In an article in Life magazine last year (December 1999) about Christianity it said "Two millennia later, two billion people call themselves Christians. It is the world's largest religion, and in more than 20,000 sects and denominations it offers an astonishing variety of ways to worship." Later, I will share some other interesting quotes from the article, but first I would like to address the above question, in light of this statement.

Because so many have come to call him the Christ, the anointed One, son of God, savior of the world, you would think that this is a success story of unparalleled magnitude. And, in one sense it is, in spite of how it all plays out on the streets. In the book of Matthew, in the Bible, Jesus was teaching about prayer (Matthew 6:5-13). At about verse 9, He starts what has come to be called "The Lord's Prayer." I don't read Greek or Hebrew, but in every English translation of the Bible I have (roughly 7 or 8) that prayer begins with the words "Our Father." "Our" would mean you and I, and everybody. Wouldn't it? It's pretty inclusive for such a small word. Think of it. He didn't say Father of true believers, or even just Father of believers. He didn't say Father of those who will come to be known as Lutherans, as Baptists, or even Jehovah's Witnesses. He didn't even use the terminology used in the most recited creeds in Christian churches, which would be Father of "the one catholic and apostolic Church. Just "Our." Unfortunately, that's not necessarily the way Christians truly present Him.

When talking with Native Americans this past year, I have often said that it wasn't stealing the land that was the worst thing the European settlers did to indigenous peoples, it was stealing God from them. The Son of God, the Christ (Jesus), came to set us free. All of us -- everybody. The missionaries came to deliver the message to the Indians. But it didn't exactly get related that way, it sort of came out more like, if you will become just like us, you can share in OUR God. The "our" here seeming more like ownership, than inclusiveness. Almost as if white Europeans were the chosen ones, who would benevolently allow a tier of second class Christians to come into being, IF they could emulate their "saviors" well enough. But there is no second class status implied in the words "Our Father." And we, nor anyone, owns or even possesses sole rights to God, Father or Son, as if He were a commodity to be traded. Indeed, it is just the opposite. But, this can still be seen today -- everywhere.

If you listen to most anyone speaking from a denominational perspective long enough, you will eventually hear something which sounds like the above. It may not be as blatant as some, but sooner or later it comes across as if you joined us, you too could become closer to God. It can even go so far as expecting you to look and act like them. I am amused when someone is blatantly trying to convince me to shift to their denomination. I sometimes wonder if they think they will get a spiritual "commission" by making this "sale?" Of course, there are those who sincerely think they are saving someone by doing this. That theirs is the only way. In essence, that they own exclusive rights to God, or Christ. But it is not about them. It is not about a denomination. Being Christian is about a relationship with Jesus, the Christ. About a relationship with God.

I think it is a natural human tendency to believe that if we can convince others to see things our way, and maybe even act like us, then we must be right. It's kind of a self-confirmation. This is, of course, pure fallacy. History is full of examples where multitudes of people have been lead down "bad choice" roads. And most of us, perhaps to a lesser extent, have stumbled down a few of these ourselves.

So I ask my question again. Has someone stolen Christ from you? Has someone given you the impression that the only way to a relationship with Christ is to become just like them? If you want a relationship with Jesus, the Christ, you do not need to give up everything God created you to be, and do, and become like some Sunday go-to-meetin' white man (even if you are of European descent). You need only to seriously ask God for the relationship. He's perfectly capable of working out the details of your life with you, without someone else telling Him how to do it.

• Why are we here?
• Where are we going?
• How do we live in the meantime?

Not many people can truthfully answer the first two with any absolute certainty. They're more the arena of faith. If they do, they probably haven't given much thought to the matter. So that leaves us with the third. At first glance, most of us are content to answer the third question for ourselves, especially in light of not having a clue on the first two. But what if there was someone who really did KNOW the answers to the first two. Would such a person be worth a few minutes of your time to see what they had to say on the last one. Seems reasonable to me.

Not quite two thousand years ago, twelve men became so convinced they had met someone who knew these answers, that they gave up their lives, both figuratively and literally, to proclaim that fact. Some of what that person did and said had been done and said before. But one thing He did, had never been done before, in all the history of mankind, and has not been done since. He rose from the dead. A Catholic priest once told me, "Jesus is either who He says He is, or He is the greatest con-man of all time. Either way, He is probably worth following." I don't know if I totally agree with that or not, but He is certainly worth checking out. Unfortunately, looking and listening to those who say they have a relationship with Him, is frequently not a good way to find out what He is about. You have to look at Him. Listen to Him. What did He do? What did He say? He spent some time playing out question #3. What does He say today? He's closer than you think. But for those who have a little trouble with the metaphysical side of things there are some more tangible places to start. Like movies, or in books. Or, in books that are in a book. Commonly called the Bible.

