Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent Design...and Jesus

I was thinking more about the whole issue of Evolution and Christianity. Some people clearly think they are in conflict. There is the whole silly bumper sticker feud between the Christian fishes and the Darwin fishes that grow legs and eat the Christian fishes. And there are obviously much more protracted, serious feuds on school boards and elsewhere.

I don’t see Christianity and the Theory of Evolution as being in conflict, but I certainly respect Christ-followers who do. As I’ve mentioned previously, I love and admire many people who embrace such beliefs. However, there are also plenty of Christ-followers I know who are firm believers in the Theory of Evolution. But there are plenty more I know who have never indicated to me where they come down on this issue—if they have given it any thought at all.

I have never once heard even the most devoted Creationist or the most ardent supporter of Intelligent Design say that rejecting the Theory of Evolution is a key tenet of Christian faith. Further, I have never heard anyone say Jesus came to Earth to show up know-it-all scientists. Frankly, I believe he came here for much more important reasons. And in the whole debate on this topic, I get concerned that that key fact gets overlooked.

Jesus came here to show us tangibly that he loves us and to teach us about our Father so that we could be reconciled to him. To me, that is what the essence of the Gospel (i.e., the “good news”) is all about. I was in the car thinking about all this. (Yes, I do some of my most important pondering in the car; it is one of the few times a busy mom and professor has a few moments to herself.) It occurred to me what an incredible red herring the whole Evolution debate is. The debate often distracts Christ-followers from truly following our Savior. It seems like there are so many more fruitful things we could be doing with our time. After all, for the short time we’re on this Earth, we’re supposed to be Christ’s feet and hands to bring his love to a world of hurting people. We’re not supposed to waste our time bickering amongst ourselves over things that are relatively inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

If my jargon were more like that of my Evangelical brothers and sisters, I would not use the term “red herring.” If I were to use a more Evangelical way of speaking to express my belief, I would say the Enemy is trying to deceive, distract and divide the Body of Christ via the whole debate on Darwin. (Parenthetically, I tend to be hesitant to use such Evangelical word choice in part because I know secular people are turned off by it; such wording sounds paranoid and nutty to many non-believers, who then are often disinclined to listen to the substance of the speaker’s words.)

As I was driving (and pondering deep thoughts), I was also listening to a Christian music radio station. It occurred to me that the lyrics of our most popular Christian songs often express the most basic, most important aspects of our beliefs. That is probably why Christ followers can generally go to pretty much any Christian church, and participate in the “praise and worship” portion of the service without being offended or annoyed by the lyrics of the songs. The sermons can cause disagreement and controversy because that is where faith communities get into some of the specifics of their precise beliefs and interpretations of Scripture. Unfortunately, there is plenty of disagreement in the Body of Christ with respect to some of those details. But I have never heard of the lyrics of a mainline Christian song dividing Christ followers. Significantly, I’ve also never heard a Christian song about rejecting Darwinism. Maybe such a song exists, but it has not caught on because that is not a core part of who we are as Christ followers.

Maybe it is a stretch. Maybe I’m just looking for any lame excuse to share some good music. Regardless, I’d like to share a few songs that I think epitomize beliefs that are most important to Christians. The songs are available at the links below. I apologize that some of the videos have a high cheese factor. If the visuals are distracting, ignore them and just listen to the music. The lyrics are quite beautiful and convey some of the key truths cherished by Christ followers. Enjoy.

…And even if you are a serious person who doesn’t go in for frivolities like music, I encourage you to give these songs a listen. Music is very powerful. It speaks to us in ways that nothing else can. I remember after the horrific tragedy of 9/11, Oprah’s first show was simply a compilation of Gospel music performances. She chose to feature such music because it spoke to her and helped her heal after that tragedy; she thought it would minister to others as well. I myself am essentially tone deaf, sing off-key, and honestly have to concentrate pretty hard just to clap to the right beat in songs. Though I have no discernible musical talent of my own, I enjoy Christian music tremendously and it is a meaningful part of my worship experience at church, at home or even in my little car.

