Is there a purpose?

Was there a purpose to the posting for September 27? My wife was somewhat concerned that my posting covered too much ground and then leaves the reader assured of only one thing, “Theology of nuance” is a good name for this place.

The words are precise for a reason.

But the words are subtle, for just as important a reason too. If you don’t have to think about it, then its also easily forgotten or worse yet, just ignored.

You see, my goal is to encourage the Church to consider what makes it unique and special in a surfeit of religions. The world is certainly not short of “religion.” There is a religion on most every street corner, bumpersticker, t-shirt, ball cap, or political ad. Does the world need more religion? I mean just stop reading for a moment and think about this question.

Okay, now that you’ve given that question some thought, we should look at the World for a moment. (You should note that “the World” is different than “the world”. The former are those who are non-believers and the latter are all of humankind, believers and non-believers alike.)

Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time, has recently been snubbed by the CBS News, who had invited him to film a bit for their “Free Speech” segment. CBS News did this because he wanted to make this very point about religions being “bad” for humanity and they thought that it would not be good PR for the new hostess, Katie Couric.

I cannot tell you exactly what his words would have been had they let him speak, however his appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin Zone this week was very enlightening. I found that I actually agreed with much of his thesis. Albeit, Mr. O’Reilly was not too generous with the air time, I believe I was able to understand Mr. Maher quite well. He did not say that Jesus is evil. He did not say that Jesus is a myth. What he said was, I’m paraphrasing,

‘Jesus, as a moral philosopher and teacher, was great. His teachings were noble. So, why aren’t you “Christians” following his example and doing what he did?’

KABOOM!

Yes, Mr. Bill Maher was testifying for Jesus of Nazareth. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying, Mr. Maher is not a disciple of Jesus, but I could not believe what I was hearing. I have far more respect for non-believers who recognize the Lord and acknowledge his angelic nature (if not his genuinely Divine Nature), than believers who give verbal allegiance to Him, yet deny His Lordship in the daily walk.

Bill Maher was making the point, although unintentionally, that for Christians to be unique in an ocean of religions we must be more than a “religion.” We must in fact follow Jesus example as far as it goes. Compromising for “common sense” makes the Church…, well it makes it common.

There it is sweetheart. That was the goal for September 27.

And if you are still wondering about the nuance of the photo at the top of the post, this man knew what it was to be unique in an ocean of homogeneity. For those who have lived in Japan or even visited there you know what I mean. I learned a little proverb in my brief time at Ibaraki Christian College, which describes the Japanese culture all too well; “The nail that stands up gets hammered down.” Ergo, make sure you conform or else prepare for a pounding.

Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa was indeed prepared and he took it, and he took it, and he took it…, for Christ’s sake and the sake of the lost, Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa took it. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”1Peter 5:6 God, who can raise the dead will raise up this “nail” who was pounded down. Please click this link, Jim McGuiggan has a post on his website that conveys the meaning of my posting of September 27.

DSM