“The pastors of America have metamorphosed into a company of shopkeepers and the shops they keep are churches. They are preoccupied with shopkeeper’s concerns-how to keep the customers happy, how to lure customers away from competitors down the street, how to package the goods so that the customers will lay out more money. The marketing strategies of the fast-food franchise occupy the waking minds of these entrepreneurs; while asleep they dream of the kind of success that will get the attention of journalists.” —Eugene Peterson
Peterson’s statement strikes at the root of the modern evangelical church today. Don’t speak on controversial issues. Make sure your social media strategy keeps up with the latest trends. Watch where the “market” is driving the tastes of the most “customers” and shift your marketing strategy in that direction. God help us.
What might look like “market dominance” and “success” in this false narrative for so many of these types of ministries will turn out to be more like cotton candy. Appealing to the eyes and the flesh, and yet truly amounting to just a little bit of colored sugar spun into a frenzy that appeals to children and those who hunger for flash over substance.
Give me a church where men stand before their congregation and open up their Bibles and thunder, “Thus says the Lord.” They aren’t harvesting social media followers or their brand. They aren’t gathering up lieutenants who are loyal to them more than to Jesus. No, these men and the churches they lead are content to be faithful and be forgotten.
These types of men aren’t tending to their shops, strategizing how they can better market to the masses under the guise that they are doing evangelism. These men are more on their knees than on TikTok, more in the Word than on Instagram. Instead of selfies they are selfless. Instead of harvesting followers, they are walking with the Savior in humble obedience.
It’s not flashy. It’s doesn’t draw a crowd. But the world doesn’t need a phenom, or a CEO. We need pastors who will gently lead us to Jesus.
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Ps 1:1–3 (LSB)
I believe that Psalm 1 sits at the beginning of the sacred psalter because it lays before its readers (and singers) a theme that is apparent throughout—that there are two significant influences upon the hearts of man, the influence of the wicked and the godly.
The blessed man or woman has discriminating tastes in what comes into his or her mind and heart. Discernment means that the godly do not give space to the counsels of those who hate God and His word. They don’t travel with them, nor stand and converse, nor will they sit and take counsel together. The blessings of the righteous are not simply that they receive the Word (His law) and meditate upon them. Yes, this is true. But the blessings also include the omission of the poisonous influences of the wicked as well.
This is essential for many modern Christians to consider because we often like to “have our cake and eat it too,” as the saying goes. In an outmoded time and place, Christians used to speak and write about the need for Christians to be “consecrated.” By this, they meant that followers of Christ were to be set apart and declared holy. As unattainable as it might be, perfect purity was still longed for and sought after. I don’t remember when I last heard a sermon on consecration, nor did I hear another Christian reference this seemingly antiquated idea.
Has “consecration” been rightly relegated to the dustbin of concepts we have “grown out of” as modern Christians who fear being called “fundamentalists” more than being called “worldly?” Have we matured to the point when we can have a heaping dose of wicked counsel alongside a large scoop of sound doctrine and be unharmed?
This type of thinking reminds me of a video I recently saw of two boys bailing water out of a sinking boat. One was bailing the water out of the boat, while the other was unintentionally adding water to another part of the little boat. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get the boat to stay afloat.
Let’s be honest. I have heard Christians claim that they can watch filthy things at the movies and on TV and that it doesn’t affect them spiritually. Maybe they are somehow stronger spiritually than most. But Psalm 1 seems to say that the blessed one won’t do that. They won’t sit down with the ones who will mock Christ and learn from them. They won’t walk with the ones who justify sin. And they won’t stand as if one of the unregenerate and converse as if our worlds and eternal destinies are the same—because they aren’t.
I’m not advocating for a legalistic set of rules and acceptable practices for Christians. That’s been done and has failed miserably. But I am saying that some of us need to consider what we permit to influence our thinking and lifestyles. We can’t hope to be totally separated, as the Amish have tried and failed, because that isn’t what Christ has called us to do. We can’t escape the world by isolationism. Instead, we need to be set apart as holy, preferring the company of God and His people and the Word to the company and wisdom of this world. By this, I don’t mean we physically separate or stay apart from interacting with our unbelieving neighbor. We dare not do that for the sake of the gospel and for the influence of this world. However, there is a big difference between engaging with people as Jesus did and engaging in their sinful activities, which Jesus did not do.
I think as we do this, we will see our lives, our families, and our churches grow more spiritually healthy and vibrant, like trees planted by streams of water. And as we grow in spiritual health, the taste of the world’s wisdom will begin to fade away and lose its allure.
