Is Everything Meaningless? John's Response to Ecclesiastes (Part 1)

I hope you won't mind if I move on from specific examples of John's deeper meaning. I could go on and on about the subject. I haven't even touched on John’s use of chiasms or the importance of this gospel’s wedding theme. But in this post, I want to begin to address how and why John's deeper meaning is important for the world today.

Almost a year ago I had one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. Surprisingly it came not through an enlightening revelation but through a gradual loss of spiritual sight. Over a period of months the depths of my worldview receded in doubt from the boundless vistas of God’s higher world to the natural world immediately in front of my face. I was blinded to spiritual realities. I regarded the intangible world as the product of my imagination. All reality is physical, I thought. For the first time I began to believe there is no God.

At first I thought this understanding might bring a sense of release. If God does not exist then there is no morality or sin; no Cosmic Kill-Joy riding my back. I’m free to do as I please. But instead there came a sudden sucking nihilism (nothingness). "What purpose is there if there is no God?" What meaning is there if reality is only what I can see? If right and wrong do not exist, what significance is there in living? I’m a man adrift on an endless uncaring ocean with neither motor nor land in sight. Without a Creator/Judge there is no destination, no means of travel, no delight in arriving; all directions are equally void of meaning.

The experience opened my eyes to the present bleakness engulfing the modern world. Like me, mankind no longer sees the horizon for the trees. Everything is defined by the material world. Science has gone beyond the empirical data to argue that all truth is material. They say we owe our existence to evolution (i.e. blind purposeless chance). In Art, where some higher meaning should still prevail, we have blank canvases, spattered paint, and toilet seats hung upon walls. If an artist is questioned as too his art's meaning, he remarks, "That is for individuals to decide.”

Ask the common man on the street if he suffers from a lack of meaning and the answer will probably be no. But it’s not because he’s not aware of the pain. We numb ourselves from the emptiness of living. We gratify the impulsive desires of our flesh. We fill ourselves with drugs, alcohol, sex, television, video games, movies, music; all the temporal entertainment we can find. But still we cannot satisfy our insatiable hunger for meaning.

It’s nothing new. The emptiness related with this naturalistic perspective has continued on down through the ages. “Meaningless, Meaningless all is Meaningless,” the writer of Ecclesiates proclaims.

How to Study the Bible.

Some people have asked me how to get the most out of their Bible study. Here are the essentials.

1. Pick a book and read all of it. Don't get stuck on a single chapter or verse before you've surveyed the horizon. Always work from whole to part and back to whole again. Read it and then Read it again.
2. Take Notes (mental or otherwise). Ask questions. What happens in chapter 1, chapter 2 and so on? Note any patterns, topics and or themes. Write your questions and observations down. You might want to throw out the modern chapter divisions and outline the book yourself.
3. Connect the Dots. Answer your questions with a regard to the whole book. Don't ask, "What does this chapter or verse mean to me? before you've asked, "How does this verse fit into the book?

Matthew's Ending Twist.

Matthew ends his gospel with this...

"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 20:16-20)

Let's compare Matthew's ending with Mark and Luke's.

Mark's gospel ends at verse 16:9, "they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Both the abruptness and the sour image have lead most scholars to conclude that Mark's original ending has been lost.

Luke's gospel on the other hand ends much like Matthew. Jesus opens the mind of the disciples to understand the scriptures, promises the gift of the Holy Spirit and ascends into heaven. Christ's acension is so important to Luke that he again repeats it in Acts 1.

When we compare Matthew and Luke side by side we find that in Luke Jesus leaves the disciples, but in Matthew he doesn't. Instead of describing an ascension Matthew quotes Jesus as saying "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Why dosn't Matthew tell us of Jesus acension?

The fact that Matthew doesn't tell of Jesus' ascenion is even more profound when we understand a little more about Matthew's Gospel. Just before the ending, Jesus instructs his disciples to "Go, Make disciples... Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This is important because a major theme of Matthew's Gospel is the teaching of Jesus. Matthew unlike Mark and Luke is structured around five major blocks of teaching. If you have a red letter edition they are easy to spot.

-Matthew 5:1-7:27
-Matthew 10:5-42
-Matthew 13:3-52
-Matthew 18:2-35
-Matthew 23:1-25:46

Each block of teaching deals with a unique theme or idea. But even more important for our discussion is that fact that each block is bracketed in the same way. In each instance Jesus gathers his disciples to him and when he is finished teaching he departs.

-Matthew 5:1-7:27

1. Disciples Gather (5:1-2) - "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying...
2. Jesus departs (8:1) - "When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him."

-Matthew 10:5-42

1. Disciples Gather (10:1) - "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority..."
2. Jesus departs (11:1) - "When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities."

-Matthew 13:3-52

1. Disciples Gather (13:10) - "And the disciples came and said to Him "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
2. Jesus departs (13:53) - "When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there."

-Matthew 18:2-35

1. Disciples Gather (18:1) - "At that time the disicples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2. Jesus departes (19:1) - "When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan."

-Matthew 23:1-25:46

1. Disciples Gather (23:1) - "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples."
2. Jesus departs (26:1-2) - "When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion."
   

