Dale Cresap's blog

Do you take delight in the suffering of your children? What sort of horrible person would take delight in the pain their children experience from injury or illness? But there is another sort of suffering. What if they make right choices that are not popular with friends and classmates? What if they put forth the discipline and effort to excel in a worthwhile pursuit rather than living in casual leisure? Aren’t you proud of them for doing the right thing even if, especially if, there is some sacrifice involved, which could be viewed as suffering?

Can you see me in everyone you meet? I made them all, in my own image no less. Some are alienated from me, but this does not change the basis of their origin. Do you think in terms of ‘The Fall’? This did not change as much as you may think. In particular it did not change the fact that people were created in my image, and that the world I made was, and is, good. Can you see divine essence even in those who do not see it in themselves? Then you know more about them than they know about themselves.

Do you find it easy to judge those outside of your group by worst examples they have to offer? This is easy to do. Within each group you typically find a spectrum, so bad examples are not hard to find. There is a logical fallacy called the strawman in which you create a false image of something you oppose and then point out its bad qualities. The strawman isn’t real, but if you search out the worst of your opponents you have in effect done the same thing and this is a weak argument for the qualities of the group as a whole, betraying prejudice and lacking rigor.

Have you ever been a stranger in a strange land? Have you visited a country where the language and customs and culture were different? How do people feel when they visit your church? For in some churches there is a sense of alternate reality that only applies in that location and to those who belong. Even if you can move seamlessly between church culture and the culture at large those who are only familiar with one will feel out of place in the other. Who should assume the burden of bridging the gap and making feel welcome? Obviously this falls on those within.

Do you like getting gifts in the mail? But isn’t it better to spend time in person with the people who would send you gifts, even if they arrive in person without bringing a gift other than their own presence? This would indicate that you are more relational than materialistic. What about gifts from me? Do you see the sun and the rain as gifts from me, that I send on the just and on the unjust alike? This could be extended to all provision. In continuing the parallel to gifts and presence above, do you see a difference between my gifts and presence?

When you hear of someone who is moderate in his faith, what do you think? Do you consider this to be the description of someone who is weak in faith and lax in behavior and observance, in contrast to a fervent and flaming zealot? But the Bible commends moderation. Can you be moderate in your temperament and demeanor and still be devout in your belief and practice? Perhaps this is a good thing, especially if you contrast it with extremism. Can you be extreme in your demonstration of love for the least of these, and moderate in your own appetites, habits, and conduct?

You are familiar with the general commandments for all believers to love everyone and to declare the good news of the Kingdom to every creature. Which of these do you find to be more difficult? Do you find it hard to care about people, particularly when they don’t care about you? At least you understand what I expect. I mentioned those who have their reward, who get something in exchange for what they give. This is the transaction model that is so familiar to those who live in a world of commerce.

What did I ask of those who responded to my message? All I asked is that they follow me, and this is still true. Yet I told the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor, and then to follow me. Was I placing a burden on him that I didn’t expect of others? I could see that his possessions were an existing burden that he could not bear and follow me at the same time. So following me may require a realignment of your perspective and values, and of your situation. This requirement was not general, but specific for him.

Do you remember the story of the scapegoat from the Old Testament? The sins of the people were pronounced upon a goat and it was driven away. You may point out that this practice has been done away with in the Christian faith, according to your understanding of redemption and atonement theology, but the word has still entered common vocabulary. Do you think this is no longer practiced? What about churches that pronounce all the evils of society upon atheists, Muslims, gays, or even those of different political opinions and ‘drive them away’ as those who are completely outside their group?

Which is more important to you, time or money? When you go to church do they ever have a stewardship program for time? Yet I regard your time more highly than your money. Money can be abstract and applied at a distance, even for good causes, but time is immediate and present. When you give of your time it is more personal than giving of your money, and it is an equalizer for which there are no rich or poor. How you spend your money is an expression of your character, but so is the way you spend your time. I alluded to this when I told my disciples that their time was always ready.