Speaking the truth in love?

Well, he went ahead and did it. We reported in an earlier post (9/12/10) that Reverend Terry Jones, Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, had decided not to burn the Qur’an. He apparently had a change of mind and, on March 20th, Jones served as judge in a mock trial of Islam’s holy book, which was found guilty of “training and promoting terrorist activities … death, rape, torture of people worldwide”. [1] The latest news reports indicated that at least 20 have been killed and dozens more injured during protests in Kabul, Afghanistan. Following a sermon at the Mazar-e Sharif’s blue mosque, mobs formed, threw stones and breached the U. N. gates. Protesters chanted anti-American slogans, burned an effigy of President Obama, burned tires and blocked highways in other parts of Afghanistan.

Is Jones responsible for the deaths and rioting? There are two parts to the answer. First, those who committed the violent acts are responsible – not Jones. Humans have a pathological propensity to blame others for our own actions, claiming “I did this because he did that”. The truth is that each of us makes our own decisions to act and no one else is responsible. On the other hand, Jones knew his actions would lead to violence. In fact, he was warned last September by International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance, Geoff Tunnicliffe, whose organization represents millions of evangelical Christians worldwide. He told Jones at that time, “"If you continue with your action and violence occurs, pastors are killed, churches are burnt down, would you actually come with me and sit with widows and explain to them why you had to take the action you did?" [2]

Many prominent Christians have denounced Rev. Jones’ actions and we concur. Whereas a strong case can be made that Islam and the Qur’an have led to much violence from the 7th century and until present times, provocative acts like those of Jones are counterproductive. The Apostle Paul instructed believers in Corinth to proclaim the message of salvation, “giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited” (2 Corinthians 6:3). He instructed Titus to “be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds … dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:6-8). As followers of Christ today, we should consider our actions by the standard: “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

[1] Pittsburgh Tribune Review, “Quran protest enrages Afghans”, 1 Apr 2011.
[2] Jerome Socolovsky, Voice of America, “Religious Leaders Appeal for Calm After Quran Burning”, 5 Apr 2011,

good mood = good health?

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down” (Proverbs 12:25)
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
“Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Happiness is related to health and longevity, according to Ed Diener, University of Illinois professor emeritus of psychology and senior scientist for the Gallup Organization, as reported in the journal Applied Psychology. Diener teamed with Micaela Chan, University of Texas at Dallas, to review studies of subjective well-being (SWB), which refers to an individual’s life satisfaction, absence of negative emotions, optimism, and positive emotions. They analyzed experimental trials and long-term studies to evaluate the health status of people who were stressed by natural events. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of eight different types of studies and reached the conclusion from each type that a person’s SWB contributes both to longevity and better health among healthy populations.

People experience sad moods or joyful emotions because they attach an evaluation to events in their lives as to whether theyse are going well or badly. The researchers found that SWB is a broad category that includes a diversity of phenomena ranging from general optimism to low anger to work satisfaction. Positive moods, joy, happiness, life satisfaction, hopefulness, optimism, and sense of humor predicted longevity and were associated with reduced risk of mortality in healthy populations. Diener and Chan controlled the analyses for socioeconomic status and health at baseline and they cautioned that causality could not be definitively established because initial unmeasured states of health could not be measured exactly. However, they did control for many of the plausible variables. Furthermore, the large populations, coupled with the longevity of some of the studies, lend credibility to the results.

The data appear to be statistically significant because quite a few studies have large sample sizes and subjects have been followed for several decades in some cases. A small sampling of the many studies are listed briefly here:
• One study followed nearly 5,000 individuals for more than 40 years. Those who were most pessimistic as young students age tended to die earlier than their peers.
• An even longer study, which followed 180 nuns from early adulthood to old age, found that those who wrote positive autobiographies in their 20s tended to outlive those who wrote more negative accounts.
• Optimism and positive affect were positively correlated with improved immune response.
• Higher levels of depression and anxiety predicted coronary heart disease in healthy subjects in 11 of 11 studies analyzed.
• Many studies found that stress, anxiety, and depression are associated with deleterious changes in the cardiovascular system.
• A review of physiological pathways indicated that negative emotions enhance production of proinflamatory cytokines, which may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
• Low SWB was found to be related to telomere shortening, which resulted in physical ailments due to errors during cell replication, and were most often associated with major depression and old age.

