The Living Bible

The American Bible Society, in partnership with The Barna Group, annually published a “State of the Bible” report.  While it is easy to be discouraged to learn that almost half (45%) of those polled are “disengaged” with the Bible, there are many positive things to be drawn from the most recent research.  Overall, the percentage of those who are “disengaged” from the Bible has decreased by 9%, from 54%.  More significant is the research that underscores the way the Bible is making a difference in the lives of those who are engaged.

The study identifies a number of a number of ways the way the Bible impacts those who read the scriptures regularly.  Six in 10 U.S. adults (59%) believe the message of the Bible has transformed their lives.  Almost half (49%) report the Bible positively impacts their relational and personal spiritual growth. People who are engaged with the Bible also are more benevolent.  Seventy percent (70%) report giving to charity, with the average annual contribution around $100.  Those who are engaged with the Bible give five times that amount, averaging $500 a year.

While the new study does not break down engagement with the Bible by age, other research by the Barna Group does give us some insights into members of Generation Z, today’s teens.  In response to the statement “The actual word of God should be taken literally word of word” only 22% of the teens polled responded yes.  An additional 34% agreed with the statement “The Bible is the inspired word of God and has not errors, although some verses are meant to be symbolic rather that literal.”  The balance of those polled, about 45%, have a less favorable opinion of the Bible, saying it contains historical errors or even not being inspired by God. 

The same study provides some encouragement when it comes to “Engaged Christian” teens.  Eighty-seven percent (87%) of those “engaged teens” agreed “The Bible is totally accurate in all principles it teaches.  Not surprisingly, 93% of the same teens believe “Faith in Jesus is the only way to God.”  Similarly, 99% agreed “Jesus is the divine Son of God.”

All this says to me is that all Christian, regardless of age, need to be living testimonies to what the Bible teaches.  That especially comes when to the way we treat those who are outside the faith.  We need to be messengers of grace and forgiveness.   We might be the only version of the Bible some people read. 

Easter: All Doubts Aside

Peggy Wehmeyer is a regular contributor to the editorial section of the Dallas Morning News.  My first contact with Peggy Wehmeyer was when she was the religion reporter for the ABC affiliate in Dallas, WFAA.  She went on to fill a similar role for ABC News.  Peggy Wehmeyer is a Christian but she covers religion from various perspectives.  Her column that appeared on this Easter Sunday was titled The Mystery of Faith.  She writes of how she continues to struggle with the question: How do I keep believing this?   She shares conversations that she has had over the years with a psychology professor at Harvard, and journalistic colleagues.  She recalls the number of times she was asked, “Why are you a Christian?” 

She concludes her editorial with the following:

“The 17^th Century scientist Balise Pascal once said, ‘In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.’ 

Easter can be blinding.  Christianity rises and falls on whether it’s true-on whether God supernaturally intervened in human history and raised his son from the dead, or whether the story is just one more religious fable.

So which takes more courage?  This Easter, I want to lay that question to rest.  If I’m wrong, I’ve got little to lose. If I am right, I have everything to gain.”

I appreciate Peggy Wehmeyer’s insights and honesty, but my faith takes me a step further.  I am an Easter person.  As a hospital chaplain I see people’s faith in the Resurrection lived out on a regular basis.  There is no doubt that those who put their faith in Jesus and his Resurrection victory have everything to gain.  I have total confidence in that.   All doubt has been erased.

And it is not just me.  The strongest testimony comes from St. Paul who went from boldly arresting Christians to becoming one of the most influential missionaries of all time.  Paul met the risen Christ face to face.  That moved him to proclaim, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For in Adam all died so in Christ all are made alive.”  (I Corinthians 15:20-22)

We are Easter people and Hallelujah will always be our song.

Woe is Me

As part of my preparations for Holy Week I recently read Matthew 23.  In my Bible the chapter is titled “Seven Woes.”  It might be one of the most daunting chapters of the New Testament as Jesus condemns the actions of the church leaders of His day.  His words are biting and piercing.  No one wants to be labeled a “snake,” much less a “hypocrite.”

I have always felt there were two contexts from which to view these verses.  One is the historical context.  The church in Jesus’ day had become legalistic.  The Scribes and Pharisees controlled the religious and social lives of the Jewish people in the same way the Romans controlled the politics and commerce.  The other context is to reflect on how it applies to the church today.  While many outside the Christian community might not use words like “brood of vipers” to describe us, the word hypocritical is often heard.  I will even confess to thinking of times when I have looked at the church in light to Matthew 23 and nodded my head.  Oh how we have lost our way.

As I contemplated Matthew 23 a third context came into focus.  Maybe I needed to take Jesus’ words to heart and view them personally.  I can tell those around me that “it’s not about me,” but often I do think about the impression I am giving.  I do look for the spotlight sometimes, wondering who is watching.  And as an acknowledged affirmation addict I cherish the praise, instead of point to the cross.  And my actions have not always lived up to my words.  I can add the word “hypocrite” to my resume.  The deeper I get into Matthew 23 the more I am convicted.

