Reflections on Kirk Cameron's "Unstoppable."

I had the privilege to view tonight's presentation of Kirk Cameron's recent project Unstoppable.  It was an enjoyable double-date night with another couple and included pizza at one of our favorite restaurants!

We were drawn to the film mostly because I am in the middle of a teaching series right now on Sundays at New Vision Church in which I am addressing the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  In this documentary film, a project that Cameron has called his most personal project yet, we see Kirk, his family, and everyone in the audience struggling with this same question.  He refers to it as a "faith-wrecking" issue, and he is right!



In this film, Cameron, with Bible in hand, shares the story of creation, the fall, and the rest of the story of the Bible.  With God as the main character, the hero, he creatively portrays Adam, Eve, the serpent, Cain and Able.  In many of these scenes, the cinematography is beautiful and artistic.  I am not sure the middle-aged viewers "got" it, but there was a lot of rich imagery.

While telling the biblical story, Cameron also told the story of a teenage boy from Bison, South Dakota, who came to Cameron's camps for  kids, and then died of cancer.  The movie includes powerful scenes from the boy's funeral as the entire town celebrated his life.  I found myself wondering if I am really connecting with this topic as I teach it.  Would I teach differently in the wake of personal tragedy?

The difficulty in addressing this issue of why evil and suffering exist is the task of offering some answer to this complex question in a short amount of time.  As a communicator, you have the pick the angle from which you present the problem and the solution.  In this regard, I think the film struggled to communicate its purpose.  As I reflect, Cameron was not at all attempting to explain why bad things happen.  He was asking one very clear question- but I missed it until I read the byline a few minutes ago on the website.  The question he is really addressing is, "Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?"  This question was very clear as Cameron introduced the film live and on location at Liberty University.  But the focus on that one question was lost in the film (or I just wasn't paying attention).  Had I heard that one question, I would have more easily engaged the film.  In response to the question, "where is God..." Cameron clearly communicated God's purposeful and active work of redeeming humans through Jesus.

Due to the strong public support on this one-night showing, theaters will be offering a second showing on Thursday, October 3rd. Should you go?  Yes.  Be ready for a one-hour documentary narrated by Cameron.  Don't go if you are expecting a Christian movie akin to Courageous or Fireproof.  If you are ready to interact with the story of the Bible, then put on your thinking cap and see the movie.  If you are expecting to find all of the answers to this problem, you will be disappointed.  If you are seeking God in the midst of tragedy, go to the movie and then pray and talk to a Christian mentor or pastor.  And remember, the real question addressed is, "where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?"

God can't intervene? A Review of Harold Kushner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People"

In preparation for my current teaching series at New Vision Church, I read the classic work by the Jewish Rabbi Harold Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  I read it first of all because it has become a modern classic on this difficult subject.  Second, I wanted to read a non-Christian perspective on this issue.

In the end, I really enjoyed it.  Kushner interacts with the Hebrew Scriptures (AKA the Old Testament) well.  He does come from a modernist, naturalist, evolutionary perspective, which influences his assumptions, arguments, and therefore, conclusions. But he does not come from a rationally dis-interested perspective.  Very early in the work, he tells that his work rose from his personal struggles with God as his son battled a terrible disease and died too young.  By sharing his story and his pain, Kushner keeps his readers from treating the subject as mere intellectual debate.

Rabbi Kushner essentially lands at the conclusion that God has chosen not to interfere with the workings of his creation, and thus, cannot, by his own choice, stop bad things from happening to good people.  He writes, "No matter what stories we were taught about Jonah or Daniel in Sunday School, God does not reach down to interrupt the workings of laws of nature to protect the righteous from harm.  This is a second area of our world which causes bad things to happen to good people, and God does not cause it and cannot stop it."  I disagree.  Even without accepting the New Testament, the Hebrew Bible is full of stories, which I believe to be historical, in which God intervenes and interferes with the very "laws" of nature which he created.  We have to be careful to understand what Rabbi Kushner is NOT suggesting.  He is not suggesting that God is somehow limited by the laws of nature.  He stands above them as creator, a fact which Kushner beautifully illustrates and recognizes.  He merely suggests that God chose to limit himself by his own choices.  At the same time, using the adverb cannot when God is the active subject is a bit strong.

Kushner also shares an interesting interpretation of the tree of knowledge of good and evil found in the stories of creation and the fall in Genesis 2 & 3.  Coming from his evolutionary perspective, Kushner sees the tree of knowledge of good and evil as a step in the evolutionary process that made humans greater than animals as they gained a conscience.  In eating the fruit, Kushner argues that they became truly human.  In conclusion, the gaining of conscience included the opportunity for real freedom.  I have the admit that this argument has pushed me to really think.  However, I cannot imagine this as the intended meaning of the story.  It is just too evident that God is unhappy with their choice. Additionally, there is plenty of evidence that they were more than animals and were fully human before eating the fruit.

