblock scenes. The former state prison near my family home was the film’s prison. My mother’s office was near where the movie’s prison warden shot himself, and I used to wait in the large area where the prisoners’ meals were eaten in the movie for a guard to take me to the prison barbershop. I played the organ for Sunday chapel in a building often seen in the movie.
The movie’s “Brooks” fed birds in Central Park and crossed the street in front of the building where I would pick up wholesale fruit for the store where I worked. The large tree near where “Red” found Andy’s note and money, alas, fell during a storm this year.

I’m thankful…

For my family—my wife of 50 years, my children, my grandchildren, and for the memory of my parents and relatives who have passed.

For the privilege of living in the United States of America—land of freedom (including religious liberty) and opportunity.
Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by thy might, Great God our King.

For my career—a mission to serve God and others and to be enjoyed immensely.

For my church for the past 40 years, Grace Community of Seal Beach.

For the good health of my family—never guaranteed but gratefully experienced—and for how God has provided for our needs.

For the Seal Beach Police Department and the privilege I have serving as Senior Chaplain.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

December 24 – Sing “O Holy Night” at Christmas Eve Services, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.
(4:00, 5:30, 7:00)

January 17, 2017 – Present “Religious Freedom Day Proclamation” to the Long Beach (CA) City Council

Listen to my Recent Sermons

http://bellflowerbrethren.org/Sermons/Entries/2016/11/6_Constructive_Christian_CitizenshipThemes_from_1_Peter.html
“Constructive Christian Citizenship” (Pre-election sermon drawn from the First Epistle of Peter and delivered at Bellflower [CA] Brethren Church)
http://www.gracesealbeach.org/sunday/sermons
(click above and go to the date indicated):
“Giving Thanks-A Missing Jewel?” (August 7, 2016)
Nehemiah 13 – “Time for a Great Reformation” (October 23, 2016)

A Very Merry Christmas to All!

Bible Insight—Songs from the Bible on the Birth of Jesus

Christmas Season is a wonderful time for song. The Advent portion of Handel’s “The Messiah” is a top value. As traditional carols go, you can’t do better than “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” (Charles Wesley).

But do you know the Bible itself gives us four Christmas songs? They are often known by the words that open each song in the Latin Bible.

1. Mary’s Song – The “Magnificat” [“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”]
“My soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46 English Standard Version)

This has been rightly called the “first canticle of the New Testament.” It is a song of ecstasy—praise to God for his grace and mercy and his fulfillment of his promises to his people.

Its message must be viewed in light of the earthly ministry of Jesus (else it can be twisted to serve secular movements and manifestos). In it we learn that God honors the humble and shows mercy to those reverent in heart. We see God’s love for the lowly. And we are warned about pride and the quest for power and the love of possessions.

2. Zechariah’s Song – The “Benedictus” [“Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel”]
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people.” (Luke 1:68)

Filled with God’s Spirit, Zechariah (father of John the Baptist) prophesied that his son will point to a deliverer who will save us from the enemies that afflict us (physical and spiritual) and enable us to delight in doing God’s will.

3. The Angels’ Song – The “Gloria” [“Gloria in altissimis Deo”]
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

This is the best-known “Song of Christmas” from the Bible—impressed into our collective consciousness by works such as Handel’s “Glory to God” in “The Messiah” (a chorus that tortures tenors!) and the popular hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

The song is by a majestic angelic chorus. They announced praise in heaven and peace on earth. Certainly the story of the birth of Jesus has a peaceful effect in the world. The peace may not be deep and it may not last long when the story is heard, but I’m thankful for it. More important, the story of Jesus brings peace into the lives and hearts of those who truly embrace it.

4. Simeon’s Song – The “Nunc dimmittis” [“Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine secundum verbum tuum in pace.”]

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:29-30)

Simeon was an elderly servant of God to whom God gave the promise that he would not die until he had seen “the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). When Mary and Joseph presented the Baby Jesus in the Temple according to the Law of Moses, Simeon took Jesus into his arms and, in the words of the “Benedictus”, gave praise to God. It was as if he had said, “Lord, I’m ready to go now—I’ve seen the Savior!”

The secular world offers its many “consolations.” Some of them have led to terrible carnage and bloodshed, as we witnessed through much of the 20th Century and still see today. Jesus brings true consolation.

Hope of all the earth Thou art.
Dear desire of every nation.
Joy of every longing heart.

Religious Liberty Vigilance – Anti-Muslim Hatred

The Virginia Legislature that approved “The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom” (1786)
“meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, and infidel of every denomination.”
– Thomas Jefferson

Sadly, several Islamic Centers in California, including one in Long Beach where I live, have received anonymous hate mail in recent days.