Amy Grant’s “El Shaddai”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy5XA4SwuPg

Dolly Parton’s “He’s Alive”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbRPWUHM80M

Nicole C. Mullen’s “My Redeemer Lives”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCaNBhK4S0&feature=list_related&a=GxdCwVVULXdSBepXQqvNzibxgJ4EGES6&list=ML&playnext=1

Barlow Girl’s Never Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8QubLxJI54

Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OsyiGgSlqY&feature=related

Mary Mary’s “Shackles”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRayKxgePQI

“It’s All About You”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QqBJu55oXM&feature=related

“Here I Am To Worship”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klxcJaOooPI

“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ppaRmdtCU

“Free to Worship”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL6IDmGQhcI&feature=related

“Oh, Happy Day”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdv6U6QBnHg&feature=related

Genesis 1:1-3 (English Standard Version)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Matthew 4:16 (New Living Translation)

“The people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”

Matthew 5:16 (Wycliffe New Testament)

So shine your light before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father that is in heavens.

Trouble the Water (2008)

One night during the conference I attended, there was a screening of the documentary, Trouble the Water. It was directed by the producers of Fahrenheit 9/11, received a great deal of critical acclaim, was nominated for numerous awards, but had only limited release in the United States. I had never had the chance to watch the film previously, so I attended the conference screening. It was very powerful and well-made.

The film follows the experiences before and after Katrina of a twenty-four year old New Orleans woman, Kimberly Rivers Roberts, as well as her friends and family. She and her husband, Scott, lived in a modest but comfortable house in the Lower Ninth Ward with their large dogs. They didn’t have the means to evacuate ahead of the storm. Just before the storm approached, Kimberly began to shoot footage on her camcorder and to interview those in her neighborhood. She kept shooting footage through out the ordeal of the storm, including their escape with neighbors of varied ages to their attic to avoid drowning in the flood waters in their home. A number of neighbors who survived the storm and flood banded together to try to escape to higher ground. They were on their own. No one from the government or any other group helped them in any way. They had sought refuge at a largely empty military base near-by, but despite their desperate plight they were forced at gun point by the soldiers to leave the base entrance.

The film follows Kimberly and Scott after they eventually escaped New Orleans, and went to stay with relatives in small town Louisiana and then in Memphis. Through their migration, they adamantly vowed before the camera that they would never return to their hometown. However, the eventually had a change of heart. Towards the end of the film, Kimberly and Scott did return to New Orleans. It was just too hard to start over some place new. Scott got a construction job in New Orleans to help with rebuilding efforts.

There are a number of things one could say about this film, but for purposes of this blog, I just want to focus on a couple. First, it is clear in the film how important Kimberly’s faith is to her and how it enabled her to get through Katrina as well as a lot of other ordeals in her young life. (Indeed, the same can be said of many of the people featured in the film.) Before the storm approached, she repeatedly expresses her faith that God is in control of the situation. Through out the storm and the flood, she never lost her cool, she continued to rely on him. When the authorities refused to help them escape, Kimberly and her husband didn’t curse them, but spoke words of love and blessing over them. While being tossed about in an emergency shelter and at the homes of various relatives, Kimberly continued to be a model of calm and faith. She ministered to the elderly ladies at the shelter with her, and helped keep up their spirits through out the insanity of the situation. Through their evacuation journey, Kimberly and Scott somehow adopted a grown man without any apparent family or friends. He was a recovering drug addict who had lived in a church-run group home in New Orleans before the storm. As a result, in the post-Katrina chaos, he had trouble establishing his New Orleans residence and FEMA would not help him. Kimberly ministered to him to keep up his spirits despite the seemingly insurmountable odds against him. Towards the end of the film, Kimberly expressed her simple desire to just get settled permanently and find a church home to put down roots.