Diener and Chan’s meta-analysis found: “In sum, moods and emotions are consistently found to be associated with biological measures such as blood pressure, cortisol (stress hormone), and inflammation, as well as indicators of disease such as artery wall thickening. The researchers found that "the overwhelming majority of studies support the conclusion that happiness is associated with health and longevity."

Does this mean we should all strive to become Pollyanna-like, smiling as the world crumbles around us and ignoring anything negative in life? Maybe the subjects in these studies were simply too naive to recognize all the evil in the world? That is hardly the case due to the very large sample populations and sheer number of studies analyzed. Recognizing the bad, but choosing to see the good in life, is biblical. For example, the Apostle Paul, writing from a harsh prison cell in Rome, stated, “even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all” (2:17) and “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4) Biblical advice seems to be corroborated – at least for physiological benefits - by empirical data.

References:
[1] Ed Diener and Micaela Y. Chan, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2011, 3 (1), 1–43 doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.
[2] Diana Yates, “Study: Happiness improves health and lengthens life”, University of Illinois News Bureau, 1 Mar 2011,

Unbelievable?

If you’re in the car frequently, but bored with the local radio programs, get tired of listening to music on the iPod when exercising, or would like to hear something intellectually and spiritually stimulating, you may want to check out Unbelievable? This Premier Christian Radio program, brings together Christians and non-Christians in a civilized debate format. Also, believers with different viewpoints discuss some of the most difficult issues of our time. Some of the most respected and well-known atheists, agnostics and Christian scholars respectfully debate a wide range of issues, providing listeners with some of the best arguments and rebuttals on all sides. A few of the many guests have been: Richard Dawkins, Bart Ehrman, Peter Hitchins, Alvin Plantinga, William Lane Craig, Michael Behe, Stephen Meyer, and many others. Weekly podcasts are available for shows dating back to 2007, so there are numerous topics from which to choose. I subscribe to the podcasts through iTunes, which are free of commercial advertisements. To check it out, search Unbelievable Premier Christian Radio or use this link: http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable.aspx
Enjoy.

Showing team pride

Steeler religious experience
The service at church this morning was a very religious experience, but not for the reasons we usually think of. The congregation, similar to many others in the area, was very prominently adorned in black and gold. The Steelers in the Superbowl makes for a powerful spiritual experience – when they win. Churches in Green Bay may have been adorned this morning with plenty of green and yellow. While it’s great to show support and root for the home team, this brings up a question: How do others recognize that I’m on God’s team. My clothing? Jewelry? Church attendance? How should non-Christians notice my faith?

Symbols
Tradition states that early Christians who, facing persecution, were able to identify fellow believers in Christ by use of the simple fish symbol. The ancient Greek word for fish was IXθYΣ (or IXOYE). This was allegedly used by followers of Christ as an acrostic meaning Iesous (Iota) Christos(Chi) Theou (Theta) Huios (Upsilon) Soter (Sigma) or Jesus Anointed God’s Son Savior. These symbols have been found in 1st century Roman catacombs. Other persecuted believers today may use similar symbols. However, in free societies today, there is no need to keep one’s faith secret.

Christian clothing
In some regions of past Muslim dominance, Christians (“People of the Book”) and Jews were instructed to wear different types of clothing to distinguish them. At one point, this included wearing of yellow clothing for Jews, while Christians were to wear black and dark blue. Although these colors of clothing included yellow and black, it is doubtful they would carry the Steelers trademark today. Some Muslim jurists at the time advised that Christians and Jews should be recognizable by different shoes, such as one shoe of one color and the second shoe of a different color. The dhimmis (infidels living within Islamic territory) were also advised to tie a bell on their feet at the public baths so as to be distinguishable from Muslims. [1]

Shining lights
Jesus told His followers, “Let your light shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). How is that done? Jesus continued, “in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. Good works are a primary method of shining our light. John wrote, “let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18) There’s nothing wrong with Christian symbols, shirts or bumper stickers, but our deeds should speak loudly of our faith. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Christian team colors are shown by good works performed out of love for others.

[1] Andrew G. Bostom, Editor, The Legacy of Jihad, (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2005), 218-219. Excerpted from Risala-yi Sawa’iq al-Yahud, “The Laws of Jizya”, Muhammad Al-Majlisi (d. 1699).

