The Churches' Response to Tragedy

This weekend, churches across the nation have lead their congregations in prayer for the small Connecticut community that is trying to find healing. Our western society has many confusing and godless mumbo jumbo but it still values (generally speaking) children and their innocence. This is why we consider one man's actions to end the lives of twenty children and several elementary teachers and staff especially heinous. Within hours, social media exploded with alternating statements of judgmental and righteous anger to sorrow and overwhelming grief. As a Christian, I can identify with both of these emotions but my faith gives comfort and perspective. The world cannot begin to understand that. 

I wanted to write about this on my blog because I think it connects to my previous thoughts on how man and woman is created in the image of God. How we identify ourselves is not a static occurrence. Our personal beliefs are translated into actions and behaviors.  Because I am a Christian my identity is found in the scandalous grace, unconditional love, and justification that is given to me by Christ's work on the Cross. I have an eternal hope that rests in my Redeemer. The world does not understand the significance of Calvary because they have not understood original creation and the consequence of sin. The world has no hope. 

Some of you may have already read this article "Thinking the Unthinkable" written by the Anarchist Soccer Mom.  
I posted this paragraph (see below) in response to a facebook dialogue.

I have worked with several children who struggle with expressing emotion or understanding emotion. Even though there are clinical definitions, each mental illness differs in how it presents in a child. This can make it difficult for a clinician to make a diagnosis, which in turn, makes it difficult for the child (and their caregivers) to receive any services. 

With each child, there needs to be a support system for ALL of his/her needs including, proper medication, therapy, spiritual guidance for child and caregiver(s) etc. 

Unfortunately, throughout history persons with mental illness have not been treated fairly nor with love of Jesus Christ. Persons with mental illness have been killed, ignored, tortured, or locked up. Our western godless society has decided that previous methods are unfair, but they don't truly understand why (Man and woman is made in God's image & have eternal souls). With the lack of that knowledge, our society will never be able to address any of these issues.

Broken worldview cannot be expected to repair broken people. Only the love of Jesus Christ can do that. This is what our society, our world, is sorely lacking. The question then is, what are WE doing? How are we showing the love of Christ and reaching the broken, forgotten, and shunned peoples?

Historically speaking, Christians have been involved in mental health services. Some of the Church's involvement was Christlike, some of it was not. Currently, the Christian church is taking a minor role in mental health. There are small clinics, hospitals, and research facilities adjunct to religious universities.

However...

There remains an enormous unmet need for persons with mental illness. I think I can safely say, in general terms, that there are still many Christians who are not engaging in their community either with time, talent, or financial resources. Just as one person can make a devastating effect on a community, so can one person make a positive impact in a life of one person. 

What if, one church or one bible study became a support group for a single mom with a child with a mental illness? 
What if, once a week several college students or other adults offered free babysitting so that relative caregivers could have a break? 

What if..

I do not have all of the answers. I have some ideas, some ideas might be workable. I know that it is easy to refuse to act because I don't have all the answers. I have done that more times than I care to admit. 

The Scriptures abound in encouragement for the believer. For I was not created with a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), but of power and love. (New King James) I would encourage you, dear Readers, to search and mediate on Scripture as we ask for guidance concerning our involvements in our respective communities. 

Rise up, O Church. Rise up, women of valor and men of righteousness. Answer the call to defend the weak, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. May we be His witness of Christ's love by being faithful, to the" least of these". Amen.

Man: Made in the Image/Likeness of God (Part 2)

Preface: I have been searching the Scriptures and researching other materials, but still it feels like I don't quite "get it" yet. What I have thought through here is what I have figured out (or what I *think* I have figured out) so far.

A. Image versus Likeness

The first use of “image” also contains the first use of “likeness” (Genesis 1:26). I think this is slightly confusing. Here are my attempts to delineate image and likeness.

Old Testament Example:
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.

New Testament Example:
Luke 20:24
“Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

Perhaps what we could glean is that “image” and “likeness” are very similar words.
However, image appears to be more of representation or appearance. Whereas “Likeness” is a copy of similar virtues or emotional characteristics. (David Guzik’s Commentary of the Bible, Genesis 1)

B. How can we be made in the image of God if God is a spirit?

Short Answer: Because we have already defined image as a representation of virtue & characteristics. Also, God said that He made us in our image (Gen 1:26).

We are created with an eternal soul. This soul is a creation of God to reflect Him.

Both man and woman have a soul. The soul is not gender specific.

Longer Answer: ........

....Back to Scripture, folks!

God could not fully put all of his attributes of Himself into us. I'm not saying God doesn't have the ability-- I'm just saying why would He?

God didn't have to create individuals in His image or likeness. Yet, He chose to do so. He created more than one human being. He created a pair-- Adam and Eve. With His creation of the animal kingdom, we can see evidence of variety, uniqueness, detail, and purpose.

Genesis 1
Creating the light (vs 4)
..........and it was good.
Creating land and vegetation. (vs 10)
........and it was good.
Creating day and night (vs 18)
.........and it was good.
Creating the animals (vs 20-25)
..............and it was good.
Creating man & woman (vs 26-31)
.............and it was VERY good.

And creation was finished. Have you ever seen that before? God created man and there was nothing else to make.

It. Was. Perfect.

Here's something else. The animal kingdom and the earth kingdom were created with a word.
Man and woman, however, were created by God touching, molding, and shaping them.

The Creation of man and woman was much more intimate. There is much more detail in the where and how of our creation.

Example:  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Gen. 2:7 )

This attention to detail, the priority given to creation of man is so much more significant than the creation of animal kingdom. There is no denying it. Again.

Example: Let us create man in OUR own IMAGE. (Gen 1:26) 

I think that's pretty explicit, don't ya think?
But how can we fully validate both ideas that God is wholly spirit and man is spirit and flesh?

C. Illustration.

A friend and I were discussing my previous post. She brought up a very good illustration from a Disney movie. In Toy Story 2, Sheriff Andy is separated from Andy and is uncertain of his future and of who he is. Sheriff looks down at the bottom of his cowboy boots to wipe off the paint that marred his owner's name. Sheriff remembers who he belongs to. He remembers and desperately wants to go back to his human buddy, Andy.

We are not so unlike the Pixar toy named Andy. We are marked in the image of God. We were separated. We have his name on us, yet we have allowed His name to be marred-- covered up.
Will you be like Sheriff Andy? Will you acknowledge that you are His creation, His precious imprint? How far will you go to go back to your Heavenly Father?