If you're a movie person, go for a movie first. If Jesus of Nazareth (my favorite) is too long for you (3 - 2 hour parts), the movie Jesus is pretty good too (both are available to borrow here at the Center). If you are a book person , there are all sorts of them around about Jesus. But eventually, everybody should take some time to read about him in the Book about Him. Actually there are four books about Him in the Bible. And it's not nearly as intimidating as everyone thinks. For one thing, the four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are a pretty small part of the Bible at the beginning of what is called the New Testament. You can learn an awful lot about Jesus in those few pages. They even have some that put His personal words in red. I still think it helps if you see the movie first, but hey, I'm a movie person.

So what's in the rest of that big book, if the main stuff about Jesus takes up only a quarter of an inch? An article appeared in the Lansing State Journal last year entitled "New version of Bible aimed at blacks." In it a professor of history at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, Dennis Dickerson, said "People get the idea that the Bible is a white man's book. But God didn't dictate it to us in the king's English. The Bible is a multi-cultural document that derives from a part of the world where there are many people of color." OK, so what's the point?

Well, one point is that Caucasian Europeans have been painting pictures of Jesus for years as if He looked just like them. And Hollywood seems to follow suit by casting Him as light haired, pale skinned, and blue-eyed. When the truth of it is, someone in that part of the world is just as likely to look like the Native Americans we found here than anything. It's a good bet He didn't look like those who act like they are the keepers of His Holy image. Nor even like most of the images they use.

That big thick part in front is all about Jewish (Israel) history, culture, and religion. I'm always amused when some overzealous Christian seems to forget that Jesus was Jewish, not Norwegian, nor German, nor English. And no, He didn't speak in King James English. In fact, I find it interesting that apparently the letter "J" does not exist in the Hebrew (Jewish) language. So, Jehovah, Jesus, Joshua, John, James, Jeremiah, etc, are all someone's translations of the actual names. Makes you wonder why some people get so bent out of shape if you suggest using something other than their traditional versions of a Holy name.

In a conversation I had with my pastor a few weeks back, he presented an interesting perspective on that last quarter inch. That's the rest of what is called the New Testament. His suggestion was that this particular piece of Scripture might indeed be able to be referred to as a white man's book. Since this is the story of how Christianity spread from Jerusalem toward, and on into, Europe. But, he also pointed out Christianity spread, at about the same time, into Egypt, Ethiopia, and even India. But we're not told those stories in the Bible. This would give us a better multi-cultural example of what happened in the early history of the Church, as it spread into Africa, and east into Asia.

At one point in the story, in the Bible, about how Christianity spread toward Europe, a fellow named Paul starts talking to non-Jewish people about Jesus. This stirs up a controversy as to whether people who come to believe in Jesus need to accept the traditions, beliefs, and ways of doing things of the Jews. The conclusion was, NO! (Acts 15). A Bible study book called Mission 90 Witness, put out by Augsburg Fortress, has this to say about that chapter. "The agreement cited in Acts 15:20 is apparently intended to facilitate fellowship between these mixed ethnic groups by encouraging respect for each other's cultural traditions." (I added the italics)

The Life Application Bible has this to say:

"When we share our message across cultural and economic boundaries, we must be sure that the requirements for faith we set up are God's, not people's. .... There is something of a "Pharisee" in each one of us. We may unwittingly mistake upholding tradition, structure, and legal requirements for obeying God. Make sure the gospel brings freedom and life to those you are trying to reach."

The Bible does talk about a believer becoming "a new creation in Christ." But, this does not mean we have to become like someone else, worship, or do things their way. It means you will become a new you, something that will occur from the inside out. Not something put on us from the outside. And be prepared. That IS something which will happen. Such things as hate, prejudice, greed, cheating, lying, gossiping, stealing, etc. etc. will become difficult to hold onto if you really let Christ get close.

But, does it mean no golf, no Cherokee ceremonies, giving up motorcycles, movies, dancing, swearing, or who knows what else some people indicate is necessary to become Christian. Not likely. But that's between you and God, and it's really none of my business to say one way or the other.

When we finally figured out the earth goes around the sun, and that we were not the center of the universe, that was a pretty profound truth. It shook things up some. But we didn't start trying to transplant trees upside down, or plow fields backward as a result. We simply learned a little more of the truth about ourselves, and reality. I think Jesus is just Who He said He is. This too falls into that category of profound truth. The "Our" He spoke of means all of us - everyone. It's a BIG family. And we should all want to learn about what it means to be a part of the family. But, don't let one of the other members tell you it means being just like them, in order to belong. That's bull! Go to the One Who's the oldest and the wisest, the One we lovingly call the Christ. He'll help you find your place at the family table. It's one that's uniquely yours, and uniquely you.

Because you are here! It's too late to opt to have never existed. And something is the Truth. Ignoring whatever that might be, won't make it go away. It would appear that we have some choice on how it impacts us though. That's good news. If Christ (Jesus) is the Truth, then there's more Good News. He took care of the really big problem for us. But, we still have a part to play. Even more good news: He's willing, able, and wanting to help with that too. But, He's not as pushy as some of the other family members. He patiently waits for you to ask Him in. I think He's worth paying attention to. Go for it!

Wow. That was kind of long, wasn't it? It felt long writing it . . . . .