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as those, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty about the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1–4, LSB)
In the era in which we live today, clicks and reactions are treasured much more highly than research and truth. This is somewhat understandable for news media outlets that have simply become another moneymaking commodity that is trying hard to overcome the seismic changes that have occurred over the last few decades in how people consume news and media. Although this shift has brought troubling results, my concerns for the Christian Church are in mind.
Whether it is the latest conspiracy theory regarding eschatological predictions, the backstory of a fallen pastor’s sordid sinful life, the latest tell-all blog post or book that reveals the dirty underbelly of evangelicalism, or the bashing of theological beliefs we disagree with using long disproven claims that only garner support from our tribe; all of these have the same root of using half-truths, distortion, innuendos, and sometimes outright lies and deception in the supposed pursuit of what is true, good, and beautiful.
This reality we face as Christians stands in stark contrast to the opening words of Luke’s Gospel. Luke begins his two-volume work by clearly stating that the words that follow were thoroughlyvetted to strengthen the faith of Theophilus and the Church and researched and combat the antagonism and unbelief of those who did not accept their testimony.
The research standards and resources that were present at the time that Luke compiled his account have changed, but ironically, with our expanded ability to do research and our vaunted claims to be more “scientific,” we often fail miserably to meet not only our own modern standards but the ancient standards as well.
Isn’t it interesting that the “throwaway” culture we live in has promoted a throwaway mentality about what we write and what we read/view? We scroll through news articles, comments, posts, and tweets, giving little attention to them because those who wrote them often gave little thought to writing them. And yet, we have all learned that the internet is “forever.” What we wrote on MySpace circa 2005 or on Facebook in 2015 (10 years ago, now!) can be resurrected and returned to haunt us! Those “hot takes” regarding whatever flitted across our minds can be embarrassing and maybe even condemning.
As we enter a new year, I pray that we all think more about what we post, tweet, blog, and record—especially if you claim to be a Christian. And let us always remember that we don’t need to speak to every event or controversy that occurs this year. May our focus on Christ be stronger and our commitment to Him be firmer this year, knowing that it is to Christ alone that we must all one day give an account—including for every word we have written, spoken, and posted.
“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1, LSB)
Over the last couple of days, I have watched as the world ponders what could have been, and what might be.
A former US President and current candidate for the United States Presidency was almost assassinated.
Today, the headlines are swirling around a major tech upheaval as computer systems all over the world are causing problems for airlines, 911 emergency systems, banking, and a host of other issues related to our hyper-networked world.
And if that wasn’t enough, the calls for the current President of the United States to step out of the race due to growing concerns within the Democratic party over his ability to win his race against Donald Trump.
If I may, I want to jump back to the days that the words of Isaiah were written to connect some dots for my Christian readers. King Uzziah’s fall is described in 2 Chronicles 26:16-23. Although this king of Judah had started off well, his latter days were lived in the hous of a leper because he forgot who he was before God. This is a point we all need to watch for in our own lives. Our success is a matter of God’s grace upon us, and we need to watch our own hearts lest we well up with pride, the downfall of so many.
However, a more significant point touched my heart this morning as I meditated on the current events in our world, particularly in the US. The downfall and death of Uzziah must have been a shocking blow to the kingdom. This king, who was undoubtedly loved because of his faithfulness and care for his people, reigned over his kingdom for 52 years, taking the throne at the tender age of 16 (2Chron 26:3). America has never had a president reign in office for anywhere close to that time. The news of how he was stricken by God with leprosy in judgment must have been a severe blow to the nation, and then his eventual death must have brought the whole kingdom into a deep sense of mourning.
But Isaiah 6:1 is a passage that we need to ponder for our days. We could insert our own national calamities…
“In the year that Donald Trump was almost assassinated…”
“In the year that computer systems crashed and left our nation paralyzed…”
“In the year that two planes were flown into the twin towers in New York city…”
“In the year that…”
Who knows what will come tomorrow or next week? It seems like so much is coming quickly that we hardly have any time to breathe. How does the Christian faith deal with such chaotic times? Let’s read the rest of Isaiah 6:1: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple.“
While the kingdom of Judah was reeling in national grief and possibly confusion and fear for what would happen next, we read that the Lord God was sitting upon His throne, exalted. How does the Christian faith deal with an assassination attempt, a tech meltdown, a coup, war, a terrorist attack, or any other tragedy and upheaval that might come? We look to the heavens and recognize that our God is still in control and that He never lost it.