Some viewers of the film may gloss over Kimberly’s faith. She is a streetwise woman who has had a tough life, uses a good deal of profanity, and expresses herself artistically via rap music. Her mother did drugs and died of AIDS when she was a child. Her grandmother kept the family together, but Kimberly had to take care of herself a lot of the time. She reveals in the film that she stole as a child and later she sold drugs. Some Christians might discount the sincerity of her professed faith because she has broken the law and curses. Some non-religious folks might discount the importance of her faith and see it as an ancillary matter. To me, I think both would be wrong. I was very touched by the strength of Kimberly’s faith. If I were ever to endure the sorts of crushing obstacles and heartbreak that she has, I hope that my faith would be as steadfast.

Beyond the role of Kimberly’s faith, the importance of family and community is also evident in the film. When they get out of New Orleans, Kimberly, Scott and others are taken in with love by Kimberly’s relatives, who themselves don’t have a lot to offer in terms of material support. The first time Kimberly and Scott return to see what is left of their home in the Lower Ninth Ward, Kimberly becomes thrilled to find a worn picture of her deceased mother despite the fact that the rest of her belongings are ruined. Despite their initial determination to make a better life for themselves elsewhere, months later Kimberly and Scott return to New Orleans for good. Kimberly talks about the comfort of living where she knows people and people care for one another. It is an amazing statement because it is made as she stands outside on her street, which has been demolished by the levee breach. To Kimberly, the familiarity of her community is a lot more important than the fact that the neighborhood is in ruins.

Shortly after Katrina, former First Lady Barbara Bush famously was quoted as saying that so many of the evacuees who ended up in Houston “were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.” I don’t think Mrs. Bush is a cold-hearted person, and I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, so I write off that comment as an unfortunate, insensitive choice of words. We’ve all been guilty of that at times, but the cameras were rolling when she made this statement so it got a lot more attention. Very honestly, I think many Americans were thinking the same thing. Many people who have never been poor and who have never had prolonged involvement with an “underprivileged” community would likely discount the value of any such community to its inhabitants. As a result, more privileged people might think that it would be a blessing in disguise to be ripped from an impoverished, drug invested community without accessible educational or economic opportunities, and transplanted into a more prosperous community even if everything and everyone is unfamiliar.

Matthew 28:20 (Young’s Literal Translation)

“...I am with you all the days -- till the full end of the age.”

Amy Grant’s "Grown Up Christmas List" & "Mary’s Song"

The Christmas season does not technically end until Epiphany is over. (It is celebrated on January 6th.) So, I think there is still a little time to recommend some good Christmas music. Two of my favorite modern Christmas songs are by Amy Grant, for whom I've long had a lot of admiration. Others have recorded these songs, too, but Ms. Grant’s versions continue to be my favorites.

The songs are available at the links below. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdLwZCprtkI&feature=PlayList&p=17BF4792DAAC52C2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=12

Luke 1:38 (New International Version)

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”



John 14:27 (New American Standard Bible)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

“Christmas with a Capital C”

The other day I was in my car listening to one of the local Christian radio stations that I have pre-programmed. I heard a song called “Christmas with a Capital C.” Typically, the music on that radio station is loving praise and worship style music. But this particular song was so ugly in tone that it really shocked me. I’m not sure why any Christian radio station would air it.

Inter-spliced with the music were excerpts from a stand-up comedian’s rant on the tendency of people (particularly in retail settings) to wish others “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas.” The comedian talks initially about how Christmas was a cultural phenomenon that we all used to participate in together regardless of our own specific religious beliefs because it was good for the country. There is then a sarcastic reference to “Mr. Lowenstein,” which to me seems to be a hostile anti-Semitic remark, but perhaps others might interpret the reference in a more benign way. The comedian later talks about Christmas being part of the religious heritage of our country.

