good theology
September 9, 2018
Psalms 146
This past week a certain shoe and apparel company made headlines with a new addition to its famous slogan. An addition celebrating the 30th anniversary of this company’s unforgettable slogan encouraging everyone to just do it. The focus of that original slogan, from my perspective at least, was the self. Just believe in your abilities and then go accomplish whatever IT is you want. And even though that slogan itself doesn’t expressly make mention of BELIEF, it is safe to say that one must first believe before one can do. The addition to that 30-year-old slogan is up front about BELIEF and its role in daily living. You see, this addition, “Believe in Something… Even if it means sacrificing Everything” places the very act of believing front and center. And this addition and the ad campaign have made many people angry. I’ve wondered about that anger this week, in fact, I’ve been wondering about the increasing levels of anger for quite some time. I’m not exactly sure why so many people are so angry, and maybe I don’t want to know, but I do know that anger can so cloud one’s perspective that they are left blind to the possibility of positivity. For instance, most of the anger being directed at this particular company seems to be about its choice of spokesperson for this anniversary ad campaign. Admittedly, this person has become a polarizing figure in our society, but let’s be clear about something, he is not the first polarizing figure and undoubtedly will not be the last. And let me also make clear that I’m not standing before you today in an attempt to endorse or villainize this man because quite frankly I don’t find conversations like that very interesting. Rather, what I find fascinating are the words and the meaning behind the words that this company has attached to its 30 years old slogan to JUST DO IT.
Do any of us here today know anyone who would disagree with the call to “Believe in Something… Even if it means sacrificing Everything”? I don’t think I do. In fact, doesn’t the life of the Jewish Rabbi we have chosen to follow actually personify believing in something, even if it means sacrificing everything? Don’t we, today’s followers of The Way, celebrate the fact that he did believe in something so much that he sacrificed everything? The thing is, throughout the history of this world, those in positions of leadership have always made the choice to believe in something and let that belief be known. And when you break it all down, that is actually what all leaders do, and once their beliefs are known, people in this country at least, have a choice about whether they want to follow. And make no mistake, the decision we make about who we will follow makes a profound statement about who we are.
****************************
So, you might be wondering what all of this has to do with Psalm 146, and if you are then my response is EVERYTHING. First it is important to note that Psalm 146 is a Psalm of Praise. In fact, it begins and ends with the same phrase, “Praise the LORD”, but it’s what happens in between those calls to praise that I want us to spend time with today, because I believe the Psalmist is calling us toward something while simultaneously calling us away from something else. I believe it is there that the Psalmist is calling us to place our belief and trust in one thing instead of another thing. And ultimately it is there that I believe the Psalmist is teaching us about Good Theology, which always begins with God… always begins with God acting first, and in these times of so much bad theology, we could stand a lesson or two on Good Theology.
God did then and does today BELIEVE in something and that BELIEF starts with us, God’s Beloved. Now the object of that BELIEF includes us but is so much bigger than us because our God [v6.] “made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.” This BELIEF is also an active BELIEF, as it compels our God to [v7.] “execute[s] justice for the oppressed; [and] give[s] food to the hungry.” And no matter what, even in the face of sacrificing everything, God [v6b.] “keeps faith forever.” Now let’s just let that sink in for a moment. God keeps faith forever. What a remarkable act of Love. God, the Creator of all, keeps faith that the oppressed will know and experience justice. God, the Creator of all, keeps faith that those who are hungry will be fed.
What if we, God’s Beloved, lived our lives as though we BELIEVED this to be true? Might the daily focus of our lives look different? Might our eyes be opened so that we can finally see the injustices all around us. Might our eyes be opened so that we can finally see the hungry who are all around us?
You see, this Psalmist is making it clear that “We can live in the faith that God ensures justice for the oppressed—something that earthly rulers have never been able to accomplish.
We are promised that God will give food to the hungry—not simply manna for rumbling stomachs, but the nourishment for our souls and spirits that we need to live out our God–given lives as [the] benevolent Creator intended.
We can prosper in the hope that God will set us free from all that would bind and consume us.
We are confident that God will heal us in body, mind, and spirit.
We are assured that God will be there to lift us up when we fall, steady us when we stumble, and care for those among us who cannot care for themselves (the stranger, the orphan, and the lonely).”[1]
These are the attributes of the God we serve and they provide sufficient reason for us to praise God for our whole lives. This prayer of praise, this Psalm “is designed to combat narcissism and consumerism. It is [designed] to lift our eyes above our day-to-day troubles and into the infinite realm of God.”[2] The infinite realm of compassion for the weak and vulnerable where “…the maker of heaven and earth and promise keeper…
executes justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry,
sets the prisoners free,
opens the eyes of the blind,
lifts up those who are bowed down,
watches over the strangers,
upholds the orphan and the widow,...”[3]
These are the kinds of things God is doing in the world. A world that oftentimes is overcome with people exploiting others in some quest for power. A world overcome by the oppressive acts of the selfish power-hungry few, who, after failing to pursue justice for the oppressed, and failing to give food to the hungry, claim that their life is dedicated to serving God.
