Scripture Text (NRSV)
3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,
for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
3:2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in
speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a
bridle.
3:3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we
guide their whole bodies.
3:4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong
winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder
wherever the will of the pilot directs.
3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great
exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members
as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the
cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
3:7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature,
can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,
3:8 but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly
poison.
3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those
who are made in the likeness of God.
3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and
sisters, this ought not to be so.
3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and
brackish water?
3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a
grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Comments:
As we begin to look at another sermon from James I must confess that I
abhor this passage. I abhor it because it is convicting to the very
depths of my soul. In high school I had come to the place where I
thought cursing was fun. The people I hung around and listened
George Carlin and Richard Pryor for hours on end. We had cursing games
where the person who said the most curse words in the stupidest
sentences would win. More often than not, I won. I can also be a
negative, arrogant, judgmental person. James exposes the person who
can bless God in one breath and rain down curses on those made in His
image. Even today after 20 years of heavenly rehabilitation I still
fear letting a curse word slip in casual conversation or (God forbid)
from the pulpit.
For all James’ plain spoken ways, he is radical in his profound and
practical teaching. Tongues are to be used to bless, edify and praise.
We bless the father and curse the Republicans (or Democrats), the
Asian workers steeling our jobs away from us, the Mexican immigrants
moving into our neighborhoods, etc. But James’ teaching if it is true
means we have to stop backbiting, nagging and complaining. What shall
we ever do? He tells us to stop. Then he admits the tongue is
untamable. We are in trouble now.
Before the modern world, the tongue was the way to communicate for the
masses. Few of all the people who lived wrote “books”. The tongue is
still used as the primary means of blessing or execution of characters
but it is vastly aided by telephones and email today. Imagine if you
can every word we have ever spoken or written being recorded. It is
being done.
Just musing instead of sleeping.
Grace and peace. Mike in Sunshine.
Most people tend to read this passage and focus on the negative
aspects of the use of the tongue. I want to approach this passage on
this particular Sunday from the positive: "The Tongue: The Trailblazer
for Ministry." Used rightly, we have no greater wheapon for justice,
no great balm for the troubled soul, and really no other means to
bring people to Christ than the tongue. The key is the kind of heart
and soul behind the tongue. TN Mack
vv 9-11 are reminiscent of last week's "if any would uphold the law,
but fail to keep one part of it, he/she is accountable for all of it."
(or loosely remembered)
It's about our faith showing in our works. Whether we want it to show
or not, or whether or not we're even aware of it, it shows.
There was a line in "Silence of the Lambs" - when Clarice (Jodie
Foster) was holding her boss accountable for his trying to treat her
daintily when they examined the dead body with some police officers.
He said something like, "it doesn't matter; I know you're competent."
She replied, "the police look to you on how to act. If they see you
treating me this way, they'll think that's the way to treat women. It
matters, Sir."
It matters what we say. It matters how we act. Our tongues reveal
what's inside.
Sally in GA
I'd love to just come out and say, the next time someone uses a racial
word, "that word has no place in the kingdom of God."
Sally
TN Mack - you're onto something GOOD! Yes, rather than "preaching" at
our congregations about the evils of the tongue, how about the
encouragement to "do right."
Gee, I'm talkative today. BTW - thank you all for the discussion last
week; worship and the sermon went wonderfully. We went 5 minutes over
and no one minded!
Sally
The author of James warns against the power of human speech and the
difficulties of controlling the tongue. With our mouths we have the
capacity both to bless God and to curse.
I know this is off the mark ,but I need the collective wisdom of those
who contribute to this site. Does anyone have resources for an infant
dedication, not infant baptism. The couple isn't interested in
baptizing their baby, but are interested in dedicating their baby to
the Lord. I am a firm believer in infant baptism, but said I would do
some checking out.
Thanks,
Tennessean
Tennessean, The only denomination that I know using that term is the
Baptist church. If you cannot find an actual ritual, you might simply
use the words of the of sponsorship and Christening, "Do you in
presenting this child intend to bring up this child under the guidance
of the church and live a life that becomes the Gospel?" (We do) "What
name is given this child?" (Name) (Sprinkle the child or pour water
over his or her head) "With this water we proclaim that (Name) is a
child of God and ask that (he/she) receive God's blessing and be led
by Christian example and precept until (he/she) confesses Christ as
(his\her) own savior."
