My friend Ryan Porche introduced me to this picture of the new statue in front of a Memphis church. The Statue of Liberty holding a huge cross with the words “liberty through Jesus.”
My response? First, I’d have to say that I don’t know anything about the church, and I’m sure it’s made up of people seeking the Way of Christ in this world.
However, I’m not sure it could be said better than Randall Balmer does in his excellent new book Thy Kingdom Come: An Evangelical’s Lament
I came to Texas in search of Baptists. What irony! There at the heart of Baptist country, Baptist principles regarding the separation of church and state have all but disappeared. What was once a proud and mighty — and defining — tradition of ensuring that government did not interfere with religion and religion did not meddle with government has withered beneath the onslaughts of misguided individuals who seek to impose their own views on the rest of society. The gospel is compromised, American Protestantism is imperiled, and the republic itself suffers from the massive disappearance of Baptists from the American landscape.
Never in my life did I think I would say this, but America needs more Baptists — real Baptists, not counterfeit Baptists like Roy Moore or Rick Scarborough or Richard Land or Jerry Falwell, all of whom are Baptists in name only. Our nation loses something very crucial as Baptists vanish from the American landscape. “The Baptists were the first propounders of absolute liberty,” John Locke once observed, “just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty.”
Christianity itself needs more Baptists, women and men willing to reconnect with the scandal of the gospel and not chase after the chimera of state sanction. We need women and men prepared to stand on conviction and articulate the faith in the midst of a pluralistic culture, not by imposing their principles on the remainder of society but by following the example of Jesus and doing what Baptists have always done best: preaching the gospel and not lusting after temporal power and influence.
The real question is…
Am “I” doing all I can, or just being critical?
Only we can answer that question of ourselves.
Over the years I haven’t always done all I could do. I am ashamed and have asked God’s forgiveness. I have made changes in my own life to try to do more and have asked God to open my eyes to those in my own family and circle of contact. I can’t feed the world, but I can help those who I have contact with. Isn’t that what God calls us to do?
If just those of us who discussed this today each helped one, we’d be doing a lot.
Quotes from Mother Teresa that have helped me…
~The first step to becoming is to will it.
~When a poor person dies of hunger it hasn’t happened because God didn’t take care of them. It happened because neither you or I wanted to give them what they needed.
~In life we cannot do great things, we can do small things with love.
~If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
~Do not wait on leaders; do it alone, person to person.
Our Hispanic Minister Walter Leonard has been admitted to a local hospital in Modesto, he has had a stroke. He is attentive but having problems with muscles not working from the waste down and has acute droopiness on the left side. We covet your prayers for him today and in the coming days
I personally would have preferred to see Lady Liberty bent over bearing a cross on her back…
I live in Memphis. For what it is worth this statue was put up by a church known for its support of generally liberal Democrats. To me it is their business how they spend their money, but to me it is just plain ugly and pointless. I am far more concerned by the desertion of the largest Church of Christ in Memphis for the burbs, and that their preacher who pushed the move is now teaching at OCC. I am sure there are good reasons, but I haven’t heard them yet.
Richard, Maybe because ministry in the burbs isn’t as messy as it can be in the inner city. But I join you in your concern. It is to the inner city folks that Jesus went to the most frequently. The absence of God’s light in the heart of our cities cries out for the presence of His Church. I’m sorry to hear about the defection and the huge amounts of monies that will be sent on new buildings. Is that really any worse than this statue? Our buildings, this statue et al can turn into 21st century idols if we’re not very careful, at least imho.
HaHaHa,
Grant got rebutted! Judge not less you be rebutted. A cyber rebut I might add. Or an “e-but” if you will.
Give me a rebut or give me death.
Give me cricket…
What about building a 4 million dollar building on the 400 block of Highland.
Some people find this offensive, a waste of money and not on message.
Preacherman (If that is your real name) ;’)
No Jerry Falwell didn’t teach the class, so there was nothing about Teletubbie’s or Bert and Ernie or 9/11 or even Balmer.
I am not defending Falwell or anyone else, heck I am not even baptist. But what does it matter if someone else make a joke out of Christiaity. I am not responsible for them I am responsible for the way that I make Jesus look. I believe that you can call people names, gripe about people, or help people.
