In my last post I wrote about how the Christian church in America is dividing itself by arguing over the little things and not focusing on the big picture, which is the fact that Jesus is the redeemer for ALL who choose to follow Him. I used the example of a quote from Tony Campolo where he said:
“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids dies of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said ‘shit’ than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”
The sad thing is, Campolo is right. Unless it directly affects us, we don’t care. Think about it; there are several orginizations which offer the ability to sponsor children in 3rd world nations for around $30 a month. Yet how many of us do that? And don’t think I’m judging you; I’m just as guilty as the next person. But say you’re living paycheck to paycheck and literally cannot afford $30 a month (because that might be a tank of gas for you); can’t you at least show some compassion?
So this brings me to the supposedly controversial new song by Derek Webb called What Matters More.
I say supposedly controversial because the only reason it is considered to be controversial is Webb is a Christian artist (Caedmon’s Call). If he were not a top 40 CCM artist, the “Christian” community wouldn’t even know about this song. But maybe that’s why God gave this song to him instead of John Mayer or Kanye West, because coming from a Christian artist makes it hard for us Christians to ignore.
You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
‘Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak
‘Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn’t silently consent when the liars speak
Denyin’ all the dyin’ or the remedy
Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?
If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin’ the wind while the pendulum swings
‘Cause we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he’s comin’ to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin’ today
Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?
The point of the song is pretty clear to me – instead of reaching out to those who are fighting HIV/AIDS, the Christian community has demonized homosexuals. In the book unChristian (authored and edited by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons), Shayne Wheeler of All Souls Fellowship contributed this:
“During the Alexandrian plague (third century), Christians risked their lives in caring for the sick, taking a posture of grace that said, ‘I am here for you. I may die, but you will not be alone.’ The church embodied the gospel and the message was not forgotten. In the 1980′s, the AIDS epidemic hit the gay community. Otherwise healthy men were dying and nobody knew why. The only link seemed to be their sexuality. The church had opportunity to again speak grace and instead spewed venom. Rather than showing compassion, we self-righteously proclaimed God’s judgment. The message came through loud and clear. It was the wrong message. And it was not forgotten.”
After sharing a personal story, Wheeler goes on by saying,
“The Bible is clear: homosexual practice is inconsistent with Christian discipleship. But there is not a special judgment for homosexuals, and there is not a special righteousness for heterosexuals. For all of us, our only hope for the fracture in our soul is the cross of Christ.”
In the same chapter Kinnaman and Lyons make a great point:
“It is one thing to be against homosexuality, to affirm that the Bible rejects the practice of same-sex lifestyles, but it is another to be against homosexuals, to let your disagreement with their behavior spill out in your feelings and words toward them as people.”
Yet how many of us have done just that?
Just the other day a friend of mine was looking at my Facebook page and noticed I am friends with someone who is openly gay. Their response – “You’re friends with ___________?”. I responded by asking “Well yeah; is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”. They responded with “Isn’t he gay?”.
Sad.
Back to the Derek Webb song; I think Derek is telling us we can continue to be part of the problem, or we can change and be part of the solution. Change doesn’t mean we stop preaching what the Bible says; change means we see a need, and despite our differences with those in need, we work to meet that need. Millions of people die every year as a result of HIV/AIDS; we can either do something about it, or we can continue to hide in our churches and talk about the “gay agenda”. Isn’t that what James 1:22 is all about; don’t just hear, but get off your butt and do?