I would be inclined not to use water at all and just kiss the child as
a symbol of God's love being at work in his or her life. I would not
give up easily as a UM pastor on the idea of persuading the parents to
have the child baptized. TN Mack
Tennessean: the United Methodist Book of Worship does have "An Order
of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child" on pages
585-587. The instructions state that "It should be made clear to the
participants that this act is neither an equvalent of nor a substitute
for Holy Baptism but has and entirely different meaning. This act is
appropriate prior to the presentation of the child for baptism, or if
the child has been baptized elsewhere and is being presented for the
first time in the congregation where his or her nurture is to take
place."
If you don't have access to a UM Book of Worship, e-mail me at
ktutterowjumc@northstate.net and I will type it out and e-mail it to
you.
Grace and Peace
Kirk in Jamestown NC
Tennessean: the United Methodist Book of Worship does have "An Order
of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child" on pages
585-587. The instructions state that "It should be made clear to the
participants that this act is neither an equvalent of nor a substitute
for Holy Baptism but has and entirely different meaning. This act is
appropriate prior to the presentation of the child for baptism, or if
the child has been baptized elsewhere and is being presented for the
first time in the congregation where his or her nurture is to take
place."
If you don't have access to a UM Book of Worship, e-mail me at
ktutterowjumc@northstate.net and I will type it out and e-mail it to
you.
Grace and Peace
Kirk in Jamestown NC
TN Mack, thanks for your help. And no I haven't given up easily. We're
still talking, but I needed some input if I can't convince them to
have the baby baptized.
Tennessean
Tennessean,
Since I'm Presbyterian and we do encourage the baptsim of infants, I
went looking for some sources outside Methodist, Presby, Lutheran,
etc. I found a website for a church called "Curwensville Alliance"
that does not believe in the baptism of infants, but does a Dedication
service instead.
It's basically an explanation of what parents must be willing to do to
raise their child in Christ, but you could certainly use it as a
springboard for questions to present to parents at a service. It
sounds OK to this Presbyterian, even though, like you, I'm all for
infant Baptism.
KyHoosierCat
Tennessean,
My prayers are with you in this matter as a pastor whose church was
hurt recently in such a matter. I offer only the practical advice not
as a member of the Ministry Police but simply as one who has recently
been through much pain over the matter. Do not use water, do not call
it anything but a christening or baptism and do not write it up on the
church records as if it were a baptism if it was a dedication.
The word Christen implies a baptism in most denominiations that use
the term officially or unofficially. The clergy that conducts
christenings believe that is the one baptism of a child brought up in
a Christian household. But for those who harbor more baptist beliefs
in their minds it is a little baptism now with the real thing to
follow later. I have stopped using the term christen myself and I have
found that my congregations mind is much clearer on the subject for
giving up the term.
Our crisis occured because a christening was done with water and the
Trinity upon the birth of a child 8 years ago. The records confirm
that the pastor believed it to be a baptism. When the family came back
"for the real thing" a two months ago I said no to the baptism and yes
to the affirmation of his faith. I was accused of withholding faith
and baptism from the child. It turns out there was little counciling
or clarity on the subject given.
TN Mack inclination is on track not to use water. In the end it is
imparitive to distinguish the two acts and do one but not the other
and record the decision accordingly for later pastors. It is
important!
Mike in Sunshine
v. 12 Can a fig tree yield olives, or a grapevine figs?
Can a dedication yield a baptism? hmmmmm
I was in that sticky situation once, and I put a rose in a vase on the
altar - one for each baby born that year. I allowed this particular
couple and the baby to come forward and I gave her (the baby) the rose
and said, "I want you to know, that even though you'll be brought up
in two faith traditions, you are welcome to worship here and have our
church as a part of your life." Then I prayed for ALL the babies and
chidlren. I made it clear that I didn't do infant dedications. So,
though I let them come forward in the service, I wouldn't single out
that child for dedications; we "dedicate" all children to Christ.
