Open-Minded Christianity

Open-Minded Christianity             Text: Luke 4:16-20a; 42-44
Elpis Christian Church
May 24, 2009

 Some of you have heard me tell the story of a lady I knew in Kentucky who loved her King James Version of the Bible.  In fact, to say she loved it is something of an understatement.  She was rabidly defensive of it.  Faced with the dilemma that each year there seemed to be more and more translations of the Bible hitting the shelves – she had only one thing to say.  She would always stick with the KJV because, and I quote,
“If it was good enough for Jesus – it’s good enough for me!”
Now – I know she meant well.  I’d even agree with her that there’s no beating the King James Version when it comes to the beauty of its poetic and well-turned phrases.  I mean, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” can never be replaced adequately with “God’s my buddy; he’s got me covered….”  But – that said, we have to understand.  Beautiful or not – while Shakespeare’s crowd might have used and loved the KJV – Jesus certainly didn’t.
Still, I’ve always remembered that little lady, and her devout allegiance to a particular version of the scriptures, for another reason.  She reminds me that we who identify ourselves as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are “people of the Word” in no uncertain terms.  We are steeped in the tradition, and devoted to the idea, that part and parcel with who we are – is a love for the scriptures – however they are translated.  KJV – NIV – TEV – NEB – take your pick – we love the Word.  And we are deeply committed to the idea that it is there we will find the deepest questions and most profound answers; the best poetry and the most tragic history; the wisdom that can guide nations and the common sense that can best advise individuals.  The Word is central to who we have been, who we are, and who – by God’s grace – we can become.
 And that, brothers and sisters, puts us soundly in the camp of EVANGELICAL Christianity.  Over the past few weeks we have looked at the Contemplative, the Virtuous, the Incarnational, and the Charismatic aspects of the Christian walk – and today we turn to the Evangelical.  And perhaps of any of the great streams of Christian tradition that we have explored thus far – this is the one where we, as Disciples, should feel most at home.
 Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) movement, coined a pithy phrase that gets to the heart of the matter.  He said, “Where the scriptures speak, we speak; where the scriptures are silent, we are silent.”  That’s more than just a catchy slogan for us.  It’s open-minded Christianity.  It means that we believe in the ability to take our common sense, our intellect, our spirit of honest and deep inquiry, and turn to the scriptures for guidance.  We believe in the practice of honestly searching – and honestly and openly debating – the meaning of those scriptures.  And we believe in the idea that where scriptures speak on certain important subjects – we ought to be equally bold in our proclamation on the matter.  But, that where questions remain, and the scriptures are not so clear, we need to tread more lightly.  Disciples are not, historically, the type of Christian who take a narrowly interpreted view of the scriptures and force everyone else to tow the line.  We are not the “my way or the highway” type Christian – thank the Lord.  We are the ones who invite honest inquiry, open debate, and welcome the idea that good people of conscience can come to different conclusions.  I’ve grew up in a church where one could go to Sunday School – have a knock down drag out fight (so to speak) with his fellow believers, then – when the bell rang – go happily into worship and gather around an open and inviting Communion Table.  That is, in my opinion, the great strength of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  And it’s a strength we should champion far more often than we do.
 If we want to be truly evangelical – in the best sense of that word – if we want to share the “good news” of God’s love – we, of all people, can and should be the ones who go out into our community with a very special and much needed message.  It is this,
“God loves you.  And God invites you – as we do – into a community of faith – where you can study his word honestly, prayerfully seek guidance there, and follow your mind and heart to conclusions that will inform and inspire your life.  And we celebrate being on that journey with you – wherever it might lead.”

That’s a very different church than one whose message is,
“We have studied the scriptures thoroughly – we’ve got all the answers – and if you adhere to our version of things – you are more than welcome to be a part of our fellowship.  If not, well, God bless you – we will pray for you and hope you come to the true light – someday – before it’s too late.”

As I’ve said from this pulpit more than once – people are hurting out there; people are dying out there – and we have the good, life-saving news, they need.  But we offer it in no pre-packaged, denominationally pre-approved form.  We just say, as the Psalmist has, “come and see” that the Lord is good.  We may not have all the answers to your questions – but we think God does.  And we champion and celebrate your right and ability to seek out those answers as part of our community.
Of all the churches out there – shouldn’t the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches be packed to capacity?  We have the fewest “requirements” for membership of all.  We keep it simple.  No creed but Christ.  Where the scriptures speak, where the scriptures are silent we are silent.  In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.  These are more than catchy slogans from our denomination’s history.  They are the core of who we are.  And they ought to be shouted from the rooftops.
 But we have a problem – don’t we?  So often we are hesitant to be truly “evangelical” because we are so afraid of being associated with some Bible-thumping, tract wielding caricature of a believer.  We don’t want to be seen – at school, or work, or on the ball-field, as being some kind of “holy-roller” type.
Well, all I can suggest is this.  Remember that, no matter how they act on the surface - often, deep down, people are struggling.  They are seeking deep, fulfilling answers to life’s greatest questions.  They are – at school, or work, or on the ball-field, often struggling with finding meaning and direction for their lives.  They are just trying to make sense of it all.  And WE have those answers – we know the way to finding that meaning and direction.  What a waste it is if we don’t take the opportunity to share it.  You don’t have to be a biblical scholar.  All you have to be able to do is say, “You know, at my church, we have a good time talking about all this kind of stuff.  Why don’t you come with me sometime?”  It’s as simple as that.  But did you notice the invitation wasn’t “Why don’t you come visit sometime?” it’s “Why don’t you COME WITH ME sometime?”  That’s the key to evangelism: the personal touch.  Always remember that.
 Well, today I’ve shared no profound quotes with you.  I’ve not mined deeply into the definition of what Biblical truth is – or what the historic differences in understanding of that truth have been.  I’ve only suggested that we, of all people, are soundly grounded in what living a Word-Centered Christianity is all about.  It’s about issuing an invitation – an open minded and open ended invitation.  And being willing to lovingly, and openly, walking with someone in their life of faith.  Can we do that?  I pray that we can.
 I once knew a devout little lady that insisted she would live by the KJV because “if it was good enough for Jesus” it was good enough for her.  I can’t agree with her on that point.  But I can heartily agree that living a Word centered life, an evangelical life, a life that openly and faithfully shares the good news that God is love – THAT is the way to life.  “If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me.”  AMEN to that.