If you have read all these verses you can clearly see a pattern that is established. The final block, however, breaks the mold a bit. Instead of departing or leaving the place where he was teaching, Jesus tells that disciples he is going to be crucified. This declaration must be seen as in fact Jesus' ultimate departure.

What does this then have to do with Matthew 28:16-20? The end of Matthew once again repeats this pattern. Jesus gathers his disciples together (v. 16). Once again he teaches them. But unlike the former teaching blocks, Jesus does not depart. Instead, in an abrubt twist, Jesus promises to be with them "even to the end of the age."

Have you ever heard that silly word game? Someone asks you "what's white, a liquid and comes from a cow? Answer: Milk. Again they ask "what's good to drink with chocalate cake?" Answer: Milk. Again they ask what do babies drink? Answer: Milk. Finally they ask what do cows drink?Answer: Water. If you thought it was Milk then you probably got laughed at. But the principle of this joke works much like the expectations that are built up in Matthew. Just when you thought that Jesus would leave. He stays. Just when you thought Christ would'nt be there for you. He is.

Christ never leaves.

Do I HAVE to Tithe?

The claim that Christians must tithe has weak New Testamental support. Tithing is a good principal. It is not a New Testament command.

Almost all support for Tithing comes from the Old Covenant law. Yet according to the New Coventant we are no longer under the law but grace. Romans and Galatians clearly teach that the law was a steward until the time of Christ. In Christ the mosaic law is set aside. Although we are called to obey the moral code which undergirds the mosaic law, we owe no aligence to law itself. In addition, the New Testament never establishes tithing as part of this moral law.

Only two verses in the New Testament may compel a Christian to tithe: Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 (this is telling since the New Testament teaches so much about giving) Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." "without neglecting the others" has a clear ring to it. You should tithe. But who is the "you"? It certainly isn't beleivers. Jesus is denoncing the hypocracy of those who were required to obey the law, the Pharisees. Jesus says yes you are obeying it but you certainly aren't fulfilling it. With Christ's death, the letter has been fulfilled and the new age of the Spirit has arrived.

Still some argue that the Tithe is part of the New Age because it existed prior to the Old. Abraham, who lived at least four hundred years before the law, tithed to the king of Salem. The argument goes, If the Father of the Faithful tithed without the law should we do no less than he.

Yet the same thing could be said of circumcision. In fact circumcision has more support in the story of Abrahm then tithe. When Abraham tithed he appears to do it freely and without a specified purpose. Circumcision, however, is given by God to Abraham as a sign of the "everlasting covenant" (Genesis 15). In fact the language of Genesis implies that circumcision should be performed on every male who follows Abraham. The Apostles had a hard time when the first Gentiles were converted . Should circumcision be binding for them? God said no (ACTS 10). When the Apostles declared in Acts 15 the things that were binding on gentile believers, the list did not include circumcicion and or tithing.

The tithe like circumcision is a yoke that hinders people from coming to Christ. "Give ten percent," the preacher says while he gets in his limo. "Pay your tithe," the preacher says while he makes plans for a bigger and more expensive auditorium. "Don't rob from God," the preacher says while his Church fails to provide for the needy. I know how non-Christians see the Church. Although Jesus said "the world will hate you" he never gave us permssion to give them an excuse. People aren't dumb. Even athiests give to the Salvation Army because it provides for the needy. If the Church wants money, do what the Lord commands.

The clear instruction of the New Testament is to give. It never says give to the Church. (The offering in Corith is for the needy Jerusalem Christians.) I won't deny the Church is a good place to give, however. The Bible only instructs us to give to those who are in need. True and faultless Religion is to take care of Widows and Orphans, James says. When was the last time you saw a church take care of its Widows and Orphans?

Give because it is right and good to give. Give because God has given to you. DO NOT GIVE OUT OF COMPULSION. If you do, Paul warns us that we will be required to obey the whole law. And The law has never saved anyone.

Plurality: The Solution to our Segregation (Diversity: Part 3)

If you have come with me this far, I hope you will agree that diversity is essential to the Body of Christ and at the present we as the Body are suffering from our uniformity. In this post I want to suggest a solution to our present segregation. What is it going to take to put the Body of Christ together again?

Our lack of uniformity typically arises from the image and perspective of a single head pastor. If a pastor is black the congregation is typically black. If the pastor is white then the congregation is usually white. If a pastor is a vocal conservative or a vocal liberal the congregation will typically refect his views. There are exceptions of course but the principal appears to hold true. A single image and perspective draws a like-minded crowd.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing the pastor of descrimination. As an individual the pastor simpy cannot consistently reflect more than a single perspective. He can only present authentically the views and opinions he holds.

The solution to our segregation then is to open up our pastorates to a variety of perspectives. Instead a single pastor our churches should be lead by a variety of pastors. Why can't churches have a black pastor and a white pastor, a liberal pastor and conservative pastor, a young pastor and old pastor, an intellectural pastor and a goofy pastor? Why shouldn't the leadership reflect the diversity that we desire to see in our congregation?

