At any rate, it crops up often at gift shops and Christian bookstores and the like: something catches my mind--a sign, a greeting card, some sort of motto on a bracelet or a t-shirt--and the next thing my poor wife knows, I'm rambling on, talking about theology!
The problem, as I see it, is that a very great deal of bad theology is conveyed by pop culture. Though many folks might think it's the territory only of divinity students with store-bought halos, slaving over thick volumes of obscure writings, the truth is, theology is everywhere! From "WWJD" bracelets to bumper stickers declaring everything from "God is my co-pilot" to "Honk if you love Jesus", there is a tremendous range of religious sentiment up for grabs on the shelves of stores across America; and like it or not, much of what is read sinks-in and becomes a part of our theological perspective. At least, that's what happens by default, when we don't think critically or attempt to sift through the barrage of inspiration and pure drivel that is American pop spirituality. Because I'm aware of this hazard, I suppose I tend at times to be overly analytical, going into what may be a bit more discussion and critique of such things than others really want to hear.
Yesterday, at a tourist spot, I rounded a corner to see the following hand-painted sign for sale, complete with angelic messengers:
Miracles happen
for those who believe
Honestly, I've gotten so used to this sort of thing, I hardly have to stop and think. In a flash I thought, "That's not right!" Don't get me wrong--like most such sayings plastered on trinkets and plaques, I'm sure it was probably meant by the painter in complete sincerity...but the fact remains, it's junk theology. I think even a modest familiarity with the Bible would suggest that miracles in fact happen not for the benefit of those who believe, but for the benefit of those who struggle to find faith. Jesus worked miraculous healing and did other signs and wonders in order to gain an audience with those outside the family of God, and to give them a cause to believe. And speaking of "believe", that word is probably at the top of my personal "hit-list" of junk theology. How often does a sign or card or shirt proudly bear the slogan "Just believe"? To be honest, though I can understand the kind of thinking that says any positive message is good, the truth is, it matters a very great deal what and in whom you believe! In our pluralistic, politically-correct world, it seems the prevailing message is that no one is allowed to claim to have absolute truth, and that to do so only serves to prove that you're short-sighted and intolerant. Further, our society seems to overwhelmingly teach that to disagree with someone else's viewpoint on religious matters is to judge, condemn and disrespect that person. I can't say I'm surprised that we've progressed in this vein, but it's certainly with chagrin that I contemplate the world my son will face one day when he stands up for the truth of the gospel. If you're still reading at this point, chances are you haven't been deeply offended and don't think I'm an idiot (else, presumably, you would have switched to reading something else, or are now telling your significant other about my lunacy!) But just in case, if you're appalled at my lack of "respect" for those who think differently, allow me to explain myself. In my opinion, anyone who isn't sure enough of his own opinion about something as important as the eternal destiny of mankind to share it with others, just doesn't have much faith in what he says he believes. Based on my personal experience, I am convinced beyond any shadow of doubt of the universality of the force of gravity on all things on the planet Earth. I have seen time and again how gravity brings objects earthward. From Gallileo's experiments, I know that mass of an object has no bearing on its rate of fall in a vacuum, but factors significantly into the equation where the resistance of air comes into play. Because I am convinced of this principle, I feel compelled, upon seeing a young child perched upon the edge of a roof with a bathrobe "cape", to inform the lad of the brutality of the impending education he is about to receive and to make my best effort at dissuading him from carrying out his planned experimental procedure. Failing his listening to reason, I even would feel the need to make at least some valiant effort to break his fall, because I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the outcome will not be to his liking. In the same way, my experience of years of living has shown me, beyond any reasonable doubt, that God is at work in my life even in those moments when I am convinced otherwise. I have experienced His care, His miraculous intervention in my poor choices and His pursuit of my soul when I was running headlong everywhere but toward Him. For this reason, when I see someone who is struggling, poised on the brink of putting full faith in some other principle than the one I have seen borne out time after time in my life, I feel a tremendous urge to intervene. When someone I meet doesn't listen to what I have to say, but instead launches himself skyward with faith in a feeble, ineffective means of salvation, I feel an obligation to at least make every effort in my power to spread a safety net, to seek a means to dissuade him or cause him to reconsider. I find it quite difficult to say, "Oh, well, Sonny--you've made your choice, hope the cape works for you!"
