Togethering

Revelation may be a book full of angels and earthquakes. Of beasts and bottomless pits. But it is also a masterful retelling of the Gospel story. This is not myth nor a puzzle to be pieced together, but a retelling of a known story that is like Gospel - it is Good News! In Revelation, there are imaginative portraits of the Risen Lord, the church, and heaven. Among these, we find a portrait that could change the way we celebrate the birth of the Christ.

While Revelation 12 may not intend to be an apocalyptic version of the Christmas story, it certainly prompts thoughts of one. Rightly so, because this chapter begins before the birth and continues throughout the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Revelation wants us to remember that there is more going on than the casual observer might notice. That there may have been more going on than was noticed in Bethlehem that day.

A woman appears; she is pregnant and begins to cry out with labor pains. She is joined by a dragon. It has seven heads that are ready to devour the infant at the moment of birth. The child is born and the dragon lunges. It is the kind of scene that makes you want to turn your head. Yet, when we look again the child has been rescued. The response to this is not Christmas carols, instead we find a great war. Michael and a host of angels do battle with the dragon and his army.

If this is Christmas it is not Christmas the way we have come to expect it. Christmas evokes wonder and amazement, but also evil and risk. Revelation makes certain that we do not get too comfortable snuggling up to "round yon virgin, mother and child". It reminds us that it is not the intent of Christmas to serve as a boost to the economy. After a reading of Revelation, our response to Christmas can no longer be the same.

Whatever we try to pass off as Christmas, the bible expects us to see more. So we find a seven headed dragon to remind us that Christmas is more than just a happy time. But, no matter what feelings are evoked at Christmas, one thing is certain, response to Jesus is inevitable. Whether his birth results in songs from angels, gifts from Magi, or a war in heaven - the response to his birth has cosmic implications.

Revelation wants us to know the reality of the matter. That there is more than the eye can see. It is true that Christmas brings us the joy of parents, the cries of a newborn, the smells of a stable, the sounds of livestock, the sight of visitors, the witness of gifts. This is earthy stuff. We recognize the emotions of being human. The sounds of children. The smells of the natural world. The company of others. The practice of giving. We recognize these as common parts of everyday living.

Yet, that is not all there is to Christmas. It is not limited to the earthy realm. Christmas brings us into contact with heaven. Earth is not big enough to contain this celebration; the planet is just another participant in the larger drama. Words cannot express what has happened, an angelic choir is necessary. Even the stars bring people to witness this event. Beyond that, Revelation 12 hints that while human eyes may notice the star in the sky, there was more, a war broke out in heaven. "Michael and his angels were waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war." Earlier, I mentioned that Revelation is like Gospel. Here is Good News - "and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down."

This all reminds me of a very earthy parable. The parable of the soils obviously includes a sower, seeds, and of course - soil. It also includes birds, rocks, sun, and thorns. But, what we learn later is that the parable also includes Satan (Mark 4.15). What appeared to occur only in the earthy realm of a farmer's field had very cosmic implications.

We can not separate the physical from the spiritual. That is a strategy we have introduced, not God. We sometimes try to convince ourselves that the physical does not mix with the spiritual; the earthy does not mix with the cosmic. Conveniently, we believe that our activities here have little to do with the bigger picture. But, Revelation reminds us that our lives, from January to December, are involved in a larger plot than we first imagined. Yes, what happened in a stable, in a crowded inn, and in fields of sheep is of major importance in heaven. So are the actions of an angry king, excited shepherds, and generous wise men.

Having never received a vision on Patmos, I can only imagine what cosmic implications there are during our daily activities or when we celebrate Christmas. I can only imagine what is going on when seed is scattered into the thorns or onto the rocks. Or when it finds its way into good soil. I can only imagine what really occurs overnight while I am asleep. Or right in front of my face when I think I am so alert. One thing is for certain, Revelation has sparked my imagination.

Political season is but a fashion show. Do I look good as a conservative? Do liberal views make me appear younger? If I vote Nader will people recognize my sense of independence? Or perhaps we wear one suit at the office and feel more comfortable in another on the weekend. It is not an accident that our lack of identity and community result in a lack of political savvy.

To vote is the great American privilege. Yet, I can’t help but think that it is a great danger. I listen to these people who are preparing to vote. I’m shocked they can tie their own shoes and we let them choose the president. This is the American dilemma. Another dilemma is the choices given. I’m not sure I want a president who wants to be president so badly. (I heard that one candidate spent 3.3 million dollars in one day on television ads alone).

