The New Adventures of an Old Preacher

Is Christianity about getting it right?

Does one have to correctly know every doctrine of Scripture to be saved and stay saved?

I recently read some older material by a respected Bible professor in a Church of Christ affliated university asserting that this- equating Christianity with getting it right- is the very reason why we have historically produced churches and people bent on arguing and division.

Makes sense. If our approach is centered around our ability to correctly identify all that is right and someone comes to different conclusion on a Bible topic- they must be wrong. And if they are wrong, then they need correcting. Hence the fight is on.

Beyond the core fundamentals of faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, do we all have to believe alike to be Christians?

Is our faith primarily in Christ or in doctrine?

What part do we have to get right to be saved?

I sure have a lot of questions, don’t I? I would welcome your answers as I blog out loud today.  

I live in football country. The Southeastern Conference reigns supreme on the gridiron of our hearts here. My wife is a born and bred Razorback. I root for Ole Miss. (Yes, I do admit it) I am a fan of the NFL. Football is just fun.

But lately I have been thinking it may be more. I see in many a dedication to their football team that- outwardly anyway- seems to be greater then even their commitment to their God. I know that is a strong statement. I realize that I am certainly no judge of hearts. But I also realize what I see.

I see such an amazing passion for the team and the game. I hear all kinds of animated conversations breaking down the last game or anticipating the next. Maybe folks speak this passionately about their relationship with Christ too, but not to me.

I see school colors proudly worn and displayed. (I have an Ole Miss tag on the front of my truck- still) Having “put on” Christ in baptism, do we “wear” his colors as prominently?

I see mass numbers filling up the multi-million dollars shrine/staduims each week. (Terri and I were in Tuscaloosa for the Tide-Hog game last Saturday. Talk about overflowing passion! Folks stood for most of the game. Try that one down at church!) Tens of thousands on Saturdays make the game. How many on Sundays make it to church?

I see the coaches and players being elevated to near idol-like status. (At least while they are winning) Super Bowl Sunday is now for all practical purposes the American holiday even almost outstripping Christmas in importance.

Could it be that we now worship at the foot of the goalposts? I have actually heard more than one person say that this- the football season- is the time of the year for which they live. Are we listening to ourselves?

You shall have no other gods before me.

Jehovah first said that centuries ago when pigskin was still just the flesh on a hog.

Have we now turned it into the idol of America?

Intellectually I do know- at least to some degree- about human suffering and challenges. I think I have a fairly good understanding of the Old Testament book of Job. Now there was one guy who felt the full fury of suffering. We have his example and his story all divinely laid out for us to help us during our tough times.

Humans will suffer and often because of no direct fault of our own. Bad stuff will just happen. We will struggle to come to grips with it and wonder why. Maybe we will even get angry with God and questions will flow. Why? We all want to know why. But one thing that Job teaches is that we may never know why- right now it is beyond our comprehension. We just have to face the struggles- with God. He will help us endure, grow through trouble and come out the better in the end. It worked this way for Job and it will for us. This I all know intellectually. I have read it, studied it and I believe it.

Now for confession time- considering the recent brutal murder of Heather Spencer; disease- expected and unexpected affecting friends and family; finding out about more churches of my acquaintance struggling through hurtful divisions and problems, I still find myself asking why. I find myself doing my best Job- whining a little bit, crying a little and hurting a little bit more.

 I just cannot always understand emotionally the “whys” of it all.

I know I am not the first to wrestle with the problem of human suffering. The struggle to understand this weighty issue has even caused many to stumble right over and away from God. I certainly do not want that to happen to me.

So I go back to Job for help and guidance. I do find some answers there and I also find trust and faith there. To me this is the key. Truly I do not know why, but I know Him who does.

If I had my way all our problems would be eliminated, but I don’t and they won’t. Life will hit me hard again- sooner rather than later. And when that happens I do know that God will be there for me again. He will let me pour out all my emotions and ask all my questions. He will help me once more with a big dose of perspective and never once turn his back on me. He knows I am frail and weak and will be patient with me. He will direct me to my friend Job yet once again. He will once more remind me that I would not understand the why if he told me.

“Trust me, Danny. Trust me.” is what He will say.

Thanks everyone for your many prayers on behalf of the Spencer and Henley families and for me. God’s grace was very much in evident in the heart of these families and in the host of friends who rallied to them.

Heather was very much a bright and radiant young woman. I described her as a light- and over the course of the last two days- her light shinned brightly and touched us all. Over 600 people came to her visitation on Thursday night. On Friday at her funeral it was standing room only. The local television stations in Jackson all paid tribute to her on their evening news broadcasts. Her light has touched that city too.

Her murderer is now charged with a capital offense.

Please continue to pray for her family.

Yesterday in the city of Jackson, MS the life of a beautiful, vibrant, trusting young woman was brutally stolen.  I happen to have known her. I can close my eyes and still see her fully engaged in participating in the fun at Christian camp. I know her family. I have for many years. They are dear friends with whom I have shared many wonderful times. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ. They are now completely crushed.

Yesterday the boyfriend in whom Heather Spencer trusted- even after his previous behavior screamed for her not to-murdered her. Her mother said that Heather just wanted to see the best in him.

Tomorrow I go to Jackson. I am asking God to provide for me the words to say to this precious family at her funeral on Friday.

I solicit your prayers- first, foremost, and enduring for this family- then for me.