So, back to the sign: for whom do miracles happen? Is the sign suggesting "those who believe are the recipients of miracles?"; or "miracles happen for the benefit of believers?" Either way, I disagree. To suggest that belief is a prerequisite for God to do miracles is something I have seen solidly disproved, in my own life and in the lives of others. As the Scripture says, "...He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust." (Matthew 5:45) Likewise, if the suggestion of the sign is that miracles are the benefit of believers, I find this hard to swallow. From what I have seen, and from what the Scripture clearly demonstrates, miracles are done for God's glory and the benefit of those who do not believe, that they might be convinced of the truth of the gospel. I don't condemn someone for having made what they probably saw as an encouraging sign, but it frustrates me that so much of the theology I see espoused on the internet and in churches seems to come from such "junk" sources, rather than from the word of God. I hear people tell others who are sick or suffering, "Just have faith!" and I wonder, "faith in what?" I hear people say they're "sending good thoughts your way" to someone in need, and I wonder if that's somehow helpful? I know that talking to the God of the Universe and interceding for those we love works, but I'm dubious about anyone's "good thoughts", well-intentioned though they may be. For my money, I'd rather have your prayers than your good thoughts, and I'd rather put my faith in God than in the power of believing. I can believe all day long that I could jump off that roof with a bathrobe tied to my back and fly, but there is a harsh, painful reality at the end of that experience, and that faith will prove to be misplaced. Why would I not want to share the faith that I have found saves me such pain and rescues me from hardship, not to mention the gift of eternal life?
I pray you will have good thoughts toward me, but moreover I pray they will result in your prayers for me. I believe God does miracles in my life, but I don't believe they're dependent on my faith or lack thereof, and I believe they are for His glory, not mine. My prayer for you is that you will consider well the things you believe, be a thinking consumer of popular theology, and make God's Word the only standard for what you believe about the gospel. God bless you on your journey!
So, back to the sign: for whom do miracles happen? Is the sign suggesting "those who believe are the recipients of miracles?"; or "miracles happen for the benefit of believers?" Either way, I disagree. To suggest that belief is a prerequisite for God to do miracles is something I have seen solidly disproved, in my own life and in the lives of others. As the Scripture says, "...He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust." (Matthew 5:45) Likewise, if the suggestion of the sign is that miracles are the benefit of believers, I find this hard to swallow. From what I have seen, and from what the Scripture clearly demonstrates, miracles are done for God's glory and the benefit of those who do not believe, that they might be convinced of the truth of the gospel. I don't condemn someone for having made what they probably saw as an encouraging sign, but it frustrates me that so much of the theology I see espoused on the internet and in churches seems to come from such "junk" sources, rather than from the word of God. I hear people tell others who are sick or suffering, "Just have faith!" and I wonder, "faith in what?" I hear people say they're "sending good thoughts your way" to someone in need, and I wonder if that's somehow helpful? I know that talking to the God of the Universe and interceding for those we love works, but I'm dubious about anyone's "good thoughts", well-intentioned though they may be. For my money, I'd rather have your prayers than your good thoughts, and I'd rather put my faith in God than in the power of believing. I can believe all day long that I could jump off that roof with a bathrobe tied to my back and fly, but there is a harsh, painful reality at the end of that experience, and that faith will prove to be misplaced. Why would I not want to share the faith that I have found saves me such pain and rescues me from hardship, not to mention the gift of eternal life?
I pray you will have good thoughts toward me, but moreover I pray they will result in your prayers for me. I believe God does miracles in my life, but I don't believe they're dependent on my faith or lack thereof, and I believe they are for His glory, not mine. My prayer for you is that you will consider well the things you believe, be a thinking consumer of popular theology, and make God's Word the only standard for what you believe about the gospel. God bless you on your journey!
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