One of the grandmothers was upset, but the couple wasn't.
And, I agree, DO NOT USE WATER!!!!! They used water when they
dedicated me, and I have no idea what they did!!! All I know it was in
a Baptist church, so it wasn't a baptism.
Also, DO NOT SAY CHRISTENING OR BAPTSIM!!!! My mom told me all along
that I wasn't baptised, but only christened. Frankly, I was confused
myself, and so was my pastor at the time, when I came under conviction
and didn't know whether I should be baptised or not.
Sally
hmmm. it seems we've rather enjoyed the 'distraction' from the text
posed by the question of dedication. As a Mennonite looking in on this
conversation I'll offer that we too are part of that messy anabaptist
movement from 500 years ago that believed faith to be something
necessary chosen and claimed by the mind of one able to decide for
oneself. (the "ana" part of anabaptist indicating a re-baptism or a
baptism again to symbolise a second act baptism embraced at a place
closer to adulthood even if this rite has been performed in childhood.
For what it's worth, one of my favorite parts of child dedication is
when the pastor carries the child up and down the isles, presenting
this child as a charge to the entire faith community to collectively
'own' the roles of nurture, faith-shaping, mentoring, and journeying
together on the path of faith both in anticipation of this child's
eventual owning of faith and in committment to the long-haul
regardless of the particular faith/life choices of the growing child.
What a thrill to see the child's parents embraced by a faith community
who pledges to walk the road in solidarity with them!
Perry in Elmira Ontario
What I love about this text in communication with the other lections
is the freedom to simply admit that my words don't have to be always
perfect -especially if I'm feeling like crap and the temptation is to
say something nice that essentially makes a liar out of me. While
James acknowledges that the tongue can't be tamed anyway, the pslamist
and Isaih give us the freedom to speak nasty thoughts about those who
have become like enemies to us. God can take it no matter how 'raw'
the words are.
And what about all this (inapropriate??)authority being given to an
organ of the human body anyway? This morning I was thrilled when my
10year old daughter caught this during our family devotions and said "
hey the tongue just speaks the words that are already on the brain!"
Then we went to acknowledge that a hurting word is often every bit as
much the problem of the one hearing it and blowing it out of
perspective as it is the fault of the one speaking it. I like the
gospel piece that shows how Peter's words (whatever they were) once
spoken, became an entry point for Jesus to make a point of correction.
I believe it is better to speak one's mind and be open to correction
than to say what's nice and perpetuate falsehood. So my sermon is
leaning towards something like "Can I be honest with you"
I read James somewhat like OT wisdom liturature; a collection of quips
and truths from the sages that have a significant place...but aren't
intended to be pursued literally ALL the time.
Perry from Elmira
But aren't these little forays off the main trail fascinating? I love
getting a little peek at what is going on in the ministries of others.
KyHoosierCat
"The greatest single cause of atheism is Christians who profess Jesus
with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him with their
lifestyles. This is what the unbelieving world finds unbelievable."
--dcTalk, but original source unknown to me
adding the Gospel lesson:
v. 9 - "with our tongues we bless God and curse those made in his
likeness."
Like Peter, we also proclaim to Christ "You are the Messiah" and then
turn around and rebuke him in the next breath.
I see this as a continuation of the spiritual battle idea that began
in the lections several weeks ago (the armor of God). The battle is in
taming the tongue, but we can't do it, says James. Rather, our tongues
will reflect the condition of our hearts (Perry, thanks for sharing
what your daughter said), so in order to tame the tongue, a task
beyond willpower, it is necessary to get out of the way so Jesus can
alter our hearts.
Love the saying, "If God is your co-pilot, change seats." It's like
this - rather than asking God to help us do the right thing, ask God
to use us to do HIS thing!
Sally in GA
When I went to college eons ago, in the 60's before my call before
many women went to college. Swearing or cursing had nothing to do with
God but everything to do with acceptance. Boy, did I learn it well. To
tell the truth it is also a fairly hard habit to break. I love to say
to someone who has just said, "Jesus Christ" in a non respectful way.
