"Confronting Controversy"
Sermon Presented October 16, 2005
Matthew 22:15-22
As you probably know, there is a deep schism in our denomination, as several regions are making plans to withdraw from the ABC-USA. When you have this kind of controversy, you can't ignore the problems but must confront them.
The controversy was confronted openly at the Biennial in July through addresses by our General Secretary, Roy Medley; the president of Central Seminary, Molly Marshall; and author and speaker Philip Yancey. It was also addressed yesterday at our region meeting by our Executive Minister. But as with most issues, when we solidly align ourselves with a particular stance, we don't hear an opposing view. In hindsight, we probably started too late!
Last week, all pastors and denominational leaders received a 4-page letter from Roy Medley. When I opened it, my first thought was, "This is too long and won't be read." I planned to skim it and pitch it. However, I read it in its entirety as Roy confronted the controversy with his keen ability to zero in on the issues and speak the truth in love. (I made a couple of copies of the letter if you would like to read it.)
It's difficult to call a "spade a spade" without attacking the messenger who delivers a challenging question or opinion. Jesus was in that predicament in our text this morning. I imagine he felt like a politician at a news conference being confronted by a questioner who is hoping he will say something incriminating that can be used against him time and time again. Hear that confrontation from Matthew 22:15-22. (Read text.)
Most people try to avoid controversy. Taking a stand can cost us our job, time, money, friends and even our reputation. I have a pastor-friend who attended the Peace rally in D. C. a few weeks ago and this act labeled her as a radical. Because she is firmly against the war, that doesn't bother her, but the trip did cost her money and time. By her action, she confronted controversy.
A student who confronts inequality at school, a member of the union who challenges management, a member of the school board or city council who takes an unpopular stand on an issue, a parent who actively opposes soccer practices or games on Sunday mornings, members of Congress who break with their party, and a person who stands up for the poor or the disadvantaged all need to weigh the consequences of their words and actions because consequences will follow. It's easier and safer to ignore the controversy.
Matthew's story about Jesus gives us a model for confronting important issues using courage and wisdom. Those who challenge Jesus try to get him to convict himself with his own words. They begin their questioning with sarcastic and exaggerated flattery, hoping to throw him off-guard in a method that has been perfected by police officers, trustee boards and questioners of Supreme Court nominees.
The questioners ask Jesus what he thinks about paying taxes to the Roman emperor. Here is Jesus' dilemma. If he says they shouldn't pay taxes, he will be accused of subversive activity by the Romans. If he says they should pay the taxes, he will lose the support of his Jewish audience.
Jesus confronts them immediately with his awareness of what they're up to and he speaks harshly, calling them hypocrites. Then he gives them an object lesson by asking them to produce a Roman coin and identify the image on it. (This coin is outlawed in the Jewish temple where this conversation takes place.) When they affirm that it is Caesar's image, Jesus tells them to give Caesar what belongs to him and the same for God.
Jesus' admonition to give Caesar what is Caesar's is a clever response, perhaps one that is appropriate for all of us who have trouble deciding what goes to Caesar and what to God. But rather than to suggest that they distribute some money to Caesar and some to God, Jesus may have been making the point that nothing belongs to Caesar. Since all good Jews know that ultimately everything belongs to God, he says that what we believe we own or is due us is actually only on loan. Caesar's wealth isn't his to keep, and neither is ours. We are to have no other gods but God! And if necessary, we must confront the Caesars of this world. We must choose where to place our allegiance.
Thomas Kelly, a Quaker missionary, writer and scholar wrote in his book A Testament of Devotion: "We are trying to be several selves at once, without all our selves being organized by a single, mastering Life within us. Each of us tends to be, not a single self, but a whole committee of selves…. And each of our selves is in turn a rank individualist, not cooperative but shouting out his vote loudly for himself when the voting time comes…. It is as if we have a chairman of our committee of many selves within us who does not integrate the many into one but who merely counts the votes at each decision, and leaves disgruntled minorities…. We are not integrated. We are distraught. We feel honestly the pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all…. Life is meant to be lived from a Center, a divine Center…. Most of us, I fear, have not surrendered all else, in order to attend to the Holy within."
This is our dilemma, but the solution - surrendering all to God - doesn't fit our busy lives. We forget that a relationship with God is the most important aspect of our lives, and when God reigns in our lives, everything falls into its proper place. We ignore the controversies that challenge God's reign when God doesn't have first place in our lives.
If we're listening to Jesus' comments and we're Romans, we would think that Jesus gave a reasonable - if not brilliant answer and we wouldn't accuse him of treason. The Pharisees, however, know more than that. They know that while Jesus appears to have made a compromise, he has, in fact, reaffirmed a basic Jewish belief: all of creation belongs to God, and no person can claim ownership or control over God's great gifts. It didn't sound like that but it was.
As Christians, our responsibility is to be stewards, caretakers, and nurturers. We are guardians of God's gifts, not snatchers who use those gifts to trick, trap, dominate, or otherwise disturb others. And as guardians of God's gifts we are sometimes called to confront the controversies and injustices that we see.
If our allegiance is to God, how should we confront controversy? How do we challenge or answer our critics? How do we let God reign in our lives? We have several choices - and each may be appropriate at times, depending on the circumstances. First, we can ignore the controversy or be evasive! This is the easiest, and may be appropriate when we know that no response will satisfy. Or this may be the wrong approach from a Christian perspective because it's the easy way out and one that allows us to avoid what we should confront. Many politicians and ministers evade questions whose answers might bear negative consequences.
We also have the option of telling the truth. As I have said before, we do need to be careful because some people aren't looking for truth when they set their trap. If you aren't sure of the right response, wait! Those who seek truth will appreciate your thoughtfulness and be grateful to hear the truth as you understand it. Jesus told the truth, but it was veiled truth!
Another option is to confront and take action! When my sons were in college at William Jewell, their sociology professor was Ed Chastain. Even though he has multiple sclerosis, he rode his bicycle across the United States to raise money to fight injustice in Kansas City. Several years ago he accumulated thousands of signatures against racial injustice and published a full page ad in the Kansas City Star on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. (This was in response to a cross burning.) Chastain continues to challenge the inequalities that he sees and fights against them even though he is physically challenged with MS.
Last week when I prepared for the discussion on the Separation of Church and State, I was reminded of the story of Roger Williams, the founder of the first Baptist Church in America and of the colony of Rhode Island. Because of his firm belief that government and religion should be kept separate, he risked jail and deportation to England. He openly confronted the issue and eventually won through the ratification of the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. (Rhode Island refused to ratify the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added.)
We are called to be imitators of Jesus! Jesus could have walked away from controversy, but he didn't. He confronted the controversy and earned respect from his listeners. This is the model we need to give to our children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends and the world.
By confronting the controversies through utilizing the ways of Christ, we become better witnesses to the changes Christ makes in our lives. And each decision we make that affirms God's reign, witnesses to Christ's presence in our lives. I invite you to discern and pray when confronted, and when the time is right, plunge into the controversy! It's Christ's way to be faithful!
