Wednesday, December 19, 2012

"The Dictatorship of the 21st-Century American Mind"

It has not even been a week since the shootings at Newtown, CT that resulted in the deaths of twenty elementary school children dead and six adults. However, it seems like we have been dealing with this tragedy all year. Actually, we have...

February 22, 2012 — Five people in Norcross, GA were killed when a man opened fire inside a Korean health spa. Dometic issues are the suspected cause.

February 26, 2012 — One person was killed and twenty more injured when a man opened fire at a Jackson, TN nightblub.

February 27, 2012 — Three Chardon High School students (Ohio) were killed when a fellow classmate shot them.

March 8, 2012 — Two people were killed and seven wounded at a psychiatric hospital in Pittsburgh, by a gunman with two semiautomatic handguns.

March 31, 2012 — A gunman fired upon a crowd of mourners at a North Miami, FL funeral home, killing two people and injuring 12 others.

April 2, 2012 — A 43-year-old former student at Oikos University in Oakland, CA, killed seven people “execution-style.”

April 6, 2012 — In Tulsa, Oklahoma, two white men randomly shot at several black men killing three and wounding two others.

May 29, 2012 — A Seattle, Washington man opened fire in a coffee shop, killing five people and then himself.

July 9, 2012 — At a soccer tournament in Wilmington, DE, three people were killed when multiple gunmen began firing shots, apparently targeting the organizer.

July 20, 2012 — In a Denver suburb, James Holmes entered a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises and opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon killing twelve and wouding fifty-eight.

August 5, 2012 — A former Army veteran and white supremicist killed six people at a Sikh temple outside of Milwaukee before killing himself.

August 14, 2012 — Three people were killed at Texas A&M University when a 35-year-old man went on a shooting rampage.

September 27, 2012 — A 36-year-old man who had just been laid off from Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis entered his former workplace and shot five people to death and wounded three others before killing himself.

October 21, 2012 — A 45-year-old man killed his wife and three others at a spa in Brookfield, Wisconsin, before killing himself.

December 11, 2012 — A 22-year-old randomly killed two people at a mall near Portland, Oregon before killing himself.

December 14, 2012 — One man murdered  twenty-six people at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, including twenty children, before killing himself. Earlier that day, he killed his mother by shooting her in the face.

This is not a blog about "gun control," but rather self-control. While I personally do not understand why any civilian "needs" a semi-automatic rifle with a thirty round clip, I also do not understand why men "need" $100,000 sports cars (Although, I'm guessing Freud would have a theory about it).

We live in a nation of three hundred and ten million people where it is legal to own a variety of weapons. By-and-large, the third of the nation who own firearms are law-abiding citizens who either participate in hunting and sporting activities, or desire more security for themselves and their families. That is why, like the vast majority of Americans, I am not in favor of banning firearms, even though I do not understand the need for most of them. What I am in favor of is self-control. Something that the perpetrators of the murders in the list I gave did not have.

While it is true that if guns are outlawed people will find other ways to kill each other, it is unique to contemporary history the amount of civilians killing others in presumably safe, public places. A careful study of United States history will reveal that apart from times of war, we are living in the most violent time in our nation's history.

I am proposing that what we are seeing in our country is the "dictatorship of the 21st-century American mind." Since the time of our nation's founding, the rugged individualist has been valued, and recently, the post-modern emphasis on personal morality has been promoted. If a person was raised with the philosophy that their truth is the only one that matters, should it be surprising that so many, without provocation, are randomly killing people they do not know? This is what dictators of countries do: kill innocent people in order to increase their power and expand their kingdoms. The dictators of world history have not only gone to war against soldiers, but also civilians. Dictators are bullies with armies; mass murderers are bullies with access to sophisticated weapons that can kill a lot of people quickly.

There is a lot of justification that comes from taking somoene else's life. Usually, it results out of a sense of self-defense/protection, enacting justice, or revenge. Either way, there are standards people use to justify killing another human being. What we are seeing today with mass murderers is that they have processed in their depraved hearts and deranged minds that they are the arbiters of justice and truth. Whatever personal problems, pain or psychosis they are dealing with, they have come to the conclusion they have the right to kill other people because their truth is the final word.

Unfortunately, because mass shootings are happening so frequently we are becoming immune to it. However, this past Friday, December 14th, our national conscious was jolted awake because twenty of the twenty-six victims were ages six and seven. Should this matter? Do those lives count more than the twelve high school students killed at Columbine High School in 1999, or the thirty-two students and faculty at Virginia Tech in 2007? The answer is "no." What makes the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting more shocking is the amount of small children who had no way at all to defend themselves. They were not big enough to fight back,  or mature enough to form a plan to overpower their attacker. They were among the most vulnerable victims of violence (other than those aborted from wombs, but that's another blog) and I believe this may be the tipping point in what our national conscious will allow.

