Invisible Fruit

Is it appropriate to ask someone how their faith is doing? Or to ask someone how someone else's faith is doing? I'm not even sure how to answer when I am asked these questions; "Well, on a scale of 1 to 10 I'd put young Sally at about a 2 1/2, while Fred over there is a solid 7."

I'm not sure if I really get it. I was brought up to believe that only God can see a man's heart, so we must go by what a he confesses. After all, no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3b). Faith is to bear fruit. I think fruit includes confession. We discern from what is spoken (see Matt. 15:18-19) or confessed, and what is done (see James 2). If a person claims to be a Christian but insists on speaking and living in a way that brings shame to himself and the Church, aren't we right to question the state of that person's faith? After all, how could church discipline be practiced if such judgements could not be made?

And yet it can be a very dangerous thing to judge another sinner with our imperfect judgement (see Matt. 7:1-5). Keep in mind that one does not go from being a babe to a mighty warrior in the Faith overnight. And even mighty warriors are capable of terrible sins.

But look at it from the flip side; haven't we all known Christians whom we admired for their bold and steadfast faith? What was it that triggered that admiration? Perhaps it was something they said or how they behaved (i.e., their works) during a particular situation or trial. Or perhaps their faith became apparent to you over time as you witnessed how they lived their lives in humble service to Christ and His Church. However it happened, I'm quite certain you didn't just sense a vibe. Their faith was shown to you in some way.

I don't think that asking someone how their faith or the faith of someone close to them is will be a part of my regular conversation starters any time soon. But encountering people who do make such queries has made me consider the role of works in the Christian life. Deep down, I do expect more from someone who calls himself a Christian. It has no bearing on their justification; that's not the issue here. But if one can't, or even shouldn't, take note of the works in a Christian's life, then we might as well grow trees that bear invisible fruit (cf. Matt. 7:15-20).

Latin is Cool

Did you know that the Latin word "liber" means both "free" and "book"? They are pronounced slightly differently ("lih-bear" for book; "lee-bear" for free). Despite the pronunciation difference, I can't get past the idea that the identical spelling is no coincidence.

In ancient times, free men were educated men. They received a classical, or "liberal" education. Being educated meant, among other things, that you could read a book. There is a freedom, a liber-ty, in being able to pick up a book and learn.

Today I hear about people reading in order to escape troubled circumstances in life. Libraries (see the "liber" there?) invite children to step into new worlds through reading. Poor, underprivileged students can "hit the books," work hard, and better their lives. These are all types of freedom.

In order to maintain freedom, a people must not neglect education. Books are portals to new realms, and education unlocks the doors. If children don't learn to read, they will inevitably be uneducated as adults, burdened with quite a handicap. But what about kids who learn to read, but don't learn to love to read? It's disturbing when people admit they never take time to read books. Freedom is linked to education.

Consider, also, the 1,000+ pages long bills rushed through the legislature which many members of Congress don't read entirely before voting on. The bills aren't read, and our freedom is chipped away.

The Romans were no dummies. The Latin words for "free" and "book" are intimately related, and we should take note of that today. Turn off the TV for a while, and pick up a book.

Tea Party Protest

In the American spirit of liberty and free speech, Brody and I spent some time at the court house today protesting big government, tax hikes, socialism, fascism, stupidism, and plenty of other "isms." I had never been to something like that before. It was interesting talking to the people there, listening to the speakers, holding signs, and passing out literature. Just a bunch of good, old-fashioned, southern Missouri folk wanting to be heard.

After listening to a few speakers, I went to find some shade while Brody passed out some Campaign for Liberty flyers (yes, we are now Ron Paul supporters - who'd a thunk it?). The next thing I heard was, "Ok, our next speaker is Brody Smith..." Wait, what? Did he mean my husband??

Sure enough, Brody had the microphone, and surrounded by maybe 75 or 100 people, he said a few words about the government being for and by big financial institutions, their unfettered ability to print trillions of dollars, and how that steals money from our pockets. I was proud of him. :)

Now that I'm feeling all patriotic, an exhortation: please contact your U.S. representatives and tell them to vote NO on universal healthcare, NO on cap-and-trade, and YES on auditing the federal reserve bank. God bless America!

Thoughts on Christian Education

***WARNING: RIDICULOUSLY LONG POST AHEAD***

Lately I have been wrestling with the implications of certain Christian theologies for education. I consider myself a staunch orthodox Lutheran, but I work at a non-denominational classical Christian school with heavy Reformed influence. I commend their commitment to Christian education (reflections on the "classical" aspect are for another post). But I question their line of argumentation it in favor of pulling kids out of public schools and sending them to private Christian schools or homeschooling.

They begin with the premise that Christian parents have an obligation to provide their children with a Christian upbringing, which would include a Christian education. Agreed. Not many Christians would argue with that one.

Next they point out the anti-Christian nature of the public school system (conceding that there are, in fact, committed Christian teachers in the public school setting) as well as its declining academic quality. Ok, no problem there.