It is a tough choice but I choose the latter.
Leland,
How many missionaries and preachers would that support across the world and america?
How many men could be trained to preach the gospel?
Have you been to Abilene, there is a church on every corner in that city.
Baker Heights, Highland, North Park, North 10th and Treadway, 5th and Grape, Westgate, Woodlawn, Hillcrest, Southern Thrills (I mean Hills), Minda street, Minter Lane, New Life, Northwest, Oakland Dr, Oakridge, Oldham Lane, 17th and Mesquite, Slavic World, South 14th and Willis, Hope church of Christ, University, Wylie, Tye, Abilene Christian church, Not to mention new churches of christ goes up all over the place, and all the anti-churches who think it is wrong to advertise.
Also not listed is the many Christian churches and every denomination you can imagine.
Churches in Abilene remind me of fast food a McDonalnds goes up and Burger King goes across the street.
A church of Christ goes up and a baptist or non-denomination church goes up across from it. Or another church of Christ doesn’t agree or like the one on the street and so another church of Christ goes down the road.
Does Abilene need a 4,000,000 dollar church?
Personally, when I heard out the statue on the local TV news, I reacted like the Charismatic preacher in the movie The Apostle when he enncountered the Episcopal priests blessing the shrimp boats. This is not my way of doing God’s will. I wouln’t have done this. But we re all flawed humans trying in various ways to present God’s word the best we can. God bless all those whose hearts are even turned a little bit toward Him.
God bless those people in Memphis who are at least doing something, I may not agree with what they are doing but I am thankful that they are attempting to respond to the mesage.
John the Baptist was criticized for speaking against the culture as an outsider, Jesus was criticized the same way for being a cultural insider. Jesus didn’t speak against John but he did have some words for those who were doing the criticizing.
I said it was their money, but I didn’t say I liked. To me it looks silly and above all very tacky. After I have slept on it I realize that I was probably too hard with my words against the big Memphis church that is moving.
Leland, by way of explanation, IIRC the “”4M church was an expansion of a long-established church whose Elders and members decided best to expand in the needy neighborhood where they had been located for 3-4 decades – rather than moving completely to a new facility in the more affluent southern part of the city.
Also, that congregation has been faithful in utilizing the expansion for services to the neighborhood, including feeding over 600 every Wednesday and assistance to the needy whenever the opportunity allows, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, outreach by neighborhood walkers, just to name a few. This particular congregation, if we’re speaking of the same one, does not limit its monetary assistance to those ‘of the faith’ – rather to anyone that comes asking for help. I’m happy to announce I’m a member of said congregation!!
Kathy,
Many churches are doing this without the 4M expansion. The old gym of Highland CoC would have continued to serve this purpose nicely. 4M could have provided real “pay it forward” assistance to the neighborhood. Like job re-training, education, housing, etc.
Why not a 1M renovation of old classroom section which was falling apart?
You said:
“I’m sorry to hear about the defection and the huge amounts of monies that will be sent on new buildings. Is that really any worse than this statue? Our buildings, this statue et al can turn into 21st century idols if we’re not very careful, at least imho.”
Why doesn’t your statement implicate Highland?
Mike, on the faith-based initiatives and separation of church and state, there is no necessary conflict. It all depends on whether the community organization plays by the rules of law on the matter. We receive public money–federal, state, local–but we don’t use it to make converts or impose our faith in any respect or in any setting. In our case, this would be ture whether we received public monies or not. We are thoroughly “Franciscan” here–preach the gospel at all times, use words only when necessary.
I do take issue with how some groups carry out programs with this public money. These funds, in my opinion and in the various relevant statutes, should not be used to “establish” any religion or faith system at the expense of tax payers.
The White House Office on Community and Faith Based Initiatives has distributed relatively very little in the way of hard dollars since it was established. The funds that have been awarded have gone to organizations that work on capacity building in other community based organizations. This in my view has been a good use of these funds.
Leland, there is a huge difference in the statue and in a new building dedicated to serving a community in decline. Just re-doing such a facilitiy sends a message to the declining community that hope is still alive! I’m not into buildings, but the fact is churches don’t have members who will give $4M to social justice outreach or compassion and banks certainly don’t make loans for such!
