"Don’t Get Cocky!"

This post is an assigned response to Dr. Paul Louis Metzger’s blog post, Unfinished Business, which focuses on the ongoing need to address civil rights, racial reconciliation, and Martin Luther King’s prophetic vision of the “beloved community.”

I remember when the first Star Wars[1] movie was released in 1977. It was in the spring of my 9th-grade year. At that time the special effects were unparalleled— such as the light sabers and famous “jump to light speed” that awed us all, and brought us back to the theater again and again (VCRs and DVDs didn’t exist). Where I lived in Oregon, the theater had entered into a strange agreement to continue showing Star Wars until revenue dropped below a certain point. If memory serves me, it was three years later when the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back (1980), was released and the first movie was still showing at that theater. It was the movie's longest continuous run anywhere. 

The movie was about a community of creatures (from various races and species) fighting for their very survival against the powerful monolithic structures of evil found in the Empire. While Star Wars was not an example of King’s non-violent approach to “beloved community”, the movie’s hero, Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker, was instructed by Masters Obi-wan and Yoda that the dark side of the force took control by giving in to fear, anger, and hatred…leading to “suffering” (e.g., violent and vengeful attacks). The same danger exists for us today in working for social justice that existed for Rev. King, the temptation to give in to hate and fear, to be overcome by the “dark side” that is the native language of a fallen world. 

Do you remember watching Star Wars for the first time and celebrating with Luke after he successfully destroyed one of the TIE fighters that was attacking their spaceship (the Millennium Falcon)? Then Han Solo (Harrison Ford) quickly brought him back to the unfinished business at hand, “Great kid! Don’t get cocky.” It seems that great strides were made back in the day of King and the civil rights movement…but that doesn’t mean the battle is over. There is still too much fear, hate, and suffering. Yet we must not lose the vision of the beloved community, As Dr. Metzger writes,

So, what does the beloved community look like, and what is the unfinished business to which we must attend in light of King’s life and legacy? The beloved community is a community of love and justice and peace and equality that breaks through the chains of racism and classism and abuses of various kinds. Beloved community requires that we connect the dots of those things that destroy beloved community and come together in solidarity to consume those dots and connections, just as King did.

If we are going to connect the dots" we need spiritual wisdom and understanding. This was the Apostle Paul's prayer for the church in Colossae. We need precise and correct knowledge of God's will for society not just for individuals. We need spiritual wisdom from above not the "dark side" (James 3:13-18) if we are to use our knowledge fruitfully. Finally, we need understanding (Greek synesis) which enables us to put the pieces together into a cohesive whole; to treat the causes, not just the symptoms, and to incite thankfulness, not riots.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10)

We live in a world of turmoil and oppression. We see increased racial tension in America,

Created by Jean Jullien in
response to Paris attacks, 2015.

some legitimate conflicts over racism, other incidents are less legitimate and are being pimped to the benefit of one side or the other. Islamic terrorism has been especially vicious in recent months with the most recent being the heinous attacks in Paris on November 13-14, 2015. In this attack, the current death toll is 136, with another 33 wounded. This is not the beloved community. Nor can such a beloved community be established by military force alone. It will take the power of God expressed in sacrificial love.

So what will we do? Will we change who we are at the core of our being? Will we grow weary of trying to understand each other, will we quit looking for ways to work together with others? Will we respond in unkind ways to the unkind or will we be able to stay "on target" with the love of God no matter how much it costs us?

I am prompted to consider that I will need God’s help. Thankfully he not only doesn’t grow weary but he gives power to the faint and powerless (Isaiah 40:28-29). And, strengthened by the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the repeated New Testament command to not grow weary in our mission to do good for others no matter how tough it gets. Here are a few such scriptures…

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:8-10)

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:3-4)

Martin Luther King’s beloved community cannot be fully realized on earth until we who are the church can engage others in light of Jesus’ own voluntary humiliation on our behalf.  As it is written,

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:1-3)

“…for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-5)

As a new installment of the Star Wars movie franchise is scheduled to be released in December, some 38 ½ years after the first one, perhaps it will remind us to not depend upon the successes of the past, nor the methods and power of the world to carry us into the future. Perhaps we will once again band together to build the blessed kingdom of Christ, the beloved community indeed. Perhaps we should start by expressing gratitude to those fighting the good fight of love as Dr. Metzger suggests, "We must show gratitude to the often thankless labors of love of mothers who serve their families so sacrificially, fathering their children, holding down multiple jobs, teaching their children the value of hard work and how to stretch a dollar and stretch a hug to heal a family and a community."

Don’t get cocky! We have unfinished business.

