A Call for Apologetics

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Robert Franklin

People like to give me books to read. It is a persistent challenge to prove that as a pastor I neither sit around reading all day, nor do I spend hours every week chasing down the “finer spiritual dimples” of a golf ball. That being said, my friends tend to provide me with books that I either want to read or that I really must read and I find myself reading 10-15 books simultaneously at any given time.

I recently found an interesting juxtaposition of books on my shelf.

Ken Ham’s recent release, Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do to Stop It* is a clarion call for the Christian church to wake up and begin to actually teach her children the Bible or risk losing them to the faith all together. Citing a recent research project that Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.com) commissioned, Ham provides all the harrowing statistics necessary to frighten a concerned Christian parent to action. One of the study’s more disturbing conclusions involved statistical proof that it was actually harmful for a child to attend weekly Bible study (Sunday School) since the Bible is most often presented as stories to the children and never connected to “real life” or “real science” or really anything real. I have long agreed with this contention and believe that we have not, and in many cases are not, educating our children for reality in the church. When “reality” does set in between the ages of 15-29 the Christian individual chooses to leave the church and often even his or her faith. Sometimes never to return.

Karl Keating’s 1988 publication, Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”** is a clarion call for Catholics to wake up and begin to actually learn what the church teaches and to understand why church doctrine is important. I am one of those few who think the schism in the church is a thing to be mourned. I wish there were some way for the “protestant” and “catholic” wings of Christianity to be reconciled for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. I have been to mass enough times to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented at every service.  Even though I am prohibited from taking the Eucharist since I was never confirmed (christened, yes, but we know that’s not enough) I deeply appreciate the cross remaining central to the Catholic gathering of worship.

Keating’s clearly states that those who are, by choice, outside the Catholic faith, are in serious need of [mental] help, especially if they are converted from Catholicism into “fundamentalism.” The book is designed to help the reader distinguish between real fundamentalism and its less offensive, but still apostate cousin, “evangelicalism.”   Once the differentiation is made the work attempts to help the reader to combat common objections to the Catholic faith as it is currently practiced. 

As I read Keating’s book, I became more and more convinced of the prudence of staying out from under the Catholic umbrella. Keating did a great job highlighting the Biblical concerns I would have in becoming Catholic. If there were a draw toward to Rome it was obliterated completely by Keating’s unabashed defense of Marian beliefs in chapter 22. I literally cringed as I read.
Oddly enough, both works call Christians back to their Bibles and back to the discipline of apologetics (a reasoned defense of a belief system). I think this challenge is to be applauded. People of faith have for far too long based their relationship with God upon tradition, received doctrine, popular personalities and programming that addresses felt needs. Both works call Christians to be intelligent people, aware of history and other disciplines of the mind which have been wrongfully expunged from the church.

Perhaps someone will actually listen and the world will be changed, again, by the truth of God’s work, word and presence.

O how blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffer. Instead his delight is in the law of the Lord and in God’s law he immerses himself day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water which bears fruit in every season. His leaf will never whither, for whatever he does will prosper. (Psalm 1.1-3, my translation)

*Ham, Ken. Beemer, Britt. Already Gone: why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, ©2009. ISBN 9780890515297

**Keating, Karly. Catholicism and Fundamentalism: the attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, © 1988. ISBN 0898701775.

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Magnificence

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Robert Franklin

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world… (Psalm 19:1-4, ESV)

I met with a friend for lunch recently. We chatted about a myriad of things, took care of some business and then he surprised me by taking out a list of Scriptures he wanted to read with me. I had my Bible handy and he had brought his and we read aloud selections from the Psalms.

The day we met was one of those particularly stormy days. This summer has seen us cope with consistent rains and below normal temperatures. This week parts of Kentucky were flooded as a result of severe thunderstorm cells. As the thunder rolled above and lightning flashed, I was encouraged by the text of God’s word and challenged by my friend’s thoughtfulness to remember the magnificence of God’s creation.