Throughout history, nations have revolted against dictators. Even in our own country, we fought against the oppression of a monarchy, the institution of slavery, and racial segregation. We have sacrificed the lives of our soldiers in foreign countries to free others from the likes of Hitler and Saddam Hussein. All dictators began with being lords of the kingdom of their own minds, and today, that is the battle we must win in order to eliminate more tragedies like this past Friday. It appears that the mind of a generation, who believe they are all that matters, is being lost to the dictatorship of their own minds, and we must defeat this dictator, or we risk losing a lot more lives.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I believe the only battle plan to overcoming this current dictator is doing what the Apostle Paul urged in Romans 12:2: be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means relinquishing control of what we personally believe matters, and give ourselves over to the leadership and authority of King Jesus and his Kingdom. Whether a person is a mass-murderer or a law-abiding citizen, when we decide what is morally right and wrong, we have made ourselves the dictators of our own minds, which will eventually lead to the destruction of our kingdoms.  

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Letter to The Editor

This is my "Letter to The Editor" regarding a story you can access at http://cumberlink.com/news/local/opinions-vary-on-gsa-club-in-big-spring/article_ff43799c-d601-11e1-877d-001a4bcf887a.html. It involves a statement that a member of my church, and good friend, *Rodger Diehl made regarding the allowance of a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Big Spring High School. Hopefully, it will be printed in The Sentinel soon.

*Because of Rodger's health, his statement was read by one of Community's Elders, and Northern High School history teacher, Marc Anderson.

July 25, 2012

To The Editor:

In a board meeting of the Big Spring School District, on July 23, 2012, Penn Township resident and Community Christian Fellowship (Carlisle) member, Rodger Diehl, gave a balanced opinion regarding the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Big Spring High School. As reported by The Sentinel, Diehl’s statement expressed the conviction of the majority of Evangelical Christians against homosexuality, but also stated Christian compassion toward students who make homosexuality their lifestyle choice, and a common-sense understanding that legal precedent allows for the existence of diverse clubs in a public school.
While The Sentinel reported opinions by other area Christians, Diehl’s comments were the most compelling and convincing. Other dissenting opinions to the club’s formation included fellow Christians invoking the ideals and morality of our nation’s “Founding Fathers (the framers and signers of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution).”

Space does not permit a full commentary of the faith of our nation’s founders, but one fact needs to be understood: The majority of them were not Evangelical, or biblical Christians. Most of them were Christian Deists (believing God existed, but not engaged in the world) who were not looking to establish a Christian nation, but a pluralistic society governed by Enlightenment thinking. While we should be appreciative of the contributions of our nation’s founders, to invoke their posthumous authority on all spiritual, cultural and legal matters today is incorrect. However, if we insist to do so in this circumstance, one should only have to look at the First Amendment to understand that our founders desired a nation where diverse opinion was protected in the public conversation.

Rodger Diehl correctly stated the biblical view against homosexuality in his statement to the Big Spring School Board, but also presented a reasonable and rational viewpoint for the situation at hand. Big Spring High School is not a Christian school, but rather a public school where many ideas and opinions about faith and morality exists. If Newville area residents want to ban this club, then they will have to accept the ban on every club, like the Christian Club. Frankly, Big Spring High School, and all high schools, needs the Christian club more than they don’t need the Gay-Straight Alliance.

Sincerely,
Sandy Adams Jr.
Lead Pastor, Community Christian Fellowship
Penn Township Resident/ Big Spring School District Taxpayer
Carlisle, PA 17015


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

"It's All Relative"

This coming Sunday, July 22nd, I'm beginning a six-week series on the prevailing philosophy of our time, Relativism. The series, It's All Relative: Challenges to Truth, will examine Relativism and five common statements that come out of it that challenge the biblical Christian view of absolute truth.

At risk of sounding melodramatic, this may be the most important series I've preached to date. Relativisim not only challenges core beliefs of the Christian faith, but is also responsible for, and reflective of, the lazy approach of most people in our country towards faith, morality, and the search for truth. One could say that Relativism was "made in the U.S.A.," which is ironic (and disturbing), because to many, the United States is considered, or at least was, a "Christian nation."    

I hope this series is embraced by my church, and listened to by many online. However, I'm fearful that some will look at it as a just a series of lectures on philosophy and not grasp the importance of understanding this topic. Therefore, please understand, if you are a Christian who believes in absolute truth, you are in the minority. Also, if you are a parent and are planning on sending (or already sent) your child to a non-Christian college, you should know that this will be the dominant worldview they will be exposed to. 

So, what do you tell your child when they come home and say "truth is determined by each individual"? How will you respond to your co-worker who says, "all religions basically teach the same thing"? What will your answer be to that person you just shared the Gospel with who swats away your impassioned presentation with "what's true for you isn't true for me"? Hopefully, the next six-weeks will give you a better understanding of the challenges we are facing from Relativism, and equip you with responses to statements like, "it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you sincerely believe." Yeah, that one makes my eyes roll too!  

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Thoughts for My Free Will Baptist Friends

Four years ago, I wrote a blog on my MySpace page (remember MySpace?) after Michelle and I spent two days at the National Association of Free Will Baptists (NAFWB) annual convention in Charleston, WV. Michelle and I both grew up in this denomination, were educated at its main college, and were members of it until our late 20's.

This year's annual convention begins tomorrow, July 15th, in Memphis, Tennessee. So, I decided to update my blog from four years ago, and repost it for my FWB's friends to think about.

