God used The Global Gospel as a tool to help me understand shame and how to deal with it. In the West we do not even see it, but it is there. When Adam and Eve fell, what do they say? "We disobeyed?" "We are guilty?" "We sinned?" or "We were ashamed, so we hid." When the Prodigal's son repents, his words are words of shame -- "I am no longer worthy to be called your son." When Jesus touches the leper, He is showing His power to cleanse the unclean. When He calls the woman bleeding for 12 years a "daughter" He replaces her shame filled unclean identity with His honor. Jesus absorbs our shame and honors us with a new title. He endured the cross, scorning it's shame (Hebrews 12:1-2). Thanks for bringing up this topic!
Jesus absorbs our shame and covers us with His honor. That is what I meant to say. I like that idea of being covered with the honor of Christ because our tendency is to cover ourselves with fig leaves and hide. But Jesus gives a covering that allows us to come out of the darkness.
This shift makes sense to me. (What is doxing?) I observe a general loss of a moral center, or a moral authority. I grew up in Christendom, but our society has steadily shifted away from honoring God or the Scriptures or even the Judeo Christian heritage. Francis Schaffer predicted this in his spot on analysis in a book titled A Christian Manifesto. While growing up, there was a strong and pervasive sense of right and wrong. That fits well with guilt and righteousness or innocence as the main axis upon which to measure one's standing in society. "Am I a good man?" Well, at least better than those fools on Jerry Springer. But now, with a moral center as weak as "Do no harm" and "Seek your own fulfillment and pleasure," it would follow that the axis of Guilt and Innocence would weaken and the axis of honor and shame would strengthen.
A question I would ask then is, "What does it mean to be an honorable person in American society?" "What values does one need to uphold in society in order to be perceived honorably and to avoid shame?" What is the measuring stick?
That was a good catch. I think I meant to say "guilt" but said sin. But no matter. I really like framing it a guilt-forgiveness culture. Previously I had used guilt / righteousness. Do you have any thoughts on atonement theory? It seems to me that Penal substitution fits very well with Guilt/forgivenss, but possibly Christus Victor might be more fitting with a shame honor culture. Do you have thoughts on that?
Ok thanks. I've ordered some of the books suggested and will soon be able to see pp. 53 and 54! Thanks for you thoughts on the Atonement theories as well. I find this very helpful. Again, if you have good resources to recommend on alienation-restoration or humiliation glorification -- I would welcome that. i would like to see how an author works that out.
As pastor of a small church I had this happen all the time. I will attempt to put down my rules.
1. Listen carefully and compassionately. This is a person whom God brought into your life and this is an opportunity to treat them in the name of Jesus. Always pray with them about their situation.
2. I used a three red flag rule to try and weed out the scammers. If they said, "My car is out of gas up the street and I need money for gas." I would ask them to show me the car. If they said, "I am on my way through to ____" I would say, where did you stay last night and call that place for verification. If they could not back up the story, a red flag. In other words, I would engage them enough to figure out if they were lying. If the story did not check out I would ask them why not. I would on occasion say, "I have a three flag rule. Your story did not check out with me. I am responsible for the Lord's money, and only move forward if the story holds up. Sorry. I want to help people and show the compassion of the Lord, but I also need to be responsible."
3. I have a list of agencies in the area and know what they can do. So I refer them there for additional help. This is especially helpful for connecting with shelters. We have a Love in the Name of Christ that screens for scammers.
4. We always had leftovers in the fridge from church potlucks. We kept a small food pantry to pack a few days groceries. Those would be available for meeting hunger needs.
5. If a person resists what you are offering them, they are probably trying to scam. The more they resisted, the less likely I was to help them.
6. If a person or family need was greater than I was comfortable with, then I would act to get them to Sunday, but then they would need to meet the deacons after church to address greater needs. If that didn't work for them, I would try to hold the line that said, "Well, that is how it works for us. So you know where we are." I had to learn to partner with the deacons as much as possible.
7. I kept a sleeping bag on hand, and I could let a person know where some good spots were to spend the night.
8. On occasion I would open up a classroom for an overnight if children were involved.
9. I would sometimes go with a person to purchase gas.
Matt 23:23 is often overlooked. Jesus clearly says, "you should have done the latter (do justice, mercy and faithfulness) without neglecting the former (tithing)" I conclude that Jesus assumed the tithe to be a norm for God's people. Yes he kept the law for us, and frees us of it's obligation and of it's curse. But the law is a clear guide to our living. So tithing ought to be the starting point for the people of God.
