Our sermon development team went to work about three months back asking non-Christian San Franciscans this question, "Assuming there is a God, and you could ask him one question, what would it be?" Questions poured in. We decided to take the most difficult questions and get gut real.
As i grated through the questions I realized a couple things. First, my questions have drifted away from questions that really matter. I have got all bent out of shape answering the holier-the-thou judgers within, that I forget the weightier task of responding to skeptic sons and wounded daughter without. This led me to think about how mainline denominations and organized Christian groups walk the Jericho road in heated debates, splitting hairs over trite details, condemning the stride and dress, polity and interpretations of the 'other' groups on the road, meanwhile wounded humanity gasps for help. Thank God for the good Samaritans. God, help me, I know I have busied myself with the views and vindictiveness of 'others' when I should be bent over a wounded soul.
The more I juxtaposed my faith with the tough questions of San Francisco the more I realized that faith isnt comprehension--that's what the Jericho Road Elitist would have me think. No, faith is a trust, and yes it requires an accurate and real insight into God and his nature, but its not a test you take than gives you this. Neither is it a creed you sign. Its a view you have. Trusting my wife isn't being able to past a test on who she is, what she likes, and where she comes from. Trust is commitment. Trust takes years. Its been 16 to be exact. Trust goes deeper than skin, more complex than molecules and cells. Trust doesnt happen because I passed a test. Trust is a story. Its a journey. Its happens when she looks at me, that certain way. It happens, when she puts up with me. It happens, over and over. It happens when we disagree, when we are silent, when she is right and I am wrong.
For the next three weeks I want
to help people trust God not to comprehend the vast mysteries. Yes, i want to take their questions seriously. I want to feel the
pain of suffering and then reach over and touch the hand of God. I want
to tackle head on, no holds barred, this subject of faith as it is
mocked by my own questions, bullied by my fears, and wounded by my
sufferings. I want to point to God as he can be seen in Jesus Christ.
I want to discover and unearth his face in the suffering masses, see
his goodness in the beauty of the earth, ponder his genius in the way
of Christianity. And all the while grow more and more in love with
him and help others to love him vis-à-vis their questions,
pains, and indifference.
O by the way, here are the questions that our friends and co-workers were asking: Exclusivity of Jesus--Isn't it arrogant to claim that Jesus is the only way? Don't all religions say the same thing? And isnt religion the cause for so much suffering and death worldwide? Theodicy--If God is good, why is life so bad? Why do bad things happen to good people? You say, God is all powerful, well why dont he do something really good with his power like stop starvation in Africa? Moral Superiority--Why do Christians try to convert everyone. I'm a good person. What more do you want?
Check out the discussion www.imgood.me and www.sflighthouse.com or just come one Sunday, 1337 Sutter St, San Francisco CA. 9:30AM and 11:30AM.
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