What is important to discern is the heart of a person or a group. In this case, if I understand what you are saying, you need to look a bit deeper.
The folks who built the ridiculous statue don’t understand the Gospel, America or the work of the people of God. Their message is the point here, far more than the money. The same can be said of a compassionate church doing its best to hold its ground in a part of the city that everyone else is easily abandoning.
I know what I’m talking about here. . .our work in Dallas is largely necessary because of just such fearful flight. Thank God for those who are willing to stay, rebuild and open wide their hearts and doors to the surrounding poor.
By the way, who says the poor can’t enjoy or don’t deserve quality facilities and opportunities?
Remember that verse about Judas questioning the woman for pouring the expensive perfume over Jesus. Questioning others motives for doing things when you aren’t doing anything but being judgmental can be a problem too.
I know the Lamb will win in the end and that is all I do know.
This started as a post about nationalism, but became more about how much churches are spending that could be spent elsewhere (another good topic).
Leland, you’re right. Forty of the most godly leaders I know prayed about that very thing.
“Experts” told us to leave the center of Abilene and move down around where Beltway is. Makes sense in some ways.
But we decided to stay put in a neighborhood with great needs (as, I suppose, all neighborhoods have). Lots of poverty, illiteracy, and drugs.
What most homeowners know is that if you keep your house long enough you’ll need to pay out for upkeep. The classroom building (which dates from 1929) was not considered fit for restoration. Part of it had been condemned and closed off.
You may not like the decision that was made. Fair enough. But I thought then — and still think — it was a pretty wise one.
I am from Memphis, and have been following the story of the statue since it was announced earlier in the year. As many of you do, I find it ugly, tacky, embarrassing, and downright wrong. However…
The church that erected this statue is mostly black, middle to lower income, DEMOCRAT oriented (like many of you here), and very “COGIC” in nature (i.e. elevating the preacher and his wife to near “pope” status). I hardly think the statue is an homage to President Bush and the war on terror.
We can make fun of the statue all we want. Many here on this board, however, have not judged the STATUE, but the MOTIVES of the people behind it. Like Terry, I was instantly reminded of Judas and the other apostles questioning the anointing of Jesus with costly perfume. Their words were verbatim the comments expressed here.
I thought all of you on the liberal side of the Church of Christ were so proud of your “non-judgmentalist” attitudes… I think the church in Memphis is as wrong as can be about this statue, but they did it for the glory of Jesus (I hope). When is the last time any of us spent a quarter million dollars for the sole purpose of bringing glory to the name of Jesus?
67 comments and still going…well, Mike, thanks. One of the things I appreciate so much about this blog is that ultimately even those who comment, sometimes vehemently, on opposite sides, can arrive at the place where, on an individual level, the posts become more and more about confronting the portions of our own lives that need the scandal of the Gospel.
4 million, the Crystal Cathedral, a borrowed classroom in Eastern Europe, or under the stars in Zambia…Jesus’s words about money, power, love, sex, commitment, sin, possessions, idols…well, they’re countercultural everywhere…
Sidenote: Since I go to Highland, I can frankly say that I was even a bit surprised to see the decision to “recycle” the older buildings to be reincorporated into the new design…surprised, and thankful. As a recent recipient of literally hundreds of prayers from our elders at Highland, I would challenge any critic to come get down on his/her knees with these men in prayer before forming any further opinion…
Sidenote #2: Might the folks at Lady Liberty Brandishing Cross Church feel the same way?
I’m finally at a place in life where I’ve decided that it’s difficult to point fingers when I’m on my knees. My Lady Liberty Brandishing Cross could easily be made of all the food in the frig that I don’t eat and throw away…or the mounds of garage sale items…or the boxes of clothes on the top shelves of the closet, or the stack of unwatched DVDs or unread books, or the volume of cool air pouring into my house, or the number of chocolate shakes I’ve bought in a lifetime, or the time I waste in a day…or…or…or…
PS: Just in case mounds of junk are your Lady Libertys too, Highland has great garage sales that benefit mission teams and mission efforts around the world…and serve to challenge us to reexamine “my” hold on “my” stuff…
My thoughts in a nutshell? “Let he who is without sin cast in the first paycheck.”
