Text: 1 Corinthians 14:26
When we come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, let all things be done for edification.

"These are the times for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Chauvinistic as it might sound, anyone who took typing growing up, not computers mind you but hunt and peck, learned that little ditty. I'm not sure why except it probably made us find most of the keys without thinking and conveyed a patriotic message during the cold war. It has come to mind often of late for a different reason. "These are the times for all good persons, persons of deep faith, thinking faith, to come to the aid of their church." Now is the time when progressive faith can no longer stand silent!

"Let all things be done to build up." “Build up,” says Paul, not take down, rip apart, kick out, exclude. Originally I had planned this series spread over next year. It would look at the issues of fundamentalism and its influence on our life politic. Not necessarily on politics meaning partisan, but on how our nation and world are being influenced by the pressures of religion that paints itself as fundamental, yet is more of an ideology along with all the "isms" conjured up by human beings seeking power over others, using God as scapegoat and shaman. But then came the struggles of my former congregation and it seemed timely to look at what is happening in the church, the Presbyterian Church, and in this preacher's opinion, the attempts being made to kidnap faith.

Perhaps first as a "headline witness" of fanaticism wedded to faith in modern time, was Khomeini with the take over of Iran. But before we can look at the world, we need to look in the mirror and first in this country at the Southern Baptists–forget the televangelist who often sound like Ayatollahs without weapons–look at those institutions that were the bedrock of belief in America, the main line churches of this land. First to fall were the Southern Baptists, great seminaries were purged of solid theology, women ministers and teachers were kicked out on grounds they didn't meet biblical standards. Then came the Episcopalians a couple of years back who split over the ordination of a bishop, and they're still at it. Church member and columnist George Will wrote at that time, "Even people of different faiths should watch the results. The drama is rich with lessons about conservation of institutions, the price of 'progressive' cultural aggression upon them, and the changing geography of religious belief. Political and cultural trendiness rather than doctrinal clarity has made the Episcopal Church a dwindling faction," he says, "a flea on the American religious landscape."

Now the focus is coming ever closer with the rallying cry "biblical authority," something Presbyterians, known as "people of the book," should know something about. Luther said, "sola scriptura," countering Rome and Calvin was equally affirming of scripture as guide and authority.

In the "preliminary principles" of our Book of Order are the words, "In so far as Christ's will for the church is set forth in scripture, it is to be obeyed," but there's the rub. Determining Christ's will, for the principles go on to say, "(all) matters are to be ordered according to the word by reason and sound judgment, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Presbyterians hearken to one of the tenets of our faith being scripture, but we reject any attempt to erect walls of orthodox tradition that cannot be changed with the onset of new learning. Revelation: "reforum reformundum," reformed and ever-reforming, that is who we are! Everything in faith, including Holy Scripture, can be questioned. Our eyes are on a God of the future and our faith is grounded in the one who makes all things new.

The first of our historic principles of church order says it clearly, "God alone is Lord of the conscience and has left (that conscience) free from doctrines and commandments of men (and women)."

These days there is much pressure coming to bear upon main line denominations with international ties. Christian leaders in the developing world see western churches waging "liberal imperialism." I have heard speakers within our own denomination say that unless we conserve our theological thinking we will lose those newcomers as partners in our faith. Others insist that it is because we have "strayed from the Bible" that the Presbyterian Church has hemorrhaged membership.

So, the question for we who sit in the pews of a historically, progressive congregation known as a Church with a Conscience, challenged to lift our peers forward and Godward– are we dancing to trendy modernism, being supportive of cultural interpretation that says "the Bible simply hasn't kept up?" And if that is not the case, are we bound to conserve our thinking about faith fundamentals as we see them for the sake of others? We say that we should seek to reason together with those who think differently so that all of us might grow. But what if others refuse to be in dialogue?

I am reminded of the words of Paul to the Corinthians, "When I was a child I thought as a child, but now that I am grown....” "We see through a glass dimly, but one day we shall see clearly.” I am not suggesting that those who press for more conservative Christian understandings are any less theologically astute. But I do argue that there are different levels of faith birthed out of different life circumstances and that every Christian, if their faith is to be a living thing, should be about growth rather than entrenchment.