"Oh where, Is he here now? and walk away. It is also strange to hear
an avowed athesist screaming, "God, Damn it!" or just using the word,
"God, I can't believe it" and not really knowing what that could mean
or can mean. Must there be meaning behind the word, the person
actually beliving in Christ or God? Nancy-Wi
Here in Montana we understand the devistation,loss and heartach caused
by a little spark that sets the forest on fire. It has claimed
thousands and thousands of acres of forest, I don't know how many
homes in all and has cost millions in dollars to help fight it back
and protect people from its path of destruction. And we all ask, how
did they start. Some are started by lightening, one has been traced to
human disregard and neglect at a campsite. This one burned and is
still buring one of our National treasures - Glaicer National Park. In
addition there are all the sicknesses that are worsened because of the
smoke we breath day in and day out. You can not get away from it. It
travels for miles by the whim of the wind.
To hear that the words that I speak can be as destructive as a forest
fire should surely reach my heart and soul. In William barklay's "The
Daily Study Bible Series - The Letters of James and Peter" he quotes
Ecclesiasticus or Jesus the son of Sirach, 28:13-26, not to be
confused with Jesus the son of Joseph and Mary. These are words that
the text suggests would have been used in the early Christian
Community. You can find them in any Bible with the Apocryphia in it.
They are powerful descriptions of the damage that a tongue wrongfuly
used can cause. But there is a good word of encouragement in it also.
vs. 22 "It (the tongue speaking slander and evil) has no power over
the godly; they willnot be burned in its flame. God's word can refresh
our minds and spirits regarding how to conduct ourselves in ways that
bring peace, joy and love instead of destruction, saddness and hate!!
I heard on the radio this am that laughter can help to heal pain and
has been scientificly proven. The speaker suggested that one of the
greatest gifts we can leave our faimily is "laughter in the walls."
How much better off is the world with a family that laughs together in
joy(not riticule) instead of hearing words of condemnation. Lord let
me leave my children the inheritence of laughter and kind words. "A
soft answer [word] turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 There are others there that also give wise council in
regard to our words. "A word aptly [fitly] spoken is like apples of
gold in a setting of silver." Proverbs 25:11
Whew, not sure how I am going to go with all this, but I think it is
such an important text!! I am also thinking on how we criticize each
other in the Body of Christ from one denomination to another. Robbi
Zacariah said one sunday that when preachers/pastors get before God
they will most likely find tht they did more to damage the Body of
Christ and others becoming a part of it than anyone else because of
the critical spirit among us. He also stated that as he worked with
people of Eastern religions one of the biggest drawbacks for them in
believing in Christ was the hate and bitterness between those of us
who call ourselves Christians.
enough enough of my words and look they are condeming - yeiks!!!!
signing off with my foot in my mouth. jmj in mt
jmj in mt. Nice posting. Thanks for your thoughts. It reminded me of
the time when a church asked its pastor to leave because the pastor
had the abominable practice of meeting with the other clergy in town
once a month and participating in the community worship services twice
a year. They found it deplorable that he would "mix" with those who
were "theologically deviant" (no lie!!). The deviant persons among us
were apparently the Catholic priest and the Presbyterian clergywoman.
Anyway, this is the garbage filling the ears and the hearts of the
children, prejudices that won't take long to be expressed in the
public arena - to the third and fourth generation. While the sanctuary
resounds with songs of how We are One in the Spirit, you must first be
one of us before it applies. As Perry's bright daughter said, if it's
in your heart, it will come out of your mouth. (Well, that's a
paraphrase.......)
KyHoosierCat
Thinking about Using James as my main point and Mark to illustrate
Title " The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" How the Tongue can be used for
good, and the breath bad... or even ugly...Do you fell Lucky? Go Ahead
make my day Clerically Blonde
To the unsigned person who used the following quote from dc talk's
"Jesus Freak" CD, a prelude to the song "What If I Stumble?":
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians
who profess Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him
with their lifestyles. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds
unbelievable."
