UM Nexus - Blaming Our Ugliness On God (Again)

I previous commented on an article called "Blaming Our Ugliness On God". I was unable to provide a link to that article because the magazine that published it had it in a members only section. This week the article was reprinted in another publication and is now available online. You can read it in the UM Nexus.

Previously I used the article to illustrate a few points about a United Methodist Church. The following examines the complete article: Blaming Our Ugliness on God by Scott Campbell.

=========================

"Do not conform any longer to to the pattern of this world [our culture], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2

Mr. Campbell discusses the fact that Scripture was used to support evil such as apartheid in South Africa and slavery in American, and rightly condemns that practice. Historically both apartheid and slavery in America were cultural practices (things that people desired to do) that were then justified through the faulty use of Scripture. In both of these examples culture was used to give meaning to Scripture. This is called isogesis, which is reading into the text the meaning we desire the text to have.

With isogesis we put our human wisdom above the authority of God, and that is wrong.

"There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is death." - Proverbs 14:12

Mr. Campbell then later states, "It is curious however, how quickly such ironclad injunctions [Scripture as the source of knowledge] seem to lose their power when culture leaves religious law behind..."

He now calls for our understanding of what Scripture means, as expressed in church law and creeds, to be guided by our culture, the very thing he previously condemns.

Church law, doctrine and creeds can be flawed should they in any way contradict Scripture. After all they are created by fallen people. However, when in agreement with Scripture they provide a tool that summarizes Scripture so that it may easily be remembered and applied in our everyday lives. Mr. Campbell presents no evidence that the church law, doctrine and creeds he refers to in any way contradict Scripture.

The main point of Mr. Campbell's commentary is that certain classes of people should not be disqualified from ministry. He then proceeds to misrepresent Scripture and the practices of conservative churches.

For example, he implies that conservative churches exclude women from ministry. He has apparently never spoken to leaders of conservative churches. Conservative churches do not exclude women from ministry and in no place does the Bible say that women are to be excluded from ministry. Although Mr. Campbell does not provide Scriptural references, I assume he is referring to 1 Timothy 2:12, which states: "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man..."

Based on the context, the Biblical prohibition given here is that a woman can not be in authority over a man concerning spiritual matters. Paul provides Scriptural support for this based in Genesis chapter three.

This does not exclude women from ministry. It does mean a woman may not pastor a church that has men in it, as the pastor is in spiritual authority over the congregation. However, there are hundreds of other ministries women may be a part of and lead. For example, if a woman feels called to the pastorate, she should lead a church that specifically and exclusively serves women and children. Women are Biblically involved in missions, as worship leaders, in social ministries, teaching other women, church administration and any ministry that does not place her in a position of spiritual authority over a man.

Mr. Campbell claims conservatives are hypocritical in their interpretation of the Bible because they do not enforce a literal injunction against women speaking in church. I assume he is referring to 1 Corinthians 14:34. However, when read in its context, this verse refers to people who are being disruptive in church. The actual injunction is against speaking out so as to interrupt a church service in a disruptive manner. The Bible does not prohibit women from speaking in church. In fact this same chapter Paul encourages everyone, including women, to speak in tongues and to prophecy in church, both of which involve speaking in church.

Mr. Campbell brings up the issue of sexual orientation and serving God. The real issue here concerns whether or not someone is a Christian. Before we are saved, before someone becomes a Christian, we are an enemies of God (Romans 5:10). An enemy of God can not serve God... not because they are prohibited from serving God, but because it is impossible for an enemy of God to serve God. Why is that? It is rooted in who we are and what makes a person a Christian.

Who are we? We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We God's image bearers. Through the church we represent who God is to the universe (Ephesians 3:10).

Who is a Christian? Someone who has repented and is trusting in Jesus Christ for their salvation (Mark 1:15)

Is someone who believes in Jesus Christ a Christian? Not necessarily. Even demons believe in God and shutter. (James 2:19)

Is someone who calls Jesus Christ Lord a Christian? Not necessarily. Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21)

To be a Christian we must repent, which means to turn away from sin (turn away from disobeying God), and we must trust that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sin. This does not mean we stop sinning. It does mean we resist sinning; that although we may fall into sin, we no longer willfully dive into sin. Whether your willful sin involves a sexual sin, or another type of sin, until that sin is addressed and repentance is seen, you are not qualified for ministry nor will you enter the kingdom of heaven. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)

What is offensive to God is sin. It is so offensive that it keeps us totally and completely separated from God. Nothing can overcome our sin except Jesus Christ. Only by turning away from sin (repentance) and toward Jesus Christ can we escape the consequences of sin.

When we embrace sin, as God's image bearers we are representing God as embracing sin. That is the ultimate evil. That is why sin is so offensive to God.

What about love? The Bible equates love and obedience to God as being one and the same thing (see John chapter 14). Biblical love is an action, and that action is obedience to God. If we love the worldly system, love our culture and human wisdom, then the love of God is not in us (1 John 2:15). But if we are living to obey God, striving to obey all of God's commandments not just those we choose to obey, then we have love in us (1 John 2:3-6)

Love is conforming ourselves to the character of God. God's laws show us the character of God. If we do not desire to be conformed to the character of God, we are not loving God. As His image bearers, if we do not desire to be conformed to the character of God, we are misrepresenting God, making us enemies of God and unable to serve God.

---