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[1] This first film was later retitled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

The Beauty of Red Cups

Every Christmas, there seems to be at least one retailer who forbids employees to wish customers a “Merry Christmas” or one municipality that removes a manger scene and as a result, bears the brunt of Christians venting a year’s worth of frustration at being marginalized by our post-Christendom culture. This year is no exception.

A normally chilly November has featured a rather heated debate, even a firestorm of resistance to Starbucks’ rollout of their plain red cups for the holidays this year. Many have taken to social media to proclaim their dissatisfaction. I have remarked to several people that this argument is misguided and actually counter-productive to the cause of Christ. I would like to go on record and say that I like the relatively simple yet elegant red cups marking the Christmas season at Starbucks…for several reasons.

I was encouraged to find that the Starbucks news blog post, dated November 1, 2015, shows an astute cultural awareness that is unfortunately lost on many American Christians who think that all cultures should revolve around them, using their language and symbols. The Starbucks cups appear after Halloween and signal the addition of special holiday drinks to their menu. While Starbucks might be trying to spin this conflict in its favor, I sensed a sincerity that needs to be heard. And that is the problem, isn’t it? Frequent readers of my blogs will recognize that this is a regular theme in my writing. Any time we respond without actually listening to the viewpoint of another (no matter which side of the argument we are on) we reveal ourselves to be unwise.

Why Did They Do It?

Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks' vice president of Design & Content is quoted in the post and I want you to be able to read his words for yourself,

Taking a cue from customers who have been doodling designs on cups for years (Starbucks held a contest to support this creativity), this year’s design is another way Starbucks is inviting customers to create their own stories with a red cup that mimics a blank canvas.  

“In the past, we have told stories with our holiday cups designs,” said Fields. “This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.”

In the nearly two decades since the first red Starbucks cup, the company has grown from 1,400 stores in a handful of countries to more than 23,000 stores in 68 markets around the world.

“Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays,” he said. “We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It’s a more open way to usher in the holiday.”

Creating a culture of belonging, inclusion, and diversity is one of the core values of Starbucks, and each year during the holidays the company aims to bring customers an experience that inspires the spirit of the season. Starbucks will continue to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world.[1]

While I have liked the special cups of Christmases past (I happily own some) I love the idea of the cup being a symbolic "canvas" where we can create our own stories in community with others. Past years’ cups have been almost too cluttered with seasonal themes (hope, peace, love, giving) and symbols—trees, snowflakes, ornaments, reindeer, gifts, etc. All are placed there with a marketing connection to increasing sales. None of these things are really outwardly Christian, so it is hard to see this as a credible attack on Christmas by Starbucks. The biggest danger to the western church is not the “bleak midwinter” of Christ-less secularism, but it might just be consumerism. In which case, a simple cup might point us back in the right direction… toward open engagement with others in time spent, stories shared, and all done around an open table.

A Place of Sanctuary

Are our homes a sanctuary?

Are our homes and churches known as places of sanctuary, or are they filled, in turn, with bustling acrimony or bored apathy? Not only am I impressed with the reasoning behind the red cups, but I am also personally convicted when Mr. Fields says, “Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays,” he said. “We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It’s a more open way to usher in the holiday.” As I have written previously (Rethinking “Don’t Talk to Strangers!”), I rarely sit in a Starbucks without speaking to a stranger, making a new friend, working on a sermon, mentoring other Christians, or just enjoying being with family and friends. I see others doing likewise. Why are we the church not more of a “sanctuary”? Why is it that we are rarely described by words like “simplicity” and “quietness”? And for those who consider “holiday” a trigger word, it literally means “holy day” so if we truly considered a day holy how would we treat others on it? I have apologized to the baristas in my local Starbucks because they have to work on Christmas, but they say they love sharing the day with the crew and the people who come in are happier than normal.

Back to the Red Cups.

What does red mean? Is it not rife with biblical symbolism? Certainly, it reminds me of the “blood of Christ” that was shed on a Roman cross to wash away our sins. But perhaps more seasonally appropriate, red is the color of humanity for Adam was made from the red dust of the ground. It is at Christmas that God the Son left the culture of heaven behind to become fully human so that he might redeem us, become the perfect advocate for us, and set us free from our slavery to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-18). If we are going to engage the world like Jesus did, we will have to start with humbling ourselves, not grasping or demanding (Philippians 2:1-11).

I don’t agree with everything Starbucks does nor with all the values that they profess…like when they spell my name wrong. Yes, coffee drinks are often too expensive, though I usually drink the less expensive iced coffee. Having said that, Starbucks has been a blessing to the church as a “third space” in the community to talk, listen, laugh, study, and share with believers and those who don’t—even without reindeer on their cups.

