VBS Ramblings, Part II: Challenged By Teenagers
Last night, as I normally do, I wandered into the Youth classroom and was blindsided by a verbal firestorm. There is a particularly brash young lady, I’ll call her Blaster, who yelled out as I walked into the door, “Hey. What are you doing dissin’ Pentecostals?” ; I was expecting to walk in and enjoy a few moments of lighthearted interaction, and was not prepared for her aggression. Still, I knew what Blaster was talking about.
On Sunday mornings I am preaching a series entitled “How Jesus Is Unique”, and last Sunday I preached about His sacrifice. My understanding is that His death and resurrection hve brought about a solution for man’s problems of sin and isolation from God. I focused upon Isaiah 53. Verse five reads, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. “ The point I made in the sermon was that the healing, effected through the sacrifice of Christ, goes to matters much deeper than the physical- all the way to the heart. I shared the contrast that such is an important variance from the Pentecostal/Charismatic interpretation that Christ’s death upon the cross enables the healing of all physical maladies. I am rather sure that God is infinitesimally more interested in our eternal well-being. I do believe in divine healing, at God’s discretion, and I think it is patently unfair and unscriptural for anyone to brazenly guarantee it for the spiritually elite.
Sunday morning, another young lady was visiting our church by invitation from a relative. Apparently, she was deeply offended by the statement. She and her Aunt had to get up and leave before the service was over. I think what I had to say was reasonable, and a point worthy of being made considering the scriptures we were studying. I even made the point that, although in this particular matter of Biblical interpretation I am fairly confident, in no way should I consider myself a better Christian than others with a different viewpoint. But, it seems, none of the context of the statement mattered to the young lady who was offended.
So I was accosted by the angry words of Blaster. I took a moment to compose myself and looked to the teacher, asking what was going on. Apparently the offended party had shared her experience, and Blaster had taken it upon herself to take up the cause of defence. O.K. At least Youth have a somewhat refreshing tendency to be straightforward. Honest I am not going to say, because this young lady had plenty of opportunity to confront me personally and privately about the matter if it were so bothersome. But I guess the human tendency to is show greater boldness in the absence of one’s nemesis and also when with a crowd of peers?
I looked to the group of Youth, about 20 in number. Most were just kids with nothing invested in the issue, ever feigning boredom but for some reason having just enough energy and interest to come to VBS every night. Blaster I know. She has serious issues with personality and relationships, and I do worry very much for her future. I asked why she thought it was her job to settle this issue? Was she even in attendance at church when I made the supposedly offending statement? Of course she had no adequate answer, and now seemed backed into a corner. I told her that I did not feel the need to address her concerning this issue. I then looked to the young lady at the heart of the matter, and asked if she would like for me to give a fuller explanation? She was sheepish and embarrassed. I waited for a moment and then continued. I spent a few minutes discussing the difference between the addressing of issues and the attacking of persons. I explained that the scriptures being considered last Sunday required that I address the interpretation of verse 5, of vital importance to what I believe to be the ultimate mission of Christ. Then, I told her this was not a breaking point for Christian fellowship. It is a matter of biblical interpretation that should be considered seriously, but of which many Christians have decided to agree to disagree. And finally, I told the group that all through life we will encounter people with points of view that challenge our current ways of thinking. The mature and proper response is not to get angry. Kids get angry. Close-minded persons get angry. And the moment you allow someone’s expressed point of view to cause you to respond in anger, then you have lost the debate. Instead of anger, respond with thoughtfulness. Consider what he has to say. How does it stack up with what you believe? How can you thoughtfully defend you views in the light of this new belief?
There was no verbal response from the group. Just quiet. Teenagers! We will get together again tonight. I am scheduled for about 15 minutes with them. It should be interesting!
06.25.08 (2:45 pm) [
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posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (3:04 pm)
Ironically we had a similar situation in our morning service a few weeks ago, however the offended person was a senior who honestly should have had more tact in her reaction--she was verbally bashing what the Pastor was saying. Her bad attitude and closed mind completely left her unable to see the point, biblical point at that, he was making. Sad. Maybe after they've had a some time to think about what you said last night they will be more willing to open up about it tonight :) Good luck!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (3:12 pm)
Interesting. Oh them kids. Sounds like everyone's arguing over which is more important, the Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy.
Quit offending people, would ya? You've got to be careful when you're treading on the way people feel about their own version of the magic. You know darn well, once it's driven home, it'd damn near take an intervention from Jesus himself to set things right - assuming they believed him and didn't crucify him all over again for being a heretic - which we both know is what would be likely.
-Was especially struck by the one statement you made about your understanding of the reasons and results of what Jesus went through. Perhaps it's because I've never felt isolated from God, and yet here I am, pretty darn sure there's never been a resurrection. Go figure. Who knows. Maybe it comes from not feeling like I have to have God defined for me to love Him/Her/It. - or, maybe I'm just crazy.
-Either way, it keeps me thankful and off crack.
Wait, I understand crack is old fashioned. Let's see... Keeps me out of all but the finest brothels. How's that?
Nah. I give up.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (5:07 pm)
nice way to handle it PD...better than I would have, but then, that is probably one of the reasons you are a pastor...and I am NOT...LOL
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (6:56 pm)
I believe Spiritual healing is far more important than physical healing, and often precedes it!!!
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
06.25.08 (10:27 pm)
PD you handled that beautifully.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:41 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
Certainly I am more patient and gentle with such response from teenagers, impetuous and maturing as they surely are, than I would be with a supposedly "mature" church member behaving in such fashion. I wish for your pastor to be kind, but not to condescend and "baby" this woman. In my biased opinion, such people are coddled far too much. It soothes the immediate issue, but it does damage for the long run.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:47 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Well, I certainly do not equate the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for our sins with the stories of the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny. It is at the heart and center of the Christian faith, a matter of extreme importance that I think everyone interested in Christianity need to at least understand, even if not willing to accept. Often I find myself busily preaching and teaching, yet leaving this matter out. I guess it kind of like being a Democrat and leaving compassion out of the message, or a Republican and skipping out on personal responsibility.
So, you think, MAYBE you are crazy? Several of us would be glad to clarify this issue for you.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:51 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Logic? If divine healing for every infirmity were truly God's will for every person, then surely there would be a lot of good and devout Pentecostals walking around who would be at least a couple of thousand years old.... So, I think I would win this debate!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:54 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Seems to me you have your own little fun and maybe a tad dysfunctional flock to pastor. And you could be a good Protestant minister, if you would only drop this nasty tendency to curse every so often.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:56 am)
Reply to: barnabus1
Certainly. I notice the tendency of Jesus, in the gospels, to heal those who are infirm and then to tell them to keep it a secret. He heals out of compassion, yet he does not want to publicize the matter because he has a greater mission. That mission, of course, being the cross. To be healed of disconnect with God, and to receive eternal life, to me is a far greater miracle.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (6:57 am)
Reply to: LadyG
Thank you! Maybe, perhaps, for doing such a good job you would give me a balloon?
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (12:15 pm)
"all through life we will encounter people with points of view that challenge our current ways of thinking. The mature and proper response is not to get angry. Kids get angry. Close-minded persons get angry. And the moment you allow someone’s expressed point of view to cause you to respond in anger, then you have lost the debate. Instead of anger, respond with thoughtfulness. Consider what he has to say. How does it stack up with what you believe? How can you thoughtfully defend you views in the light of this new belief?"
This should be posted in Congress.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
06.26.08 (5:43 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
LOL. yeah, I am trying to cut down. It's going about as well as the smoking. which is to say, not at all. :(
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
07.01.08 (11:54 am)
Good job, PD ~ very good job!
