Prosperity Gospel Meets Real Life

What is Christianity supposed to look like? Some teach a "prosperity gospel," the idea that a Christian's life should be externally successful - free from suffering, illness, or debt. Others reject this on biblical grounds, but still believe a spiritualized prosperity gospel. Instead of "health and wealth" in a physical or material sense, they expect spiritual, mental, and emotional prosperity. They expect their spirit to remain calm, strong, and in control regardless of obstacles. They want to proceed smoothly on a pretty continuous basis, without being stretched beyond their internal limitations.

The Bible challenges believers to strive for internal stability. Probably this expectation is the ideal of victorious, mature Christianity (Galatians 5:22-23). Because all Christians are human, however, and live in frail bodies on a fallen planet, all Christians experience trouble (Psalm 34:19). All trials are not identical. Some trials are primarily external - Joseph unfairly thrown into prison or Job with an intense illness. Some trials are primarily internal - Paul's burden of caring for all the churches or Abraham waiting for decades to see God's promise. Trials that are external create internal challenges; Job (one of the most godly men ever) is a prime example. It can be hard to separate these. 

Consider the ongoing pandemic. A Christian's situation may be reasonably stable in the midst of all the chaos. His family is fine. His health is fine. His job is fine. His finances are fine. Even in that "fine" condition, this person would probably say it has been and continues to be a difficult year.

Even someone who is doing fine externally in these crazy days has related internal challenges. The "big" things are okay, but the external creates constant pressures and ramifications that affect the internal. If the external isn't okay - a parent is very sick with the virus, his job is about to be shut down, he can't pay his rent - the internal challenges are even greater. Both of these men may desire spiritualized prosperity - internal calmness and control. Probably neither of them is fully experiencing that.

Some of the issue is lack of spiritual maturity. Probably both men should grow and learn to respond better. On the other hand, it is important to remember that "life is hard" doesn't always mean something primarily external. Sometimes "life is hard" means mental and emotional struggles, even spiritual battles (II Corinthians 4:8). Satan has a diverse bag of tricks, and Christians are constantly beset by spiritual attacks (I Peter 5:8). The expectation of constant spiritualized prosperity is just as vulnerable as the expectation of constant physical prosperity.

Internal battles should be treated much the same way as external battles. (Yes, there is a distinction because some internal battles are clearly sin or maturity issues, but we don't always know where that distinction lies, nor does the existence of a spiritual issue negate the fact that Satan wants to use it for his purposes. The thrust of this post is not to deny legitimate spiritual issues, but rather to consider that some trials are internal by nature.)

Saying the right thing is important. In external trials, it can be relatively easy to say, "I know that God is in control" or "Life is really hard right now, but I choose to trust God." These are also the appropriate things to say in internal trials. When faced with difficult internal struggles, the humble response of yielding is just as important as in external struggles. It is still right to say, "God is good and right, and I will submit to His plan." (I Peter 5:6; Psalm 119:68, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 31:14-15)

Doing the right thing is also important (Job 6:10). Whether the trial is external or internal, some responses are essential. Reading the Bible more. Praying more fervently. Staying in church as much as possible. Having spiritual conversations with other Christians. Avoiding temptations.

For either type of problem, endurance is needed (Hebrews 10:35-36). One foot in front of the other. One more step. One more day. Faithfulness for as long as it takes. Not quitting.

For either type of problem, faith is needed (Hebrews 11:6). The fact that there are internal pressures does not mean that someone is not pleasing God. They actually provide a way to please God by maintaining faith in Him.

Difficult seasons of life can be like a treacherous swamp. The Christian finds himself with danger on every side, as far as his eye can see. Quicksand, miry mud, hidden roots, dangerous hanging branches, threatening weather, approaching darkness, wild animals, physical injury. As he lies helpless, a Guide comes to him and says, "There is a safe place outside this swamp, and I know how to get there." The poor man exercises faith. He trusts his Guide. He says to himself, "I believe there is an exit. I believe the Guide can safely take me there." Then he simply follows. One step at a time, he keeps walking. He may walk for hours or days without seeing the exit. He may be only one step away from the exit and might still remain unable to see it. No matter how impossible it seems to keep going, he simply trusts and takes the next step. And one day it ends, and he is safe.

