Quite Witness

Here's a unique idea for many Christians: 
Maybe the best way to convey our values to the culture at large is NOT to talk about our values and it is certainly NOT to try and legislate our values.
Instead, maybe we ought to live our values and see what happens.

Isn't that the entire purpose of the Beatitudes? 
And personally, I'd rather have a person living the Beatitudes instead of trying to legislate the Ten Commandments.

                             Gospel of  Matthew 5:3-10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


I mean seriously, anybody who would live these principles wouldn't need to legislate anything. 
They wouldn't even need to say too much; people would be able to see the grace of the Lord through them.

Christians have long been criticized for trying to force their way and their values onto the larger, secular society.
And there is some truth in this...much to our own misfortune.

In recent years, prior to the evangelical crusade into the Republican Party, evangelical Christians were viewed in a very positive light.
During the 1980's, this changed as Christians became associated with 'Anti-Everything...' and certainly not the people on earth who sought to help the hurting and extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

But in yesteryear, Christians didn't always do so well with secular society either; this isn't a modern phenomenon.

Yet, there was always a glimmer of hope; a remnant of the faithful who tried to reach the culture right where they lived.
They did it without judgment, without guilt and without hurting anyone; all the while giving a glorious witness to Christ through their God-given talents.

Maybe, just maybe, modern Christians could learn something from those who quietly witnessed to the world in past ages.
Many of them, are still witnessing to the world today and few realize it.

Personally, my favorite composer is Ludwig Van Beethoven; he was gifted beyond what we can imagine. 

As a Pastor Jack side note - Beethoven's 9th Symphony was written by the musician while being completely deaf. He never heard a note of what he wrote, except in his head and heart; but that was enough to bless the world with the Masterpiece we know today.
But I digress.

Beethoven went through a very religious devotion later in life; he wrote the music for the hymn we know as 'Ode to Joy' or 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.'
But Beethoven wrote only two full-length masses for the use of the Church; but he believed one, Missa Solemnis, was the greatest work he ever produced.

Most do not realize it, but the creeds and statements of faith which were produced by the ancient orthodox councils of the Body of Christ are now repeated in the works of the classical masters.
Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, brought the beauty of God's gift to them to the Body of Christ.
And today, their works, symphonies and sonatas can be heard each night, being preformed by modern artists, in every major city in the world.

This would include closed countries where the Gospel preacher would NEVER have a chance of reaching anyone for Jesus Christ.
And yet, the Classical Masters still minister to the hearts of millions, everyday.

Simply put, they used their gifts and the Gospel still sounds forth today in places where a typical minister would be executed.
In short, God has given us, through them, Sacred Music.

And what of other artists?
Raphael, Michelangelo, or Leonardo da Vinci (at right)?
What of their greatest works?

Well, their greatest works hang in the Louvre in Paris and other museums around the globe; these works are typically of Biblical scenes or the Gospel story.
Their works still minister to us today; the brush stroke of the past still touches the heart of man in this age.

If this were not true of both the musicians and artists, then why is it that the Taliban or ISIS will enter an area and destroy all images and forbid all music?
Well, it's because through the medium of the creative arts, God has been able to transform hearts and lives to Himself.

Sadly, many Christians are only one-sided animals.

I bet you know the side - the verbal witnessing, the hell-fire threat, the scolding because of the life somebody didn't live or a mistake somebody committed; the judgmental attitude.
Yeah, you know it - probably because you have endured it like many of us have. We are a sacred club...those damaged by the Church; those hurt by the very Body which is to bring healing to the wounded.
Instead, we tend to shoot our own and then boast of our purity.

But again, instead of imposing our values and beliefs - what's wrong with living them and ministering in alternative ways, like music.
In the past, Southern Gospel tried this...in copying old-style country music; but it just wasn't believable and many performers became know on the singing circuit for their immoral lifestyles.

Today, Contemporary Christian music is popular, and has, in some cases, taken the approach of putting the ancient creeds to music - but again, the vast majority fail at winning an audience outside Christian circles.
The reason is because unlike the Classical Masters, modern artists want to sell albums, so they do interviews. 
The problem with this is that it is soon revealed that they know very little of the meaning behind the theology they claim to hold and sing about.
Again, in many cases, it just isn't believable.

Other than these examples, Christians, especially those with a strong theology, have abandoned the creative and liberal arts because, quite frankly, those who 'create' are often the same people who are 'liberal.'

At one time, I was in the creative arts while pursuing a degree in the liberal arts; yet, my faith nor solid foundation never wavered because it was built on the Rock of Ages.
It seems to be an unrealistic fear of many Christians; associate with those different than yourself and you will become corrupted - that's only true if your faith is NOT well founded.

Sadly, as the culture tilts away from the faith of our fathers, so too does the Christian from using their personal gifts as a quiet, yet lasting, witness.
But we should know, from history, as the Masters still impact society - some of them 500 years later, we can employ our gifts and effect those hundreds of years from now.

The problem with this idea is the fact that Christians don't really like 'artsy' types; although many would NEVER admit it.
You see, artsy types are many times, hippie types.
But I would argue, 'so what?'

Yes, it is true that those in the creative and liberal arts look different, act different and sometimes, they even smell different.
But that doesn't mean it is better or worse; it just means that they are different than what we are right now.

May I remind the reader that the American church lost an entire generation in the 1960's because the Church would not pursue the 'different' counter-culture taking place at the height of the Vietnam War.

May I also remind you that I am a product of the next generation who followed the love-fest of the Flower Children? 
And as a member of Generation X, the Church lost millions of us as well because once they realized their mistake with those who once shouted 'Flower Power'; they paid little attention to the latch-key kids of the 1980's.

And do you know where they are now?
Neither do I, but most of them aren't in Church, and neither are their children who are the Millennials. 

What those of the past needed, and what my generation needs today...what every generation needs most - it is grace.
Very few will ever hear me preach; fewer will ever read the words I have written.
But millions upon millions will know we are different because of what we do with the gifts we have been given - in the arts, in music, and through the grace we are to give the world.

And if you don't know where to start, begin by dispensing the grace you've received from God to others.
If you don't know how to do that - then begin by trying to live the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ.

Your actions will not be forgotten.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.