Written by a person or persons who claim to be “Americans for a Better Way,” the letter is addressed to Muslims as “the children of Satan.” It calls them “vile and filthy people” whose mothers are whores and fathers are dogs. It asserts a horrible, twisted patriotism that all Americans of good will must reject.

Those who write such hatred care nothing for the Bible or American ideals.

My Website’s Home Page speaks of “How We See God’s Kingdom Today” and has this great quotation:

“The Kingdom of God is no longer identified with any geopolitical kingdom on earth. It is no longer the era of driving the nations out of God’s holy land but of living side by side with unbelievers in charity.
It is the hour of grace, not judgment.”
– Michael Horton, The Christian Faith (2012)

We must live by these words and let the Christmas message point us to the reconciling work of Jesus. He will sort out everything justly on The Last Day. Meanwhile we commit ourselves to living at peace with one another as best we can, not taking revenge, loving our enemies, and overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Message & Prayer
Veterans Day
Ceremony
Seal Beach

 

 

A few feet to the west of us is a significant memorial remembering eight innocent people who were murdered in Seal Beach on October 12, 2011. On October 12, a month ago, I joined family members and people of the community there on the 5th anniversary to reflect on that terrible day and console one another.

That was one act of terror against one community—our community. We owe our gratitude to the many first responders, fire and police, and to all who cared for survivors and the grieving.

There have been many domestic acts of terror against our nation—in the past year 16 died in San Bernardino and 49 died in Orlando due to Islamist terror. Again, we owe our gratitude to the first responders and all who provided care.

In today’s observance we have honored our veterans and I especially honor those in the military who risk their lives to protect us from terrorism at home and abroad so we may be safe and free.

Among the rights they protect is the right of protest. We may disagree with protestors, but we protect their right to peaceful, lawful protest. Many of us may strongly disagree with those who bow the knee instead of standing during the National Anthem, but service men and women have died to give them that right. I ask you—how many countries against whom we have fought would permit this kind of protest? How many cold war opponents would have permitted this protest?

My concern is when the protest creates a false expectation—as if others on a team have a moral obligation to show solidarity and join in. What do you do then, when another team member has a parent who serves in law enforcement or in the military, or has a family member injured or killed defending our rights?

Or what if another team member comes from an immigrant family that is grateful to this country that has given them so much? These want to stand tall during the National Anthem. Who will show solidarity with them?

On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy stood at the Berlin Wall and told the huge crowd, “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in.” We need to ponder his words anew.

Even as we sing, “America, America, God mend thine every flaw,” let’s stand tall in gratitude to God for all that is good and great about America and in gratitude to those who defend our precious rights, including all our veterans.

With me, I hope you will say,

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God bless the U.S.A.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you
and give you peace.
And may God bless this wonderful country, America!

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

“I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish; where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source; where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials.”

Sept. 12, 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy gave a major speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association

That Was Then – “Will Religion Try to Control the State?”

John F. Kennedy was nervous as he was about to address the Greater Houston Ministerial Association during his 1960 campaign for president. It was one of the best speeches he would ever give.

Conservative and fundamentalist Protestant ministers were deeply worried he would, if elected, inject his Catholic beliefs into the office of president.
He would take orders from Rome, we feared (one pamphlet was titled: “The Pope for President”). A pastor in my Ohio city gave a message, “Why I will not vote for a Roman Catholic for President.” My own pastor said we might have a president who bows his knee to someone other than God.

Fundamentalists were deeply suspicious of Catholicism. “Anything out of Rome is wrong! Now, what is your question about the Catholic Church?”

This Is Now—“Will the State Try to Control Religion?”

The country has changed. Churches have changed. The attitude of Protestant conservatives (and many fundamentalists, but certainly not all) toward the Catholic Church has changed. *** At least when it comes to “church and society” issues, we share much in common and we work together.

The “separation of church and state” is dynamically different too, due in part to the deep impact of secularism on our values and way of thinking. Secularism has its own values and it tries, through government power, to impose those values more than any religious movement has tried in the U.S. Secularists are minimalists when they speak of “freedom of worship.”

Today the worry of conservative and fundamentalist churches and of devout Catholics is how much is the state going to try to control religion. In less than a decade we’ve moved from Mitt Romney’s word that politicians have no business telling churches what to do to today’s politicians who say, for example, the Catholic Church needs to change some of its beliefs (or else?).

