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The Top Ten Books that Influenced Me Theologically

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Last Minute Lent

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TRACKS: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Foolishness—what’s a good definition? Since this is one of those mornings with a 4:00 AM wake-up call after an evening that finally ended about 11:30 PM, I am tempted to define foolishness as living a life in which every week usually contains two or three days of 4:00 AM wake-up calls. But the pay-off of those early risings is getting to go home early, like today, or spending fewer nights while visiting several different cities. So, I turn to another definition of foolishness—one that either causes me to shake my head in disbelief or chuckle, if not laugh.

Sometime back a friend sent me a news story from a small town in Texas, Mr. Vernon, where Drummond’s Bar had begun construction on a new building aimed at increasing its business. A local Baptist Church started a campaign of petitions and prayers aimed at blocking the new bar from opening. A week before Drummond’s new building was to open, lightning struck the structure and it burned to the ground.

The church people in town felt a little cocky and a whole lot smug about what had happened until the owner of the bar sued the church, claiming the church was ultimately responsible for the fire destroying the building either through direct or indirect actions or other means. Quickly the church denied all responsibility, arguing that there was no connection between the bar’s destruction and the church’s action.

In court, after the judge looked over the paperwork on the case, the bewildered officer of the court commented, “I don’t know how I’m going to decide this, but it appears . . . we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and an entire church congregation that does not!”

Prayer

O God, help us to distinguish between what the apostle Paul meant when he identified us as “fools for Christ” and what we are doing when we behave in a manner that is simply foolish. The former is a consequence of spiritual fidelity and the other is only an indication of personal or congregational stupidity. Grant us the wisdom to know the difference between those two lest we embarrass you as well as ourselves. Amen

Worship Preview: March 28th (Palm Sunday and Covenant Sunday)

The Palm Sunday

Gospel Lesson

Luke 19:28, 36-40

The Covenant Sunday

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 16:13-19

The Sermon Title:

"Complaining and Creating"

The Reaffirmation of the Northminster Church Covenant

TRACKS: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Terrorism was not a word that frequented my vocabulary in the spring of 1995. But on April 19th of that year, in the city in which I am speaking tonight, terrorism thundered its way into our attention and forced itself into our public vocabulary.

I remember the day well. Stunned by the loss of life and property when the Federal Building in Oklahoma City exploded, I received a call from one of our church members—Wayne Bushnell—requesting that I come to his office and, via a video-hookup, offer a prayer for grieving employees of his business in Oklahoma City and Monroe. Friends and relatives were dead or missing.

First reports of the tragedy placed blame on a person of Middle Eastern descent. “A Muslim!” people quickly concluded. As it turned out though, the perpetrator of the terror was an American Christian convinced that he was doing the will of God by attacking our government.

I have been to the memorial site of that tragedy several times during the intervening years. Each time I shudder to think of the causes behind this horrible act—causes that transcend race, religion, skin color, and politics. Terror is a tangible result of irrational anger and religion blasphemed and prostituted to serve deadly purposes.

This current trip involves 5 interviews (television, newspapers, and radio stations) as well as public presentations. Over and over I am listening to people talk about the outbreak of a new plague of irrational anger. Ironically, my speech tonight on distinguishing between civil law and religious morality in handling controversial issues with civility—respect, civil dialogue, and cooperation—must be protected by security forces. A leading Oklahoma State Senator like others on the panel that will respond to my remarks this evening fear for their safety.

If the word “terror” causes you to think immediately of residents of the Middle East or devotees of Islam, please be done with the stereotypes driving that image. Yes, there are terrorists from that part of the world and in that religion. But, terrorism stalks the streets of our cities as well in every part of this country. Radical Christians also play god.

We have a government that is paying close attention to threats from outside us. We best pay better attention to threats among us. As a case in point, witness members on both sides of the aisle on the floor of the United States House of Representatives this past Sunday evening. The anger that is boiling among citizens and that some opportunistic, irresponsible leaders are fueling is an anger that has the potential to erode our democracy and to destroy innocent people. God forbid!

Prayer

O God, calm us down. Douse the flames of our prejudices with spiritual water. Enable us to take a deep breath and think clearly. Fill us with vision of a way toward quieter conversations, honest searches for common ground, and a nation in which liberty and justice prevail for all people in our streets as well as in our songs. Amen.

Worship Preview: March 21st (The 5th Sunday in Lent)

The Scripture Readings

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

John 12:1-8

The Sermon Title: "Casting Stones and Saving Lives/Ranking Sins and Realizing Grace"

The Sermon Preview: In addition to the texts listed above, the sermon will also draw from the other lectionary texts appointed for this Sunday as well as from the narrative in John 8 of the woman whom Jesus saved from stoning.

The Artwork: Rembrandt, "Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery" (1644). The painting shows the moment at which the religious leaders, attempting to outwit Jesus, ask him whether, in accordance with the Torah, she should be stoned to death. Jesus replies "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." The work is an example of Rembrandt's gifts as a colourist. Within the dark interior of the temple, golds, reds, greens and browns glow as they are struck by a strong fall of light. Click on the painting to see a larger version of Rembrandt's work.