Amos in America

We've been taking a couple weeks to do a thematic "walk-through" of the book of Amos in our Sunday morning young adults class.

Israel and Judah both found themselves in a time of great prosperity. The rich were getting richer, the military was quite the force to be reckoned with, and comfort and extravagance abounded. But there was a price. There is always a price. The middle class had disappeared and the poor were paying for the rich lives of those at the top. Justice was absent from the courts and making a buck in business trumped any moral concerns. Idolatry was on the rise and those who "kept the commandments" were doing so out of habit and rite; their hearts missed the point. Clearly nothing at all like America in the 21st Century.

Last week we talked about the opulence of the rich and the oppression of the poor. Tomorrow we'll talk about the complacency of God's people and the corruption of the religious folk that contributed to Israel's fall from God's favor. God has some nasty things to say about the "church folk" and their "worship services."

I thought I'd post Eugene Peterson's introduction to Amos from The Message. Heavy stuff for us church folk. (Emphasis mine...)

More people are exploited and abused in the cause of religion than in any other way. Sex, money, and power all take a back seat to religion as a source of evil. Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind. The moment a person (or government or religion or organization) is convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning a cause or project, anything goes. The history, worldwide, of religion-fueled hate, killing, and oppression is staggering. The biblical prophets are in the front line of those doing something about it.

The biblical prophets continue to be the most powerful and effective voices ever heard on this earth for keeping religion honest, humble, and compassionate. Prophets sniff out injustice, especially injustice that is dressed up in religious garb. They sniff it out a mile away. Prophets see through hypocrisy, especially hypocrisy that assumes a religious pose. Prophets are not impressed by position or power or authority. They aren't taken in by numbers, size, or appearances of success.

They pay little attention to what men and women say about God or do for God. They listen to God and rigorously test all human language and action against what they hear. Among these prophets, Amos towers as defender of the downtrodden poor and accuser of the powerful rich who use God's name to legitimize their sin.

None of us can be trusted in this business. If we pray and worship God and associate with others who likewise pray and worship God, we absolutely must keep company with these biblical prophets. We are required to submit all our words and acts to their passionate scrutiny to prevent the perversion of our religion into something self-serving. A spiritual life that doesn't give a large place to the prophet-articulated justice will end up making us worse instead of better, separating us from God's ways instead of drawing us into them.

How Do You Feel About Partnerships?

If a church in our neighborhood expressed an interest in partnering with us to accomplish a common goal, how would you react?  In many ways, my answer would depend on the goal.  Let's say it's to feed hungry people.  What do you think?

 

Churches of Christ have traditionally avoided partnerships with other churches largely (based on my understanding) to avoid giving some sort of imagined, implied, or overt approval to doctrines or practices that differ from our understanding of the Bible.  I think this can be a valid concern.  We certainly don't want to distort the Gospel or leave people confused.

 

But is it acceptable to address issues within our community such as hunger and homelessness, massing more resources, more volunteers, more compassion, and more will than what we have on our own?  Is the bleeding victim on the side of the road to be left bleeding over doctrinal discrepancies?

 

You've probably guessed my bias, and I apologize for that, because I want this to be an open conversation where all points of view are valued and heard.  It's a conversation that I believe needs to happen, and it must be compassionate, patient, and loving.  But I guess I just need to share that I'm starting to see opportunities where we are greater together than apart.  We are already partnered with a nonreligious organization (PATH) to address our community's needs.  Is it dicier when we start talking about people who have so much in common with our beliefs?

A Powerful Room

Yesterday I had lunch in an incredibly powerful room.  There were no lawmakers or celebrities present.  But the power of those gathered was awesome.  It was mostly church and temple folk.  Yesterday was PATH's Faith Matters luncheon.  What an exciting afternoon!  Over 45 faith communities and networks were represented.  There was no lack of will in that room.  If we can coordinate our passion for the homeless as a united community of people who believe it is morally wrong to allow 90,000 people, 40% of whom are women and children, to be without housing in one of the richest cities in the world's richest nation, I believe the lid will blow off this issue.  Lawmakers, officials, and voters will have no choice but to listen.

 

Personally, I met and learned of some folks right here in Glendale that are potential partners for us in our limited work.  Meeting like-minded people is exciting, and seeing potential to combine resources is a great feeling.

 

There are plans for more such lunches and other opportunities to harness the powerful will of these faith communities.  Thank you, PATH, for making this a priority!

 

You can read PATH's Exec. Director's, Joel Roberts, post on the lunch here.

 

FAITH Matters at PATH

I'll be attending a luncheon next week at PATH's Regional Homeless Center in LA. PATH Partners is building an intra-faith coalition called FAITH Matters, "committed to taking a public stand to end homelessness in words AND in action." I've been looking forward to the start of this program for over a year now, and I'm very excited to see it get off the ground.

FAITH Matters is seeking input from the faith communities of Los Angeles regarding how we can be a part of the solution. If you have any suggestions, insights, or questions you'd like me to bring up, share them in the comments section.