Having had the privilege of travelling around the world, it is amazement to me that as humans we take our capacity to identify and enjoy natural beauty for granted. In this world full of ideological screamers, the constant and quietly pervasive call of Creation cuts through the din of our self-important claims of superiority. Yes, God placed us as stewards over his creation (a responsibility Christians just now seem to recall). Creation directs us to its Master, who is far greater that we can possibly describe.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21, ESV)

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Missing Out

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Robert Franklin

…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!” (Psalm 81:10b-13, NLT)

The encouragement to “open wide” is most often not associated with pleasant experiences. This phrase is most heard at the doctor’s office or perhaps in the kitchen before we are to receive some nasty tasting medicine.

God’s promise to us is that he will fill our mouths with good things. We don’t trust him, however, and we resolutely stand before him arms crossed and lips firmly shut. Stubborn desires for things we acquire for ourselves wins over the good things God wishes to freely place upon our tongues. We gorge ourselves on our own designs and ideas and then become angry with God when the taste of the outcome is sour.

God’s call to his people is amazingly singular…follow after me. God never promises exemption from life’s difficulties, but he does guarantee riches beyond belief and the personal care and attentions of the Almighty. His people continue to stump around, mouths full of junk when they need simply to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow him (Mark 8.34).

Hear the heart cry of the Holy One of Israel.

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“Good” Isn’t Good Enough

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Robert Franklin
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:1-6, NLT)

I have a passion for children. No, I am not one of those goofy fellows who kids love to hang with because I instantly relate on their level. I will never be a member of the Wiggles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wiggles). I do, however, love to spend time with kids, to study them, to learn from them. Many of the best things I have learned about God have come through the time I spend with children.
 
In Hungry Lice, I spoke about Julia and James. My friend, Diana, and I spent ninety wonderful minutes with them at Wal Mart picking out clothes for the upcoming school year. During our shopping I confirmed that Julia and James are indeed not related. James has been cared for by his “father” since he was 18 months old. James’ biological parents are unknown to James and the man he calls “dad” is most likely a former boyfriend of his “bio-mom.” Dad didn’t clarify exactly how he managed to have James.
 

Dad seems to genuinely care about J & J. He is articulate, well-groomed, but in need of a shower. They all needed showers. Julia and James are well-behaved and don’t seem to be afraid of dad. They are appropriately affectionate. They bear no obvious tell-tale signs of physical or sexual abuse. Dad seems to be as well-informed as any typical male regarding shoe sizes and pant sizes. He speaks with the tone of one who takes his responsibility seriously.

 

Dad bragged that he had been investigated twelve times in the past four years by the children’s services division and was able to keep his kids every time, “They found nothing worth taking the kids.” He is currently technically homeless. He will leave next week for Florida to “hopefully” take a job working in a warehouse. I visited the home where dad’s sister lives and where the children will stay while dad is in Florida. We were not allowed to enter because “they weren’t dressed yet.” It was 10AM and the distinctive blue-green haze of marijuana smoke rolled out of the partially opened front door.

 

I spoke to “dad” about his kids being hungry. He knew it was an issue, but he said they were picky eaters. He said, “At least Julia is a picky eater.” Then he said that he would wait for an hour or so after the kids complained of being hungry so that they would eat whatever he prepared. Then he said that neither of them had grown at all in the last year. I told dad that they were malnourished if they had not grown. I talked to dad about Julia’s eyes, her dull hair, and her lethargy. He said he was doing the best he could.

 

I asked Dad if Julia had been treated for her head lice. He said that he needed to take her to the doctor today, that he would get a special “one-time” lice treatment that would bypass all the combing and shampooing that Rid™ or Nix™ require. Julia coughed: one of those deep rattling coughs that accompany a respiratory infection. I looked at dad, he was unaffected. Diana offered to get Julia some cough medicine. Dad said, “No,” that he was going to take her to the doctor today and would get something there.