View from above

It’s hard to believe the Star of David remained in plain view in the Islamic Republic of Iran more than four decades, on top of the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. No one noticed until it was spotted recently in an aerial shot on Google Maps. Apparently, Israeli engineers placed the symbol on the roof when they built the facility in 1955. Once alerted to the Jewish symbol, Iranian officials made plans – not surprisingly - to have it removed.

Relations between Israel and Iran have been severely strained in recent times. Iran's nuclear production was set back about a year with the development of the Stuxnet worm, reportedly by the Mossad, Israeli intelligence. “According to the New York Times, the Stuxnet worm included one component designed to send Iran's centrifuges spinning out of control and another to record normal operations at the nuclear plant and then play them back so that everything would appear normal while the centrifuges were tearing themselves apart.” [1] Civilians on both sides would prefer cold wars to be fought with computer worms rather than bombs and guns.

On January 16, 2011, the New York Times reported a joint U.S.-Israeli effort in developing a model of the Iranian nuclear process at Dimona, in the Negev region, laying the groundwork for countering Iranian nuclear production. There’s a lot of history in the Negev. Abram and Lot traveled from Egypt to the Negev (Genesis 13:1) and Moses sent spies into the Negev (Numbers 13:17). After 3,400 years, spies are back in the Negev.

The Star of David is a humorous (to some) example of a very important spiritual principle – the need to have a heavenly perspective in life. We can miss things on the ground that Google Maps can spot from the air. It’s easy to go about our lives, being concerned with the cares of this life, as Jesus instructed:
“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with … the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap” and “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity” (Luke 8:14 and 21:34).
Each of us needs to ask a question: Am I weighted down with the worries of life or am I living with a view from God’s perspective? There's probably a star above we haven't noticed.

[1] Ewen MacAskill, “Stuxnet cyberworm heads off US strike on Iran”, guardian.co.uk, 16 Jan 2011.

I'm thankful for gut flora

On Thanksgiving, we take time away from complaining about our jobs, the government and the price of higher education to be grateful for the good things we have: our jobs, Facebook, Twitter, reality TV shows (sure), family, health, and the greatest gift which opens up a relationship with the creator of the universe. There are some other things this Creator has given that don’t normally make the list of those for which we are thankful.

Intestinal bacteria
The trillions of bacteria that live in the average human intestinal tract outnumber the cells in the body. However, most are beneficial and deter harmful bacteria from growing and damaging the host. These “good” bacteria boost our immune system, improve nutrient absorption [1], assist in the digestion of food, break down toxins, as well as manufacture vitamins and amino acids [2]. This is why a course of probiotics is recommended before travel to third world nations and one reason yogurt sells at the Piggly Wiggly. It may not make for a very good discussion topic around the Thanksgiving table, but gut flora are good for us.

Earthquakes
While tragic when these affect populated areas and people are harmed, earthquakes – a result of plate tectonics – have served to provide a livable planet for advanced life. Plate tectonics maintain proper amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to balance the sun’s luminosity. In the carbonate-silicate cycle, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere through weathering, then returned into the earth’s crust through plate tectonics. Another similar mechanism controls the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere through a type of “oxygen elevator”. Oxygen becomes bound in various oxides, drawn into the earth’s interior at subduction zones along tectonic plates, then incorporated through a complex process into a mineral called majorite (yes, it was named for researcher Alan Major). When majorite reaches the earth's surface, it releases the oxygen, some into the atmosphere and some to bind with hydrogen to form water [3]. Without tectonic activity – and earthquakes – that perform these and many other functions, this planet would not be habitable. We can thank God for earthquakes.

Bad is good
Other examples of things we normally don’t think are worthy of thanks include volcanoes which deposit nutrient rich soil that is easily broken down by weathering, allowing for productive agriculture. And viruses, which are often very deleterious to humans, are beneficial in regulating animal and plant populations. Also, researchers have been able to use harmful viruses for good, like sheep in wolves’ clothing. For example, the deadly HIV-1 virus was “disabled” and used to deliver a healthy gene to stem cells of a patient with a rare brain disorder [4]. This Thanksgiving we can see the Creator’s providence even in some unusual places.