A pastor who is surrounded by a diversity of co-equal pastors will be more timid in the perspectives he presents. When a pastor is a monarch (single ruler) he may feel free to rule his congregation as a king. Diversity in leadership calls the pastor to account and causes us to rely upon the scriptures rather than our own opinions.

Not only do I beleive this the solution to our present segregation I also believe it is more consistent with the teaching of the New Testament. I encourage you to do a little digging on this subject. Start here for good biblical analysis on the Plurality of Elders.

Where have the Elderly Gone? (Diversity: Part 2)

If you haven't thought about the importance of diversity maybe you haven't felt its absence. Let's face it, if an African American, Indian, or Hispanic individual have never attended your church you probably won't ask where they've gone. But there is a group of people who should shock almost any congregations by their absence. I'm speaking of the generation born prior to World War II.

Where has the "Greatest Generation" gone? I don't know about you but I don't see them in church anymore. I see a lot of aging Baby Boomers, Genereation Xers and Melinnial kids, but the generation born prior to World War II seems surprisingly under represented. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they don't go to church. I'm saying they don't go to my church.

I've talked to quite of a few individuals of my grandmothers generation. I've found that many are attending churches that represent the values and styles of there own generation. They attend churches where people sing hymns, share pot-lucks, listen to long indepth sermons, and are not subject to the constant beat of drums. They are attending churches as they use to be.

I attend a church thats the exact opposite. Its a very modern church. There are no hymn books, instead we project all worship music on two giant screens. We don't have pot-lucks, instead we have coffee bar. Instead of deep indepth sermons, we have drama and videos to capture the decreased attention of the audience. We don't have a senior minister but we do have a childrens pastor, a junior high pastor, and a high school pastor.

Let's face it, the elderly haven't left us, we've left them. We've raced ahead without listening to the wisdom and incite of the generation that has gone before. We've been so self-centered, seeking our own prefrences over that of others. Why arn't we more accomodating? Why don't we sing hymns? Why does our worship always have to sound like a rock concert? Why don't we take the time to listen?

If you have never recognized your church's lack of diversity this is a good place to start. I hope you can see that church is perhaps becoming even less diverse then it was fifty years ago. I hope you can see that diversity is not always about race. We need to show the world that Jesus has broken down the barriers dividing the world. How, you ask? I'm glad you asked. I'll focus on that topic in my next post.

Diversity and the Church (Diversity: Part 1)

A few weeks ago I was subjected to six grulling hours of diversity training. Suprisingly this training wasn't a lesson in inter-racial communication nor was it a pro homosexual appeal. The class focused on generational diversity. Yea, you heard me. Generational Diversity. For six hours, My fellow co-workers and I were payed time and half to play games, watch videos and discuss various situations all in an effort to creat tranquillity among the four generations occupying the workforce today. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a waste of time. I realized that more than the workforce, the Church is in desperte need of diversity.

Once upon a time the local congregation mirrored the diversity within the community. The local "Catholic" or "Orthodox" congregation was comprised of every varity of Christian within a given local. The rich and poor, the free and the slave, the Jew and the Gentile all worshiped together. Diversity wasn't a catch phrase. It was the life of the Church. Christianity followed the words of the Apostle Paul, "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. The Church recognized diversity as it strength. Paul compares the Church to a single body. As a body possess a multitude of parts, each valuable to the whole, so the Church is comprised of many individuals, each essential for the functioning of the Church.

With the advent of the protestant revolution, however, the diverstity within the Church was shattered. Luther's stand against Rome turned the world upside down. Instead of working within this diversity, Luther placed the member (himself/ his conscience) over the Body. Though in one since we can admire Luther's actions, in another we should find them wholly reckless. By placing himself over the body he created the justification for every sort of divorce. When individual needs become more important than the needs of others divorce will inevitably occur. (Thus it's in some sense ironic that England's divorce with the Catholic Church was brought about because of Henry the VIII's desire to divorce his wife.)

Ever since that initial break, the Church has fragmented into a thousand denominations, as well as millions of local churches each catering to the demands of a particular nich market. There are Baptists, Anglicans and Presbryterians churches each with their pet doctrines and practices. There are churches comprised mainly of those in the World War II genereration and there are churches geared more for Generation X. We have black churches and white churches, hispanic churches and asian churches. If you like sports you can find a church that emphasizes sports. If you perfer music or good stroy telling you can find a church that emphasizes these things as well. What ever your preference there is a church for you.

"So what," you might say. They are innocent desires. No. I beleive its much more henious than that. Our natural inclination is to seek comfort and shelter. We don't like having our point of view called to account. So naturally we seek people and institutions that mirror ourselves. We like people who affirm us, people who praise our opinions. So we end up praising and supporting the like-minded beliefs of those around while dispariaging the beliefs of groups outside our own. It's a push-pull system. With one hand we pull those like ourselves towards us and with the other with push the diffrent away.

This may be natural but is right and holy? What if our attitudes and opinions are wrong? What if we are walking the wrong path? Have we made Jesus in our own image? Have we pushed the seeker away? Who will shatter the realm of our security and call us to account? If the people you gather around are just like you, the answer is probably no one.

I encourage you to think about the diversity in your own congregation. What is the nich your church? I'll continue this topic in my next post.