As I work on my material on racism, I’m led to reflect on a new perspective on the church and the meaning of salvation. If you want a creative way to guide your membership in speaking to the increasing number of people who describe themselves as Spiritual but not Religious, I suggest that you look at my Is There Salvation in the Church, which explores how to assist the membership in their conversations with people who have left the church.
But it is also important to have all Christians focus on what is the meaning of salvation. When we speak of “being saved,” what are we imagining that means. Do we mean that we are being SAVED, from HELL. Or do we mean that we are being SAVED to HEAVEN? And if so, what does that mean?
Or, is it possible that we are being SAVED for something. If we are saved BY FAITH and not by WORKS, are works still part of the equation. That is, we don’t do GOOD WORKS in order to be saved, but we are touched by the SPIRIT OF SALVATION in order that we can do GOOD WORKS on behalf of others.
When you look at the life of Jesus, though it is clear that he had incredible power to challenge many of the forces that threaten us in life, it is also clear that he chose not to use that power to protect or benefit himself. If we are saved to a life in Christ, does that mean that we are saved FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS.
And does it mean that we are not expected to be super-heroes but we are SAVED to be part of the church that is, in itself, a community that is SAVED FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS? If that is so, then think of what happens each week. “We are invited to gather in community, confess where we have sinned (or failed), and be touched by forgiving GRACE to be liberated for the sake of others.
In the last couple of days I began reflecting on what it must have felt like for Jesus to face the cross. Not only was God’s kingdom rejected by the powers of the world, but as he approached the finality of death, not even his closest followers were able to understand and display the faith of the kingdom coming on earth. It looked pretty likely that the truth was the opposite. As a church and as individuals, crucifixion looks a lot more real than resurrection. Yet we continue to experience resurrection in multiple ways and that gives us the courage to continue to move foreward even though what is ahead appears to be the cross.
That’s also why I dare to invite you to seek to be open to the whispers of God in the face of racism. Consider taking a few moments to watch these blogs and see if there are ways we can team together to contribute to God’s reconciling purpose even in the face of crucifixion.
Video #2 My overview of full seminar