In internal struggles as well as external, the suffering believer needs to just keep doing the right thing. Keep having faith in God. Keep humbly submitting. Keep acknowledging God's goodness. Keep leaning on God. Difficult internal struggles don't mean "this isn't the way the Christian life is supposed to be" any more than difficult external struggles do. They do mean that the spiritual battle is real. They do provide opportunities for growth. They do call for obedience, endurance, and faith.

Internal battles should end in some level of victory and growth, in which the believer is better prepared for the next one. But there will be a next one, because internal struggles are a common part of the Christian life. (I Corinthians 10:13)

The Impossible Through Prayer

How much does prayer matter? Can the prayer of man change anything? James says it can. "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16).

Exactly what is "much"? How "big" can we pray? Will prayer only bring about results that are likely to happen anyway? Or could they bring about something that is highly unlikely? Even impossible? James gives an example.

"Elijah ... prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months" (James 5:17). The story is recounted in I Kings, where Elijah announced, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word" (I Kings 17:1). 

The Bible confirms that there was "no rain in the land" (I Kings 17:7). The brook where God temporarily supplied for Elijah dried up (I Kings 17:7). The resulting "famine was severe" (I Kings18:2). Prophets hiding in a cave had to be supplied with water (I Kings 18:4).

Three and a half years with no rain. That's pretty intense. But is it within the realm of common experience? How much of an aberration was this?

The Dust Bowl (1931-1939) is considered the worst drought in the last millennium in North America. Several years of drought (1930-1931, 1934, 1936, 1939-1940) mixed with years of more normal rainfall in the Great Plains. Arkansas and Oklahoma were among the most affected. For eleven years (1930-1940), the average annual rainfall for each state was 23 inches, with 18 being the least amount of rainfall in any one year. In the worst drought we can imagine in our country, it still rained at least 18 inches even in the worst year.

How does that compare to Israel, where Elijah's drought occurred? Average annual rainfall in Israel is about one-third what it is for Arkansas and Oklahoma. Yes, there are dry times in Israel. Average rainfall from June through September is zero. But it rains the rest of the year, adding up to an average 7.29 inches per year. No rain at all for three and a half years? That is pretty incredible, since on average, they would get 25.5 inches in that time frame.

Is there anywhere in the world that doesn't get some rainfall each year? There are some very arid deserts, including places where, in fact, there is no known rainfall for decades or centuries on end. Those locations are rare, and are not inhabited. The driest inhabited places are pretty dry, but they still get minimal amounts of rain. My research found nine locations averaging less than a half inch of rain per year. (Aoulef, Algeria - .48; Pelican Point, Namibia - .32; Iquique, Chile - .2; Wadi Halfa, Sudan - .096; Ica, Peru - .09; Luxor, Egypt - .034; Aswan, Egypt - .0338; Al-Kufrah, Libya - .0338; Arica, Chile - .03). In three and a half years, the driest of these most extreme places on earth would get a tenth of an inch of rain. How much did Israel get in that time frame? Zero.

There is no way to interpret these statistics that would make zero rainfall possible for that amount of time. And if the extended drought were not amazing enough, at the end of those years, Elijah "prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit" (James 5:18).

Even though there was not a cloud in the sky, Elijah told the king, "There is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower" (I Kings 18:41). Then, after announcing this to the king, Elijah prayed seven times until his servant reported "a cloud as small as a man's hand is coming up from the sea" (I Kings 18:44). "In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower" (I Kings 18:45). The man whose prayers had stopped the rains for three and a half years also prayed for an abundance of rain, which arrived almost immediately.

Yes, God did amazing things through the prayers of prophets. But God did not inspire James 5:16 for the benefit of first-century (or twenty-first century) prophets. He gave it to the New Testament church. The illustration of Elijah was intended to reveal how much prayer can accomplish.

In fact, Elijah's prayer was not effective just because he was a prophet. The Bible is quick to point out that "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours" (James 5:17). He was a frail human living in a finite body, just like we are. He was like us. Elijah had his share of struggles, just as we do.

Our prayers can accomplish much. There is other biblical teaching that guides our prayers, so this verse is not a guarantee that we will always see the results we expect. But it is an encouragement to pray, even for impossible things, because "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

Malachi Responses in a Chronicles World

When has our country ever been needier than it is right now, under the situations of these past weeks and months? Probably never in my lifetime. My heart has been heavy this week as I have considered the current rioting, although my ultimate conclusions also include the virus situation.

My primary reaction regarding the protests is that I don't understand. I don't understand how these protests can be productive; they seem only destructive. I don't doubt that there are legitimate concerns or that there are sincere people seeking to address those concerns, but the current methods are doing more harm than good.