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
God used The Global Gospel as a tool to help me understand shame and how to deal with it. In the West we do not even see it, but it is there. When Adam and Eve fell, what do they say? "We disobeyed?" "We are guilty?" "We sinned?" or "We were ashamed, so we hid." When the Prodigal's son repents, his words are words of shame -- "I am no longer worthy to be called your son." When Jesus touches the leper, He is showing His power to cleanse the unclean. When He calls the woman bleeding for 12 years a "daughter" He replaces her shame filled unclean identity with His honor. Jesus absorbs our shame and honors us with a new title. He endured the cross, scorning it's shame (Hebrews 12:1-2). Thanks for bringing up this topic!
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
Please say more about the Christus Victor atonement theory. Thanks.
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
Jesus absorbs our shame and covers us with His honor. That is what I meant to say. I like that idea of being covered with the honor of Christ because our tendency is to cover ourselves with fig leaves and hide. But Jesus gives a covering that allows us to come out of the darkness.
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
This shift makes sense to me. (What is doxing?) I observe a general loss of a moral center, or a moral authority. I grew up in Christendom, but our society has steadily shifted away from honoring God or the Scriptures or even the Judeo Christian heritage. Francis Schaffer predicted this in his spot on analysis in a book titled A Christian Manifesto. While growing up, there was a strong and pervasive sense of right and wrong. That fits well with guilt and righteousness or innocence as the main axis upon which to measure one's standing in society. "Am I a good man?" Well, at least better than those fools on Jerry Springer. But now, with a moral center as weak as "Do no harm" and "Seek your own fulfillment and pleasure," it would follow that the axis of Guilt and Innocence would weaken and the axis of honor and shame would strengthen.
A question I would ask then is, "What does it mean to be an honorable person in American society?" "What values does one need to uphold in society in order to be perceived honorably and to avoid shame?" What is the measuring stick?
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
That was a good catch. I think I meant to say "guilt" but said sin. But no matter. I really like framing it a guilt-forgiveness culture. Previously I had used guilt / righteousness. Do you have any thoughts on atonement theory? It seems to me that Penal substitution fits very well with Guilt/forgivenss, but possibly Christus Victor might be more fitting with a shame honor culture. Do you have thoughts on that?
Posted in: Shame and Honor, Guilt and Righteousness
Ok thanks. I've ordered some of the books suggested and will soon be able to see pp. 53 and 54! Thanks for you thoughts on the Atonement theories as well. I find this very helpful. Again, if you have good resources to recommend on alienation-restoration or humiliation glorification -- I would welcome that. i would like to see how an author works that out.
Posted in: Pastors: Finding a Rhythm in an OffBeat Life
This puts into words very well part of the unique challenge of the pastoral life. Well done!
Posted in: How Does Your Church Handle Cold Calls?
As pastor of a small church I had this happen all the time. I will attempt to put down my rules.
1. Listen carefully and compassionately. This is a person whom God brought into your life and this is an opportunity to treat them in the name of Jesus. Always pray with them about their situation.
2. I used a three red flag rule to try and weed out the scammers. If they said, "My car is out of gas up the street and I need money for gas." I would ask them to show me the car. If they said, "I am on my way through to ____" I would say, where did you stay last night and call that place for verification. If they could not back up the story, a red flag. In other words, I would engage them enough to figure out if they were lying. If the story did not check out I would ask them why not. I would on occasion say, "I have a three flag rule. Your story did not check out with me. I am responsible for the Lord's money, and only move forward if the story holds up. Sorry. I want to help people and show the compassion of the Lord, but I also need to be responsible."
3. I have a list of agencies in the area and know what they can do. So I refer them there for additional help. This is especially helpful for connecting with shelters. We have a Love in the Name of Christ that screens for scammers.
4. We always had leftovers in the fridge from church potlucks. We kept a small food pantry to pack a few days groceries. Those would be available for meeting hunger needs.
5. If a person resists what you are offering them, they are probably trying to scam. The more they resisted, the less likely I was to help them.
6. If a person or family need was greater than I was comfortable with, then I would act to get them to Sunday, but then they would need to meet the deacons after church to address greater needs. If that didn't work for them, I would try to hold the line that said, "Well, that is how it works for us. So you know where we are." I had to learn to partner with the deacons as much as possible.
7. I kept a sleeping bag on hand, and I could let a person know where some good spots were to spend the night.
8. On occasion I would open up a classroom for an overnight if children were involved.
9. I would sometimes go with a person to purchase gas.
I'm eager to hear other's input. Jon Westra
Posted in: The Stewardship Series: How Much Should I Give?
Matt 23:23 is often overlooked. Jesus clearly says, "you should have done the latter (do justice, mercy and faithfulness) without neglecting the former (tithing)" I conclude that Jesus assumed the tithe to be a norm for God's people. Yes he kept the law for us, and frees us of it's obligation and of it's curse. But the law is a clear guide to our living. So tithing ought to be the starting point for the people of God.