Why do Evangelicals need a 700 Club Testimony to make them feel good? This last Thursday, I had someone take me out for lunch only to tell me that I was a man of little faith and was disobedient to God because Ive openly shared publicly about my fears, anxieties and disappointments as a follower of Jesus Christ. In response, I asked them about their theology of lament, brokenness and vulnerability. Regarding my grief, I shared that though I know my dad is in heaven, that I still miss him alot and that everyone grieves differently depending on the relationship and how the person died. I had a great relationship with my dad and he died an awful death, gasping for his final breaths like a man drowning in a lake. Was that event traumatic for me? Yes. Are my fears and anxieties somehow connected with that event? I believe so. Yet do believe in the resurrection of the dead? Of course I do. Yes, its possible to believe in heaven yet grieve. Give me a break. Ironically, this rebuke I received last week arrived one day before my dads birthday on 3-28. He would have been 71. Regarding being a man of faith, all Ive had to hold on to is God and his promises. Furthermore, I believe we are saved by the faithfulness of Jesus, not our faith. Were going to make it because of his scorecard not ours. I believe in an Evangelical Gospel not a Legalistic Humanism. Friends, going through difficult times and struggling is not a sin. Being transparent, authentic and vulnerable is not disobedience nor lacking faith. Read your Bible. Read the Psalms of Lament: 44, 60, 74, 70, 79, 80, 85, 90. Read 2 Corinthians. Read Job. Faith is believing in God and his promises when you have every reason not to (Heb 11:39). The 700 Club Testimony is the testimony where we smile, laugh and say God is good all the time. Friends, though things sometimes work out that way, usually the journey is much more complicated with disappointing setbacks along the way. We need to not only rejoice with those who rejoice but to weep with those who weep. We need to be ok with boasting in our weaknesses so that the power of Christ will dwell in us (2 Cor 12:9). Ive been open and kind to my brother in sharing my perspective above. And Ive forgiven him for his untimely offense. Ive also jotted down my thoughts here to encourage all of us to not throw in the towel when it comes to vulnerability which demands courage. Too many Christians are playacting as it is. If we are going to experience real community, we need to experience real human beings being transparent and vulnerable; and may I add, from ministers in the pulpit too. Give your pastor a break when they try to be real with you. They are only doing this because they know that a culture gets established by whatever we give permission to. KJN
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:30:55 +0000
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