Pondering Pastor

Mention either Britney Spears or Westboro Baptist Church and you’ve got my attention. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but when news about either appears, I often will follow the links to find out more. And I’m not a celebrity watcher! I vehemently disagree with WBC! It is interesting to think about what they have in common.

I’m fascinated at how Britney’s life spirals out of control, and there seems to be no one who can call her to be accountable in a healthy way.

I’m fascinated at how Westboro Baptist Church spirals out of control, and there seems to be no one who can call them to be accountable in a healthy way.

It’s hard for me to imagine. I have many people around me who are willing to risk a great deal in order to hold me accountable. I trust them. When they speak, I listen. It’s not easy. As independent as I like to believe that I am, I know that I am accountable to any number of people … and to God. That doesn’t seem to be true for Britney or WBC (despite the fact that WBC says they are accountable to God).

Maybe it is because my religious tradition takes seriously the nature of sin. Maybe it is because I recognize my brokenness and regularly am engaged in confession. Maybe it is a whole host of other things.

But I look at Britney and WBC and I’m sad. I look at the impact of what they say and do, and wonder how anyone might be able to mitigate the destruction they leave in their wake.

Pondering.

Pondering Pastor

Overheard in a grocery store today.

Man:     Why do you have your Easter things out already?

Cashier: Easter is just a few weeks away.

Man:     I used to go to church.  I’m sure Easter is in April.
Cashier: Easter is early this year.

Man:     I thought it was the same time every year.

Cashier: It moves.  It’s not like a government holiday.  It’s early this year.
Man:     Oh.  I still think it is too early to have your Easter things out.

Nothing like a holiday that sneaks up on you to surprise you.  After all, it takes some time to get ready for a resurrection.

Pondering Pastor

In the Evolution vs. Religion debates, it is rare when one “side” is able to recognize the value that the other brings to the table.  Today, I provide for your consideration one such value that evolution has brought that is particularly lacking in many religious circles.  I’m quoting from “Evolution: A Very Short Introduction”, by Brian and Deborah Charlesworth.

The study of evolution has revealed our intimate connections with the other species that inhabit the Earth; if global catastrophe is to be avoided, these connections must be respected…. Evolution provides a set of unifying principles for the whole of biology; it also illuminates the relations of human beings to the universe and to each other. (pg. 3)

In the stories of creation from the Bible (especially Genesis 2), creatures are brought before the human as potential “helpers”.  All are determined to be different enough from the human that they are not “suitable”.  Eve is then created from Adam and deemed to be a “suitable partner”.  This Genesis account makes sure we understand that the other creatures are not like us, despite what we might observe.  Our role is to care for all of creation, including these creatures.  That is not to say that one perspective is right, and the other wrong, but it is to say that the study of evolution has advanced a perspective that is not obvious in scripture.

I find this very helpful.

Pondering Pastor