Finally, I don’t need to fib about my name to force baristas to write "Merry Christmas" on my cup and then have to call out “Merry Christmas, your tall non-fat iced coffee with mocha is ready!” I am more interested in talking to them while they take my order and make my coffee…treating them as fully human and even as friends. So hopefully, when I wish them a "Merry Christmas!", and I will, they will believe I mean it and agree that it has been merry indeed.

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[1] Pasted from https://news.starbucks.com/news/the-story-behind-the-design-of-starbucks-red-holiday-cups-for-2015

Fighting Fire With Fire

This post is an assigned response to Paul Louis Metzger’s post, Fire Fighting and Religious Conflicts

I am intrigued by the use of this firefighting metaphor in the context of religious conflicts. With four young men in my family pursuing a career in firefighting I can relate to the metaphor. Are we ignoring the burning tree in the room? [All fire photos used in this post were provided by my fireman brother, Steven Dueker]

Dr. Metzger is not using “conflict” in the sense of violent outbreaks but in the sense of identifying and addressing real points of disagreement between religions. While we can find areas of mutual concern between major religious groups, at their roots they are very different. When we take time to consider it, we realize that it takes conflict on the cellular level just to stay alive. The immune system depends on the right balance of conflict within the body to remain healthy. A forest is much the same.

Just one tree?

A healthy forest can usually survive natural lightning-started fires. The problem comes when the forest is not healthy. Summer heat and extended periods of drought can produce tinder-dry fuels. Insects can damage or kill large swaths of forest and ironically fire can be a natural way of controlling the damage and promoting new growth.

Smoke over  Fire-camp in Washington

Recently when commenting on a classmate’s writing on this subject, I agreed with her first paragraph, “Fighting fires is hard exhausting work…So it is when speaking with someone who disagrees with you on religious issues. It can be exhausting, hard work before we reach a resolution.” While I am not a fireman, I am a pastor and have fought a lot of relational fires over the years. It is hard and often frustrating work. Sometimes such fires, like those in heavy timber, will not be extinguished until the winter rains come.

Setting a Backfire

While compromise is not a satisfactory answer in discussing religious differences, we should not grow rigid and defensive at sincere questions and doubts, but welcome them, listening deeply before we answer. Often such discussions, which Dr. Metzger calls “conflicts”, are a natural way of cleaning out the brushwood and undergrowth of man-made ideas and non-essential practices on both sides of the table. If so, then the fire lines cut can be beneficial to overall relational health and religious understanding. If there is a problem with their reasoning then carefully setting the backfires of logical questions can be effective in slowing the spread of wildfire. In any event, earnest listening and active loving-kindness make an effective relational fire retardant.

I must confess to being a little hesitant to stir up conflict through aggressive over-engagement. I once had a professor whose approach to teaching a marriage enrichment course was to provoke couples to fight over various topics (even where there were no differences to work through) because “what didn’t kill you made you stronger.” Such an approach is foolishness. My experience reminds me that we need to be careful to balance properly our communication (10 positive comments to each negative or critical remark) or like the Santa Ana winds in Southern California, it will make the relational forest dangerously dry and susceptible to combustion. However, on the other hand, we should not withdraw and under-engage assuming that the quiet and the calm means we are in agreement—because it doesn’t. 

The Bible teaches that while followers of Jesus need not run from such relational and multi-faith “conflicts” we are not to be quarrelsome. St. Paul made this clear by writing to the young pastor Timothy “not to quarrel about words” (2 Tim. 2:14); and again, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” (2 Tim. 2:23-25a)

While it is true that there is a season for everything, including “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7), we would do well to follow St. Paul’s guidelines for those times when we should speak. For, as James, the brother of Jesus wrote,

“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6) 

If our tongue is not controlled by the cool fire of the Spirit of God, then we may blacken more than a meal with our inflammatory words.

As I write this I am reminded that 30 years ago this week, I wrote the following poem that still fits this subject very well. I have resisted the urge to edit and revise in order to preserve its “Greg’s early works” vibe!

Conflict, Growth & Perspective

Conflict

Norm of the day.

Key to strength

Or, to death.

It keeps the living alive

Causes the rest to die.

Growth,

Birthed only of conflict.

Subject also to the curse;

`Thou shalt have pain,

In Childbirth!'

Growth,

It is painful

Indeed.

Christians struggle

Toward Jesus

Unto life,

Then sacrifice their gain

For the world,

That some might be saved.

Those of the world

Struggle Into self

Or,

In moments of platonic thought,

Each other,

Only to die in the grinding collision.

© 1985 Greg K. Dueker