Some will claim to vote for life. Some will claim choice. Some will claim to vote economy. Some will claim to vote green. Some guns. Some race. Some gender. Some will vote because they are told to. Some will vote for who they are told to. Some will vote Democrat because of FDR. Some will vote Republican because of Reagan. Some will make up their mind when they walk into the booth. The reasons that people vote and who they vote for should shock us, yet it doesn’t even mildly surprise us.

It is possible that voting for one candidate may cause others to consider you unintelligent. By voting for the other, you may be considered immoral. Some may view one candidate a type of savior. Others may view the very same candidate the anti-Christ.

Some will claim that this is the start of a new era. Some will claim that this is the demise of the nation. Some will claim that there is no difference. Some will claim not to care. Election years tell us something about ourselves. We are fickle. Polls go up and down weekly depending on who said what, who did what. Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Tina Fey, and Ann Coulter are perhaps more influential than the candidates themselves. We allow media to determine our vote. Entertainers sway us.

We are in politics whether we want to be or not. Whether anyone votes for us or not. What we do not want is a political agenda that looks like the Republican Party on its knees. Christians are not synonymous with conservative secularists. Nor do we want mainline denominations automatically assuming the social position of liberal Democrats. The church can not be limited to a simple prop for the state.

Perhaps the church needs politics to prevent us from becoming escapists. To prevent us from believing that our faith is for our own private benefit. Perhaps politics needs the church to prevent it from placing unrealistic demands of allegiance on its citizens. Perhaps we are a reminder that government is always limited in its sovereignty.

What I want is to hear that Gospel lessons about loving one another lead to belief that citizens and governments have a moral obligation to take care of the poor and the marginalized. I want to hear that the conviction that government is not God leads to a position that allegiance to or dependence on government is far too narrow a focus for discovering purpose and meaning.

In this year of presidential election, the news is focused on economy, on health care, on race, on gender, on taxes, on terrorism, on alternative fuel. I would not suggest these things are unimportant. Yet, I cannot help but think that the things we concern ourselves with are small and unimaginative.

Beware of compromise. Not just with the emperor, but with all facets of the state in collusion with religious, economic, and social aspects of the idolatrous culture. Beware, politics can be willing to do whatever it takes to make a good show and get the applause of the crowd in order to get access to power and become self-important. When will we recognize that we can not rely upon government to be the answer to the problems that concern us?

Presidential election should not be taken lightly. But, it was yesterday. This is today. Today we continue to show our priorities by our decisions. We are American, we participate in American activity. Yet, we recognize that we are citizens of another kingdom. We live for a different Kingdom every day. In this Kingdom, we vote with our lives, not in a booth expressing our opinion about what Caesar should do. We may look out of step. We may not fit at the office or on the weekend. But we know that fashion is only for a season.

It may be a pretty good estimate to say that there are hundreds of sermon series with a political twist occurring in churches at this time. Granted, many of these are about increasing interest and attendance. Many will amount to socialist propaganda. Many will derive from the conservative ghetto. But others will explore the all important matter of allegiance.

A great deal more attention is granted to the series of presidential debates. The debate series stirs media attention (much more than a sermon series) because of entertainment value. Sometimes there is more to it, but like every other televised product, the debate series is primarily to attract viewers. There will be claims that it serves the purpose of enlightening viewers of the best candidate for president. But, these shows remind us every four years that this is not about information. It is not about issues. It is about marketing candidates and television ratings. The media would like nothing more than to create a star that will guarantee ratings the next four years.

In efforts to become the star the media is looking for, the candidates attempt to say the right things. In one of these shows, the dialogue goes like this; John McCain said, “America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world.” Barack Obama, in his response, said, “Senator McCain and I do agree, this is the greatest nation on earth. We are a force of good in the world.” I have to ask, would Jesus add amen?

Television debate encourages candidates to avoid reason unless it serves the greater purpose of making an impression. Complexity nor logic nor ideas typically play a part in this drama. In fact, I would not be shocked if future debates were to come with a soundtrack or a power point presentation to further emphasize themes and enhance impressions. Candidates may debate from a distance by web cam or even as holograms. Just as long as they leave the desired impression.

I am reminded of Neil Postman’s warnings in Amusing Ourselves to Death. There are great concerns when eye contact, one-liners, and cosmetics become more important than ideology. Or when the appearance of meeting expected claims becomes more important than the actual capability of meeting those claims. Or when even things considered most important can be presented in a neat entertainment package.

Post debate commentary is even less credible. People who desire to be on television and appear as if they have value in the political process line up to further enhance the impression of their preferred candidate. (Usually by calling into question the impression made by the rival candidate).