The quote -- and voice -- is that of Brennan Manning, author of "The
Ragamuffin Gospel," "The Signature of Jesus," "Abba's Child" and
others. Manning's "Ragamuffin Gospel" is definitely worth the read.
The late Rich Mullins said the book was a changing point in his life
and eventually named his band "The Ragamuffin Band."
Actually, a check of my records notes the quote as such: “The greatest
single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who
acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him
by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds
unbelievable.”
Only slightly different, but the journalist in me wanted to be
accurate.
PastorBuzz, and managing editor of a smalltown newspaper, in Tennessee
Tennessean,
There is a dedication service for children attached to this website,
from the home page, click on worship service prep (in the column to
the left) there will be special services, one is for the dedication of
children.
Love "the Good the Bad and the Ugly" sermon title, seems fitting for a
sermon about the tongue, I too want to emphasize the good but
recognize the bad and ugly. The bad is the stuff we all recognize is
not good to say (cursing or obvious racial slurs) because we all know
we should not say it. For me, the ugly is the stuff that is demeaning
and degrading to others, but is socially acceptable still.
Whacko,psycho, fruitcake come to mind (given my background in mental
health), or even things such as "honey" (especially when used by used
car salesmen or your supervisor/CEO,"little girl" , "boy" (often used
by an older individual when talking down to a forty year old) etc.
Have to confess although I have seen my share of Clint films but can
not remember the storyline of this one other than it was a western....
ks in me
Good = a loner on the trail of stolen gold Bad = a mean-spirited
bounty hunter Ugly= a Mexican bandito
Though they have their "titles", the irony of the movie is that the
"good guy" isn't such a saint. It's basically a statement against the
old Western movies that replace the true grittiness of the real Old
West with "the guy in the white hat" mentality.
I don't know if this helps anyone going with the Good, Bad and Ugly
theme or not. Just thought I'd throw this in.
From a Clint Eastwood movie non-fan, KyHoosierCat
Regarding Infant Baptism (sorry to keep off track): In the UCC, we
acknowledge both infant and adult baptism. The choice is up to the
parent. Personally, I don't believe there is a right or wrong time for
baptism, and I caution you, fellow pastors and teachers, to remember
Jesus' words from the gospel of Mark 7:6 He said to them, "Isaiah
prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This
people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
7:7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
Let's not teach human precepts as doctrines. Our baptismal traditions
are HUMAN PRECEPTS. Insisting on our own personal preferences and
traditions when working with parents can cause hurt and
misunderstanding. On the other hand, if you can take the time to
explain your views of baptism and other views of baptism and then let
the parents decide, well then, that can be such a good use of your
tongue! I guess I am not off the track afterall!
JFK
Just to follow up on JFK. In the Disciples of Christ we only do
"believers" baptism. I do baby dedications quite often. As for a
resource, the National Council of Chruches had an excellent one but it
is out of print. It was a service and a certificate all in one. It
asked the questions of intention of the parents to raise the child
with all that was needed for an abundant life. Not just religiously
but also health care, food, clothing. It was very specific about their
intentions to take the best care of this gift. Then I added an element
to the service. I requred the congregation to pledge to help the
parents keep their pledge by loving, guarding and guiding both the
child and the parents.
I'm looking at the James text and want to being in the idea of silence
as a way of dealing with the tongue and what is on our mind. If we can
teach ourselves to be silent and listen actively (both to one another
and to God) then I believe that we won't have to commemorate another
9/11 type day.
SoCal Longhorn
Regarding the quote on the "greatest single cause of atheism is
Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door
and deny him with their lifestyles" I submit this possibility: the
greatest single cause of atheism is people who do not want to believe,
finding Christians who profess Christ with their lips, then walk out
the door and deny them with their lifestyles as a "reason not to
believe." Pastor Grandma in NNY
Amen @ pastor Grandma!
I've found this, too - despite my witness (and it's not an
in-your-face-slap-you-upside-the-head-with-a-Bible type) and their
admission that I'm more (to quote one) "cerebral," I find that my
greatest difficulty is in trying to live down their prejudices.
Prejudice, no matter who holds it or why, is ultimately a choice.
