It got me thinking...for the Church. How did we get here? Have our leaders misguided us? Where do we go next?
The only way to find out is to, be kind [and] rewind.
In 2008, a hilarious comedy starring Jack Black, Mos Def, and Danny Glover among others took time out to pay homage to a technology innovation that was on a roller coaster ride to its demise. This "tech innovation" was none other than VHS (Video Home System), which had been beaten to "death" by the new and more inspiring DVD (Digital Video/Versatile Disc). As the story goes on Jack Black's character haphazardly erases one of the VHS tapes in the rental store, leaving he and Mos to figure out a plan; filming the movie(s) starring themselves and the town's locals.
"Be Kind and Rewind" [or variations thereof] was a phrase all too commonly associated with the rental of VHS tapes back in the day. Stores such as Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and...I can't even remember since it was that long ago, would have this on the VHS tapes that were rented, encouraging their customers to participate in some sense of "community". No one wants to rent a movie AND have to rewind it themselves. It takes the fun out of poppin' the movie in and startin' your viewing party right away.
I remember how cool it was to play with the VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), rewinding the movie in such a way that I could see everything in reverse. (If you didn't know there were a few different ways to rewind a tape back in the day). It almost seemed like I was gaining some sense of satisfaction in rewinding the movie.
...
Sometimes we have to go back, into the past, and dig deeper to find out exactly how we got to where we are. Whether it's our personal ancestral history, the history of our organization, or simply a favorite ______ (insert whatever it is that you like so much here).
I also remember when as a kid we'd joke around after someone had said something particularly funny and wanted to "replay" everything that had transpired; "Rewind. Playback." It would be accompanied with the sounds of playing what we said in reverse along with the motions that were "performed"; similar to Missy Elliot's use of back masking in her 2002 hit "Work It". That left a lot of folks giddy as ever, trying to speak in "reverse" properly and taking the time out to play the reversed phrase forward.
I digress...
So, what can we learn from rewinding concerning the church? Let's take a listen to what Flame has to say, as he already has some idea.
The problem that Flame addresses in his song "Rewind" is one that is heavily prevalent today and has been throughout the course of our history. It's the ever so egotistical ploy of misinterpretation (there may have been other things going on in the referenced church service as well). Someone reads something and instead of looking at the much larger context, they take a fragmented approach to get their point or argument across. Now, there may not be a problem if those who hear it know better, but what happens when the people listening have no clue that you aren't telling them what the Bible actually says? This is where we really should take a good look at what it is we're agreeing or disagreeing with, or as the artist puts it:
Let's stop and see if we missed a beat.
The scripture in question concerns a topic that has been debated centuries on in, both inside and outside the church. Should those (or can those) who believe in an all powerful God get sick (hurt, be poor, etc)? To understand the less fragmented context, click here.
For that matter should've read the whole chapter.
As you'll soon see, it has less to do with "not getting sick", and more concerning relief from the sickness of sin (i.e. Payment for all of our sins). There's more I'd like to say on this...but it's coming so...hold on. Flame goes on to say that one day we will be free from sickness as well as other calamities such as death.
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There's a good friend of mine I was having lunch with at work one day and he said something about "forgetting" to do something and how it was a sin. Now, at the time I didn't question him on it. Why would forgetting be a sin? That's a part of life. This wasn't him being unaccountable, but simply that he forgot. I'm pretty sure forgetting isn't a sin. Maybe what you forget to do might be a sin. Am I supposed to say bless you? I noticed that a coworker never responds when I mention it. Perhaps I should quit "blessing them" when they sneeze.
In any event, there are a variety of stuff that people "chalk up" to being "sin", whether it is or not. If I don't pray for someone is that a sin? If I don't ______ ....the list never ends.
Many of our Christian "traditions" aren't very Christian at all. In fact, most of what we consider to be "ours" is actually borrowed from someone/where else. Much of what we believe has been and continues to be influenced by Pagan rituals, festivals, and the like (e.g. Christmas and Easter). Not to mention the Roman Catholic church had such a profound impact on the faith due to its kingdom and the power it wielded. Surprisingly, the spread of the faith seemed to uptick in times of persecution. The point is even though Christianity has unique elements, it is not as "pure" as folks would like to think, from the stand point of it being (and continuing to be) affected by the environment/culture at the time of its "application". A lot of folks today forget to consider the cultural, social, and historical perspectives that would help to lend a greater understanding of what the authors in the Bible were speaking on, pretending as if what they wrote was specifically regarding "life" as we know it today.
People really don't know what they believe. I mean, they have some clue but rarely does one take the time to understand how the current state of Christianity came to be. Sometimes we go based off of what everyone else tells us, how we grew up, or what we see. It never fails that certain scripture verses are often misquoted, phrases which do not appear in the Bible given an equal amount of weight, and the list goes on, and on, and on. One example in particular that I've heard which I don't too much care for:
"I'm saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit."
Now, this can take on a number of meanings. I guarantee you many of who spit this verse are still spiritually young, because if they embodied that which is stated in this phrase there'd be no reason to "justify" their salvation by usage of this. Given that a majority of my background has been ingrained in the "Black Church", this is where I heard the saying, undoubtedly. As Pastor Keith Battle pointed out in one of his sermons, to use this "line of thinking" isn't necessarily proper, in that it's wrong. His commentary suggested that we are: justified, sanctified and then glorified. Scripture backs this up.
- Justification- Being made right with (in front of) God (Romans 5:1-2) #forgivenessOfSins
- Sanctification- Continual purification and growth (1 Thess. 5:23) #puberty #Again&Again
- Glorification- Union with God and the body of Christ (Romans 8:28-30) #finalDestination
So, you see, it is somewhat hard to be saved, sanctified and filled (although you could make arguments as to how this is true). It's really more about the process, then the wording. If anything we should tell folk that we're "justified", as this is a work in progress. It isn't "over" #6inOneHand.
I also want to point out that in being "sanctified" it isn't something that happens akin to turning on a light by use of the switch. First, it is a struggle. Secondly, it's life long. In all honesty, how one can truly be a "Saint" (i.e. Term used to refer to those who are saved) while on Earth is a mystery to me. Not saying that it isn't possible, but a true Saint I would argue is similar to a martyr...in other words, you must cease to breathe.
In closing, let me offer this final thought: "We're more Roman than anything else."
#Dec312012
And they say Watch Night started with slaves awaiting a proclamation of freedom. Or John Wesley borrowed a tradition.
What I do know is, "When in Rome do as the Romans do." It's no wonder this phrase rings true in the deepest bowels of our thinking.
Folks would be surprised to find that our Christian traditions aren't as "Christian" as we'd like.
No matter where we go the influence of Rome and its church is ever prevalent.
We're more Roman than anything else. #hailCaesar
No wonder that book is so fascinating. No wonder I always feel as a foreigner in a strange land. No wonder I tend to rome in my mind ponderin on the mysteries of life. #meh
Season 2 returns in 2013 #iMdaTruth
As the conclave meets and the next Pope is "crowned", remember how much of a Roman you really are. My given name is Latin, so...I'm pretty much a soldier all life long.
GraceNPeace,
liMitz
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- Who/What is a major part of my life that I don't know the history of?
- Is there anything I do or believe without #factChecking?
- Where do I need to rewind?
Links for Consideration(L4C):