Coming from this perspective, however, Rabbi Kushner is able to strongly say what many Christian leaders, who would disagree with his other positions, also try to proclaim.  First, he argues against our need (which often sound more like demands) for answers.  He decries the popular assumption that "there is a reason for everything!"  I think he is right when he suggests that sometimes there is simply no reason.  Second, he argues that we should give more attention to what we can do in response to bad things and less attention to figuring out why the bad things happened in the first place.  I agree!

Finally, he argues that we should learn to pray differently.  And here, his thoughts are really good!  He shares an incredible insight into two prayers of Isaac's son Jacob - one as a young man bargaining with God in exchange for protection and blessing, and then one prayer as an older, mature man who has nothing to bargain with.  He writes, "But people who pray for courage, for strength to bear the unbearable, for the grace to remember what they have left instead of what they have lost, very often find their prayers answered.  They discover that they have more strength, more courage than they ever knew themselves to have."

I believe that we should listen to Kushner at this point.  I believe that God can and does interact with his world, interfering regularly in the lives of humans and with the laws of nature.  But I often pray only for miracles or healing (interference).  What if, while praying for healing, we also prayed for strength and for a sense of God's presence?  I believe we would then be better prepared for either response from God.  If he chooses not to heal, then I have strength and a sense of his presence.  If he chooses to heal, I am less likely to forget about him, having gotten what I asked for.

In the end, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a good read with good arguments and good pastoral advice, but it comes from a perspective with which I have significant disagreements.

What Does Church Look Like to an "Outsider"? - a book review of "Jim & Casper Go To Church"

I discovered Jim Henderson in 1998 while discovering this thing called the world wide web.  Navigating the awesomeness of the Yahoo search engine, I discovered Jim's website- one of the few that contained fresh information about evangelism.  I didn't really get it, though.  He was just a bit too far out for me.  What I did understand was the model of church-based evangelism I was reading about in my favorite books written by Rick Warren and Bill Hybels.  Jim was feeling something - probably because of his very close connection with avowed atheists.  Long before missional communities and emergent churches became the fad, Jim was sensing the limits of institutional-based evangelism.  His contribution to the field of evangelism has been to encourage us to truly listen to those who openly disagree with us.

I just finished reading Jim & Casper Go to Church.  In the book, Jim aims to help pastors and church leaders understand how our methods, our words, our programs, our advertising, and especially our weekend worship services are experienced and interpreted by "outsiders."  He uses the term "outsiders" without derision, but simply as a fitting description of someone who does not attend church, has little experience with church or church culture, and who probably does not believe in Jesus.  To attain his goal, Jim connected with Matt Casper, a marketing copywriter and freelance author.  Casper is also an atheist.  When Jim pitched the idea to Casper to visit twelve churches in two months, discussing and writing about their experiences in each place, Casper jumped on it.  The book is an easy read.  Well, that is, if you are a church leader who is okay with tough questions.  Because Casper asks a lot them.  But Jim asked him to do just that.

Throughout the book we read about many of America's most famous evangelical churches.  From Willow Creek and Saddleback, through Mars Hill (Seattle) and a house church, to Lakewood and the Potter's House. To keep it real, they even visited a small Presbyterian church in Chicago and a few other unknown churches.

I enjoyed reading Casper's interpretations of what he experienced.  He really struggled with the glitz and glamour of the mega-churches.  While Jim would push him to consider that some of the "amenities" are necessary (you need acres of parking to handle thousands of people!!!!), Casper's constant questioning really makes us think:  is this really what Jesus wants you all doing?

Near the end, Casper offers some observations that are difficult to deal with:  He noted that in almost all of the churches, the form (format) was the same- gather, sing a few songs, pray, preach a sermon, take an offering, and go home. However, he noted that the function (expression of the church's mission) was all over the board; some churches talked about caring for the poor in their community while others talked about giving in order to get God's blessings, while others talked about reaching the world for Jesus and yet others discussed creating beautiful art.  While church leaders would see that as an expression of diversity within the body of Christ, illustrating how it takes all of us to do all that Christ commanded, Casper saw it as very confusing- as if we are offering mixed messages and we can't get along. That is a difficult one for me.  How do we address that?

As I read the book, I couldn't help but to think that Casper is more an artist than an engineer.  (see my previous blog post)  As such, he enjoyed worship services that were smaller and more intimate, that encouraged more dialog than just listening to a sermon, and displayed activity in the community.

