I'm for Love: Reflections on Rob Bell, Marriage Equality, and Evangelicalism

I’m for marriage. I’m for fidelity. I’m for love: whether it’s a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, or a man and a man, and I think the ship has sailed, and I think the Church needs to just...this is the world we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are (Rob Bell).

In a recent interview, the popular Evangelical figure, Rob Bell made his views on marriage equality pretty clear. It’s no secret that I’ve been outspoken in opposition to just about all things Evangelical and it’s also no secret that my stance on marriage equality from a theological perspective is one of love and grace, for the affirmed and the opposed. In other words, it’s the cross, not the left or the right.

I write today, not out of contention or affirmation of a position, but out of respect for bold, daring, and sound theological practice. Bell’s interview, not the least of which is his pro-marriage statement, makes me less apprehensive of my Evangelical roots and inspired to reclaim the term.

The Dialect of Praxis and my approach to faith have always had the intention of being conversational. I’m at the same beggar’s gate with the Baptists and the billionaires, I kneel before the cross of Jesus Christ along with Evangelicals, and I am redeemed by grace along with every sinner (read human being) on this planet. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is everything!

In turn, if I’m a lot Lutheran and a little bit Evangelical because I actually believe in the “communion of saints” and the “holy catholic (universal) Church,” so be it. I’m not here to fight anymore about which Christians have good theology and which ones don’t because God’s grace is sufficient for that too. Here’s to questions, here’s to conversation, here’s to humility, here’s to grace, and here’s to the openness of change within oneself. Hold to your convictions, wherever they may land, but be prepared for the mysteries of God to change the path you think you’re walking. “Love beats the demon” and “love wins.”

   

The Gender of God: What if God is Female? (Part 4 of 4)

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 1 of 4).

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 2 of 4).

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 3 of 4).

What if God is female?

In retrospect, the problem is the application of interpreted language, tainted by experience, imposing human attributes upon a transcendent deity. Use of masculine or feminine language does not make God male or female; nor, does it deny the need for divine gender perceptions. God transcends gender (linguistically and physically). Physiology and language are not the same, but they work together. Hence, language interpretation is of critical importance. Theologically, God, as father, is important to biblical context and to redemptive interpretation. The language of a divine father or a divine lord is meant to replace – to purify – the distorted image of human fathers and rulers.

 In conjunction, what if that redeeming image can be used to call God, Mother? What if the counseling figure of the Holy Spirit represents God in feminine form? The Spirit of God is a guide to disciples, she is like a nurturing mother. People are baptized with the Holy Spirit, as an induction into the Church. This is their “new creation.” Baptism of the Holy Spirit is ones beginning in the family of God; their birth into the Christian faith (Mk.1.1-13).

Finally, what if God is neither male nor female in physical form, but both, masculine and feminine in gendered language? This is the work of a transcendent God, who is revealed in, through, and beyond the language of gender. God has no organic gender, but God is represented in a dialectal gender. God’s alternate gender dialect is a redeeming gift that has the power to heal the wounds of our tainted gender-language. Truly, this is why, God’s gracious work of the cross is so powerful. Because, people like me (and maybe you) need the love and grace of God.

Saved: A Tale of Human History and Divine Mystery

Trial and hardship are one of the oldest tales in human history. Early in the story of Job, the loyal servant of the Lord loses everything and worships God in response. In effort to address my own trials, I look at Job and ask, how did he not blame God? It seems like a natural human response to challenge our devotion and perception of the divine when things get tough. What makes Job different from so many of us? Perhaps, he knew that some things in life are a mystery.

In the face of trial, salvation takes on a different meaning. If we’re not “saved” from trials and hardships, what are we saved for? Maybe, it’s so we lean on God when we don’t understand. Maybe, it’s so we remember that we are not gods. Maybe, it’s so we can testify that God brought us out of our situations. Maybe, it’s so we’ll receive the gift of grace by the faith God has given us. Or, maybe it’s all a part of life and we don’t have a decent answer.

Normally, this is the point where I’d try to bring things together in a well thought out theological package, but that part of me feels lost amidst the mysteries of life and mysteries of God. In college, I said, “The more I learn, the less I know.” Today, the more things I survive and endure, the less I understand. Now, I wonder, how do we live with mysteries?

It’s not always easy or natural to lean on God. Sometimes, it feels like we’d have a better go of things if we were gods; but deep down, that’s just a fantasy to make us feel better about the state of life. In turn, testifying of God’s victory only serves as a means of comfort. Faith and grace don’t always leave us with comfort in hard times; yet, they might keep us going when we don’t have anything left inside. Whatever it is, God has to know how it works because it’s a mystery that we’re all facing together. I don’t have answers and I don’t understand; all I have are pleas for mercy, comfort, and rest. Thus, God is still God and I am not like Job because I am lost in the mystery – hoping God will “save” me from something.