*** See my editorial “One Evangelical’s Gratitude for John Paul II”, written in April 2005 shortly after his death. Read it at my Website under “writings”: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Qualities We Should Look for in a Political Leader

• Integrity – being people of truthfulness and fairness and good character in light of reasoned principles acknowledged by almost everybody.
• Sagacity (“mental discernment, sound judgment”) – realizing that the state’s power to compel behavior is a great and potentially dangerous power and therefore exercising great reserve and wisdom in its use in our free society.
• Accessibility – demonstrating openness to the people they are selected to serve, whether these people are supporters, detractors or indifferent.
• Frugality – viewing public funds as a limited resource to be prudently handled with great care and not as a constant spring where there is always more to be tapped. It must always be remembered that every tax dollar, regardless of its source and our political good intentions, takes money from people and not from impersonal things.
• Accountability – recognizing that managing public funds and exercising power are solemn trusts. Those who do these things must see themselves as stewards answerable to the people. Most of us believe accountability is due “in the sight of both God and man.” But even if a politician doesn’t think God exists, he or she knows the citizen does. Accountability also measures actions by their impact on the future long after a term of office has ended.
• Collegiality – being an effective office-holder through knowing how to work with others, especially those of opposing viewpoints. The collegiate leader earns respect “across the aisle” and knows how to work the political process for reasonable advantage without yielding core values. The “collegiate” politician knows “half a loaf is better than none.”
• Efficiency – getting the most “bang for the buck” by avoiding wasted time, squandered resources, incompetence and bloated bureaucracy. Thomas Jefferson’s call for “suppression of unnecessary offices, of useless establishments and expenses” needs to be heeded as never before.
• Productivity – ensuring that resources of funding, time and talent are used for intended and effective purposes and not, as examples, for self-aggrandizement or for programs likely or proven to fail. A good leader regards no program as sacrosanct and regularly evaluates them for both effectiveness and efficiency.

Let’s Make This Political Stipulation and then move on)

I’ve done enough jury duty to hear attorneys ask that something be stipulated. Something is stated, and then accepted by the other side as a fact. Once “stipulated,” it doesn’t need to be argued and the court can move on to matters needing argument and deliberation. Let’s stipulate, for example, “There is no difference between six of something and half a dozen of something.” (I think of that example because a McDonald’s clerk recently didn’t know the two were the same!)

In politics let’s stipulate this:

Those on the far right are likely to support the more conservative candidates; those on the far left are likely to support the more liberal candidates.

Therefore, let’s drop the ad hominem argument that conservative candidates are blemished because they get the votes of, say, a nativist or racist or members of an extreme fundamentalist group.

 

And let’s drop the ad hominem argument that liberal candidates are blemished because they get the votes of, say, a socialist or environmental extremist or anarchist leftists.

 

 

If we accept this stipulation, we can move on to substantive issues instead of trying to score points by smearing opponents with fallacious “guilt by association” labels.

Is this reasonable? Or am I missing something? Is this too much to ask?

Religious Liberty Vigilance – CA Senate Bill 1146

“I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.”

– Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 1808

 

 

California’s Senate Bill 1146 is now state law. The final version primarily puts an obligation on religious schools to disclose and report their basis for claiming religious exemption from federal and state non-discrimination laws.

Gone are the more obnoxious features that would greatly burden religious liberty— dictating housing rules and requiring religious schools to report expulsions and suspensions to the state, as examples. Still, the bill marks a new level of state intrusion into the affairs of private religious schools. And all wonder what shoes will drop in future California legislatures.

In words published by newspapers of the Los Angeles News Group, I said this:

“The proper meaning of the word tolerance as ‘a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one’s own’ is turned on its head by SB-1146. It does not take much stretch of the imagination to see future legislation expand the control of the state over religious institutions including, ultimately, churches.

“In deciding SB-1146, the legislature and governor will help shape what kind of society we want—one encouraging true religious pluralism or one requiring conformity to secular standards that will supplant religious liberty.”

Note on the Jefferson quote above: Jefferson believed the Constitution banned the federal government from meddling in the affairs of religious institutions. It is now a well-established point of constitutional law that the protections of the Constitution (like the First Amendment) are binding on the states as much as on the federal government.
See the U.S. Supreme Court decision Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940).

Bible Insight: Good Anger, Bad Anger

On July 7, 2016, Micah Johnson ambushed police officers in Dallas, Texas, killing five officers and injuring nine others.

My anger was great that evening. As Senior Chaplain of the Seal Beach (CA) Police Department, I went to the station for three hours to be of support (as I put it) “to any of you who are feeling what I’m feeling.”

Scripture approves anger at times. God has anger (Jeremiah 25:6). Jesus got angry. Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts.” (Mark 3:4-5)

So anger isn’t always wrong, but it is often and easily wrong. How can scripture guide us toward good anger and away from the bad?

1. I must control anger; it must not control me.

The classic biblical example of uncontrolled anger is Cain, son of Adam.

Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:3-7)

But Cain let anger control him, and so he killed his brother Abel.