For some of you, this is the first time you've ever heard of the NAFWB and may wonder who this group is. Here is a little background info:

-Free Will Baptists trace their American roots to the early 18th century in North Carolina and early 19th century in New England.

-In 1935, the National Association of Free Will Baptists was formed.
-The NAFWB is a denomiation of 2,600 churches with around 300,000 in membership in 40 plus states and several foreign countries. 

-The denomination reflects an Arminian view of thelogy as opposed to Calvinism. In short, Arminians believe God has offered salvation to all and humanity can freely choose to accept or reject Christ versus the Calvinist view that God has chosen those who would be saved and cannot resist God's grace.

-The denominational headquarters are in Nashville, TN as well as the main denominational college.

-The denomination reflects a more conservative theology and politics, but is very diverse in its ministry approaches.

-The NAFWB hold a four day convention every year during the third week of July in a different city across the country. This year's is in Memphis, Tennessee.

I grew up in the Free Will Baptist denomination and was a member of it until 2000. I've pastored two Free Will Baptist churches, am a graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College and for three years was on staff at the college. Although, I am not a member of the denomination any longer, I do find myself being interested in its functions and decisions. So, for my friends who are still Free Will Baptists, here are some of my thoughts and suggestions about the NAFWB:

1) Free Will Baptists are very good and kind people. I'm reminded of this when I worship at a FWB church, or attend a convention.

2) The denomination has a committed core, but a very uncommitted membership. There are a lot of pastors, churches and members in the denomination that do not support the denomiational departments and ministries which is limiting the growth and influence of the denomination. For example, I remember in college the statment being made in chapel that out of 2,600 FWB's church, only 800 gave a gift of ANY KIND to the denomination. I'd say that number is still accurate today.

3) The NAFWB needs to change its name. We are living in an increasingly theologically illiterate society and to emphasize a name where most people in America do not even know what the word "Protestant" means should cause Free Will Baptists to consider a shorter, more precise and less confusing name. The basic tenets of Free Will Baptist theology are "Free Will, Free Grace and Free Salvation," so why not consider a name like "The National Association of Free Baptists" (Free Baptists for short)? This shortens the name and emphasizes the main tenets of the denomination's theology and not just one point.


4) FWB's need to reconsider their stance on alcohol for church membership. While the denomination can make statements regarding the dangers of alcoholism and the social ills associated with it, and even require total abstinence for ordained ministers, it is unrealistic and unreasonable to demand people abstain from alcohol to be a member of the denomination. Having now lived in Maryland and Pennsylvania and attended three seminaries, I have come to learn that one can be a committed, evangelical Christian and partake of alcohol. To require total abstinence of alcohol for church membership for most people in the United States would be like asking a North Carolinian to give up sweet tea, and from the size of some of the FWB's pastors I see that's not a bad idea (funny, how drunkenness is always emphasized but gluttony gets overlooked). More importantly, a position requiring total abstinence for everyone is not biblical, no matter how you slice and dice the Scriptures. 

5) The NAFWB needs to adopt a major educational plan. This week in Memphis, delegates to the convention will be voting on a proposal to change the name of Free Will Baptist Bible College to Welch College. While this long-overdue proposal is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. Welch College needs to become a Christian liberal arts university, with a graduate school and seminary operating under its auspices. By the way, I'm not the first to suggest this, and know that several FWB's leaders have expressed it - I'm just adding my support to the idea. To see how this move can dramatically increase the enrollment and influence of a college, check out the similar moves that Eastern University (of the American Baptist denomination) made in the 90's and Y2K.

6) The current leadership and board of the Home Missions Department needs to be replaced ASAP. This arm of the denomination is one of the reasons FWB's are not growing. There is not a clear vision of church planting, nor a competent understanding of how to accomplish it in the 21st century from the men entrusted to run this agency. While there are some home missionaries doing cutting-edge and pioneering work, Home Missions is not producing and preparing enough church planters to contribute to significant church growth to the denomination. For FWB's to continue to exist, the Home Missions Department needs a complete overhaul in philosophy and personnel.

7) Free Will Baptists need to continue to undersand there are a variety of ways to do ministry. Some churches are hymn singing, Southern Gospel churches where the pastors wear suits and ties, while others are rock music playing, hand clapping churches where the pastors wear goatees and flipflops. Which leads to my last observation...

8) A denomination can be united without having uniformity. What is interesting about Free Will Baptists is that in doctrine, they essentially all believe the same thing. They are not as theologically divided as Presbyterians, United Methodists or Episcopalians. In essence, Free Will Baptists agree on the basic tenets of the denomination's theology, but differ on practical areas of ministry. Emphasize the unity and throw out the idea that all churches have to be uniform. Enjoy the diversity of ministry options within the group and encourage one another as you attempt to reach the world for Christ.


From time to time, I am tempted to rejoin the NAFWB and maybe one day I will. While there are times I miss not being in a denomination, I do not miss some of the silliness that goes on between grown-ups who profess the same Lord. I guess that is one of the struggles all Christian have to face, whether they are Free Will Baptists or not.