08-13-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 13, 2024
Now some people might say that I am getting political with what I’m about to write, but I do not believe I am being political when I talk about a core theological principle that has far-reaching implications. The whole thing about the 10 Commandments in classrooms is, in my opinion, utter nonsense. First, no child has ever been inspired to change his/her ways because of a list of rules hanging from a wall. And to imply, as some have suggested, that the children might feel more trepidation because they are “God’s rules” (as if God is going to strike them dead) is not good Christian or Jewish theology. And even more, the 10 Commandments are entirely rooted in the larger narrative of the Exodus story, specifically the opening words of Exodus 20:1, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…” If that is not part of one’s convictions, then what follows are nothing more than meaningless rules. The 10 Commandments are the human response of gratitude for the Covenantal relationship God has created. 

But what really concerns me is a recent move in one state to require every classroom to have a Bible and for there to be a Bible reading each day. On the surface, this sounds so nice, but the problems are beyond numerous. First, I want to know what version of the Bible they will be using, as that makes a big difference. Then, who will be choosing the passages to be read? Will women teachers be reading from 1st Timothy, where we learn that women should not have authority over men, including teaching? How about the stoning of those who commit adultery? I’m sure there will be children whose parents are divorced because of adultery. Will the children be the ones required to go home and do the stoning? Will they read scriptures where Jesus tells his listeners that to be his followers, they must give away all their possessions? If so, the next school rummage sale is going to be big. Most importantly, who will be doing the interpretation? Even the parable of the Good Samaritan is going to be interpreted by me in a dramatically different way than some of the churches within a mile of Cypress Creek Christian Church.

What happens in the church down the street is completely in the hands of the church down the street. I believe in freedom of religion, but once it enters the public sphere, specifically the public schools, I want to know what scholars will be used for interpreting the passages that are chosen. Will the daily readings be done within the larger context, explaining how a verse out of context is very dangerous? Will qualified people be able to explain to the children the use of humor, metaphor, hyperbole, or the implication of historic context? And those who say, “We are just going to read the Bible and not impose anything upon the children” are the people who should not be choosing what passages are read because they clearly do not understand the capacity of scripture for good or for evil.

To require a Bible in each public classroom and for it to be read each day is clear proof that these folks do not understand the heart of Christianity or its history. At the core of the Christian faith is the rejection that faith can be imposed, forced, compelled, required, or received in a coercive way. We must remember that Christ-centered transformation starts with the loving invitation of Jesus, done completely outside of any religious, political, or corporate goading. People walked away from their jobs to follow Jesus because his loving invitation was compelling. There was no system putting pressure on them overtly or covertly. Yet there is a certain group within Christianity that feels threatened by the growing diversity in our culture and the overall decline in church attendance. It feels as if Christianity’s failure has left some Christians believing the only option is to bring in the government to take ownership of the church’s mission. Sadly, Christian history shows over and over again how this approach fails in the end. Oh sure, when people feel as if they have no choice, attendance might go up. But actual changed hearts are few and far between because the way it is being done completely eclipses the heart of the Gospel—that love is something freely given and freely chosen. Anything with even a hint of coercion is not love. And since God is love, the moment we introduce coercive power is the moment we have excluded the primary component of the Christian faith, God.

Oh yeah, there is that Constitutional problem as well, but I wanted to stay in my lane and give just a few of the many potential concerns from the perspective of a minister.

God, help us! Reintroduce us to the beauty and power of the Gospel, including the humble act of one who loved this world, doing so with full respect of freewill. Amen.