It is offensive and hurtful to me when people try to dilute the Christian faith into a cultural phenomenon. The Super Bowl is a cultural phenomenon. The blood sport of American political discourse is a cultural phenomenon. The Disney mega-franchise is a cultural phenomenon. There is not anything wrong with cultural phenomena. But to me, Christianity is much more. As a result, I continue to be baffled as to why any Christ follower would want to dilute the religious significance to impose Christian holidays like Christmas on non-believers to make such holidays a part of the mainstream, secular culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Ephesians 4:1-3

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Congregational Spotlight: Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas

As noted before in this blog, in the modern era, many non-believers have unfortunately come to view Christianity as a subcomponent of conservative politics and to simply equate the faith with political stances against legalized abortion, same sex marriage and taxes. Such a view of the faith tremendously distorts the message and ministry of Jesus Christ, and is one of the motivations for this blog. As a result, I would like to spend some time in this blog focusing on more positive examples of the church in order to provide a more balanced and a more accurate view of the faith. In that vein, I am beginning an occasional series of posts that I will call “Congregational Spotlight.”

It is probably helpful to note that I personally do not necessarily agree with or endorse 100% of the things espoused by the leaders of each of these spotlighted congregations. Contrary to popular misconception, Christ followers are not a homogenous group. Heck, even my husband and I do not see eye to eye on every topic. God made each of us to be unique with our own perspectives. Consequently, I do not think it is necessary to agree on every detail to spotlight a particular congregation.

The first congregation I would like to spotlight is Travis Park United Methodist Church (TPUMC) in San Antonio, Texas. When our family is in San Antonio visiting relatives, TPUMC is the church we typically attend. Our children enthusiastically refer to it as the “cookie church” because at the end of the service, volunteers are in the hallway with trays of cookies that they offer to people as they leave the church building. This is one the highlights of my gourmand kiddos’ day! I admit the cookies are pretty tasty, but that is hardly the reason I wanted to spotlight this particular congregation.

TPUMC was founded in 1846, which is ancient in Texas terms. (Texas became a state in the union in 1845.) TPUMC is located in downtown San Antonio in a lovely old building amongst well-appointed hotels like the St. Anthony and the Menger. It is close to the tourist revelry of the River Walk. The church also sits cattycorner to Travis Park, a public park that is home to a number of the city’s homeless population. For this reason, the church has long had a robust ministry to the homeless. Its Corazon Ministries program is the umbrella for its homeless ministry programs. (In Spanish, the word "corazon" means "heart.")

TPUMC states it is “grounded in history and vision” and its people “seek to live and love as God does: passionately and unconditionally.” The church also believes that “God calls us on a journey forward, to break down the walls of prejudice, and to embrace all our brothers and sisters.” As a result, the church’s motto is “We serve and learn with brothers and sisters from all walks of life: rich and poor, housed and homeless, gay and straight, black and brown and white, secular and sacred, PhD and GED.” That diversity is evident when we attend the 11 a.m. “celebration” service. There are conservatively-dressed older white folks, young people in hip jeans, biracial families, same sex couples, and tired-looking people in tattered clothing. The 11 a.m. jazz band and choir are a composite of very talented folks from different backgrounds. Their music really energizes the diverse congregation.

One of the most moving bible studies my husband and I have ever attended was an adult Sunday school class at TPUMC, which was attended by a number of homeless folks. It is hard to know for sure, but beyond the pastor who faciliated the class and his assistant, my husband and I might have been the only attendees who were not homeless. A couple of the other attendees frankly slept through the class, presumably due to a rough night with no place comfortable to sleep for an extended period. But the (many) others were very engaged in the pastor’s morning lesson. Many of them had brought their own bibles to consult during the lesson. My husband and I were pretty quiet during the class, but the other attendees answered the pastor’s doctrinal questions knowledgeably and responded to his more open-ended questions with moving, personal testimonies of their faith. They gave us a lot of food for thought. They also taught us powerful lessons about judging people without even listening to them and discounting a person’s insights due to their exterior appearance. It was very humbling.