2. To be right, anger must be due to a just cause.

Governor Nehemiah listened to the people who were wronged (Nehemiah 5:1-5). When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry (v. 6).

Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” The magistrate’s anger may be God’s instrument of wrath and justice (13:4-5).

3. Anger can motivate us, but good reasoning must direct us.

“I pondered them [the charges] in my mind.” (Nehemiah 5:7)

4. We must not allow even proper anger to seethe within us.

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Anger must be turned off and not allowed to fester within us. Go ahead and write that angry reply—your letter or email or tweet. Then save it until morning (“sleep on it”) and, with morning’s clarity and more reflection, review and edit it before hitting that irretrievable “send.”

5. Jesus classified wrongful anger under murder.

Why? Because anger can burst forth into abusive words, rage, violence, harm and killing. He warned of the personal fallout from wrongful anger.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother [some texts: “without cause”] will be subject to judgment. (Matthew 5:21-26)

6. Anger as a vice must be confessed and put away.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:31)

Such anger disqualifies one as a church leader, for not being “quick tempered” is a biblical standard for leaders (Titus 1:7).

Read the verses from Proverbs below to learn the dangers of anger.

7. We must not entice others to wrongful anger.

One of the worst examples of this is failed fatherhood that fills one’s offspring with anger. We see the fruit of this everyday in our culture. Fathers, do not exasperate (provoke to anger) your children. (Ephesians 6:4).

Think of anger as fire.
It takes skill to handle it rightly.
Controlled, it brings comfort and light and progress.
Uncontrolled it is a destructive wildfire.
Don’t pour gas on your anger—ever.

Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 16:32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 29:22

A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Proverbs 30:33

Pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

November 1 (6:30 p.m.) and 4 (9:30 a.m.)
Speak at Women’s Bible Studies at Grace Community Church. Topic: “The Lord’s Prayer”

November 11 (11:00 a.m.) – Veteran’s Day
Speak and offer prayers at the Veteran’s Day Observance, Eisenhower Park (at the Seal Beach pier)

Listen to my Recent Sermons (click below and go to the date indicated):
http://www.gracesealbeach.org/sunday/sermons
“Giving Thanks-A Missing Jewel?” (August 7, 2016)
Nehemiah 13 – “Time for a Great Reformation” (October 23, 2016)

And Finally, A Vin-ediction

This Irish blessing was given by Vin Scully after the Dodgers-Giants game on October 2, the game that closed his 67-year broadcasting career:

May God give you for every storm a rainbow,
For every tear a smile,
For every care a promise,
And a blessing in each trial,
For every problem life seems a faithful friend to share,
For every sign a sweet song and an answer for each prayer

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

Thanks to all merchants who don’t start “Black Friday” sales on Thanksgiving!

“Goodnight, everybody!”

Dodger Baseball’s legendary announcer Vin Scully, 88, will sign off for the last time in a few days, after 67 seasons as “The Voice of the Dodgers.”

When Vinny turned 80 in 2007, sportswriter Paul Oberjuerge wrote of him. I was fascinated by how his characterizations of Scully could compare with ministers—my career. How do we preachers measure up to Vinny?

• Vinny has “relentless goodwill” and contagious love for the game. He makes every game seem important and convinces you of the same. How many times haven’t I heard him say late in the game, “Good ball game!” You actually don’t mind hearing him speak for three hours (no call here for three-hour sermons, but do we convey each sermon is important?).

• He is personable and free of pretense and ego. He is pleasant and reassuring. He is smart, but never comes across as a “know it all.”

• He makes his message personal. It’s as if you, the listener, are the important one and he has invited you to “pull up a chair” so he can tell you about the game. Do people feel such intimacy with our sermons?

• He doesn’t follow fads and never uses jargon. That’s a challenge to us preachers, in whose trade there’s always a new fad to talk about or new lingo to use to show others we know something they don’t.

• He can be critical without being irritating—like it really hurts him to report hooliganism at the park or a player’s excessive aggression.

• When you meet him you feel he likes you as much as you like him.

• He conveys a sincere feeling of gratitude to God while knowing that baseball’s good times won’t last forever. “If you want to make God smile, tell him your plans.”

And I especially like this tribute: “He makes Los Angeles a better place to live.”

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

 

1. Massachusetts Restricts Freedom of Speech and Religious Free Exercise by its Policy on “Public Meetings” at Churches

Now, most reasonable people would recognize that church events are always for a “spiritual” or “religious” purpose. But what if the state can classify certain church events as “secular” or “public”?