This situation may be exactly what is being universally touted - that a racist officer acted with excessive violence, without mercy denying breath to a man calling out for reprieve. In that case, proper justice should be taken based on evidence. But there are also enough questions, in my opinion, to present the possibility that the situation was not as bad as it seems. If that is the case, it will be too late to reverse the loss of lives, businesses, and peace.

Why do I suggest this unpopular possibility? Because I expect police officers to act like police officers, criminals like criminals, and upstanding citizens like upstanding citizens. That's not always true; there are bad cops. There are also good cops who make bad decisions. Rather than stemming from hatred, I think many similar situations are simply due to people (on both sides) making bad decisions in intense situations. I'm not arguing for who is right or wrong in this case or in the broader picture, but just saying that currently imperfect people are hurting and in turmoil.

The underlying problem is sin. Whether that is racism by cops or citizens, or whether that is criminal activity and disregard for the law, it is sin. It is primarily a heart issue. The answer is the gospel. Criminals, police officers, hate groups, and ordinary citizens all need the gospel. Only then can hearts, lives, and behaviors be changed. Only then can healing happen.

I don't understand racism. Maybe that means I'm sheltered. I  do realize there are hateful people, maybe more than I realize, but I don't think most Americans care about skin color. I have had co-workers and students from multiple ethnic backgrounds. I have lived in a foreign country, ministering to and alongside people of other ethnicities. I have loved those people. Racism seems foreign to me because I grew up with Christianity and in Christian circles. That's the point. The answer is God. If others shared my Christian context, there wouldn't be racism.

Here's where my thinking on the riots coincides with my thinking about coronavirus. There are many people in our country who need the gospel. It is the only thing that will change their lives and hearts, the only thing that will provide answers. That is true whether the issue is hatred and racism or whether the issue is fear, anxiety, or depression.

Many have tried during these months to direct people toward God. Just with myself and people in my church, there have been multiple conversations, phone calls, letters, tracts, social media posts and videos, publically-published letters and sermons, and other creative attempts to show God's love and to direct people to the hope and salvation found in God.

But where are the responses? If people are so needy, and if the answer is being shared, why aren't people responding? If these troubling times are not enough to turn people's hearts to God, then what would it take to get people's attention? If not now, when?

Nearly everyone thinks he is ok. People believe in God. Religion is so common in our culture that, without extended and systematic study, people don't realize their belief is insufficient or misguided. The remaining people either don't care or are angry at God. They blame Him for everything, or they deny He exists, and they dismiss all religious talk before they have the chance to hear enough truth to impact them. I am reminded of how God sent His prophets many times to Israel, but they would not hear. (II Chronicles 36:15-16, Jeremiah 35:13-16). People today give Malachi-type responses. They ask questions, sometimes sincere and sometimes belligerent. What's wrong with us? Why would God reject us? Don't we believe in Him? Haven't we gone to church? Don't we try to live right? What do you mean, we aren't good enough?

We believe that people are hurting in these days, but these "hurting" people are nebulous and nameless. Are they your co-workers or neighbors? They don't seem to be. Are they the people in the riots, people who are suffering from injustice and can't find a way out? Do you think they want to hear the gospel? In both groups, people either think they already have religion or they want nothing to do with it.

Truly, Jesus was right when He said, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). As I pondered a friend's heartfelt Facebook post sharing her beliefs as well as the many efforts of others, my heart was gripped to pray for these gospel efforts to have impact. Yes, many will choose the broad path. They will refuse to get enough Bible knowledge to even understand the truth. But not all. Some will choose the narrow way.

How can we reach those people? Each of us have people in our sphere of influence that others don't have. Who among us knows the protestors, the police, the hurting inner city people? If we don't have contact with them, perhaps the ones who are most needy, how can we reach them? Those cities, neighborhoods, gangs, and groups seem like closed communities. What can we do?

Here are the answers I thought of. Pray for inner cities. Pray for workers to go there. Pray for pastors who are in those cities to be true to the Word and to preach the gospel. Pray for people who are searching to find good churches rather than empty religion. Pray for people's hearts to be touched. Pray for key leaders within their communities and groups to be saved. Pray for people in social services to have real impact, sharing Christ and not social help. Mentor if that possibility is available. For the needy who are in your sphere of influence, pray for God to draw them. Then live like Christians ought to live to show people there is a difference between believing in God and being a Christian. May God have mercy on our land. May He call people to Himself. May He heal the hurting.