 

I talked to dad about his spiritual history. He had a long church background, but had stopped attending years ago. I asked him why he didn’t return. He said he really wasn’t interested, but that he would send the kids “on the bus.” I told him that wasn’t good enough. Cheap church babysitting doesn’t do anyone any good. If he really cared about the spiritual life of his children he had to be present with them. He said that he knew what I said was true, but he was honest enough to not give the slightest indication that he was ready to stop doing whatever seemed right to him at present and to submit his life to the Lordship of Jesus.

 

Later that day, James and Julia showed up at the Boys and Girls Club. James was allowed to stay. Julia was turned away since she had not been treated for her head lice. They were with a woman. Dad was nowhere in sight. The woman was asked about Julia.

She said she was going to take Julia to the doctor today.

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Count Me In: One at a Time

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Robert Franklin

“So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21, NLT)

One of the early tasks we accomplish as children is learning to count to ten. Parents patiently repeat the names assigned to numbers and children practice until they master this basic set of knowledge.

“How old are you?” the adult asks. “I am ‘free'” the child replies while holding up three digits in an attempt to make sure she is understood. I have watched in amusement as children sit on the floor of a play area and recite “1 to 10” while moving the appropriate fingers as a self-reminder and marker of progress.

Fingers are wonderful things. Fingers are just the right tools to grasp and manipulate things, to help us communicate and emphasize our “points” and even to help us remember things we may otherwise have forgot. The index finger is “number one” and the finger upon which to tie “remember” string. The index and middle fingers raised simultaneously are “two” and also the sign of victory. The third finger is “three” when combined with one and two and by itself can indicate much by the wearing of a ring. The fourth finger is assigned the little tasks, but still conveys higher value than the first three. Thank God for thumbs! Five is its number and without it the ability to “hold on” would be nearly undone.

During the next five weeks Main Street will be investigating the “top five” things we believe are essential to being a follower of Jesus. The “number one” thing is worship of the Most High God, this must be our drive. Two is to lead people to a conversion experience with Jesus, this is our direction from Jesus to obey. Third is to teach people toward maturity in Jesus, this must be our destination. Fourth is to serve our community and world in Jesus’ name, this is our Christian duty. The “thumb” of our hand is to be a “sieve people” who together form a “sieve church.” The ability to be a utensil through which God’s resources flow is our distinctive.

It is my prayer that keeping these five basic (even foolish?) things always “at hand” will allow us to be of great use in our Lord’s kingdom: In the present day, and for the future.

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Hungry Lice

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Robert Franklin

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2.15-16)

I am currently in Eastern Tennessee with 54 of my friends.  We are doing all sorts of things: repairing homes, visiting elder-care facilities, working in the Boys and Girls Club.  My assignment is the Boys and Girls Club.

The children we have been working with are delightful, undisciplined and some are very poor.  The club facility is really quite nice and is located in the midst of an old fashioned “Section 8” neighborhood.  The third day we were there I spent about 3o minutes on the front porch doing head checks (why I am qualified to do this is a story for another entry).  Six to nine children had head lice and had to go home.

The most heartbreaking of those who left were “Julia” and “James.”  They live in the same family unit with a single dad although they are not really related.  Julia would show up each morning at 10am so hungry she was lethargic.  I am no medical expert, but she demonstrated all the signs of malnourishment: sallow eyes, dull hair, extremely thin.  Our team started bringing “breakfast food” and making sure she (and others) ate right away and, sure enough, the children brightened up within just a few minutes and were able to join the festivities.

I get to meet “dad” and go shopping with J & J. tomorrow.  We are going to Wal Mart to get some school clothes and maybe some non-perishables for her to sock away so that she is not hungry during the next few days until school starts.

I am praying I get to share Jesus with dad.  He is leaving the children with his drug-addict sister so he can move to Florida and establish residency there (and then call for the children).  I can’t imagine there are too many jobs in Florida…maybe he knows something I don’t.

This summer I have looked into the faces of black children and white children who are hungry through no fault of their own.  It is becoming almost more than I can bear…it is more than I bear. 

I know I cannot change the world or feed all the children, but this thing I do know, I cannot ignore the need presented me, nor seek to stay so far away from the needs of those I may help so that I can bask in the comfort of the goodness I have known all my life.

I will not.

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