Eugene Volokh reports this: “From the official Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s Gender Identity Guidance, just released last week: ‘Even a church could be seen as a place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public.’”
(The Volokh Conspiracy, August 8, 2016)

Result: the church then becomes subject to the state’s public accommodation laws. So if we do as Jesus said, and invite the poor and needy to gather with us for a meal, and we bless the meal with prayer and hope to meet both physical and spiritual needs, our gathering might nonetheless be a “public gathering”! At such a gathering it would be punishable discrimination to use a pronoun to address a person if it differed from their gender identity.

The antidote for this extremism is to recognize that religion, not the state, identifies what is truly “religious” in words and deeds. And if a church or other religious body deems a practice or gathering or personnel position to be a “spiritual” one, the actions of the state must stop there. To go further would be unconstitutional “entanglement” with religion (Lemon v. Kurtzman, 1971). Government is simply unqualified to determine this matter.

2. Good for the ACLU, which said Christians must have the same rights Muslims have!

(Taken from “The Volockh Conspiracy”, August 31, 2016; italics mine)

Plaintiff [in Allen v. English] Yvonne Allen is a devout Christian woman who covers her hair with a headscarf as part of her religious practice.

In December 2015, Ms. Allen sought to renew her driver license at the Lee County driver license office, where officials demanded that she remove her head covering to be photographed. When Ms. Allen explained her religious beliefs, the County officials responded with a remarkable claim: They admitted that there was a religious accommodation available for head coverings, but contended that it applied only to Muslims.

The American Civil Liberties Union argued that Ms. Allen’s religious freedom rights, guaranteed under the U.S. and Alabama constitutions, were violated.

“The county’s interpretation of state rules blatantly violates the First Amendment,” said Susan Watson, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama. “The government cannot discriminate between faiths in granting religious accommodations.”

Now, I won’t argue in favor of the plaintiff based on any “headscarf theology”, for I don’t know of any. And I also believe the State of Alabama might have a case if it argued it has a compelling government purpose in having headgear removed for a driver’s license picture. But to grant an exemption to one religious group and not to another is certainly wrong, and the ACLU is certainly right.

3. A Win for Freedom of Speech at the University of Chicago
(When Freedom of Speech loses, Freedom of Religion easily loses too.)

“The University of Chicago recently sent a letter to incoming students explaining why they do not restrict potentially offensive speech, or give ‘trigger warnings’ when potentially sensitive issues are going to be covered in class. As Dean of Students John Ellison puts it, ‘[o]ur commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so called “trigger warnings,” we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual “safe spaces” where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.”

“Chicago’s policy is commendable. Not only do trigger warnings inhibit free discussion of difficult issues, social science research suggests that they cause more pain and anxiety than they alleviate.”
– Ilya Somin, The Volokh Conspiracy, August 26, 2016

Years ago Chuck Colson gave this warning in a “Breakpoint” broadcast:

The greatest danger to a free society is suppression of the free expression of ideas.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

October 1 (8:30 a.m.) – Speak on “Anger” to the Men’s Fellowship of Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

October 23 – Speak in morning worship services (8:00, 9:30, 11:00) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.
Message: “Time for a Great Reformation” (Nehemiah 13).

Listen to my Recent Sermon (click below and go to the date indicated): http://www.gracesealbeach.org/sunday/sermons “Giving Thanks-A Missing Jewel?” (August 7, 2016)

Message of the Month

Are We Seeing the Death of
Congregational Singing
in “Contemporary” Worship?

 

I could have lost control of my vehicle as I listened to the ad on Christian radio. The ad for a concert was narrated by someone who introduced herself as a “Worship Artist.”

The job title is another sad sign of the professionalization of worship. In many venues worship has moved from congregation to performers on the platform. And in this transition we are seeing the death of congregational singing.

Often the congregation can’t hear itself sing because of the sound level of the professional singers and instrumentalists. So people don’t sing.

Then there is the worship setting. Mike Harland cautions: “In many churches, we’ve created an atmosphere that everything about the room says you’re here to watch, not worship. If you set up your facility to feel like a theater, don’t be surprised when your church members act like a theater audience.” *

Then there’s style. My wife and I attended “worship” led by a singer-guitarist with a beautiful voice. Her singing style made it impossible for anyone to sing along, so they just watched. So did we, as we enjoyed her short concert.

Concerts may be wonderful, but shouldn’t be confused with worship services. One non-negotiable, essential sign of a Holy Spirit-filled worship service is robust congregational singing. “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV)

“Special Music” (solos, duets, choir, etc.) is optional in biblical worship—congregational singing is not. “Special Music” is what a lot of contemporary worship really is—a group singing and playing in front of others.

Can we yet bring worship back from the shadow of death? Yes we can!

First, make this commitment:
“We will restore congregational singing to our church!”

Then ask, “What steps must we take to achieve this essential goal?”