I guess that is the point of Lent.  As I read Matthew 23, my sins are exposed.  In the end I find myself at the foot of the cross, acknowledging that my sins and shortcomings have nailed the Savior there. 

“Chief of sinners thought I be, Jesus gave his blood for me.”

 

Teens Taking Nicotine Road

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life.  One of the most unfortunate was the decision to start smoking.  I was probably fourteen years old.  None of my friends smoked but a lot of the kids who I perceived as “cool” did.  I struggled with low self-esteem so I viewed smoking as a way to advance my image.  My dad smoked cigarettes and I found a way to sneak some from the drawer in his dresser.  I continued to smoke throughout high school.  Again, most of my friends did not smoke but it became my identity.  I was the only guy on the track and cross country teams to steal a smoke before practice.  The coach knew it and just shook his head.  Who knows what kind of runner I would have been if I hadn’t broken training. 

When I went off to college I traded my cigarettes for a pipe.  In my mind it made me look sophisticated and astute.  I continued to smoke a pipe during my time in youth ministry.  It became my trademark. I had a collection of pipes and kept them on a rack in my office.  Unfortunately, even in the 80’s smoking was still an acceptable behavior.  I enjoyed smoking a pipe, and never gave a thought to the fact that smoking is an addictive behavior.  The nicotine found in any tobacco is an addictive drug.  I made the decision to quit smoking in the mid 90’s.  Time had changed and there were fewer and fewer place where I could smoke my pipe. 

While smoking is still an issue, the cost of tobacco products and the confirmed health effects have led to an overall decline.  Fewer teens are using tobacco products as well, but now there is a new concern.  The issue is vaping, the use of E-cigarettes.  According to federal government data, 20% of U.S. high schoolers use e-cigarettes.  That has opened the door to a whole new addiction problem.  That has caused the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to label nicotine addiction as an “epidemic” among young people.  This has caught addiction experts off guard.  There are few options to treating nicotine addiction among teens. 

Suddenly, there are a lot of young people and parents looking for treatment and wondering what to do.  The typical replacement therapies like patches and gum are designed for adult use.  They also have not proven effective against e-cigarette dependence.  Complicating matters, parents who are looking for out-patient care for their teens will find their insurance will usually not cover nicotine addiction. 

Being aware of the problem is only the beginning.  Confronting the issue and being open about our experience with tobacco products is a great way to combat the issue and discourage young folks from taking the nicotine road.  

A Tribute to My Mentor

It was thirty-one years ago that I had the call to join the staff at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Dallas.  Barb and I had discussed moving south.  I had turned down one call to Florida and had a couple of other interviews when Holy Cross asked to interview me.  I flew to Dallas and immediately felt comfortable.  The good part of it was the opportunity to focus solely on youth and young adult ministry, probably more important was the atmosphere at Holy Cross.  The senior pastor was Thomas Sorensen and I viewed him as someone I could not only work with but a man who could mentor me. 

I flew back home with a spirit of excitement.  I felt God was calling me to Holy Cross, but there was one major hang-up.  Our oldest son, Peter, was finishing his freshman year at Valley Lutheran High School.  He enjoyed the school but, as an athlete, he really like the basketball program.  We had assured him I would not accept any call without him feeling comfortable.  Pastor Sorensen, a father himself, fully understood and arranged for Barb, Peter and I to spend a weekend in Dallas.  Pastor Sorensen arranged for us to have lunch with Dr. Jerry Brunworth, Headmaster at Lutheran High Dallas.  After the meal we went to visit the school and meet some of the faculty who were on campus, even though it was summer break.  That evening Peter gave us the thumbs up.  A month later we moved to Dallas. 

Being on staff with Pastor Sorensen did not disappoint.  He was a caring pastor and very supportive of my ministry.  At that point I knew my shortcomings and one of them was the gift of compassion.  Pastor Sorensen modeled that.  I often teased him that if I was dying I wanted him at my bedside.  In those situations, nobody could offer prayers for compassion and mercy like Pastor Sorensen. 

Barb, who served as music director, and I both left the staff at Holy Cross when Tom Sorensen retired.  I went on to serve on the faculty at Lutheran High of Dallas and Barb as director of music at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Collyville.  I stayed in touch with Pastor Sorensen.  We had lunch often.  The visits were always the same.  He wanted to hear about my ministry and my family.  We could not part without him praying for our family, especially our three children.  When Peter and Mark were ordained, Pastor Sorensen braved a winter storm to travel to Fort Worth to be part of the service.  Our son Mark, especially talks about his visits with Pastor Sorensen and how much he learned from him.

Pastor Thomas Sorensen died this past Sunday morning.  I was not surprised.  My visit with him two weeks ago deeply saddened me.  Not only had his health decline but dementia had taken its toll.  I had prompted him on who I was and how we had worked together.  When he spoke little made sense.  He listened as I shared a scripture and devotion.  I ended with a prayer and got up to leave.  I stopped my exit when he began to pray.  His prayer was rambling and made little sense, but I am sure God understood because the compassionate voice was still the same.

Well Done, faithful servant.  I will try to live the legacy.