Christians therefore need viable, academically rigorous alternatives for their children. Indeed!

The next step is often to point out how Christian children who receive a Christian education will grow into adults who influence the world by "taking dominion" of creation. Now I'm starting to get uncomfortable, but I'm still listening.

They say Christians are to "transform the world through the power of the Spirit."* This seems to stand in opposition to the Lutheran understanding of the two realms, the same understanding which some Reformed actually "blame for the rapid secularization of the West."* I am now on the alert for a path of escape.

Finally, some Christian education proponents argue, "if Christians remain faithful in influencing their world with the gospel, actions of the ungodly will be eliminated."* What?! No more sin? Does this mean Christian education will lead to Heaven on earth? As appealing as that sounds, I need to find the exit! (And no, the eschatalogical influence here has not escaped me.)

*Note: I'm leaving the sources for these quotes unnamed, but I will provide them privately upon request.

Analysis:

I realize that not all Reformed follow this admittedly simplified line of reasoning. I also know that not all who argue in this fashion would label themselves as Reformed or be accepted by others who call themselves such. My point is that the argument taken as a whole would likely not be adopted by an orthodox Lutheran, at least, not this orthodox Lutheran. We have therefore moved beyond "mere Christianity" into terrain that divides Christians. If we are divided, then the secularists have won.

It has been hard for me to put my finger on the fundamental differences. I'll point out the one difference that has become clearer for me in the last few days. Using H. Richard Niebuhr's categories, I think that a "Christ transforming culture" approach and a "Christ and culture in paradox" approach will often look very different when it comes to the why and how of Christian education. Yes, the Christian is transformed, we might say regenerated, in Christ. What's missing is the acknowledgement that the Old Man still exists even within the most devout believer. Simil iustus et peccatur. Simultaneously saint (justified) and sinner. The tension between these two natures is the paradox Lutherans point out. The Old Man must daily be drowned and die, but he is with us until we are with Christ.

So what's the big deal? It's not as if the Reformed are saying we are no longer sinful once we come to faith. But I think it is a big deal. I think the Gospel is at stake. Focusing all our energies on transforming the culture with the expectation that we will, invariably, see the good fruit of our labor takes our eyes off of the cross and our desperate need for forgiveness. "But of course we still need forgiveness," a Reformed educator may say. At least, that is what my headmaster will say. And yet he would not hesitate to admit that the knowledge of Christ crucified for our sins is typically taken as a given, that the Christian already knows he is forgiven for Christ's sake, so let's get on with our sanctification...

...and that is precisely the problem. I work in a Reformed setting, I have been to two national conferences for Reformed Christian education, I have read many education books by Reformed authors, and I still have to whip out the geiger counter for a trace of the Gospel. "You are forgiven," I tell my students. "Jesus died on the cross FOR YOU!" They know it, but they still need to hear it. I know my husband loves me, but I still need to hear it. Constantly.

I believe in Christian education. I support efforts to persuade parents to take their children out of the public schools and offer them something better. I think Christian academics have a shining legacy in the history of western civilization. But I know that Christian schools are staffed by sinners, and attended by sinners. I do not harbor any illusion that these noble efforts in a broken world will result in anything other than a world that is still broken. And yet, we are forgiven in Christ. In that forgiveness, we can move forward, free to continue in our imperfect efforts, with the sure knowledge that Christ has already conquered.

Mommies and Aunties

I am going to be an auntie. I am already an aunt through marriage. But in five short months I will be auntie - that's what we say on my side of the family. My little sister and her husband will have their very own baby boy, Carter. I'm excited for them!

Yet for all the joy that a new child brings, I have cause for complaint. The questions, the comments, the nosy busybodies who presume to have insight into my reaction to my sister's pregnancy. They are my complaint.

Don't misunderstand; I'm not bothered by questions from those who know where I'm coming from. My husband and I married with the agreement that children will always be welcomed in our home. After nearly four years, there is, of course, frustration and disappointment that we have yet to be so blessed. I find comfort in the understanding of those who have taken the time to know me that well.

But there remain those who assume that we approach having children as our culture approaches it - as something to be controlled and postponed until we decide that we are ready. (Honestly, is anyone ever truly ready?) Ladies at church have jokingly commented about me being jealous of my sister. Some freely ask when my husband and I plan to follow suit, once again assuming that we view having children as purely under our control and of our own power. You know what they say about people who assume.

Yes, I am very happy for my sister. Am I jealous? I don't think so. At any rate it isn't a conscious struggle. Even if it were, could anyone really blame me if they knew the situation?

To those who make such thoughtless comments, I want to point out the shallowness of their worldview and their false assumption that I share the same flippant attitude toward having children. Instead, I point them to Christ. "It will happen in the Lord's time," I say. And I truly believe that. Whether with medical intervention or not, whether by conception or adoption, I do hope one day to be called "Mom." Until then, I am glad to be "Auntie."

Carter