For starters:

• All worship leaders must commit themselves to being just that—truly engaging others in worship rather than doing it for them. “If they ain’t singin’, you ain’t leadin’!”
• Make sure most of the worshippers know most of the songs.
• Turn up the lighting enough so worshippers can see each other and to remove the feeling that people are attending a show.
• Keep the “difficulty meter” to the “low” end so songs are more singable. For example, Chris Tomlin’s “God of This City” is a meaningful, important song I love to hear. But for most it simply is not singable because of its range.
• Keep the volume of the platform music at a level where it actually enhances the singing congregation rather than drowning it out (this includes both platform singers and instrumentalists—even the organ if you still use one).

“We’re rehearsing for the Celestial Choir” is a great mindset to have while worshipping (Revelation 5). Think that way and you are on track.
Let’s make sure “contemporary worship” is not an oxymoron!
Notes: * Mike Harland in a podcast of Rainer on Leadership, April 12, 2016.

I’m working on a list of “10 Commandments for Worship Leaders” which I look forward to completing and sharing sometime in the future.

Bible Insight: Nehemiah’s Economic Reforms

Pastors at my church have been speaking on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. He was Governor of Judea after the people returned from exile. Nehemiah served under the authority of the King of Persia (c. 445 BC).

It’s a great book to read all the way through. We think of Nehemiah as primarily a “wall builder” but he was much more. One task he did was to bring economic reforms. These reforms are in chapter 5.

What were the problems?
• Hunger – leading to mortgaging of homes and grain fields
• High Taxes – leading to borrowing at usurious rates in order to pay
• Slavery – as families had to take extreme measures to survive

And rulers who lived “high on the hog” at the expense of the little guy! *

Nehemiah had the political power to live at that level, but he refused. “Neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor” (verse 14). His reasons for doing so were his brotherhood with the people and his reverence for God. He saw his role as one of service to others, not self-serving lordship.

He also generously invited many “common folk” and officials to eat at his table. Not that the menu was skimpy—“Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds” (verse 18). Yet none of it on the taxpayers’ dime!

What would happen in our country if something like Nehemiah’s economic reforms were enacted and his servant attitude toward rule was modeled? What if every officeholder saw his or her position as a sacred position exercised before God and in the service of people?

[* The Associated Press reported on September 21 that California’s legislators were receiving a per diem of $196 from taxpayers, when they were not really fulfilling their legislative duties on many of the days they were paid. California legislators “over time crafted loosely worded rules for themselves that allowed them to collect those payments regardless of whether they ever showed up for work.” Nehemiah would say something about this!]

My Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Important Addendum for Pastors and Church Leaders

Churches and Political Action—What Pastors and Churches Should and Should Not Do

With October looming as a very big month in American politics, what’s a pastor or church to do? Or not do? I offer these thoughts to assist you.

Donald Shoemaker
Chair, Social Concerns Committee
Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

1. From a LEGAL STANDPOINT, here are the “Do’s and Don’ts”:

• Churches MAY NOT endorse or oppose a candidate.
• Pastors MAY as individuals support or oppose candidates, but MAY NOT convey that they speak for their churches. And they should not proclaim their “personal decision” in any church medium (like the pulpit or church newsletter). No preaching, “I’m not telling you who to vote for and I’m not speaking for the church, but here’s where I’m putting my support…”)
• Churches MAY NOT use their resources (like facilities, property or equipment) in contexts that endorse or oppose a candidate.
• Churches MAY invite candidates to speak if done even-handedly and not selectively. Their presence in a service or in the pulpit must not convey the church’s support of any candidate.
• Churches MAY distribute voter guides, but I don’t recommend it because almost all have a “slant” to promote. I also would not allow members or outside groups to bring literature to the church or blitz cars in the church’s parking lot with flyers. If outsiders show up or blitz the parking lot, it may be wise for the pastor to disavow the activity.
• Churches MAY schedule a forum where the candidates for an office are invited to speak and answer questions. If only one shows up that’s not a legal problem, but it may not look the best and the church would need to be careful not to have the occasion appear to be an endorsement of the candidate who appeared.
• Churches MAY spend money and lobby and encourage members in support of or in opposition to a ballot measure or a piece of legislation (like many did in California recently on Senate Bill 1146). The limitation is that the resources expended not be “substantial”. This may be interpreted as “not more than 5% of resources”, which would almost never be exceeded in churches as reticent as many evangelical churches traditionally are. The limit applies not just to money spent but also to other factors such as pastoral time.