An election year puts us on a slippery slope. The temptation increases to get caught believing in a political illusion. The temptation to put ultimate trust in political leaders and political structures. The temptation to get angry with those who do not share our ideology. There is no denying it – it is political season. We are surrounded by media spin, campaign rhetoric, over-commercialization, over-exposure of candidates, and entertainment disguised as intellectual forum. And the danger of temptation is real. We are constantly faced with the question of allegiance.

Recently, I’ve been reading Revelation. It doesn’t take long to realize that this is a political book. You can deny it – but it doesn’t make it less true. Revelation is political. Authorities are announced. People are being called to march under the mark of their leader. Revelation is a call for allegiance.

Erik Erikson stated that “Politics always competes with religion (joining it, tolerating it when it must, and absorbing it when it can) in order to promise, if not a life beyond, then a new deal on this earth, and a Leader smiling charismatically from the placards.” To this, Revelation responds.

We live in political days. Revelation is a political book. This makes it a great time to read to read Revelation. Revelation attempts to give perspective to the present by setting it in the context of the supernatural world. We are in need of a perspective that transforms the mundane activity of an election year to a greater perspective of reality. Perhaps Revelation should be mandatory reading during an election year. Perhaps it could be utilized in a sermon series.

Revelation reminds us that these debates, these campaigns, these commercial dollars, and even this brand of government is not permanent. As important as these things appear now, we must be willing to ask ourselves about their ultimate importance. In the land where we embrace, encourage, and celebrate separation of church and state - Revelation may sound a bit out of step. Revelation places politics right in the context of worship. But, Revelation knows that anything, in fact everything fits in this context.

Knowledge and intellect may result in power and money. Yet, this is not necessarily true of wisdom. In fact, wisdom may often result in the opposite response. Wisdom may result in giving up power. Wisdom may result in giving away wealth. Wisdom may not always result in good health. In fact, ill health may be the very context in which one acquires wisdom. Wisdom may not result in fame. Instead, it may prompt someone to repeatedly duck out of the way, insisting that some one else deserves the glory.

Titles before your name or letters afterward are not indicators of wisdom. That is why we are always finding pockets in society where a housewife may demonstrate more wisdom than an elected official, a barista more than a public educator, a retired farmer more than a chief executive officer, an elementary Sunday School teacher more than an ordained minister.

Modern attempts to make sense of the world often result in science, philosophy, or legislation. Yet, these arenas are not always a welcome context for wisdom. It doesn't take long to realize that knowledge and intellect do not equal wisdom. In all realms of society we may find people who appear to know much, yet seem to be lacking in wisdom.

Wisdom looks beyond the surface. Straight through perception. Past reputation. Wisdom scans the environment for what really matters. For substance. Wisdom does not concern itself with what is fair, but what is real. Wisdom recognizes reality, even in a crowd. Wisdom is not a popular commodity. People are more interested in hearing what they want to hear. Desires surround us. Many of them are good ones. Happiness, health, productivity. Yet, wisdom may sidestep these desires, choosing things of even greater value.

Wisdom is an effort to make sense out of the world. To understand and put into words the way that the world works. In the bible, it is more specifically the attempt to make sense out of God's world. To understand how God works. Especially how God works in human affairs. It is the effort to grasp the ways of God not only in mighty acts such as rescue from Egypt but also in the day to day events of ordinary people.

Wisdom insists that we can hear from God not only in the spectacular, but also in daily activities and personal relationships. More than simple instruction, wisdom pleads with readers that they practice what they are taught. Wisdom knows that much is already known and does not need to be discovered again.

Wisdom is interested in human experience - as is. In fact, it specializes in human experience. Complaint and thanks. Doubt and anger. Outcries of pain and outbursts of joy. From extreme suffering to the ordinary affairs of work and family. From money to sex. From the use of language to the expression of emotions. Ecstatic experience and undramatic dailiness.

Wisdom is our ally in decision-making. This is good to know since there are always decisions to be made. Some things have already been decided and we daily live with those decisions. Where we work, where we live, who we live with. Other things need to be decided again everyday. When to get up in the morning, how we spend our money, what will we eat. Wisdom ought to be consulted regularly as we face decisions. Where shall we send our children to school? How shall we convince our employer that we need a raise? How shall we vote in the upcoming election?

Wisdom literature tends to focus on people and their behavior. From it, we discover that the wisdom of days gone by continues to be relevant today. Briefly, wisdom can be defined as skill in living well. It gives advice about everyday life. It provides answers to difficult questions about how one could believe in God when the world seems such a dark and dangerous place. A place where God’s people often suffered. Ben Witherington suggests that wisdom results in "Making right decisions... even in a dark world."