Jim Henderson also offered a few closing observations- or should I say, a few difficult questions to ponder.  Do we give too much attention to our weekend worship services?  We know that it takes much more than just attending a service to fully participate in a local church and in faith in Jesus.  But if the weekend service is what outsiders will see first, are we giving the wrong impression that it is all about music and a preacher?  Finally, he suggests that we really think about how we describe our faith.  Sometimes our confidence comes across as arrogance with no room for questions.  We would be better to say, "I believe..." rather than "I know...."  And I believe that is a good word.
  
By the way, one of the things I appreciate about the book is that Jim Henderson did not try to bash megachurches, nor the church growth movement, nor any particular church tradition.  While he admitted his own biases (positive and negative), he sees the value in each church and even at times defends practices that he doesn't seem to agree with.  I appreciate his objectivity.

Book Review: The Volunteer Revolution

I love to see people thrive in meaningful volunteer ministry roles.  It is so much fun to see electricians discover that they can use their skills not just to earn a living, to further God's purposes by wiring houses and repairing outlets for single parents.  It is equally enjoyable, however, to see see other electricians who prefer to leave their wire strippers at work and use their spare time to do what they love, whether it is teaching toddlers or running a sound system.  This is the thesis of Bill Hybels' book, The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody.

At just under 130 pages, Hybels does not offer a theoretical or scholarly essay of volunteerism, nor does he cover the spiritual gifts in depth.  He does not here offer a training manual for launching a ministry (see his other works for that).  What he does is encourage pastors and lay leaders to further volunteer engagement.

If you are a faithful church member who is longing to make a difference with your time and energy, pick up this book.  You will be inspired to get off the bleachers, put on a Jersey and lace up your shoes.  You will hear the stories of others who got involved.  Maybe you have been faithfully volunteering for years and, for some reason, are wondering if it is time to find a new ministry.  This book will help you to see the hundreds of places to give your time.  This book could be the catalyst you need to discover the new ministry God has for you!

If you are a pastor, this book will inspire you to continue to invest in volunteers (in spite of the fact that they sometimes make your job harder when you think they should be making it easier.)  If you are teaching a series on every-member-ministry, Hybels offers great insights into the Biblical stories you might teach from.

If you are a church leader, or the volunteerism coordinator of a church or non-profit, Hybels offers some very practical help for engaging first-time volunteers, as well as helping seasoned volunteers evaluate and assess their ministry effectiveness.

Joshua: The Original G.I. Joe?

As a young boy in the 1980's, I grew up watching GI Joe defend America from its enemies and Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star.  When Arnold Schwarznegger's Commando played on television, I recorded it and proceeded to wear out the tape through hundreds of viewings.  Cap guns, homemade swords and green plastic army guys filled my toy boxes.  Soldiers were heroes and war was glorious!

Then one of the teenagers who attended our church graduated and joined the military.  During some leave time he was back at home, and while at church one Sunday I grilled him with three hundred questions, trying to get a firsthand account of the glory of war.  Neither his responses nor the look on his face displayed much glory.

In the Bible, the book of Joshua displays more testosterone than any other book of the Bible.  There is war everywhere and God's people almost always win.  I remember reading the entire book when, as a 7th grader, I read through the entire Bible.  After reading all of the laws and regulations of Leviticus and Numbers, and then the repeat of those same laws in Deuteronomy, I was ready for some adventure - and I found it in Joshua.  It was exciting, adventurous and full of adrenaline!  This was the real deal - G.I. Jo(shua), the Real Israelite Hero!  (In fact, for men who think the Bible is a book for sissies, I refer them to Joshua.)

This summer, I have been spending time in the book of Joshua again.  Kick-started by a weekend campout/retreat with a bunch of guys from church in which we studied the first few chapters of the book, I slowly read through the rest of it during my quiet time with God.

I think I have changed, though, from that naive child enthralled by the imagined glory of war.  Joshua has not been fun, nor easy, to read.  I have heard too many firsthand accounts of the horrors of war.  Stories of a scared young man fighting in the Pacific Theater of the second World War.  Lifelong pain and confusion stemming from experiences in Vietnam.  Holding the bullet that ripped through the chest of a friend in Afghanistan.  And these are the stories of survivors - I don't have personal stories of those who didn't come home.  But there are thousands....  Soldiers are still heroes, and I respect them for their bravery and I appreciate the freedom they have defended for me and gained for others.  But war has lost its glory. 

As I read the stories of war in Joshua, I wonder if the Israelite soldiers struggled for the rest of their lives with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, waking up with nightmares, trying to love their wives while fighting back the memories of bloody swords and screaming, dying men.  Or did God wash their memories of the horror since they were doing as he commanded?  I am not sure. (By the way, I do realized that it is difficult to reconcile God's command to war with Jesus' command to love your enemies - but that is a discussion for another day.  For the purpose of this discussion, I am merely taking the story at face value).