Whew, that ought to bring everyone a sigh of relief!
Mike,
It did start out as post about nationalism. Then turned into motive questioning (Not by you).
I was trying to point out some people do the same thing to Highland without knowing those 40 godly men. I was trying to point out that some people might view the Highland building as a “Lady Liberty” waste of money and misplaced motive.
It is now obvious that Highland does not appreciate it.
I would say the church in Memphis doesn’t either.
How many of those 40 Godly men live within two blocks of that church? How many big contributors live within 5 blocks (not on Sayles in big house) The church building didn’t move away but did the church?
Mike,
I know that the statue appears to be making a statement about Christianity and nationalism. Perhaps it speaks that to you. But how do you know that this was the intent of the church that put it up? With all due respect, it sounds like you are using this as a touchstone to gripe about the Religious Right.
All,
“How many of those 40 Godly men live within two blocks of that church? How many big contributors live within 5 blocks (not on Sayles in big house) The church building didn’t move away but did the church?”
Was too over the top. I apologize. Please forgive.
Leland,
Apology Accepted.
Well…
My wife and I lived near the corner of Russell & Santos (1 block from Highland) for 5 years. During that time, the new building was built. I remember the months of construction very well
And I must confess…I wasn’t a fan of the new building back then. I’m not a member of Highland, so I have no right to criticize. But I did so in my heart, so please forgive me.
My wife & I live/serve as missinaries and the neighborhood around Highland is where we “cut our teeth” so to speak. We know that whole area like the back of our hand and in some ways miss it dearly. That soil around there is extremely rocky. We tilled it for 5 years, to what seemed like no avail. We saw very little fruit.
But I’m so glad Highland didn’t run for the Beltway, because that neighborhood needs yall. And when I heard a year ago that you guys were doing some sort of mass feedbag every Wed pm, my heart was overjoyed. Thanks for opening your doors and serving the neighbors.
…and don’t get discouraged if you can’t “see” any fruit yet. I’m sure it’ll come in due time.
URL: http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_4818531,00.html
Church unveiling its own version of the Statue of Liberty
By Associated Press
July 3, 2006
MEMPHIS – A Memphis church on Tuesday will unveil a 72-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty, except this Lady Liberty holds a cross instead of a torch.
World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church is planning to unveil the statue that mixes Christian and American themes during a special ceremony at its 12,000-member church.
The Statue of Liberation also replaces the famous inscription with the lines “Give me your tired, your poor … ” with Roman numerals representing the Ten Commandments.
A tear falling from her right eye represents her concern for America, church pastor Apostle Alton R. Williams said.
Church members said that the Statue of Liberation shows “America belonging to God through Jesus Christ.”
The $260,000 statue isn’t welcomed by all.
Evelyn Douglass, 11, said she walks the long way home to avoid seeing the “big green thing.”
But across the street from the statue, Mapco Express manager Mary Preyer said she is looking forward to seeing it unveiled.
“I like the idea of the Statue of Liberty holding a cross representing freedom through Jesus Christ,” Preyer said.
Copyright 2006, Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Mike,
I appreciate your post about nationalism and my husband and I are very excited about that topic being addressed at Lectureship this fall. I have been very concerned the last several years as I’ve really questioned the idol of nationalism in my own heart, and, consequently, I have had to take what might be considered some very drastic steps to uproot it.
I personally have been convicted about ideas of “my citizenship is to another kingdom” and that we seem to push using political means to accomplish Kingdom goals while I see neither Jesus nor any of His followers using that route. Paul often used his Roman citizenship to get audiences to higher-ups to spread the Gospel, not his Christian agenda. He never asked Rome to change it’s laws to reflect his morality or wrote to his followers which way to vote.
I worry a lot that Opening Chapel at ACU always concluded not with a giant cross or even the Christian flag, but with a giant US flag being dropped to cover all the other countries flags and a pounding rendition of the Star-Spangled banner, as if being in the USA is what united all the students at ACU (which, by the way, would have offended me if I was from say, Tanzania and my puny little flag was swallowed up by the giant Stars and Stripes).