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits." (Psalm 103:2)

[1] USDA/Agricultural Research Service. "Beneficial Bacteria Boost Intestinal Health."ScienceDaily 3 January 2007. 24 November 2010
[2] European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). "Bacterial balance keeps us healthy: Microbial genes in gut outnumber genes in human body." ScienceDaily 4 March 2010. 24 November 2010 .
[3] David Rogstad, “Another benefit for life in earthquakes”, Reasons to Believe, 7 Dec 2007.
[4] Fazale Rana, “Viruses and God’s providence revisited”, Reasons to Believer, 26 Nov 2009.

When Christian leaders fail

Last weekend, a letter was read to parishioners indicating an audit found an unspecified amount of money had been “misappropriated” by Rev. Francis Drabiska, who had served as pastor of the Word of God parish near Pittsburgh, PA for 16 years. Bishop David Zubik, Roman Catholic Diocese, announced the resignation of Rev. Drabiska, who admitted taking the funds [1], which were presumably not used for wafers and grape juice.

Rev. Ted Haggard resigned from the 14,000 member New Life Church in Colorado Springs which he had founded in the 1980s. The former president of the 30,000 member National Evangelical Association stated in a letter read to the congregation, “The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality”. [2] In Hollywood, this admission would be received with a yawn and movie deal. Not so in the church. This matter was a bit more complicated than most church sex scandals, given Haggard’s involvement in politics and his opposition to same-sex marriage legislation. Mike Jones of Denver, who is gay and whom Haggard allegedly paid for a massage and methamphetamine, stated “My intent was to expose a hypocrite.” [3]

Then there’s Father John Geoghan, former Boston priest, suspected of serial pedophilia for decades before he was convicted in 2002 of groping a 10-year old boy. He is alleged to have left behind a trail of victims, many of whom have likely turned away from the church, before suffering his own tragic end - a noose held by fellow inmate Joseph Druce on August 23, 2003 at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. [4] We could continue; unfortunately, as there are other examples. Many non-church attenders point to these types of incidents as another problem with religion. Is it justified to turn from the church and God because of the sins of a few?

How does this affect people?
News reports of Christian leaders' moral failings receive a disproportionate amount of attention in comparison to the actual problem. Similarly, there are thousands of plane flights every day, but they only receive attention when something goes wrong. The vast majority of church leaders are never involved in any scandalous behavior. Unfortunately, some people become disillusioned as a result and leave the church or use these scandals as an excuse for avoiding church. A survey of those who do not attend religious services found that 72% stated that church is “full of hypocrites”. [5] Few, if any, scientific studies break this down to church leaders who fail, but it is clear that hypocrisy is a common complaint of the unchurched.

So, how should we react?
Is it reasonable to be surprised and shocked when a human fails? Only Jesus was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5). Conversely, the remainder of us have sinned to varying degrees (Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:1, Romans 3:23). Though it is certainly disappointing when a respected church leader falls, our trust should not be in humans, but in God alone (Psalm 40:4, Isaiah 26:4). We should forgive those who sin as each of us would like to be forgiven (Luke 6:31, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). Certain behaviors may necessitate removal from positions within the church (2 Corinthians 2:6-8), expulsion from the church completely (1 Corinthians 5:13), and even criminal prosecution. Following repentance, if return to the church would not place others at risk, this person may be restored to fellowship (Galatians 6:1).

What to do?
The message and mission of the church are too important to not take reasonable precautions for church leaders and workers. Systems of checks and balances are essential for financial matters, so that no one is tempted regardless of how much the pastor, secretary or CFO are trusted. Similarly, safeguards need to be in place – and already are in most churches – to protect against even the appearance of impropriety. All of us who work in the church as volunteers or staff need to maintain high standards of conduct (1 Timothy 3:1-13) so the message of the gospel will not be hindered (Matthew 18:6). However, we need to remember that Jesus Christ was the only person who never sinned and our faith should only be in Him.

[1] Jodi Weigand, “Word of God Parish rocked by theft accusation against priest”, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 15 Nov 2010.
[2] Associated Press, “Haggard admits ‘sexual immorality,’ apologizes”, MSNBC, updated 11/05/06.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Thomas Farragher, “In death, Geoghan triggers another crisis,” The Boston Globe, November 30, 2003.
[5] Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Survey: Non-attendees find faith outside church”, USAToday, 23 Jan 2008.