There is a section of the Old Testament that concentrates on wisdom. While it is not a prescription for our own lack of wisdom, it certainly grants perspective. Maybe there is benefit to wisdom that is centuries old. Maybe we have ignored the Old Testament too long. Maybe we should revisit this section more frequently.

The desire is for wisdom to stick with us, to become part of us, that we might benefit from its useful guidance when needed. That we might be wise in our decision-making. That we might make sense of the world.

Relationship. Unable to avoid it, we live with it. We even sing about it. In our songs, we fantasize relationship, trying to make it a matter of convenience. Sometimes, life seems to depend upon relationship. Other times, relationship is the source of greatest pain. We long for relationship that is faithful. One that will be there at times of celebration. One that will remain when the celebration is over.

Unable to find faithful relationship, we latch onto anything that promises some sort of fulfillment. Without relationship, we become anxious, even frightened. We feel alone. Such feelings cause people to shape their lives around those things that they believe to be reality. When reality becomes twisted; schedules, acquisitions and amusement become more important than relationship. However, there is an alternative to this false reality.

Perhaps it is an unlikely place to discuss relationship, but in the middle of our bible is an old song book that sings song after song about faithful relationship. Without the psalms, we have difficulty making sense out of life. With the psalms, we learn what faithful relationship is all about. Relationship that remains through anger, joy, gratitude and suffering.

The psalms are sung from out of a relationship with God. The singer responds to God honestly because of an existing relationship that makes such response possible. Since there is no aspect of life that is not part of this relationship, there is no aspect of life that does not appear in the psalms.

The psalms are helpful because they promote an honest discussion between God and his people about the things that matter most. Psalms expresses not only praise and thanksgiving, but also anger and doubt. They remind us that God meets people in the depths of need and in the heights of celebration. The psalms bring all of life under the authority of God.

Many psalms appear harsh and unloving. These openly state the realities of pain and sorrow. They express struggles, suffering, and disappointment to God. They are an honest expression of hard times. These are songs that have been sung when things have not gone the way we had hoped. There are no simple solutions to the problems addressed in the psalms.

Eugene Peterson asks, “Did you think these would be the prayers of nice people? Did you think the psalmists’ language would be polished and polite?” No, these sentiments are real. They are reactions to the problem of evil and suffering. They are the result of the soul bared in honest relationship before God. The great witness of the psalms is that the singer continued to believe in the holiness of God though suffering from God’s absence.

Claus Westermann points out that lament is the language of suffering and the praise of God is the language of joy. One is as much a part of us as the other. He goes on to say that it is an illusion to suppose that there could be relationship with God in which there was only praise and never lament. In fact, praise can retain its authenticity only in polarity with lament.

We need to open the way bible in a way that it forms an alternative structure of reality. Instead, it appears that we have joined the world in avoiding the reality of suffering. After all, convenience and amusement are much greater attractions. In this context, it becomes vitally important for us to open the psalms and listen to the realities of joy and anger. Of praise and suffering. Of hallelujah and sorrow. And to demonstrate that God is serious about his relationship with us.

Perhaps the reason that people struggle with suffering and sorrow is because they lack the reality that is portrayed by the bible. Without the book that makes sense of life, people are left with no alternative but to cling to whatever worldly consolation they can find. The witness of the church will have a great deal more impact if only we tell the truth, even when that means struggling with its implications. The psalms are explicitly honest about such struggles.

In response to suffering and other struggles, we do not need explanations as to why evil occurs. What we do need is a caring relationship. One that is found in a community that recognizes who it is and realizes that it is called to live more faithfully.

Psalms helps make it possible to acknowledge our pain. Even to admit that we may see no point in it. God is not an agent who insures that life will not be disturbed. He is the one who is there when we finally realize that there is no where else to turn.

The singer of the psalms is not a person singing about the good life. About how God has kept him from trouble. The psalms remind us that no literature is more realistic and honest. At no time is there any indication that the life of faith excludes us from difficulties. On every page there is recognition that faith encounters trouble.

The psalms do not tell us what to do. They are not lectures. They are songs. Psalms does not provide a rule book, it is more like a photo album. Pictures of players in action who reveal an honest, faithful relationship. Pictures that reveal that God’s people have always been kept through the difficulties of life. Nothing has changed. The psalms still provide a valuable expression of God’s faithfulness to his people. Let’s sing.