Sally
Dear JFK,
Human Precepts? True biblical doctrine? Can you always tell the
difference? Here's the rub in my situation. I was labeled "unbiblical"
and emphasizing human precepts over biblical concepts by saying no to
a rebaptism when the family readily admited that the child had indeed
been baptized already. This was by a group who proclaimed to teach the
truth about the subject in the clearest, purest biblical sense and
used good old Isaiah. A few other families claimed to have had their
child dedicated or christened and not baptized even though the
historical evidence showed the contrary. Ironically nowhere the
scriptures has was a child dedicated. Thus it is a non-biblical
pracitice. Thus those practicing an unbiblical practice (dedicating)
were calling the one whose theology (my own and the church's)
heretical. Christening (a latin term) was a term used later but
implied a baptism. Water was used and and the Holy Spirit invoked. But
this term also does not appear.
But for the many reformed Protestant denominations that kept the
practice of infant and child baptism, we claim that indeed it is a
biblical practice and not just human precept. There are four instances
of head of households and the rest of the household being baptized in
the NT. That among other texts is the basis for infant and child
baptisms in those denominations that do them. It is called covenant
theology and has its basis in the 5 previous OT covenants whose great
lessons and similarities outweigh the differences.
Like every good heretic, I/we might be wrong but I have more bible
resources behind my arguments than do those who disaggree with me. So
who is teaching human precept verses biblical truth.
Now I am a laid back kind of guy. I recognize the church of today has
and does many things the first century church does not and did not
have. But for those who are in this case working from a literalist
standpoint to shoot down infant baptism "because it is not there" when
in fact they are doing and thinking things that are not in the NT
scripture is ironic to the max.
I agree we need to take time to explain each of our church's
traditions. Thus I am offering courses on the subject to anyone
willing to listen. In living through this episode I have had a chance
to see how many other churches and pastors have dealt with the
theological tension. Many simply just do what people ask (dedicate,
christen, rebaptize) and do so believing it isn't a big deal or seeing
themselves as more spiritual.
I offer myself and resources I have gleaned and use on the subject. I
will even send you my 4 session course I have developed on the
subject. I would like to see what organized class or counseling
session you (or everyone else) has to offer. You can contact me at
bagpiper@rfci.net.
Grace and peace, Mike in Sunshine
Mike in Sunshine,
Just a few thoughts, in tones friendly......
I may need to ask if the consecration of Samuel to the Lord by his
mother Hannah might not be considered an OT version of baby
dedication. While Hannah was having him raised as a Nazarite, it was
still a commitment she made to God about her son and in the way he
would be raised. (I Samuel 1)
The same question might be asked of Jesus' own presentation at the
Temple where, following the Law, Mary and Joseph "brought him up to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord"
I concede Jesus' presentation was Law only for males and for firstborn
males at that, but still, is it possible these Scriptural texts speak
enough to the practice of infant dedication to cause some Christians
to adhere to it?
Mind you, I and my denomination are proponents of infant Baptism, but
I can clearly understand the Biblical roots for waiting until the "age
of reason" is attained.
The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Baptism, Section 4 would
basically agree with you on the subject of Infant Baptisms taking
place. CONVERTS to Christianity were baptized along with their entire
households. It wasn't until the time of Paul (or thereabouts) that
baptism became the replacement rite (now Sacrament) for the infants of
already believing Christians. There are several instances of apparent
infant baptisms in the early church writers.
So, there are many theories. I plead ignorance on which God prefers.
:-) KyHoosierCat
To KyHoosierCat,
Thanks for the reply.
Samuel as you note was born under the law and was circumcision as a
first born child. Of his mother's special vow; it creates more
problems than it answers. Samuel was one of two lifelong nazerites
from birth. Samson was the other one. 50/50 good and questionable;
good odds? Under the current age of enlightment, believer only baptism
thought this was a violation of his rights since he did not have
anything to say about.
Jesus was also a first born and this was also about the time he would
have been circumcised according to the law. The dedication was the act
of making him an official Israelite in relationship to the law. This
to violates the reasoning of a believers only circumcision/baptism. I
am glad he did not mind.