2. I DO RECOMMEND these points of guidance:

• Always maintain a distinction between the ultimate issues of the Kingdom of God and the penultimate possibilities of the political process. The latter are genuine but not perfect. They are secondary but not primary. They need the church’s voice and attention but must not get top billing.
• Preach on morally laden issues and proposals like good or bad legislation or initiatives. But be sure that the biblical “connectedness” is made clear. Of course we preach sensitive to the congregation and visitors in such matters, but avoiding the topics should not be considered an option.
• Have the church’s official body (Elders, board, or congregation) take positions on issues subject to the above qualifications and when the issue is important (as Grace Community Church of Seal Beach did on SB-1146).
• Do voter registration at the church before and after services. This is a non-partisan activity.
• Have a forum to educate church members on ballot initiatives.
• Have your facility used for voting, subject to acceptable rules (for examples, I wouldn’t accept a demand to cover the cross but removing a literature table may be acceptable). This is a natural way of showing interest in the wellbeing of your community.
• DO NOT politicize your message. By “politicize” I mean stridently or subtly speaking for or against a particular party or political stratum.
• Remember, the spiritual upbuilding of the saints is always the goal in a worship service. This influences sermon style and content immensely.
• Politically activist Christians must remember that the unity of the church must transcend all political and secular unities.
• Remember the admonition (I’ve made it often and sometimes it’s been heard with much irritation, but at least the point wasn’t missed):

“The church is the one place where a very liberal Democrat and a very conservative Republican should be able to join hands and sing, ‘We Are One in the Bond of Love’.”

3. Topics to Proclaim:

Churches have a powerful communication instrument known as “The Pulpit” (even if “pulpit” is now a metaphor). Here are some topics, which could be sermons, sermon points, or discussion points:

• Immigration from a biblical perspective
• The Sovereignty of God over the Governments of Man (“The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” – Daniel 4:25)
• Religious Freedom and how it is eroding
• How healing can come to fractured race relations
• The duties of good Christian Citizenship (we now live in a participatory republic rather than in the Roman society that disadvantaged and even persecuted believers and where few had citizenship rights)
• The need for fiscal wisdom and accountability in government
• Godly men of the Bible who served the secular state and society of their times (Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah)
• How God works peace and justice through governments he establishes, be they ever so fragile and faulty
• What God expects of secular rulers and those who “bear the sword”
• The Issue that Won’t Go Away—Protecting Unborn Human Life

– end –

Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

Congratulations to Olympic Gold Medalist Rachel Fattal!

Rachel and her U.S. Water Polo team clenched the Gold Medal when it defeated the Italian team in Rio on August 19.

Rachel’s family has many years of faithfulness in Grace Community Church of Seal Beach and she grew up in the church family.

Hearty congratulations to a champion! Pictured: Coach Adam Krikorian with Rachel)

Scriptures that Shaped our Culture

The Bible is the most published book of all time. Its influence has been powerful in Western culture up to our present day, even if other patterns of thought compete with it as never before.

Here are Ten Statements from the Bible that have had great impact on our culture. I’ve added explanations. Note: I’ve used the language of the King James Version because its influence has been greater than any other version in the English language.

1. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” – Genesis 1:27

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” – Genesis 9:6

Humans are not merely animals, which is about all science can say. We are unique among all God’s creation. We bear likeness to God. We derive our worth, our dignity, our moral capacity and responsibility from God. This “likeness to God” not only befits the great but also includes the least among us. It embraces both genders, which are clearly demarcated in Genesis 1:27.

Capital punishment for murder is taught in all five of the Books of Moses (the only commandment so widely taught). Instead of the modern notion that human dignity requires opposition to capital punishment, this text makes it the reason for this penalty. However, accepting the legitimacy of capital punishment in principle does not necessarily endorse either the act or the judicial processes that lead to it as we may often find them, past and present.

2. “And the Lord said unto Cain, ‘Where is Abel thy brother?’ And he said, ‘I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?’” – Genesis 4:9

Cain, first son to Adam and Eve, refused to subdue his violent anger and consequently killed his brother. His answer to God’s question has become the classic answer through the ages when people seek to live independently of service and duty toward our fellow human beings, especially those in our own family (1 Timothy 5:8). In short, the answer to Cain’s protesting question is always “Yes!”

3. “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, ‘Let my people go!’”
– Exodus 5:1

God’s call to Pharaoh of Egypt through Moses his spokesman was, in context, a call for the Israelites to have a “worship retreat.” The phrase has become a call for the emancipation of exploited people everywhere. For this I am glad.

4. “The Ten Commandments” – Exodus 20:1-17

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

[Note: some Jewish/Christian traditions number the Ten Commandments differently, with no change in meaning.]

1st Commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2nd Commandment: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…

3rd Commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…

4th Commandment: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5th Commandment: Honour thy father and thy mother…

6th Commandment: Thou shalt not kill.

7th Commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8Th Commandment: Thou shalt not steal.