A link to TPUMC’s website is provided below. If you have occasion to visit San Antonio, I encourage you to visit the “cookie church.”

http://www.travispark.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=42710

Matthew 22:37-40

He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Friends of God: A Road Trip With Alexandra Pelosi (2007) (The Film's Title)

The title of the film comes from the song “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton. Perhaps I am wrong, but my impression is that Ms. Pelosi chose the title in order to insinuate that the Christians featured in the film were self-righteous people who believed themselves to be God’s chosen people and/or to have special insights as to God’s will. Again, that subtle message does not serve the purported aim of the film to help the rest of society to better understand Evangelicals. Moreover, it distorts and misrepresents the song, from which the film’s title is taken.

Israel Houghton’s song is not a boastful song. Quite the opposite. The song begins with humble questions that are typically sung softly:

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me?

The chorus rejoices in the answer to these questions:

I am a friend of God
He calls me friend.

The song is based on James 2:23, which references Isaiah 41:8. The point of these passages is that the Creator of the Universe loved Abraham so much that He called him his “friend,” a term that denotes intimacy and love. As the spiritual descendants of Abraham, God loves us all in the same way. This is a beautiful, powerful concept to many if not most Christ followers. It is the essence of the Good News of Christ—that God loves each us very deeply and personally.

If one listens carefully to the lyrics, it is clear that Houghton’s song is not at all boastful or self-righteous. Instead, the song actually expresses great humility and awe that despite being relatively powerless human beings our omnipotent Creator loves each of us so ardently and intimately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu4PWSnVabg

http://www.logon.org/English/s/p035.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMnMN08sv4k&feature=fvw

James 2:23 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness , and he was called God's friend.



Isaiah 41:8 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)


But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
descendant of Abraham, My friend

Israel Houghton

Music has always been an important part of worship for me. This is quite ironic because I have no musical talent whatsoever and never seem to hit the right notes when I (attempt to) sing. Nonetheless, good music really speaks to me. One of my favorite Christian artists is Israel Houghton. Beyond Houston (where I lived for many years) he does not seem to be as well-known even though he has earned an impressive array of awards and wrote many of the contemporary Christian standards sung in churches across the country. I wish his profile were higher, he is one of the most talented musicians around. The term “musical genius” would not be an exaggeration.

Houghton’s music is known for its mixture of influences and high energy. His lyrics emphasize breaking down divisions among people, and reflecting God’s tremendous love for his people. The tone of Houghton’s lyrics is infectiously optimistic and hopeful. The melodies are also quite catchy. It is hard to sit still and remain quiet when listening to his songs. When they are over, you feel inspired. His songs also have very broad appeal. My husband and I love Houghton’s music. However, our young children love singing along as well. Despite their tender ages, they know all the lyrics.

Israel Houghton also has a compelling personal story. His mother was a white woman from Iowa. In 1971, at age seventeen, she found herself pregnant with the child of her African American boyfriend. To put it mildly, her family was not pleased with the situation; it was suggested that she should have an abortion. She refused to do that, was shunned by her family and moved to California. She was on drugs and broke up with the biological father before the baby’s birth. However, somewhere along the line, she became a Christian. Despite Houghton’s difficult childhood, he was apparently quite strong in his faith. As a young man, he initially had no inclination towards a career in music, but was encouraged by his church to consider leadership in their music ministry. His innate talent eventually led to albums and leadership in the music ministries of large congregations.

Two of our family’s favorite songs by Israel Houghton are “Say So” and “Friend of God.” The links below include lyrics and performances of those two songs, as well as some biographical information about Houghton. Enjoy!

http://www.lyriczz.com/lyrics/israel-houghton/90646-say-so/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4IAvH475RM

http://www.lyrics007.com/Israel%20Houghton%20Lyrics/I%20Am%20A%20Friend%20Of%20God%20Lyrics.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM

http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/Interviews/700club_IsraelHoughton_041205.aspx

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Israel-Biography/C35C24B843D4EE1448256E9A002699F5

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=629

Psalm 40:3 (New Living Translation)
“He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the Lord.”