My problem is when I speak on our stance as denomination I do so with
the understanding that "We might be wrong but this is the best we have
to offer". The ones of which I refer offer their beliefs with the
assurance they are right and it is God's view.
Any good parent wants to do "the right thing". I respect that. However
to sit in the pews of a UMC which believes in baptizing (not
dedicating or christening) both believers AND their children and that
this baptism for both is one time thing then get upset when a clergy
person upholds the teaching is mystifying. Maybe I am strange but when
I made the transition from Southern Baptist (born, raised and educated
thusly) it was a given that UM's and other baptized babies. I guess I
never considered that information was withheld or miscommunicated to
so many in a local church.
Grace and peace, Mike
Dear Tennessian (did I spell that correctly?)
In my church UMC we do infant baptisms. Some parents don't believe /
understand infant baptism Consquently, I use the same passage in the
Book of Worship that I do for infant baptism, except I use the word
"dedicate" instead of "baptize." I ask the parents if they will "bring
the child up . . ", and "dedicate this child to you, Father, in the
name of your Son, Jesus Christ. I ask that your Holy Spirit be present
in and for (name)to protect him from the evil one." (Something along
those lines) I usually go over it with the parents first, but refuse
to compromise the scripture or Book of Worship. This usually meets
what they are seeking. And, who knows, it sounds like a "real" baptism
to me....Texian
"Like Peter, we also proclaim to Christ "You are the Messiah" and then
turn around and rebuke him in the next breath." Thank you Sally in GA
for the connection. For others like myself still in the process of
writing your sermon, this passage reminded me of an Emily Dickinson
poem I learned in high school. Short and to the point -- "A word is
dead when it is said, I say it just begins to live that day." LH in NJ
Dear Friends,
What a lively bunch you are this week! I tend to lurk (and thus I owe
all of you much thanks for your contributions to my sermons over that
past two years, God Bless you all) as opposed to offering up my input,
but I'm more inspired than usual this week so here goes.
Firstly, to Tennessean, I am a Baptist and thus I hold to believer's
baptism, but I was raised in the United Church of Canada which was
formed by Presbyterians, Methodists & Congregationalists, for whom
infant baptism was the norm. I submit that there are biblical cases to
be made for both infant & believer's baptism, therefore I tend to be
guided by Paul's words in 1 Cor. 10-17, and thus, brothers and
sisters, I agree with all of you in Christ. If you are still looking
for resources for a child dedication I suggest "Baker's Worship
Handbook" (Paul E. Engle, Baker Books, 1998).
Now to James. I've been reading Eugene H. Peterson's "Working the
Angles: the Shape of Pastoral Integrity" yet again, and I'm deeply
affected by his focus on God's speech which created all. Peterson
asserts that we live in a reality "spoken" into being by God. He
continues by also asserting that Christ (who is Himself the Word)
speaks "salvation into being: rebuking the chaos of demons, separating
men and women from damnation by calling them by name into lives of
discipleship, defeating the temper with citations of Scripture,
commanding healings, using words of blessing to feed and help (pg.
48)." God's speech is powerful and we cannot take lightly that He has
given us the power of speech, albeit not the same power as His, but
created in His image, we speak.
My theology professor once remarked that to be made in the image of
God means that we, like Him, are makers, too. God has chosen, in His
divine wisdom, to allow us to be involved in His work in the world. He
has even prepared things for us to do. (Eph. 2:10) We are given the
power to speak and to act, but we lack the wisdom, goodness and
strength of God so we cannot control our speech and actions as we
ought to. Sin is ever our condition for which God offers the remedy of
salvation through His Son. God grants us grace, and by His grace which
gives us the Spirit our tongues can be tamed and words spoken to His
glory.
I, too, will focus on what we should say this Sunday, while not
denying that often we say what should never be said. But we are
exhorted to "speak the truth in love". Petersen reminds me that our
prayers are "answering speech" to God's "initiating speech". As His
children, all of our speech is a kind of "answering speech" to the
Word spoken first to all creation. What will we say? All around us the
world is listening.
Pastor B in Saskatchewan