9th Commandment: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10th Commandment: Thou shalt not covet…

The Ten Commandments, given by Moses, have formed our understanding of basic morality—how should we respond to God and how should we treat others? Many, religious or non-religious, accept “The Second Table of the Law” (commandments 5-10) as an important moral code for everyone to follow.

Standing at Mount Sinai in the year 2000, Pope John Paul II said the truth inscribed on the second table of the law, that one must not take innocent human life, is first inscribed on the human heart as a moral truth that could be known by reason (George Weigel, The End and the Beginning, Pope John Paul II – The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy, p. 355).

The above three pictures depict these Commandments. They are all features of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

5. “Thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
– Exodus 21:23-25

Many look on these phrases as barbaric, when really they prevent barbaric treatment of others and promote just judgments. Here’s how:

First, these penalties were to be ordered by judges, not executed by vengeful people (Exodus 21:22 – “…as the judges determine.”).

Second, the phrases represent lex talionis—the principle of retributive justice or proportionate judgment, or as we say it, “The penalty should equal the crime.” Consider how much we see disproportionate revenge around the world today. A man is killed for looking at someone the wrong way. A family is killed because of one man’s perceived wrong.

Third, as the context shows, settling a wrong can be done by settling for the value of something. Knocking out another’s tooth might just be vengeance—instead we may ask the judges to determine what the tooth was worth and order payment. Knocking out a slave’s tooth or putting out the eye of a slave led to freedom for the slave (Exodus 21:26-27), not to the loss of the slave-owner’s own tooth or eye.

These points understood, lex talionis still has value as a principle of justice today.

6. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
– Leviticus 19:18; 33-34

Jesus said this is “The Second Great Commandment” that follows the command, “Love the Lord your God…” (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus taught that all God’s commands emanate from these two, and without them commandments become burdensome legalisms.

7. “And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
– Leviticus 19:33-34

Israel was to be kind to the “alien living in the land” because she, too, was once an alien nation and her oppression as aliens must be in her memory forever. She was never to become like those who abused her.

“Strangers” bear the likeness of God, just as a country’s citizens do.

How should these verses influence our treatment of the “stranger”?

8. “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” – Leviticus 25:10

Israel’s “Year of Jubilee” (every 50 years) was proclaimed this way—a year of emancipation and freedom and restoration. These words were inscribed on the Liberty Bell long before it was the Liberty Bell. They became words of colonial independence. Later they became anti-slavery words, for liberty must be proclaimed unto all the inhabitants of the land.

9. “The Golden Rule”

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
– Matthew 7:12

The “Golden Rule” didn’t originate with Jesus. It is found far and wide. Jesus taught it too, and his teaching is recorded in the Bible. The Bible is the main source from which the “Golden Rule” spread through Western culture.

10. “The Good Samaritan”

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

“And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

“And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”
– Luke 10:30-35

The moral lesson in the famous story of “The Good Samaritan” is for us to be people of mercy. It is a call to selfless, generous service toward “our neighbor” –the needy who cross our pathway. We often hear someone was a “Good Samaritan.” We even have “Good Samaritan” laws to protect people from liability who in good faith offer urgent assistance to strangers in crisis.

These are my first ten picks. Can you think of other scriptures I should include on this list?

And if the Bible has not been on your reading list, consider adding it. Start with Genesis, the Book of Proverbs and the Gospel of Matthew.

© 2016 Donald P. Shoemaker

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

California’s Senate Bill 1146 has been softened but still ought to be defeated

“Title IX”, part of an education law passed in 1972, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Longstanding federal and state laws and policies exempt religious educational organizations from “Title IX” prohibitions if these prohibitions violate the religious tenets of the organization.

SB-1146 would compromise the religious exemption. The bill in its current form has been diluted of its most obnoxious features. Now it primarily creates meddlesome reporting and disclosure requirements for schools that receive this exemption. It has the potential of creating a state-sponsored “shame list” of these schools. Some religious colleges, once deeply opposed, are willing to support the bill in its current form. But they are wary, and fear what will happen in next year’s legislative session and beyond.

I encourage all readers to review SB-1146. Readers outside California should beware of similar legislation elsewhere. The bill will be voted on in late August in both chambers. If it passes it will go to the governor.
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB1146

In deciding SB-1146, the legislature and governor will help shape what kind of society we want—one encouraging true religious pluralism or one requiring conformity to secular standards that will supplant religious liberty.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

October 23 – Speak in morning worship services (8:00, 9:30, 11:00) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Message: “Time for a Great Reformation” (Nehemiah 13).

Good News from Grace

www.gracesealbeach.org

 

Over 200 children from the church and surrounding community came to VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at Grace Community Church in July.

One feature of the opening session was a special visit from Chief of Police Joe Stilinovich, who challenged the children to be very careful in their use of social media.

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com