Here’s the thing, though, the Psalmist is telling us about the God who loves righteousness and is calling us to join in God’s liberative work in the world. Work that sets the prisoners free. Work that opens the eyes of the blind. Work that lifts up those who are bowed over. Work that watches over strangers. Work that upholds the orphan and the widow. Work, that quite frankly, is all about serving others, not self. The Psalmist makes it clear that he BELIEVES in that calling, and we should too.
Good theology always starts with God and then invites us to be a part of God’s work. Not the other way around. “Theology that looks like it is anchored to—and promotes—prejudice, racism, slavery, contempt for indigenous populations, and territoriality is bad theology.[4] The kind of theology that relies on people placing their faith in “princes” not in God, is bad theology.
“To praise the kind of God who works for justice and who liberates is to live with a compassionate, yet daring and defiant, spirit. It is to turn one’s own self toward those who are oppressed and hungry; who live in physical, spiritual, and mental prisons. It is to enable people to see and perceive further than they might otherwise do, to lift the heads of those who have been shamed and humiliated, to seek and bring protection to those who are most vulnerable among us. Daring acts of compassion come from a power that transcends us, yet operates through us. For the God at work in the world empowering us to live as we should, the psalmist gives praise.
The psalmist says that this is the song he will sing all his life long (v. 2). He will sing a song about the creator God who is trustworthy. This is the God who is our helper and the source of all hope. This is the compassionate and caring God who longs for justice and liberation for all those whom God has created. This is the psalmist’s song. ”[5]
The question then, is this: What is your song? Is it a song about BELIEVING in something… Even if it means sacrificing everything? Well if it is, I certainly hope that something is more about liberation than oppression. I certainly hope that something is more about feeding than depriving. I certainly hope that something is more about setting people free than it is about imprisoning. But more than anything, I hope that something is rooted in Good Theology.
Amen!
[1] Morgan, Michael, Feasting on the Word Commentary Psalm 146, Pastoral Perspective
[2] Tanner, Beth L., http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2676
[3] Stulman, Louis, Feasting on the Word Commentary, Psalm 146, Exegetical Perspective
[4] Madison, David, http://www.debunking-christianity.com/2017/01/what-is-bad-theology.html
[5] Turner, Mary Donovan, Feasting on the Word Commentary, Psalm 146, Homiletical Perspective
Psalms 146
This past week a certain shoe and apparel company made headlines with a new addition to its famous slogan. An addition celebrating the 30th anniversary of this company’s unforgettable slogan encouraging everyone to just do it. The focus of that original slogan, from my perspective at least, was the self. Just believe in your abilities and then go accomplish whatever IT is you want. And even though that slogan itself doesn’t expressly make mention of BELIEF, it is safe to say that one must first believe before one can do. The addition to that 30-year-old slogan is up front about BELIEF and its role in daily living. You see, this addition, “Believe in Something… Even if it means sacrificing Everything” places the very act of believing front and center. And this addition and the ad campaign have made many people angry. I’ve wondered about that anger this week, in fact, I’ve been wondering about the increasing levels of anger for quite some time. I’m not exactly sure why so many people are so angry, and maybe I don’t want to know, but I do know that anger can so cloud one’s perspective that they are left blind to the possibility of positivity. For instance, most of the anger being directed at this particular company seems to be about its choice of spokesperson for this anniversary ad campaign. Admittedly, this person has become a polarizing figure in our society, but let’s be clear about something, he is not the first polarizing figure and undoubtedly will not be the last. And let me also make clear that I’m not standing before you today in an attempt to endorse or villainize this man because quite frankly I don’t find conversations like that very interesting. Rather, what I find fascinating are the words and the meaning behind the words that this company has attached to its 30 years old slogan to JUST DO IT.
Do any of us here today know anyone who would disagree with the call to “Believe in Something… Even if it means sacrificing Everything”? I don’t think I do. In fact, doesn’t the life of the Jewish Rabbi we have chosen to follow actually personify believing in something, even if it means sacrificing everything? Don’t we, today’s followers of The Way, celebrate the fact that he did believe in something so much that he sacrificed everything? The thing is, throughout the history of this world, those in positions of leadership have always made the choice to believe in something and let that belief be known. And when you break it all down, that is actually what all leaders do, and once their beliefs are known, people in this country at least, have a choice about whether they want to follow. And make no mistake, the decision we make about who we will follow makes a profound statement about who we are.
****************************
So, you might be wondering what all of this has to do with Psalm 146, and if you are then my response is EVERYTHING. First it is important to note that Psalm 146 is a Psalm of Praise. In fact, it begins and ends with the same phrase, “Praise the LORD”, but it’s what happens in between those calls to praise that I want us to spend time with today, because I believe the Psalmist is calling us toward something while simultaneously calling us away from something else. I believe it is there that the Psalmist is calling us to place our belief and trust in one thing instead of another thing. And ultimately it is there that I believe the Psalmist is teaching us about Good Theology, which always begins with God… always begins with God acting first, and in these times of so much bad theology, we could stand a lesson or two on Good Theology.