I seriously question the appropriateness of Christian’s “pledging allegiance” to anything but Jesus Christ. I believe we are told in scripture to obey the authority set over us insofar as it does not contradict Christ, but we are never commanded to pledge our allegiance’s to anyone. It reminds me too much of Daniel Ch 3 and also the Christians during Domitian’s reign who were asked to bring sacrifices to the Roman gods, not to acknowledge them as true gods, but just as an act of Roman citizenship. I don’t want to get into a debate about whether or not America is a “Christian nation”. What it reminds me most of is Rome, right But I won’t plege my loyalty to any institution that might someday ask of me something against my conscience, and which boldfaced stands against God in several areas already.
Ironically enough, I don’t have a problem with govt support of the poor. I do believe it is the church’s job to take care of the poor, and having relinquished a lot of that to the govt has lost us some ground, BUT Paul did avail himself of his rights as a Roman when they served God’s purpose.
I am not judging what other people are called to do. I believe God calls each of us to what we need to do in any given situation. One elderly lady where I live, said that during both Clinton administrations she had prayed and asked God who He wanted her to vote for and both times she felt Him saying, “Clinton”. That went entirely against her understanding, especially on his abortion stance. But she was obedient both times and felt like God had told her that Clinton was to be in power as a judgment against America. Now, I didn’t come up with this and you can take it with a grain of salt. My point is: I believe Christians often vote based on their morals or beliefs and in order to support those and further those whether they be taking care of the poor or against abortion. But are we really listening to what God is asking us to do as aliens and strangers in this nation with our citizenship elsewhere. My father is a huge “good Christians vote and vote Republican” supporter. I love him dearly, but we have had many an argument about this issue. I asked him, “Did you vote for Clinton?” Which he of course answered no. So I asked, “Do you believe Clinton could have become president apart from God letting it happen or even willing it to happen?” Again, no. So then I asked, “So, you voted against God’s will?” Silence. I don’t know the answer either. There’s all kinds of crazy theological arguments tied up in that. But I have to consider it.
Maybe some of us have dual-citizenship, but after much praying, I realize I do not. It’s still a struggle though and a VERY touchy issue.
So the problem du jour in the church is nationalism. Regardless of how one feels on the issue of whether Christians can still be patriots (and participate in whatever activities patriotism would require), the propensity to point fingers appears to be timeless.
In March of 1940, an essay by C.S. Lewis entitled “Dangers of National Repentance” was published in an England periodical . In this article, Lewis discussed the tendency of the young intellectuals (especially those in the church) to “admit their own share in the guilt of England” regarding the country’s involvement in the war– by pointing fingers at everyone else. The article still seems to be relevant today; simply replace “England” or “government” with “Christians”, “The Church of Christ”, “Republicans”, “the Religious Right” or whichever group one feels is most worthy of censure:
“…When we speak of England’s actions, we really mean the actions of the British Government. The young man who is called upon to repent of England’s foreign policy is really being called upon to repent the acts of his neighbor. And repentance presupposes condemnation. ***The first and fatal charm of national repentance is, therefore, the encouragement it gives us to turn from the bitter task of repenting our own sins to the congenial one of bewailing – but, first, of denouncing – the conduct of others.*** If it were clear to the young that this is what he is doing, no doubt he would remember the law of charity. Unfortunately the very terms in which national repentance is recommended to him conceal its true nature. By a dangerous figure of speech, he calls the Government not “they” but “we”. And since, as penitents, we are not encouraged to be charitable to our own sins, not to give ourselves the benefit of any doubt, a Government which is called “we” is ipso facto placed beyond the sphere of charity or even of justice. You can say anything you please about it. You can indulge in the popular vice of detraction without restraint, and yet feel all the time that you are practising contrition. A group of such young penitents will say, “Let us repent our national sins”; what they mean is, “Let us attribute to our neighbor (even our Christian neighbour) in the Cabinet, whenever we disagree with him, every abominable motive that Satan can suggest to our fancy….”
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Thanks for the great post on your blog, it really gives me an insight on this topic