I think this is part of the growing process.  While the Bible does present God's truth very objectively, our connection with that truth is influenced by our subjective experiences.  This does not mean that we get to pick and choose our truth, nor are we the final judges of what is true or untrue, but our feelings and questions of God's truth are influenced by our life experiences, relationships, and influences.  And the passage that I used to enjoy I now find very troubling.  And I hope that this is the evidence that God is still shaping and molding me into his glorious ideal.

An Unexpected Drive to General Assembly

Today I drove from Kansas City to Indianapolis to spend some time at our quadrennial denominational meetings.  I was ready for the eight hour solo drive, armed with an iPhone loaded with music, audiobooks, and a podcast teaching series, a 30 ounce frapuccino, M&M's, and the chance to enjoy eight full hours of solitude!  (I can almost see the envious glares even now from my introverted friends).

As I zoomed past the remaining vestiges of Kansas City suburbia, I remembered taking this same drive to the same event eight years ago.  On that occasion, I stopped and gave ride to an aging fellow hitch-hiking his way to an eastern destination.  This was really nothing new for me - I often gave rides to those brave enough to ask.  But in recent years I have taken very few solo drives and haven't had much of an opportunity.

As I remembered that eight year old event, I wondered if I would have the chance again today.  Thirty minutes later, and halfway into a very interesting teaching podcast, I spotted a tall man, wearing shorts and sandals, carrying a heavy backpack, and sporting crazy blond hair, walking on the shoulder of the interstate.  A whisper from God?  Maybe.  I slowed down, pulled onto the shoulder and stopped a ways in front of him.  He nonchalantly walked up to my window and quickly responded to my offer for a ride.  When he heard I was headed to Indianapolis, he was elated!

My friend Shawn, at the truck stop.  I hope you made it to your family!

As we pulled onto the Interstate, Shawn introduced himself and told me he was traveling from California back to his family Pennsylvania.  He couldn't afford the $382 bus ticket, so he hitch-hiked.  Interestingly, one of his chauffeurs out west was also a pastor.  It had been a slow stretch through KC, and hours earlier a police officer had given him a ride through the metro and let him off at a truck stop.  After getting no offers for a ride, he just started walking.  Shawn is a year old than I am, but he has many more stories to tell than I do.  He is a true surfer dude, having worked in surf shops, Starbucks, and for tree trimming services all along the California coast.  He even used the word "gnarly" in a conversation.  He shared his successes and his pains, his beliefs about Jesus, and his view of life.  Along the way, I bought his dinner, and then dropped him off at a truck stop just outside of Indianapolis.  I hope he is riding his way to his aunt's house right now....

Why did I do it?  Shawn needed a ride.  I had a car with an empty seat.  We were both headed east.

I think my life is better and richer because I met Shawn and shared a few hours with him.  We listened to a sermon podcast by Andy Stanley and he seemed to enjoy it.  I tried to encourage him.  I hope he feels like his life is a tad richer because he met me.

Was it safe?  Most people would say, "NO!"   But based on what?  I have researched it and there is just no good evidence that suggests a high rate of violent crime surrounding hitchhikers.  In fact, the only formal study was commissioned by the California Highway Patrol in 1974, in which it was found that hitchhiking was a factor in less than 1% of crimes in the state.  The patrol concluded that reducing hitchhiking would probably not reduce crime.  Did you know that in 2010 there were over 3,000 deaths in which distracted driving was a primary factor?  (in other words, texting while driving, or even answering a call and talking on the phone while driving)  So if you pick up a hitchhiker, you are more likely to kill yourself (and the hitchhiker) by talking on the phone than you are to die at the hands of the hitchhiker.

Sometimes I wonder if we have allowed safety to become an idol, keeping us from doing anything significant with our lives.  I wonder how many times we refuse to do what is best and just outright disobey God because we falsely assume he wouldn't ask us to do anything that is remotely unsafe.  But last time I checked, the old rugged cross was anything but safe.  Should everyone pick up every hitchhiker they see?  No.  Should we be smart about it?  Yes. But maybe we shouldn't immediately dismiss the notion either.  And maybe, just maybe, as we follow Jesus, we should take some risks!

Chore Chart

Our six year old daughter, Olivia, is growing and flourishing, and we are learning this parenting thing as we go!  We recently introduced a chore chart for her with a few daily chores and a few optional chores.  Each chore earns a small amount of money (even at $1 each, we would go broke!)  Then there are the penalty items - those things like leaving a wet towel on the floor - that result in the loss of a few dimes.

As we were researching the idea of a chore chart, we found nothing online!  So we made our own.  And for anyone else who would like to borrow it, here it is!  You can download it here.  It is in a Word document format, so you can modify it for your own use.  Enjoy!

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