God did then and does today BELIEVE in something and that BELIEF starts with us, God’s Beloved. Now the object of that BELIEF includes us but is so much bigger than us because our God [v6.] “made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.” This BELIEF is also an active BELIEF, as it compels our God to [v7.] “execute[s] justice for the oppressed; [and] give[s] food to the hungry.” And no matter what, even in the face of sacrificing everything, God [v6b.] “keeps faith forever.” Now let’s just let that sink in for a moment. God keeps faith forever. What a remarkable act of Love. God, the Creator of all, keeps faith that the oppressed will know and experience justice. God, the Creator of all, keeps faith that those who are hungry will be fed.
What if we, God’s Beloved, lived our lives as though we BELIEVED this to be true? Might the daily focus of our lives look different? Might our eyes be opened so that we can finally see the injustices all around us. Might our eyes be opened so that we can finally see the hungry who are all around us?
You see, this Psalmist is making it clear that “We can live in the faith that God ensures justice for the oppressed—something that earthly rulers have never been able to accomplish.
We are promised that God will give food to the hungry—not simply manna for rumbling stomachs, but the nourishment for our souls and spirits that we need to live out our God–given lives as [the] benevolent Creator intended.
We can prosper in the hope that God will set us free from all that would bind and consume us.
We are confident that God will heal us in body, mind, and spirit.
We are assured that God will be there to lift us up when we fall, steady us when we stumble, and care for those among us who cannot care for themselves (the stranger, the orphan, and the lonely).”[1]
These are the attributes of the God we serve and they provide sufficient reason for us to praise God for our whole lives. This prayer of praise, this Psalm “is designed to combat narcissism and consumerism. It is [designed] to lift our eyes above our day-to-day troubles and into the infinite realm of God.”[2] The infinite realm of compassion for the weak and vulnerable where “…the maker of heaven and earth and promise keeper…
executes justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry,
sets the prisoners free,
opens the eyes of the blind,
lifts up those who are bowed down,
watches over the strangers,
upholds the orphan and the widow,...”[3]
These are the kinds of things God is doing in the world. A world that oftentimes is overcome with people exploiting others in some quest for power. A world overcome by the oppressive acts of the selfish power-hungry few, who, after failing to pursue justice for the oppressed, and failing to give food to the hungry, claim that their life is dedicated to serving God.
Here’s the thing, though, the Psalmist is telling us about the God who loves righteousness and is calling us to join in God’s liberative work in the world. Work that sets the prisoners free. Work that opens the eyes of the blind. Work that lifts up those who are bowed over. Work that watches over strangers. Work that upholds the orphan and the widow. Work, that quite frankly, is all about serving others, not self. The Psalmist makes it clear that he BELIEVES in that calling, and we should too.
Good theology always starts with God and then invites us to be a part of God’s work. Not the other way around. “Theology that looks like it is anchored to—and promotes—prejudice, racism, slavery, contempt for indigenous populations, and territoriality is bad theology.[4] The kind of theology that relies on people placing their faith in “princes” not in God, is bad theology.
“To praise the kind of God who works for justice and who liberates is to live with a compassionate, yet daring and defiant, spirit. It is to turn one’s own self toward those who are oppressed and hungry; who live in physical, spiritual, and mental prisons. It is to enable people to see and perceive further than they might otherwise do, to lift the heads of those who have been shamed and humiliated, to seek and bring protection to those who are most vulnerable among us. Daring acts of compassion come from a power that transcends us, yet operates through us. For the God at work in the world empowering us to live as we should, the psalmist gives praise.
The psalmist says that this is the song he will sing all his life long (v. 2). He will sing a song about the creator God who is trustworthy. This is the God who is our helper and the source of all hope. This is the compassionate and caring God who longs for justice and liberation for all those whom God has created. This is the psalmist’s song. ”[5]
The question then, is this: What is your song? Is it a song about BELIEVING in something… Even if it means sacrificing everything? Well if it is, I certainly hope that something is more about liberation than oppression. I certainly hope that something is more about feeding than depriving. I certainly hope that something is more about setting people free than it is about imprisoning. But more than anything, I hope that something is rooted in Good Theology.
Amen!
[1] Morgan, Michael, Feasting on the Word Commentary Psalm 146, Pastoral Perspective
[2] Tanner, Beth L., http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2676
[3] Stulman, Louis, Feasting on the Word Commentary, Psalm 146, Exegetical Perspective
[4] Madison, David, http://www.debunking-christianity.com/2017/01/what-is-bad-theology.html
[5] Turner, Mary Donovan, Feasting on the Word Commentary, Psalm 146, Homiletical Perspective
