Whatever Is

Philippians 4:4-9

 

        A month ago I was asked to make a presentation on The Book of Confessions. I was delighted to help out some of my fellow ministers in their officer training and looked forward to having a meaningful discussion on both the historical setting and theological significance of the eleven statements of faith found in this document. Last week the same person wrote to ask if I would switch topics. Instead of The Book of Confessions, Albert wanted to know if I might cover the essential tenets of the Reform Faith. 

        Anyone who had been elected to the office of elder might remember a series of questions posed to each candidate. The one I find most troubling and the one to which I am to speak about this evening is, “Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expectations of what scripture leads us to believe and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?”

        I would hope before anyone would answer this question they might ask, “What are the essential tenets of the reformed faith?” I suspect if I were having this discussion here, the answer received would be somewhat different than the answer I will receive this evening. This congregation celebrates a variety of religious experiences and doctrines. That has certainly helped us listen to an assortment of truths, some which are spelled with a capital T and others which are no less important but might not be universally held. The creedal statements we find in our Book of Confessions include declarations from six different denominations written over a period of 1700 years. While the Hammurabi Code, The Magna Charta, and the Declaration of Independence each agree on the importance of the human experiment, each differently defines the essential concept of human liberty.       So why should we be surprised that a church 2,000 old might differ on which tenets/critical beliefs should be held as infallible.

        As a Christians we share with all other Christian denominations the mystery of a triune God. Just the mention of the word Trinity creates a discussion over terminology ranging from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to more modern language such as Creator, Reconciler and Sustainer. However the language used does not lessen our faith in the mysterious ways in which God reveals God’s self.

        Second, as a universal church, we celebrate the incarnation of the eternal word of God in Jesus Christ. We are not alone. God, Emmanuel, is with us.

        But then a divide begins which separates us into different expressions of understanding the actions of this mysterious God we claim.  First, as Protestants we acknowledge we are justified by Grace. We cannot save ourselves but are dependent on God’s love in Jesus Christ to draw us back to God and fulfill God’s command to love God and our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.

        Second, universally Protestant denominations claim the authority of scripture. We see The Bible as the lens through which we know God and discover ourselves. The Bible points us to truth.

        Even as I have tried to carefully craft those words there are folks here who wished I would have made stronger statements concerning God, incarnation, salvation and the Bible. Others might have felt the language chosen was much too definitive and left no room for disagreement or discussion. Such is the nature of the beast when we choose to talk about the essentials of what we believe.

        As you might have guessed, each of the denominations from which we originate has definitive statements which further define the essence of what we believe. Those statements are both significant and debatable.  Hopefully each of us is open to the Holy Spirit in determining what is good, acceptable, and perfect.

        Like our ancestors who came by different boats and trails to claim citizenship within this great nation, we each have traveled distinctive theological road. Some of us crave discussions concerning transubstantiation, the trinity or atonement and the like. But thanks be to God most of you are more interested in how God expects us to live together.   

        In the past few weeks we have been peeping in on the congregation at the church in Philippi. Many of the discussions within that congregation centered on who was God, who was Jesus, how might the Jewish Torah help in their understanding, what can be retain from their existing culture and what has to be given up.  The most difficult question concerned the leadership needed to fill Paul’s void.

        Paul wasn’t coming back. It was going to be up to the members of the church in Philippi to develop their own leadership. More important they would have to establish faith statements which would both drive and inform their discussions. They did not have a copy of The Book of Confessions or The New Testament. Those had yet to be written. All they had was what they had heard from Paul and the early Apostles. 

        When Paul sat down to write, he knew of the tension that was beginning to cause this little congregation to implode. Each discussion evolved into passion, anger and accusations. These were friends being torn apart by multiple   versions of what each considered to be the truth.

        Paul could have ended his letter when some great theological statement telling them to get their house in order. Instead he wrote these words:

        Rejoice in the Lord always. Let your gentleness be known. Turn to God in prayer. God will hear your supplications. Know that the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.

        My friends, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, do these things and the God of peace will be with you. Greet each others as saints in Christ Jesus knowing that the grace of God is with you.

       

        As I said before, tonight I go to Charlottesville to give a talk and answer questions on the Tenets of the Reformed Faith. Only some folks aren’t going to ask me questions. They are going to make declarations concerning the church and accusations concerning the church’s loss of belief. There will be allegations directed at the Presbytery of the James and beyond. Each statement will be spoken sincerely but will be heard by some as sanctimonious. Depending on how tired people are when they arrive will probably determine when I get to leave. But at some point a prayer will be said, the parking lot will empty and I will point my car home. But before I turn on my CD player I will thanks to God for allowing me to serve this church, a diverse and complex people, who love each other, respect each other, listen to each other, and together praises God for bringing us all here.

                                                                                Amen.