Half-truths...

We've just started a new sermon series here at St. Paul's entitled "Half-truths," modeled after a book by Rev. Adam Hamilton, the pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. In his book--which is basically a transcript of a series Hamilton himself preached--Adam identifies five "popular" half-truths espoused by many people of faith. While there certainly is some "truth" in each one, for the most part, these phrases are trite, simplistic words meant to explain very complex concepts, thus rendering them "half-truths."

In week one, we examined the expression, "Everything happens for a reason." Have you ever said this? Or have you been on the receiving end of it? Often, it is used in an attempt to comfort someone in a time of grief or suffering of some other kind. The intent is to suggest that God, or some other sentient cosmic force is fore-ordaining or planning out every life and every event of each life. Bad things that happen to us are meant to appear insignificant in the face of "God's will," or to be explained by the belief that our suffering has a purpose in a larger picture, and that eventually, our wrongs will be righted, providentially, in due time. It is amazing how much cred and airplay this particular half-truth has acquired.

During my weekly Bible study, one of our couples reported that one evening this week, after we launched the "Half-truths" series with "Everything happens for a reason," they watched two straight TV programs during which a character uttered this phrase. Sometimes, the triteness of the phrase is further emphasized with a troubling introductory salutation: "OH WELL, everything happens for a reason." Ouch. Does everything happen for a reason?

Actually, no, that is probably the "untruth" here. Stuff can just happen--period. If I misstep and fall off a ladder and break my leg, the only "reasons" at work here are careless and gravity. Would my painful and sudden stop, coupled with the injured leg, be a part of a cosmic "plan" of some sort? And would the suggestion that the event was, would that provide some measure of comfort to me? I think not. Now, amplify this experience exponentially by thinking about a friend who has just lost a dear loved one. Would your suggestion that "Everything happens for a reason" provide comfort? Or just rub the proverbial salt in the gaping wound of grief?

And what a meanie the expression makes of the Almighty! I would have great difficulty believing in a deity whose grand "master plan" included intentional suffering on the part of each individual as an integral part. I'm hard-pressed to believe that God causes such things, or even permits them. Maybe that is what Jesus' suffering on the cross is about? God's suffering empathetically with us forever connects God to our experience.

Hamilton has a simple sentence in his book that makes sense to me: God is sovereign; God gives us freedom; God uses human beings. Methodism's founder, John Wesley, believed that God has given us each a measure of dignity and moral responsibility. God's gift of freedom sometimes means that we fall off of ladders or exercise bad judgment. And we die, which is part of the cycle of life. The platinum-plated question is, "What is God going to do about it?" This is pretty much what Jesus answers in the Gospel of John when asked by his disciples why a certain man was born blind. "Was it his sin, or his parents' sin [that caused it]?" they asked. Jesus told them that God was going to do something about it. And, that is precisely what God doesn't when bad things happen to us. God shows up.

Indeed, God's presence may be manifest by people who come to our aid and comfort. Grace may be made available in a variety of ways. Think of God as a kind of divine emergency medical technician who speeds to the scene, performs triage, and begins the healing process. We are given the wisdom and insight through the Holy Spirit, our own experiences, and the lessons we can learn from others, to bring reason to the negative event, either to know how to avoid one like it in the future, or how to approach it if it happens again. Oh, and we are able to empathize with others in their time of suffering or grief that parallels our own.

If I had to rewrite this half-truth, I think it would go something like this: "Every reason is an attempt to explain something that has happened."

Finally, may we all be reminded that God's presence, love, and grace--often via others who show up, too--is the greatest gift. We never have to suffer alone, nor do we have to face any of life's challenges alone. Jesus continues to walk our journey with us. How cool is that?

Peace, people!