Candid Admissions Regarding COVID-19

Most of us have been actively dealing with the COVID-19 situation for nearly two months now, and it often seems there is no end in sight. The hardest thing for me has been isolation. Even though I am working, I have been separated from those who are most special to me. When I have needed them most, I have missed my church family, which is the heart of my support network.

That drives me deeper to God. He is the best source of comfort, help, and strength, and He has been dear to me. I wish I could say I have spent precious hours in His Word. I am finding verses to help me, for sure, but in general the added pressures of work and living have limited my energy for extended reading and study. I'm spending more time talking to God, working through things, letting Him know about my day and my thoughts and struggles. I have thrived most on music, listening to and playing hymns. There is something about music that is soothing and comforting, and it helps me find the words that my heart wants to say. Sometimes I just sit and listen to hymn after hymn, allowing the truths they express to envelop me.

The isolation from church has in some ways contributed to increasing closeness. I have talked with church friends almost daily, sometimes praying, sometimes crying, sometimes sharing, sometimes listening. I have had cards, texts, emails, and Facebook interaction. I've had more face-to-face contacts than I would have expected. I've had people bring me food, acquire and deliver medical supplies, and offer help. When I talk with church members, they often mention others who have also ministered to them. Seeing the multiple ways in which we have been able to care, support, and interact with each other even while separated makes me love and appreciate my church even more.

My early response to the virus was disbelief. The far-away situation seemed like it never would affect us. The initial responses seemed extreme, even shocking, an extreme overreaction. I still pretty much feel that way, but I also see the difficult position leaders are in when the American public has the unreasonable expectation that leaders should prevent all deaths. The attempt to accomplish that has been tumultuous and damaging.

When things got crazy, I quickly realized that my primary challenge is figuring out how to live life as it currently exists. I don't mean the practical things like grocery shopping; I mean responding mentally, emotionally, spiritually. In order not to be completely overwhelmed, I need God desperately, and I need His Word desperately. My primary focus in life has become seeking inner stability. Sometimes I do okay with that, but lots of times I feel overwhelmed - stabilized enough to continue on with life, but certainly not comfortable.

I have sometimes seen the need for humor or for something ordinary to temporarily distract from the constant impact of the virus. Sometimes there is the need to commiserate with friends, hearing their frustrations and fears and sharing my own. And yes, sometimes there is frustration with leaders and restrictions.

People respond differently. Sometimes that is based on their situation in life. For example, some people are home right now with their families and with extra time to relax. As far as life goes, they are surrounded by love and even having special times that are helping them to get through the difficulties. Since I don't have that, it is the primary focus of my interactions with others. Whether by phone or Facebook, I am primarily seeking to support and be supported because those are my only venues to do that.

Those who already have those basic needs met often come to the phone or to Facebook with other needs and responses. If they have time off, they also have plenty of time to be exposed to and consider other aspects of this difficult time. May I refer to these as verbal barrages, political arguments, and conspiracy theories? Frankly, those things are outside my capacity to deal with and provide more overwhelming pressure. To me, it doesn't matter how this started; it did start. My focus is on dealing with it.

Sometimes I call people to check on them or just to chat, but it is likely that if I call, it is either because I am overwhelmed or because I know I soon will be without interaction. I can't handle being more overwhelmed by the content of the phone call. Same with Facebook. I want to see friends' posts because they provide some level of connection with people, but the rants and conspiracy theories drag me down.

I know people are on Facebook for various reasons. Some use it primarily as a political platform. I usually don't follow those people, because I am there primarily for connections with people. Lately, political-type posts have been increasing, and I'm not saying no one should share those things, but it does make it harder for me to have a support network that doesn't overwhelm me. I want to have what I described earlier in this post - a drawing closer rather than a pushing apart. Sadly, I feel like I'm temporarily losing some of my friends when I need them most.

We all have to deal with pressures and frustrations. Some people are responding with shootings and public threats - people who wouldn't normally do such things, but they are currently pushed by overwhelming pressures that cloud their responses. I understand that my friends also have the same pressures; rather than shooting people, they are speaking or posting frustration. So I cut them some slack, but God has taught me hard lessons that make me prefer hurt and tears over frustration and anger. I realize this world is not perfect, and that can be upsetting, but I'm a stranger here, trying to reflect God during my earthly sojourn. I need support in doing that.