I am praying for America–for our current President, Vice President, and every other elected official. I am also praying for the many candidates who are running for office, including former President Donald Trump. I’m not simply praying for healing and protection for Donald Trump, but I recognize that all men will die one day in some manner. I am praying that America will look beyond the red, white, and blue into the heavens above and see that there is a Throne and He who is sitting on it is still in control. No matter what happens here in America or elsewhere on this planet–He knows, and He rules over it all. I pray that our president–whoever he is, bows his head in humble submission, recognizing that his every breath is given to him as a gift from God, and He alone sustains and removes it.
So, dear Christian friend, don’t fret. God is firmly seated upon His throne. No matter what comes, place your trust–not in men, nations, money, political parties, or any other idol–no, put your trust in Jesus Christ because He alone holds all power and authority.
“And you shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and let you be hungry and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh.” (Deuteronomy 8:2–3, LSB)
Who would choose to be “humbled?” I wouldn’t and apparently Israel didn’t choose this path either, but the Lord God chose it for them as He led the people through the wilderness and forty long years of lessons for the greater good of His people.
The word “humble” can stir up different connotations in people’s minds. You might picture a quiet person, someone who looks down at the floor to avert their eyes away from direct contact. Perhaps they are poorer, and a little ashamed of their status in life. Whatever your picture of humility might be, the word used in Deuteronomy 8:2-3 would better be understood as “humiliated.” The Hebrew verb (‘nh) can refer to one who is “bowed down, afflicted, wretched, emaciated.” Such a person fits with the person who is described above–except the passage above states that it was the Lord who actively brought about this humiliation. It is connected to the testing of Israel for the Lord to know the true condition of their heart as a nation.
There is a lot to unpack here, such as why God, who knows all things, would seek to discover the heart condition of His people. What I want to focus on has to do with the fact that God actively allowed the hardship and difficult conditions of Israel in their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Why would He do that?
During that time, Israel needed to learn some lessons that can only be learned by experience. The people had been in Egypt as slaves for a long time and they had picked up some bad habits and practices. Although God had promised their forefather Abraham that He would save them out of slavery, they had grown accustomed to their situation and dependence upon their captors. Their exposure to the gods of Egypt also apparently had an impact upon them as well since they seemed alarmingly prepared to put pagan gods in the place of their God, as they did with the golden calf incident.
In addition to their longing to return to slavery in Egypt, they had also become proficient in discontentment and complaining. As slaves, we would think that they would be happy to be free, but the biblical record shows that this wasn’t the case. Even as slaves, they felt their lives were easier than they were in their freedom.
To help rid them of these sinful habits and attitudes, the Lord gave put them in a place where they had nothing. No homeland, no farmland, no buildings, no water, no food, no clothes, nothing. When they became hungry, they couldn’t go to the garden, the river, or the market. When they became thirsty, they couldn’t go to the well or the river. They could not plant crops because they constantly were on the move, and the wilderness was inhospitable and waterless. When they cried that it was better in Egypt, this wasn’t an exaggeration.
But the people of Israel needed to have everything taken away so they could be “bowed down, afflicted, wretched, emaciated.” As weak and broken people, they were needy. Even in their slavery, they were a proud people. Don’t believe me? When Jesus told the Jews that the truth would make them free, they answered this way: “They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s seed and have never yet been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, You will become free?’” (John 8:33, LSB). Never been enslaved? They had been enslaved many times! But to the proud people of Israel, their physical captivity did not reflect their outlook.
This was why God needed to humble them. Their hunger and thirst made them dependent in a way that they had not been dependent upon their Egyptian masters. But their Master, the Lord God was using this humiliation for their greater good. When they needed water, He richly supplied it. When they needed food, He gave it to them daily. He did not allow their clothing or shoes to wear out for their entire captivity, and He gave them godly leaders in Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel.
The lessons learned in the wilderness were more than the fact that God supplied their needs. The biggest lesson that they were taught, and one we need to learn as well, is that we need God. Not “need,” like we need wifi internet service. No, “need” like we need oxygen to breathe. We are dependent upon Him moment by moment for everything. And for life, this especially means we need to hear from Him, from “everything that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh.” And if that requires going through some humbling circumstances so He can get our attention, we shouldn’t grumble and complain, but rather we should thank Him for the fact that He cares for us so much that He pursues us even when we have become distracted by so many other things in this world.
Always Reforming 