Yet, what is clear is that these struggles are nothing new. There seemed to be a debate brewing in Corinth, so Paul wrote a letter that focuses on church discipline. There were those speaking in tongues while others worshiped differently. Paul seems to say, "What ever floats your boat," but don't be like squabbling schoolyard kids, grow up in your thinking! What is important is your prophetic voice. Do what is just and right and walk humbly! The humility part being where it gets tricky. And when you come together, engage in worship that helps everyone to grow.

In case you wondered, I intentionally included the part about women so that the sermon would generate some discussion on the way home. Trouble is some take even that verse as the gospel. Paul goes on to say, "Did God's word originate with you women?" Apparently Paul missed the accounts of Jesus appearing first to the female gender on Easter morning and the men thinking it all to be nonsense. Does that not underscore the point between where Paul was and where Luke's congregation had matured? The result being a new-Testament that takes the wide angle view seeing God's gracious plan of acceptance worked out through Jesus Christ clearing a little of the aged dirt off of faith's window.

Mark likewise tells the account of blind Bartimaeus, a beggar, an outcast yet one who asked for mercy. Those who knew him, including close followers of Jesus, turned him away. But Jesus simply asked what he wanted. "To see!" said the blind man, "to see!" And Jesus replied, "Your faith has made you well." That was the end of the matter and Bartimaeus followed all of his days.

Fundamentalism of Jesus' time rejected a blind man. He was different, unclean, frightening to those who didn't understand. Peter Gomes tells of a person who wanted to place Bibles in Harvard's chapel. Colleagues wanted to know the benefactor's intent. What would be expected? People might steal the Bibles. People might think Harvard was becoming religious. Gomes says the worriers meant well and simply wanted to protect the students from zealots. Eventually the gift was accepted and over the years a fair number of Bibles left the premises. The Bible is the most stolen book in the world. People want to see.

Trouble is the rate of biblical literacy has declined while the Bible, as proof text, has increased significantly. Politicians use it, newspapers and magazines quote it, scripture is fundamental to our faith, yet for many it's like the woman who said to the preacher, "For me, when you read the Bible on Sunday mornings, it's like eavesdropping on a conversation in a restaurant where the next table is speaking in another language. You catch a word or two but not enough to know what's being said."

The level of biblical illiteracy has been on the increase along with the use of God's word as a selective club to drive nails into the hands of the innocent. I've seen it when dear friends, who's sexual orientation marks them as unacceptable, are expected to sign loyalty oaths. When ministers who just might ordain a deacon or an elder labeled different or who might bless a relationship that is not conventional, are hauled before "The Church Unacceptable Activities Commission–" by the Presbyterian Church's own form of McCarthy-ism– all in the name of protecting the purity of the faith.

Paul says, "When you come together let all things be done for edification." For education, enlightenment, guidance, improvement, growth! Christian fundamentalism is like the sign that hangs over the antique shop that says, "Nothing new here!" But God's word is alive! God's Word does not change, we do! We are not called to adapt ourselves to the word playing re-enactment games, rather the Bible adapts itself to our capacity to hear, then it pushes us to new horizons.

It's written in the fourth chapter of Hebrews, "God's word is living and active, sharper than a two edged sword, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart," which means our faith does not exist unless it is on the cutting edge!

There are a lot of people, frightened and hurting, rejected by churches. People who like Bartimaeus want to see. Which means the time has come for we who affirm a progressive faith, those who stand for tolerance, the time has come to let a world that longs to see the God of hope and justice and compassion, know there is a place for them.

The Buddhists tell us, "Seek not to follow in the footsteps of those of old, rather seek what they sought." That friends, is the difference between seeking what is fundamental to what we believe without being part of any "ism." And now is the time for all good progressives who believe in the Presbyterian Church's prophetic principles to stand and be counted.

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